Colorado requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The state operates a shall-issue Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) system administered by county sheriffs under C.R.S. § 18-12-203. Colorado is not a constitutional carry or permitless carry state — carrying a concealed handgun without a valid CHP is a criminal offense under C.R.S. § 18-12-105, with one narrow exception for handguns carried inside private vehicles.
This guide covers Colorado's CHP requirements, the 2025 training overhaul under HB24-1174, prohibited locations including the 2024 sensitive spaces law (SB24-131), reciprocity with other states, vehicle carry rules, federal restrictions, and recent legal developments. All statute citations reference the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) unless otherwise noted.
Laws change through legislation, court rulings, and regulatory action. This guide reflects Colorado law as understood in early 2026, but carriers should verify current requirements through official state sources before relying on any information here. This article does not constitute legal advice.
Is Concealed Carry Legal in Colorado?
Yes — but only with a valid Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit or a recognized out-of-state permit. Colorado is a shall-issue state, meaning county sheriffs must issue a CHP to any applicant who meets the statutory criteria under C.R.S. § 18-12-203. The state does not allow permitless or constitutional carry of concealed handguns on foot in public.
Constitutional carry bills have been introduced repeatedly in the Colorado General Assembly and have failed every time. The most recent attempt, HB25-1164, was defeated in committee in February 2025. As of early 2026, Colorado still requires a permit for lawful concealed carry outside of a private vehicle, dwelling, or place of business.
What Happens If You Carry Concealed Without a Permit?
Carrying a concealed weapon without a valid permit is a class 1 misdemeanor under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(1)(a), punishable by up to 364 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. A second or subsequent offense within five years is a class 5 felony under C.R.S. § 18-12-107. These are serious criminal charges — not administrative violations.
The Vehicle Exception
Colorado law provides a specific exception for handguns carried inside a private automobile. Under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(b), a handgun is not considered "concealed" when a person is in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance, provided the handgun is carried for lawful protection of the person's or another's person or property while traveling.
This means you can legally carry a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a CHP. However, this exception ends the moment you exit the vehicle — once you step out, you need a valid permit to continue carrying concealed. Rifles and shotguns in vehicles are governed separately under C.R.S. § 33-6-125 and must have an unloaded chamber.
As of January 1, 2025, Colorado law also requires that firearms left in unattended vehicles be securely stored in a locked hard-sided container out of plain view (C.R.S. § 18-12-114.5).
Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Requirements
Colorado's CHP is issued by the sheriff of the county where the applicant resides, under C.R.S. § 18-12-203. The state does not issue non-resident permits, with one exception: active-duty military personnel permanently stationed in Colorado and their immediate family members may apply.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Colorado CHP, you must meet all of the following requirements under C.R.S. § 18-12-203:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 years or older |
| Residency | Legal resident of Colorado (or qualifying military stationed in CO) |
| Firearms eligibility | Not prohibited from possessing firearms under state (C.R.S. § 18-12-108) or federal law |
| Criminal history | No perjury convictions related to a CHP application; no qualifying violent misdemeanor convictions within five years prior to application |
| Substance use | Not a chronic or habitual user of alcohol to the point of impairment; not an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances |
| Protection orders | Not subject to active protection orders under state law |
| Training | Must demonstrate competence with a handgun through an approved method (see training section below) |
| Fee | $152.50 (CBI background check fee + sheriff processing fee; varies slightly by county) |
Sheriffs must issue the CHP if all statutory criteria are met, but retain limited discretion to deny if they have reasonable belief — supported by documented behavior — that the applicant would present a danger to themselves or others.
Disqualifying Violent Misdemeanors
Under C.R.S. § 18-12-203, convictions within five years for the following offenses disqualify a CHP applicant: assault (third degree), child abuse, sexual assault, harassment, violation of a protection order, hate crimes involving bias-motivated offenses, and illegal possession of weapons.
Training Requirements: HB24-1174 Changes (Effective July 1, 2025)
House Bill 24-1174, signed by Governor Polis on June 4, 2024, overhauled Colorado's CHP training requirements. The major provisions took effect on July 1, 2025, and significantly raised the bar from the previous system that accepted online courses and classes as short as two to three hours.
