What Are the Gun 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 requires background checks for all firearm transfers, prohibits standard capacity magazines over 15 rounds, has red flag laws, and allows concealed carry with permits. No assault weapon ban exists statewide.
What This Means for You
Colorado's laws significantly impact what you can legally build and own. The magazine capacity restriction affects your component selection, while universal background check requirements mean you can't transfer completed builds without going through an FFL. Understanding these restrictions upfront prevents you from building something you can't legally possess or transfer.
The Detail
Colorado implements universal background checks, meaning all firearm transfers including private sales must go through a licensed dealer with a background check. This applies to completed firearms you build and later want to sell or transfer. There are limited exceptions for immediate family members and temporary transfers in certain situations, but you should verify the specific requirements with official state resources.
The state prohibits magazines that can accept more than 15 rounds, which directly impacts your build planning. This includes both detachable magazines and any feeding device capable of accepting more than 15 rounds. The law has exceptions for magazines owned before the July 2013 effective date, but proving continuous ownership can be challenging. When building, you need to ensure your magazine selection complies with this restriction.
Colorado has implemented red flag laws that allow law enforcement and family members to petition courts for extreme risk protection orders. These can temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a risk. The state also requires concealed carry permits for concealed carry, though open carry is generally permitted without a permit in most areas. Local jurisdictions can impose additional restrictions on open carry.
While Colorado doesn't have a statewide assault weapon ban, some municipalities like Denver and Boulder have enacted their own restrictions on certain firearms and features. These local ordinances can be more restrictive than state law, so you need to research both state and local regulations where you plan to possess or use your build. Some areas also have additional magazine capacity restrictions beyond the state limit.
Build Impact
You'll need to source 15-round or smaller magazines for any build, which can limit your platform choices or require modified components. Any completed build you want to transfer later will require going through an FFL with background checks, so factor that cost and process into your long-term plans.