Colorado Concealed Carry Laws: Overview

Colorado Concealed Carry Laws Overview

Colorado is a shall-issue state for concealed handgun permits (CHP), with permits issued at the county level by the local sheriff. Both the U.S. Constitution (Second Amendment) and the Colorado Constitution (Article II, § 13) protect the right to keep and bear arms, while federal, state, and local governments may regulate firearms consistent with constitutional protections.

Permit System

Colorado operates under a shall-issue concealed carry permit system. County sheriffs are required to issue permits to applicants who meet all statutory criteria under C.R.S. § 18-12-203. A concealed handgun permit authorizes the permittee to carry a concealed handgun throughout the state, except in places prohibited by state or local law (C.R.S. § 18-12-214).

Key Eligibility Requirements

To obtain a concealed handgun permit, an applicant must (C.R.S. § 18-12-203(1)):

• Be a legal resident of the state of Colorado
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Not be ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to state or federal law
• Not have been convicted of perjury in relation to information provided or deliberately omitted on a permit application
• Not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that normal faculties are impaired
• Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, including marijuana
• Not be subject to a protection order, including an extreme risk protection order (ERPO)
• Demonstrate competence with a handgun through approved methods

Demonstrating Handgun Competence

Applicants may demonstrate competence through:

• Certification as a firearms safety instructor
• Participation in organized shooting competitions
• Current military service
• Current certification as a peace officer
• Certain prior military or law enforcement service
• Completion of a concealed handgun training class

Training Class Changes (HB24-1174 - Effective July 1, 2025)

HB24-1174, signed by the Governor on June 4, 2024, significantly updated training requirements:

Initial Training Class Requirements (effective July 1, 2025):

• Must be completed within one year before submitting an application (reduced from 10 years)
• Must be held in person
• Must be taught by a county sheriff-verified instructor or be a law enforcement training firearms safety course
• Must provide at least 8 hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and written exam
• Must include instruction on:
  • Knowledge and safe handling of firearms and ammunition
  • Safe storage of firearms and child safety
  • Safe shooting fundamentals
  • Federal and state laws pertaining to lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms
  • State law pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense
  • Best practices for safely interacting with law enforcement responding to an emergency
  • Techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and managing a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force
• Students must achieve a passing score on both a written concealed handgun competency exam and a live-fire exercise

Renewal Training Requirements (effective July 1, 2025):

• Renewal applicants must now demonstrate competence with a handgun
• Options include: organized shooting competitions, current military service, current peace officer certification, being a verified instructor, honorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces or retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency with pistol qualifications within 10 years, or completing an initial or refresher training class within 6 months before submitting a renewal form
• Refresher class must be at least 2 hours, held in person, taught by a verified instructor, include instruction on changes to firearms laws, and require passing a live-fire exercise and written exam

Instructor Verification:

• County sheriffs must verify training instructors whose principal place of business is in the sheriff's county
• Verified instructors must hold a valid concealed carry permit and be certified by a law enforcement agency, college/university, nationally recognized organization, or firearms training school
• Falsely claiming to be a verified instructor constitutes a deceptive trade practice

Additional Disqualification (effective August 7, 2024):

• A person convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within 5 years before submitting a permit application is prohibited from being issued a permit

Permit Duration and Renewal

• Permits are valid for 5 years (C.R.S. § 18-12-211)
• Renewal may be submitted within 120 days prior to expiration and no later than 6 months after expiration

Fees

• New permit: Maximum $100 (C.R.S. § 18-12-205(2)(b))
• Renewal: Maximum $50 (C.R.S. § 18-12-211(1))
• These fees are in addition to the cost of a background check, the amount of which is set by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation

Sheriff's Discretion

A sheriff may deny, revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a permit if the sheriff has a reasonable belief that the applicant or permittee does not meet the criteria for a permit, or that documented previous behavior by the applicant makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to self or others (C.R.S. § 18-12-203(2) and (3)).

