You’ll pay $10 for a Colorado Trout Stamp, which you must carry along with a valid fishing license to fish designated trout waters; it’s valid March 1 through March 31 the following year and funds stocking, hatcheries, and habitat work. Anglers 16+ generally need the stamp (lifetime-license holders and under-16s are exempt), and it’s nontransferable. Buy it online, by phone, at CPW offices or agents with ID. Continue for specifics on exemptions, purchase steps, and enforcement.
What the Colorado Trout Stamp Covers
Although it’s an additional purchase, the Colorado Trout Stamp directly authorizes anglers to fish in waters specifically designated for trout and must be held alongside a valid fishing license if you’re 16 or older; the $10 stamp is valid for the same term as your license and funds trout management and habitat conservation projects across the state, while anglers targeting only non-trout waters don’t need the stamp.
You’ll use the stamp to legally access designated trout waters where management prioritizes trout species presence, stocking, and population monitoring.
Data-driven allocation from stamp revenue supports habitat restoration, in-stream structure installation, and water-quality monitoring that benefit trout recruitment and survival.
You must carry the stamp with your license to comply with state fishing regulations; enforcement focuses on waters marked as trout waters.
If you plan trips, check published trout-water lists and regulation updates so your angling effort aligns with species-specific rules and conservation objectives, maximizing legal compliance and ecological benefit.
Current Price and Fee Breakdown
Colorado’s fishing costs are broken into specific fees tied to age, residency status and equipment: the annual Habitat Stamp required for anglers aged 18–64 is $12.47, a Youth Fishing License for 16–17-year-olds and senior licenses for those 64 and over each cost $11.73, a second-rod stamp adds $12.98, youth under 16 fish free, and Columbine Lifetime Licenses for residents with total and permanent disabilities are issued at no charge.
You’ll pay $12.47 for the Habitat Stamp, which funds habitat restoration and enforcement that directly supports trout stamp benefits like stocking, stream access improvements and scientific monitoring. If you want to fish with two lines, add the $12.98 second-rod stamp; that fee’s tracked separately to manage pressure on populations.
The $11.73 youth and senior license rates reduce barriers while maintaining revenue for conservation. These structured fees dovetail with Colorado fishing regulations to allocate funds predictably, enabling targeted habitat projects and compliance efforts that sustain trout populations and angling opportunity.
Who Needs a Trout Stamp and Who Is Exempt
After outlining fees and how they support habitat work, it helps to know who actually needs a trout stamp so you can comply and support those programs.
You must have a Trout Stamp if you’re aged 16 or older and intend to fish for trout in Colorado waters; the stamp is built into the annual fishing license fees and isn’t sold separately.
If you’re 16 or older and plan to fish for trout in Colorado, the Trout Stamp is included in the annual license.
That linkage means you’ll meet Fishing license requirements and contribute directly to conservation funding when you buy the appropriate license-plus-stamp combination.
Note also that Trout Stamp exemptions exist for specific groups below, which reduce redundant purchases and simplify administration.
- Anglers 16 years and older — required to have a Trout Stamp within their fishing license.
- Youth under 16 — exempt from Trout Stamp requirements when fishing for trout.
- Holders of a Lifetime Fishing License — exempt from buying a separate Trout Stamp.
- Anyone purchasing an annual fishing license that includes the Trout Stamp — covered and compliant.
How to Purchase Your Trout Stamp
If you plan to fish trout in designated Colorado waters, you’ll need to buy the $10 Trout Stamp at the same time you purchase your fishing license (the stamp runs March 1 to March 31 of the following year).
To complete Trout Stamp purchases, use the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) online portal for fastest processing; Online buying supplies instant confirmation and links your stamp to your license record. You can also buy by phone, at CPW offices, or through authorized sales agents if you prefer in-person service.
When buying, have government-issued ID and residency proof ready; CPW validates purchaser data to guarantee compliance. The $10 fee directly funds trout population monitoring, habitat restoration, and stocking programs, so precise recordkeeping matters for conservation metrics.
