Can I take the Colorado Hunter Safety Course Online?

Completing hunter education is an important rite of passage for new hunters. The Colorado Parks & Wildlife Department offers several certification pathways, from traditional instructor-led classroom courses to hybrid formats. In this article, we’ll walk you through the available options so you can choose the approach that best fits your needs.

Does Colorado Allow Online Hunter Safety Courses?

In Colorado, an online course alone does not result in hunter safety certification. However, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) agency officially allows an online portion of hunter safety training as part of a hybrid model to fulfill the hunter education requirement. This means that prospective hunters can complete the majority of their hunter safety training through approved online platforms, but must also attend an in-person Conclusion Class to demonstrate practical skills. Colorado maintains this hybrid approach to ensure real-world competency in hunting safety.

Specifically, while the online course covers all the necessary theoretical knowledge, the in-person Conclusion Class requires students to demonstrate safe firearm handling and other practical skills. This hybrid model ensures that hunters are not only knowledgeable but also competent in real-world hunting safety practices.

The CPW website clearly outlines this policy, emphasizing that the online portion must be paired with a field day session to receive full certification. This approach balances convenience with safety, allowing students to learn at their own pace online while still gaining hands-on experience under supervision.

Field Day Requirements

The Conclusion Class (also called the field day) typically involves live instruction and practical exercises, such as firearm safety demonstrations, shooting proficiency, and ethical hunting practices. This session often lasts 4–6 hours and is scheduled periodically throughout the year, often hosted by local CPW offices or certified instructors.

Students who complete the online course must register for a field day to finalize their certification. Without completing this in-person component, the hunter education certification will not be issued, and the individual will not be eligible to purchase a hunting license in Colorado.

Online Hunter Safety Course Options in Colorado

Colorado offers state-approved online hunter safety courses designed to meet the hybrid training requirements set by CPW. These courses provide comprehensive educational content, including interactive lessons, videos, and quizzes to ensure thorough understanding of hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and safety protocols.

Students should ensure the online course they select is listed on the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife website as an approved provider. 

Attributes of Approved Online Courses

Approved online courses in Colorado generally feature comprehensive coverage of topics such as firearm safety, wildlife identification, hunting ethics, and state-specific regulations. They also include interactive elements to reinforce learning and prepare students for the field day.

Each provider ensures that upon successful completion of the online portion, students receive documentation or a certificate that must be presented when registering for the field day. 

Who Needs to Take Hunter Education in Colorado?

Hunter education is mandatory for most first-time hunters in Colorado. Specifically, anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, must successfully complete a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license, unless they qualify for an exemption such as an apprentice license or have previously held a Colorado hunting license.

For detailed information on who must take hunter education in Colorado, prospective hunters can visit this resource, which provides comprehensive guidance on the state’s requirements and exemptions.

How to Register for an Online Hunter Safety Course in Colorado

Registering for an online hunter safety course in Colorado is a straightforward process. The first step is to visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, where a list of approved hunter education providers is available. This ensures you select a course that meets state standards and will be recognized for certification.

Once you have chosen a provider, you can proceed to their website to create an account and enroll in the course. The registration process typically involves providing basic personal information and payment details if applicable.

After registration, you will gain immediate access to the online course materials. It is important to complete the course at your own pace but within any time limits specified by the provider or CPW.

Upon finishing the online portion, you will receive instructions on how to sign up for the required field day. This may involve contacting local CPW offices or certified instructors to find available sessions near you.

Finding Courses on the Colorado Agency Website

The CPW website offers a dedicated hunter education section where you can find links to approved online courses, field day schedules, and contact information for local instructors. This centralized resource helps streamline the registration and certification process for new hunters.

Is the Online Course Enough to Get Certified in Colorado?

Completing the online hunter safety course alone is not sufficient to obtain full hunter education certification in Colorado. The state requires a hybrid approach, meaning that after finishing the online coursework, students must also attend and successfully complete a Conclusion Class.

This field day is essential for demonstrating practical skills such as firearm handling, shooting proficiency, and safe hunting techniques. Only after passing this in-person component will the student receive their official hunter education certificate.

Once certified, hunters can print their certificate or receive it by mail, depending on the provider’s process. This certificate is necessary to purchase a hunting license and legally hunt in Colorado.

Follow-Up Steps After Online Completion

After completing the online course, students should promptly schedule their field day to avoid delays in certification. It is advisable to keep a copy of the online completion certificate as proof of progress when registering for the field day.

Upon successful completion of both components, the CPW or the course provider will issue the official hunter education certification, which must be carried while hunting.

How Long Does the Online Hunter Safety Course Take in Colorado?

The duration of the online hunter safety course in Colorado varies depending on the provider and the student’s pace. CPW requires a minimum of 4 hours for the online portion, but many students take between 6 and 10 hours to complete the material thoroughly.

Because the course is self-paced, some students may finish more quickly, while others may take longer to review all content and pass the quizzes. The flexibility of online learning accommodates different schedules and learning styles.

For a detailed breakdown of course length and time management tips, prospective students can visit this informative guide.

Get Started with Your Online Hunter Safety Course in Colorado

Ready to begin your hunter safety education in Colorado? Starting with an approved online course is a convenient and effective way to fulfill the state’s requirements. Taking the course online allows you to learn at your own pace, revisit challenging topics, and prepare thoroughly for the field day component. This approach not only saves time but also ensures you are well-prepared to hunt safely and responsibly.

Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website today to find more information on approved online hunter safety courses and begin your journey toward becoming a certified hunter in Colorado.

Does Colorado accept hunter education certificates from other states?

Yes. Colorado recognizes hunter education certificates issued by other state or provincial wildlife agencies when the course meets IHEA-USA standards. In most cases, your card is reciprocal and valid for life, regardless of where you earned it. Be sure your course was completed through an approved provider (e.g., Recademics or another state/IHEA-approved program), and match the discipline required (firearm vs. bow). If you’re traveling to hunt, always check a state’s agency page for any state-specific add-ons or exceptions (e.g., apprentice permits or youth supervision rules).