Where do you buy a hunting or fishing license near Durango?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) sells licenses statewide, and online is one way to buy. Prefer a person? CPW has a Durango office at 151 E. 16th Street, on the grounds of the Durango Fish Hatchery. A CPW project page says the site is meant to give customers a permanent place to buy hunting and fishing licenses and have game checked. That building was slated for new construction starting in 2025, so call ahead for hours and the current entrance.
CPW also says licenses are sold online, by phone and in person at sales agents around the state. Ask a local sporting goods store whether it's an agent before you make the trip.
How much is a Colorado fishing license?
CPW's fee table for residents (all prices include a search-and-rescue fee and a wildlife education fee):
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual, ages 18 to 63 | $44.87 |
| Annual, seniors 64 and up | $12.96 |
| Youth, ages 16 to 17 | $12.96 |
| One-day | $18.07 |
| Additional day | $9.13 |
| Second-rod stamp | $14.24 |
Anglers 18 to 64 also need a habitat stamp, at $12.76 a year (CPW). Kids under 16 fish free, with a full bag and possession limit. Boats with motors or sails need an aquatic nuisance species stamp, $25 for residents.
An annual license runs March 1 through March 31 of the following year, 13 months in all. Annual licenses go on sale each March 1.
What do you need to buy a fishing license?
Bring three things: government ID, proof of Colorado residency if you want the resident rate, and a Social Security or taxpayer ID number. CPW lists that one for hunters 12 and older, citing federal law. CPW lists accepted forms of ID and residency proof on its fishing license page.
Buying online? You get a temporary authorization number, or TAN. CPW says you can fish with it until the license arrives in the mail, and it's good for 45 days. Print it or write it down.
What do you need to hunt in Colorado?
The big one is hunter education. If you were born on or after January 1, 1949, Colorado law requires an approved hunter education course before you apply for or buy a hunting license. People over 50, active-duty military and veterans can test out. New hunters 10 and older can use a free apprentice certificate instead, as long as a mentor goes with them. Mentors must be at least 18 and hunter-education certified. You can use the certificate twice.
Then pick a species. CPW says Colorado has 10 big-game species and divides the state into game management units. Each year, a set number of licenses go to each unit. You apply in a draw, or buy leftover licenses after the draws. Some elk, pronghorn and bear licenses are unlimited and sold over the counter. The primary draw deadline is in early April.
Archery season for deer, elk and bear starts in early September and runs almost a month. Muzzleloader season starts in the middle of it, and four rifle seasons follow.
Is there anything to see at the Durango office?
A bonus if you like old buildings. The license office sits on the Durango Fish Hatchery property. CPW says it's the oldest state-owned hatchery in Colorado, in operation for around 100 years. The Durango Wildlife Museum, on the same grounds, is the original hatchery building, built in the late 1800s.
Heading out on the water or the trail? Start with our Durango outdoor adventure guide, or browse the fishing store category. Packing for cold mornings? See how cold Durango gets in our winter temperature answer.