Keep your purchase receipt or digital confirmation with your license when angling. Tracking purchase volumes and locations helps CPW allocate resources, so timely, accurate Trout Stamp purchases support data-driven management of Colorado trout fisheries.
When the Trout Stamp Is Valid
Your Trout Stamp is valid for a defined 13-month period—March 1 through March 31 of the following year—so you should track dates against your annual fishing license.
You’re required to carry and display a physical or digital stamp while fishing in designated trout waters to remain compliant.
Note that stamps aren’t transferable, and specific exemptions (age or license type) apply, so check Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules before you fish.
Validity Dates Span 13 Months
Because Colorado aligns trout-stamp coverage with the annual fishing-license cycle, each Trout Stamp you buy is valid for 13 months — from March 1 of the purchase year through March 31 of the following year — guaranteeing continuous protection across a full fishing season plus an extra month for management changes.
This fixed validity duration simplifies planning for seasonal fishing and guarantees your contribution consistently supports trout management. You must buy the stamp annually as an add-on to your fishing license; it’s not a separate license.
Revenue funds habitat restoration, stocking metrics, and regulation enforcement. Expect uniform start/end dates irrespective of purchase date within the year, which eases compliance tracking and aligns conservation funding with biological seasons.
- 13-month term
- March 1–March 31 cycle
- Annual add-on purchase
- Direct conservation funding
Display and Possession Requirement
When you’re fishing for trout in Colorado, you must carry proof of a valid Trout Stamp—either a printed copy or the My CPW app—since the stamp is required for anglers 16 and older and matches the license term (March 1–March 31 of the following year); enforcement officers routinely check for immediate access to the stamp, and failing to present it can result in citations despite having a valid license. You should follow strict display guidelines: keep a clear physical possession or an easily accessible digital image, renew annually, and guarantee the stamp term aligns with your license. Carrying proof supports enforcement and trout habitat funding. Below is a brief reference table.
| Item | Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 16+ | Applies |
| Term | Mar 1–Mar 31 | Validity |
| Format | Print/App | Display guidelines |
| Renewal | Annual | Conservation funding |
| Enforcement | Immediate access | Avoid citation |
Transferability and Exemptions
Having proof of a valid Trout Stamp on hand also raises the question of who must buy and use it, and under what conditions it actually applies.
You should know the transferability rules: the Trout Stamp is non-transferable and must be bought by the individual angler who intends to fish. It’s valid from March 1 through March 31 of the following year, matching the annual license window. Fee revenue supports trout management and conservation.
- You must purchase your own Trout Stamp if you’re fishing for trout and hold a paid license.
- The stamp can’t be shared, sold, or used by another angler.
- Youth under 16 meet exemption criteria and don’t need a stamp.
- Check annual dates to verify validity.
Combining the Trout Stamp With Fishing Licenses and Stamps
If you plan your trip carefully, you’ll find that Colorado’s trout stamp system integrates with other required permits so you can meet conservation goals while staying compliant.
Trout stamp benefits align with funding mechanisms for habitat and stocking, but note a separate Habitat Stamp and fishing license are the baseline requirements for most anglers. You’ll need an annual fishing license if you’re 18–63 ($42.91) or 64+ ($11.73), and the Habitat Stamp costs $12.15 when you buy your first license each year.
Trout stamps support habitat and stocking, but most anglers still need a fishing license and $12.15 Habitat Stamp.
Youth under 16 fish free; 16–17-year-olds must buy a license and may need a second-rod stamp if using a second line. A trout stamp itself isn’t mandatory in Colorado, yet combining stamps and licenses guarantees you support conservation programs and avoid citations.
Buy all required permits online or at designated outlets before fishing, verify age-based pricing, and carry proof of purchase on the water to demonstrate compliance with fishing license requirements and related conservation funding.
Special Rules for Youth, Seniors, Veterans, and First Responders
You’ll need to follow specific age-based rules: youth under 16 fish free, residents 16–17 must buy a license (and non-resident youth 16–18 need a non-resident adult license), and anyone using a second line needs a second-rod stamp.
If you’re 64 or older you must carry a senior license and pay for a second-rod stamp when applicable, while veterans with service-connected disabilities get a free Lifetime Fishing License and active-duty residents can fish free up to 30 days with leave papers.
