Colorado disease risk map.
Colorado is the historical origin region for CWD in wild cervids — the disease was first identified in captive mule deer in the 1960s and confirmed in wild populations by 1981. CPW manages CWD across most of the state's deer and elk units. Verify current testing requirements per game management unit.
Disease detections, management zones, and transport rules change. Cross-reference this page with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the USDA APHIS distribution map before relying on it for hunting decisions.
CWD detection timeline
From first publicly-reported detection to the most recent year on record. Verify current detection counts with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Colorado county detections
10 counties with seeded CWD records. The agency may have additional positive counties — verify before each hunt.
| County | FIPS | First / Recent | Source | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larimer County | 08069 | 1981 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Weld County | 08123 | 1985 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Boulder County | 08013 | 1985 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Jackson County | 08057 | 1995 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Routt County | 08107 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Moffat County | 08081 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Rio Blanco County | 08103 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Grand County | 08049 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Eagle County | 08037 | 2005 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Garfield County | 08045 | 2005 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
County pages
Carcass transport rules
If hunting in a CWD-positive area, follow your state agency's carcass transport rules — most agencies prohibit moving whole carcasses with brain or spinal tissue across designated zone boundaries. Verify the current rules with your state wildlife agency before transporting any harvest.
CWD testing
Most state wildlife agencies offer free or low-cost CWD testing of harvested deer at check stations or sample-drop locations during season. Contact the state agency for current testing locations and turnaround times.
EHD activity in Colorado
Colorado has historically experienced occasional EHD activity. EHD is a viral disease transmitted by Culicoides midges and is not transmissible to humans — meat from EHD-affected deer is safe to consume per state agency guidance. Outbreak years correlate with hot, dry conditions; localized die-offs can reduce hunting opportunity for a season but do not persist year to year the way CWD does.
Hunter FAQ — Colorado
Is it safe to eat deer harvested in Colorado?
Are there carcass transport restrictions in Colorado?
How do I get a deer tested for CWD in Colorado?
How often does Colorado get hit by EHD?
Where does Colorado's CWD/EHD data come from?
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife — CWD →
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife — EHD →
- USDA APHIS CWD Distribution Map →
- National Deer Association EHD Tracker →
Disease information is summarized for hunter awareness only. Always cross-reference with the state agency for legal, regulatory, and current-detection data.
Track herd health on your land.
Statewide disease maps tell you what to expect in general. Bield: Hunt logs every sick or recovered deer you find on your specific property — and surfaces patterns across seasons that would otherwise live in your camera roll and your memory.