Initial Applicant Training
All new CHP applicants must complete an in-person training class of at least 8 hours taught by an instructor verified through a county sheriff's office. No portion of the class may be conducted online. The class must have been completed within one year before submitting the application — the prior 10-year window was eliminated.
Required course content under C.R.S. § 18-12-202.5:
The training must cover safe handling and storage of firearms and ammunition, safe shooting fundamentals, federal and state laws on lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms (including extreme risk protection orders), state law regarding the use of deadly force for self-defense, best practices for safely interacting with law enforcement during emergencies, and techniques for avoiding criminal attacks and managing violent confrontations, including conflict resolution.
Performance standards: Students must achieve a minimum 70% accuracy during live-fire shooting exercises (at least 50 rounds under instructor supervision) and a minimum 80% score on a written concealed handgun competency exam.
Renewal Applicant Training
CHP holders renewing their permits after July 1, 2025 must also demonstrate competence. Renewal applicants may take a refresher class of at least 2 hours that includes live-fire exercises and a written exam, taught by a verified instructor. The refresher must be completed within 6 months before submitting the renewal form.
Verified Instructor Requirement
Under HB24-1174, all CHP training instructors must be "verified" through the sheriff's office in the county where the majority of their training is conducted.
Verified instructors must hold a valid CHP themselves and be certified by a law enforcement agency, college or university, nationally recognized firearms training organization, or firearms training school. Each county sheriff's office is required to maintain and publish a list of verified instructors.
Alternative Qualification Methods
Applicants may also demonstrate competence through current certification as a peace officer, evidence of participation in organized shooting competitions, current military service, honorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces within three years, or proof of pistol qualifications obtained within the preceding 10 years through military service or Colorado law enforcement retirement.
Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Colorado
Even with a valid CHP, Colorado law prohibits concealed carry in several categories of locations. The 2024 sensitive spaces law (SB24-131) expanded these restrictions beyond the traditional list.
Prohibited Locations Under State Law
Public K-12 schools (C.R.S. § 18-12-214(3)): CHP holders may not carry concealed handguns on the real property of, or into improvements erected on, public elementary, middle, junior high, or high schools.
CHP holders may carry in the parking area of a licensed child care center or a public or private college, university, or seminary, but not inside the buildings.
Government buildings (SB24-131, effective July 1, 2024): The sensitive spaces law prohibits carrying firearms — both openly and concealed — in local government buildings, including buildings where offices of elected officials or chief executives of local government are located.
The law also covers courthouses and buildings used for court proceedings, state legislative buildings, and offices of General Assembly members. However, local governments may opt out of these restrictions by ordinance, and several counties and municipalities have done so, including Douglas County, Logan County, Routt County, Castle Rock, Monument, and Palmer Lake.
Educational institutions (SB24-131 expansion): The sensitive spaces law extended existing school-grounds restrictions to also prohibit firearms at licensed child care centers (other than family child care homes), and applied a uniform ban covering both public and private colleges, universities, and seminaries — tightening rules that previously allowed concealed carry on some campuses. CHP holders may still carry in parking areas of these institutions.
Polling locations and ballot facilities: Openly carrying a firearm is prohibited within any polling location or central count facility, or within 100 feet of a ballot drop box or any building where election administration is taking place, while such activities are in progress.
Federal facilities (18 U.S.C. § 930): Federal buildings, courthouses, post offices, and other federal facilities where federal employees regularly perform official duties are off-limits to firearms regardless of any state permit.
This includes federal buildings and structures within national parks (such as visitor centers and ranger stations), even though firearms are otherwise allowed in national parks in accordance with state law under 16 U.S.C. § 1a-7b.
Private Property
Colorado recognizes property owners' rights to prohibit firearms on their premises. Refusal to leave after being asked can be treated as trespass under C.R.S. § 18-4-504. Colorado does not have a statutory "signage-only" criminal ban — most private-property restrictions are enforced through trespass law rather than automatic criminal penalties triggered solely by posted signs.
Gun-Free School Zones Act (Federal)
The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) prohibits possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone.
A critical exception exists for individuals who hold a license to carry issued by the state in which the school zone is located. Colorado CHP holders are covered by this exception when carrying within Colorado.
