Source: https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/co-gun-laws/
Timestamp: 2020-07-13 22:26:13
Document Index: 718942462

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 29', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 29', '§ 18', '§ 13', '§ 18', '§ 18', 'art 2', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 33', '§ 13', '§ 24', '§ 24', '§ 24', '§ 31', '§ 23', '§ 17', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 33', '§ 18']

Colorado Concealed Carry Gun Laws | USCCA CCW Reciprocity Map(Last Updated 06/30/2020)
Colorado	Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws
Carry allowed with my Colorado permit?
I can legally carry a concealed firearm in Colorado, but can I wear a COVID 19 protective mask while carrying concealed?
Based on our most recent research, the USCCA has identified just two states with statutes against carrying a concealed firearm while wearing a mask: California and Illinois (although sheriffs and county prosecutors in Illinois have made statements indicating that wearing a mask to protect others from COVID-19 while carrying a gun isn’t illegal as long as the wearer isn’t wearing the mask while committing a crime). Due to the large number of inquiries, some states have publicly addressed their laws regarding wearing masks actually refer to individuals concealing their identity with the intention to commit illegal acts or to specifically hide their identity, and do not address wearing a mask while legally carrying a concealed firearm. Although we have not conducted an exhaustive search, we found no statute in Colorado addressing masks.
Colorado is a shall-issue state where concealed carry permits are issued to county residents by local sheriff’s offices.
No purchase permits or firearms registration are required for handguns. For private-party transfers of firearms, the seller must request that a licensed dealer perform a background check of the buyer and must get approval of the transfer from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Open carry is legal in Colorado 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. Concealed carry permits require a firearms training course that has been state-approved. 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. In terms of reciprocity, Colorado will only honor resident CCW licenses from states with which it has a reciprocity agreement.
Colorado is a Castle Doctrine state. It grants its citizens the “right to expect absolute safety within their own homes.” A person is justified in using physical force on another person in order to defend himself or herself or a third person from what he or she reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force by that other person, and he or she may use a degree of force which he or she reasonably believes to be necessary for that purpose. Any person who uses a gun in self-defense in accordance with the law has immunity from criminal or civil law. There is no duty to retreat, and the law applies at a person’s residence or in another dwelling. There is a duty to retreat outside a person’s residence. You may not legally use deadly force in Colorado in order to protect any other type of property.
Colorado Gun Laws at a Glance
Does Colorado allow constitutional carry?
Is open carry permitted in Colorado?
Yes, without a permit, except in Denver County and other posted areas. Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm is allowed to carry.
[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 29-11.7-104]
If Colorado requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?
What is the minimum age in Colorado to get a concealed carry permit?
Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Colorado with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?
[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-204(2)(a)]
Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Colorado?
Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Colorado?
Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Colorado.
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 allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?
Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Colorado?
Yes, without a permit.
[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 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 a 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)]
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 it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
Does Colorado have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?
Not addressed in Colorado state law.
Are you required to notify a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Colorado?
Does Colorado have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?
It is illegal to sell, transfer or possess a "high capacity" magazine (defined as >15 rounds for firearms other than shotguns), unless you owned the large-capacity magazine on July 1, 2013 and maintained continuous possession of the large-capacity magazine. Large-capacity magazines capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition and tubular magazines that are contained in lever-action firearms are exempt. The City of Boulder has Ordinance 5-8-2 which makes any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds illegal.
[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-302]
Does Colorado have ammunition restrictions?
There are no state laws. However, the City of Aurora prohibits the sale or possession of Teflon-coated or treated ammunition.
Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in Colorado? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.
Does Colorado have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?
Partial. Local governments may prohibit the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area within the local government’s jurisdiction. A local government may not enact an ordinance, regulation or other law that prohibits the sale, purchase or possession of a firearm that a person may lawfully sell, purchase or possess under state or federal law. 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]
[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-105.6(2)(a)]
Does Colorado have a red flag law?
Yes. 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 state law define brandishing?
No. However, 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]
[Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-206]
Does Colorado have laws regarding carrying a 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.
Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Colorado?
Are background checks required for private gun sales in Colorado? Are there exceptions?
