State Laws · CO
Colorado Gun Laws
Effective as of Various dates; most recent significant legislation 2023-2024 (Multiple bills). Laws change — you should check for updates or consult with a licensed firearms trainer in your state before acting on this information.
Concealed Carry
Colorado requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) for concealed carry, issued by the county sheriff. Colorado is a shall-issue state — the sheriff must issue the permit if the applicant meets all statutory requirements. The permit is valid for five years.
Key statute: C.R.S. § 18-12-203 — establishes criteria for obtaining a concealed handgun permit. § 18-12-105.6 — prohibits unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Colorado for anyone who can legally possess a firearm. However, Denver and some other municipalities have local restrictions on open carry that predate the state's limited preemption statute. Colorado's preemption law (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-103) allows local governments to enact firearms regulations that are more restrictive than state law in certain areas.
Who Cannot Carry
CHP applicants must be: at least 21 years old, a legal resident of Colorado, not prohibited under federal or state law from possessing firearms, not chronically addicted to alcohol, not an unlawful user of controlled substances, not subject to a protection order, and have completed a handgun training course demonstrating competence. The training must include live-fire proficiency.
Prohibited Locations
Colorado prohibits firearms in: K-12 schools (C.R.S. § 18-12-105.5), federal buildings, courthouses (at the discretion of the chief judge), and any private property with posted prohibition. Recent legislation (2023-2024) has added restrictions including prohibitions in certain government buildings and sensitive locations, though specific provisions are subject to ongoing legal challenges.
Purchase Requirements
Colorado requires a background check for all firearms sales, including private transfers (universal background checks enacted in 2013, HB 1229). There is no waiting period for most purchases, though a 2024 law imposed a three-day waiting period. Colorado has a large-capacity magazine ban (more than 15 rounds, enacted 2013). There is no state assault weapons ban and no state firearms registry. Colorado also enacted a red flag law (Extreme Risk Protection Order) in 2019.
Citations
C.R.S. Title 18, Article 12 (offenses relating to firearms and weapons); HB 13-1229 (universal background checks); HB 19-1177 (red flag law).
Look up statutes at Colorado General Assembly →Legal disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a qualified attorney before making legal decisions.
Sources & official resources
Federal firearms laws
ATF.gov — Laws: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives →Colorado statutes
Colorado General Assembly →This link goes to Colorado's legislative website. To find specific firearms statutes, search for terms like "concealed carry," "firearms," or "weapons permit" in the site's search function.