Colorado fishing license prices depend on your age, residency, license duration, and whether you need extras such as a Habitat Stamp, second-rod stamp, or Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp. For the 2026 license year, resident adult annual licenses start at $44.87, while nonresident annual licenses cost $124.01.
Quick Answer
For the 2026 license year, a Colorado resident adult annual fishing license costs $44.87, while a nonresident annual license costs $124.01. Most anglers ages 18–64 also pay a $12.76 Habitat Stamp. Annual licenses run from March 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, regardless of purchase date.
Key Takeaways
- A 2026 resident adult annual fishing license costs $44.87; a nonresident annual license costs $124.01.
- Anglers ages 18–64 generally need one $12.76 Habitat Stamp for the license year.
- CPW also lists a $384.16 Lifetime Habitat Stamp for residents and nonresidents.
- Resident youth ages 16–17 and resident seniors age 64 or older pay $12.96 for an annual fishing license.
- Youth under 16 may fish without a license, but they need a second-rod stamp to fish with a second line.
- Annual licenses expire March 31, 2027, even when purchased later in the 2026 license year.
Colorado Fishing License Fees for 2026
The following prices are listed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the 2026 license year. Fees can change from one license year to the next, so verify the current table before paying.
| License or Stamp | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee | Who It Covers |
| Adult annual fishing | $44.87 | $124.01 | Resident ages 18–63; nonresident ages 16 and older |
| Resident senior annual | $12.96 | Not offered | Colorado residents age 64 or older |
| Resident youth annual | $12.96 | No discounted annual youth license listed | Colorado residents ages 16–17 |
| One-day fishing | $18.07 | $21.90 | Valid only for the selected date |
| Additional day | $9.13 | $9.13 | Adds a consecutive day to a short-term license |
| Five-day fishing | Not listed | $41.04 | Nonresident anglers ages 16 and older |
| Second-rod stamp | $14.24 | $14.24 | Allows one licensed angler to use a second rod, hand line, or tip-up |
| Annual Habitat Stamp | $12.76 | $12.76 | Generally required for license buyers ages 18–64 |
| Lifetime Habitat Stamp | $384.16 | $384.16 | One-time habitat-stamp option listed by CPW |
| Annual ANS Stamp | $25.00 | $50.00 | Covered resident or nonresident motorboats and sailboats |
Current fishing-license fees include a $1.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 Wildlife Education Fund fee. A resident adult ages 18–63 who needs an annual license and Habitat Stamp will usually pay $57.63 in total. A nonresident annual license plus the Habitat Stamp totals $136.77 for an angler subject to the stamp requirement.
CPW also lists a $384.16 Lifetime Habitat Stamp. It is separate from the fishing license itself and does not replace the fishing license, second-rod stamp, boat registration, or ANS requirements that may apply.
Warning: Colorado’s annual fishing license does not provide 13 months from your personal purchase date. Every 2026 annual license expires March 31, 2027, so buying late in the license year gives you less usable time.
Which Colorado Fishing License Costs Less for Your Trip?
For a short trip, compare the base license price first and then check whether the Habitat Stamp applies. The first two one-day or additional-day fishing or small-game licenses purchased during the license year are exempt from the Habitat Stamp; CPW adds the stamp with the third qualifying daily license.
| Example | Base License Cost | Habitat Stamp Note |
| Resident, 1 day | $18.07 | Exempt if this is within the first two qualifying daily licenses of the year |
| Resident, 2 consecutive days | $27.20 | Normally still within the first two qualifying daily-license exemptions |
| Nonresident, 1 day | $21.90 | Exempt if this is within the first two qualifying daily licenses of the year |
| Nonresident, 5 days | $41.04 | The special first-two exemption is stated for one-day/additional-day products, so check the Habitat Stamp requirement at checkout |
| Resident adult annual | $44.87 | Typically $57.63 total with the $12.76 Habitat Stamp for ages 18–64 |
| Nonresident annual | $124.01 | Typically $136.77 total with the $12.76 Habitat Stamp for ages 18–64 |
Pro Tip: If you may fish several times between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, compare the annual price with the cost of repeated daily licenses before checkout. The annual license becomes more attractive quickly for residents, but the fixed March 31 expiration still matters.
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Fishing License Validity Period
Colorado’s annual fishing license period runs from March 1 through March 31 of the following year, and annual licenses go on sale March 1. For example, a 2026 annual license is valid from March 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.
The license year covers 13 calendar months, but the expiration date remains March 31 even if you purchase the license after March 1.
