Colorado Concealed Carry Laws

Overview

Colorado is a shall-issue state for concealed handgun permits (CHPs). A permit is required to carry a concealed handgun on one's person in public. The concealed carry permit system is governed primarily by C.R.S. Title 18, Article 12, Part 2 (sections 18-12-201 through 18-12-214).

Permit Requirement

Carrying a concealed firearm without a valid permit is a criminal offense under C.R.S. 18-12-105. As amended by recent legislation, unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor.

When a Permit Is NOT Required

Under C.R.S. 18-12-105(2), it is not an offense to carry a concealed weapon if the person is:

• In his or her own dwelling or place of business, or on property owned or under his or her control
• In a private automobile or other private means of conveyance carrying a weapon for lawful protection of such person's or another's person or property while traveling [C.R.S. 18-12-105(2)(b)]
• A peace officer as described in C.R.S. 16-2.5-101, carrying in conformance with employing agency policy
• A United States probation officer or pretrial services officer while on duty in Colorado
• A holder of a valid concealed handgun permit or temporary emergency permit issued pursuant to Part 2 of Article 12

Key Note: A permit is not required and a handgun is not considered concealed when a person is in a private automobile or other private transportation. [C.R.S. 18-12-105(2)]

Issuing Authority

Concealed handgun permits are issued by the Sheriff of the county in which the applicant:

• Resides, OR
• Maintains a secondary residence, OR
• Owns or leases real property used by the applicant in a business, OR
• Previously received a permit from that Sheriff

[C.R.S. 18-12-203]

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the requirements specified in C.R.S. 18-12-203(1). The application form requires disclosure of the following disqualifying factors:

1. Treatment for alcoholism within the past ten years or involuntary commitment as an alcoholic
2. Two or more alcohol-related convictions within the past ten years
3. Conviction of perjury under C.R.S. 18-8-503
4. Currently subject to a criminal or civil restraining order
5. Under indictment or information for a felony or any crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment
6. Conviction of a felony, attempt or conspiracy to commit a felony, or any crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment
7. Being a fugitive from justice
8. Unlawful use of or addiction to marijuana or any controlled substance
9. Adjudication as mentally defective or commitment to a mental institution
10. Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (as defined in federal regulations)
11. Adjudication as a juvenile for a crime that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult
12. Dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces
13. Renunciation of United States citizenship
14. Alien or non-citizen status (supplemental form required)

Residency Requirement

• Applicants must be Colorado residents with a Colorado driver's license or identification card to establish residency
• A home in Colorado with an out-of-state driver's license does not qualify
• Business owners may apply in the county where they own a business (with proof of ownership)
• Non-residents of Colorado generally cannot obtain a Colorado CHP (Pennsylvania's reciprocity document confirms Colorado does not allow non-resident applications)

Application Process

1. Complete the application - must be printed in ink or typed and completed in full
2. Submit in person to the Sheriff's office - the applicant must sign the completed application under sworn oath that the information is true and correct
3. Provide required documents:
   • Completed application form
   • Proof of residency (Colorado Driver's License, Colorado ID Card, or Military ID Card with Duty Orders)
   • Documentary evidence of handgun competence per C.R.S. 18-12-203(1)(h)
   • Two completed fingerprint cards (fingerprints typically taken at time of application)
   • Color photograph (typically taken by the Sheriff's office)
   • Processing fee

Training Requirements

HB 24-1174 (Effective July 1, 2025)

House Bill 24-1174 established new standardized training requirements for concealed handgun permits. Key provisions:

• Establishes standards for concealed handgun training classes
• Requires an 8-hour Concealed Handgun Safety class
• Creates a Verified Instructor program - each county Sheriff's office maintains a list of verified instructors authorized to teach CHP courses
• Applies to all new and renewal applicants - there is no grace period or exception
• Original training certificate or documentation must be submitted with the application

Training must demonstrate competence with a handgun as specified in C.R.S. 18-12-203(1)(h).

Fees

Fees vary by county. Example from Morgan County:

• New applications: $152.50
• Renewals: $38.00
• Payment methods accepted vary by county (cash, cashier's check, check, money order, credit card with service fee)
• Fees cover forms, ID cards, local criminal history checks, state and national criminal history checks (fingerprints), NICS check, and other administrative costs

The Colorado Department of Public Safety directs applicants to the CBI website for current statewide CHP fee schedules.

