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Colorado makes it unlawful to carry a concealed firearm in the state unless you have a permit.

The good news is that it is quite easy to get a Colorado concealed carry permit because Colorado is a shall issue state.

Unless you fall into a limited group of exceptions, your local sheriff must issue you a Colorado CCW permit.

Colorado Gun Laws Reciprocity

Colorado gun law reciprocity will only honor a CCW permit from states that honor Colorado concealed carry permits.

However, this does not include the issue of a permit to non-residents of Colorado. Even if both states have a reciprocity deal.

Also, you must be at least twenty-one years old before reciprocity deals from other states can be honored.

How Colorado Reciprocity Permit Works

Colorado reciprocity deal is divided into three parts; They include the following:

  • The states that will allow Colorado CCW permit in their territory: This constitutes thirty-four states.
  • States whose CCW permit would be honored by Colorado. This constitutes thirty-three states.
  • States with no reciprocity deal with Colorado. This includes states that will not accept a CCW permit from Colorado. There are 16 of them.

What Are The Requirements For Colorado CCW Permit?

Before you get your CCW permit, you have to meet the necessary concealed carry requirements. Even after this, issuing the license is based on law enforcement’s discretion.

Reasons You Will Not Get A CCW Permit In Colorado

Colorado concealed carry permit requirements legally forbids you to possess a gun or any other firearm if:

  • There is a legal order that prohibits you from owning a gun. This could also be a protective order
  • You are wanted for a crime, and the law enforcement agency has an arrest warrant in your name.
  • You are a narcotic or an addict to any substance that is under control by law enforcement agencies.
  • A physiatrist has previously declared you as mentally impaired for any reason
  • You are an illegal immigrant in the united states of America
  • You are in the united states with a visa for non-immigrants
  • You have been released by the united states armed forces due to some irresponsible actions
  • Your citizenship as an American has been renounced.
  • You have been convicted by any federal or state law due to the following reasons:
    • Committing a felony
    • Committing a crime that made you imprisoned for more than one year
    • Attempt  to commit a felony 
    • You are guilty of an act that can be regarded as a felony against the state of Colorado.
    • You are guilty of a misdemeanor or any form of domestic violence

Concealed carry Colorado’s red flag law allows any member of your family to request a court order to confiscate your possession of guns temporarily. 

This will not be approved if you are considered a risk to yourself or those around you.

CCW Requirements In Colorado

A concealed carry permit will be provided to you if you meet the following requirements:

  • You are a resident of the state.
  • You have a family member who is active in the armed forces and has been posted to Colorado for military service.
  • You are at least twenty-one years old
  • You have met all Colorado concealed carry permit requirements or that of the federal government
  • You are not guilty of perjury for providing false information during Colorado CCW application
  • You are declared mentally fit by a mental institution for a period of at least three years after recovering from an addiction
  • You do not have a restrain or protection order in your name.
  • You are not an illegal user of controlled substances, and you are not a narcotic.
  • You have undergone the necessary CCW training from a licensed concealed carry class Colorado

Dealing With Guns In Colorado

The selling of concealed carry Colorado can be overseen by a private individual. However, the dealer must have a state government license.

This license would make it possible for a background check to be done before buying a gun. The deal can only be approved when the check comes out clean.

Also, approval by the Bureau of Investigation in Colorado must be done. This is a very important process for the transfer of guns and firearms in the state.

The age limit to buy a gun in Colorado is at least eighteen years old for long guns, and twenty-one years old for other types of handgun 

Exemptions To The Dealing law

The exceptions to these laws include the following:

  • Buying antique firearms
  • Gifting and loaning of firearms to family members
  • Transfer of firearms to trustees

Other Concealed Weapons

You are not allowed to carry a variety of other concealed weapons like the following:

  • Knives with blades longer than three and a half inches
  • Blackjacks
  • Gas guns
  • Gravity knives
  • Switchblades and
  • Metallic knuckles

In Colorado, a weapon is considered concealed if it cannot be readily viewed during ordinary observation.

For example, if you tuck a firearm in the waistband of your jeans, it is seen as illegally carrying a concealed weapon unless you have a Colorado concealed carry permit.

Other examples of carrying a concealed weapon include having a pistol in your handbag, a switchblade up your sleeve, or metallic knuckles in your pocket.

Penalties For CCW In Colorado

The penalties for possessing a concealed weapon in Colorado increases for second and subsequent offenses.

A first offense is a misdemeanor. But for other crimes, your case could be treated as a felony.

If you are charged with possessing a concealed weapon, reach out to your lawyer immediately.

Castle Doctrine And Self Defense In Colorado

The castle doctrine for concealed carry Colorado is a special law. It provides immunity to you if you use your firearm and discharge it in a very specific situation.

An example of such a situation is when someone enters your house to do something unlawful, such as stealing some property.

