GMU 391 GMU 391 — Jefferson/Denver/Araphoe/Douglas Co.
Heavily private, limited-draw foothills elk and mule deer at the edge of the metro
Front Range Colorado — Denver foothills urban interface · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
278
sq mi
Public land
17%
approx.
Elevation
5,100–8,400
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
GMU 391 is a Front Range urban-interface unit taking in the foothills and hogbacks immediately west of Denver across Jefferson, Denver, Arapahoe, and Douglas Counties, bounded by I-70, I-25, US-285, and the CO-74/CR-73 foothills roads. Elevation drops from foothill ridges over 8,000 feet to plains-edge grassland near 5,100 feet. This is one of Colorado's most private units — roughly 80-plus percent private ranch and subdivision ground — and both elk and mule deer are limited-draw, not over-the-counter. Much of the real opportunity runs through ranch-access and reservation-style hunts on properties like Centennial Cone and area foothill ranches.
Terrain
Front Range foothills and hogbacks — grassy plains edge rising into ponderosa-and-shrub foothill ridges and rocky outcrops right against the metro.
Cover: Plains grassland and shrub on the eastern edge, Gambel oakbrush and mountain-mahogany on the foothills, scattered ponderosa pine on north slopes and ridges, with riparian corridors along the creeks.
Landmarks: Front Range hogbacks · Centennial Cone open space · Deer Creek / Bear Creek canyons · foothill ridges west of Denver
Access
This is a predominantly private unit — roughly 80% private — so access is the defining challenge. Meaningful opportunity often comes through managed ranch and open-space hunts (e.g., Centennial Cone) and private-land licenses rather than open public ground. Scattered public parcels exist but are small and pressured. State Trust Land is generally closed unless enrolled in the Public Access Program; verify every boundary against a GPS layer.
Managers: private (ranch, open space & foothill subdivision), county & municipal open space (limited/permit hunts), USFS (small western fringe), Colorado State Trust Land (generally closed unless in CPW Public Access Program)
Access points: Managed/reservation hunts on foothill open space and ranches · Limited county road access to scattered public parcels · Small USFS fringe on the far west edge
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityFront Range foothill elk on largely private ground — a limited-draw unit, not OTC, with respectable success on modest harvest thanks to tight management and limited access. Elk shelter in foothill oakbrush and canyon timber and move onto ranch grassland to feed.
- →Secure ranch or managed open-space access first — it's the whole game here
- →Hunt oakbrush pockets and timbered canyon heads where elk bed
- →Glass private grassland edges at first and last light from legal ground
- →Pressure pushes elk to the thickest cover — hunt slow
Mule Deer
common qualityLimited-draw foothill mule deer with a strong resident component and a good rut-season hunt. Deer thrive in the oakbrush-and-grassland interface but, like the elk, mostly on private ground.
- →Glass oakbrush and mountain-shrub foothills at dawn and dusk
- →Bucks hold in brushy draws and rock outcrops through midday
- →Rut brings mature bucks into the open on late hunts
- →Access is everything — line up ranch or open-space permission
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bears use the oakbrush, riparian corridors, and foothill fringe, often near the urban edge. An incidental opportunity rather than a primary hunt in this settled unit.
- →Hunt oakbrush and berry-rich draws in early fall
- →Glass shrubby foothill slopes at dawn and dusk
- →Mind the urban interface and private boundaries
Pro tips
- →Access is the hunt — line up private-land or managed open-space permission before you draw
- →Don't expect OTC here; both elk and deer are limited-draw Front Range tags
- →Verify every property line with a GPS layer; public parcels are tiny and pressured
- →Watch safety zones and closures near homes, roads, and open-space trails
- →The best animals live where access is hardest — invest in relationships and permission
Watch out for
- !Overwhelmingly private (~80%+) — landlocked and scattered public
- !Urban-interface safety zones, trail traffic, and open-space closures
- !State Trust Lands generally closed unless enrolled in the Public Access Program
- !Heavy hunting and recreational pressure on limited public ground
Logistics
Full metro services are minutes away — this is as urban-adjacent as western big-game hunting gets. The real logistics are legal and social: nailing down private-land access, respecting closures and safety zones near homes and open-space trails, and knowing exactly where you can and can't hunt.
Nearest towns: Golden, Morrison, Evergreen, Denver metro (full services)
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: CPW Big Game Hunting · CPW Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses · CPW Hunting Atlas — GMU boundaries and public access
FAQ
- How big is GMU 391 in Colorado?
- GMU 391 (GMU 391 — Jefferson/Denver/Araphoe/Douglas Co.) covers about 278 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,100 to 8,400 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 391?
- Approximately 17% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private (ranch, open space & foothill subdivision), county & municipal open space (limited/permit hunts), USFS (small western fringe), 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 391?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Colorado agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 391 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.