First responders with permanent occupational disabilities qualify for a free lifetime fishing/small game combo and are exempt from the Habitat Stamp, which helps target conservation funding where it’s needed.
Youth License Rules
Because Colorado tailors fishing privileges by age and service status, it’s important to know who needs a license or stamp before heading out:
You’ll find youth fishing regulations designed to balance access and conservation while promoting youth fishing opportunities. Know the age cutoffs and stamp rules to stay compliant and protect trout populations.
- Ages 0–15: You don’t need a license; you may take full bag and possession limits with one rod, supporting early recruitment into angling.
- Resident 16–17: You must buy a resident fishing license; purchase a second-rod stamp only if you’ll fish with two lines.
- Nonresident 16–18: You must buy a nonresident adult annual license to fish legally.
- Enforcement focuses on limits, reporting, and habitat protection to sustain fisheries.
Senior Discount Details
One clear benefit for older anglers is a reduced Annual Fishing License fee—seniors 64 and older pay $11.73 versus the standard $42.91—helping lower-cost access while preserving funding for fisheries management.
You’ll find that senior benefits focus on maintaining fishing accessibility while contributing to conservation budgets.
If you’re a senior and want to fish with a second line, you must buy a Second-Rod Stamp at $12.98; that fee supports angler-equipment rules that reduce pressure on prime fisheries.
Note youth under 16 fish free, encouraging recruitment, while non-resident 16–18-year-olds need a full non-resident adult license with no senior discount.
These provisions balance equitable access, revenue predictability, and targeted conservation outcomes through clear, data-aligned fee structure.
Veteran & Responder Exemptions
Beyond senior fee reductions, Colorado offers specific exemptions and lifetime privileges for veterans, first responders, youth, and residents with permanent disabilities that both expand access and protect conservation funding.
You should know precise rules so you comply and support habitat funding.
- Youth rules: under-16 fish free; resident 16–17 need a license plus second-rod stamp; nonresident 16–18 must buy a nonresident adult annual license.
- Veteran eligibility: vets with service-connected disabilities receive a free Lifetime Fishing License, removing annual costs while maintaining conservation support through alternative funding.
- Responder benefits: first responders with permanent occupational disabilities get a free lifetime fishing/small-game combo license and are exempt from the Habitat Stamp.
- Other exemptions: active-duty on leave (≤30 days) and Columbine lifetime for total/permanent disabilities.
Digital and Temporary Authorization Options
While planning your trip, remember Colorado offers both digital and temporary authorization options to guarantee you’re legally covered: you’ll rely on digital access through the My CPW app or on a Temporary Authorization Number (TAN) issued at purchase.
While planning your trip, use the My CPW app or carry your Temporary Authorization Number (TAN) to stay legally licensed.
The Habitat Stamp (which includes the Trout Stamp) costs $12.15 annually for ages 18–64 and must be obtained before buying a license. If you buy a one-day or additional-day license within 15 days, you won’t receive a physical card; TAN compliance requires you to print or write down the TAN and carry it while fishing.
TANs remain valid for 45 days from issuance, so track issue dates to avoid lapses. Using My CPW gives immediate, verifiable proof of purchase on your device, reducing paper waste and supporting conservation by streamlining enforcement.
Purchase early to prevent delays at access points and ascertain your digital license or TAN aligns with trip dates, conserving both time and regulatory compliance.
How Trout Stamp Revenue Supports Fisheries and Habitat
When you buy a Colorado Trout Stamp, you’re directly financing hatcheries and regular stocking that keep trout populations at target levels for sustainable angling.
About X% of stamp revenue also underwrites habitat restoration projects—bank stabilization, in-stream structures, and riparian plantings—that improve survival and growth rates for trout and other aquatic species.
That funding also supports access improvements so you and your family can reliably reach healthier waters.
Funding Hatcheries & Stocking
Because your Trout Stamp purchase directly funds hatchery operations, Colorado Parks and Wildlife can breed and raise the fish needed to stock roughly 90 million fish each year, ensuring sustainable populations across the state.
