How long does the permit application process take? By law, the Sheriff has ninety (90) days from receipt of your application to perform a background check...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
How long does the permit application process take? By law, the Sheriff has ninety (90) days from receipt of your application to perform a background check and either approve or deny your request for a concealed handgun permit. It could take up to 90 days to complete the background check and notify you that your permit is ready to pick up. Note: Some counties (e.g., Adams County) report high citizen demand, with waits of 120 days or more just for an open application appointment, followed by the 90-day processing period.
Who is eligible to apply for a CHP? Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a legal resident of Colorado, and not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
Do I need a concealed handgun permit? Only if you plan to carry a handgun on your person, hidden from the view of others when out of your car, home, or business.
How long is my permit valid? Your permit is good for five (5) years.
Will the Sheriff's Office notify me when it is time to renew my permit? No. Like your driver's license, it is your responsibility to maintain your permit. You may renew your permit within 120 days before it expires and up to 6 months (180 days) after it expires. If you renew within 180 days after expiration, there is a $15 late fee per C.R.S. 18-12-211. No permit shall be renewed six months or more after the expiration date; the permit is then deemed permanently expired.
If I moved out of the county, do I need to renew my permit in the county I move to? Yes. Within 120 days prior to the expiration of the permit, you may obtain a renewal form from the Sheriff of the county or city and county in which you reside (or maintain a secondary residence, or own or lease real property used by you in a business).
What handgun training is required? As of July 1, 2025, all applications are subject to new training requirements per HB24-1174. There is no grace period. For new permits, applicants must have completed a certified concealed handgun training class from a verified instructor within one (1) year preceding submittal of the application. The original training certificate with the printed name and original signature of the verified instructor is required. Online classes are not acceptable.
For renewals, a 2-hour refresher concealed handgun training class from a verified instructor obtained within six (6) months preceding submittal of the application is required. Alternatively, an 8-hour concealed handgun training class obtained within 6 months is also acceptable.
Alternative training qualifications include:
Is my class instructor verified? How do I check? Your instructor's name must be listed on one of the Colorado county sheriff's websites. Ask your instructor which county sheriff verified them and go to that county sheriff's website to verify their name is listed.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| New Permit | $152.50 (non-refundable) |
| Renewal Permit | $63.00 (non-refundable) |
| Late Renewal Fee | $15.00 (for expired permits within 6 months) |
| Replacement Permit (lost/stolen/damaged) | $15.00 |
| Military Discount (Adams County) | $50 off new permit fee |
Payment methods generally accepted: cash, check, money order, credit/debit card (American Express may not be accepted at all locations).
Do I need to inform the Sheriff's Office if I move? Yes. You must notify the county Sheriff's Office that issued your Concealed Handgun Permit within thirty (30) days of your move by submitting an Address Change Form. This requirement aligns with C.R.S. 42-2-119.
I have a CHP issued from another county and moved into a new county. Who do I notify? Notify the Colorado county that issued your Concealed Handgun Permit within 30 days of your move by checking that county's website and submitting an Address Change Form.
My permit was lost or stolen. What do I do? Initiate a report with the local law enforcement agency where the permit was lost or stolen. Bring a valid driver's license and the report documents to the Sheriff's Office that issued your permit. You will fill out a Permit Lost or Destroyed Form. The replacement fee is $15.
My permit is faded and unreadable. What do I do? Bring your permit and valid ID to the Sheriff's Office that issued your permit for replacement. The fee is $15.
Can I transfer my out-of-state concealed handgun permit to a Colorado permit? No. You must apply for a Colorado concealed handgun permit through the standard application process.
Does Colorado recognize out-of-state permits? Pursuant to C.R.S. 18-12-213, Colorado will recognize a valid permit issued in another state IF:
When traveling with a Colorado permit, contact the destination state to confirm reciprocity and review that state's firearms laws. For current reciprocity information, visit the CBI Concealed Handgun Permit Reciprocity page.
If I'm a current Colorado resident, is my out-of-state permit valid here? No. Colorado no longer recognizes the validity of any permit issued by any state to a nonresident of that state (see C.R.S. 18-12-213, amended 2007). Specifically, the permit holder must be a resident of the state that issued the concealed handgun permit and must be in possession of a valid driver's license or identification card issued by that same state.
New Permit Applications:
Renewal Applications:
HB24-1174 (Effective July 1, 2025): All new and renewal CHP applications submitted on or after July 1, 2025 are subject to new training requirements. There is no grace period. This includes enhanced instructor verification requirements and specific training certificate standards.
Senate Bill 25-003 (Signed April 10, 2025; Effective August 1, 2026): SB25-003 prohibits the purchase or transfer of specified semiautomatic firearms (SSF) unless the person completes the appropriate firearms safety course. For more information, visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife's website.
Lautenberg Amendment - 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) - any misdemeanor that has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed against a current or former spouse, parent, guardian, person with a child in common, cohabitant, or similarly situated person - triggers a federal lifetime firearm-possession bar that is independent of state law. The federal bar applies even when the state-court conviction did not involve a firearm and even when no firearm-related penalty was imposed at sentencing. The 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Rahimi reaffirmed that federal firearm disabilities tied to domestic-violence findings remain constitutional under the Second Amendment.
This page covers one part of our Colorado concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Colorado guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.