Colorado’s gun laws pertain to the use, sale, ownership, purchase, and transportation of firearms in the state. Colorado is fairly liberal with their gun laws, and you can open carry and concealed carry without any license. Colorado is a “Shall Issue” state and will provide a carry license for residents only if they are traveling outside the state for reciprocity reasons. For out-of-state residents, they must prove they spend a lot of time in Colorado or own property there to obtain a carry license. Colorado does not permit guns in schools, courthouses, and public buildings, secure parts of an airport, and federally restricted areas. You cannot drive a snowmobile while armed in Colorado. You are allowed to carry in restaurants, state parks, and rest areas and you are allowed to have one in your vehicle. Private sales of guns must conducted through a licensed dealer so that a federal background check can be performed. In the state of Colorado, you must be 18 to purchase a rifle or other long gun and 21 to buy handguns. There are a lot of strict laws regarding transfer and ownership of firearms in the state, which you must also review and comply with.
State CCW Quick Facts
Shall IssueState gun policy
YesOpen Carry Permitted
NoConstitutional Carry
YesCarry In Restaurants
YesCarry In Vehicle
Residents/Non-residentsLicense issued to
388,646Number of Active CCW Permits
34# of states that honor Colorado license
33# of state licenses that Colorado honors
5 Yearslicense is valid
52$ cost of the license
21Minimum age for license permit
Colorado’s policy is Shall Issue in practice and its license is issued to residents. You can carry a handgun in: state parks, state and national forests, road side rest areas, vehicle, school, if firearm is left in a locked vehicle, all areas of the state not listed as forbidden.
Colorado CCW Reciprocity Map
Colorado only offers reciprocity with states that honor their licenses. Thirty-four U.S. states allow a Colorado gun permit and they are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Accordingly, Colorado honors permits from these states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. States that unconditionally do not accept a Colorado gun permit are California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington.
Permit honored
Permit not honored
Issuing state
Colorado Concealed Carry Permit and Laws
Colorado is a “Shall Issue” state for concealed carry and residents may apply for a permit at any local county sheriff’s office. The permit is good for five years and costs $52 when applying. You are not obligated by law to notify an officer if you are carrying. You are allowed to carry in state parks and wildlife preserves. You do not have to comply with any “no weapons” signs legally. You can carry in your vehicle, restaurants, and bars legally. Colorado is not a “Constitutional carry” state. Although Colorado is an open carry state, local counties may override these laws.
CCW Eligibility: Qualify or Pre-Qualify?
When applying for a concealed carry permit, you must be 21 years old. You must also demonstrate that you can safely use and operate a handgun. You must be a legal resident of Colorado. You may not have any alcohol or drug addictions, and you cannot be convicted of perjury. You cannot apply for a permit if there is an open restraining or other protective order out on you. According to federal law, you must also not be a convicted felon or mentally ill.
Colorado Gun Background Check
As of 2013, the state of Colorado requires a state background check when purchasing a firearm. Colorado also requires any private sale of a gun to go through a licensed dealership and the buyer must pass the background check. The dealer is responsible for recording the transaction and submitting it to the state CBI. The transfer law does not apply when you are just loaning a weapon to a member of your immediate family or when having a firearm repaired. Dealers may charge a $10 fee for each background check they perform. There is a list of strict requirements that apply to the sale and possession of firearms, and if you violate them, you will have a Class 1 misdemeanor. For example, if you provide a weapon to anyone who is under the age of 18, you will be held criminally liable.
Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages.
Is not an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
Is not subject to a protection order.
Federal law requirements
Gun CCW Permit Application
Complete a firearms training course.
Download application under FORMS tab or pickup from your local Sheriffs office.
You will need the following documents;
Completed application – DO NOT sign, must be signed in front of Sheriff.
Firearms training certificate
Drivers license or state ID card
Photo – taken within the last thirty days
Proof of residency
Submit your documents in person to a sheriffs office and have your fingerprints taken.
You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.
CCW Renewal
Permits can be renewed within 120 days before the permits expiry date but not before.
The permit is allowed to be renewed for up to 60 days after the expiry date, there is a late fee of $15.
Any permits that have expired for more than 60 days are deemed to be permanently expired and the person will need to start a new application process.
The renewal application must be submitted to the sheriff in the county a person resides or owns a business in.
The law states that the renewal fee set by the sheriff is not to exceed $50.
If Fingerprints Previously Sent to CBI - TOTAL $13.00 If Fingerprints NOT Previously Sent to CBI - TOTAL $52.50 (Including InstaCheck $13.00, CCIC Fingerprint Check and FBI Fingerprint Check)