Colorado Fishing License: Requirements, Cost, and Age Limits (2026)
Most anglers age 16 or older need a Colorado Fishing License. The annual license costs $44.87 for residents and $124.01 for nonresidents; most license buyers ages 18–64 also owe the $12.76 Habitat Stamp, although the first two one-day or additional-day licenses are exempt.
Last verified 29 Aug 2026 against CPW — Fishing Licenses and Dates.
| Rule | Answer | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| License required? | Yes Anglers age 16 or older generally need a Colorado fishing license. The under-16 and Free Fishing Weekend exceptions are listed separately. | CPW — Fishing Licenses and Dates | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident annual license | USD 44.87 The resident adult annual fishing license costs $44.87. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident annual license | USD 124.01 The nonresident annual fishing license costs $124.01. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident senior annual license | USD 12.96 Colorado residents age 64 or older may buy the $12.96 senior annual license. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident youth annual license | USD 12.96 Colorado residents ages 16–17 may buy the $12.96 youth fishing license. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident one-day license | USD 18.07 The resident one-day fishing license costs $18.07. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident one-day license | USD 21.90 The nonresident one-day fishing license costs $21.90. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident five-day license | USD 41.04 The nonresident five-day fishing license costs $41.04. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident additional-day license | USD 9.13 Each additional day on a nonresident short-term license costs $9.13. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Anglers younger than 16 | Yes Resident and nonresident anglers younger than 16 may fish without a license and may take the full bag and possession limits. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Annual Habitat Stamp | USD 12.76 Most license buyers ages 18–64 must buy one $12.76 Habitat Stamp each year. The first two one-day or additional-day licenses are exempt; CPW assesses the stamp with the third such license. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Second-rod stamp | USD 14.24 The optional $14.24 second-rod stamp allows a second rod, hand line, or tip-up. It does not increase the angler's bag limit. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| 2026 Free Fishing Weekend | Yes Colorado's 2026 Free Fishing Weekend was June 6–7. Residents and visitors could fish without a license or Habitat Stamp, while other fishing regulations remained in force. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| License year | 13 months An annual Colorado fishing license is valid from March 1 through March 31 of the following year, a 13-month license cycle. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Temporary Authorization Number | 45 days An online buyer may use the Temporary Authorization Number for up to 45 days while waiting for the physical license to arrive. | CPW | 29 Aug 2026 |
Why does the annual license cost more than the listed base price?
For most adults, the base license is not the final checkout total. Colorado’s resident annual license costs $44.87 and the nonresident annual costs $124.01, but most license buyers ages 18–64 must also buy one $12.76 Habitat Stamp each year. That makes the stamp the Colorado purchase trap: comparing only the base prices understates what most adults will pay. (CPW Fishing Licenses and Dates)
There is a narrow break for short trips. CPW does not assess the Habitat Stamp with your first two one-day or additional-day licenses. It adds the stamp when you buy a third license of either type.
Do children need a Colorado fishing license?
No license is needed before age 16, whether the child lives in Colorado or is visiting. CPW also allows an angler under 16 to take the full bag and possession limits. This is a complete age exemption, not a reduced-price youth license with a smaller catch allowance.
At ages 16–17, a Colorado resident may buy the $12.96 youth annual license. Colorado gives the same $12.96 annual price to resident seniors age 64 or older. The matching price is useful to know, but the two products have different age qualifications. (CPW Fishing Licenses and Dates)
What are the short-term options?
A resident one-day license costs $18.07. A nonresident pays $21.90 for one day or $41.04 for five days, and an additional day costs $9.13. If you buy online, the Temporary Authorization Number lets you fish for up to 45 days while the physical license is in the mail. Carry that number while you fish. (CPW Fishing Licenses and Dates)
Annual licenses use an unusual 13-month window: March 1 through March 31 of the following year. The end date is fixed, so buying later does not create a new 13-month term.
When can I fish without a license or Habitat Stamp?
Colorado’s 2026 Free Fishing Weekend was June 6–7. CPW waived both the fishing license and Habitat Stamp requirements for residents and visitors, but the rest of the fishing regulations still applied. (CPW Free Fishing Weekend)
Fishing from a motorized boat? You separately need an Aquatic Nuisance Species stamp before launching a motorboat or sailboat. It costs $25 for a resident vessel or $50 for a nonresident vessel and is valid for the calendar year. This is a boating requirement, not part of the fishing license itself. Check CPW’s boat-registration guidance.
Where to buy the license
- CPWshop Colorado Parks and Wildlife's official online license portal.
- CPW fishing-license information Current fees, eligibility, and purchase information from CPW.
What if you're fishing across a state line?
Check the rules for the neighbouring state where you'll fish:
We haven't covered Arizona, Nebraska, New Mexico or Oklahoma yet — check with those states directly.