New Colorado law will require more training for gun owners to get concealed-carry permits

Coloradans will need eight hours of in-person training from a verified instructor to qualify for a concealed-carry permit under a new law.

Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1174 on Tuesday. It was part of a slew of bills dealing with firearm regulations passed by the legislature this year.

The in-person training requirement includes passing a live-fire exercise and a written exam. People seeking to renew their concealed-carry permits, which expire after 5 years, will need two hours of in-person training, including the live-fire exercise and a written exam. It will be up to county sheriffs to verify the certification of firearm instructors.

The new requirements go into effect July 1, 2025.

“States that have eliminated their live-fire training requirements to receive a concealed-carry permit saw a 32% increase in gun assaults,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, a Wheat Ridge Democrat who was one of the lead sponsors, in a news release. “The data is clear — live-fire gun training can save lives. This important legislation will ensure that Coloradans with concealed-carry permits are properly trained before they bring their firearm into their communities.”

Other new gun laws include more money for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to investigate firearm-related crimes; requirements for storing firearms in vehicles; bans on carrying firearms at all schools, government buildings and polling places; and new category codes to track firearm and ammunition purchases.

Polis has yet to take action on a bill to create a state license for firearm dealers. He must do so by Friday. Voters will decide in November on a referred ballot measure that would tax gun and ammunition sales to pay for victim services.

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