Carrying Requirements

• The permit and a valid photo identification must be carried with the handgun at all times
• A permit is not required when a handgun is carried in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance (C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2))
• Carrying a concealed weapon in public without a permit is a class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-12-105)

Open Carry

• Generally, state law does not prohibit openly carrying a firearm in public (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-104)
• However, local governments may prohibit open carry in a building or specific area within their jurisdiction, with posted signage required
• Open carry is prohibited in certain specific locations (see prohibited places below)

Places Where Carrying Firearms Is Prohibited

• Schools: Licensed child care centers; public or private elementary, middle, junior high, high, or vocational schools; public or private colleges, universities, or seminaries (class 1 misdemeanor) - C.R.S. § 18-12-105.5
• Government buildings: State legislative buildings (including elected members' offices); local government governing body buildings; courthouses and buildings used for court proceedings (class 1 misdemeanor) - C.R.S. § 18-12-105.3. A local government may enact a law permitting carry at local government buildings.
• Election locations: Polling locations, within 100 feet of a ballot drop box on election day, and within/near central count facilities during election activities - C.R.S. § 1-13-724
• Local government restricted areas: Local governments may prohibit concealed carry in buildings or specific areas with posted signage, but may not impose criminal penalties for violations (C.R.S. § 18-12-214(1)(c))

Vehicle Carry

• Colorado allows a person to carry a firearm in a vehicle for lawful protection of person or property (C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2))
• A handgun in a vehicle is not considered concealed and does not require a permit
• Under Title 33, firearms other than pistols or revolvers must have the chamber unloaded when in or on a motor vehicle
• Local jurisdictions may not restrict a person's ability to travel with a weapon in a private automobile (C.R.S. § 18-12-105.6)

Local Government Authority

• Local governments may enact laws governing or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm components (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-103)
• Local laws may not be less restrictive than state law
• Local governments may regulate open or concealed carry in buildings or specific areas within their jurisdiction
• Local governments cannot restrict travel with a weapon in a private vehicle (C.R.S. § 18-12-105.6)

Other Notable Colorado Firearms Laws

• No gun registration: Colorado prohibits gun registration (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-102)
• Minimum age to own a firearm: 18 years old, with no state or federal prohibitions
• Minimum age to purchase a firearm: 21 years old (C.R.S. §§ 18-12-112 and 18-12-112.5)
• Large-capacity magazine ban: Prohibits sale, transfer, and possession of magazines capable of accepting more than 15 rounds of ammunition (C.R.S. § 18-12-301 et seq.)
• Background checks: Required for all firearm transfers, including private sales (C.R.S. §§ 18-12-112 and 18-12-112.5)
• Waiting period: Minimum 3 days or until background check approval is obtained, whichever is longer (C.R.S. § 18-12-115)
• Safe storage: Required when not in use to prevent access by unsupervised juveniles and unauthorized users; failure is a class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-12-114)
• Vehicle storage: Firearms in unattended vehicles must be in locked containers within locked vehicles (C.R.S. § 18-12-114.5)
• Lost/stolen reporting: Must report within 5 days of discovery (C.R.S. § 18-12-113)
• Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO): Available under Article 14.5 of Title 13, C.R.S.
• Ghost guns: Prohibited - unserialized frames/receivers and home manufacture of firearms without a federal manufacturer's license are unlawful (C.R.S. § 18-12-111.5)

Specified Semiautomatic Firearms (SB25-003 - Effective August 1, 2026)

Signed by the Governor on April 10, 2025, SB25-003 prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase of "specified semiautomatic firearms" (semiautomatic rifles or shotguns with detachable magazines, or gas-operated semiautomatic handguns with detachable magazines) beginning August 1, 2026. Exceptions exist for persons who complete required firearms safety courses, law enforcement, military, and other specified categories. Violations are a class 2 misdemeanor (class 6 felony for second or subsequent offenses).

Reciprocity

Colorado's concealed carry permit is recognized by some other states. Permit holders should verify current reciprocity agreements before traveling. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) permits nationwide concealed carry by qualified current and retired law enforcement officers.

Key Statutes

Note: This overview is based on Colorado law as of early 2025, including HB24-1174 (signed June 4, 2024, with portions effective August 7, 2024 and July 1, 2025) and SB25-003 (signed April 10, 2025, with key provisions effective August 1, 2026). Colorado firearms law is subject to ongoing legislative changes and local government regulations. Consult the full Colorado Revised Statutes and your local sheriff's office for the most current requirements.