12 Firearm Bills Advancing in Colorado Legislature – Everything You Need To Know
1.) Semi-Auto Gun Ban / Assault Weapons Ban: If you’ve been paying even an ounce of attention to the gun control saga unfolding in Colorado’s legislature this year, you’re undoubtedly outraged by SB25-003. This measure is one of the most radical pieces of gun control ever considered in the nation. When introduced it was a sweeping semi-automatic firearm ban that put even California to shame, but as an intense clash between gun grabbing lawmakers and gun rights advocates escalated, the bill began shedding Democrat support. In a desperate last-minute attempt to keep it alive, the bill transformed into a “license to buy” scheme via amendments passed in the middle of the night. Although these amendments took the looming pressure off gun stores who were facing shuttered businesses as a majority of their inventory would have been banned, it is now a regulatory nightmare for those who are privileged enough to jump through the government hoops and obtain the proposed gun buyers license, not to mention wholly unconstitutional in multiple ways. If you need to catch up on the latest with SB23-003, read our detailed analysis of where the bill now stands.
SB25-003 Status:
• Passed Senate Chamber, Advanced to House Chamber
• House Judiciary Public Committee Hearing, 3/4/25 at 1:30PM, Colorado State Capitol, Denver, CO.
• Sign Up to Provide Public Testimony In-Person, Virtually, or Submit Written Testimony
• Contact Democrat State House Representatives and tell them to OPPOSE
2.) Requirements for Sale of Firearms Ammunition: HB25-1133 seeks to implement stringent restrictions on the retail sale and delivery of ammunition and hand reloading components, requiring that it be inaccessible without staff assistance, and banning sales to individuals under 21, with exceptions for military members, veterans, those with hunter education certificates, or those under protection orders. The legislation also mandates that online retailers provide written notification to deliverers that a package contains ammunition while prohibiting the retailer from explicitly marking the package itself, and that deliverers verify the recipient’s age and obtain written acknowledgment of receipt. This bill is a massive infringement upon the rights of both retailers and law-abiding citizens, particularly young adults, to access ammunition for legitimate purposes such as self-defense, hunting, and sport shooting.
HB25-1133 Status:
• Passed House Second Vote
• Scheduled for House Third Vote 2/24/25
• If Passes It Will Advance To Senate Chamber
• Contact Democrat State House Representatives and tell them to OPPOSE
3.) Constitutional Carry of Handgun: HB25-1164 is a bold legislative move that empowers all Coloradans, including young adults, by permitting those 18 and older to carry concealed handguns without the need for a permit. The bill also introduces a lifetime validity for permits, reducing bureaucratic red tape and affirming the right to keep and bear arms. Additionally, it restricts local governments and educational institutions from creating their own laws that would infringe on the right to carry. This legislation not only simplifies the legal environment for gun owners but also reinforces the inherent rights granted by the Second Amendment. This bill is not expected to advance beyond it’s first public committee hearing, but it is an important step and opens up the constitutional carry conversation under the Gold Dome of the Colorado State Capitol.
HB25-1164 Status:
• Scheduled for Public Hearing in House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Monday, 2/24/25 at 1:30 PM
• Sign Up to Provide Public Testimony In-Person, Virtually, or Submit Written Testimony
• Contact Committee Members and ask them to SUPPORT
4.) New Gun Show Requirements & Regulations: HB25-1238 introduces extensive new regulations for gun shows. The bill requires promoters to submit detailed security plans to local law enforcement, maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance, and take responsibility for enforcing the states 3-day waiting period for firearm deliveries. It also restricts entry to individuals under 21 unless accompanied by a guardian and mandates the posting of specific notices about lawful firearm transfers and storage. Violations by promoters can lead to misdemeanors and potentially a 5-year ban from operating gun shows after repeated offenses. For vendors, the bill stipulates that they must be state and federally licensed, display these licenses visibly, keep firearms unloaded and secured, and provide information on secure storage and lost or stolen firearms. All firearm sales at gun shows must include a background check, with strict adherence to a 3-day waiting period. Vendor non-compliance is subject to escalating misdemeanors and potential bans from future gun shows.
HB25-1238 Status:
• Scheduled for Public Hearing in House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Monday, 2/24/25 at 1:30 PM
• Sign Up to Provide Public Testimony In-Person, Virtually, or Submit Written Testimony
• Contact Committee Members and ask them to OPPOSE
5.) Repeal Firearm Dealer Requirements & State Permit: HB25-1055 aims to eliminate the duplicative requirement for state permits, on-site inspections by the Department of Revenue, and specific mandates and obligations placed on FFLs trough the state’s new firearm retailer licensing scheme. This repeal bill is intended to simplify operations, alleviate administrative overhead, and focus on adherence to federal regulations, enhancing the economic freedom of firearms businesses while maintaining public safety.
