When is the rut in Colorado?
Published deer rut timing for Colorado: Mid-Nov – mid-Dec. Bucks move most in the days before and during the peak.
Sources checked October 2026 · all 12 states
Colorado peak breeding
Mule deer
How to read these dates
Biologists date the rut by conception: they back-date from fetuses or fawn births to when does were bred. A single date is the peak, the day most does were bred; a range covers most of the breeding. Weather and deer density shift it year to year, and southern or coastal counties can run weeks earlier than a state average.
Agency / study comes from a state wildlife agency or a peer-reviewed study. Secondary is a biologist quoted in the press or a federal fact sheet.
Colorado deer seasons, 2026
| Season | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery Deer | Sep 2 – Sep 30 | Statewide general archery deer (west of I-25). Plains archery (east of I-25) differs. |
| Muzzleloader Deer | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | Statewide general muzzleloader deer (2nd Sat of Sept, 9 days). |
| Combined Rifle Deer | Oct 14 – Nov 22 | Overall range of CO's 4 combined deer/elk rifle seasons: 1st 10/14-18, 2nd 10/24-11/01, 3rd 11/07-15, 4th 11/18-22. |
From WikiHunt’s season table (updated Sep 2, 2026). Confirm in the Colorado regulations. Colorado hunting maps and all seasons.