Quick Facts:
- Package: Colorado Desert Boss Special Edition (RPO code PDK) for the 2027 Chevy Colorado.
- Installed by: A Chevy dealer, as a dealer-installed LPO option.
- Trim: Colorado ZR2 only, and not with the Bison or Midnight editions.
- Includes: Front bumper, off-road lighting, Multimatic jounce control dampers, recovery hooks, fender decals and door sill plates.
- Price: Not announced. The 2023 version cost $9,295.
- Status: Reported from ordering information. GM has published no photos.
- Production: Scheduled to start Oct. 19, 2026, in Wentzville, Missouri.
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In This Article
Colorado Desert Boss Returns for 2027
The Colorado Desert Boss is back for the 2027 model year, according to GM Authority, Autoblog and Driving.ca. Reports describe it as a dealer-installed package for the Colorado ZR2. As of Oct. 15, 2026, GM has published no photos and no price. Driving.ca cites GM’s fleet order guide, so treat the details as ordering information until Chevy confirms them.
The package has a short history. Chevy sold the first Desert Boss on the 2023 Colorado ZR2 for $9,295. In addition, the company told GM Authority production totaled a little over 600 trucks. Then Chevy dropped the package for 2024, and GM Authority says the Bison Edition indirectly replaced it.
The 2027 Chevy Colorado also gets an updated 2.7L turbo four. GM Authority reports 350 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, up 40 horsepower and 20 pound-feet. Production is scheduled to begin Oct. 19, 2026, at the Wentzville plant in Missouri.
The package lists Tech Bronze recovery hooks. A hook is only as useful as the soft shackle, rope or board behind it. Here is recovery gear to pair with them.
Recovery gear to pair with the recovery hooks
Colorado Desert Boss Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Package name | Desert Boss Special Edition |
| RPO code | PDK |
| Installed by | Dealer (LPO) |
| Eligible trim | Colorado ZR2 |
| Not offered with | Bison Edition (ULV) and Midnight Edition (WJP) |
| 2027 price | Not announced |
| 2023 price | $9,295 |
| 2023 production | A little over 600 trucks |
What the Colorado ZR2 Package Adds
GM Authority lists six items, each with its own RPO code:
- Off-Road Front Bumper Package (BPH).
- Off Road Lighting Package (PCL).
- Multimatic Jounce Control Dampers (RWF).
- Tech Bronze Recovery Hooks (W0H).
- Front Fender Decal Package (5K5).
- Door Sill Plates (VST).
In my view, the dampers matter most. According to Driving.ca, they differ from the Multimatic DSSV dampers already on the ZR2. Instead, they work as secondary bump stops. Specifically, they add impact absorption and help stop the suspension from bottoming out on rough terrain.
The 2023 package also included 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, a bed-mounted sport bar and an underbody camera system. Reports on the 2027 list do not mention those items. GM has not priced the new package. Therefore, compare it with the $9,295 figure only for scale, not as a forecast.
Colorado Desert Boss vs. ZR2 Bison: Pick One
The two packages overlap on hardware. Both carry Multimatic jounce control dampers, and GM Authority calls the ZR2 Bison the more extreme of the pair. However, reports say the Desert Boss is not offered with the Bison Edition or the Midnight Edition.
The Desert Boss also arrives differently. GM ships the parts separately, and a dealer installs them after the truck leaves the factory, according to Driving.ca. Therefore, ask about install time and labor before you build a plan around it.
Fuel economy offers no tiebreaker yet. EPA rates the 2026 ZR2 Bison at 16 mpg combined. Specifically, 16 mpg marks the low end of the range in our Colorado fuel-cost comparison. EPA lists no 2027 Colorado ratings yet, so no mpg figure exists for a Desert Boss truck.
What This Means for Your Colorado
I drive a 2025 Colorado ZR2, so this package matters to me. Our one-year Colorado ZR2 review covers how the stock truck behaves, and the jounce control dampers are the only item on the list to change the suspension.
If you plan to order a 2027 ZR2, ask your dealer three questions first. What does the package cost? How much does labor add? When will the first trucks arrive for installation? Since production starts Oct. 19, expect no firm answers yet.
If you want a Bison, decide before you order. Other Colorado trims do not qualify, because reports list the ZR2 only. Owners of an earlier ZR2 will find no mention of parts for older trucks. If you own a 2023 Desert Boss, yours remains one of the few built, a little over 600 in all.
While the package waits on a price, desert driving still starts with the tires. BFGoodrich says airing down spreads the tire’s contact patch and improves flotation in sand. Reinflate with a compressor before you return to pavement. A deflator, compressor and gauge suit any midsize truck, with or without the package.
Air-down kit for desert driving
JACO RapidFlow Tire Deflator with Gauge (0-60 PSI) | Rapid 4x4 Off …
Final Thoughts
The Desert Boss name carries weight with Colorado owners because Chevy built so few. A returning package gives more owners a way to wear it. In addition, the damper hardware backs the name with substance.
I like what the reports show so far. The bumper, lighting and recovery hooks make the truck look the part and work the part. Reports leave out the 2023 wheels and sport bar, so treat them as open questions. However, the missing price is the bigger one.
If you want a Desert Boss, wait for Chevy’s confirmation and a written dealer quote. Check Chevrolet’s Colorado page for the latest official trim details. If the Bison appeals more, it is a fair pick. As a ZR2 driver myself, I want this package to succeed. I also want the price before I cheer.
FAQ
Is the Desert Boss only available on the ZR2?
Yes, according to GM Authority. Chevy offers the package only on the Colorado ZR2, and not alongside the Bison or Midnight editions.
How much will the 2027 Desert Boss cost?
GM has not announced a price. The 2023 package cost $9,295, but the equipment list has changed.
Does the package fit older Colorado trucks?
None of the reports say. The package carries a 2027 listing, and parts for earlier trucks are unconfirmed. Ask a Chevy parts desk before you plan an upgrade.
Who installs the Desert Boss?
A Chevy dealer installs it, since it is a dealer-installed LPO option. The parts ship separately from the truck, according to Driving.ca.