MAC266,
Its been years since I lived or hunted in Colorado. However, I remember something about "once in a lifetime hunt permit" when it came to the Big Horn sheep. Which meant that when you eventually were lucky enough to get a permit, you had to used it or lose it; you would never, ever get drawn again! I'm not sure if they still have that stipulation, but it would be worth looking in to.

So, like you say, "I don't want to wait YEARS to get a license only to blow my opportunity;" might ring truer than you think.