Colorado
(Note: This overview was extracted from the December 2007 issue of The Huntin' Fool) 
Colorado has an excellent reputation for having a lot of game and excellent hunts. They have a variety of big game species including: Desert sheep (available to residents only), Bighorn sheep, Mountain goats, Shiras moose, elk, Mule deer, Whitetail deer, and antelope. Colorado is an excellent state to build bonus/preference points in for all species.
Colorado has a true preference point system for elk, deer, and antelope. This means that the applicants who apply for a particular tag and have the most points draw the tag. Trends from year to year and unit to unit can be followed and hunters can anticipate and plan on drawing a tag in a certain year. Remember, applicants who apply with the most points win.
Sheep, moose, and goat tags are distributed differently. The number of preference points are capped at 3 and bonus points are accrued after an applicant has applied for and obtained 3 preference points. The long and short of the bonus points is that applicants with more bonus points have a better chance at drawing the tags, but the tags are still distributed on a random drawing basis, different than the elk, deer, and antelope tags. The bottom line in regards to sheep, moose, and goat tags is that once you have applied for 3 years, you are only then eligible to draw. Every year after the 3rd year that you apply, your odds of drawing will get better.
The non-refundable fee to apply for elk, deer, and antelope is $28 per species, unless you purchased a fishing or hunting license the previous year in which only a minimal handling fee will be charged. Sheep, moose, and goat applicants will only be charged the minimal handling fee. Non-residents are allowed to apply online for elk, deer, and antelope but must apply on paper for sheep, moose, and goat. All tag fees must be paid at the time of application regardless of how you apply.
The Rocky Mountain Bighorns are doing well with some 170-180 plus rams being harvested every year. They offer some archery only seasons in a few units, with seven non-resident archery tags issued in 2007. They issued 14 non-resident rifle tags in 2007 in 14 different units with excellent success rates. Most units have plenty of sheep and good access. Remember that you will not draw a tag until you have applied for 3 consecutive years. Non-residents are not allowed to apply for Desert sheep in Colorado. If you need a Rocky, Colorado is a “must apply for” state.
Colorado has excellent Shiras moose hunting! Quality bulls exist in nearly every unit, although, non-residents are only able to apply in a few units. Colorado produces 40"-50" plus bulls every year. There are only a few states that have some great moose and Colorado should be near the top of your list if you are considering applying for moose.
Mountain goats in Colorado are some of the best in the West! They offered 20 non-resident rifle tags and 1 non-resident archery tag in 2007! Most of these are excellent hunts that self-guided hunters can do with no problem. Hunters usually enjoy over 70% success rates statewide with some years as high as 90% plus on some great trophy animals. Goat hunting doesn’t get better than this!
The elk in Colorado are more abundant than in any other state, however, they are not managed for trophy bulls, with the exception of a few units. For most eastern hunters, Colorado is the first western state they hunt, as most of the tags continue to be sold over-the-counter. Combine this with huge populations, beautiful towering mountains, and you have a popular state for hunters. Hunters wishing to hunt quality elk must either accumulate 14 plus years worth of preference points or pay big bucks to hunt on private land with liberal seasons through the “Ranching for Wildlife” program. If you have not been applying for multiple years and gained elk preference points, you will be limited with the units you are able to draw and hunt.
The Mule deer hunting in Colorado has been the best of any state as a whole since 2003! It’s hard to beat thousands of tags with hundreds of 180" plus bucks and multiple 200" plus bucks being harvested annually! They have 2-3 rifle deer seasons in every unit that flirt with or are in the middle of the rut. This fact combined with liberal tag numbers has finally caught up with the deer herds and we are seeing the quality decline a bit. Keep in mind that the 2nd and 3rd seasons have over-the-counter bull and cow elk tags available and doe hunters hunt these seasons as well. Be prepared for bull, cow, and doe hunters all hunting at the same time during these 2nd and 3rd seasons. This can create a lot of pressure and can adversely affect your hunt. Serious deer hunters should and will continue to make Colorado a “must hunt every year” state as nothing compares to the quality available. It is an incredible state with unlimited deer hunting options!
Whitetails are found on the eastern plains in huntable populations along river bottoms and agriculture areas. It seems like every year we hear about a 190 plus buck or two being taken. There is not one area that is known to be better than another. Most of the Eastern Plains is privately owned and the ranches with little hunting pressure will produce the best bucks.
The antelope in Colorado are excellent for the populations that exist. There are some nice bucks and some good populations in the state. While it is not known as one of the best for producing “book” heads, they do have a few. Colorado is not known for trophy antelope, but don’t overlook it if you need to harvest a great buck.