C.R.S. Section 18-12-203
Criteria for obtaining a permit


Mentioned in

Colorado Gun Laws

Colorado Department of Public Safety, January 1, 2023

“Can I open carry in Colorado? Who is allowed to own a firearm in Colorado? …”
 
Bibliographic info

(1)

Beginning May 17, 2003, except as set forth in this section, a sheriff shall issue a permit to carry a concealed handgun to an applicant who:

(a)

Is a legal resident of the state of Colorado. For purposes of this part 2, a person who is a member of the armed forces and is stationed pursuant to permanent duty station orders at a military installation in this state, and a member of the person’s immediate family living in Colorado, shall be deemed to be a legal resident of the state of Colorado.

(b)

Is twenty-one years of age or older;

(c)

Is not ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to section 18-12-108 or federal law;

(d)

Has not been convicted of perjury under section 18-8-503, in relation to information provided or deliberately omitted on a permit application submitted pursuant to this part 2;

(e)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that the applicant’s normal faculties are impaired.

(II)

The prohibition specified in this subsection (1)(e) shall not apply to an applicant who provides an affidavit, signed by a professional counselor or addiction counselor who is licensed pursuant to article 245 of title 12 and specializes in alcohol addiction, stating that the applicant has been evaluated by the counselor and has been determined to be a recovering alcoholic who has refrained from using alcohol for at least three years.

(f)

Is not an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance as defined in section 18-18-102 (5). Whether an applicant is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance shall be determined as provided in federal law and regulations.

(g)

Is not subject to:

(I)

A protection order issued pursuant to section 18-1-1001 or section 19-2.5-607 that is in effect at the time the application is submitted; or

(II)

A permanent protection order issued pursuant to article 14 of title 13;

(III)

A temporary protection order issued pursuant to article 14 of title 13 that is in effect at the time the application is submitted; or

(IV)

A temporary extreme risk protection order issued pursuant to section 13-14.5-103 (3) or an extreme risk protection order issued pursuant to section 13-14.5-105 (2);

(h)

Demonstrates competence with a handgun by submitting:

(I)

Evidence of experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competitions or current military service;

(II)

Evidence that, at the time the application is submitted, the applicant is a certified instructor;

(III)

Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces within the three years preceding submittal of the application;

(IV)

Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application;

(V)

A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application; or

(VI)

A training certificate from a handgun training class obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application. The applicant shall submit the original training certificate or a photocopy thereof that includes the original signature of the class instructor. To the extent permitted by section 18-12-202 (5), in obtaining a training certificate from a handgun training class, the applicant shall have discretion in selecting which handgun training class to complete.

(2)

Regardless of whether an applicant meets the criteria specified in subsection (1) of this section, if the sheriff has a reasonable belief that documented previous behavior by the applicant makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to self or others if the applicant receives a permit to carry a concealed handgun, the sheriff may deny the permit.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The sheriff shall deny, revoke, or refuse to renew a permit if an applicant or a permittee fails to meet one of the criteria listed in subsection (1) of this section and may deny, revoke, or refuse to renew a permit on the grounds specified in subsection (2) of this section.

(b)

Following issuance of a permit, if the issuing sheriff has a reasonable belief that a permittee no longer meets the criteria specified in subsection (1) of this section or that the permittee presents a danger as described in subsection (2) of this section, the sheriff shall suspend the permit until such time as the matter is resolved and the issuing sheriff determines that the permittee is eligible to possess a permit as provided in this section.

(c)

If the sheriff suspends or revokes a permit, the sheriff shall notify the permittee in writing, stating the grounds for suspension or revocation and informing the permittee of the right to seek a second review by the sheriff, to submit additional information for the record, and to seek judicial review pursuant to section 18-12-207.

Source: Section 18-12-203 — Criteria for obtaining a permit, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-18.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

18‑12‑101
Peace officer affirmative defense - definitions
18‑12‑102
Possessing a dangerous or illegal weapon - affirmative defense - definition
18‑12‑103
Possession of a defaced firearm
18‑12‑103.5
Defaced firearms - contraband - destruction
18‑12‑104
Defacing a firearm
18‑12‑105
Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon - unlawful possession of weapons
18‑12‑105.5
Unlawfully carrying a weapon - unlawful possession of weapons - school, college, or university grounds
18‑12‑105.6
Limitation on local ordinances regarding firearms in private vehicles
18‑12‑106
Prohibited use of weapons - definitions
18‑12‑106.5
Use of stun guns
18‑12‑107
Penalty for second offense
18‑12‑107.5
Illegal discharge of a firearm - penalty
18‑12‑108
Possession of weapons by previous offenders
18‑12‑108.5
Possession of handguns by juveniles - prohibited - exceptions - penalty
18‑12‑108.7
Unlawfully providing or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun - penalty - unlawfully providing a firearm other than a handgun to a juvenile - penalty
18‑12‑109
Possession, use, or removal of explosives or incendiary devices - possession of components thereof - chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons - persons exempt - hoaxes
18‑12‑110
Forfeiture of firearms
18‑12‑111
Unlawful purchase of firearms
18‑12‑111.5
Unlawful conduct involving an unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver - exceptions - penalties - authority to serialize a firearm
18‑12‑112
Private firearms transfers - sale and purchase - background check required - penalty - definitions
18‑12‑112.5
Firearms transfers by licensed dealers - sale and purchase - background check required - penalty - definitions
18‑12‑113
Failure to report a lost or stolen firearm - exception
18‑12‑114
Secure firearm storage required - penalty - exceptions
18‑12‑115
Waiting period for firearms sales - background check required - penalty - exceptions
18‑12‑201
Legislative declaration
18‑12‑202
Definitions
18‑12‑203
Criteria for obtaining a permit
18‑12‑204
Permit contents - validity - carrying requirements
18‑12‑205
Sheriff - application - procedure - background check
18‑12‑206
Sheriff - issuance or denial of permits - report
18‑12‑207
Judicial review - permit denial - permit suspension - permit revocation
18‑12‑208
Colorado bureau of investigation - duties
18‑12‑209
Issuance by sheriffs of temporary emergency permits
18‑12‑210
Maintenance of permit - address change - invalidity of permit
18‑12‑211
Renewal of permits
18‑12‑212
Exemption
18‑12‑213
Reciprocity
18‑12‑214
Authority granted by permit - carrying restrictions - local authority
18‑12‑215
Immunity
18‑12‑301
Definitions
18‑12‑302
Large-capacity magazines prohibited - penalties - exceptions
18‑12‑303
Identification markings for large-capacity magazines - rules
18‑12‑401
Definitions
18‑12‑402
Retail dealers - record - inspection
18‑12‑403
Record - failure to make - penalty
18‑12‑404
Jurisdiction - county courts
18‑12‑405
Locking device required - penalty
18‑12‑501
Background checks at gun shows - penalty
18‑12‑502
Records - penalty
18‑12‑503
Fees imposed by licensed gun dealers
18‑12‑504
Posted notice - penalty
18‑12‑505
Exemption
18‑12‑506
Definitions
18‑12‑507
Appropriation
18‑12‑508
Effective date
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 18-12-203’s source at colorado​.gov