They Came for the Rifles, Ammo, and Free Speech: Colorado 2025 in Review

As we say goodbye to 2025, Colorado gun owners have a lot to look back on, and even more to prepare for.

This 2025 state legislative session wasn’t just busy. It was a barrage. Sixteen firearm-related bills were introduced. Ten of them passed. One, a blatant attack on online speech, came shockingly close to becoming law before a massive grassroots push helped kill it. Others failed, barely. And a sweeping proposal that would have effectively created a gun registry and capped ownership, was never introduced…but we all know it’s coming.

With the 2026 session starting Wednesday, January 14th, here’s a recap of what passed, what didn’t, and what to watch for. Because if 2025 was a warning shot, 2026 could be the reload.

What Passed: The 2025 Anti-Gun Hall of Shame

Let’s take a look at what made it across the finish line and when it becomes law.

SB25-003: “Assault Weapons” Permit-to-Purchase Scheme
What began as a full-blown ban turned into a government permission slip for semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and pistols that accept a detachable magazine. Want to buy one? Hope you’re ready to pass a 90% written test, sit through 12 hours of government-sanctioned training, get background-checked then beg for approval from your sheriff, and, of course, pay up. The law also permanently bans the manufacture of such guns, as well as bump stocks and any device that “increases the rate of fire”. You can read the fine print about that bill here.

• Effective: September 1, 2025 (criminal penalties); August 1, 2026 (purchase restriction enforced)

HB25-1133: Ammo Age Restriction & Vendor Regulations
Because clearly, a 20-year-old is responsible enough to vote or join the military, but too dangerous to buy a box of 9mm. This bill raises the age to 21 and forces all ammo to be behind glass or a counter. Shipping now requires age verification on delivery. Also includes reloading supplies. More on this new law here.

• Effective: July 1, 2026

SB25-205: Dealer Background Check Process
This bill lets Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) request a serial number check before purchasing a firearm from an individual, and creates penalties on FFLs who fail to report known or suspected stolen firearms.

• Effective: July 1, 2026

HB25-1225: Intimidation at the Ballot Box
This is technically an elections bill, but it dwells in firearm territory by presuming a person carrying any visible firearm (even a toy!) while observing or interacting with election activities is “intimidating” unless proven otherwise. The law lets private individuals, election officials, or the Attorney General sue for damages or injunctions.

• Effective: May 12, 2025

HB25-1238: Gun Show Red Tape
Imposes insurance, security, and venue restrictions designed to make hosting a gun show next to impossible. Not banned, just regulated out of existence.

• Effective: January 1, 2026

HB25-1314: The Bureaucracy Grows Teeth
They’ve officially granted “Peace Officer” status to employees in the Department of Revenue’s Firearm Dealer Division. Yes, the tax man can now carry a gun to come check if you’re following their gun rules. More on that here.

• Effective: August 6, 2025

SB25-158: State-Mandated Firearm Destruction and Disposal
This bill doesn’t directly change private gun ownership, but it overhauls how the state buys and disposes of firearms and certain NFA-regulated items, and centralizes procurement procedures, largely taking them off the market for law abiding citizens. 

• Effective: January 1, 2026

HB25-1062: Gun Theft Now A Felony
For once, something aimed at actual criminals: stealing a firearm is now a felony, regardless of value. We’ll count that as a small win.

• Effective: August 6, 2025

What We Killed — Thanks to YOU

These bills didn’t die on their own. They died because gun owners, hunters, and First Amendment defenders showed up, spoke up, and didn’t back down.

SB25-086: Social Media Censorship
This Orwellian bill would have closely monitored and censored online firearm conversations, criminalizing even asking for rifle build tips or recommending gear. It passed both chambers, but we rallied so hard that Governor Polis was forced to veto it and then we killed an attempt at a veto-override by the legislature. Read up on that here because we’ll likely see a version of it back in 2026. 

• Status: Vetoed on April 24, 2025

HB25-1258: The Anti-Hunting Trojan Horse
Pitched as an environmental bill, this would’ve ordered Colorado Parks and Wildlife to manage land based on “ecosystem health” and the needs of “all Coloradans.” Translation: a blank check to phase out hunting and fishing through vague ideological mandates.

• Status: Died under pressure from sportsmen and outdoor advocates across the state

Pro-2A Bills the Democrats Killed

Here’s what they refused to even debate:

• HB25-1164: Constitutional Carry — Shall not be infringed? Not in Denver.

• HB25-1055: Dealer Licensing Repeal — Repealing last year’s state-level FFL scheme was too much freedom for this legislature.

• HB25-1232: Property Owner Liability — If a business bans guns, they should be responsible for your safety. Dems say no.

What Was Never Introduced (But Is Lurking)

There was talk of a “Firearm Registry & Armory Bill”, backed by Rep. Woodrow, that would’ve:

• Defined “armories”

• Imposed gun-buying caps

• Created a statewide registry

It never hit the floor, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead. It’s just waiting for the next session.

2026 Is Coming. Get Ready.

The 2026 Colorado legislative session begins Wednesday, January 14. And you can bet they’ll be back with more:

• More registration

• More regulation

• More erosion of your rights by people who’ve never touched a firearm

We’re already preparing. We’ve integrated a real-time LegiScan API to scan every single bill for gun-related language, no matter how buried or cleverly worded. We’re building faster alerts, stronger response teams, and deeper tracking.

But we need your support to stay in the fight.