Open Carry in Colorado

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.

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).

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.