Another case scenario is when a home intruder uses force against you or someone in your home.

It doesn’t have to be a lot of force, just a little force against you or somebody else in that situation is enough for the castle doctrine law to be activated.

You have the right to use force and protect yourself against the intruder. When facts are lined up, you will have immunity at prosecution.

Difference Between Castle Doctrine And Self Defense

Castle doctrine is different from a trial that asserts your self-defense rights.

It is filed as a pre-trial motion, so you will not have to go through the song-and-dance of court appearances.

If the motion to dismiss is granted, you will have complete immunity against criminal and civil prosecution.

If, however, you lose on the castle doctrine motion, it does not mean your lawyer can’t still raise self-defense issues at trial.

The only difference is that you will go through the time and expense of a trial. But with a good lawyer, your castle doctrine motion should be a walk in the pack.

Where Castle Doctrine Applies

Castle doctrine only applies in your house; it does not apply in your vehicle. If you live out of your home or in an RV, it would be difficult to win that on the castle doctrine basis.

Although you won’t be precluded from the pretrial motion, self-defense will be a better option. But it means you have to go into trial.

Location Restriction For Concealed Carry In Colorado

Even with a permit, there are still certain restrictions you must accept. They include the following

Carrying As An Employee

As an employee, an employer can limit your ability to bring a firearm into the premises.

The same concealed carry Colorado law that gives you the permit to carry a weapon, also gives a private property owner the right to limit your ability to carry concealed on their property.

As long as an employer gives proper notice, either through signage on the doors or an employee manual, they can keep you from having a firearm on the premises.

Obviously, you can petition to change that policy, or you can decide to work somewhere else. But as long as they are in charge of the business, you cannot have a firearm on their premises.

This does not have to do with your concealed carry permit or your Second Amendment rights.

Carrying In Bars And Restaurants

Concealed carry Colorado allows you to carry a firearm into a bar or a restaurant.

Municipality Restrictions

In Colorado, counties like Denver have rules and regulations that are different from other municipalities and counties.

You can’t have an assault rifle in the county of Denver. That doesn’t mean that you have to avoid driving through the city.

You have to drive right through but not make a stoppage in the city.

So, municipalities can enact certain rules and regulations that restrict your ability to possess or carry your own firearms.

But the regulations must be posted, and you have to check with the local police office or local sheriff office to get them.

Carrying In Government Buildings

When you go into a government property in colorado, you are permitted to enter with your concealed carry permit as long as you follow state rules and regulations.

Carrying In Parks

Parks have different rules and regulations, so it is important that you know about the specific park you want to visit.

Before you go, check whether or not the park has any such restrictions. The regulations sometimes change throughout the year, so you must stay up-to-date.

Colorado CCW Law For Knives

If you consider carrying around knives in Colorado, there are five things you should know:

  • It is a felony to carry a ballistic knife, whether openly or concealed. Ballistic knives are knives with a blade that can be forcefully projected from a handle by means of a spring-loaded device or an exploding charge.
  • It is a class two misdemeanor to carry a concealed knife if the blade is longer than three and a half inches. A knife is considered concealable if it is on you but out of sight.
  • With some exceptions, it is a class six felony to carry knives on school grounds whether openly or concealed. This includes all education levels from pre-k to postgraduate.
  • Colorado’s definition of knives does not include hunting or fishing knives carried for sports usage.

It is legal to openly carry knives unless the knife is illegal such as a ballistic knife, or if the area is restricted, such as schools.

Colorado CCW Training

The completion of one of the following pieces of evidence is needed before Colorado concealed carry permit application:

  • A license certificate from concealed carry class Colorado, obtained within a duration of ten years before the CCW application.
  • Proof of military service.
  • Proof that you are a  licensed instructor when applying for your CCW permit
  • Proof of experience in handling a gun or any other firearm
  • Certificate of retirement from any law enforcement agency in Colorado, within ten years before application

Colorado Concealed Carry FAQ

How Can I Apply For A CCW Permit In Colorado?

There are four steps to applying for a CCW permit in Colorado:

  • First, complete a Concealed carry class Colorado
  • Secondly, collect an application from your local sheriff’s office
  • Next, fill out the application and submit alongside the following documents. Your training certificate, a form of state identification, a recently taken passport photograph and your fingerprint
  • Finally, you will receive an approval email from the office of the sheriff

How Long Is A CCW Permit Valid For In Colorado?

CCW in Colorado is valid for a period of five years.

How long Will It Take To Get A CCW Permit In Colorado?

The process of obtaining a concealed carry permit in Colorado is ninety days.

Can A Non-resident Apply For A CCW Permit Colorado?

Concealed carry permit in Colorado is only given to residents of the state.

Additional Resources

Colorado Gun Laws
Colorado Open Carry Laws
Colorado Gun Permit Laws

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