HB25-1055 Status:
• Scheduled for Public Hearing in House Business & Labor Affairs Committee on Thursday, 2/27/25 at 1:30 PM
• Sign Up to Provide Public Testimony In-Person, Virtually, or Submit Written Testimony
• Contact Committee Members and ask them to SUPPORT
6.) State Agency Procurement & Disposal of Weapons: SB25-158 imposes strict regulations on how law enforcement agencies handle firearms, requiring the destruction of those that are retired, damaged, or declared surplus, as well as firearms obtained through buyback programs or voluntarily surrendered for destruction. The prescribed methods for destroying these firearms—smelting, shredding, crushing, or cutting—are intended to render the firearms completely unusable and irreparable. This is an aggressive approach to reducing the number of firearms in circulation, and the requirement to destroy serviceable firearms is an unnecessary waste of functional firearms that could otherwise be sold to smaller departments, used for lawful purposes, or returned to the market. This is a bizarre governmental overreach in firearms management.
SB25-158 Status:
• Passed Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee
• Awaiting Senate Second Vote Schedule – Date TBA
• If Passes Senate Chamber Will Advance To House Chamber
• Contact Democrat State Senators and tell them to OPPOSE
7.) Penalty for Theft of Firearms Normally, theft in Colorado is penalized based on the value of the stolen item, with different classifications ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the amount. HB25-1062 modifies those existing theft penalties, exempting firearm theft from the value-based sentencing structure, and instead classifying any firearm theft as a class 6 felony, regardless of the weapon’s value. For repeat offenses or cases involving multiple firearms stolen in a single incident, each act would be treated as a separate class 5 felony.
HB25-1062 Status:
• Passed House Judiciary
• Awaiting House Second Vote Schedule – Date TBA
• If Passes Senate Chamber Will Advance To House Chamber
• Contact Democrat State House Representatives and tell them to SUPPORT
8.) Voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearms Waiver: SB25-034 establishes a process for individuals to voluntarily waive their right to purchase firearms, with detailed provisions for both enacting and revoking this waiver. If enacted, individuals would be able to register a voluntary waiver with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This waiver is then entered into both national and state databases and would reject any attempted firearm purchase. Individuals can then later revoke their waiver with some stipulations.
SB25-034 Status:
• Passed Senate Committee
• Awaiting Senate Vote Schedule
• OPPOSE
9.) Income Tax Credit for Firearm Safety Device: The tax credit provided under HB25-1128 is equal to the cost of a firearm safety device, up to a maximum of $200. To qualify, the device must be purchased from a federally licensed dealer and designed to be unlocked by a key, combination, or similar method. This credit is applicable for the income tax years 2027 and 2028. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer’s liability in the year it is claimed, it can be carried forward for up to five subsequent tax years.
HB25-1128 Status:
• Passed House Committee
• Awaiting House Vote Schedule
• SUPPORT
10.) Intimidation in Elections Rules: HB25-1225 places significant constraints on the presence of firearms at election-related activities, even simple discussion, by presumptively categorizing the visible carrying of firearms as a form of intimidation. This legislation limits Second Amendment rights under the guise of securing electoral processes, presenting concerns about the balance between protecting the electoral process and respecting lawful firearm ownership and carrying rights. Similar legislation was passed and signed into law in 2022, making this bill redundant.
HB25-1225 Status:
• Awaiting House Schedule
• OPPOSE
11.) Liability When Means of Self-Defense Prohibited: HB25-1232 introduces legislation where property owners or those in control of properties prohibit arms of self-defense on their premises become liable for any resulting harm that could have been prevented by such arms. The bill defines “arms of self-defense” to include weapons, personal defense equipment, and necessary accessories. It emphasizes that harmed individuals do not need to prove definitive prevention of harm, only that it was potentially preventable. Additionally, the bill states that public entities enforcing such prohibitions waive their sovereign immunity, making them liable for damages.
HB25-1128 Status:
• Awaiting House Schedule
12.) Gun Violence Prevention & Parents of Students: HB25-1232 mandates that Colorado education providers distribute “gun violence” prevention materials to parents, guardians, and legal custodians of K-12 students at the beginning of each school year, in either written or electronic format. These same materials must be made accessible on the websites of those education providers. It would take effect the 2025-2026 school year, or 90 days after the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session.
HB25-1232 Status:
• Awaiting House Schedule
You can track each of these bills as well as any others that may be introduced on our Legislative Watch page.
Learn more about providing public testimony on our Public Testimony 101 page.
The 2025 legislative session will end on May 7, 2025. Bills can continue to be introduced and advanced until that day when the General Assembly adjourns for the year.