Gun Laws and Gun Safety Resources

 All persons who wish to buy or receive by transfer a firearm must successfully pass a background check through a federally licensed firearms dealer.  This applies to firearms purchased at a dealer, at a gun show, through classified ads, on-line or through friends.  There are exceptions: bona-fide gift or loan with family members, 72-hour loan.   

There is a three-day waiting period.  (CRS 18-12-115).  

Background checks are paid for by the buyer, not the taxpayer. (CRS 24-33.5-424) (2013 law). As of August 7, 2023, there is a three-day waiting period. (CRS 18-12-115)

Expands federal prohibitions (felons, domestic violence misdemeanants, adjudicated mentally ill, those under domestic violence protective order, illegal immigrants, alcohol and drug abusers, dishonorably discharged and fugitives from justice) to include those “under arrest” for crimes, extended categories of prohibited juvenile offenders (CRS 18-12-108), those under age of 21 (CRS 18-12-112), and persons convicted of a violent misdemeanor in the prior five years. 

Upon sufficient private monies being collected. CBI will create a portal to allow Coloradans to waive their right to purchase firearms. (CRS 24-33.5-424.7).

Extends categories of prohibited juvenile offenders. (CRS 18-12-108).

Persons under age 21 are prohibited from purchasing any firearms: handguns and long guns (CRS 18-12-112 and 18-12-112.5)

Persons who knowingly purchase or obtain a firearm for a person who is ineligible to possess a firearm under federal or state law commits a felony. (penalty: 2000 law)

Persons who provide a handgun to a person under 18 commit a felony. (CRS 18-12-108.7) (2000 law)

A person under 18 in possession of a handgun commits a misdemeanor. (CRS18-12-108.5)

There are exceptions for target shooting and on family property, etc.

Persons who are under a protection order are prohibited from possessing or attempting to purchase or receive a firearm or ammunition while the protection order is in effect.  (CRS 13-14-105.5 and 18-6-803.5)

Upon conviction of a domestic violence offense or imposition of a domestic violence protection order, the offender must relinquish his or her firearms and ammunition and is prohibited from acquiring firearms or ammunition for the duration of the order. Protection orders apply to those involved in an intimate relationship, including present and past unmarried couples (i.e., closed the boyfriend loophole).  (2013 and 2021 laws: CRS 13-14-105.5 and 18-6-801)

Applies to municipal cases and temporary and permanent orders.  

When funding is available, CBI will create an automatic protection order notification system so that a protected person is notified with information about the protection order.  Protected persons will be notified if the abuser attempts to purchase a firearm. (HB25-1098: CRS 24-33.5-539)

The clerk of courts must periodically report to the National Instant Criminal Background CheckSystem (NICS) the names of persons who have been adjudicated as mentally ill. (2002 law)

Ammunition  may only be sold with assistance of the vendor (i.e., behind the counter) and only to persons at least 21 years old. Exceptions for those of at least age 18 who are at a shooting range, are military members of veterans, have an unexpired hunter’s license, or are a protected person under a protection order. Ammunition delivered to a retail establishment must be received by a person at least 21 years of age. 

Firearms dealers and those engaged in the business of dealing in firearms must obtain a state permit. Failure to obtain a permit is an unclassified felony. Permits are valid for 3 years and are only granted to those who pass a background check. 10% of permitted dealers will be inspected each year. Failure to follow some state and federal laws will warrant a warning, subsequent offenses can result in suspension or revocation of the permit. Permits will be revoked for a variety of reasons including conducting illegal transfers and transferring before background check is complete. Specifies background check and training requirements for employees.

Requires specific safety procedures for gun show promoters and vendors. Promoters must have liability insurance, provide a security plan 14 days prior to the event, provide appropriate signage, have video surveillance of parking areas, entrances and exits, have security at entrances and exits, tag firearms brought into the event, and prohibit entrance to those under age 18 unless accompanied by parent, grandparent, or guardian. Vendors must hold a federal and state firearm dealer’s license, and prior to the event, must complete a certificate of compliance.

Imposes a 6.5% excise tax on the sales of guns, gun precursor parts, and ammunition. Proceeds are directed towards victims’ services, mental health services for youth and veterans, and school safety.

Prohibits the sale and transfer of fixed and detachable large capacity ammunition magazines designed to accept more than 15 rounds. Owners may continue to possess, but not transfer or sell, those magazines purchased before July 1, 2013. (2013 law)

Requires purchasers of some semi-automated firearms that use detachable magazines to first obtain a permit after undergoing a background check and taking an extended firearms safety course. There are numerous exceptions.

Possession of a dangerous weapon (i.e.,  firearm silencer, machine gun, rapid-fire device, short shotgun, or short rifle) is a felony unless one has a valid permit and license for it.

It is a class 1 misdemeanor if a person knowingly and unlawfully possesses a firearm from which the manufacturer’s serial number or other distinguishing number or identification mark has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, other than by normal wear and tear. 

It is illegal to knowingly possess, transport, sell, offer to sell, or transfer an unserialized firearm or frame or receiver. There are exceptions for licensed gun manufacturers and importers. Violation is a misdemeanor; subsequent offense is a felony.

Firearms dealer may request a check from the sheriff on whether a gun they are considering buying has been reported as lost, stolen, or involved in a criminal investigation. Provides a penalty for knowingly acquiring a firearm that meets one of those criteria.

Requires that firearms acquired by state agencies are purchased from responsible gun dealers. 

Theft of a firearm is a class 6 felony, regardless of the value of the firearm.

