On August 1, 2026, Colorado's SB25-003 took effect. Since that date, buying or transferring a specified semiautomatic firearm (SSF) in Colorado requires two things most buyers have never needed before: a county sheriff-issued eligibility card and a completed, state-verified firearms safety course. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) runs the safety-course system; county sheriffs issue the cards. Here's exactly how it works, from the agencies implementing it.
Who is — and isn't — affected
The law applies only to purchases and transfers on or after August 1, 2026. Per the Colorado Department of Revenue: those in possession of an SSF before August 1, 2026 are not affected. "Specified semiautomatic firearm" generally means a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine, or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine — the state publishes an official guidance document (updated regularly, not all-inclusive) listing covered models. SB25-003 also prohibits the purchase and sale of rapid-fire conversion devices such as bump stocks and binary triggers.
The 5-step process
1 — Apply. Create an account in Colorado's Firearms Safety System (FSS) and submit an application, which queues at your county sheriff's office. The FSS application went live July 20, 2026; processing timelines vary by county. 2 — Sheriff verification. Provide a name-based background check and government photo ID; fees are collected at this stage. 3 — Eligibility card. The sheriff issues an eligibility card valid for 5 years, recorded in FSS. 4 — Safety course and exam. Take the course through a verified instructor and pass the final exam with a minimum score of 90%. Once passed, you have 5 years to purchase SSFs. 5 — Purchase. The dealer confirms your eligibility in FSS and processes the sale.
Two course tracks — and what doesn't count
Basic course (4 hours): available if you hold prior Hunter Education certification (out-of-state hunter-ed must be verified through a CPW office). Extended course (12 hours): across at least 2 different days, required without hunter education. Both cover safe handling, magazines, child safety, secure storage, firearm-related mental health, and extreme risk protection orders. Critically, per CPW: completion of any other firearm safety course does NOT satisfy the requirement — concealed-carry courses and background checks are not reciprocal.
Fees
A $52 course record fee (collected by the sheriff, forwarded to CPW), plus a sheriff's administrative fee that varies by county, plus the instructor's fee for the course itself. Application fees are charged whether or not the application is approved.
Sources and the live rule
Primary sources, both fetched and verified for this guide: Colorado Parks & Wildlife — Specified Semiautomatic Firearms · Colorado Dept. of Revenue — SB25-003 implementation update · Colorado General Assembly — SB25-003. LawLert's Colorado firearms page carries the dated, sourced rule — updated when the status flipped on August 1. Crossing into Colorado with firearms? Check what changes at the state line and the live law-changes feed.
FAQ
Does Colorado's SB25-003 affect guns I already own?
No. The law only affects purchases and transfers of specified semiautomatic firearms on or after August 1, 2026. Per the Colorado Dept. of Revenue, those in possession of a specified semiautomatic firearm before August 1, 2026 are not affected.
What counts as a "specified semiautomatic firearm" in Colorado?
Generally, a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine, or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine. Colorado publishes an official Specified Semiautomatic Firearms guidance document (via the Dept. of Revenue Firearms Dealer Division) which is updated regularly and is not all-inclusive — check it for a specific model.
Does my concealed-carry class count toward the SB25-003 safety course?
No. Per Colorado Parks & Wildlife, completion of any other firearm safety course does not satisfy the requirement — CCW background checks and courses are not reciprocal. You must take the SB25-003 course through a verified instructor and pass the exam with at least 90%.
How long is the Colorado firearms eligibility card valid?
Five years. After passing the safety course, purchasers also have five years to buy specified semiautomatic firearms before needing to redo the process.
What does the Colorado eligibility card process cost?
A $52 course record fee (collected by the sheriff's office and forwarded to CPW), plus a sheriff's administrative fee that varies by county, plus the private instructor's course fee. Application fees are charged whether or not the application is approved.