What Are the Assault Weapon Laws in Colorado?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Colorado has limited assault weapon restrictions compared to other states. The state prohibits large capacity magazines over 15 rounds but does not ban specific firearm types based on features like pistol grips or flash hiders.
What This Means for You
Colorado's approach focuses on magazine capacity rather than cosmetic features that define assault weapons in other jurisdictions. This means you can build most configurations legally as long as you stay within the magazine restrictions. The state's laws are more permissive than places like California or New York when it comes to rifle features.
The Detail
Colorado's primary restriction involves large capacity magazines, which are defined as those capable of accepting more than 15 rounds of ammunition. This applies to both rifles and handguns, though there are exceptions for tubular magazines in lever-action firearms and magazines that were lawfully possessed before the ban took effect. The law targets the feeding device rather than the firearm itself.
Unlike many other states with assault weapon bans, Colorado does not restrict firearms based on cosmetic or ergonomic features. You can legally possess rifles with pistol grips, adjustable stocks, flash hiders, bayonet lugs, and other features that would make a firearm an "assault weapon" under other state definitions. This means AR-15 style rifles and similar platforms remain legal to own and build.
The magazine restriction creates the most significant compliance challenge for builders and owners. Pre-ban magazines grandfathered under the law can be difficult to verify and may create legal uncertainty. Many standard capacity magazines for popular platforms exceed the 15-round limit, requiring you to source compliant alternatives or modify existing magazines.
Federal regulations still apply regardless of state law, so NFA items like short-barreled rifles still require proper paperwork and approval. Colorado's laws layer on top of federal requirements rather than replacing them. Always verify current regulations with official state resources, as legislative changes can alter these restrictions.
Build Impact
Your build choices in Colorado center around magazine selection rather than feature restrictions. You need to plan your magazine purchases carefully and consider how the 15-round limit affects your intended use, whether that's competition, hunting, or general shooting.