Colorado Gun Laws

Gun Control Laws in Colorado

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 Issue State gun policy
  • Yes Open Carry Permitted
  • No Constitutional Carry
  • Yes Carry In Restaurants
  • Yes Carry In Vehicle
  • Residents/Non-residents License issued to
  • 388,646 Number of Active CCW Permits
  • 34 # of states that honor Colorado license
  • 33 # of state licenses that Colorado honors
  • 5 Years license is valid
  • 52 $ cost of the license
  • 21 Minimum 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.

  • Permits
  • Handguns
  • Long Guns
  • Total

CO CCW and Pistol Permit Information

State Concealed Carry Requirements

  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Demonstrates competence with a handgun.
  • Is a legal resident of Colorado.
  • Has not been convicted of perjury.
  • 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

  1. Complete a firearms training course.
  2. Download application under FORMS tab or pickup from your local Sheriffs office.
  3. 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
  4. Submit your documents in person to a sheriffs office and have your fingerprints taken.
  5. 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.

CO Concealed Carry License Fee information

Permit typeFees when getting a new permitRenewalCurrent license amendmentFingerprint scan feeFee for firearm classesAdditional state fees
Individual Concealed Handgun PermitTOTAL: $52.50 (Including InstaCheck ($13.00), CCIB Fingerprint Check and FBI Fingerprint Check)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)
CCIC Fingerprint check: $17.50
FBI Fingerprint check: $22.00
The local sheriff can charge up to an additional $100
Temporary Emergency PermitsTOTAL: $30.50 (Including InstaCheck $13.00 )If Fingerprints Previously Sent to CBI - TOTAL $13.00
If Fingerprints NOT Previously Sent to CBI - TOTAL $30.50
CCIC Fingerprint check: $17.50

Places Where You Can & Can’t Carry a Gun in Colorado

AllowedForbidden
State parksPublic elementary, middle, junior high, or high school
State and national forestsSecure areas of airports
Road side rest areasPublic buildings with fixed security checkpoints such as courthouses
VehicleSnowmobile (permit for predator control required)
SchoolAny place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law
If firearm is left in a locked vehicle
All areas of the state not listed as Forbidden

Colorado CCW Contact

Colorado Bureau of Firearms

Hours

Monday – Friday:N/A
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed

Contact

Address:Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Firearms InstaCheck Unit
690 Kipling St., Ste. 3000
City:Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone:(303) 813-5700 - select option 4

CCW Licensing Offices in Colorado

Adams County Sheriff Office

Office Address
332 N 19th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601

Phone
(303) 654-1850

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Alamosa County Sheriff Office

Office Address
1315 17th Street Alamosa, Colorado 81101

Phone
(719) 589-6608

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Arapahoe County Sheriff Office

Office Address
13101 E. Broncos Parkway Centennial, CO 80112

Phone
(303) 795-4711

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Archuleta County Sheriff Office

Office Address
449 San Juan Street P.O. Box 638 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Phone
(970) 264-8430

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Baca County Sheriff Office

Office Address
265 E. 2nd Ave Springfield, CO 81073

Phone
(719) 523-6677

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Bent County Sheriff Office

Office Address
11100 County Road GG.5 Las Animas, CO 81054

Phone
(719) 456-0796

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Boulder County Sheriff Office

Office Address
5600 Flatiron Parkway Boulder, CO 80301

Phone
(303) 441-3994

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Broomfield Police Department

Office Address
11600 Ridge Pkwy. Broomfield, CO 80021

Phone
(303) 464-5799

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Reference Links

Counties in Colorado