How big is GMU 140 in Colorado?

GMU 140 (GMU 140 — Las Animas Co.) covers about 461 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,500 to 9,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.

What species does the catalog list for GMU 140?

Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Colorado agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.

GMU 140 GMU 140 — Las Animas Co.

Pronghorn-first plains-and-mesa unit with plains elk and mule deer on hard-private ground

Southeast Colorado — Las Animas mesa and canyon country south of Trinidad · Last reviewed 2026-07-12

Mule deer buck trotting across open prairie at dusk

Area

461

sq mi

Public land

12%

approx.

Elevation

5,500–9,600

feet

Motorized

moderate

access

Overview

GMU 140 covers the southern flank of Las Animas County between Trinidad and the New Mexico line, taking in the high volcanic mesas, Fishers Peak country, and piñon-juniper breaks that spill east onto shortgrass plains. This is fundamentally pronghorn country — antelope lead the unit in both harvest and success — with a plains elk herd and mule deer sharing the mesas, canyons, and sagebrush flats. Elk and mule deer here are limited-draw (this is not over-the-counter elk country), and the whole unit is dominated by large private ranches, so drawing a tag and securing access are two separate problems.

Terrain

Volcanic mesa-and-canyon country — flat-topped basalt mesas and Fishers Peak's high shoulders dropping through piñon-juniper breaks to rolling shortgrass and sagebrush flats.

Cover: Shortgrass prairie and big sagebrush on the flats, piñon-juniper and Gambel oak on the mesa slopes and canyon rims, ponderosa and mixed conifer on the highest mesas, with cottonwood and willow in the drainage bottoms.

Landmarks: Fishers Peak · Mesa de Maya · Raton Mesa complex · Purgatoire River breaks · volcanic mesas along the NM state line

Access

This is a hard-private unit — the great majority of the ground is deeded ranchland, and most of the best pronghorn and elk habitat sits behind fences. Public opportunity is limited to scattered Comanche National Grassland and small BLM tracts, plus the newer Fishers Peak State Park on the north edge. State Trust Land is generally closed to hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program. Realistic public hunting takes serious map work, and many hunters pursue ranch access, trespass fees, or CPW's Ranching for Wildlife / access programs.

Managers: private ranch, Comanche National Grassland (USFS, scattered tracts), BLM (small parcels), Fishers Peak State Park, Colorado State Trust Land (generally closed unless in CPW Public Access Program)

Access points: I-25 and US-160/US-350 corridors out of Trinidad · Comanche National Grassland tract access off county roads · Fishers Peak State Park entrances · county-road network across the mesas

Species notes

Pronghorn

common opportunity

The unit's signature species and its top harvest — pronghorn work the shortgrass flats, sagebrush parks, and open benches below the mesas. Strong success reflects good numbers and the open terrain that favors spot-and-stalk, though most animals live on private ground.

→Glass the open shortgrass and sage flats at dawn and dusk for feeding bands
→Use terrain folds, arroyos, and the sparse cover to close on a stalk
→Water sources and windmills concentrate animals in dry early-season conditions
→Locate huntable public tracts first, then find the bands that use them

Rocky Mountain Elk

common opportunity

A plains-and-mesa elk herd holds in the piñon-juniper breaks, oak brush, and timbered mesa tops, dropping to feed in the parks and flats. Limited-draw, not over-the-counter — moderate success reflects private-land concentrations and the challenge of catching elk on huntable ground.

→Hunt the oak brush and timber pockets on mesa slopes where elk bed
→Glass parks and grassy benches at first and last light
→During the rut, work timbered draws and canyon heads with calling
→Access is the limiting factor — pin down public timber before hunting

Mule Deer

common opportunity

Mule deer use the piñon-juniper breaks, oak brush, and canyon country throughout the unit. Limited-draw. Modest success reflects a spread-out population and heavy private ownership rather than poor habitat.

→Glass oak brush and juniper edges at first and last light
→Bucks hold in canyon-head thickets and mesa-rim cover through midday
→Hunt the transition between flats and breaks where deer move to feed
→Focus scouting on public breaks with good glassing vantage

Pro tips

→Treat access, not tags, as the hard part — map public tracts and secure ranch permission early
→Pronghorn are the highest-odds opportunity; hunt water and open feeding ground in dry years
→State Trust sections are generally closed — verify any parcel is truly open before hunting it
→Wet weather turns the clay two-tracks to gumbo; time moves around the forecast
→Glass the mesa slopes and canyon rims for elk and mule deer holding in oak brush and juniper

Watch out for

!Overwhelmingly private land — landlocked public tracts and fence-line trespass risk
!State Trust Land generally closed to hunting unless in CPW's Public Access Program
!Clay roads become impassable when wet
!Wildfire risk and possible closures in dry piñon-juniper and grassland country
!Limited water and long distances between services off the interstate

Logistics

Trinidad on I-25 is the practical hub for fuel, lodging, groceries, and processing, with Raton just over the New Mexico line. Backcountry travel is on dirt and clay county roads and ranch two-tracks that turn slick and impassable when wet — carry recovery gear and watch the weather. Cell coverage drops off quickly away from the interstate corridor.

Nearest towns: Trinidad, Aguilar, Branson, Raton, NM (services, ~30 min south)

Nearby units

GMU 141 · GMU 141 — Las Animas Co. GMU 134 · GMU 134 — Las Animas/Pueblo Co. GMU 147 · GMU 147 — Las Animas Co. GMU 142 · GMU 142 — Las Animas Co.

Seasons & regulations

This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:

Research sources: CPW Big Game Hunting Statistics · CPW GMU boundary descriptions · USFS Comanche National Grassland

FAQ

How big is GMU 140 in Colorado?: GMU 140 (GMU 140 — Las Animas Co.) covers about 461 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,500 to 9,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
How much public land is in GMU 140?: Approximately 12% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private ranch, Comanche National Grassland (USFS, scattered tracts), BLM (small parcels), Fishers Peak State Park, Colorado State Trust Land (generally closed unless in CPW Public Access Program). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
What species does the catalog list for GMU 140?: Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Colorado agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.

Put GMU 140 on your map.

Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.

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