Colorado Fishing and Hunting License: Combo Fees, Rules & Smart Buying Tips
Colorado has a small game and fishing combo license, but it is not an “all hunting and fishing” pass. It mainly helps eligible Colorado residents who want fishing plus small game privileges in one purchase.
This upgraded guide gives the full buyer workflow: who should buy the combo, who should avoid it, what stamps may still be required, how hunter education affects checkout, and which official brochure to open before fishing or hunting.
Last reviewed: July 31, 2026. Always verify final fees, eligibility, stamps, season dates, brochures and checkout details with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before buying, applying, fishing or hunting.
The phrase “Colorado fishing and hunting license” is easy to misunderstand. Many users think one product covers fishing, small game, ducks, furbearers, deer, elk, state parks and private land access. It does not.
The right workflow is not “buy combo first.” The right workflow is: decide the exact activity, confirm residency, check hunter education, check stamps and permits, then buy the correct CPW product.
This page is designed as a practical buyer assistant, not a thin fee page. It helps you avoid wrong-residency purchases, missing HIP, waterfowl-stamp mistakes, big-game confusion and field-proof problems.
Quick Answer: Is There a Colorado Fishing and Hunting License?
Yes. Colorado residents can buy a Small Game and Fishing Combo license. CPW describes the resident combo as a product that allows the holder to hunt small game, migratory birds and go fishing.
The catch is important: the combo is not enough for every hunt. Waterfowl hunters age 16+ may still need HIP registration, a federal duck stamp and a Colorado waterfowl stamp. Furbearer hunters may need a separate furbearer harvest permit. Big-game hunters still need the correct big-game application, license and tag.
Good fit
Colorado resident who will fish and also hunt small game or migratory birds during the license year.
Bad fit
Fishing-only buyer, nonresident looking for resident pricing, or big-game hunter who thinks the combo replaces a tag.
Final checkout rule
Let CPW Shop show final requirements by your age, residency, activity and date. Do not buy from memory or old screenshots.
Official Screenshot: CPW Small Game & Fishing Combo License Page
This screenshot is placed near the start because users need to recognize where CPW shows the combo-license information before they buy.
Watch First: 2026 Colorado Big-Game Changes Video
This CPW video is helpful if you are buying a qualifying license because you also care about big-game draws. Use it for planning context, then verify final rules in CPW Shop and current CPW brochures.
Colorado Fishing and Hunting License Picker
Use this table before checkout. It turns a confusing search query into the correct buying path.
| Your Real Plan | Likely Starting Product | What It Solves | What It Does Not Solve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado resident wants to fish and hunt small game | Small Game and Fishing Combo | Fishing plus small game/migratory-bird base privileges in one resident product. | Hunter education, HIP, waterfowl stamps, furbearer permit, property access and big-game tags. |
| Colorado resident senior buyer | Senior Small Game/Fishing Combo, if eligible | Lower-cost senior combo path listed in CPW fee tables. | Does not remove stamp, HIP, hunter education or season requirements. |
| Fishing only | Fishing license, not combo | Saves money if hunting privileges do not matter. | State park pass, SWA access, boat/ANS, second rod and water-specific rules. |
| Nonresident wants to fish | Nonresident fishing license | One-day, five-day or annual fishing based on trip length. | Resident combo pricing is not your path. |
| Nonresident wants small game | Nonresident small game license | Small-game base privilege for eligible nonresident hunters. | Fishing license, HIP, stamps, hunter education and access rules may still be separate. |
| Ducks or geese | Small game/combo plus waterfowl requirements | Base hunting product plus waterfowl path. | HIP, federal duck stamp and Colorado waterfowl stamp cannot be ignored. |
| Furbearers | Small game license plus furbearer harvest permit, or furbearer-specific option | Depends on species and method. | Do not treat combo as automatic furbearer clearance. |
| Elk, deer, pronghorn, bear or other big game | Qualifying license first, then big-game application/license | The combo can help as a qualifying license for residents. | It is not the actual big-game license or tag. |
Colorado Fishing and Hunting Combo Fees
Use these CPW-listed fees for planning only. CPW Shop is the final checkout authority because products, fees, stamps and add-ons can change by buyer profile and license year.
