Colorado Open Carry Laws

Open Carry Laws in Colorado

General Legal Status

Colorado is generally an open carry state at the state level. There is no state statute that broadly prohibits the open carrying of firearms. To lawfully possess a firearm in Colorado, a person must be at least 18 years old and must not have any state or federal prohibitions [C.R.S. 18-12-108.5; see also Colorado Department of Public Safety firearms FAQ].

However, open carry is significantly regulated by local authorities and restricted in certain sensitive locations by state law.

Local Regulation of Open Carry

According to the Colorado Department of Public Safety:

"The actual open carrying of firearms is regulated by local county and municipal authorities. Confirmation of open carry municipal code restrictions would have to be done with those local authorities."

This means that individual cities and counties may enact their own restrictions or prohibitions on open carry. Most city municipal codes are posted online for public review. Persons wishing to open carry should verify the specific rules of the municipality or county they are in.

Notable local restrictions include:

• City and County of Denver - Has historically prohibited the open carry of firearms within city limits.
• City of Brighton - Municipal Code Sec. 9-32-10 makes it "unlawful for any person to open or openly carry any firearm in or upon any public building or specific area within the City." "Public building" is defined as any structure, facility, site, or enclosed area owned, operated, or leased by the City. "Specific area" includes all recreational facilities, sports complexes, swimming pools, tennis courts, skate parks, basketball courts, pedestrian and bicycle paths, public trails, picnic facilities, lawns, gardens, parks, and open space owned, operated, or leased by the City. Brighton also defines a "concealed handgun" as one "carried in such a manner so as to be completely concealed from the view of another," meaning any handgun visible "in whole or in part and for any length of time" is deemed openly carried.

Local governments that prohibit open carry of firearms in a building or specific area must post signs at public entrances informing persons that open carry is prohibited [C.R.S. 29-11.7-104(1)].

State Preemption Limitations

Colorado's preemption framework for firearms regulation is nuanced:

• C.R.S. 29-11.7-102 - Prohibits gun registration by the state or any political subdivision.
• C.R.S. 29-11.7-103 - Restricts local regulation of the type of firearm a person may possess.
• C.R.S. 29-11.7-104 - Allows local governments to enact ordinances prohibiting open carry of firearms in buildings or specific areas within their jurisdiction, provided signs are posted at public entrances.
• C.R.S. 18-12-105.6 - Provides that local jurisdictions may not enact laws that restrict a person's ability to travel with a weapon. This preemption applies specifically to traveling with firearms and does not prevent local governments from regulating the open carrying of firearms in their jurisdictions.

Local-government authority over open carry is set by C.R.S. 29-11.7-104 and the preemption provisions above. Because the sensitive-space rules were amended by SB 24-131 (2024) and the polling-place statute (C.R.S. 1-13-724) was further amended in 2026 by HB 1113, verify the current text of any local ordinance and the state statute before relying on a specific restriction.

Sensitive Spaces - Prohibited Locations (SB24-131)

Effective July 1, 2024, SB24-131 ("Prohibiting Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces," Session Laws Ch. 301) significantly expanded the locations where carrying firearms is prohibited. For government buildings and educational facilities, the act prohibits carrying firearms both openly and concealed, and violations are a class 1 misdemeanor. The act also amended the existing polling location restrictions under C.R.S. 1-13-724, though those restrictions remain limited to open carry (see below).

Government Buildings (including adjacent parking areas):

• State legislative buildings, including buildings where offices of elected members are located
• Local government governing body buildings, including buildings where offices of elected members or the chief executive officer are located
• Courthouses or other buildings used for court proceedings

Exceptions for government buildings include:

• Law enforcement officers
• Members of the U.S. armed forces or Colorado National Guard
• Security personnel as described in C.R.S. 24-33.5-216.7(5)
• Persons carrying as part of lawful and common practices of a legal proceeding
• Concealed carry permit holders carrying a concealed handgun in an adjacent parking area only
• A local government may enact a law permitting carrying at its own local government building

Educational Facilities:

• Licensed child care centers (other than family child care homes, as defined in C.R.S. 26.5-5-303(7)) operating with stated educational purposes, licensed by the Department of Early Childhood or exempt from licensing under C.R.S. 26.5-5-304(1)(b)
• Public or private elementary, middle, junior high, high, or vocational schools
• Public or private colleges, universities, or seminaries

Note: Separate from SB24-131, C.R.S. 18-12-105.5 also addresses unlawful carrying and possession of weapons on school, college, or university grounds.