However, persons carrying solely under the vehicle exception without a CHP do not qualify for this federal licensing exception — a point many carriers overlook. Driving through a school zone with a handgun under the vehicle exception is technically compliant with state law but may expose you to federal liability under the GFSZA if you do not hold a CHP.
Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Colorado
Colorado recognizes out-of-state concealed carry permits under C.R.S. § 18-12-213, but only under strict conditions.
Requirements for Out-of-State Permit Recognition
For an out-of-state permit to be valid in Colorado, all of the following must be true:
The issuing state must recognize Colorado CHPs. The permit holder must be a resident of the issuing state, demonstrated by a valid driver's license or state ID from that state. The permit holder must be 21 years of age or older. The permit must be currently valid.
Colorado does not recognize non-resident permits from any state (C.R.S. § 18-12-213, as amended in 2007). This means a Utah non-resident permit held by a California resident, for example, is not valid in Colorado. This also applies to Colorado residents — a Colorado resident cannot legally carry concealed in Colorado using a non-resident permit from another state. Colorado residents must obtain a Colorado CHP for in-state concealed carry.
States With Established Reciprocity
Colorado has reciprocity agreements with 33 states. The following list is based on information published by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation:
| States Recognizing Colorado CHP / Colorado Recognizes Their Resident 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 | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas |
| Utah | Virginia | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | |||
States Without Reciprocity
Colorado has not established reciprocity with the following jurisdictions: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington.
Note on Minnesota: As of May 2025, Minnesota began honoring Colorado permits issued on or after August 1, 2024. However, because Colorado's reciprocity statute requires the other state to honor Colorado CHPs broadly, and this recognition may be conditional, carriers should verify current status directly with the CBI before traveling.
New Colorado Residents
If you move to Colorado with a valid permit from a reciprocal state, your out-of-state permit remains valid for 90 days from the date of issuance of your Colorado driver's license or state ID (C.R.S. § 18-12-213). After that 90-day window, you must obtain a Colorado CHP.
Open Carry in Colorado
Open carry of firearms is legal under Colorado state law for anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm, with important local exceptions. Colorado's state constitution (Article II, § 13) explicitly excludes concealed carry from its right-to-bear-arms protection, but case law has interpreted this as preserving the right to carry openly.
However, the City and County of Denver bans open carry under a longstanding ordinance upheld by the Colorado Supreme Court. The City of Boulder also has significant open-carry restrictions. Other municipalities may restrict open carry in specific areas such as municipal buildings, but must post signage under C.R.S. § 29-11.7-104.
Open carry does not require a permit under state law, but local restrictions vary enough that carriers should verify rules for any municipality they plan to visit.
Federal Restrictions That Apply in Colorado
State permits do not override federal firearms restrictions:
Federal facilities (18 U.S.C. § 930): Firearms are prohibited in federal office buildings, courthouses, post offices, and other federal facilities. State CHPs provide no exemption.
National parks and forests: Federal regulations allow firearms in national parks and forests in alignment with state law (16 U.S.C. § 1a-7b). However, federal buildings and structures within those areas — including visitor centers, administrative offices, and ranger stations — remain subject to the federal-facility ban under 18 U.S.C. § 930 and will be clearly posted.
Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)): This federal statute prohibits possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. CHP holders qualify for the licensing exception. Persons carrying without a CHP — including those relying solely on the vehicle exception — do not qualify and risk federal prosecution.
Interstate travel (18 U.S.C. § 926A): Federal law provides safe-passage protection for travelers transporting firearms through states where they cannot legally carry, provided the firearm is unloaded and locked in a container not readily accessible from the passenger compartment. Colorado travelers must confirm reciprocity and restrictions in each state they plan to visit.
Recent Legal Changes and Trends
HB24-1174: Training Overhaul (Key Provisions Effective July 1, 2025)
This was the most significant change to Colorado's CHP program in years. It raised training from a sometimes-cursory two-hour online class to a rigorous eight-hour in-person course with live-fire qualification and written testing.
The bill also tightened the training validity window from 10 years to one year, required instructor verification through county sheriffs, and introduced mandatory refresher classes for renewals.