Resident Combo and Small Game Fee Snapshot
| Product | Buyer Type | CPW-Listed Fee | Practical Buying Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Game and Fishing Combo | Colorado resident adult | $64.02 | Best only if you will use both fishing and small game privileges. |
| Senior Small Game/Fishing Combo | Colorado resident senior | $38.03 | Useful if the senior actually needs small game privileges. If age edge cases matter, verify in CPW Shop before paying. |
| Annual Small Game | Resident adult | $38.49 | Cleaner if you will hunt small game but do not need fishing privileges. |
| Annual Small Game | Nonresident adult | $104.86 | Nonresident hunters should not force a resident combo path. |
| Youth Small Game | Resident or nonresident youth | $2.53 | Still check hunter education, season dates and adult-supervision rules. |
| Annual Habitat Stamp | Generally ages 18–64 when required | $12.76 | Often automatically added when buying or applying for a license. |
| Second-Rod Stamp | Fishing with a second line where legal | $14.24 | Separate from combo and does not increase bag limits. |
Need only the fishing side? Read the same-site Colorado fishing license guide. Buying for a senior? Compare with the Colorado senior fishing license guide.
How to Buy the Combo License Without Buying the Wrong Thing
The safest purchase path is CPW Shop. This website is an independent guide and does not sell Colorado licenses.
Choose the activity before the product
Write down what you will actually do: fish, small game, migratory birds, waterfowl, furbearers, turkey, big-game draw or big-game OTC.
Confirm residency before pricing
The resident combo is for eligible Colorado residents. Do not choose resident pricing just because you own property, visit often or recently moved.
Check hunter education before checkout
If you were born on or after January 1, 1949, Colorado law requires approved hunter education before applying for or buying a Colorado hunting license.
Select combo only if both parts matter
Choose combo if you need fishing plus small game. Choose fishing-only or small-game-only if that better matches your actual plan.
Review stamps, HIP and permits
Before payment, check Habitat Stamp, HIP, waterfowl stamps, second-rod stamp, furbearer permit and big-game qualifying-license requirements.
Save proof before leaving home
Print or screenshot your license, CID, confirmation, hunter education proof and any temporary authorization details before reaching low-signal areas.
Hunter Education: Check This Before You Buy
Colorado law requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, to complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or buying a Colorado hunting license.
New hunters
Do hunter education before you shop for hunting privileges. It can block buying or applying if you skip it.
Proof matters
Keep your hunter education card or digital proof available. Do not assume CPW can instantly find it at checkout or in the field.
myColorado backup
The myColorado app supports adding Hunter Education Card proof, but you should still keep a backup if service or app access fails.
Verify course options on the official CPW Hunter Education page.
Stamps, HIP, Waterfowl and Furbearer Requirements
This is where combo buyers get burned. The base license may be correct, but the add-on can still be missing.
| Activity | Base Product | Extra Requirement to Check | User-Friendly Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing only | Fishing license or combo | Habitat Stamp if required, second-rod stamp if using a second line | The combo is probably overkill if you will not hunt. |
| Small game | Small game license or small game/fishing combo | Hunter education, Habitat Stamp, season dates and species rules | Read the small-game brochure before assuming a species is open. |
| Migratory birds | Small game license or combo | HIP registration every year | HIP is an easy-to-miss legal step. |
| Waterfowl | Small game license or combo | HIP, federal duck stamp and Colorado waterfowl stamp for hunters age 16+ | The combo alone does not complete a duck or goose setup. |
| Sandhill crane | Small game path | Separate federal permit number through HIP | Do not treat all migratory bird hunts the same. |
| Band-tailed pigeon | Small game path | Additional permit listed by CPW | Species-specific permits can matter. |
| Furbearers | Small game license or furbearer option | Furbearer harvest permit, depending on target and method | Check current furbearer rules before hunting. |
| Big game draw | Qualifying license | Big-game application, hunt code, draw deadline, tag/license if successful | The combo can qualify residents to apply, but it is not the tag. |
For official hunting requirement details, start with CPW’s Small Game page and Waterfowl Hunting page.
