Landowner Preference Program

The Landowner Preference Program (LPP) was created to give landowners a preference for hunting licenses to encourage private landowners to provide habitat that increases wildlife populations for the benefit of all hunters, discourage the harboring of game animals on private lands during public hunting seasons, and relieve hunting pressure on public lands by increasing game hunting on private lands.

With passage of Senate Bill 13-188, a new landowner preference system was created called the Landowner Preference Program. The LPP replaces all previous landowner preference systems. Starting July 1, 2014 in order to apply for landowner preference, the deeded landowner must register the deeded land with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) by December 1 to be eligible for the drawing the following year. Early registration is highly encouraged.  LPP registrations are valid for up to five (5) years.

For a landowner as shown by a recorded deed to qualify for the Landowner Preference Program in Colorado, the land must meet all of the following qualifications:

1. Be a minimum of 160 contiguous acres of private agricultural land.
2. Be inhabited by the species being applied for in significant numbers throughout the year or in substantial numbers for shorter times.
3. Provide for the species being applied for: wintering habitat, transitional habitat, calving areas, solitude areas, migration corridors, or provide a forage source.
4. Have a history of game damage or a huntable population of the species being applied for.
5. Be within a Game Management Unit (GMU) for which all rifle licenses are totally limited for the species (deer, elk, or pronghorn) being applied for.

For more information and additional details about the Landowner Preference Program please visit the Colorado Park and Wildlife website at cpw.state.co.us.