Limited draw vs leftover vs unlimited OTC

Primary and secondary draws for 2026 big game are done. If you are still looking this week, you are looking at three different products:

1. Limited leftover — remaining limited hunt codes on the CPW leftover list, including some reissues.
2. Unlimited OTC — not restricted in quantity, still restricted by unit, season, and manner of take.
3. Closed limited draw — the primary / secondary path. Useful for next year. Not a live buy path for 2026 limited codes.

CPW's leftover glossary says leftover limited licenses become available as “over-the-counter leftover limited licenses” after secondary. That phrase is leftover, not unlimited OTC. Do not mash “OTC leftovers” into unlimited OTC.

The application window opened March 1, 2026 and closed April 7 at 8 p.m. Mountain Time — CPW Primary Draw. That path is finished for this year.

Preference points apply on the primary draw only. That is from the CPW Big Game page.

TagMath odds are about this draw world — historical recaps, cutoffs, and point creep — not leftover inventory. See Methodology.

Leftover licenses are the remaining limited licenses after primary and secondary. Reissued licenses can land on that same list. CPW started leftover sales on August 4, 2026. Purchasing one from the leftover list does not use preference points — with a separate 5+ resident-point reissue path covered on the weekly reissue clock.

The live list is CPW's Leftover.pdf, linked from the CPW leftover page. We do not invent remaining-tag totals. Full walkthrough: Colorado leftover licenses.

From the CPW OTC licenses page and the Big Game OTC section:

• Not restricted in quantity. Still restricted to certain units, seasons, and manners of take. Purchase limits still apply. Available without the draw.
• No qualifying license and no preference points. Buy anytime before or during the season online at CPWShop, by phone at 1-800-244-5613, or at sales agents.