SB24-131: Sensitive Spaces (Effective July 1, 2024)
This bill created new prohibited locations for firearms, including government buildings, courthouses, and educational institutions from K-12 through colleges and universities. The original bill included far more locations — parks, churches, hospitals, sporting venues, and bars — but was significantly narrowed during legislative debate.
The final version allows local governments to opt out of the government-building restrictions, and several have done so.
Constitutional Carry Bills: Repeatedly Defeated
Despite the national trend toward permitless carry (now enacted in 29 states), Colorado has rejected constitutional carry bills in the General Assembly at least 14 times over the past 15 years.
The most recent attempt, HB25-1164, failed in committee in February 2025 on a party-line vote. Under the current legislative makeup, passage of a constitutional carry bill remains unlikely.
SB25-003 and Related 2025-2026 Legislation
Colorado has continued passing additional firearms legislation affecting concealed carriers, including measures related to firearms dealer regulations, semiautomatic firearms purchase requirements (including a Firearm Safety Course Eligibility Card effective August 1, 2026, for specified semiautomatic firearms), ammunition age restrictions (effective July 1, 2026), and enhanced background-check and record-keeping requirements.
Carriers should monitor the Colorado General Assembly website for ongoing legislative activity.
Common Misconceptions About Colorado Concealed Carry
"Colorado has constitutional carry / permitless carry."
False. Colorado requires a Concealed Handgun Permit for lawful concealed carry on foot. Constitutional carry bills have failed repeatedly in the legislature. The only exception is the vehicle carry provision under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(b), which does not extend beyond the vehicle.
"I can carry concealed at 18 in Colorado."
False. The minimum age for a Colorado CHP is 21 under C.R.S. § 18-12-203. Persons 18-20 may open carry where local law allows it and may carry a handgun in their vehicle, but they cannot legally carry a concealed handgun on foot.
"Any out-of-state concealed carry permit is valid in Colorado."
False. Colorado recognizes only resident permits from states that have reciprocity agreements with Colorado. Non-resident permits are explicitly not recognized under C.R.S. § 18-12-213. The permit holder must be a resident of the state that issued the permit, carry a matching driver's license or state ID, and be at least 21.
"I can carry my handgun everywhere in Colorado with a CHP."
False. Even CHP holders are prohibited from carrying in K-12 schools, government buildings (unless the local government has opted out of SB24-131), courthouses, federal facilities, and educational institutions beyond parking areas. Private property owners may also prohibit carry on their premises.
"Colorado doesn't have a duty to inform during police encounters."
Correct. Colorado has no statutory duty requiring CHP holders or other carriers to volunteer that they are armed during a traffic stop or other police encounter. However, law enforcement professionals widely recommend disclosing if you are carrying, and you must not lie if directly asked.
"I don't need a CHP if I only carry in my car."
Partially true, but risky. While the vehicle exception under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(b) allows carry without a permit inside a private automobile, the exception does not cover you once you exit the vehicle.
More importantly, carrying without a CHP through a school zone may violate the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)), because the GFSZA licensing exception requires a state-issued license. The CHP eliminates this federal exposure and simplifies the transition from vehicle to on-foot carry.
Choosing a Holster for Colorado Concealed Carry
Colorado's geography and climate create unique concealed carry considerations. Warm-weather months mean lighter clothing and greater concealment challenges, while outdoor recreation in the mountains may call for different holster configurations than everyday urban carry.
An IWB (inside-the-waistband) tuckable holster offers the deepest concealment for daily carry under a T-shirt or button-down, keeping the handgun secure against the body where it remains invisible under lighter summer clothing.
For colder months when layering is standard, an OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster worn under a jacket provides fast access with all-day comfort.
Holsters built with Boltaron thermoplastic shells — the rigid polymer used in Alien Gear's Cloak Tuck and PHOTON holster lines — offer a precision fit that audibly clicks when the handgun is seated, with smooth draws and consistent retention across temperature extremes.
That matters in a state where a morning elk hunt at 20°F might give way to an afternoon errand run at 65°F.
For professionals, law enforcement, and armed security personnel working in Colorado, duty-rated holsters with Level 2 or Level 3 retention — like Alien Gear's RAPID FORCE system — meet the demands of open carry in uniform while complying with department retention requirements.
