Colorado's Shifting Gun Landscape: Legislative Session Ends with Significant Restrictions

Recent Session Delivers Major Blows to Gun Rights in the Centennial State

While Colorado's legislative session has finally concluded, providing some respite for the state's gun owners, the damage inflicted by anti-gun politicians during this period has been considerable. The session's end leaves behind a trail of restrictive legislation that substantially alters firearm ownership in what was once considered a pro-gun state.

New Laws Signed by Governor Polis

The session resulted in three highly restrictive anti-gun bills receiving Governor Jared Polis's signature, with several additional measures awaiting his consideration after passing during the final week of legislative activity.

The Permit-to-Purchase Scheme: SB 25-003

Comprehensive Restrictions on Semi-Automatic Firearms

The most impactful legislation, SB 25-003, transformed from a proposed gun ban into an extensive permit-to-purchase system affecting many common semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines—including rifles, pistols, and shotguns.

According to the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, "Ultimately, the law now places an incredible amount of restrictions on law-abiding citizens including prohibiting the sale, purchase, distribution or transfer of these firearms without first completing a 12-hour training course unless a person has already completed a hunter's safety course in which it would be a 4-hour course; requiring passage of a written exam by a minimum of 90%; creating and maintaining a database, i.e. gun registry, of exam takers; payment of requisite fees; and obtaining permission via an eligibility permit from a local sheriff based on subjective criteria."

Particularly concerning is the provision allowing Colorado sheriffs to deny or revoke permits based merely on a "reasonable belief"—a subjective standard that raises significant concerns about fair implementation.

Political Response to SB 25-003

The controversial nature of this legislation has prompted Republican state lawmakers to appeal directly to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in an effort to challenge the law's constitutionality. Meanwhile, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has seized the opportunity to invite Colorado firearm and ammunition companies to relocate to his state, highlighting the economic implications of such restrictive legislation.

Additional Anti-Gun Measures Signed Into Law

HB 25-1133: Age Restrictions on Ammunition

Governor Polis also signed HB 25-1133, which prohibits the sale of ammunition to individuals under 21 years old, with exceptions only for military service members, police officers, and those who have completed hunter safety courses. The law further mandates that ammunition must be stored behind counters or in locked shelves, completely preventing direct customer access.

HB 25-1238: Gun Show Restrictions

The third bill signed into law, HB 25-1238, imposes significant burdens on gun show vendors and organizers by requiring promoters to develop and submit a "detailed security plan" to local law enforcement for approval before any event can take place. The legislation creates uncertainty regarding approval timelines and implementation standards that could potentially hinder legitimate events.

Pending Legislation Awaiting Governor's Decision

Several additional anti-gun measures have passed the legislature and now await Governor Polis's signature, including:

• A ban on open carry during political demonstrations
• Mandates requiring schools to distribute anti-gun educational materials
• Assignment of Department of Revenue police officers to monitor gun stores
• Implementation of a "self-red-flag" law encouraging individuals to voluntarily declare themselves prohibited persons
• Creation of a firearms registry at the local level

A Cautionary Tale for Gun Rights Advocates

The rapid transformation of Colorado from a historically pro-gun state to one of the nation's most restrictive jurisdictions for firearm ownership serves as a stark reminder to Second Amendment supporters nationwide. The speed with which these changes occurred underscores the importance of constant vigilance in protecting constitutional rights, as even seemingly secure freedoms can face sudden challenges without sustained advocacy and engagement.