As of October 1, 2023 gun industry members are no longer immune to lawsuits. CRS 6-27-101 through 6-27-106 establish a cause of action for those harmed and for the Colorado Attorney General. Prior to that date, firearms and ammunition manufacturers, importers, and dealers are shielded from liability, except in the case of defects. In the event of a dismissed lawsuit the court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the defendant.

Although not expressly stated in statute, Colorado allows people to openly carry firearms without a permit. Home-rule cities may enact ordinances to limit or prohibit them.

Loaded firearms prohibited in any public transportation facility except with CCW permit (CRS 18-9-118)

Presence on racetracks could put owner’s license in jeopardy (CRS 12-60-507)

Colorado sheriffs shall issue concealed carry permits to applicants who pass a background check, unless the sheriff has documented evidence of unsuitability.

Requirements for permit:  legal resident of Colorado, age 21 or older, eligible to possess firearm, not convicted of a violent or related misdemeanor in the prior five years, not convicted of perjury with respect to the CCW application, not habitual user of alcohol, not an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, not subject to a protection order, and demonstrates competence with a handgun (usually with a training class, standards for this class were updated in HB24-1174).

Colorado recognizes permits from other states if the permittee is 1) 21 or over, 2) is a resident of that state, or 3) has been a Colorado resident for 90 days or fewer. 

Concealed handguns may not be taken on K-12 schools or school property (but can be in locked container of a vehicle), except for law enforcement and school security officer (CRS 18-12-214)  (CRS 18-12-105.5)

Cities, counties, and special districts (SB21-256, CRS 188-12-214).  Signs must be posted.

A person may carry a concealed firearm, even if they do not have a CCW permit, while in a private vehicle, as long as they are legal to possess a firearm. The firearm must be unloaded unless it is a handgun. (CRS 18-12-105.6)

It is a misdemeanor to aim a firearm at another person, or recklessly or with criminal negligence discharge a firearm, set an unattended loaded trap with a gun, or possess a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a controlled substance.

It is a class 6 felony for a person who had previously been convicted of a violent felony to be in possession of a firearm. Because of changes in 2021 and 2022, this offense will be restricted to only those who have been convicted of a Victim’s Rights Act felony (CRS 24-4.1-302 (1)) or any of another 61 violent felonies, or upon the 3rd conviction of an automobile theft. 

A 2003 preemption law was repealed in 2021. A local government may enact an ordinance or regulation of firearms, as long as it is stronger than state or federal firearm laws. Local governments, public universities, colleges and special districts can prohibit concealed weapons in their buildings or specific areas under their jurisdiction. 

A select set of petitioners may seek a court order to temporarily suspend firearms from a person believed to be dangerous to self or others. Valid petitioners are law enforcement, household members (including family), licensed medical professionals, mental health professionals, and educators.

Gun owners are required to safely store firearms so that they are not accessible to juveniles or to prohibited persons. Failure to do so can result in a class 2 misdemeanor offense. Gun dealers are required to post information as to safe storage in their stores.

Handguns left in an unattended vehicle must be in a locked hard-sided container that is placed out of plain view. The container must be in a locked vehicle, locked trunk of a locked vehicle, or a locked recreational vehicle. The case for long guns may be soft-sided. Exceptions for antique weapons, ranch or farm operations on owned or leased land,  persons living in vehicles, peace officers, active duty armed forces, those engaged in hunting, and instructors in state hunting classes. Penalty is a civil infraction.

Gun owners must report lost or stolen firearms within five days after discovery. Failure to do so can result in a $25.00 fine, with a misdemeanor on a second offense.

Establishes this office in Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Responsibilities include oversight of processes of existing laws and mental health resources, conduct awareness campaigns and educational programs, administer violence intervention grant programs (depending upon monies available), and assist and collaborate with researchers.

Only law enforcement (including school resource officers) and persons who are retained by contract with the school district or charter school as a school security officer may carry a gun into a public elementary, middle, junior high or high school. See Sensitive Spaces provisions.

Public school districts must distribute at the start of the school year materials related to gun violence prevention to parents and place information on their website (HB25-1250:  CRS 25-20.5-1203 and 1206 and 22-1-150). 

Unlawful to carry a firearm in  following places:

• the General Assembly, offices, and parking lot, 
• in the chambers or meeting places of local government body and their offices
• courthouses

Exceptions for law enforcement, military and security personnel. Local governments may exempt themselves from this prohibition in their meeting spaces and offices. Those with valid concealed carry permits may leave their firearms in vehicles. Class 1 misdemeanor. 

Unlawful to carry a firearm onto licensed child care center, public or private K-12 schools, vocational schools, or public or private college, university, or seminary, with exceptions for classroom education that requires a firearm and participation in authorized extracurricular activity or athletic team. Class 1 misdemeanor.  

CBI has the authority to investigate criminal activity involving firearms including ‘lie and try,’ straw purchase sales and sales of illegal components. CBI must communicate with local law enforcement agency to deconflict actions prior to taking investigative or enforcement action and collaborate with the district attorney. 

Requires that credit card companies affix a firearms category code to purchases from firearms dealers. Offenders may cure failure to comply; further penalties can be as high as $10,000. Allows person who have suffered harm from failure of a person to implement the code may seek legal relief.   

It is unlawful to openly carry firearms within 100 feet of a voting site or election processing facility. Carrying a visible firearm, imitation firearm or toy firearm while intervening or observing those voting or those processing elections is considered election-related intimidation. An aggrieved individual could file a lawsuit against the intimidator, and could be assisted by the Secretary of State or Attorney General in the suit.