Colorado · Firearms

The rule today

Colorado has a red-flag law (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) and a 15-round magazine limit: large-capacity magazines may not be sold, transferred or possessed unless continuously owned since July 1, 2013. There is no general assault-weapon possession ban. In effect since August 1, 2026 (SB25-003, C.R.S. 18-12-116): it is unlawful to manufacture, distribute, transfer, sell or purchase a "specified semiautomatic firearm" — a semiauto rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine, or a gas-operated semiauto handgun with a detachable magazine. Excluded: rimfire-only guns in .22 caliber and under, bolt-, pump-, lever- and slide-action guns, fixed magazines capped at 15 rounds, recoil-operated single- and double-action handguns (most common pistols), about 35 named legacy models, and antiques and curios. To buy one you must first get a firearms safety course eligibility card from your county sheriff (valid 5 years; applications opened July 20, 2026 at coloradofss.com), then complete Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) hunter education plus a 4-hour Basic course, or a 12-hour Extended course, within the prior 5 years, with a minimum exam score of 90%. Fees: $52 remitted to CPW plus a sheriff processing fee that varies by county; CPW warns some sheriffs will not review applications until August 1 and others are not accepting them at all. Importantly, possessing a specified semiautomatic firearm you already own is not restricted — the law restricts acquisition — but on or after August 1 you may sell or transfer one only to an out-of-state resident, a federally licensed dealer, or a buyer who meets the training requirement. Violation is a class 2 misdemeanor; a second offense is a class 6 felony. Separately, effective July 1, 2026 (HB25-1133), retail ammunition may be sold only to buyers 21 and older with government-issued photo ID and may not be displayed within customer reach without staff assistance. In-person exceptions cover 18-to-20-year-olds buying at a shooting range for use only there, members and veterans of the U.S. military or Colorado National Guard, hunter-education-certified buyers, people protected by a protection order, and anyone born on or before January 28, 2007 (that exception repeals January 28, 2028); on-duty peace officers are exempt and rimfire ammunition is entirely carved out.

✓ Verified against the official source · July 27, 2026 · Official source ↗