Hunting License Refunds, Reversals and Exchanges

Note: if you are seeking an exemption to the 30-day rule due to an extreme medical circumstance, you must include the License Refund - Extreme Medical Exemption Form with your refund / preference point restoration application.

Refund and Preference Point Restoration Process

Note, anyone may request and be given a refund or preference point restoration for a license no later than 30 days prior to the start of the season (14 days for turkey licenses) for which the license is valid. Also, most refunds are subject to a $15.00 processing fee.

• To be eligible for a refund or restoration of preference points, a license must be turned into a CPW location or postmarked at least 30 days prior to the start of the season (14 days for turkey licenses)​ for which the license is valid.
• No refunds or preference point restorations will be given on exchanged licenses or licenses that cost less than $15.​​​​ This does not apply to youth licenses.
  
• A $15 processing fee will be deducted from most refunds to help recover internal costs of processing that request. The $15 processing fee will not be charged for restoration of preference point requests, refunds to youth licenses, extreme medical circumstances, death of the license holder or license holder’s immediate family member, military deployment, jury duty, or CPW error.
• Any request of refund or preference point restoration after the 30 day deadline will be limited to extreme medical circumstances involving the license holder or a license holder’s immediate family member, death of the license holder or license holder’s immediate family member, military deployment, jury duty.
• The Extreme Medical Exemption Request form must be filled out and signed by a physician for anyone requesting an exception to the submission due date rule to an extreme medical circumstance. Other medical documentation will not be accepted. If a request is submitted without this form, it will be denied.
• Once a refund or preference point request form, and license, has been mailed or submitted to a CPW location, there is no way to recover that license. Individuals must still choose between a refund or restoration of preference points; both will not be awarded.
• Refunds will not be given on annual licenses, to include all qualifying licenses. Refunds are also not granted for mountain lion licenses, application fees, habitat stamps, waterfowl stamps, and Federal duck stamps.
• Refunds OR restoration of preference points will still be given for any reason prior to 30 days before the start of the season, if submitted or postmarked appropriately.
• In cases of extreme medical circumstances involving the license holder or a license holder’s immediate family member, death of the license holder or license holder’s immediate family member, or jury duty, applications will be accepted no more than 30 days after the start of the season for which the license is valid, with the exception of military deployment. ​
• If a request is submitted after a season has started, it must include the License Refund / Preference Point Restoration Application signed and dated by the license holder.

How will I receive my refund?

​Product purchased online or with the Aspira call center:

• Refunds will be returned to the card used to purchase it (e.g. credit card, debit card, gift card, etc.) if possible.
  • If you use a gift card (e.g. VISA) to apply for the draw/purchase a license and need a refund later, the money will be returned to that card so we recommend you keep track of it.

  ​Products purchased at a CPW office, park or external agent:

  • Refunds will be issued as paper checks.
  • May take up to 90 days to process.

  License Reversals

  If a customer makes a purchase in error, a reversal may be available. A customer may call 303-297-1192 M-F 8 am-5 pm MST within 24 hours of a purchase and we may reverse the purchase if it has not yet been printed. This does not apply to same day 1-​day licenses OR annual licenses as these are valid immediately upon purchase. Any big-game hunting license issued through the draw may not be reversed.

  Exchanges​

  • NEW - ALL license exchanges will be charged a flat rate of $5.00.
  • There are no refunds or preference point restorations available on exchanged licenses.
  • Exchanges can be completed at a CPW office or park up until the day before the season starts on the original license. Once a season starts, an exchange is no longer available.
  • The exchange fee applies if a hunter is changing a license between float groups.
    
  • Licenses may only be exchanged for a hunt code for the same species as the current license.
    
  • Hunters can exchange from an OTC license to a limited license of the same species and vice versa, given there is quota available and is before the season start of their current license.
    
  • Exchanges cannot be completed until leftover licenses and OTC licenses go on sale. Leftover licenses/OTC go on sale August 6, 2024 at 9am.​
    

  Non-resident hunters who need to exchange a license while out of state may mail exchange requests to the Refund Office. Requests must be postmarked no later than the day before the start of the season of the original license. It must include a check for the exchange fee of $5 plus any difference in license fee (if applicable) and clearly specify what hunt code you’d like to exchange to. If the requested hunt code is not available at the time of processing, the original license and payment will be returned to the hunter. ​​​

  Duplicate or Replacement License

  If your license has been damaged or lost and you would like to request a replacement, please fill out, print and mail in the duplicate license request form. Include a check or money order.

  Important: If you are requesting a duplicate license due to incorrect information on the original, you must include your original license.

  • Annual Fishing, Small Game, Furbearer, Combination Small Game and Fishing Licenses – the replacement fee is $5.00.
  • Extra Rod Stamp – the replacement fee is $4.50.
  • Colorado Waterfowl Stamps – the replacement fee is $5.07. Federal Waterfowl Stamps and OHV Permits cannot be replaced at a discounted rate – you must purchase a new one, if lost/destroyed.
  • Senior Annual Fishing and Senior Low-Income Lifetime Licenses – the replacement fee is $5.00.
  • All other Licenses/Stamps/Permits, including Big Game and Turkey Licenses – the replacement fee is 50% of the cost of the original license to be replaced, but not to exceed $25.00 per license.
  • Habitat Stamps are reprinted on ALL Duplicate Licenses – no additional fees required.

  A CPW Official will issue a duplicate license if satisfied as to the facts of the case.

  Print and mail the form to:

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife ATTN: LRCO 6060 Broadway Denver, CO 80216