Do I need a permit to carry in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado requires a carry permit. The minimum age is 21.

Does Colorado honor out-of-state permits?

No. Colorado does not honor a non-resident permit. Carrying on one there is illegal. Colorado has a resident-only rule. It honors an out-of-state permit only when the holder lives in the state that issued it.

Where can I check Colorado's official rules?

Check Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The controlling law is Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-213.

Carry laws · 2026

Colorado concealed carry laws, backed by the statute

At a glance

Carry rule: Shall-issue permit
Minimum age: 21
Non-resident permit valid here?: No
Statute: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-213

Carrying in Colorado

Colorado is a shall-issue state. Adults 21 and older who meet the requirements can get a permit.

If you pass the background check, finish any required training, and pay the fees, the state must issue your permit.

Permits are issued by the county sheriff and typically processed in under 90 days.

Source: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-213. Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Reviewed Q3 2026.

Does a non-resident permit work in Colorado?

A non-resident permit is a carry permit issued by a state you do not live in.

No. Colorado does not honor a non-resident permit. Carrying on it there is illegal, even if Colorado honors some other permits.

Colorado has a resident-only rule. It honors an out-of-state permit only when the holder lives in the state that issued it. See our reciprocity guide for how this trap works.

Getting Colorado's own permit

Apply through Colorado and meet the listed requirements. If you qualify, the state must issue the permit.

Common questions

Do I need a permit to carry in Colorado?: Yes. Colorado requires a carry permit. The minimum age is 21.
Does Colorado honor out-of-state permits?: No. Colorado does not honor a non-resident permit. Carrying on one there is illegal. Colorado has a resident-only rule. It honors an out-of-state permit only when the holder lives in the state that issued it.
Where can I check Colorado's official rules?: Check Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The controlling law is Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-213.

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Sources and verification

CO: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-213. Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Recognition and carry-law data compiled from each state's statutes and official Attorney General, State Police, or Department of Public Safety reciprocity pages. Reviewed quarterly. Last reviewed: Q3 2026. We review and update this information about once a quarter. Laws change between reviews, so verify with the destination state before you travel or apply. Read how we verify our information, including our public corrections log.