Where can I carry with my Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) in Colorado?

Written By William Nash

I get asked a lot of times about where we are allowed to carry with a Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) and where we are restricted in Colorado. I will go over a little bit of history of the laws, their amendments, and where we stand now. Links to the versions of the law will be included, but DO NOT consider this blog your legal advice. Read the law in the links provided, know that it can change, and understand that I can’t cover everything in a single blog post.

Our ability and regulation of carrying with a CCW permit begins in C.R.S 18-12-214 of Colorado law. Originally the document stated the carry with a CCW was regulated by the state (in most places), and the only way to lose that was with “Security personnel and electronic weapons screening devices are permanently in place at each entrance to the building”. BUT DON’T STOP READING THERE!!!

This document was amended in 2021, and has just went under another amendment in 2024. It also does not cover Federally Regulated Property.

The amendment in 2021 moved the regulation from the state to “A local government, including a special district, or the governing board of an institution of higher education….may enact an ordinance, resolution, rule, or other regulation that prohibits a permittee from carrying a concealed handgun in a building or specific area….”

The 2024 amendment added schools and other “sensitive areas” to additional regulation and added Class 1 Misdemeanors as punishment.

So…where can we carry and what are the rules?

In Public Outdoor Spaces:

  • For the Most Part. No Criminal charges can be applied for first offense according to C.R.S. 18-12-214.

  • I know Denver has restricted Concealed Carry in public parks, but I don’t think they can add any Criminal Penalties as stated in C.R.S. 18-12-214.

  • Please do some research and let me know!

In Businesses open to the public:

  • Location Dependent. No Criminal charges can be applied for first offense.

  • The Business must post signs, and if they discover you are carrying a weapon may ask you to leave. If you refuse, Trespassing charges can be brought.

In Government Buildings:

  • No. And the Penalty for carrying is a Class 1 Misdemeanor according to Bill 24-131.

  • This may be overwritten by C.R.S. 18-12-214 if you have a CCW, but more research is needed. If you know, let me know too!

In Schools K-12 and High Schools:

  • No. The Penalty for violation is a Class 1 Misdemeanor or a Class 5/6 Felony, but you’re not in violation if you have a CCW?!?

  • This policy is all over the place. I highly recommend you read C.R.S 18-12-105.5 and reference C.R.S. 18-12-214

  • I’m going to leave my confusion part in, but I think I have more info…

    • Bill 24-131 drops the penalty from a Class 5 Felony to a Class 1 Misdemeanor, but applies it to CCW Permit holders

    • It is confusing though because you can carry concealed if you have a CCW Permit on SOME properties

    • If they have signs restricting carry, it’s definitely a Class 1 Misdemeanor

    • If they don’t have signs restricting carry, you may need approval from the school or you might be ok to carry. The law is unclear to me on that.

In College Campuses and Universities:

  • College Campuses and universities were wrapped into the same laws governing K-12 and High Schools in the 2024 Bill 24-131.

  • See above!

In Your Car:

  • Yes. You may ALWAYS carry in your car open or concealed as Colorado views your car as personal property.

  • Don’t point a gun at anyone outside your car, and the second you open your doors you may not be covered anymore.

The Take-Aways:

  • The above answers assume that you a carrying with a Concealed Carry Permit. IF YOU ARE NOT, the charges for concealing a firearm range from Class 1 Misdemeanors to Class 5 Felonies.

  • GET YOUR CCW!!! Should be the biggest takeaway…

  • But more than anything, do your best to keep updated on the law. They want to sow the seeds of confusion because gun owners like to follow the law, and if you have questions or are confused, they know that you won’t carry as frequently. Knowledge is our primary weapon!

Sites and references:

Colorado General Assembly is your best place to keep up to date on bills and laws coming down the pipeline.

Office of Legislative Legal Services (run by LexisNexis Group) is the law as it stands now, and is your best spot for reading what is currently in place.

William Nash