Colorado issues gun permits for concealed possession of firearms in the state.

But the permit is not for everybody, and you must understand the state gun statute before application

Colorado Gun Permit Summary

Colorado is a shall-issue state, and the pistol permit application takes place in the sheriff’s office of a local county.

There are no purchase permits to buy firearms, but it is mandatory to complete a criminal record background.

• Recommended Reading: Colorado Gun Laws

How To Get Gun Permit In Colorado?

Gun permit Colorado is valid for residents of the state that are twenty-one years old or more, and meet all gun law requirements to conceal carry.

The permit is, however, not a requirement for open carry in Colorado.

Colorado Gun Permit Laws

Colorado gun permit is for just concealed carry in the state. You do not need a license for open carry.

Open carry in Colorado is lawful for anybody that is above the age of eighteen except in the county Denver.

The state also prohibits open carry in places like schools and hospitals.

Also, Colorado prohibits the open carry of machine guns and firearms with large-capacity magazines. The minimum magazine round accepted in Colorado is fifteen.

The only exceptions to the use of machine guns in the state are law enforcement officers and members of the military operating in Colorado.

Colorado Pistol Permit Requirements

To apply for a pistol permit in Colorado, you must understand and meet up with all the gun permit requirements. They include the following:

• You must meet the required age of twenty-one years old.
• You must be a resident of Colorado, legally living in the state.
• You must not be a convict or guilty of perjury in the state.
• You must not be an addict or chronic user of alcohol in the state.
• You must not be a narcotic or an illegal user of substances prohibited or controlled by drug law enforcement agencies in the state.
• You must not have any protection or restriction order in the state.
• You must demonstrate your firearm expertise by passing a training course.
• You must meet all federal requirements for the application of firearm permits.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In Colorado

A summary of firearms permits in Colorado includes the following:

• State permit to purchase long guns: Colorado does not issue a state permit to buy long guns.
• State permits to purchase handguns: Colorado does not issue a state permit to buy guns.
• State permit to open carry: Colorado is a permissive state, so no license required to open carry.
• State permits to conceal carry long guns: Colorado does not issue a state permit to conceal handguns.
• State permits to conceal carry handguns: Colorado issues a firearm permit to conceal carry guns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In Colorado?

For the initial Colorado gun license application, the cost ranges from fifty-two dollars to about one hundred dollars, depending on extra charges from the office of the sheriff.

The price for renewal permits ranges from fifty to sixty-three dollars. Late renewal attracts an additional fee of fifteen dollars.

Gun Permit Application And Renewal Laws In Colorado

The process to apply for Colorado gun permits in the state include the following:

Complete A Firearm Training Course

Enroll and pass a state-approved firearm training course before furthering your application.

Obtain The Application Form

You can either do this by downloading the application form from an online portal, or you visit the local sheriff’s office to pick it up.

Submit The Permit With Other Necessary Documents

After completing the application form, take it to the sheriff’s office of your local county without appending a signature yet.

Other documents you will have to provide include:

• Your firearm training certificate or any proof that you completed a firearm training.
• A means of identification, which could either be a driver’s license or state identification card.
• A passport photograph that you recently took, not less than thirty days prior.
• Any proof that you are a permanent resident of Colorado.
• The officials will also obtain your fingerprints.

Receive Notification

You will get a mail notifying you of your application status, either approved or denied.

The permit renewal process in Colorado can begin as soon as one hundred and twenty days before the expiry date of your permit.

To go about this, visit your local county sheriff’s office of your home of residence or workplace, to collect the renewal application form.

The application period for the permits lasts till sixty days after the Colorado pistol permit expires. To renew within this period, you will pay a late renewal fee of about fifteen dollars.

The renewal of permits after these sixty days is not allowed. Therefore the permit becomes invalid, and you will have to start all over with the application process.

Other documents you have to submit for renewal application includes the following:

• The completed renewal form.
• A photograph identification
• Proof of Colorado residency, which could be tax payment receipt, a mortgage statement, or similar documents.
• An affidavit stating that the holder qualifies for the renewal and has paid the required fee. The affidavit must be notarized.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With Colorado

Colorado will accept gun permits from other states that reciprocate its own.

Its reciprocity agreement includes the following:

States That Colorado Will Accept Their Gun Permit

According to Colorado gun statute (C.R.S. 18-12-213), Colorado will only accept handgun permit from states that meet the following requirements:

• States that honor Colorado pistol permits in return.
• The permit holder must be a legal resident of the state issuing the permit.
• The permit holder has other documents like an identification card and driver’s license, with details matching that of the issuing state.
• The permit older meets the age requirement of twenty-one years old or more.
• The permit is a valid permit of the USA.

