DENVER–Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has begun implementation of a sweeping gun licensing scheme passed by the legislature last year, beginning with a series of meetings around the state. The new gun rights restrictions mandate extensive training and permitting requirements prior to purchasing of any semi-automatic firearm after Aug 1, 2026.
The Democrat-sponsored Senate Bill 25-003, signed into law by Governor Polis in April, requires any individual wishing to buy a semi-automatic firearm to complete, among other requirements, a 12-hour long in-person firearm safety course.
An individual first applies to take the course through their local sheriff’s office by completing a background check and paying an application fee. The sheriff then issues the applicant an eligibility card to take the course, taught by a certified firearm instructor. At the end, a final exam is given requiring a minimum passing score of 90%.
After course completion, the individual’s information is uploaded into the course record system, granting five years of eligibility to purchase a semi-automatic weapon.
The law tasks CPW with implementing the firearm safety program. As part of their process, CPW has scheduled a series of state-wide meetings starting in February to get feedback on the law and its implementation.
While some meetings are designed to gather comment from the public, CPW will also hold separate meetings for county sheriffs, federal firearm licensed holders (FFLs) and firearm instructors concerning their role in the program.
Dave Kopel, director of the Second Amendment Project at Independence Institute,* a free market think tank in Denver, says CPW will have to work hard to keep constitutional liberties at the forefront of the process.
“The gun ban lobbies will be pushing CPW to make the licensing process as onerous and inconvenient as possible, because these groups are founded on hatred of firearms owners,” Kopel told Complete Colorado. “CPW will need to stand strong, so that the mandatory course improves rather than obstructs the exercise of the right to arms.”
In a recent press release, CPW claims the law will not affect individuals who already own a semi-automatic gun or limit their use in any way.
CPW defines the affected firearms as “a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine, or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine,” claiming that most hunting rifles and shotguns are exempt from the statute.
While CPW’s job is to implement the program, provide course material, and create the applicant form and record system, county sheriffs will bear the brunt of performing background checks, issuing permits and course eligibility cards, vetting licensed firearm instructors, and submitting applicant information into the database.
While CPW was given $1.4 million from the Parks and Outdoor Recreation cash fund, the sheriffs have been left to handle the added workload and costs of the program from their own budgets.
The Department of Revenue will soon provide a list of firearms subject to the requirements, while CPW gears up to hold their first ‘Firearms Dealer Stakeholder Meeting’ on Feb. 9.
Scheduled Meetings:
- Feb. 9, 9am-10am: Virtual Firearms Dealer Stakeholder Meeting – Registration required.
- Feb. 9, 6pm-7:30pm: Virtual Firearms Instructor Stakeholder Meeting – Registration required.
- Feb. 19, 9am-11am: Denver Firearms Dealers Stakeholder Meeting – CPW Hunter Education Building (6060 Broadway Denver, CO).
- Feb 19, 6pm-8pm: Denver Firearms Instructor Stakeholder Meeting – CPW Hunter Education Building (6060 Broadway, Denver, CO).
- Feb. 24, 6pm-8pm: West Slope Firearms Public Meeting – Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (3934 I 9/10 Rd., Palisade, CO).
- Feb. 25, 9am-11am: West Slope Firearms Dealer Meeting – Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (3934 I 9/10 Rd., Palisade, CO).
- Feb. 25, 1pm-3pm: West Slope Firearms Instructor Stakeholder Meeting – Cameo Shooting and education Complex (3934 I 9/10 Rd., Palisade, CO).
- March 11: Southeast Firearms Public Meeting – Location and time to be announced.
* Independence Institute is publisher of Complete Colorado.
