Colorado Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Colorado: Gun Laws Summary

Colorado Gun Laws

Colorado is a shall-issue state where concealed carry permits are issued by local sheriff’s offices to county residents. No purchase permits or firearms registration are required for handguns. Private-party transfers of firearms require a background check of the buyer and transfer approval from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Open carry is legal for any person who is at least 18 years old and who can legally possess a firearm, except in Denver County and other posted areas. Local governments may enact regulations prohibiting open carrying of firearms in a building or specific area within the local government’s jurisdiction, as long as signs are posted to that effect.

Concealed carry is legal in Colorado for residents with a Colorado permit to carry a concealed weapon (CCW) and non-residents with a CCW permit from a state that Colorado honors. CCW permits can be issued to any resident at least 21 years old and not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. A state-approved firearms training course is required for a concealed carry permit. Colorado doesn’t issue non-resident permits with the exception of members of the military permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate family members that live in the state. Colorado will only honor resident CCW licenses from states with which it has a reciprocity agreement.

Self-Defense

Colorado is a Castle Doctrine state. It grants its citizens the “right to expect absolute safety within their own homes.” There is no duty to retreat, and the law applies at a person’s residence or in another dwelling. Although the state does not have an express stand your ground law, the Colorado Supreme Court has affirmed Colorado does not include a duty to retreat and “permits non-aggressors to stand their ground when acting in self-defense.”

Use of Physical Force in Defense of Property

A person is justified in using reasonable and appropriate physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes it necessary to prevent an attempt to commit theft, criminal mischief or criminal tampering involving property. Deadly physical force can only be used under these circumstances in defense of oneself or another.

Use of Physical Force in Defense of a Person

A person is justified in using any degree of force which he or she reasonably believes to be necessary in order to defend the person or a third person from the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force. Deadly physical force can be used under these circumstances in defense of oneself or another.

Use of Deadly Physical Force Against an Intruder

Any occupant of a dwelling is justified in using any degree of physical force, including deadly physical force, when the occupant has a reasonable belief someone has unlawfully entered the occupant’s dwelling and is committing a crime in the dwelling in addition to the uninvited entry, is committing or intends to commit a crime against a person or property in addition to the uninvited entry, and when the occupant reasonably believes that such other person might use any physical force — no matter how slight — against any occupant.

Use of Physical Force in Defense of Premises

A person in possession or control of any building, realty or other premises, or a person who is licensed or privileged to be there, is justified in using reasonable and appropriate physical force when and to the extent that it is reasonably necessary to prevent or terminate what he or she believes to be the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful trespass by the other person in or upon the building, realty or premises. Deadly force can only be used in defense of oneself or another, or when he or she reasonably believes it necessary to prevent what he or she reasonably believes to be an attempt by the trespasser to commit first-degree arson.

Civil and Criminal Immunity

Any occupant of a dwelling using justified physical force, including deadly physical force, in accordance with the provisions of the law shall be immune from criminal prosecution for the use of such force as well as any civil liability for injuries or death resulting from the use of such force. [Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-1-704, 18-1-704.5, 18-1-705, & 18-1-706]

Colorado: Gun Laws at a Glance


Minimum Age for Concealed Carry Permit	Individuals must be 21 years old to obtain a concealed carry permit in Colorado.
Concealed Carry of Weapons Other Than Handguns	Colorado only allows concealed carry of handguns with a permit or under permitless carry. Concealed carry of other weapons is not permitted.
Legal Purchase and Use of Chemical Spray/Pepper Spray	Pepper spray is legal to purchase and use in Colorado, with no statute prohibiting it.
Ammunition Restrictions	Colorado has no state laws regarding ammunition restrictions, but the City of Aurora prohibits the sale or possession of Teflon-coated or treated ammunition.
Ownership of Tasers or Stun Guns	Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit in Colorado.
Constitutional Carry	Colorado does not allow for constitutional carry.
Issuance of Concealed Carry Permits	Colorado is a “shall issue” state for concealed carry permits, meaning that if an individual meets the requirements, they must be issued a permit.
Open Carry	Open carry is allowed in Colorado without a permit for individuals who are at least 18 years old and can legally possess a firearm. Local governments may prohibit open carry in specific areas or buildings, but must post signs informing individuals of the prohibition. Denver County and the City of Vail have specific restrictions, while the City of Boulder’s ordinance limiting magazine capacity was dismissed with prejudice by the court in December 2021, leaving the state limit of no more than 15 rounds in effect.
Magazine Capacity Restrictions for Handguns	Colorado limits handgun magazine capacity to no more than 15 rounds. Possession of “high capacity” magazines (defined as >15 rounds for firearms other than shotguns) is illegal, unless the individual owned the magazine before July 1, 2013 and maintained continuous possession. The City of Denver and the City of Vail have specific ordinances regarding magazine capacity, while the City of Boulder’s ordinance was dismissed with prejudice by the court in December 2021.

