Is a Colorado concealed carry permit valid in Texas?
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Yes. Texas recognizes a valid Colorado license to carry a handgun under a reciprocity proclamation that has been in place since December 29, 2004 (Texas Department of Public Safety). On top of that, Texas has permitless carry: an eligible adult 21 or older who is not otherwise disqualified may carry a handgun in Texas without any permit at all. Going the other direction, Colorado honors a Texas permit too — but only for a Texas resident who is 21 or older.
Outbound: Texas honors your Colorado permit
Texas DPS lists Colorado as a reciprocal state:
Colorado | Reciprocal | Effective December 29, 2004, Texas Governor Rick Perry proclaimed persons with a valid Colorado license to carry a handgun may carry in Texas. Effective May 17, 2007, the Governor of Colorado signed Senate Bill 34 recognizing handgun permits issued to residents of the issuing state, who are 21 years of age, may carry in Colorado.
Texas also has permitless carry
Even without reciprocity, Texas allows permitless carry. Under Texas Penal Code § 46.02 (as amended by HB 1927, effective September 1, 2021), the unlawful-carry offense applies to a person who is younger than 21 or who has certain recent convictions — meaning an eligible adult 21 or older who is not otherwise disqualified may carry a handgun without a license. Because that rule turns on age and eligibility rather than residency, a Colorado visitor who is 21+ and not disqualified generally may carry in Texas either under Texas’s permitless-carry law or under the Colorado–Texas reciprocity proclamation with a valid permit.
Inbound: does Colorado honor a Texas permit?
Yes, with Colorado’s standard conditions. Texas is on the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s list of states whose permits Colorado recognizes. But recognition is governed by C.R.S. § 18-12-213, which adds two requirements most guides miss:
18-12-213. Reciprocity. (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 ...
So Colorado honors a Texas License to Carry only if the holder is a Texas resident (proven by matching Texas ID) and is 21 or older. Colorado does not honor a non-resident permit from any state. Full detail, including Colorado’s honored/not-honored lists: Colorado concealed carry reciprocity.
Common questions
Can I carry in Texas with a Colorado concealed carry permit?
Yes. Texas honors a valid Colorado license to carry a handgun under a reciprocity proclamation effective since December 29, 2004. A Colorado permit holder 21 or older may carry concealed while in Texas.
Do I even need a permit to carry in Texas?
Not necessarily. Texas allows permitless carry for eligible adults 21 and older who are not otherwise disqualified (Texas Penal Code § 46.02, amended by HB 1927, effective September 1, 2021). A qualifying Colorado visitor 21+ may carry in Texas with or without a permit.
Does Colorado honor a Texas License to Carry?
Yes, but only for a Texas resident 21 or older, proven by matching Texas ID (C.R.S. § 18-12-213). Colorado does not recognize any non-resident permit, so a non-resident Texas permit would not be valid in Colorado.