Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Colorado
Whether Colorado has a red flag (extreme risk) law and any limits on assault weapons or magazine capacity.
Short answer: 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… C.R.S. §§ 13-14.5-102, 13-14.5-103(1)(a), 13-14.5-105(2)
| Red flag law | 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. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026 (uncertified printout, current through the 2026 Second Regular Session), Office of Legislative Legal Services. |
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| Assault weapons and magazine limits | 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. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026 (uncertified printout, current through the 2026 Second Regular Session), Office of Legislative Legal Services. |
More Colorado gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Colorado
- Open Carry in Colorado
- Buying a Gun in Colorado
- All Colorado gun laws rules
FAQ
Does Colorado have a red flag law?
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.
Does Colorado ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?
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.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.