Colorado
Colorado gun laws operate on a “Shall Issue” policy at the county level. Permits are not usually issued to non-residents however they may obtain a permit if they can demonstrate good cause such as owning a property in Colorado, frequent travel etc. All resident permits are issued by the local county sheriff while the Department of Public Safety handles applications for non-residents. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they are competent with handling a firearm.
Colorado
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Demonstrates competence with a handgun.
- Is a legal resident of Colorado.
- Has not been convicted of perjury.
- Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages.
- Is not an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
- Is not subject to a protection order.
- Federal Law Requirements
Follow these steps to obtain a permit
- Complete a firearms training course.
- Download application under FORMS tab or pickup from your local Sheriffs office.
- You will need the following documents;
- Completed application – DO NOT sign, must be signed in front of Sheriff.
- Firearms training certificate
- Drivers license or state ID card
- Photo – taken within the last thirty days
- Proof of residency
- Submit your documents in person to a sheriffs office and have your fingerprints taken.
- You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.
Fingerprints and photographs may be taken at the time the applicant submits the application.
RENEWALS
- Permits can be renewed within 120 days before the permits expiry date but not before.
- The permit is allowed to be renewed for up to 60 days after the expiry date, there is a late fee of $15.
- Any permits that have expired for more than 60 days are deemed to be permanently expired and the person will need to start a new application process.
- The renewal application must be submitted to the sheriff in the county a person resides or owns a business in.
- The law states that the renewal fee set by the sheriff is not to exceed $50.
18.12.211 – Renewal of permits
FEE’S
| Application Type | Original | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $52.50 | $13 |
| Emergency permit | $30.50 |
NOTE
$52.50 is for the state fee. The Sheriff can charge an additional fee up to $100.
Accepted Forms of Payment
Cashier’s check or money order – payable to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Colorado
Colorado
Colorado
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Colorado
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Colorado
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Colorado
Colorado
Colorado
Places Allowed
- State parks
- State and national forests
- Road side rest areas
- Vehicle
- School, if firearm is left in a locked vehicle.
- All areas of the state, except those listed as Off-Limits
Places Not Allowed
- Public elementary, middle, junior high, or high school
- Secure areas of airports
- Public buildings with fixed security checkpoints such as courthouses
- Snowmobile (permit for predator control required)
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.
Colorado
Yes
Open carry is legal with a few exceptions. Without a permit you cannot carry on public transport. Also local governments can have regulations preventing open carry in certain buildings or areas. Denver has enacted such regulations banning open carry in the city, this was confirmed as legal in a court case.
The Law
29-11.7-704
Yes
If you can lawfully possess a handgun you can carry it in a private vehicle loaded or unloaded, no permit required. Long guns must be unloaded while in a vehicle.
Public Transport
Without a permit – you cannot carry on public transport such as a bus.
With a permit – if you have a valid permit then you are legally entitled to carry a firearm on public transport.
The Law
18.12.204
Yes
It is legal to carry in the following areas;
State Parks: YES – CRS 18.12.214
State/National Forests: YES – CRS 18.12.214
State Wildlife Management Areas: YES – CRS 18.12.214
Road Side Rest Areas: YES
Yes
In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
In Colorado carrying a firearm into an area that serves alcohol is legal provided the building is not posted with a “No Weapons” sign.
However, legal advice from lawyers advises persons not to carry in areas where alcohol is present. The risk of altercations are higher in these areas and even if you were in the right the mere presence of a gun will make such a case harder to defend. Furthermore, possessing a firearm while intoxicated could be another potential charge. So the advice is to leave your firearm in the car if entering an area alcohol is consumed.
No
No
“No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in Colorado concealed carry laws. There are no legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs. They have no force of law unless they are posted in areas that are mentioned by the law as being off limits.
GunsToCarry recommends that you do not enter a property displaying a “No Weapons” sign whether the law is for or against signage. If asked to leave a property and you refuse to do so then you are breaking the law and put yourself at risk of being charged.
No
Colorado concealed carry laws have no legal requirement for a person to tell law enforcement they are carrying a firearm. The law does state that you must carry your permit, together with valid photo identification, at all times during which the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun and shall produce both documents upon demand by a law enforcement officer.
The Law
18.12.204
Colorado
Quick Facts
Open Carry
Yes
Carry In Vehicle
Yes
Carry In State Parks
Yes
Carry In Restaurants
Yes
Constitutional Carry
Yes
No Weapons Signs Enforced
No
Must Notify Officer
No