Whatever holster configuration you choose, function and concealment should drive the decision. Colorado's carry laws are strict enough that an exposed handgun in a jurisdiction that restricts open carry, or a loose holster that allows a firearm to shift into view, could create legal complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to carry concealed in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires a valid CHP or recognized out-of-state resident permit for concealed carry on foot. The only exception is carrying a handgun inside a private vehicle under C.R.S. § 18-12-105(2)(b). Carrying concealed without a permit outside of a vehicle is a class 1 misdemeanor.
How long does it take to get a Colorado CHP?
Processing times vary by county but may take up to 90 days. Applicants should plan accordingly, especially given the new 8-hour training requirement that may limit class availability.
Can I carry in Denver with a Colorado CHP?
Yes, you can carry concealed in Denver with a valid CHP. However, Denver prohibits open carry under a longstanding municipal ordinance. CHP holders should ensure their handgun remains fully concealed while in Denver.
Can non-residents carry concealed in Colorado?
Non-residents may carry concealed in Colorado if they hold a valid resident permit from a state that has reciprocity with Colorado, carry a matching driver's license or state ID from that state, and are at least 21 years old. Non-resident permits from any state are not recognized.
Is there a duty to inform law enforcement I'm carrying?
No. Colorado has no statutory duty to inform. However, it is widely recommended for safety and cooperation during police encounters. You may not lie if directly asked.
Can I carry in a Colorado national park?
Yes, you may carry a firearm in Colorado national parks in accordance with state law (16 U.S.C. § 1a-7b). However, federal buildings within national parks — visitor centers, ranger stations, administrative buildings — are off-limits under 18 U.S.C. § 930.
Has Colorado ever passed constitutional carry?
No. Constitutional carry bills have been defeated at least 14 times in the Colorado General Assembly. The most recent attempt, HB25-1164, failed in February 2025. Colorado still requires a permit for concealed carry outside of a vehicle.
Sources and Citations
- Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18, Article 12 — C.R.S. §§ 18-12-105, 18-12-105.5, 18-12-105.6, 18-12-108, 18-12-114.5, 18-12-203, 18-12-204, 18-12-213, 18-12-214. Available through the Colorado General Assembly and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
- HB24-1174 (Concealed Carry Permits & Training) — Signed June 4, 2024; key provisions effective July 1, 2025. Full bill text and summary available at leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1174.
- SB24-131 (Prohibiting Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces) — Effective July 1, 2024. Full bill text and summary available at leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-131.
- HB25-1164 (Constitutional Carry of Handgun) — Introduced and defeated in committee February 2025. Available at leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1164.
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Concealed Handgun Permit Reciprocity — Official reciprocity list and CHP program information. cbi.colorado.gov/firearms/concealed-handgun-permit-chp-reciprocity.
- Colorado Department of Public Safety, Colorado Gun Laws — Overview of state firearms law including carry provisions. publicsafety.colorado.gov/get-involved/colorado-gun-laws.
- Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Gun Laws — Vehicle carry rules and general firearms law overview. csp.colorado.gov/colorado-gun-laws.
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(q) (Gun-Free School Zones Act), 18 U.S.C. § 926A (Interstate Transportation), 18 U.S.C. § 930 (Federal Facilities) — Federal statutes governing carry restrictions that apply regardless of state permits.
- County Sheriffs of Colorado, Annual CHP Report (2025) — Data on permit issuance and renewal volumes. Referenced via Complete Colorado reporting.
- Handgunlaw.us, Colorado Page — Maintained reference compiling state statutes, reciprocity data, and administrative guidance. Last updated March 2026. handgunlaw.us/states/colorado.pdf.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Colorado concealed carry laws as understood in February 2026. It does not constitute legal advice. Laws change through legislation, regulation, and judicial interpretation. Individuals should verify current statutes through official sources including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Revised Statutes, county sheriffs, and qualified legal counsel before making decisions about firearms carry. When in doubt about any legal question, consult an attorney licensed in Colorado.
Concealed Carry Laws by State
Select a state to view permits, reciprocity, and restrictions