RE: DIY ELK
Colorado is not all draw and has some OTC tags. I would first start by researching that as to which area you want to hunt.My advice would be most areas NW in the are good. You may be able to get some leftover tags for those areas next August. Next I would spend 1/4 of that on camping gear, like a 300 dollar Cableas 12x12 Outback tent. (We had ours in 60 mph WY wind over the weeknd and it never budged.I don't know how I ever lived without it), camp stove, latern,good sleeping bags, cots, etc. You could easily do a DIY for less than 3000/both with some planning.