Exceptions for educational facilities include:

• Existing exceptions in law for carrying on public K-12 school property [per C.R.S. 18-12-214(3)]
• Concealed carry permit holders carrying in the parking area of a licensed child care center or higher education institution
• Security personnel employed or retained by a licensed child care center or higher education institution, while engaged in official duties
• Licensed child care centers co-located with other buildings open to the public - carrying is permitted on areas of real estate or improvements not designated as the child care center
• Persons possessing a weapon for use in an educational program approved by a school (including courses designed for repair or maintenance of weapons)

Polling Locations and Election Facilities:

• Any polling location or central count facility
• Within 100 feet of a ballot drop box or any building containing a polling location or central count facility while an election or related election administration activity is in progress
• The designated election official must visibly place signs notifying persons of the 100-foot no open carry zone

Important: The prohibition at polling locations and election facilities under C.R.S. 1-13-724 (originally enacted by HB22-1086, the "Vote Without Fear Act") applies specifically to openly carrying a firearm. Unlike the government buildings and educational facilities provisions above, this section was not expanded to cover concealed carry. SB24-131's amendments to C.R.S. 1-13-724 added security personnel described in C.R.S. 24-33.5-216.7(5) to the list of exceptions and updated legislative declaration language, but retained the "openly carry" scope of the prohibition in subsections (3)(a) and (3)(b).

Penalties for violations at polling locations (per HB22-1086 as amended):

• First offense: Fine not exceeding $250, imprisonment not exceeding 120 days, or both
• Subsequent offenses: Fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment not exceeding 364 days, or both

Exceptions at polling locations include:

• A person who owns private property within the 100-foot buffer zone, while on their property or traveling directly between their property and a place outside the buffer zone
• Uniformed security guards employed by a contract security agency (as defined in C.R.S. 24-33.5-415.4) acting within the scope of their contractual duties
• Security personnel described in C.R.S. 24-33.5-216.7(5) while engaged in official duties

Federal Constitutional Context (NYSRPA v. Bruen, 2022)

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, 597 U.S. ___ (2022), affirmed that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. The Court held that firearms regulations must be consistent with the historical tradition of firearm regulation in America.

Significantly, the Court noted a historical consensus that States could not altogether prohibit the public carry of arms. The Court observed that antebellum courts consistently held that concealed-carry prohibitions were constitutional only if they did not similarly prohibit open carry. As the Court stated: "[T]hese antebellum state-court decisions evince a consensus view that States could not altogether prohibit the public carry of 'arms' protected by the Second Amendment." This historical analysis supports the view that open carry enjoys strong constitutional protection, even as concealed carry may be regulated.

Carrying Firearms in Vehicles

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

Under Title 33 (wildlife laws), it is unlawful to possess any firearm other than a pistol or revolver in or on a motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded [C.R.S. 33-6-125].

Carrying in National Forests

Open carry is permitted in Colorado National Forests, subject to both state laws and federal regulations. A firearm may not be discharged in the following areas:

• Within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area
• Across or on a Forest Development road or adjacent body of water, or in any manner whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage
• Into or within any cave [36 CFR 261.10(d)]

Some forests or districts have additional restrictions on discharging a firearm. Check with local forest authorities before visiting.

Carrying in National Parks

Per 16 USC 1a-7b, a person may possess a firearm in any national park if such possession complies with the laws of the state in which the park is located. Colorado's state laws therefore apply in Colorado national parks.

However, firearms are prohibited in federal facilities - defined as buildings or parts thereof owned or leased by the Federal Government where federal employees are regularly present for official duties. In national parks, such facilities may include visitor centers, administrative offices, and maintenance buildings, and will be clearly marked with signs at all public entrances [18 USC 930].

No State Registration Requirement

Colorado prohibits gun registration [C.R.S. 29-11.7-102].

Related Firearms Regulations Affecting Open Carry

Several additional Colorado statutes may affect persons who open carry:

• C.R.S. 18-12-106 - Prohibited use of weapons: Establishes offenses related to the use of firearms, including reckless or illegal discharge.
• C.R.S. 18-12-108 - Possession by previous offenders: Prohibits firearm possession by convicted felons and certain other prohibited persons.
• C.R.S. 18-12-108.5 - Possession by juveniles: Prohibits firearm possession by juveniles with specified exceptions.
• C.R.S. 18-12-113 - Failure to report lost or stolen firearm: Requires reporting of lost or stolen firearms.
• C.R.S. 18-12-114 - Secure firearm storage: Requires secure storage of firearms under specified circumstances.
• C.R.S. 18-12-115 - Waiting period for firearm sales: Establishes a waiting period for firearm purchases.
• HB 13-1224 - Large-capacity magazines: Prohibits the sale, transfer, and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines.

Recent Legislation

SB25-003 ("Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices"), signed by the Governor on April 10, 2025, prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase of specified semiautomatic firearms on or after August 1, 2026, with certain exceptions including completion of required firearms safety courses. This law does not directly change open carry rules but affects the types of firearms that may be lawfully acquired going forward.

Key Statutes