Colorado requires all small game hunters to register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP), to help Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) better estimate the harvest of species that are difficult to target through a general survey of small game.
HIP is a joint US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)/CPW program designed to improve estimates of small game and migratory birds.
In 1998, state wildlife agencies asked the USFWS to develop a nationwide registration program for all migratory bird hunters. State biologists were concerned that federal harvest estimates did not provide adequate harvest information using traditional survey methodology.
HIP for the 2022-2023 Season
Currently, you can enroll online by visiting the Colorado HIP website. Write your HIP number 2022-23 in the space provided on your license. Complete phone check-ins by calling and speaking to a live operator, 7 am to 10:30 pm, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, at 1-866-COLOHIP (265-6447).
Hunters who do not have a HIP number can be warned and then fined for non-compliance with the program. The fine is $70.52 and, in addition, 5 points will be assessed against your hunting privileges.
• If you will be hunting small game (including migratory birds and fur animals) in Colorado during the 2022-23 seasons, you must obtain a HIP number prior to hunting.
• If you will not be hunting small game (including migratory birds) in Colorado during the 2022-23 season, you do not need to participate in HIP.
• Spring turkey hunters do not need to obtain a HIP number.
• Every year on April 1, a new HIP season begins. Hunters cannot obtain a HIP 2022-23 number until 7:00 am on April 1.
Hunters who plan to use their small game license to hunt or trap (not just as a qualified big game draw license) will need to obtain their HIP 2022 number through the Colorado HIP website or by calling and speaking with an operator at I live at 1-866-COLOHIP (265-6447) before they can legally hunt. Although 2022 small game licenses go on sale March 1, HIP numbers for 2022 will not be available until April 1.
Trappers
Hunters hunting fur-bearing animals must still register with HIP. In addition, fur trappers holding a fur trapper permit may also be contacted to complete the fur trapper collection survey. Data from the fur trapper harvest survey will be used to gain a better understanding of how many fur trappers are harvested each year. Efforts to closely monitor fur harvesting will help CPW biologists maintain self-sustaining fur populations and allow CPW to continue to provide hunters with diverse opportunities for recreational harvesting, and state fur collectors will enjoy increased collaboration with CPW.
As another aid in tracking harvest numbers, the Fur Harvester Registry is available to hunters. Fur collectors may photocopy or print multiple copies of this form to record their hunts and harvests during each season.