Can a non-resident concealed carry in Colorado?
Last verified against primary sources: · Updated
Only if you hold a concealed-handgun permit issued to you as a resident of a state that Colorado recognizes. Colorado honors an out-of-state permit under C.R.S. § 18-12-213 only when the issuing state also recognizes Colorado permits, you are 21 or older, and the permit was issued to you as a resident of that state. Colorado issues no non-resident permits of its own, so there is no way to obtain a Colorado permit as a visitor. If your permit does not qualify, your fallback is the vehicle exception — anyone may carry a handgun in a private vehicle for self-defense without a permit.
The reciprocity rule: three conditions
A visitor can carry concealed on their person in Colorado only by riding on an out-of-state permit, and only if that permit clears all three conditions in the reciprocity statute:
(1) A permit to carry a concealed handgun or a concealed weapon that is issued by a state that recognizes the validity of permits issued pursuant to this part 2 shall be valid in this state in all respects as a permit issued pursuant to this part 2 if the permit is issued to a person who is: (a) Twenty-one years of age or older; and (b) (I) A resident of the state that issued the permit, as demonstrated by the address stated on a valid picture identification that is issued by the state that issued the permit and is carried by the permit holder; or (II) A resident of Colorado for no more than ninety days, as determined by the date of issuance on a valid picture identification issued by Colorado and carried by the permit holder.
Reading those conditions in order:
- Two-way recognition. The issuing state must itself recognize Colorado permits. Whether a given state currently qualifies is a list that changes over time — see below.
- Age 21+.
- Issued to a resident of the issuing state. This is the condition that trips people up. A non-resident permit — for example a Utah or Florida non-resident permit held by someone who lives in a different state — does not satisfy § 18-12-213(1)(b)(I), because that clause requires the permit to have issued to a resident of the state that issued it. There is also a narrow 90-day grace window in clause (II) for brand-new Colorado residents still carrying their prior state's permit.
Colorado does not issue non-resident permits
A visitor cannot solve the problem by applying for a Colorado permit instead. Colorado's permit statute limits eligibility to Colorado residents:
(1) Beginning May 17, 2003, except as set forth in this section, a sheriff shall issue a permit to carry a concealed handgun to an applicant who: (a) Is a legal resident of the state of Colorado. For purposes of this part 2, a person who is a member of the armed forces and is stationed pursuant to permanent duty station orders at a military installation in this state, and a member of the person's immediate family living in Colorado, shall be deemed to be a legal resident of the state of Colorado.
The one exception is for service members stationed in Colorado on permanent-duty-station orders (and their Colorado-resident immediate family), who are deemed legal residents for this purpose and can apply. See Colorado concealed carry permits for the resident application process.
The fallback: the vehicle exception
If your permit does not qualify, you are not entirely without options. Colorado lets anyone — resident or visitor, permit or no permit — carry a handgun in a private vehicle for lawful self-protection.
(2) It shall not be an offense if the defendant was: … (b) A person in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance who carries a weapon for lawful protection of such person's or another's person or property while traveling …
(3) (a) A person who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry a handgun under the following circumstances without obtaining a permit and the handgun shall not be considered concealed: (I) The handgun is in the possession of a person who is in a private automobile or in some other private means of conveyance and who carries the handgun for a legal use, including self-defense …
This covers a handgun in your car; it does not extend to carrying concealed on your person once you leave the vehicle.
Whether any specific state's permit currently qualifies under § 18-12-213 depends on Colorado's live reciprocity list, which the Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains and updates independently of the statute. Check the current list before relying on it — we track it on the reciprocity page.
Common questions
Can I get a Colorado concealed carry permit if I live in another state?
No. Colorado issues concealed-handgun permits only to legal residents of Colorado (C.R.S. § 18-12-203(1)(a)). The lone exception is for service members stationed in Colorado on permanent-duty-station orders and their Colorado-resident immediate family.
Does Colorado honor a non-resident permit from Utah or Florida?
No. Colorado's reciprocity statute (C.R.S. § 18-12-213(1)(b)(I)) requires the permit to have been issued to the holder as a resident of the issuing state, so a non-resident permit does not qualify — even if the issuing state is otherwise on Colorado's reciprocity list.
I just moved to Colorado — can I still carry on my old state permit?
For a limited time. C.R.S. § 18-12-213(1)(b)(II) recognizes a qualifying out-of-state permit for a person who has been a Colorado resident for no more than ninety days, as shown by the issuance date on a Colorado ID. After that window you would need a Colorado permit.
Can a visitor without a permit carry a handgun in Colorado?
In a private vehicle, yes. Anyone who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry one in a private vehicle for self-defense without a permit (C.R.S. §§ 18-12-105(2)(b), 18-12-204(3)). Carrying concealed on your person still requires a qualifying permit.