Constitutional Carry in Colorado: What the Law Allows

Constitutional Carry in Colorado

Current Status: Colorado Does NOT Have Constitutional Carry

Colorado does not have constitutional carry (also known as permitless carry). A concealed carry permit is required to legally carry a concealed handgun in the state. Under C.R.S. § 18-12-105, carrying a concealed firearm on or about one's person without a valid permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor (reclassified from Class 2 by SB 24-131, eff. July 1, 2024).

Statutory Framework

Under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(1)(b), a person commits a Class 1 misdemeanor (reclassified from Class 2 by SB 24-131, eff. July 1, 2024) if they knowingly and unlawfully carry a firearm concealed on or about their person.

Exceptions to the concealed carry prohibition (where it is not an offense) include:

• C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(a): A person in their own dwelling, place of business, or on property owned or under their control
• C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(b): A person in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance carrying a weapon for lawful protection of their person or property while traveling
• C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(c): A person who holds a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun or a temporary emergency permit issued pursuant to Part 2 of Article 12
• C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(d): Peace officers carrying in conformance with employing agency policy
• C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(f): United States probation officers or pretrial services officers while on duty in Colorado

Failed Legislative Attempts to Enact Constitutional Carry

Multiple attempts have been made in the Colorado General Assembly to pass constitutional carry legislation. All have failed:

SB18-097 - Concealed Handgun Carry With No Permit (2018 Regular Session)

• Prime Sponsors: Senator Tim Neville, Representative Kevin Van Winkle
• Summary: Would have allowed a person who legally possesses a handgun under state and federal law to carry a concealed handgun in Colorado without a permit. Carriers would have had the same rights and limitations as permit holders, including the prohibition on carrying on public school grounds.
• Status: Lost. Passed the Senate Third Reading (18-17) on March 8, 2018, but was postponed indefinitely by the House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs on March 21, 2018 (vote 6-3).

HB22-1033 - Constitutional Carry Of A Handgun (2022 Regular Session)

• Prime Sponsor: Representative Ron Hanks
• Summary: Would have granted persons at least 21 years old who are permitted to possess a handgun the same authority to carry concealed as permit holders. Would have also converted existing permits to lifetime permits, repealed permit renewal provisions, repealed temporary emergency permits, and repealed local government authority to regulate open or concealed carry.
• Status: Lost. Postponed indefinitely by the House Committee on Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services on February 8, 2022 (vote 8-5).

HB25-1164 - Constitutional Carry of Handgun (2025 Regular Session)

• Prime Sponsor: Representative Ron Weinberg
• Summary: Would have granted persons at least 18 years of age who are permitted to possess a handgun the same authority to carry concealed as permit holders. Would have lowered the minimum age for permits and out-of-state permit recognition to 18, converted existing permits to lifetime permits, repealed renewal provisions and temporary emergency permits, and repealed local government authority to regulate open or concealed carry.
• Status: Lost. Postponed indefinitely by the House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs on February 24, 2025 (vote 8-3).

Key Takeaways

• A concealed handgun permit (CHP) is required to carry a concealed handgun in Colorado, except in the specific circumstances outlined in C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2).
• Carrying in a private vehicle for lawful protection is permitted without a permit under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(b).
• Carrying on one's own property, dwelling, or place of business is permitted without a permit under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(a).
• Constitutional carry legislation has been introduced multiple times (2018, 2022, 2025) but has been defeated each time, typically in committee.
• As of 2025, Colorado remains a permit-required state for concealed carry of handguns in public.