Colorado’s firearm laws continue to evolve, and several significant measures took effect in late 2024 and throughout 2025. If you own a firearm or are considering purchasing one, it is important to understand the rules governing lawful possession, transportation, purchase, and carry. The information below provides an overview of key statutes and recent legislative updates to help you remain compliant.
Owning and Carrying Firearms in Colorado
Colorado’s gunlaws are found primarily in Titles 18 and 33 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. These statutes establish the framework for firearm possession, while additional legislation enacted in 2023, 2024, and 2025 imposes further requirements. Colorado residents have the right to possess firearms, but that right is subject to age limits, background checks, and restrictions on how and where firearms may be carried.
Colorado does not require firearms to be registered. However, when a firearm is purchased from a licensed dealer, the purchaser’s identifying information and details about the firearm must be recorded. These records may be reviewed by law enforcement during an investigation. Although this is not considered a registration system, it is important for owners to understand what information is retained.
Concealed Carry
A valid Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit, or CHP, is required to carry a concealed handgun in the state. Colorado residents cannot rely on out-of-state permits for lawful concealed carry.
To obtain a CHP, an applicant must be at least 21 years old, be a lawful resident of Colorado, complete a verified firearms safety course, and demonstrate handgun competence through a live fire evaluation.
Beginning July 1, 2025, new applicants must complete an in-person training course with a verified instructor that includes a written exam and live fire qualification. Renewal applicants must demonstrate recent competence, which may include an in-person refresher course or other qualifying experience such as military service, law enforcement certification, or participation in organized shooting competitions. Even when a person meets all eligibility requirements, the local sheriff retains discretion to deny the permit based on safety concerns. A CHP is valid for five years.
Open Carry
Colorado generally allows the open carry of handguns without a permit in most public places. There are several important limitations. Local governments may prohibit open carry in specific buildings or designated areas. Denver has long enforced open carry restrictions, and other municipalities may adopt similar rules.
Open carry is always prohibited in federal buildings, K-12 school property, secure courthouse facilities, and other protected locations. Although open carry of long guns is also lawful in many parts of the state, brandishing or displaying a weapon in a threatening or alarming manner may result in criminal charges.
Purchasing Firearms in Colorado
All firearm purchases in Colorado require a background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. This requirement applies to private sales and gun show transactions as well as purchases from licensed dealers.
Additional rules include the following:
- A minimum age of 21 to purchase any firearm in Colorado, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns, subject to limited statutory exceptions.
- A mandatory three-day waiting period between the background check and the transfer of the firearm
Large Capacity Magazines
Colorado prohibits the sale and transfer of magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds. Magazines owned before July 1, 2013, may be retained under a grandfather provision, but owners may be required to show evidence of lawful possession if the issue arises in a criminal case.
Records and Documentation
When purchasing from a licensed dealer, the buyer’s name, age, address, occupation, and identifying information, along with details about the firearm, are recorded. These records may be accessed by law enforcement during an investigation. Although Colorado does not maintain a formal firearms registry, owners should understand that certain transactional records do exist.
Prohibited Firearms and Devices
Several categories of weapons and accessories are prohibited under Colorado and federal law unless the owner has the appropriate federal authorization. These items include the following:
- Machine guns
- Short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns, unless federally registered
- Silencers and suppressors, unless federally registered
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Undetectable firearms
- Rapid-fire trigger devices, including bump stock-style devices
Possession of these items without proper federal approval may result in serious criminal penalties.
2025 Legislative Updates Affecting Ownership and Sales
Colorado enacted significant changes that directly affect the sale, purchase, and transfer of certain semi-automatic firearms, ammunition, and firearms dealer requirements.
Restrictions on Semi-Automatic Firearms
Senate Bill 25 003 restricts the sale and purchase of many semi-automatic firearms that accept detachable magazines. To purchase a qualifying firearm, a buyer must complete state-approved safety training and obtain an eligibility card. Rapid-fire trigger devices are also prohibited under this law. The restrictions take full effect on August 1, 2026. Existing owners may keep affected firearms, but future transfers may be limited or barred.
New Training Requirements
Beginning August 1, 2026, a buyer must complete state-approved safety training and obtain an eligibility card to purchase a qualifying firearm. State rules allow both basic and extended courses, and many buyers may be required to complete an extended course of up to twelve hours that includes live fire instruction.
Dealer and Ammunition Rules
Starting in 2025, all federally licensed firearms dealers must obtain a Colorado state dealer permit. Beginning July 1, 2026, purchasers must be at least 21 years old to buy ammunition. Retailers must store ammunition behind counters or in locked displays.