Real Insider Tips That Save Colorado Buyers From Mistakes
These are practical field and checkout tips, not generic advice. They are written for the exact person searching for a combined Colorado fishing and hunting license.
If you only fish, the combo adds hunting privileges you will not use. If you only need a qualifying license for draw applications, compare your CPW options before assuming combo is best.
Screenshot your license, CID, CPW Shop receipt, hunter education proof, HIP number, stamps and brochure cover. Then save one printed backup in your glove box.
Some Colorado waterfowl properties require reservations, and reservation windows can open before the hunt date. Do not wait until the night before to check.
Fee tables and program text can be read differently by users. Let CPW Shop and CPW support confirm senior product eligibility before paying.
Add the license to myColorado while you still have broadband. Once added, it can be available without connectivity, but do not discover setup problems in the field.
License pages explain products. Brochures explain seasons, species, limits, legal methods, access notes and rule changes.
A fishing license may not solve state park entry, SWA restrictions, private land permission, hunting reservation systems, boat inspections or parking rules.
A combo may help you qualify to apply, but it does not put a deer, elk or pronghorn tag in your pocket.
Resident vs Nonresident: Do Not Guess
The resident combo is a resident product. Nonresidents should use CPW’s nonresident fishing, small game, waterfowl, furbearer or big-game products based on the actual activity.
Confirm residency proof, age, hunter education and whether combo saves money over buying separate fishing or small-game products.
Do not look for a resident combo shortcut. Compare nonresident fishing, nonresident small game, waterfowl and big-game products inside CPW Shop.
Verify status on the official CPW Colorado Residents page. Need help with resident-only fishing details? Use the same-site Colorado resident fishing license guide.
Does the Combo Help With Big Game?
Yes, but only in a narrow way. CPW says hunters applying for limited big-game licenses need a qualifying license, and a small game license can count as a qualifying license for primary and secondary draws.
That does not mean the combo lets you hunt elk, deer, pronghorn, bear, moose or other big game by itself. You still need the correct species license, application, hunt code, unit, season and legal method.
| Big-Game Step | What the Combo Can Help With | What You Still Need |
|---|---|---|
| Primary / secondary draw | Can serve as the qualifying-license path for eligible resident buyers. | Application, hunt code, deadline, payment and draw result. |
| Preference point | Can support the qualifying-license requirement before applying. | Correct preference-point hunt code and CPW brochure instructions. |
| Actual hunt | None by itself. | Valid big-game license/tag and full compliance with season, unit and method rules. |
| OTC big game | The combo is not the OTC license. | Valid OTC product when available, plus brochure rules. |
For draw and brochure details, use CPW’s official Big Game page.
Official CPW Brochure and Source Audit: Which Page Should You Open?
Do not use one page for every rule. Colorado separates license fees, fishing regulations, small game rules, waterfowl requirements and big-game draw instructions across different official pages and brochures.
| User Question | Best Official Source | Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| How much is the combo? | CPW Fishing Licenses and Dates | Resident combo fee, senior combo fee, Habitat Stamp, second-rod stamp and fishing fee table. |
| What does the combo cover? | CPW Small Game page | Small game, migratory bird, furbearer, HIP and combo explanations. |
| What fishing rules apply on the water? | Colorado Fishing Brochure | Statewide and water-specific fishing regulations. |
| What small-game or waterfowl seasons apply? | Colorado Small Game and Waterfowl Hunting Brochure | Small game, migratory bird, waterfowl, HIP, species seasons and legal methods. |
| What about deer, elk, bear or pronghorn? | Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure | Draw rules, hunt codes, season structure, legal hours and big-game details. |
| Do I need hunter education? | CPW Hunter Education | Course requirement and proof before buying or applying. |
| Can I show proof on my phone? | myColorado CPW Digital Licenses | Digital resident fishing, small game and combo license display after purchase. |
Use this first for fees, combo pricing, license dates, Habitat Stamp, second-rod stamp and purchase requirements.
