The Colorado Division of Wildlife is committed to expanding opportunities for youth to participate in big game hunting activities. Special licensing for youth participating in Youth Outreach Program big game hunts, through a sponsoring organization, is now available if specific requirements are met.
Numerous sportsman’s organizations, conservation organizations, and youth mentor groups participate in activities to encourage youth big game hunting. Obtaining licenses for the youth, however, can at times be problematic if there are no licenses available through the normal, limited licensing process. The licensing authority granted to the Director of the Division of Wildlife by the Wildlife Commission—for issuing Youth Outreach Program big game licenses—is to be used solely as a means to obtain a license when all other efforts have been exhausted. These licenses are limited in number and must be carefully and equitably distributed to ensure the maximum benefit for the Division's youth recruitment and retention efforts.
Sponsoring organizations must meet certain eligibility criteria to apply for the special Youth Outreach Program licenses—
A "sponsoring organization" must be a sportsman’s group, conservation group, or youth mentoring organization that meets the following criteria:
- Has a minimum of ten (10) members
- Has an elected Executive Officer
- Has regularly scheduled meetings
- Has a youth mentoring program
Youth Educational Hunt: An "educational hunt" is one that incorporates hunting skills, ethics, and field techniques into each youth hunting event. An educational training session must be scheduled prior to the hunting event. Youth must be accompanied by a mentor at all times during the hunt.
Youth Hunter: A "youth hunter" is between the ages of 12 and 17 who purchases a reduced-cost big game hunting license. The youth hunter must be accompanied by an adult, 18 years of age or older, who has successfully completed a hunter education course and is in possession of a valid hunter safety card.
A qualified sponsoring organization may submit an application for Youth Outreach Program big game licenses using the procedures and forms defined in Division of Wildlife Administrative Directive W-21. See also the Addendum to Administrative Directive W-21.