What Colorado fishing licenses cost

A Colorado resident fishing license costs $26.95 for a one-year license, or $10.95 for a one-day license. Non-residents pay $40.95 for a one-year license or $14.95 for a one-day license. Colorado Parks and Wildlife sets these prices and updates them periodically, so confirm the current cost on their website before you buy.

These base prices cover freshwater fishing only. If you want to fish for trout, walleye, pike, or other species in Colorado's lakes and rivers, you need the standard license. Special stamps and endorsements cost extra and are listed below.

You can buy a license online through Colorado Parks and Wildlife's website, by phone, or at authorized retailers like sporting goods stores and some grocery stores. Online purchase is fastest and you can start fishing when ready with a printed or digital copy.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado resident one-year licenses cost $26.95; non-residents pay $40.95; one-day licenses are cheaper but only let you fish for one calendar day.
  • You must add a Conservation Stamp ($10.95) to any license to fish legally in Colorado.
  • Trout stamps, walleye stamps, and other species endorsements each cost $10.95 and are required only if you plan to keep those fish.
  • Seniors 64 and older pay $6.95 for a one-year resident license; disabled Colorado residents may fish free with proof from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
  • You can buy licenses online, by phone, or at retailers, and digital licenses are valid when ready.

Required stamps and endorsements

Every Colorado fishing license requires a Conservation Stamp ($10.95). This is not optional—you cannot fish legally without it, even if you have a valid license. The stamp funds habitat and access projects across the state.

Beyond the Conservation Stamp, you only need additional stamps if you plan to keep certain fish. A Trout Stamp ($10.95) is required if you want to keep trout. A Walleye Stamp ($10.95) is required to keep walleye. Colorado also offers stamps for pike, musky, and other species, each $10.95. If you are catch-and-release only, you do not need these stamps.

The total cost for a resident who wants to fish for trout and keep what they catch is $26.95 (license) + $10.95 (Conservation Stamp) + $10.95 (Trout Stamp) = $48.85 for one year. A non-resident paying the same way would spend $62.85.

Discounts for seniors and disabled anglers

Colorado residents age 64 and older pay $6.95 for a one-year license instead of $26.95. The Conservation Stamp and any species stamps still cost the regular price, so a senior keeping trout would pay $6.95 + $10.95 + $10.95 = $28.85 per year.

Disabled Colorado residents may fish free with a disability license issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You must explore in person at a Parks and Wildlife office and bring proof of disability (a disability information letter from Social Security, a VA disability rating, or a state disability certificate). Once approved, your license is free, but you still need to purchase the Conservation Stamp and any species stamps.

One-day licenses and short-term options

If you fish only occasionally, a one-day license may cost less than a full-year license. Residents pay $10.95 for one day; non-residents pay $14.95. A one-day license is valid for one calendar day only—midnight to midnight—so plan accordingly.

You still need the Conservation Stamp with a one-day license ($10.95), so the true cost is $21.90 for a resident or $25.90 for a non-resident, before any species stamps. If you fish more than twice a year, a full-year license is cheaper.

Colorado does not offer three-day or seven-day licenses. Your options are one day or one year.

Where to buy and how to get your license when ready

The fastest way to get a license is online at Colorado Parks and Wildlife's website (cpw.state.co.us). You can purchase and print or read your license in minutes. A digital license on your phone is valid and legal to carry while fishing.

You can also buy licenses by phone by calling Colorado Parks and Wildlife's licensing office, or in person at authorized retailers. Sporting goods stores like Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, and local fly shops sell licenses. Some Walmart and King Soopers locations also carry them, though availability varies by store.

If you buy online or by phone, you do not need to wait for anything to arrive in the mail. Your license is active when ready. If you buy in person at a retailer, the license is also active the same day.

What your license covers and does not cover

Your Colorado fishing license lets you fish in public waters across the state—rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs open to the public. It covers both catch-and-release and keeping fish, as long as you have the right stamps for the species you want to keep.

Your license does not cover private property. You need permission from the landowner to fish on private land, even if you have a valid license. Some private ranches and clubs sell day-use or membership fishing rights, but those are separate from your state license.

Your license also does not cover special areas like certain national parks or tribal lands. Check local rules before you fish in unfamiliar areas.

License renewal and expiration

Colorado fishing licenses expire on December 31 of the year you buy them, regardless of when you purchase. A license bought in January and one bought in November both expire on the same date. This means a license bought in late November gives you only about two months of fishing before it expires.

You can renew online, by phone, or at a retailer. Renewal is the same process as buying a new license—there is no separate renewal form. Many anglers set a calendar reminder in November or December to renew before the year ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to fish in Colorado if I am just visiting?

Yes. Non-residents must have a valid Colorado fishing license. A one-day non-resident license costs $14.95 plus the $10.95 Conservation Stamp, for a total of $25.90. You can buy it online before you arrive or at any retailer when you get to Colorado.

Can I fish with my license from another state?

No. Colorado does not honor out-of-state licenses. You must buy a Colorado license, even if you have a valid license from your home state. The one-day option is the cheapest way to fish if you are passing through.

What happens if I fish without a license?

Fishing without a valid license is a violation of Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations. Penalties include fines and possible confiscation of equipment. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers patrol fishing areas and check licenses. It is not worth the risk—a one-day license is inexpensive.

Do kids need a fishing license in Colorado?

Children under 16 do not need a license to fish in Colorado, but they must follow all other fishing rules and regulations. An adult with a valid license must supervise them. Once they turn 16, they need their own license.

Can I buy a license as a gift for someone else?

Yes. You can buy a license online or at a retailer and give the license number or printed copy to someone else. The person fishing does not have to be present when you buy it. Make sure the license is for the correct residency status (resident or non-resident) of the person who will use it.