This fixed period allows anglers to use one annual license during spring, summer, fall, winter, and the following March. It does not, however, operate like a rolling 12- or 13-month subscription.
Short-term options include one-day and additional-day licenses for residents and nonresidents, plus a five-day license for nonresidents. These products are valid only for the dates printed on the license.
A Temporary Authorization Number, or TAN, may be used while you wait for a license to arrive in the mail. CPW states that the TAN is valid for 45 days after purchase. Print it or write it down and carry it while fishing.
If a one-day or five-day license is purchased for dates within 15 days of the transaction, CPW does not mail a physical license. The angler must carry the TAN shown in the confirmation message.
Pro Tip: When comparing an annual license with short-term options, count the Habitat Stamp and the fixed March 31 expiration. A late-season annual purchase may offer less value than it would at the beginning of March.
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Where Your Colorado Fishing License Provides Access
A valid fishing license covers the fishing privilege, but it does not override water-specific regulations, closures, private-property rules, or state-park entry requirements. Always check the rules for the exact water you plan to fish.
For Colorado State Wildlife Areas, a valid eligible fishing license can also serve as the required access pass. Annual licenses cover SWA access during their valid license period, while daily and multi-day licenses cover access only on the dates printed on the license. A State Wildlife Area pass is different from a Colorado State Park pass.
Note: A fishing license does not guarantee that every shoreline, boat ramp, reservoir, or private access point is open. Check current closures and land-use rules before you travel.
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Resident Fishing License Costs
For the 2026 license year, Colorado residents ages 18–63 pay $44.87 for an adult annual fishing license. Residents age 64 or older pay $12.96 for the Senior Annual Fishing License, and residents ages 16–17 pay $12.96 for the Youth Fishing License.
A resident one-day fishing license costs $18.07. Each additional consecutive day costs $9.13. Colorado does not list a resident five-day fishing license in its current fee table.
Residents who also hunt small game can consider the annual Small Game and Fishing Combination License for $64.02. The resident Senior Small Game and Fishing Combination License costs $38.03 for eligible seniors.
Most residents ages 18–64 must also buy the $12.76 Annual Habitat Stamp. This means a typical resident adult annual fishing purchase totals $57.63. A resident who is exactly 64 qualifies for the senior license but is still within the Habitat Stamp age range. Residents age 65 or older are outside that age-based stamp requirement.
Nonresident Fishing License Costs
Nonresident anglers ages 16 and older pay $124.01 for an annual Colorado fishing license in 2026. A five-day nonresident fishing license costs $41.04, while a one-day license costs $21.90.
Each additional consecutive day costs $9.13. A second-rod stamp costs another $14.24 if the angler wants to fish with a second rod, hand line, or tip-up.
CPW does not list a discounted nonresident youth annual fishing license. Nonresident youth ages 16–17 who want an annual license use the nonresident adult annual fishing license price; short-term nonresident products are also available to anglers ages 16 and older.
The $12.76 Habitat Stamp generally applies to nonresident anglers ages 18–64. However, the first two one-day or additional-day fishing or small-game licenses purchased during the license year are exempt. The Habitat Stamp is assessed when a third qualifying daily license is purchased.
Additional License Fees and Stamps
Annual Habitat Stamp
One Annual Habitat Stamp is generally required for each license buyer age 18 through 64. The 2026 stamp costs $12.76 and is nonrefundable. Only one annual stamp is required per person for the license year, even if that person later purchases another qualifying hunting or fishing license.
The stamp supports the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program, which helps protect wildlife habitat and improve public access. The first two one-day or additional-day fishing or small-game licenses are exempt; the fee is added with the third qualifying daily purchase.
Lifetime Habitat Stamp
CPW’s 2026 fee table also lists a $384.16 Lifetime Habitat Stamp for residents and nonresidents. This is a habitat-stamp product, not a lifetime fishing license. You still need the fishing license or special fishing privilege that applies to your age, residency, and eligibility.
Second-Rod Stamp
A second-rod stamp costs $14.24. It permits the named angler to use a second rod, hand line, or tip-up. The stamp is nontransferable and does not increase the angler’s bag or possession limit.
Youth under 16 may fish without a standard license, but they must have a second-rod stamp if they use a second line. CPW also states that a second-rod stamp is not required when an angler is only using trot-lines or jugs; those methods remain subject to all other fishing rules where they are legal.
Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp
The annual Aquatic Nuisance Species, or ANS, Stamp applies to motorboats and sailboats launched in Colorado. The current annual price is $25 for resident vessels and $50 for nonresident vessels. Boat registrations and ANS stamps run on a January 1 through December 31 cycle, which is different from the March-through-March fishing-license cycle.
Colorado residents must register motorized or sail-powered boats operated on Colorado public waters with CPW. Nonresidents may use a current home-state registration in Colorado for up to 60 days. Motorized boats and sailboats must have an ANS Stamp before launching, and Colorado requires state-certified inspections for the covered watercraft described by CPW.
Note: A fishing license does not replace boat registration, the ANS Stamp, mandatory ANS inspection requirements, launching, park-entry, or location-specific access requirements. Check the rules for the water and vessel you plan to use.
How to Buy a Colorado Fishing License
You can purchase a Colorado fishing license through the official CPWShop website, at a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, through an authorized sales agent, or by calling CPW’s licensing line at 1-800-244-5613.
- Choose your residency status. Claim resident pricing only when you meet Colorado’s residency requirements.
- Select the license period. Options include annual, one-day, additional-day, and the nonresident five-day license.
- Add required stamps. The system may add a Habitat Stamp based on your age and purchase history.
- Confirm your personal information. The license is issued to one person and cannot be shared.
- Save your proof. Keep the physical license, eligible digital license, or TAN available while fishing.
Buying online is usually the fastest option. Review every date and product before completing payment because annual licenses and Habitat Stamps should not be treated as refundable purchases.
Requirements for Purchasing a License
Resident and nonresident customers must show acceptable government-issued identification when purchasing Colorado Parks and Wildlife products. Accepted documents include qualifying driver’s licenses, state identification cards, passports, military identification, and certain immigration documents. Review CPW’s accepted identification list before visiting a sales location.
To receive resident pricing, an adult generally must have lived in Colorado for at least six consecutive months immediately before the purchase, maintain a primary residence in Colorado, and hold a qualifying Colorado driver’s license or identification card. Owning property in Colorado by itself does not establish residency.
If a Colorado identification document was issued or renewed less than six months ago, CPW may request additional records showing six consecutive months of residency. Examples can include utility bills, rent receipts, pay records, tax documents, vehicle registration, or voter registration. Full requirements are available on CPW’s Colorado residency page.
CPW’s fishing-license purchase page lists a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number requirement for age 12 or older. The current page labels that requirement with the word “hunters,” so anglers who are unsure how it applies to their transaction should follow the prompts in CPWShop or confirm with CPW. Special documentation and applications apply to disability, veteran, first-responder, military, and income-based programs.
Warning: Do not claim Colorado resident pricing solely because you own property or are temporarily staying in the state. An incorrect residency claim can create licensing and enforcement problems.
Fishing Licenses for Youth
Colorado’s youth fishing rules depend on age and residency:
- Resident youth ages 16–17: A 2026 Youth Fishing License costs $12.96.
- Youth under 16: Resident and nonresident youth may fish without a standard fishing license and may take a full bag and possession limit.
- Second lines: A youth under 16 must buy the $14.24 second-rod stamp before using a second rod or line.
- Nonresident youth who require a license: CPW does not list a discounted nonresident youth annual fishing license; the applicable nonresident fee is charged.
A parent or legal guardian’s identification may be used to verify a youth under 18 who does not have acceptable identification of their own. Youth purchasing without a parent present need secure and verifiable documentation.
Special Licenses for Seniors
Colorado residents age 64 or older can purchase a Senior Annual Fishing License for $12.96. The license follows the same March 1 through March 31 annual period as other annual fishing licenses.
Income-eligible Colorado residents age 64 or older may also apply for the Centennial Senior Annual Fishing License. Eligibility is not automatic, so applicants should review the current CPW program requirements instead of assuming that age alone provides a free license.
Senior Annual License Benefits
The Senior Annual Fishing License provides several practical benefits:
- Lower annual price: Eligible resident seniors pay $12.96 instead of the $44.87 resident adult annual price.
- Statewide annual coverage: The license can be used on Colorado waters where standard statewide fishing privileges apply, subject to local regulations and closures.
- Full license-year validity: When purchased at the beginning of the season, it covers March through the following March 31.
Age 64 is an important dividing point. A resident age 64 qualifies for the senior license but remains within the Habitat Stamp requirement for ages 18–64. A resident age 65 or older is outside that age range unless another rule specifically applies.