Permit Duration and Renewal

• Permits are renewable through the issuing Sheriff's office
• Renewal applicants must comply with the new training requirements under HB 24-1174 (effective July 1, 2025)
• Renewal applications require a reduced fee compared to new applications

Carrying Restrictions - Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited

Under C.R.S. 18-12-214, a concealed handgun permit does not authorize carrying in the following locations:

Prohibited Locations

1. Public elementary, middle, junior high, or high schools - on the real property or in any improvements thereon [C.R.S. 18-12-214(3)]
2. Licensed child care centers - as defined in C.R.S. 26.5-5-303(3) (does not include family child care homes)
3. Public or private colleges, universities, or seminaries - if prohibited by the governing board, or in violation of C.R.S. 18-12-105.5
4. Parking areas of licensed child care centers or public/private colleges, universities, or seminaries
5. Government buildings - in violation of C.R.S. 18-12-105.3
6. Polling locations, drop boxes, or central count facilities - in violation of C.R.S. 1-13-724
7. General Assembly buildings - carrying firearms without legal authority in buildings housing chambers, galleries, or offices of the general assembly [C.R.S. 18-12-105(1)(c)]
8. Places prohibited by federal law

Exceptions to Prohibited Locations

• Security personnel employed or retained by a licensed child care center or college/university/seminary may carry while engaged in official duties
• If a licensed child care center shares real estate with another building open to the public, carrying is permitted on areas not designated as the child care center
• Educational programs approved by a school (including weapon repair/maintenance courses)

Polling Location Restrictions (C.R.S. 1-13-724)

• It is unlawful to openly carry a firearm within any polling location, within 100 feet of a drop box, or within 100 feet of any building containing a polling location on election day or during voting periods
• Same restrictions apply to central count facilities during active election administration
• Signs must be posted notifying persons of the 100-foot no open carry zone

Carrying in Vehicles

Colorado law allows a person to carry a firearm in a vehicle if its use is for lawful protection of such person's or another's person or property. [C.R.S. 18-12-105(2)]

• A handgun is not considered concealed when carried in a private automobile or other private transportation
• Local jurisdictions may not enact laws that restrict a person's ability to travel with a weapon [C.R.S. 18-12-105.6]
• When carrying a weapon into a home, business, or hotel room, it must be in plain view

Open Carry

Open carry of firearms is regulated by local county and municipal authorities. There is no statewide preemption for open carry. Individuals should check local municipal codes for specific restrictions.

Permit Carry Requirements

When carrying concealed with a permit:

• The permit and valid photo identification must be carried with the handgun at all times [C.R.S. 18-12-203; Colorado State Patrol guidance]

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA)

The federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act permits nationwide carrying of concealed handguns by qualified current and retired law enforcement officers, exempting them from state and local concealed carry prohibitions. Colorado has specific application processes for retired/separated law enforcement officers.

Perjury and False Statements

An applicant who knowingly and intentionally makes a false or misleading statement on a permit application or deliberately omits material information commits perjury under C.R.S. 18-8-503. Upon conviction:

• Punishment as provided in C.R.S. 18-1.3-501
• Denial of the right to obtain or possess a permit
• Revocation of any previously issued permit

Magazine Restrictions

House Bill 13-1224 prohibits the sale, transfer, and possession of "large-capacity ammunition magazines" in Colorado. This applies to concealed carry permit holders as well.

Firearms in National Forests and National Parks

• National Forests: Firearms may be carried while visiting National Forests in Colorado, subject to state laws and federal regulations (36 CFR 261.10(d)) restricting discharge within 150 yards of residences, campsites, developed recreation sites, across roads, or into caves
• National Parks: Per 16 USC 1a-7b, a person may possess a firearm in a national park if possession complies with Colorado state law. Firearms are prohibited in federal facilities (visitor centers, administrative offices) per 18 USC 930

Reciprocity

Colorado has reciprocity agreements with certain states. Ohio's Attorney General office lists a Colorado Concealed Carry Reciprocity Agreement. Pennsylvania's reciprocity summary indicates that Colorado does not allow Pennsylvania residents to apply for a Colorado CHP (residents-only state). Permit holders should verify current reciprocity status with specific states before traveling.

Recent and Notable Legislation

HB 24-1174 (Effective July 1, 2025)

• Establishes new standardized training requirements for concealed handgun permits
• Creates verified instructor programs at the county level
• Applies to all new and renewal applicants with no grace period

2024 Legislation (Effective July 1, 2024)

• Reclassified unlawful concealed carry from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor
• Expanded prohibited locations to include licensed child care centers, private colleges/universities/seminaries
• Added government building restrictions (C.R.S. 18-12-105.3)
• Added polling location/drop box/central count facility restrictions
• Added parking area restrictions at child care centers and colleges/universities

SB 18-097 (2018 Session - Did Not Pass)

• Proposed allowing concealed carry without a permit (constitutional carry)
• Would have preserved restrictions on carrying at public schools
• This bill was introduced but did not become law

HCR 23-1003 (2023 Session - Resolution)

• Proposed constitutional amendment for constitutional concealed carry
• Would have amended Section 13 of Article II of the Colorado Constitution
• This resolution was introduced but did not advance

Key Statutes Reference

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Federal context

N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen (2022). Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022), eliminated "proper cause" / "good cause" discretionary CCW frameworks and required states to apply objective issuance criteria. The decision converted formerly may-issue states to shall-issue. States that were already shall-issue or permitless before Bruen experience the case primarily through its broader historical-tradition test for evaluating subsequent Second Amendment claims.