I want to make sure I have this right. Colorado licenses are somewhat confusing. I've hunted Elk 3x's, all OTC archery. Last yr myself, and hunting partner applied for a muzzle tag. Each w/3 pts. My partner got his, I was denied. I now have 4pts, partner has 0. Crappy situation as we always go together. So this yr we decided to try our hand at rifle in a new area we have access too.
The area had a 100% success draw for 1st rifle in 2010. So I can't see wasting my 4pts on this area. So we pretty much decided on the OTC 2nd season. Now we can both still apply for a Pref. Pt as 1st choice, and under 2nd choice fill out the code for OTC 2nd rifle. Am I correct there?
Also we'd like a chance at a cow elk tag. That is a draw for 2nd rifle season. So if by chance all those tags are not filled, can we apply for any leftovers without me loosing my Pref. Pts.?
Lastly the $25 Pref. Pt. fee. Do we need to pay that as well seeing were still paying for a actual license?
Or if anyone has any other tricks to this, would you let me know!!

If you apply for a preference point for your 1st choice, and get your second choice you won't lose the points you have. You can only lose your points if you get your 1st choice.

Also, you won't lose your points by getting a leftover tag.

If you get a 2nd choice. That's all you pay for. You won't have to pay for the preference point you got for 1st choice.

The only time you pay for a preference point is if that's all you apply for. Never a smart thing to do, because there's so many ways around it.

Ok, Do you think I would be wiser to apply for the Pref. Pt code, and as 2nd choice apply for a cow tag. Which is a draw for the 2nd Rifle season. Then just buy my OTC bull tag later? I checked the draw results from 2010, and there was a few cow tags drawn with the 2nd choice. Not many, but few.

I could tell you what to do, as everybody else can on this forum. However, nobody can help you better than someone who does it for a job.

Call Ray at the Denver office of the DOW. It's his job to answer your questions. Plus he has all the facts right in front of him, and will give you the best odds of getting what you want. He'll also help you fill out the applications, so you don't make a mistake.

This is his direct number. Save yourself some grief and call him. I do it every year and always get the tags that I want.

303 291-7686

thanks, I may do that.