State · CO
Colorado gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at Colorado's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed · magazine limit (15 rounds)
Recently changed or in flux
- Recently changedThe SB25-003 permit and training system for semiautomatics took effect Aug. 1, 2026; how county sheriffs carry it out, and their fees, vary.
- Recently changedHB25-1133's ammunition sale rules took effect July 1, 2026.
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- No general permit.
- Long guns
- No general permit. BUT since Aug. 1, 2026 (SB25-003), buying a 'specified semiautomatic firearm' (generally semi-autos that accept detachable magazines, with exemptions) requires a sheriff-issued eligibility card plus a state firearms safety course (through the Colorado Parks & Wildlife system).
Registration#
- No state firearm registration.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue (officials must issue a permit to anyone who qualifies), through the county sheriff, for ages 21 and older.
- Open carry
- Generally legal under state law, though local governments may restrict it (for example Denver).
- Reciprocity
- Colorado honors resident permits from states that honor Colorado's permits. Before you travel, check the current recognition list on the state's official page, because these lists change.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- No statewide possession ban, but SB25-003 (C.R.S. § 18-12-116, effective Aug. 1, 2026) limits the sale and transfer of 'specified semiautomatic firearms' to buyers who complete the eligibility and training process. That term covers semi-auto rifles and shotguns that take a detachable magazine, and gas-operated semi-auto handguns that take one (the law's definition of gas-operated includes blowback designs). It doesn't cover recoil-operated semi-auto handguns (most common pistols), guns that fire only .22 or smaller rimfire (unless they have a separate upper and lower receiver), guns with a permanently fixed magazine of 15 rounds or less, tube-fed shotguns, bolt, pump, lever and slide actions, antiques, curios and relics, or a list of named models such as the M1 Carbine and Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. Several cities (for example Denver and Boulder) have local 'assault weapon' ordinances.
Magazine limits#
- 15 rounds. Selling, transferring or possessing larger magazines is prohibited (2013); magazines owned before the ban are grandfathered (allowed to be kept).
Waiting period#
- 3 days for all firearm purchases (2023).
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes, universal. Private sales require a background check through a licensed dealer.
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes. Colorado has Extreme Risk Protection Orders (2019, expanded in 2023).
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Legal to own under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Legal under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. Where Colorado allows these items only if federal requirements are met, it isn't settled how state law treats an item that is no longer federally registered. Check with state authorities before relying on ATF's change.
Ammunition#
- Yes. Under HB25-1133 (effective July 1, 2026), retail ammunition sales must be vendor-assisted (kept behind the counter or locked up), buyers must be 21 or older, and deliveries require age verification. Exceptions to the 21 rule include sales at ranges, military members and veterans, people with hunter education, people with protection orders, people born on or before Jan. 28, 2007, and rimfire ammunition. This isn't a background-check law.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21
- Long gun purchase
- 21 (2023 law, with limited exceptions).
- Notes
- The minimum age to buy ammunition is 21 from July 1, 2026, with exceptions (see Ammunition).
Shipping and buying online#
- Magazines over 15 rounds can't be sold to CO buyers. Ammunition deliveries require age verification for buyers 21 and older (HB25-1133), so many sellers may require an adult signature or decline to ship. Semi-auto rifles and shotguns covered by SB25-003 still have to go through a CO dealer, who will ask for proof of the eligibility and training credential. Check city ordinances too (Denver, Boulder and others).
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in Colorado. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
Nothing on our watch list here right now. That usually means no major bill or court case is close to changing Colorado's gun laws at the moment. We'll add items here as soon as our weekly scan finds them.
Sources and official links#
- Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Specified Semiautomatic Firearms (SB25-003) · Officialhttps://cpw.state.co.us/specified-semiautomatic-firearms
- SB25-003 bill page · Officialhttps://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-003
- HB25-1133 bill page (ammunition) · Officialhttps://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB25-1133
- CBI InstaCheck · Officialhttps://cbi.colorado.gov/sections/biometric-identification-and-records-unit/instacheck-and-firearms
- SB25-003 signed act (definition of 'specified semiautomatic firearm', C.R.S. § 18-12-116) · Officialhttps://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/40736/download
Colorado entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.