Colorado Unit 53:draw odds, harvest & access
12 hunt codes for elk. Part of elk DAU E-5.
Colorado · GMU 53
GMU 53Neighbor units
Odds for:Nonresident · 0 pts
Bull tag: points to draw (NR)
0 pts
fewest, 2026 draw
Rifle bull success, 3 yr
0–47%
Herd · 2025
10,230
28 bulls / 100 cows
Compare species at a glanceShow
Hunt codes
Elk huntsin Unit 53
Points to drawWithin reachMiddleDeep points
| Hunt code | What it is | Drew out at · res | Drew out at · NR | Success 3-yr | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EM053O1R | Bull · 1st rifle | 0 | 3 | 24% | Flat |
| EM053O4R | Bull · 4th rifle | Leftover | Leftover | 0% | |
| EM053O1M | Bull · muzzleloader | 0 | 0 | 25% | Flat |
| EF053O1R | Cow · 1st rifle | 0 | 0 | 47% | Falling |
| EF053O2R | Cow · 2nd rifle | 0 | 0 | 33% | Falling |
| EF053O3R | Cow · 3rd rifle | Leftover | Leftover | 13% | Flat |
| EF053O4R | Cow · 4th rifle | Leftover | Leftover | 20% | |
| EE053V1A | Either sex · archery | Not printed | Leftover | 24% | |
Some hunt codes cover several units; the hunt page lists them all.
Harvest & herd
How hunters didand how the herd is doing.
Harvest success by season, 2019–2025
% successMuzzleloader25%
25%
2025
1st rifle15–31%
15%
24%
26%
30%
31%
25%
28%
2019202020212022202320242025
2nd rifle11–33%
15%
12%
11%
16%
14%
16%
33%
2019202020212022202320242025
3rd rifle6–15%
10%
15%
10%
6%
11%
14%
13%
2019202020212022202320242025
4th rifle0–27%
12%
27%
0%
26%
6%
8%
10%
2019202020212022202320242025
45%+28–45%Under 28%
How the herd is doing
DAU E-5
Population estimate 2025
10,230
Bulls / 100 cows 2025
28
Population estimateRising
2019202020212022202320242025
Bulls per 100 cowsRising
2019202020212022202320242025
Before you apply
- Tag fee
- “Nonresident bull/fishing combo* $845.16”
- Tag fee
- “Resident adult $70.40”
- Points
- “Do not submit a separate application for preference points, or both applications will be disqualified.”
- Application fee
- “■ Nonresident $11.49”
Rules for 2026.
Season dates · 2026
- EE053P1RRifle — Limited Licenses · ROct 14–Oct 18
- EE053P4RRifle — Limited Licenses · RNov 18–Nov 22
- EE053V1AArchery — Limited Nonresident Licenses · ASep 2–Sep 30
- EF053O1MMuzzleloader — Limited Licenses · MSep 12–Sep 20
- EF053O1RRifle — Limited Licenses · ROct 14–Oct 18
- EF053O2RRifle — Limited Licenses · ROct 24–Nov 1
- EF053O3RRifle — Limited Licenses · RNov 7–Nov 15
- EF053O4RRifle — Limited Licenses · RNov 18–Nov 22
- EF053P5RRifle — Limited Licenses · RDec 1–Jan 31
- EM053O1MMuzzleloader — Limited Licenses · MSep 12–Sep 20
- EM053O1RRifle — Limited Licenses · ROct 14–Oct 18
- EM053O4RRifle — Limited Licenses · RNov 18–Nov 22
Confirm in the regulations before you go.
Map & access
GMU 53and the units around it
Neighbors with a FarWide page open on click.
Public land & access
Each program opens on the state's site. Check on-the-ground signage.
Offline maps
Take Unit 53into your map app
Opens in onX, Gaia GPS, CalTopo, Google Earth, and Garmin. Works offline in those apps.
Members
Unit 53 hunt pack
One file, layered: the unit boundary, with each elk hunt's draw odds and harvest success attached to the unit.
- Unit boundary
- Draw odds per hunt
- Harvest success per hunt
GMU 53 · EM053O1R
Drew out at 0 ptsLikely
Success24%
Ask FarWide
Answers use the same figures as this page.
Source: CPW · Updated Nov 13, 2026