References:

Colorado: Carry Locations


Can you carry a concealed firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Colorado?	Yes, with a Colorado permit to carry a concealed weapon or a permit issued by a state that Colorado honors, unless posted, and provided you are not under the influence. [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-106(1)(d)]
Does Colorado have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?	Not addressed in Colorado state law, although employers may have a policy.
Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Colorado?	Yes, without a permit. [Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-105(2)(b) and 18-12-204(3)(a)]
Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Colorado?	Yes, with a Colorado permit to carry a concealed weapon or a permit issued by a state that Colorado honors.
Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Colorado?	Yes with a Colorado permit to carry a concealed weapon or a permit issued by a state that Colorado honors. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Colorado. [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-214]
Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Colorado?	Colorado statutes don’t specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about its concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

Colorado: Key State Laws


Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Colorado?	No. There is no duty to inform a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Colorado. [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-204(2)(a)]
Does Colorado have a red flag law?	Yes. Colorado has a red flag law. It allows Law Enforcement or a family member to petition the Court to temporarily remove guns and ammunition from people who have been deemed by a judge to pose a danger to themselves or others for up to a year. (future Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-103) [House Bill 19-1177]
Does Colorado issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?	Yes, but only for members of the military permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate families.
Does Colorado have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?	The state of Colorado has partial preemption. Based on the passage of SB 256, local governments may prohibit the open carry or concealed carry of a firearm in a building or specific area within the local government’s jurisdiction. A local government may also enact an ordinance, regulation or other law that prohibits the sale, purchase, transfer or possession of a firearm, ammunition firearm component that a person may lawfully sell, purchase or possess that is more restrictive than state or Federal a law. Signs must be posted at all public entrances. A local government may not restrict a person’s ability to travel with a weapon in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance. [Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 29-11.7-103 & 18-12-105.6(2)(a)]
Does Colorado state law define brandishing?	No definition of brandishing was found in Colorado law. A person commits disorderly conduct if he or she intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly discharges a firearm in a public place except when engaged in lawful target practice; or displays a deadly weapon, displays any article used or fashioned to cause a person to believe it is a deadly weapon, or represents verbally or otherwise that he or she is armed with a deadly weapon in a public place in an alarming manner. [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-9-106] A person commits the crime of menacing if, by any threat or physical action, he or she knowingly places or attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-206]
Does Colorado allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No. [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-206(3) and 18-2-208(2)]
Is my Colorado driver’s license linked to my Colorado CCW permit?	No. Your Colorado driver’s license is not linked to your Colorado CCW permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry permit holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. LEOs may have access to other databases where they can obtain this information.
Does Colorado have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or controlled substances?	Not while under the influence. “Controlled substance” means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor included in schedules I through V of part 2 of § 18-18-102, including cocaine, marijuana, marijuana concentrate, cathinones, any synthetic cannabinoid, and salvia divinorum. [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-106(1)(d)] As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.
If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.	No.

Colorado: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Colorado?	No.
Handgun Registration?	No.
Are there exceptions?	Yes. Colorado requires a background check on nearly all transfers, requiring both private gun sellers and federally licensed dealers to initiate a background check when transferring a firearm. With few exceptions, any individual seeking to transfer possession of a firearm must have a background check conducted on the prospective transferee by a licensed gun dealer and must obtain approval of the transfer from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following the background check request. There are exemptions which include sales or transfers to family, transfers to an estate or trust upon the owner’s death or temporary transfers for self-defense where the unlicensed transferee reasonably believes that possession of the firearm is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury.[Colo. Rev. Stat. 18-12-112]
Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Colorado?	No.
What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Colorado?	18 years old, although the following exceptions apply to those under the age of 18 while:* In attendance at a hunter’s safety course or a firearms safety course;

Engaging in legal target shooting;
Engaging in certain organized firearm competitions or performances;
Hunting or trapping with a valid state hunting license;
Traveling with an unloaded handgun to or from these activities;
While on real property under the control of the person’s parent, legal guardian or grandparent and with permission of their parent or legal guardian; or
When at the person’s residence, with the permission of the person’s parent or legal guardian, for the purpose of lawful self-defense.

[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-108.5]Any person who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly provides a handgun with or without payment to any person under the age of 18, or any person who knows of such juvenile’s conduct in violation of this law and fails to make reasonable efforts to prevent the violation commits the crime of unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun.[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-108.7] | | Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home without a permit? | Yes. A permit is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm to carry a handgun in his or her own dwelling or place of business or on property owned or under his or her control at the time of the act of carrying.[Colo. Rev. Stat. 18-12-105(2)(a)] | | Does my current Colorado concealed carry permit exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm? | No. |