Colorado lawmakers passed legislation in May 2003 to clear up confusion amongst state residents regarding the legality of carrying guns for personal protection. The law, entitled "Permits to Carry Concealed Handguns," is in the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), Title 18, Article 12, Part 2.
Permit
Possession of a state-issued permit allows you to carry a concealed handgun.
Definition
Handguns, per state law, include revolvers, pistols or other weapons "loaded or unloaded, from which any shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged." The gun's barrel cannot extend beyond 12 inches, and machine guns fail to qualify under this definition.
Time Frame
Permits remain valid for five years from date of issue and qualify for renewal after that time.
Requirements
To get a permit from your county sheriff, you must be: at least 21 years old; a legal state resident; not addicted or misusing alcohol and drugs; without perjury convictions related to information given on permit applications; and you must be federally eligible to carry a weapon and have experience or training in use of firearms. (Ref. #4)
Restrictions
The concealed-carry law does not override federal laws prohibiting their presence in certain facilities nor regulations against their allowance in public schools. You're exempt from the law if you work as an armed school security guard, if the gun remains in a locked car compartment while you visit the school, or the gun's use on school grounds designated for hunting or shooting activities.