You enable sustainable fishing and aquatic conservation by underwriting dedicated broodstock programs, rearing facilities, and species-specific husbandry protocols. Stamp revenue buys feed, disease monitoring, genetic management, and transportation to release sites. It also supports public access infrastructure so stocked fish benefit anglers and communities.
- Broodstock & genetics programs that maintain healthy, resilient trout populations.
- Rearing facilities operating year-round with monitored water quality and biosecurity.
- Logistics for transporting millions of fish to lakes, reservoirs, and streams.
- Monitoring and data collection to evaluate stocking success and inform adaptive management.
Habitat Restoration Projects
Although it’s easy to think trout conservation is only about stocking, Trout Stamp revenue directly funds measurable habitat restoration projects that improve survival and biodiversity: stream bank stabilization, riparian planting, erosion control, and in-channel complexity additions have reduced sediment loads and increased pool frequency on treated reaches, while water-quality interventions target temperature and nutrient issues that limit trout productivity. You’ll see habitat benefits in metrics: increased juvenile survival, higher macroinvertebrate diversity, and lower summer temperatures. Stamp funds support aquatic ecosystems by prioritizing sites with the greatest return on ecological function and angler experience. Below is a concise project summary table showing typical interventions and expected outcomes.
| Intervention | Expected outcome |
|---|---|
| Bank stabilization | Reduced sediment, improved habitat |
| Riparian planting | Shade, nutrient uptake |
| In-channel structures | Increased pools, cover |
| Water-quality fixes | Lower temps, better DO |
Common Situations and Compliance Tips
If you plan to fish Colorado waters with trout, carry the appropriate license and stamps at all times so you can show compliance if asked by wardens; for residents 18–64 that means the $42.91 annual fishing license (which includes the Habitat Stamp).
Youths 16–17 need the $11.73 license and may also require a Trout Stamp, and anglers under 16 fish license-free.
You’ll avoid fines and support conservation by confirming requirements before each trip, tracking where trout stamps are mandatory, and noting recent fishing regulation updates.
Buy licenses online, at CPW offices, or authorized agents to document compliance.
- Check area rules: some waters specifically require the Trout Stamp — verify before you fish.
- Carry proof: digital or printed license and stamps to present to wardens.
- Youths 16–17: purchase $11.73 license and confirm trout-stamp necessity.
- Stay current: monitor fishing regulation updates and renew annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Non-Residents Buy Only a Colorado Trout Stamp?
No, you can’t buy only a Colorado trout stamp; non resident regulations require you to purchase appropriate fishing license requirements first, then add the trout stamp where applicable to meet conservation and reporting data obligations.
Is the Trout Stamp Refundable if Unused?
No, it’s generally nonrefundable; you’ll find unused stamp policies state refunds aren’t issued, though exceptions may exist for clerical errors—check trout stamp eligibility and agency data, as conservation funding relies on purchased, nonrefundable stamps.
Does the Stamp Cover Ice Fishing Trout Limits?
Yes — the trout stamp applies to ice fishing; you’ll follow ice fishing regulations and trout limit specifics for each waterbody, so check local bag limits, size limits, and seasonal rules to stay compliant and conserve populations.
Are Group or Family Trout Stamp Discounts Available?
No — there aren’t discounts. You’ll want to plan: family fishing and group licenses don’t reduce trout stamp fees. Data show individual stamps fund conservation, so each angler’s purchase directly supports habitat and stocking.
Can I Transfer My Trout Stamp to Another Angler?
No, you can’t transfer a trout stamp to another angler; transfers aren’t permitted. You’ll need to meet individual angler requirements and purchase your own stamp, ensuring data-backed compliance and funding for conservation and habitat management.
Conclusion
Colorado’s trout stamp is a small price that pays big dividends: it funds stocking, habitat restoration, and monitoring so fisheries thrive. You’re required to buy one if you fish for trout, with specific exemptions and tiered fees for youth, seniors, veterans, and first responders; digital stamps and temporary authorizations make compliance easier. Think of the stamp as a seed—your purchase directly grows healthier rivers and better angling for everyone. Verify validity dates and carry proof.
