Colorado Bighorn Sheep

Unit S57 (Mount Evans / Georgetown Bighorn)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

S57 is the Mount Evans and Georgetown bighorn sheep unit in north-central Colorado — one of the more famous sheep units in the Lower 48, made visible by the Mount Evans Scenic Byway and the Georgetown Bighorn Viewing Area. CPW issues roughly 12 tags against 720 three-year applicants, making this a multi-decade preference-point hunt. Alpine country on Arapaho National Forest and the Mount Evans Wilderness dominates the unit.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit S57

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in S57

Mount Evans sheep inhabit alpine grass shelves and talus at 11,500–14,000 ft — we plan around named basins.

Mount Evans North Face

Core bighorn groups summer on the north and east faces of Mount Evans. Wind-scoured ridges and grass shelves hold rams.

Georgetown Corridor

Lower-elevation rams near Georgetown are famous for the Bighorn Viewing Area. Hunt them further into the forest rather than along the byway.

Grays and Torreys Drainage

Adjacent 14er drainages hold scattered rams through summer. Pre-season scouting confirms which ridges actually carry animals in a given year.

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How to Hunt S57 Bighorn Sheep

Once-in-a-lifetime tag on one of Colorado's most iconic mountains — we plan thoroughly.

Scout From the Byway

Mount Evans Scenic Byway provides unmatched access for pre-season glassing. We use paid road days to inventory rams.

Hunt Off the Beaten Path

Hikers crowd the Mount Evans summit area. Rams push into quieter drainages under pressure — we hunt them there.

Plan a Technical Pack-Out

Alpine retrieval can involve technical terrain. Experienced packing partners and rope gear may be necessary.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Archery55%

CPW bighorn harvest data historically shows S57 tag holders filling at very high rates — visible rams, solid population, and well-prepared hunters combine for consistent success. Ram quality averages in the 170s B&C with occasional older rams higher.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— 1st Season	1	14	7.1%	3
Archery— 1st Season	1	194	0.5%	3
Archery— 1st Season	1	1	100.0%	3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Twelve tags against 720 three-year applicants puts aggregate odds near 1.7%. Under Colorado's pure preference-point draw, S57 typically requires 20+ resident preference points; nonresident minimums are higher. Once drawn, you are out of the resident ram pool for life under the once-in-a-lifetime rule.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

I-70, CO-103 (Mount Evans Byway, seasonal), and US-285 are paved. Forest access roads are graded gravel; early snow closes the byway.

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Terrain Difficulty

Very steep and high — 10,000 to 14,000+ ft. Altitude acclimatization is non-negotiable.

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Hunting Pressure

Light on sheep tags, but hikers and climbers saturate the area year-round.

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Weather

Afternoon thunderstorms and early snow are routine. Late-season hunts require full winter gear.

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Cell Service

Decent along I-70; spotty to none on alpine ridges.

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Nearest Town

Idaho Springs, Georgetown, and Bailey provide services. Denver (1 hour east) for gear and groceries.

Note: The Mount Evans Scenic Byway closes seasonally — we plan access before it shuts down in the fall.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt along Mount Evans Scenic Byway?

Yes, where legal — the byway corridor and adjacent drainages include huntable public land within S57. Always check the current regulations for road-corridor and wilderness boundary rules.

How many preference points do I need for S57 bighorn?

Typically 20+ resident preference points, with higher nonresident minimums. CPW publishes annual minimum-point data.

Is S57 a once-in-a-lifetime unit?

Yes. Any Colorado bighorn ram tag is once in a lifetime for residents under CPW rules.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

CPW Hunting — S57 Bighorn Sheep Information — Colorado Parks & Wildlife · supports: S57 boundary, bighorn hunt codes, and season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Colorado Big Game Brochure — Colorado Parks & Wildlife · supports: S57 bighorn license limits, once-in-a-lifetime rules, and preference-point framework · accessed 2026-04-17
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests — Mount Evans Wilderness — USDA Forest Service · supports: Mount Evans Wilderness boundaries, trail access, and alpine sheep habitat in S57 · accessed 2026-04-17