Colorado law allows a person to carry a firearm in a vehicle if its use is for lawful protection of such person or another person's person or property....
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Colorado law allows a person to carry a firearm in a vehicle if its use is for lawful protection of such person or another person's person or property. [C.R.S. §18-12-105(2)]
Colorado law also allows a person to possess a handgun in a dwelling, place of business, or automobile. However, when you carry the weapon into your home, business, hotel room, etc., it must be in plain view. [C.R.S. §18-12-105(2)]
A concealed handgun permit (CHP) is not required when a person is in a private automobile or other private transportation - a handgun is not considered concealed in that context. [C.R.S. §18-12-105(2)]
However, if a person does hold a CHP, the permit and a valid photo identification must be carried with the handgun at all times.
Local jurisdictions may not enact laws that restrict a person's ability to travel with a weapon. [C.R.S. §18-12-105.6]
Under Colorado's wildlife statutes, you may carry a weapon in your vehicle. However, it is unlawful to have any firearm, other than a pistol or revolver, in or on any motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded. This means:
Effective January 1, 2025, Colorado enacted new requirements for storing firearms in unattended vehicles:
In accordance with 16 USC §1a-7b, in any national park, a person may possess a firearm if such possession is in compliance with the laws of the state in which the national park is located. Therefore, Colorado's laws apply in national parks within the state.
However, under 18 USC §930, firearms are prohibited within "Federal facilities" (buildings or parts thereof owned or leased by the Federal Government where Federal employees are regularly present for official duties). In national parks, such facilities may include visitor centers, administrative offices, and maintenance buildings. These facilities will be clearly marked with signs at all public entrances.
While visiting National Forests in Colorado, you may carry a weapon. However, in addition to state laws, you must comply with Federal Regulations pertaining to the use of a firearm on National Forest System lands.
A firearm may not be discharged in the following National Forest areas per 36 CFR §261.10(d):
While not directly a transportation law, SB25-003 prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase of specified semiautomatic firearms (effective August 1, 2026) with certain exceptions including completion of approved firearms safety courses. This may affect what firearms can be legally acquired and subsequently transported in Colorado. Persons who already lawfully possess such firearms are not prohibited from continued possession or transportation under existing law.
This page covers one part of our Colorado concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Colorado guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.