Colorado non res draw question

[cnelk]

I'll give everyone tip - even NonRes

Pertaining to Leftovers

Read the SECONDARY DRAW STATS for the unit you're interested in

You'll see the General Draw Quota

Below that you'll see the Balance [AFTER the Secondary Draw]

Those tags will be able to be purchased OTC - even for NonRes

A quick search I found over 1000 tags that were available for Nonres ES Archery Elk last year.

Now the Disclaimer:
The CPW could reduce or increase tag allotment in 2026.
But I seriously doubt they will reduce any NonRes tags...

 

[well_known_rokslider]

I'll give everyone tip - even NonRes

Pertaining to Leftovers

Read the SECONDARY DRAW STATS for the unit you're interested in

You'll see the General Draw Quota

Below that you'll see the Balance [AFTER the Secondary Draw]

Those tags will be able to be purchased OTC - even for NonRes

A quick search I found over 1000 tags that were available for Nonres ES Archery Elk last year.

Now the Disclaimer:
The CPW could reduce or increase tag allotment in 2026.
But I seriously doubt they will reduce any NonRes tags...

No doubt, and not to be argumentative, but within the context of the OP’s original question, ‘applying’ for these tags as a second/+ choice is not guaranteed OTC. Once they make it through all the draw, IF they are left over, sure they are available for OTC, but there’s no guarantee there. I’ll shut up now


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[Mighty Mouse]

No doubt, and not to be argumentative, but within the context of the OP’s original question, ‘applying’ for these tags as a second/+ choice is not guaranteed OTC. Once they make it through all the draw, IF they are left over, sure they are available for OTC, but there’s no guarantee there. I’ll shut up now


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Agreed. Using CPW's definitions, there are two types of OTC tags: "unlimited" and "leftover limited". I would only call unlimited OTC tags "guaranteed," because you are literally guaranteed the opportunity to get one. However (as you pointed out previously), unlimited OTC non-resident archery elk tags west of I-25 were eliminated as of 2025. Leftover limited OTC NR archery elk tags west of I-25 may be available if the tag quota isn't reached during the primary and secondary draws. If those tags do make it to the leftover list, they're available first-come-first-served OTC up to the limit of the tag quota. It's fair to assume that tags with quota remaining after the secondary draw last year will again become leftover limited OTC tags this year, but (like you said) it's not a literal guarantee.

 

[resident vs nonresident]

when looking at LY odds for your 2nd , 3rd or 4th choice %’s you need to look at that units draw % in that specific choice. 4th pick - did it draw out all the way down as 4th choice?
Ex: unit 666 may have gone 100% as 1st and 2nd choice but if you put it as YOUR 3th you lost likely won’t get it. CO is fairly consistent in predicting draw % based on prior year.

Dont name units but PM me #’s if you want and I’ll help you confirm

Basically look at this field for No -Res. It tells you where unit Drew Out.
If it says Leftover then you can get it pretty much guaranteed as 1/2/3/4th choice.
But 2nd example has only about 50% chance as 2nd choice.

Below units/example were pure random choice from PDF stats just for this example

 

[Jethro]

No doubt, and not to be argumentative, but within the context of the OP’s original question, ‘applying’ for these tags as a second/+ choice is not guaranteed OTC. Once they make it through all the draw, IF they are left over, sure they are available for OTC, but there’s no guarantee there. I’ll shut up now


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Not otc, but if a hunt code makes it to leftover and the op has listed it as his 3rd or 4th choice, like is his plan, it will be guaranteed