STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION

NRA-ILA | Colorado

Colorado

Updated as of Tuesday, April 23, 2013.

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION

“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, Section 13.

Important/Relevant Gun Laws

	RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS	HANDGUNS
Permit to Purchase	No	No
Registration of Firearms	No	No
Licensing of Owners	No	No
Permit to Carry	No	Yes*
*Permit to Carry Concealed. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information.  We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change.  The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include:  restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition.  For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation.  YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL.

Reciprocity

• These states recognize Colorado permits:
• 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, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
• Colorado recognizes permits from:
• 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, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Map of states recognizing Colorado permits:

PRINT MAP

Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Concealed Handgun Permit Unit:
http://cbi.state.co.us/ic/Reciprocity.html

A synopsis of Colorado state laws on purchase, possession and carrying of firearms.

PURCHASE

Effective March 20, 2013, Colorado residents will pay a $10 fee for the transfer of a firearm.  There is no state permit required for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun or handgun.
Dealers are required to keep a record on the retail sale, rental, or exchange of  handguns.  The record shall include the name of the person to whom the handgun is transferred, his or her age, occupation, and residence, and the make, caliber, finish and serial number of the handgun, and the date of the transfer and name of employee making the transfer.  The record book shall be open at all times to the inspection of any duly authorized police officer.
Effective July 1, 2013, universal background checks are required of all private sales.  Before a gun show vendor transfers or attempts to transfer a firearm at a gun show, he or she shall require that a background check, in accordance with the national instant criminal background check system, be conducted of the prospective transferee, and obtain approval of the transfer from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation through a licensed gun dealer.  It is also unlawful to transfer a firearm if any part of the transaction takes place at a gun show, unless a licensed dealer first obtains a background check on the prospective transferee. This does not apply to firearms defined as antiques, curios or relics under federal law.
A Colorado resident who is otherwise qualified can purchase or receive delivery of a rifle or shotgun in a state contiguous to Colorado, so long as the sale fully complies with the legal conditions of sale in both states and the purchaser and seller have complied with federal law applicable to interstate transactions.

POSSESSION

On and after July 1, 2013, it will be unlawful to possess, sell or transfer a "large capacity magazine." The definition of a "large capacity magazine" includes those magazines or any devices that are fixed, or detachable and can hold more than 15 rounds or be readily converted to hold more than fifteen rounds. The prohibition on possession of a "large capacity magazine" does not apply to a person who owned the magazine on July 1, 2013 and who maintains "continuous possession" of the magazine.  READ ALL

CARRYING

It is unlawful to carry a firearm concealed on or about one's person without a permit, except for a person in his or her own dwelling, place of business, or on property owned or controlled by him or her. READ ALL

MACHINE GUNS

A machine gun is defined as any firearm that shoots automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.  It is unlawful to possess a machine gun, but it is an affirmative defense to a charge of possession if the person accused was a peace officer or member of the armed forces acting in the lawful discharge of his or her duties, or that the person has a valid permit and license for possession of a machine gun.

ANTIQUES AND REPLICAS

State law is silent on this matter. They are treated as ordinary firearms for possession and carrying purposes.

Preemption

No local governing entity shall prohibit travel with a weapon for hunting or lawful protection of a person or property. READ ALL

Range Protection

Shooting ranges are protected against a civil action or criminal penalty alleging noise if the range is operating as it normally would. READ ALL

MISCELLANEOUS

It is unlawful to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. It is unlawful to discharge a firearm from any aircraft or motor vehicle. It is unlawful for a person to knowingly and unlawfully possess a firearm if the manufacturer's serial number or other distinguishing number or identification mark, has been removed. READ ALL

SOURCES: Col.Rev.Stat. 12-26-101 et seq.,12-26.1-101 et seq., 12-27-101; 18-1-704 et seq., 13-21-504 and 13-21-504.5, 18- 9-106, 18-12-101 et seq., 18-12-201 et. seq., 24-20-201 et seq., 24-23.5-424, 30-10-523, 33-6-125, 33-14-117.

CAUTION: Firearm laws are subject to frequent change and court interpretation. This summary is not intended as legal advice or restatement of law. This summary does not include federal or local laws, ordinances or regulations. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL.
This may be reproduced. It may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.