Colorado Gun Laws & Concealed Carry Reciprocity (2026)

Quick answer: Colorado (CO) is a shall-issue permit state meaning you need a permit (Concealed Handgun Permit) to carry concealed. Colorado honors permits from 34 states (list below). Your Colorado permit is honored in 7 states and 29 more are permitless allowing carry in 36 states total.

📌 Reviewed against official sources: August 14, 2026 · By James Nicholas

Shall-issueCarry regime
21+Permit age
36States you can carry in
NoConstitutional carry
NoDuty to inform
This is not legal advice. Freedom’s Lodge and Brand Avalanche Media are not attorneys or a law firm; this is general educational information only. Gun laws change frequently and without notice, vary by locality, and can be interpreted differently by courts and officers as reciprocity and carry status can change at any time. You are solely responsible for confirming current law with official state sources and/or a licensed attorney before carrying. Information reflects the best available sources as of August 14, 2026 only. Read the full legal disclaimer →
Open the interactive reciprocity map →Reciprocity explained

Where your Colorado permit works (carry out)

With a Colorado-issued resident permit you can legally carry in 36 states: 7 honor the permit itself and 29 are permitless-carry states where eligible visitors need no permit at all. Some destinations impose conditions (age 21+, enhanced-permit-only, or resident-permit rules) make sure to always check the destination state page.

✅ Permitless — no permit needed (29)

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNew HampshireNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontWest VirginiaWyoming

✅ Honor your Colorado permit (7)

DelawareMichiganNew MexicoNorth CarolinaPennsylvaniaVirginiaWisconsin

⚠ Conditional — verify first (1)

Minnesota Permit issued/renewed on or after 8/1/2024 only

❌ Do not honor it (13)

CaliforniaConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIllinoisMarylandMassachusettsNevadaNew JerseyNew YorkOregonRhode IslandWashington

Whose permits does Colorado honor? (carry in)

Colorado honors resident permits from 34 states:

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNew HampshireNew MexicoNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

CBI per C.R.S. 18-12-213: issuing state must honor CO permits; RESIDENT permits only (holder must reside in issuing state with matching ID); holder must be 21+

Key Colorado carry restrictions

  • Honors resident permits only with non-resident permits from listed states not valid
  • 15-round magazine limit
  • No duty to inform; CO CHP does not exempt from purchase background checks
  • Handgun left in unattended vehicle must be in locked hard-sided container out of view
  • SB24-131 (eff. 7/1/2024): carry prohibited, including for permit holders, in state legislative and local government buildings, courthouses, licensed child care centers, K-12 schools and college campuses, and polling places (parking-area exception for concealed-carry permit holders)

Duty to inform police: No.

Colorado permit basics

Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), issued by county sheriffs. Minimum age: 21.

Colorado carry FAQ

Can you conceal carry in Colorado without a permit?

No. Colorado requires a permit (Concealed Handgun Permit) to carry a concealed handgun. It is a shall-issue permit state.

What states honor a Colorado (CO) carry permit?

A Colorado resident permit is honored in 7 states (plus 1 with conditions), and 29 more states have permitless carry where no permit is needed — 36 states total. See the full lists on this page or use our interactive reciprocity map.

Does Colorado recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits?

Colorado honors resident permits from 34 states. Check the list on this page — some entries carry permit-type or age conditions.

Can I carry in Wyoming with a Colorado permit?

Wyoming has permitless carry, so you can carry there without any permit if you’re 18+ and legally eligible.

Is there a duty to inform police in Colorado?

No.

Official sources

Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on August 14, 2026 — including a dedicated primary-source verification pass against state statutes, attorney general and state police pages. Spot an error or a law change? Tell us and we’ll fix it fast.

Related states & resources

Neighboring states: Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico.

Tools: Interactive Reciprocity Map · Concealed Carry Reciprocity Guide · Concealed Carry by State · 2A Legal Glossary · carry gear reviews at Popular EDC.

Not legal advice. Freedom’s Lodge and Brand Avalanche Media are not attorneys; this page is general educational information, verified against the official sources above as of August 14, 2026 and subject to change at any time. Confirm current law with the official state source and/or a licensed attorney before carrying. See our full legal disclaimer and how we verify this data.