Eligibility for Free and Application-Based Licenses
Being a senior does not by itself create a free fishing license. Free or application-based lifetime benefits are tied to separate qualifications:
- Columbine Lifetime Fishing License: Available by application to Colorado residents with a total and permanent disability.
- Veteran lifetime combination license: Available to qualifying Colorado resident Purple Heart recipients or veterans with a combined VA service-connected disability rating of at least 50%.
- First Responder Lifetime Small Game and Fishing Combination License: Available to qualifying Colorado resident first responders with a permanent occupational disability or disease caused by official duties.
- Centennial Senior program: Available through an application process for qualifying income-eligible Colorado seniors.
Approval requirements can change, and applicants should allow time for CPW to review their supporting documents.
Licenses for Active Armed Forces and Veterans
Colorado provides fishing benefits for certain active-duty military members and resident veterans, but each program has specific residency and documentation rules.
Eligibility for Free Licenses
- Active-duty temporary leave: A qualifying Colorado resident serving on active duty outside Colorado may fish without a license while visiting on temporary leave for up to 30 days in a calendar year. Official leave papers must be carried while fishing.
- Disabled veterans: Colorado resident Purple Heart recipients and veterans with a combined VA service-connected disability rating of at least 50% may apply for a lifetime small-game-and-fishing combination license.
- Disabled first responders: Qualifying Colorado resident first responders with a permanent occupational disability or disease caused by official duties may apply for a free lifetime combination license.
Veteran and first-responder lifetime combination license holders are generally exempt from the annual Habitat Stamp requirement while they remain eligible for the program.
Temporary Fishing License Benefits
The military temporary-leave benefit is a license exemption rather than an ordinary short-term fishing license. It applies only when all CPW conditions are met, including Colorado residency, qualifying active-duty service outside the state, temporary leave, and possession of official leave papers.
Other customers who purchase a license online may use a Temporary Authorization Number while waiting for a physical license. The TAN is valid for 45 days after the purchase date and should be printed or written down and carried while fishing.
The TAN does not expand the dates, species, rods, or waters authorized by the purchased license. It is simply temporary proof of the transaction.
License Requirements for Veterans
Veterans applying for the lifetime combination program must provide documentation that establishes Colorado residency and qualifying military status. CPW’s current disability-program guidance requires either Purple Heart eligibility or an overall combined service-connected disability rating of at least 50% from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Applications may be submitted through the applicant’s CPW account, by email, or by mail as directed in the current program instructions. CPW currently advises applicants to allow 15 business days for verification and processing.
Full eligibility and application information is available on the official CPW disability programs page.
Facility-Based Fishing Licenses
Colorado also offers a facility-based fishing license for qualifying mental health institutions that provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week care. The license can cover the institution’s patients for the calendar year in which it is issued, but it must be renewed each year and is not available for day-program facilities.
CPW directs eligible facilities to apply through its current program materials or call 303-291-7235 for information. This is an institutional program, not a license that an individual angler can buy for personal use.
Commercial Fishing Licenses
An annual commercial fishing license is required for covered commercial taking or possession of aquatic wildlife in Colorado. CPW’s special-wildlife-license page describes the commercial category as covering fish, amphibians, mollusks, or crustaceans.
This is separate from a recreational fishing license and may involve application, operational, reporting, species, possession, and location requirements. Applicants must follow the conditions in the current commercial-license application and can also review CPW’s Special Wildlife Licenses page.
CPW’s public recreational fishing fee table does not display a current commercial-license price. Check the commercial license application in CPWShop or contact CPW before operating or budgeting around an older quoted fee.
Digital Access to Fishing Licenses
Eligible Colorado resident fishing licenses can be displayed through the official myColorado app. The app is a display option; anglers still purchase their licenses through CPW’s normal sales channels.
To add an eligible fishing license:
- Download or update the myColorado app and sign in.
- Open the Wallet and choose Colorado Parks and Wildlife Licenses.
- Select the digital fishing-license option.
- Enter the nine-digit CPW Customer Identification number shown on the license or account.
Once an eligible digital license has been added, myColorado states that no connectivity is needed to display it. License-status changes will appear when the phone later has broadband connectivity.
The current CPW fishing-license page lists eligible resident annual, youth, senior, daily, disability, veteran, first-responder, and extra-rod products for digital display. That page also says resident small-game-and-fishing combination licenses are not currently available in the app, while myColorado’s broader digital-license page references combo-license access. Because the official pages are not perfectly aligned, add your own product to the Wallet before travel and keep another accepted proof if a combination license does not appear.
