Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is continuing its statewide public engagement efforts to inform Coloradans about the new Firearms Safety Program.
Signed into law on April 10, 2025, Senate Bill 25-003 requires individuals to apply for an eligibility card through their sheriff’s office and complete a firearms safety course before purchasing or transferring certain specified semiautomatic firearms after the law takes effect.
CPW is responsible for implementing the program, including developing course standards, maintaining eligibility records, and coordinating with county sheriffs, certified course instructors and licensed firearms dealers.
CPW has launched a dedicated webpage outlining legally required program requirements and timelines, and is hosting a series of public and stakeholder meetings across the state through May.
At these meetings, CPW staff will share information and address questions, and attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback.
“We now have additional meeting dates and locations confirmed, and we look forward to continuing conversations with communities and stakeholders across Colorado,” said CPW Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement Jim Hawkins. “These meetings provide an opportunity to share information about how the Firearms Safety Program will work and to hear directly from Coloradans as we move toward implementation.
A southwest public meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 4 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 2500 Main Ave. in Durango.
In addition, CPW will host targeted stakeholder meetings with county sheriffs, federal firearms licensed dealers and firearms safety instructors.
A full schedule is available on CPW’s website.
About the Firearms
Starting Aug. 1, individuals seeking to purchase or transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm must successfully complete an in-person firearms safety course within five years before the transaction.
A specified semiautomatic firearm is defined as:
• A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine, or
• A gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.
The law does not affect individuals who already own a specified semiautomatic firearm, nor does it prohibit the use of these firearms in any way.
The requirement applies only to future purchases or transfers after the effective date.
As outlined in SB25-003, the Department of Revenue, which permits firearms dealers in Colorado, will provide and maintain the list of specified semiautomatic firearms. This list will be linked from CPW’s website.
Most semiautomatic hunting shotguns and several other firearm types are exempt under the statute.
Individuals who have completed a CPW-certified hunter education course will be eligible for a shorter, four-hour basic course. Those without hunter education must complete a 12-hour extended course. All courses must be completed in person and will include a final exam requiring a minimum score of 90 percent.
CPW will not teach the courses, but will provide standardized course content to county-verified firearms instructors statewide.
How to learn more
Members of the public can learn more about SB25-003, firearms safety course requirements and upcoming meetings by visiting cpw.state.co.us/specified-semiautomatic-firearms.
Questions about the Firearms Safety Program may be directed to dnr_cpw_firearmsafety@state.co.us.
Questions about public and stakeholder meetings may be directed to dnr_cpw_planning@state.co.us.
About SB25-003
SB25-003 establishes firearms safety training requirements for the purchase or transfer of specified semiautomatic firearms in Colorado beginning Aug. 1.
CPW is required by statute to implement and administer the program and to report annually to the Colorado General Assembly on program costs and resource needs.
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