← Colorado firearms laws›Transporting Firearms
Colorado Transporting Firearms Laws (2026)
Conditional: Anyone who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry it in a private vehicle for a legal use, including self-defense, without a permit; it is not treated as concealed carry.
Anyone who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry it in a private vehicle for a legal use, including self-defense, without a permit; it is not treated as concealed carry. Cities and counties may not restrict this. Since January 1, 2025, a handgun left in an unattended vehicle must be in a locked hard-sided container that is out of plain view, and the container must be inside a locked vehicle, the locked trunk of a locked vehicle, or a locked RV. A locked glove box or locked center console counts as the container. Rifles and shotguns must have an empty chamber in a vehicle. Once you step out, the permit rules for concealed carry apply.
Official source: cbi.colorado.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Transporting Firearms in states bordering Colorado
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- ArizonaConditional
At 21 or older, if you may lawfully possess a handgun, you may carry it loaded in your vehicle, openly or concealed, with no permit. …
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: azleg.gov · Full Arizona rule →
- KansasPermitted
In Kansas, anyone 21 or older who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry it, openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, including in a vehicle, without a license. Under 21 without a license or recognized permit, a handgun concealed on your person is a crime.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: ag.ks.gov · Full Kansas rule →
- NebraskaPermitted
In Nebraska, a person 21 or older who is not a prohibited person may carry a concealed handgun, including in a vehicle, with no permit. People under 21 may not carry concealed, except those 18 or older who are armed forces members or peace officers. You must inform an officer on contact unless the handgun is unloaded, kept separate from ammunition, and in a case. The State Patrol also asks travelers from states Nebraska does not recognize to transport guns unloaded, encased and inaccessible to passengers.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: statepatrol.nebraska.gov · Full Nebraska rule →
- New MexicoPermitted
You may keep a loaded handgun, even concealed, in your private vehicle for lawful protection if you are not prohibited from having firearms. No license is needed for that. Once you step out, carrying it concealed on your person needs a license New Mexico accepts. People under 19 generally cannot possess a handgun.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: dps.nm.gov · Full New Mexico rule →
- OklahomaConditional
At 21 or older, or 18 to 20 with military service, you may transport a handgun in a vehicle loaded or unloaded, concealed or open, if you may legally own a firearm. At 18 to 20 without military service, the firearm must be unloaded. If an officer demands it during a stop or arrest, you must say you have a firearm in the vehicle (citation up to $100).
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: oklahoma.gov · Full Oklahoma rule →
- UtahPermitted
At 21 or older you may carry a loaded or unloaded handgun in a vehicle you lawfully possess, or one whose lawful possessor consents, without a permit, openly or concealed. A rifle or shotgun in a vehicle must be unloaded unless you hold a permit. At 18 to 20 without a permit, any firearm in a vehicle must be carried openly: a handgun may be loaded, but a rifle or shotgun must be unloaded.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: bci.utah.gov · Full Utah rule →
- WyomingPermitted
In Wyoming, anyone 21 or older who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry it concealed in a vehicle without a permit.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: wyomingdci.wyo.gov · Full Wyoming rule →
We watch the official sources behind Colorado firearms rules. If a tracked rule changes, you get one short email — never more than one a week. Free, unsubscribe anytime.