Archery and rifle seasons bring thousands of hunters into Colorado's backcountry each fall, and many rural landowners open up their property, whether through a lease arrangement or informal permission, for the season. Both hunters and landowners have insurance considerations worth reviewing before opening day.
For Landowners: Understanding Your Liability
If you allow hunting on your property, whether for a fee or as a favor to friends and family, you take on a degree of liability exposure. An injury on your land, even one unrelated to the hunt itself, like a fall on uneven terrain, can potentially lead to a claim against you.
Colorado law offers some liability protection to landowners who allow recreational access without charging a fee, but that protection has limits and doesn't eliminate the value of proper insurance. If you lease land for hunting, most standard homeowners or farm policies won't automatically extend coverage to that commercial activity, and it's worth confirming with your agent whether a separate endorsement or commercial liability policy is needed.
For Hunters: Protecting Your Gear and Yourself
A season's worth of hunting gear, including firearms, optics, ATVs, and cold-weather equipment, represents a real investment. Homeowners and renters policies typically cover firearms up to a limit, which may be lower than the value of a serious collection. A personal articles floater can extend coverage for high-value equipment beyond what a standard policy allows.
If you're using an ATV or side-by-side to access hunting grounds, make sure it's covered under a dedicated ATV policy rather than assumed coverage under your auto policy, which often doesn't apply to off-road vehicles.
A Few Practical Steps
Landowners should ask about a hunting lease liability endorsement if they formally lease land. Hunters should inventory and photograph valuable gear in case of loss or theft. Everyone should confirm ATV and UTV coverage before the season, not after an incident. Both parties benefit from a written agreement clarifying responsibilities, which can help avoid disputes if something goes wrong.
Hunting season is a Colorado tradition, and a little insurance planning goes a long way toward protecting both hunters and the landowners who welcome them. Contact Colorado Insurance Benefits with questions about liability, ATV, or personal property coverage before you head out.