Note: A digital license in myColorado and a Temporary Authorization Number are different. The digital license displays an eligible resident product in the app, while a TAN is temporary proof issued after a purchase.
Because every annual license has a fixed March 31 expiration, consider setting a calendar reminder before the next license year begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish without a license in Colorado?
Most anglers age 16 or older need a valid license. Youth under 16 may fish without one. Other limited exceptions include Colorado’s designated Free Fishing Weekend and qualifying Colorado residents on active-duty temporary leave who carry official leave papers. Fishing limits and other regulations still apply during license-free periods.
When was Colorado Free Fishing Weekend in 2026?
Colorado’s 2026 Free Fishing Weekend took place June 6–7, 2026. During those dates, resident and nonresident anglers could fish without a fishing license or Habitat Stamp, although all other fishing regulations remained in effect. Future dates should be confirmed through CPW.
Are there family discounts for multiple fishing licenses?
CPW’s current fee table does not list a standard family or bulk-purchase discount. Each person generally buys the license that applies to their age and residency. Youth, senior, disability, veteran, first-responder, and income-based programs may reduce the cost for eligible individuals.
What happens if I lose my fishing license?
An eligible resident license may still be available in the myColorado app. CPW also lists a $5 replacement fee for annual fishing licenses, including senior annual licenses. A replacement request may require a duplicate-license form and supporting payment.
Can I transfer my fishing license to someone else?
No. A fishing license or second-rod stamp is issued to the named person and cannot be shared or transferred. Every angler who is required to hold a license must obtain an individual license.
Are Colorado fishing licenses refundable?
Annual licenses are nonrefundable under CPW’s current refund guidance, and the Annual Habitat Stamp is also nonrefundable. Contact CPW promptly if you believe a transaction error or exceptional circumstance requires review.
Do I need a Habitat Stamp with a one-day license?
The first two one-day or additional-day fishing or small-game licenses purchased during the license year are exempt from the Habitat Stamp. The stamp is assessed when the customer buys a third qualifying daily license. Age and program exemptions may also apply.
Can I show my Colorado fishing license on my phone?
Eligible resident fishing licenses can be displayed through the myColorado app after purchase. A Temporary Authorization Number can also serve as temporary proof for 45 days while a license is being mailed. Keep the appropriate proof accessible whenever you fish.
When does a 2026 Colorado annual fishing license expire?
Every 2026 annual fishing license expires March 31, 2027. The expiration date is fixed, so a license bought later in the year does not extend 12 or 13 months from the purchase date.
How much is the Colorado Lifetime Habitat Stamp in 2026?
CPW lists the 2026 Lifetime Habitat Stamp at $384.16 for residents and nonresidents. It replaces repeated annual Habitat Stamp purchases, but it does not replace the fishing license itself.
Does a Colorado fishing license also cover State Wildlife Area access?
An eligible valid fishing license can serve as the required access pass for Colorado State Wildlife Areas. Daily and multi-day licenses provide SWA access only on the dates printed on the license. State Park entry is a separate requirement.
Do kayaks and paddleboards need a Colorado ANS Stamp?
Colorado’s ANS Stamp requirement applies to motorboats and sailboats. Human-powered craft such as ordinary kayaks and paddleboards are not covered by that stamp requirement, although anglers should still clean, drain, and dry watercraft and gear.
Conclusion
A Colorado fishing license costs $44.87 for a resident adult annual license or $124.01 for a nonresident annual license during the 2026 license year. Most anglers ages 18–64 must add the $12.76 Habitat Stamp, while senior, youth, disability, veteran, first-responder, and military programs may change the final cost.
Before fishing, confirm your license dates, residency status, required stamps, rod count, water-specific regulations, access rules, and any vessel requirements. Purchase through an official CPW channel and keep your physical license, eligible digital license, or TAN available while on the water. If you use a motorboat or sailboat, also verify registration, ANS Stamp, and inspection requirements before launching.
Sources
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Fishing Licenses and Dates — 2026 fees, license periods, youth rules, TAN guidance, stamps, facility-based licensing, digital-product notes, and special programs.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Colorado Residency — six-month residency rules and acceptable supporting documents.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Identification for Purchasing a License — accepted identification requirements.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Disability Programs — veteran, first-responder, and disability license qualifications.
- myColorado: CPW Digital Licenses — eligible digital products, setup steps, and offline display information.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: License Refunds, Reversals and Replacements — annual-license refund limits and replacement procedures and fees for lost annual fishing licenses.
