Bield:Hunt
CWD & EHD by county

Colorado disease risk map.

CWD PositiveEHD: OccasionalFirst CWD: 1981

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.

Verify with agency

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.

1980198519901995200020052010201520202025First detection 1981Most recent 2024

Colorado county detections

10 counties with seeded CWD records. The agency may have additional positive counties — verify before each hunt.

Seeded detection counties
CountyFIPSFirst / RecentSourceQuality
Larimer County080691981 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Weld County081231985 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Boulder County080131985 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Jackson County080571995 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Routt County081072002 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Moffat County080812002 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Rio Blanco County081032002 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Grand County080492002 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Eagle County080372005 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Garfield County080452005 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify

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?
Colorado has confirmed CWD. CDC and state wildlife agencies recommend NOT consuming meat from any deer that tests positive for CWD, and recommend testing harvested deer in CWD-positive areas before consumption. There is no documented case of CWD transmitting to humans, but the recommendation is precautionary. EHD is a separate concern — meat from deer that survived EHD or were harvested in an EHD year is safe; EHD does not affect humans.
Are there carcass transport restrictions in Colorado?
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.
How do I get a deer tested for CWD in Colorado?
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.
How often does Colorado get hit by EHD?
Colorado historically has occasional EHD activity. EHD outbreaks are weather-driven (hot, dry, midge-heavy late summers) and are not predictable year over year. Refer to your state agency's most recent annual report for current outbreak status.
Where does Colorado's CWD/EHD data come from?
Disease status on this page is summarized from publicly-reported information from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the USDA APHIS CWD distribution map, and the National Deer Association EHD tracker. Bield does not generate disease records — we surface what state agencies report. Always verify directly with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before making hunting decisions.
Primary sources

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.