Isabella Carter
Colorado is a must-issue concealed carry permit state, where most adults are allowed to open carry a firearm without a permit. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, you cannot carry a firearm on government property such as police stations or city parks within the limits of Denver or another jurisdiction that prohibits open carry. While Colorado does not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon in a private automobile, it does require gun purchasers to pass a Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) background check. In 2022, a bill was passed that repealed the temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed handgun and the local government's authority to regulate open or concealed carry of a handgun.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Open carry laws | 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 |
| Concealed carry laws | 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 |
| Constitutional carry | Colorado does not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance |
| Castle Doctrine state | Yes |
| Duty to retreat | No |
| Reciprocity | Colorado will only honor resident CCW licenses from states with which it has a reciprocity agreement |
| Training requirements | Yes, CCW permits require a firearms training course that has been state-approved |
| Non-resident permits | Colorado does not issue non-resident permits except for members of the military permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate family members living in the state |
| Penalties for violations | A first-time violation of carrying a prohibited weapon is usually a class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado, with fines of up to $1,000. A second violation within five years is a class 5 felony, with potential prison time and/or parole |
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What You'll Learn
Colorado is an open-carry state
In 2002, the Court of Appeals of Colorado considered a challenge to two Denver ordinances that precluded most citizens from carrying unconcealed firearms on their person, or from carrying concealed firearms in motor vehicles. The court of appeals found that the right to bear arms is not a fundamental right. Using the rational basis test, the court found that the restrictions were not so severe as to render the ordinance unconstitutional.
Colorado's Revised Statutes has now codified a rule that provides local governments with the power to enact ordinances prohibiting the open or concealed carry of firearms in specific types of buildings or areas. This is on the condition that signs are posted at the public entrances to the building or specific area. The law does not limit the right to possess a firearm on private property for self-defense or in vehicles, as long as state law restrictions are observed.
Colorado is a "must-issue" concealed carry permit state. The local sheriff’s office will issue a state permit to carry a concealed firearm to any resident who is at least 21 years old and not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. A Colorado permit is not required to open carry, but if you possess a concealed carry permit, you may carry weapons both openly and concealed wherever not prohibited by law.
In 2025, a bill was introduced in the Colorado General Assembly that repealed the temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill also repealed local government authority to regulate the open or concealed carry of a handgun.
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No permit needed to carry a concealed weapon in a private vehicle
Colorado is a shall-issue state, meaning that concealed carry permits are issued to county residents by local sheriff's offices. No purchase permits or firearms registration are required for handguns. However, 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 the 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. A permit to carry a concealed weapon may be obtained through the Sheriff of the county in which the applicant lives. However, Colorado does not issue non-resident permits, with the exception of members of the military permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate family members living in the state.
In Colorado, a handgun is not considered concealed when a person is in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance. This is because Colorado considers one's vehicle an extension of their home, and therefore does not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon in a private vehicle.
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Denver prohibits open carry
Open carry of firearms is generally permitted in Colorado for individuals aged 18 and above, who can legally possess a firearm. However, Denver, the capital city of Colorado, prohibits the open carry of firearms within its city limits. This means that individuals are not allowed to openly carry firearms in public spaces within the city of Denver.
Denver's law on prohibiting open carry was challenged in the case of Denver v. State of Colorado. The judge ruled in favour of Denver, acknowledging the city's interest in regulating firearms more strictly in an urban area. This decision upholds the “home rule” powers of cities and counties in Colorado, which allow local governments to enact ordinances prohibiting the open or concealed carry of firearms in specific types of buildings or areas.
Denver has a distinct set of gun laws that govern the ownership, carrying, and use of firearms within the city limits. These local regulations may be stricter than state gun laws, and individuals must comply with both state and municipal laws to avoid legal penalties. The city also outlaws the possession, sale, or transfer of assault weapons, and certain high-capacity magazines are banned under Denver's ordinances.
While open carry is prohibited in Denver, concealed carry is allowed for residents with a valid Colorado permit or non-residents with a recognised CCW permit from another state. However, there are specific locations in Denver where carrying a concealed firearm is not permitted, such as public parks and publicly owned buildings.
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Colorado is a must-issue concealed carry permit state
Colorado is a must-issue or shall-issue state, meaning that concealed carry permits are issued to county residents by local sheriff's offices. Colorado residents must obtain a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to carry a concealed weapon in the state. The applicant must be at least 21 years old and not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. They must also complete a state-approved firearms training course and submit evidence of their competence with a handgun. Colorado does not issue non-resident permits, except to members of the military permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate family members living in the state.
Colorado recognises valid concealed carry permits issued by other states, provided certain criteria are met. These include the issuing state honouring a Colorado permit, the permit holder being a resident of the issuing state, and the permit holder being at least 21 years old. Colorado does not recognise the validity of a concealed carry permit issued by any state to a non-resident of that state.
Open carry is legal in Colorado for anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm, except in Denver County and other posted areas. Local governments may enact regulations prohibiting the open carrying of firearms in specific areas, as long as signs are posted. Additionally, Colorado considers one's vehicle an extension of their home, so a permit is not required to carry a concealed weapon in a private automobile.
In terms of reciprocity, Colorado will only honour resident CCW licenses from states with which it has a reciprocity agreement. Colorado is a Castle Doctrine state, granting citizens the "right to expect absolute safety within their homes." There is no duty to retreat, and this law applies to a person's residence or other dwellings. While Colorado does not have an express stand-your-ground law, the state's Supreme Court has affirmed that non-aggressors can stand their ground when acting in self-defence.
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Colorado is a Castle Doctrine state
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. Colorado also considers one's vehicle an extension of their home and, therefore, does not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon in a private automobile or other private means of transportation.
Open carry is legal in Colorado for anyone who is at least 18 years old and can legally possess a firearm, except in Denver County and other posted areas. Local governments may enact regulations prohibiting the 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.
Colorado's self-defence law allows the use of physical force to defend oneself or others, provided two conditions are met: firstly, one must reasonably believe it to be necessary to protect against imminent harm, and secondly, one must use only the degree of force appropriate for the situation. In some cases, this means one can even use deadly force. One does not have to withdraw from an altercation before defending oneself. To have the right of legal self-defence, one cannot be the aggressor.
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Frequently asked questions
In Colorado, open carry is allowed for anyone over the age of 18.
No, a permit is not required to open carry in Colorado. However, a permit is required to carry a concealed weapon.
To obtain a concealed carry permit in Colorado, an individual must be at least 21 years old and complete a state-approved firearms training course.