Use this to understand what small game, migratory bird, furbearer and combo-license paths actually mean.
Use this before fishing any specific lake, river or reservoir because local rules can override assumptions.
Use this before hunting small game, migratory birds or waterfowl; check “What’s New,” season dates and species sections.
Use this for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear, draw details and qualifying-license context.
Use this if you want to display resident fishing, small game or combo license proof in the app.
Digital Proof, CID and Offline Backup
myColorado supports resident fishing, small game and small game/fishing combo licenses after purchase. That helps, but it does not remove your responsibility to show valid proof when needed.
- Save the license proof before leaving home.
- Keep your CPW Customer Identification number available.
- Take a screenshot or carry a printed backup if you are going into mountains, plains, SWAs or low-signal areas.
- Confirm the app shows the current valid product, not an old or canceled license.
- Keep hunter education proof available if your hunting activity requires it.
- Do not rely on phone battery as your only proof on a cold-weather hunt or long fishing day.
For app instructions, use the official myColorado CPW Digital Licenses page.
Colorado Local Tips Before You Fish or Hunt
Most license pages stop after the fee. That is not enough. Colorado’s real-world rules depend on land type, species, season, elevation, access, water, weapon method and property-specific restrictions.
Download before leaving town
Save your license, CPW brochure, map, hunter education proof and official rules before driving into weak-signal country.
Separate license from access
A license does not override private property, SWA restrictions, state park vehicle passes, posted signs or local closures.
Waterfowl is stricter
Plan waterfowl separately from small game. Check stamps, HIP, non-toxic shot, reservations, seasons and public access.
Fishing water rules vary
Gold Medal waters, reservoirs and special-regulation streams can have bait, tackle, size and harvest limits.
Boating adds a second rule set
Boat registration, ANS stamp, inspection, decontamination and ramp hours are not solved by a fishing license.
Big-game planning is separate
Qualifying license, draw application, preference points, GMU, hunt code and tag are each separate checks.
Problem Solver: What If You Already Bought the Wrong Thing?
Many users arrive here after buying or almost buying the wrong product. Use this table before fishing or hunting with uncertain proof.
| Problem | Do This First | Do Not Do This |
|---|---|---|
| You bought fishing-only but want small game | Sign into CPW Shop or contact CPW before hunting. | Do not hunt small game assuming fishing-only is enough. |
| You bought combo but want ducks | Check HIP, federal duck stamp and Colorado waterfowl stamp requirements. | Do not treat combo as complete waterfowl clearance. |
| You bought resident but may not qualify | Stop and verify residency with CPW before using it. | Do not hope it is “close enough.” |
| Your hunter education proof is missing | Recover proof or contact CPW before applying or hunting. | Do not buy a hunting product and solve proof later. |
| You want to apply for big game | Confirm qualifying license, hunt code, deadline and brochure details. | Do not assume combo equals big-game permission. |
| Your digital license will not load | Use printed proof, screenshots, CPW account or contact CPW support. | Do not depend on weak field signal as your only backup. |
Next Helpful Guides on This Site
These internal links are selected by user intent, not added as a random SEO block. Use only the one that matches your next step.
Need fishing only?
Use the full fishing guide if you do not need small game, waterfowl, furbearer or big-game draw information.
Residency unclear?
Use the resident guide if Colorado residency proof, resident pricing or ID timing affects your purchase.
Buying for a senior?
Senior pricing depends on age, residency and product. Do not assume a visitor senior gets resident senior pricing.
Fishing all year?
Annual fishing users should compare license year, proof, Habitat Stamp, SWA and water-specific rules.
