The GunOutlet FFL Type 07 · SOT Class 02
Colorado Senate Bill 25-003

Specified Semiautomatic
Firearm Permit Guide

Effective August 1, 2026, Colorado residents must obtain a state-issued Permit Card and complete certified firearms safety training before purchasing covered semiautomatic firearms.

⚠ Effective Aug 1, 2026 ✓ Permit Valid 5 Years C.R.S. Title 18 · SB25-003
Not sure if your firearm is covered? Use our Specified Semiautomatic Firearm Checker to find out instantly.
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At a Glance
Key Details
Governing Law
Senate Bill 25-003
(C.R.S. Title 18)
Enforcing Agencies
Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) & County Sheriffs
CPW Base Fee
$52 + County Admin Fee
Permit Validity
5 Years
Min. Exam Score
90% — Written & Practical
Effective Date
August 1, 2026
Firearm Scope
What's Covered & What's Not

Permit Required

  • Semiautomatic rifles with a detachable magazine
  • Semiautomatic shotguns with a detachable magazine
  • Gas-operated semiautomatic handguns with a detachable magazine
Detachable magazine defined: A magazine removable from the firearm without disassembly. Per statute, an attached tubular magazine located under the barrel does not count as a detachable magazine.

Exempt — No Permit Needed

  • .22 caliber or smaller rimfire — unless the firearm has a separate upper and lower receiver
  • Manually operated firearms (bolt, pump, lever, or slide action)
  • Semiautomatic firearms with a permanently fixed magazine of 15 rounds or fewer
  • Single- or double-action semiautomatic handguns that use recoil (not gas) to cycle the action
  • Permanently inoperable firearms
  • Antique firearms per 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(16) and curios or relics per 27 CFR 478.11
  • Firearms you already owned before August 1, 2026
Tubular magazine exemption: An attached tubular magazine under the barrel is not a "detachable magazine" under this statute. Tube-fed shotguns and rifles are therefore not Specified Semiautomatic Firearms. Use our SSF Checker if you're unsure.
How To Get Your Permit
Four-Step Process
1
Initiate Application — CPW Firearms Safety System

Create an account and submit your application through the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Firearms Safety System (FSS) portal. The application opened July 20, 2026.

  • Select your county of residence — your application routes to that sheriff's office for vetting.
  • A secondary business or residence county may also be selected.
CPW Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Page
2
County Sheriff Eligibility & Background Review

After submitting your CPW application, you must work directly with your county sheriff to complete vetting. There is no single statewide sheriff portal — each county sets its own procedures, fees, appointment requirements, and document submission methods.

  • Submit a valid Colorado Driver's License or State ID.
  • Provide results of a name-based background check from a third-party vendor.
  • Pay the county administrative fee (varies by county).
💲 $52 CPW Base Fee + County Admin Fee (varies by county)
⚠ Check your county sheriff's office before you apply. Some counties were not accepting applications before August 1, 2026, and procedures vary significantly. Contact or visit your county sheriff's website directly to confirm their current process, fees, and appointment availability.
County Sheriffs of Colorado Directory County-by-County Tracker (Colorado Firearms Watch)

Once approved, the sheriff issues your Safety Course Eligibility Card, recorded directly in the state FSS database.

3
Complete Certified Firearms Safety Training

After your eligibility card is issued, complete an in-person, state-approved course with a sheriff-verified, CPW-certified instructor. The required track depends on your CPW history:

Track A — Hunter Ed Holders

4 hrs
Basic firearm safety course

Track B — Standard Applicants

12 hrs
Extended course · minimum two separate days

Mandatory curriculum includes:

  • Safe handling, loading, unloading, and maintenance of semiautomatic rifles and pistols
  • Safe storage laws and prevention of unauthorized child access
  • Federal & Colorado firearm statutes, ERPO / Red Flag laws, and victim awareness
  • Mental health awareness and firearm suicide prevention
  • Live-fire practical exam + written test — minimum 90% required on both

Note: Existing CCW courses and most other firearms training do not satisfy these requirements.

4
Final Permit Approval & Firearm Purchase

Your certified instructor registers your completion score in the FSS database and issues your Firearms Safety Training Certificate.

  • Your Specified Semiautomatic Firearm Permit Card activates — valid statewide for 5 years.
  • When purchasing at an FFL, the dealer verifies your eligibility in the CPW FSS system, then runs a CBI InstaCheck background check before completing the transfer.
Before You Buy
Completion Checklist
Required Steps — All Must Be Complete
Legal Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws and implementation details are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with the CPW Firearms Safety System and your local County Sheriff's Office before purchasing. The GunOutlet is a licensed FFL Type 07 / SOT Class 02 dealer — contact our staff with any transfer questions.