Colorado's New 2026 Gun Purchase Requirements: What Gun Owners Need to Know

Colorado enacted significant new firearms regulations in 2026 that take effect August 1, 2026. These changes affect anyone who wants to purchase certain semi-automatic firearms in the state and anyone under 21 who wants to purchase ammunition. If you're a Colorado resident or planning to purchase firearms in Colorado, here's what changed.

*Note: This article reflects the law as enacted. Always verify current requirements with a licensed dealer or attorney before any purchase. Gun laws change frequently and this is general legal information, not legal advice.*

The Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card

Starting August 1, 2026, Colorado Senate Bill 25-003 requires individuals to obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card before purchasing most specified semi-automatic firearms. This applies to:

- Certain semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines meeting the definition in the statute - Certain semi-automatic handguns with detachable magazines meeting the definition in the statute

This is effectively a permit-to-purchase requirement for covered semi-automatic firearms. To obtain the card, you must:

1. Pass a background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation 2. Complete a state-approved firearms safety course

The card is then presented at the time of purchase as a prerequisite. Note that the NICS background check at the point of purchase from an FFL still applies separately — the card is an additional step, not a replacement for the purchase-point check.

**What isn't covered:** The law applies to covered semi-automatic firearms as defined in the statute. Bolt-action, lever-action, pump-action, and revolvers are not subject to this requirement. Single-shot firearms are also not covered.

**For existing owners:** Owning semi-automatic firearms you already own before August 1, 2026 is not affected by the new purchase requirement.

Ammunition Age Restriction Changes

Also effective July 1, 2026: the minimum age to purchase ammunition in Colorado increases to 21, up from 18.

Additionally, all ammunition must be stored behind a counter or in enclosed displays that require employee assistance for customer access. This applies to retailers selling ammunition in the state.

The age change applies to all ammunition — not just ammunition for semi-automatic firearms. A 19-year-old who is otherwise legally permitted to own a firearm cannot purchase ammunition in Colorado under the new law.

Key Practical Implications

**For first-time buyers:** If you're planning your first firearm purchase in Colorado and want a covered semi-automatic handgun or rifle, plan for additional lead time. You'll need to complete the eligibility card process — background check plus approved safety course — before you can purchase.

**The safety course requirement may overlap with what you should do anyway:** For new gun owners, formal safety training is legitimate value regardless of legal requirement. The approved course requirement is an additional step in the purchase process, but it's not without benefit.

**For dealers:** Colorado FFLs must verify the Eligibility Card for covered purchases starting August 1. Colorado dealers will need to verify compliance.

**Online purchases:** Firearms purchased online still must transfer through a Colorado FFL for the background check. That FFL will also need to verify the Eligibility Card for covered semi-automatic firearms.

The Broader Legislative Context

Colorado's changes are part of a national trend toward permit-to-purchase systems. The approach — requiring buyers to demonstrate safety course completion before buying certain firearms — has been enacted in varying forms in multiple states.

The USCCA and other organizations have tracked these developments and are monitoring constitutional challenges. Following the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision, any modern firearm regulation must be consistent with historical tradition of firearm regulation in the US. Whether Colorado's permit-to-purchase requirement survives this test has not been resolved in court as of mid-2026; litigation is likely.

Other 2026 Firearm Law Developments Nationally

At the federal level, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (passed by Congress in May 2025, effective in 2025) included provisions removing suppressors from certain NFA regulatory requirements for specified individuals. This is covered in a separate FirearmSelect article.

Maine voters approved a red flag law (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) in November 2025. Several other states have introduced or enacted assault weapon definition changes. The firearm law landscape is actively shifting.

**Bottom line for Colorado gun owners:** If you're planning to purchase a covered semi-automatic firearm after August 1, 2026, initiate the Eligibility Card process before you walk into a dealer. Check with a Colorado FFL for current implementation details as the August 1 date approaches, since the approved course list and card application process were still being finalized as of this writing.

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*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws are subject to change and constitutional challenge. Consult a licensed attorney and verify with your dealer before any purchase.*