Colorado Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

No for concealed carry. Knowingly and unlawfully carrying a firearm concealed on or about one's person is a class 1 misdemeanor, unless the person is in their own dwelling, place of business or property under their control; is in a private automobile or other private conveyance carrying the weapon for lawful protection while traveling; or holds a valid concealed handgun permit (or temporary emergency permit).

Permit to carry a concealed handgun, issued by the county sheriff (of the county of residence, or of a county where the applicant has a secondary residence or business property). Generally shall-issue: the sheriff 'shall issue' to an applicant who is a legal resident of Colorado (including military stationed in Colorado and their family), 21 or older, not barred from possessing firearms, not subject to protection orders or extreme risk protection orders, not a chronic alcohol abuser or unlawful drug user, not convicted of listed misdemeanors (for offenses on or after July 1, 2025) within five years, and who demonstrates handgun competence (for example a training certificate from a concealed handgun class within the past year). The sheriff may deny if they have 'a reasonable belief that documented previous behavior by the applicant makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to self or others.' Training class: in person, at least eight hours, including a live-fire exercise (minimum 70% accuracy) and a written competency exam. Fee: a sheriff-set permit fee 'not to exceed one hundred dollars,' plus the CBI/FBI fingerprint processing fee (both non-refundable). Valid for five years; renewable.

State law does not require a permit to carry a handgun openly; the concealed-carry offense in § 18-12-105 covers concealed weapons. However, local governments may restrict open carry and must post signs describing open carry restrictions (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-104, referenced in § 18-12-214). No one may carry a firearm, openly or concealed, at K-12 schools, licensed child care centers, colleges, universities or seminaries (with limited exceptions), in the government buildings listed in § 18-12-105.3, or at polling locations, ballot drop boxes and central count facilities. Persons under 18 generally may not possess handguns.

21 for all firearms. 'It is unlawful for a person who is less than twenty-one years of age to purchase a firearm' (class 2 misdemeanor), and a licensed dealer may not sell to anyone under 21 (class 1 misdemeanor). Exceptions: active-duty U.S. armed forces members on duty, on-duty peace officers, and P.O.S.T.-certified individuals; antiques and curios or relics are excluded. Possession: a person under 18 may not knowingly possess a handgun (class 2 misdemeanor; class 5 felony for a second offense), with exceptions for safety courses, target ranges, organized competitions, licensed hunting, travel to these with an unloaded handgun, and property of a parent, guardian or grandparent with permission.

Yes, universal. Since July 1, 2013, before any person who is not a licensed dealer transfers or attempts to transfer a firearm, the transferor must have a licensed gun dealer run a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check on the transferee and obtain CBI approval; the dealer records the transfer as if selling from its inventory. Dealers may not transfer a firearm until CBI approves the transfer.

3 days for all firearms: a seller, including a licensed dealer, may not deliver a firearm until the later of three days after the dealer initiated the required background check, or CBI approval of the transfer. Violation is a civil infraction with a $500 fine ($500 to $5,000 for repeat offenses). Exceptions include antiques and curios or relics, certain sales to family by service members deploying abroad within 30 days, and transfers that need no background check. Local governments may adopt their own waiting periods.

Yes: extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs). Who may petition: a family or household member, a law enforcement officer or agency, a 'community member' (a licensed health-care or mental health professional or an educator who dealt with the respondent or the respondent's child within six months, or certain crisis co-responders), or an 'institutional petitioner' (an entity employing such a person, such as a school district, college or hospital). A temporary order may be sought without notice. After a hearing, if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses a significant risk of injury to self or others by having a firearm, it issues an order 'for a period of three hundred sixty-four days.' Renewal may be requested within 63 days before expiration.

Magazines: selling, transferring or possessing a 'large-capacity magazine' is a class 1 misdemeanor (class 6 felony if possessed during a felony or crime of violence); this means a magazine able to accept more than 15 rounds, a tubular shotgun magazine holding more than 28 inches of shells, or a detachable shotgun magazine holding more than eight shells. Magazines owned on July 1, 2013 and kept in continuous possession are allowed. Semiautomatic firearms: on or after August 1, 2026, it is unlawful to knowingly manufacture, distribute, transfer, sell or purchase a 'specified semiautomatic firearm' (a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine, or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine), except sales to out-of-state residents or dealers and listed exemptions. A buyer qualifies if, among other routes, they completed a hunter education course plus a basic firearms safety course (at least four hours) within five years, or an extended firearms safety course (at least twelve hours over two days) within five years. Excluded firearms include .22-or-smaller rimfire guns, bolt/pump/lever/slide actions, fixed-magazine guns holding 15 rounds or fewer, recoil-operated handguns, and a list of named models. Possession of already-owned firearms is not banned by this section.

A person who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry it without a permit, and it is not considered concealed, when in a private automobile or other private conveyance and carrying it for a legal use, including self-defense. A handgun left in an unattended vehicle must be in a locked hard-sided container out of plain view (a locked glove compartment or center console counts) inside a locked vehicle or trunk; long guns left in unattended vehicles must be in a locked container (with a locking device if soft-sided). Violation is a civil infraction. A separate section, § 18-12-105.6, limits local ordinances regarding firearms in private vehicles (its text was not summarized).

Colorado honors permits only from states that recognize Colorado permits, and only if the holder is 21 or older and either a resident of the issuing state (shown on that state's driver's license or ID) or a Colorado resident for no more than 90 days.

Everyone (open or concealed): licensed child care centers, public and private K-12 and vocational schools, and colleges, universities and seminaries (class 1 misdemeanor; exceptions include an unloaded firearm left in a vehicle on college property, school-authorized activities, and permit holders in a vehicle at K-12 schools or in parking areas of child care centers and colleges); buildings housing the General Assembly or legislative hearings; local government council chambers, meeting places and elected officials' offices (unless the local government allows carry); courthouses and buildings used for court proceedings, including adjacent parking (permit holders may carry in the parking areas); and polling locations, drop boxes and central count facilities. Permit holders also may not carry in public buildings with permanent security screening at every entrance, places banned by federal law, or buildings or areas where a local government or college board bans concealed carry by ordinance (with signs posted). Private property owners, tenants, employers and businesses may restrict carry.

A person may not knowingly possess or transport, or sell, offer to sell, transfer or purchase, an unfinished frame or receiver, or knowingly possess, purchase, transport or receive a firearm, frame or receiver that is not imprinted with a serial number by a federal firearms licensee, with exceptions for licensed importers and manufacturers and for taking a firearm to a licensee to be serialized. Colorado also makes unlawful three-dimensional printing of a firearm or firearm component a separate offense.