BREAKING NEWS: CPW Statewide Public Engagement: https://cpw.state.co.us/news/01092026/colorado-parks-and-wildlife-launches-public-engagement-feedback-new-firearms-safety
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For the additional updates check:
NRA Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) - The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the lobbying arm of the NRA. Established in 1975, ILA is committed to preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Colorado Revised Statutes - The Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) are the codified general and permanent statutes of the Colorado General Assembly.
The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
This analysis is dated. I wrote the initial content here shortly after the bill was signed. Changes have been made to the bill since the initial signing. I've tried to italicize my initial commentary that has been overcome by events (no longer true or new information has come to light and bold what are updates. More details are coming into focus as we implement these new requirements.
The TL;DR:
On or after August 1, 2026, to purchase a firearm in Colorado, you need to get a card (permit) that is valid for 5 years AND you need to take 3 classes. Every 5 years after this, you have to renew your card (permit) and you have to successfully complete the basic class if you wish to maintain your ability to purchase firearms.
February 2026 Updates:
Verified Instructors will be teaching the basic and extended classes using CPW's curriculum.
If you have Hunter's Safety, you can take the 4-hour basic class. If you do not have Hunter's Safety, you will need to take the 12-hour advanced class. Hunter's Safety will take you 8 hours to complete. (You're looking at 12 hours total either way.)
This new process only applies to SSFs (Specified Semiautomatic Firearms). The list of firearms will be published by the Colorado Department of Revenue (this is pending as of 2/11/2026).
News
April 11, 2025: Our governor has just signed this bill into law.
Summary
I expect for this bill/law to be challenged in court as unconstitutional. In the meantime, it looks like a real challenge that will take some time to design and implement.
This bill appears to seriously complicate training requirements while putting a huge burden on CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife).
It appears that currently verified instructors might be permitted to facilitate the basic and extended classes based on CPW's curriculum.
News
The next steps will be for the legislation to make these changes in our Colorado Revised Statues (link above).
Summary
After the C.R.S. have been updated, this will hopefully make more sense. The bill is hard to read in its current form and no one is yet sure how it will be rolled out.
As the impacts come into better focus, I will adjust my training offerings accordingly.
News
Section 2(2) states that ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1, 2026, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly manufacture, distribute, transfer, sell, or purchase a specified semiautomatic firearm; except that a person may sell or transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm to an individual residing in another state or a federally licensed firearm dealer.
Summary
The bill contains a list of exceptions to 2(2), with most people probably falling into the group needing the new "FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE ELIGIBILITY CARD" (permit) in addition to successfully completing three training courses.
Before this change, immediate family didn't need a background check and no paperwork was required, per C.R.S. § 18-12-112, for personal transfers. More to follow...
News
Section 2(3)(e)(I): Transfer or sale of a semi-automatic firearm to and receipt or purchase of a person who:
2(3)(e)(I)(A): Completed Hunter's Education AND a Basic Firearms Safety course less than 5 years ago;
2(3)(e)(I)(B): Extended Firearms Safety course less than 5 years ago; OR
2(3)(e)(I)(C): Extended Firearms Safety course more than 5 years ago AND Basic Firearms Safety course less than 5 years ago.
Summary
For a firearm transfer, the recipient needs:
Successful completion of Hunter's Safety Education (online + in-person).
Successful Basic course completion (in-person) that is less than 5 years old.
OR (new as of February 2026)
Successful Extended course completion (in-person & no expiration).
You need a card (permit) to take the firearms safety classes.
News
Section 2(5)(a)(III)(A) states that the basic class minimum is 4 hours.
Section 2(5)(a)(III)(B) states that the extended class minimum as 12 hours over at least 2 days.
Section 2(5)(a)(V) puts the passing exam score at 90%.
Summary
Hunter's Safety (online) is about 5 hours, plus 4 hours for basic, plus 12 hours for extended, making the total about 21 hours to get started, then 4 hours every 5 years for renewals.
For comparison: The CCW class requires 8 hours of instruction inclusive of classroom and range time. CCW folks are likely going to be required to attend 29 hours of training to get started, then 8 hours every 5 years for renewals.
Neither the basic nor the extended class appear to require a live-fire test and only a written exam is required at this time. For the CCW class, you must shoot to qualify.
News
Section 2(5)(a)(VI) states the student's course completion is to be reported to the firearms training and safety course system described in section 33-9-115.
Summary
This creates a big database of gun owners. Your fees (not taxes) are going to be used by CPW to implement the system in support of this new service.
I asked about Cyber Security Auditing, Security Risk Assessments and was assured that the CPW is performing these with a focus on PII and CJIS requirements.
News
Section 2(5)(b)(I) puts the burden onto the Sheriff to regulate the new "FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE ELIGIBILITY CARD". These cards are valid for 5 years.
Summary
I think this is where there's a lot of objection. You have to obtain a card (permit) before you can take the classes that will then enable you to purchase a [SSF] firearm.
News
Section 2(5)(b)(VI)(D) THE SHERIFF SHALL REVOKE AN ISSUED FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE ELIGIBILITY CARD IF THE SHERIFF KNOWS THAT THE CARDHOLDER CANNOT LAWFULLY POSSESS A FIREARM UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW. THE SHERIFF MAY REVOKE AN ISSUED FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE ELIGIBILITY CARD IF THE SHERIFF HAS A REASONABLE BELIEF THAT DOCUMENTED PREVIOUS BEHAVIOR BY THE CARDHOLDER MAKES IT LIKELY THE CARDHOLDER WILL PRESENT A DANGER TO THEMSELF OR OTHERS IF THE CARDHOLDER CONTINUES HOLDING A FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE ELIGIBILITY CARD.
Summary
This puts a lot of power into the hands of the Sheriff.
The first part about lawful possession is probably fine.
The second part grants the Sheriff the ability to effectively revoke a citizen's 2nd amendment rights without due process and without evidence - based on "reasonable belief". [Section 2(5)(b)(X)(B)]. I am a big proponent of discretion, but this could become overly subjective.
No card, no classes. No classes, no transfer rights [for SSFs]. Potential for infringement. More to follow as this unfolds.
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