Yes. Colorado requires private gun sellers who are not federally licensed dealers to initiate a background check when transferring a firearm. With the exceptions listed below, 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]
Colorado Permit Exempts from Background Check?
Does my current Colorado concealed carry permit exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm?
Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Colorado?
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:
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]
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)]
USCCA — May 20, 2019
Can you concealed carry while shotgun/rifle hunting in Colorado?
(3)(a) A person who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry a handgun under the following circumstances without obtaining a permit and the handgun shall not be considered concealed:
(ii) The handgun is in the possession of a person who is legally engaged in hunting activities within the state.
[Colo. Rev. Stat. 18-12-204(3)(a)(ii)]
Can you concealed carry while bowhunting in Colorado?
Is there a Hunter Harassment Law in Colorado?
Yes. No person shall willfully prevent or interfere with the lawful participation of any individual in the activity of hunting, trapping, or fishing. A person commits intentional interference with lawful hunting, trapping, and fishing activities if he:
Acts with intent to alarm, distract, or frighten prey and causes prey to flee;
Intentionally harasses any person lawfully participating in the activity of hunting, trapping, and fishing;
Erects barriers with the intent to deny ingress to lawfully designated hunting, trapping, and fishing areas;
Intentionally interjects himself into the line of fire;
Engages in any other conduct with the intent to disrupt or prevent lawful hunting, trapping, and fishing activities.
[§ 33-6-115.5]
The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons."
ARTICLE II, § 13
Colorado Concealed Carry Reciprocity With Other States
Which states' permits does Colorado honor?
Georgia (resident permits only)
Iowa (resident permits only)
In accordance with Colorado law (C.R.S. 18-12-213) the State of Colorado will recognize a valid concealed carry permit issued by another state only if all of the following criteria are met:
The issuing state recognizes/honors a Colorado permit (CHP).
The permit holder is a resident of the issuing state.
The permit holder is in possession of a matching state issued driver’s license or a State ID showing that they are a resident of that state.
The permit holder is 21 years of age or older.
The permit holder is in possession of a valid permit.
Colorado does not recognize permits issued in the District of Columbia.
Other States' Reciprocity With Colorado
Which states honor permits from Colorado?
States That Have Restricted Reciprocity with Colorado
Colorado offers resident and non-resident permits. If indicated with “Resident only” below, that state only honors Colorado resident permits (and not those issued to non-residents).
Be a legal resident of Colorado;
Not have been convicted of perjury;
Not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages;
Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance;
Not be subject to a protection order;
Demonstrate competence with a handgun; and
Initial Permit $52 (The sheriff can charge an additional fee up to $100.)
Permit Renewal may vary from $50 to $63.
City of Denver Permit Info and application page
Yes, but only for members of the military permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate family members that live in the state. The process is the same as for residents.
Within 30 days after a permittee changes the address specified on his or her permit or 3 business days after his or her permit is lost, stolen or destroyed, the permittee shall notify the issuing Sheriff of the change of address or permit loss, theft or destruction using the address change/permit lost or destroyed form. Failure to notify the Sheriff is a Class 1 Petty Offense.
If a permit is stolen or lost it becomes invalid and the issuing sheriff must be notified within 3 business days. Download and complete the permit lost or destroyed form and have it notarized.
Moving to Colorado and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?
Colorado issues permits to residents and members of the military permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate family members. You can apply for your permit with your local sheriff once you have established your residence.
Moving from Colorado and have a Colorado resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Colorado permit remains valid?
If a person with a Colorado permit to carry a concealed weapon establishes residency in another state, the permit expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.
Colorado Concealed Carry Permit Application Process
How to Apply for a Colorado Concealed Carry Permit
Download the application or pick up from your local sheriff’s office.
Take your completed, unsigned application to your local sheriff's office. You will need the following documents:
Drivers license or state ID;
Passport-style photo taken within the last thirty days; and
Firearms Training Requirements in Colorado
A training certificate from a handgun training class obtained within the 10 years preceding submittal of the application.
Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces within 3 years or that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the 10 years preceding submittal of the application; or
A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the 10 years preceding submittal of the application.