Common Colorado Fishing and Hunting License Mistakes
- Thinking the combo covers all hunting: it mainly covers fishing plus small game, not every hunt.
- Using combo as a big-game tag: qualifying license does not mean valid elk, deer, bear or pronghorn license.
- Skipping hunter education: many hunters must complete it before buying or applying.
- Missing HIP: small game, coyote and migratory bird hunters may need yearly HIP registration.
- Forgetting waterfowl stamps: duck and goose hunting can require federal and Colorado waterfowl stamps.
- Buying combo when fishing-only is enough: do not pay for hunting privileges you will never use.
- Choosing resident when not eligible: wrong residency is not a small typo.
- Ignoring PDFs/brochures: CPW pages give product context; brochures often carry legal season and water details.
- Assuming a license equals access: private land, state parks, SWAs and posted closures still matter.
- Not saving proof offline: field areas can have no service when you need proof most.
Official CPW Links for Final Verification
These links are placed after the explanation so users know exactly why they are leaving the page.
Verify fishing fees, resident combo fee, senior combo fee, Habitat Stamp, ANS stamp and second-rod stamp details.
Verify combo coverage, small game, migratory birds, HIP, furbearer notes and purchase requirements.
Verify waterfowl license fees, HIP, waterfowl stamp requirements, reservations and brochure availability.
Check hunter education requirement and course options before applying for or buying a hunting license.
Confirm who needs the stamp and how one-day/additional-day exemptions work.
Confirm resident eligibility and avoid buying resident products incorrectly.
Use for big-game brochures, draw pages, leftover licenses, OTC details and qualifying-license context.
Buy licenses, stamps, passes and qualifying products through the official CPW purchase system.
Colorado Fishing and Hunting License FAQs
Is there a Colorado fishing and hunting combo license?
Yes. Colorado residents can buy a Small Game and Fishing Combo license that allows fishing plus small game and migratory bird hunting privileges. Extra requirements can still apply.
How much is the Colorado Small Game and Fishing Combo?
CPW lists the resident adult Small Game and Fishing Combo at $64.02. Always verify the final price in CPW Shop before paying.
How much is the senior Small Game and Fishing Combo?
CPW lists the Senior Small Game/Fishing Combo at $38.03 in the fee table. If senior age or eligibility is close, confirm final eligibility in CPW Shop or with CPW before buying.
Can nonresidents buy the Colorado resident combo?
The combo discussed here is a resident product. Nonresidents should compare CPW’s nonresident fishing, small game, waterfowl and big-game products based on activity and date.
Does the combo license cover big game?
No. The combo can help as a qualifying license path for residents applying in big-game draws, but it is not a deer, elk, pronghorn, bear or other big-game tag.
Do I still need hunter education?
Yes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1949. Colorado law requires approved hunter education before applying for or buying a hunting license.
Does the combo include waterfowl stamps?
No. Waterfowl hunters age 16 or older may still need HIP registration, a federal duck stamp and a Colorado waterfowl stamp.
Do I need HIP with a combo license?
If you hunt small game, coyote or migratory birds, CPW says you need Harvest Information Program registration each year before legally hunting.
Can I show the combo license on my phone?
Resident fishing, small game and small game/fishing combo licenses can be accessible through myColorado after purchase, but an offline backup is still smart.
Should I buy the combo if I only fish?
Usually no. If you only fish and do not hunt small game, a regular Colorado fishing license is normally the cleaner product.
Does a combo license give access to private land?
No. A license does not override private property, posted signs, state park entry, State Wildlife Area rules or reservation systems.
Which official brochure should I read?
Use the Fishing Brochure for water rules, Small Game and Waterfowl Brochure for small game, migratory bird and waterfowl rules, and Big Game Brochure for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear and draw details.
Independent Guide Disclaimer
This page is an independent guide to help readers understand Colorado fishing and hunting license choices. It is not an official Colorado Parks and Wildlife, CPW Shop, myColorado or State of Colorado website and does not sell licenses.