Colorado

Minimum .24 caliber (6mm) with expanding soft-point or hollow-point bullets delivering at least 1,000 ft-lbs of energy at 100 yards for deer, pronghorn, and bear. Minimum 85-grain bullet for elk and moose (recommending .270 Win, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, or .300 Win Mag). Fully automatic firearms, non-expanding FMJ ammunition, and .22-caliber centerfires are strictly illegal for big game hunting in Colorado.

Single-barrel muzzleloaders only. Minimum .40 caliber for deer/pronghorn; minimum .50 caliber for elk and moose. Scopes are strictly prohibited during dedicated muzzleloader seasons (only open or iron sights without battery-powered electronics are legal). Sabots are prohibited—bullets must be conical lead projectiles or round balls. Smokeless powder is illegal; hunters must use black powder or approved commercial black powder substitutes.

Hand-held compound, recurve, or longbow. Minimum 35 lb draw weight for deer and pronghorn; minimum 45 lb draw weight for elk, moose, and bear. Broadheads must have non-barbed, minimum 7/8-inch cutting diameter and at least two steel cutting edges. Lighted nocks are legal; however, electronic devices attached to the bow (such as camera mounts with rangefinding reticles or laser illuminators) are illegal during archery seasons.

Permitted statewide during general rifle seasons without special permit. Crossbows are strictly prohibited during the archery-only season unless the hunter has obtained a permanent Colorado CPW Mobility-Impaired Archery Permit. Crossbows must have a minimum 125 lb draw weight, minimum 14-inch draw stroke, a functioning mechanical safety, and shoot minimum 16-inch bolts with legal hunting broadheads.

Centerfire hunting handguns are legal for big game harvest. Minimum .24 caliber (6mm) with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches, delivering at least 550 ft-lbs of kinetic energy at 50 yards (e.g., .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, 10mm Auto). Expanding bullets mandatory. Legal for primary harvest and backcountry predator/bear defense in wilderness GMUs.

Minimum 20 gauge firing a single rifled slug or sabot slug is legal for deer and bear in designated plains and river-bottom weapons-restricted zones. Buckshot is strictly prohibited for big game hunting statewide. Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller firing lead-free non-toxic shot are mandatory for waterfowl throughout Colorado river corridors and reservoirs.