Restrictions on Firearm Possession
Colorado law prohibits certain individuals from possessing firearms. Prohibited persons include the following:
- Individuals convicted of a felony
- Persons addicted to controlled substances
- Individuals subject to qualifying protection orders, including domestic violence orders
- Persons who are prohibited under federal law
- Individuals found by a court to pose a risk under the state’s extreme risk statute
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Colorado’s red flag law permits family members, household members, and law enforcement officers to petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order. A judge reviews the evidence and may issue a temporary order if the person poses a significant risk of harming themselves or others. A subsequent hearing determines whether a longer-term order is appropriate. Possession of firearms during the order period is prohibited, and violations may result in criminal charges.
Transporting Firearms in Vehicles
Colorado law allows individuals to transport firearms in vehicles, but specific rules apply. Rifles and shotguns must have an unloaded chamber while inside a vehicle. Handguns may be carried in a vehicle without a permit. If a handgun is left unattended in a vehicle, it must be locked inside the vehicle and secured so it is not visible from outside the vehicle. Storing the firearm in a hard-sided locked container also complies with the statute. Local rules may restrict where the firearm can be carried once the individual exits the vehicle, particularly in jurisdictions that have adopted stricter regulations. These rules are especially important for hunters and recreational shooters who frequently cross city or county lines.
Local Rules and Municipal Restrictions
Local governments in Colorado have the authority to enact firearm regulations that are more restrictive than state law. These may include open carry bans in specific districts, prohibitions on concealed carry on city-owned property, and additional signage requirements. Because municipal rules vary widely, firearm owners should review local ordinances before carrying within a particular jurisdiction.
Firearm Storage Requirements
Colorado law requires firearms that are not in use to be responsibly and securely stored so that unsupervised juveniles and other unauthorized users cannot access them. This typically means keeping the gun on your person, in a locked safe or secure container, or secured with a locking device. Failure to secure a firearm may result in criminal liability if the weapon is accessed by an unauthorized person.
Penalties for Violating Colorado Firearm Laws
Penalties for firearm-related offenses vary based on the conduct involved and the specific charges. Felony firearm convictions may result in imprisonment for up to six years and fines up to five hundred thousand dollars. Misdemeanor firearm offenses are typically punishable by up to 364 days in jail and fines up to 1,000 dollars for a class 1 misdemeanor, or up to 120 days and lower fines for a class 2 misdemeanor. Certain extraordinary-risk offenses can carry slightly higher maximum jail terms. A conviction may permanently restrict a person’s ability to own or possess firearms under state and federal law.
Staying Informed and Compliant
Colorado’s firearm laws have undergone substantial changes since 2023. More updates are already under review at the legislative level, and additional changes to local ordinances are likely. Gun owners and prospective buyers should stay informed, monitor state announcements, and consult legal sources or experienced counsel whenever questions arise.
If you are facing a firearm charge or need legal guidance on any gun-related matter in Colorado, speak with a criminal defense attorney who understands both the statutory requirements and how they are enforced in the courts. Even minor misunderstandings or technical violations can result in serious consequences, and proactive legal guidance is the best way to stay protected. Contact the Law Offices of M. Colin Bresee for a free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do out-of-state concealed carry permits work in Colorado?
No, Colorado does not allow residents to rely on out-of-state permits for concealed carry. A Colorado resident must obtain a Colorado-issued Concealed Handgun Permit.
Can I be denied a concealed carry permit even if I meet the requirements?
Yes. Even when an applicant meets all eligibility criteria under C.R.S. § 18-12-203, the sheriff has discretion to deny the permit based on safety concerns or credibility issues.
Do the new 2025 semi-automatic firearm restrictions affect current gun owners?
Existing owners may generally keep qualifying firearms under SB25-003, but future transfers, including sales, may be limited or prohibited once the law is fully active in 2026.
Does the concealed carry training requirement apply to renewals?
Yes. HB24-1174 requires renewal applicants to show recent proof of competence, complete refresher instruction, or demonstrate qualifying law-enforcement or military experience.
Are private gun sales still legal in Colorado?
Yes, but buyers and sellers must complete a background check through a licensed firearms dealer. Private, gun-show, and casual transfers all fall under this rule.
Can local governments completely ban open carry?
Yes. After SB21-256, municipalities may prohibit open carry in specific districts, buildings, and public facilities. Cities may also restrict concealed carry on government-owned property.
Referenced Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)
- Background Checks for Firearm Transfers — C.R.S. § 18-12-112
- Concealed Handgun Permit Requirements — C.R.S. § 18-12-203
- Unlawful Possession by Felons and Prohibited Persons — C.R.S. § 18-12-108
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders (Red Flag Law) — C.R.S. §§ 13-14.5-101 through 13-14.5-114
- Firearms in Vehicles / Wildlife Transport Restrictions — C.R.S. § 33-6-125
- Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases — HB23-1219
- Updated CHP Training and Renewal Standards (Effective 2025) — HB24-1174
- Restrictions on Certain Semi-Automatic Firearms and Rapid-Fire Devices — SB25-003
- Local Authority to Enact Stricter Firearm Regulations — SB21-256
Disclaimer: Past results do not predict future performance. Neither this page nor any other on the website constitutes legal advice and does not establish a client-attorney relationship.
