Colorado Extends Refunds for Flood-Hit Hunters

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering fourth rifle season refunds to hunters in flood-impacted units of southwest Colorado.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Hunting

Isometric editorial illustration of a steel barrier across a scoured gravel road beside a braided creek channel through a conifer valley. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife is refunding fourth rifle deer season hunts in southwest units where flood-closed roads have cut off access to public land. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife will offer refunds to hunters in numerous Game Management Units affected by historic flooding in southwest Colorado. The fourth rifle season, running Nov. 18-22, is included in the refund opportunities.

Why it matters

Major highway closures and closed county and forest service roads have severely reduced access to public lands in the region. Field staff found that considerable time is needed before the public can safely reach many areas.

Refunds will apply to the fourth rifle season, Nov. 18-22, for twelve specified deer hunt codes. Travel into GMUs 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 741, 751 and 771 remains strongly discouraged.

The players

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife, hunting seasons, and public lands across Colorado.

The details

Colorado Parks and Wildlife coordinated with national forest partners and impacted counties to set repair timelines for closed roads. The agency approved refunds by assigning fourth season refund codes to the affected deer hunt codes.

Nov. 7: Third rifle season began, and refund opportunities for that season were established beforehand.
Nov. 18-22: Fourth rifle season refund-eligible period.

Season Trajectory

Colorado Parks and Wildlife's refund approach applies the same hunt-code mechanism to a second season after the third rifle season refunds were set before Nov. 7. The extension reflects that flood-damaged road access has lasted longer than the initial refund window anticipated.

Hunters with tags in the affected deer hunt codes should check whether refunds apply to the Nov. 18-22 fourth rifle season. Avoid travel into the listed GMUs, since roads and public land access remain restricted.

The takeaway

Hunters planning trips in southwest Colorado should confirm access and refund eligibility before traveling, since closures may persist beyond the fourth rifle season.