The applicant shall submit the original training certificate or a photocopy thereof that includes the original signature of the class instructor. The training cannot be through an online course, but must be attended in person at a physical location with a certified instructor.
Find a Gun Range in Colorado
Colorado Concealed Carry Permit Renewal Process
How to Renew a Colorado Concealed Carry Permit
Within 120 days prior to expiration of a permit, the permittee may obtain a renewal form from the county sheriff’s office where you reside, own property or own a business. A permittee who fails to file a renewal form on or before the permit expiration date and up to 60 days after the expiration date, may renew the permit by paying a late fee of $15.00 in addition to the renewal fees. No permit shall be renewed 6 months or more after its expiration date and the permit shall be deemed permanently expired. A person whose permit has permanently expired may reapply by submitting a new application and the required fees.
Submit a completed renewal form, photo ID, proof of residency (i.e., lease agreement, mortgage statement, copy of tax statement), a notarized affidavit stating that the permittee remains qualified pursuant to the criteria specified and renewal fee.
Colorado has State Standards for Departments to provide photo IDs to RLEOs. They require a complete background check and fees may be charged.
Col. Rev. Stat. § 24-33.5-112 Dept of Public Safety State law enforcement agencies to provide identification cards to retired peace officers upon request
Col. Rev. Stat. § 24-31-109 Attorney general to provide identification cards to retired peace officers upon request
Col. Rev. Stat. § 24-35-119 Dept of Revenue Law enforcement agencies of the department to provide identification cards to retired peace officers upon request
Col. Rev. Stat. § 31-30-106 Police to provide identification cards to retired peace officers upon request
Col. Rev. Stat. § 23-5-142 Postsecondary Education State Universities and Colleges Institution law enforcement agencies to provide identification cards to retired peace officers upon request
Col. Rev. Stat. § 17-1-115.2 Correctional law enforcement agencies to provide identification cards to retired peace officers upon request
Per the CO DPS State Patrol website, the Colorado State Patrol Academy Range can only provide firearms qualification service to retired Colorado State Patrol Sworn Officers. Anyone other than retired Colorado State Patrol Sworn officers should contact their Local County Sheriff’s Department.
CO DPS Retired Commissioned Officers Firearms Training Program Application (CSP 31)
CO DPS Colorado State Patrol Retired Officers Medical Release (CSP 31B)
County Sheriff’s of Colorado Separated LEOSA Carry Application
County Sheriff’s of Colorado LEOSA Carry Application
Denver Police LEOSA Guidelines
Colorado Location Restrictions
Where Can I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Colorado?
Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes, unless posted, and provided you are not under the influence.
Carry on public transportation? Yes, with a permit (permit is legal authority).
Where Can't I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Colorado?
Public elementary, middle, junior high or high schools, (CCW permit holders may have handguns inside of vehicles and if the permittee is not in the vehicle, the handgun must be in a compartment within the vehicle and the vehicle locked) [Co. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-105.5];
Public buildings with fixed security checkpoints such as courthouses [Co. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-214];
Secure areas of airports [Denver Municipal Airport System Rules and Regulations 20.1];
On a snowmobile [Co. Rev. Stat. § 33-14-117]; and
FAQ: Colorado Concealed Carry Questions
What Are the Knife Laws in Colorado?
In Colorado, you can own almost any knife as long as it is not a ballistic knife. All legal knives can be carried in the open. It is illegal to carry concealed a knife that is larger than 3.5 inches unless it is a fishing or hunting knife. Any knife with a blade shorter than 3.5 inches can be carried openly or concealed. Deadly weapons may not be possessed on school grounds. Local authorities may also have laws, such as in Boulder County where it is illegal to carry any concealed knife.
[Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-102, 18-12-105 & 18-12-105.5]
Related Information & Links for Colorado Gun Laws
City of Denver Concealed Weapons Permits Info
Colorado Gun Laws Updates:
Updated info on new red flag law info to At A Glance table
Added Carry While Huntinginfo to At A Glance table
Added new ERPO Law and effective date to the At A Glance table
Added ammunition restrictions info to At A Glance table
Added alcohol or prescription medication info to At A Glance table