Colorado gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: No, a permit is required to carry concealed
- A permit is required for concealed handgun carry.
- Open carry: No state permit is required for adults who may legally possess a handgun, but local governments may ban open carry in specific buildings or areas if they post signs (C.R.S. 29-11.7-104). Source
- Permits: Colorado permit guide
Vehicle transport
Carrying a concealed weapon in a private vehicle for lawful protection while traveling is not an offense, with or without a permit (C.R.S. 18-12-105(2)). On public K-12 property a permittee's handgun must stay in the vehicle and be stored per 18-12-114.5 if the vehicle is left unattended. Source
Places where carry is banned
Public K-12 school property (permittee may leave it in the vehicle); child care centers and colleges and universities (18-12-105.5); the state capitol, legislative offices and local government buildings and meetings, including parking areas (18-12-105.3); polling places, drop boxes and ballot count facilities; public buildings with permanent security screening; and any local-government areas posted under 18-12-214. Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: Yes, 15 rounds
- Assault-weapon restrictions: Regulates some assault weapons without a general sales ban. Not confirmed. Check with County sheriff (CBI runs background checks).
Duty to inform
No duty to inform appears in the permit law. An officer may temporarily disarm a permittee during a lawful stop and must return the handgun before releasing them (C.R.S. 18-12-214(1)(b)). Source
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
Not on NCSL's list of states with no duty to retreat. Castle-doctrine rules at home may still apply. Not confirmed. Check with County sheriff (CBI runs background checks).
Red-flag law
Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.
Reciprocity
Colorado honors permits from states that honor Colorado's, for holders 21+ who reside in the issuing state (C.R.S. 18-12-213).
The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.
Sources
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.