These states include the following:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

States That Recognizes Colorado Pistol Permit

You can possess firearms in these states if you have a Colorado pistol permit, but you must handle the guns according to un laws in these states: They include the following:

• Alabama
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming
• Puerto Rico

States That Have Restricted Reciprocity With Colorado

In these states, you can possess firearms with Colorado gun licenses, but there are specific requirements you must meet as a permit holder form Colorado before you can use firearms in these states. They include the following:

• Florida
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania

States With Permitless Carry Policy

In these states, you do not need a permit to possess firearms. They are constitutional carry states with permitless policy. They include the following:

• Arizona
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• West Virginia

FAQs About Gun Permits In Colorado

Some of the most frequently asked questions about Colorado gun license include the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In Colorado?

Yes, Colorado issues gun permits for the concealed possession of firearms in the state.

When Will Colorado Pistol Permit Expire?

The permit is valid for five years, after which you have to apply for a renewal permit if you choose to continue with the concealed possession of firearms.

Can Non-Residents Apply For Colorado Pistol Permits?

No. The only non-residents that can apply for Colorado firearm permits are members of the United State Armed Forces stationed to the state and their immediate family members

The application process for this is the same as that for residents of the state.

How Can I Go About Changing Name And Address On My Colorado Pistol Permit?

To effect a change of name or address on your Colorado pistol permit, you must notify the sheriff of your local county within thirty days before completing the change of address form.

What Can I Do If I Lost My Colorado Gun Permit?

First, you must notify the sheriff of your local county in not less than three business days before obtaining and completing the lost or destroyed gun permit form.

When Can I Apply For Colorado Concealed Weapon Permit After Moving To Another State In The Country?

Immediately you have a place of residence in Colorado, you can visit the local county and apply for your Colorado gun permit.

Do I Need Colorado Gun Permit To Open Carry In The State?

No, Colorado is a permissive open carry state, except you are in the county of Denver than prohibits open carry.

Anybody eighteen years old or more can open carry in Colorado, as long as there is no restriction or protection order to do so.

What Is The Age Requirement To Apply For Colorado Pistol Permit?

You must be at least twenty-one years old before you apply for a gun permit in Colorado.

Do I need A Permit To Purchase Firearms In Colorado?

No, there are no purchase permits in Colorado.

Does My Colorado Gun Permit Exempt Me From Completing A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In The State?

No. The criminal record background check is compulsory for anybody that wants to buy a firearm in the state, regardless of a permit or not.

Do I Need Colorado Gun Permit To Possess Firearms In My Private Property?

No, you do not need a firearm permit in Colorado to possess guns or any other type of weapon in workplaces, home, and private cars.

Is Firearm Training A Requirement To Apply For Colorado Pistol Permit?

Yes, you must demonstrate firearm expertise by completing a required course approved by the state government conducted by a certified instructor.

What Is The Processing Period For Firearm Permits In Colorado?

The processing period for firearm permits in the state is Ninety days.

Is Colorado A Preemption Gun Law State?

Colorado has partial preemption law, as seen in the case of open carry. The state is a permissive open carry state, but the county of Denver prohibits open carry without a permit.

Can I Conceal Carry While Hunting In Colorado?

Yes, the possession of a handgun during the hunting of firearms in the state is not illegal.

However, during bow hunting, it is a prohibition to shoot any wildlife with such a weapon. In this case, it is just for self-defense.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement To Possess Firearms In Colorado?

You must be at least eighteen years old to possess a firearm in Colorado.

Relevant Gun Permits Laws And Legislature In Colorado

Some of Colorado gun statutes relating to pistol permits in the state include the following:

Possession Of Firearms In vehicles

According to [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-204(3)(a)] you can conceal carry in your private car, without a Colorado handgun permit.

Possession Of Firearms In Roadside Areas

Yes, if you have a Colorado pistol permit, you can conceal carry or possess firearms in roadside areas of the state.

Possession Of Firearms In Forests, Parks, And Wildlife Management Areas

Colorado gun statute [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-214] indicates that you can make use of a firearm for concealed carry in parks and forests in the state.

Possession Of Firearms In Restaurants And Bar Areas

Colorado law [Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-106(1)(d)] states that you can conceal carry firearms in restaurant and bar ventures except there is a post prohibiting this, or if you are under the influence of alcohol.

Possession OF Firearms In Hotels And Similar Ventures

No Colorado gun statute talks about the possession of firearms in hotels or lodging establishments.

Since they are private properties, the management of these places has the power to develop policies and regulations for the possession of firearms in their premises.

Ammunition Restrictions

Colorado prohibits the manufacturing, possession, sales, and purchase of Teflon coated ammunition in the state.

Therefore, it is an illegal act to be found with these in the state, and a person can face prosecution.

Additional Resources

Colorado Gun Laws
Colorado Concealed Carry Laws
Colorado Open Carry Laws