Colorado deadlines, month by month

First-half property tax payment Homeowners

Pay in full by April 30, or in two halves — first half by the last day of February, second half by June 15. Your mortgage servicer may pay through escrow, but read the bill and confirm it was paid.

Fishing and small-game license year begins The outdoors

The license year runs March 1 through March 31 of the next year (about 13 months). An annual license bought in spring gives you a full season; one bought in late winter still expires at the end of March.

Big-game primary draw opens The outdoors

The primary draw opens around March 1 and closes in early April. If you want a limited tag, you must apply before it closes — there's no buying it later.

Big-game draw application deadline The outdoors

The primary draw opens around March 1 and closes in early April. Miss it and there's no buy-it-later for limited tags — only leftovers, if any remain, starting in early August.

Property taxes due in full Homeowners

Pay in full by April 30, or in two halves — first half by the last day of February, second half by June 15. The year you buy is usually prorated at closing.

Notice of Valuation arrives Homeowners

County assessors mail the Notice of Valuation by May 1. Read your home's actual value — it drives the tax bill — and compare it with what you paid and with similar nearby sales.

Big-game draw results The outdoors

Results come in late May. If you draw, the rest of the tag price hits the card on file.

RMNP timed-entry season begins The outdoors

From late May through mid-October, RMNP requires a timed-entry reservation to drive in during the busy daytime hours — on top of the entrance fee. It's per vehicle, booked in advance on Recreation.gov.

Free Fishing Days The outdoors

On Free Fishing Days — the first full weekend of June (June 6–7 in 2026) — anyone can fish without a license or Habitat Stamp. All other rules and limits still apply.

Assessor protest deadline Homeowners

To dispute the assessor's value, file a protest with the county assessor — commonly by June 8 for real property, though some counties run an alternate schedule, so use the exact date printed on your notice.

Second-half property tax payment Homeowners

Pay in full by April 30, or in two halves — first half by the last day of February, second half by June 15. Read the bill and confirm it was paid even if a lender pays through escrow.

Big-game secondary draw The outdoors

The secondary draw runs in June, for leftover tags. (In 2026, June 18–30.)

Disabled-veteran and Gold Star spouse exemption deadline Homeowners

Qualifying disabled veterans and Gold Star spouses apply by July 1. It removes 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value; apply through your county assessor.

Senior property tax exemption deadline Homeowners

Seniors who are 65+ and have owned and lived in the home for 10+ years apply by July 15. It removes 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value; apply through your county assessor.

Leftover and over-the-counter tags on sale The outdoors

Leftover and over-the-counter tags go on sale in early August. Missing April means missing the best tags for the year — leftovers are what remains.

Dove season opens the bird year The outdoors

Doves open the bird year on September 1 and need a small-game license plus HIP, but not the duck stamps.

Traction Law season begins New Coloradans

The Traction Law is in effect September 1 – May 31 on the I-70 mountain corridor (Dotsero to Morrison). Under a 2025 update, a two-wheel-drive vehicle must carry chains or an approved traction device the entire season.

Snowmobile and OHV registration year begins The outdoors

Registration runs October 1 – September 30. Those fees fund grooming, maps, signs, safety, and patrols — and even help support the state's avalanche warning system.