Colorado significantly updated its concealed handgun permit laws with House Bill 24-1174. The most substantial changes took effect July 1, 2025. These updates increase training standards, establish a verified instructor system, require written and live-fire testing, and modify renewal qualifications.
Effective Dates
Who the Changes Apply To
• First-time concealed handgun permit applicants
• Renewal applicants whose permits expire on or after July 1, 2025
• Current permit holders renewing under the new cycle
Existing permits remain valid until expiration. However, renewal after July 1, 2025 requires compliance with the updated law.
Minimum Training Requirements – New Applicants (Beginning July 1, 2025) All new applicants must complete a minimum 8-hour in-person firearms training course taught by a verified instructor.
Online-only courses are no longer sufficient. The course must include instruction on:
• Safe handling of firearms and ammunition
• Fundamentals of marksmanship
• Safe storage practices and child safety
• Federal and Colorado firearms laws
• Colorado use-of-force and deadly force laws
• Conflict avoidance and de-escalation strategies
• Interaction with responding law enforcement officers
• Situational awareness and decision-making
A Written Examination Requirement for Applicants was also added and students must pass a written test covering:
• Colorado firearms laws
• Self-defense statutes
• Prohibited locations
• Safe handling and storage requirements
• Legal responsibilities of permit holders
Live-Fire Proficiency Requirement for Applicants was also added and students must demonstrate handgun competency during a live-fire exercise administered by a verified instructor. The applicant must safely load, fire, and unload a handgun and demonstrate safe firearm handling throughout the qualification.
Training Certificate Validity – New Applicants
• Training must be completed within 1 year prior to application submission
• Certificates older than 1 year are not valid
• This replaces the prior 10-year certificate window
Verified Firearms Instructor Program. Beginning July 1, 2025, only training provided by a verified instructor qualifies for CHP purposes. To be verified, an instructor must:
• Hold a valid Colorado concealed handgun permit
• Be certified by a LE agency, college/university, or nationally recognized firearms training organization
• Be recognized by the sheriff in the county where they primarily conduct training
Sheriffs are responsible for maintaining instructor verification records.
Renewal Requirements – Effective July 1, 2025. Renewal applicants must demonstrate handgun competency under updated standards. Renewal can be satisfied through one of the following:
• Participation in organized competitive shooting (with documented activity)
• Active military service
• Certified peace officer status
• Verified firearms instructor status
• Honorably discharged military member within the previous 10 years
• Retired Colorado law enforcement officer within the previous 10 years
• Completion of a refresher training course taught by a verified instructor
Refresher Training Requirements. If using refresher training to renew:
• Minimum 2 hours of in-person instruction
• Must be taught by a verified instructor
• Must include updates on Colorado firearms law changes
• Must include a written exam
• Must include a live-fire proficiency exercise
Refresher certificate validity:
• Valid for 6 months from date of issue
Application Timing for Renewal
• Renewal applications may be submitted up to 120 days before permit expiration
• Expired permits may require additional steps depending on lapse duration
Expanded Disqualifications. The updated law disqualifies individuals from obtaining a concealed handgun permit if they have certain misdemeanor convictions within the preceding 5 years. This includes specific violent or firearm-related offenses under Colorado statute.
Prohibited Locations (Reminder). The 2025 update does not eliminate existing location restrictions. Permit holders remain prohibited from carrying in:
• Federal buildings
• Secure areas of airports
• Public K-12 school property (with limited statutory exceptions)
• Any location where federal law prohibits possession
• Private property where the owner prohibits firearms
Local Government Restrictions. Colorado law continues to allow local governments to enact firearm regulations in certain public buildings and facilities. Permit holders are responsible for complying with posted restrictions and local ordinances.
Electronic Application Processing. Many counties are transitioning to electronic application systems. Applicants should verify procedures directly with their county sheriff’s office before applying.
Summary of What Changed Most
• Mandatory 8-hour in-person training
• Mandatory written exam
• Mandatory live-fire qualification
• Verified instructor requirement
• Refresher training must include testing
• Certificates have shorter validity windows
• Expanded misdemeanor disqualifications
FEDERAL GUN LAWS: 18 USC 922: Federal Firearm Laws and Restrictions Explained - LegalClarity
COLROADO GUN LAWS: Colorado Gun Laws | Department of Public Safety
CCW RECIPROCITY: Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Reciprocity | Colorado Bureau of Investigation