CCW - Frequently Asked Questions

Most citizens find that their specific needs for carrying a concealed handgun while in their home, business, or private vehicle fall within the current law without needing a permit. If you would like to carry a concealed handgun on your person (i.e. in your pocket, purse, coat, etc.), you will need a permit.

What is the basic criteria for granting a permit?
What if I already have a permit from another state?
I own property in Colorado and another state. Where should I apply?
How do I change my name or address with Department of Motor Vehicle?
Can I have an application mailed or faxed to me?
How do I apply for a permit?
What are the fees for a new applicant?
How do I find C.R.S. section 18-8-503 regarding question #3 on the application?
What if I am a retired peace officer (Level 1 or 1A only)?
How do I renew my existing permit?
What are the renewal fees?
How long does the process take?
How long is the permit valid?
Where can I get a firearms training certificate?
Do other states honor Colorado's permit (reciprocity)?
Where are the carry restrictions?
Do Colorado State Parks or Open Space allow a person to carry a handgun?
If I am issued a permit, who is my information shared with?
What happens to my permit if I move?
What should I do if I lose my permit card?
What are my rights and responsibilities?
Colorado Constitution Article II, Section 13
Who do I contact with additional questions?

What is the basic criteria for granting a permit?
You must:

Be at least 21 years of age.
Reside or own property, or own or lease real property for a business in Jefferson County, or be a member of the armed forces and stationed pursuant to permanent duty station orders at a military installation in this state.
Provide proof of residency by submitting a copy of a valid Colorado driver's license or valid Colorado or military photo identification. If address on identification is not correct, you must provide another proof of address (i.e. utility bill, mortgage statement, bank statement, etc.). Per C.R.S. 42-2-119, you have 30 days to notify the Department of Motor Vehicle of an address or name change. How to change your address/name with DMV.
Pass a background check. The purpose of the background check is to determine if all required paperwork was submitted, and whether the applicant meets all criteria specified in C.R.S. 18-12-203. Regardless of whether the applicant meets the criteria specified, if the sheriff has reasonable belief that documented previous behavior by the applicant makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to self or others, the sheriff may deny the permit. A criminal record check, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC), the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement agencies, will be completed.
Pay two non-refundable processing fees to cover the costs associated with fingerprinting and background checks. These fees are due upon submission of the completed application.
Demonstrate competence with a handgun by submitting the original or a copy of an acceptable firearms safety and proficiency training course. One of the following must be provided:

A training certificate from a handgun training class obtained within 10 years preceding submittal of this application. It must be the original training certificate or a photocopy.
Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States Armed Forces (DD214) within three years preceding submittal of this application.
Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces (DD214) that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within 10 years preceding submittal of this application.
Evidence that, at the time this application is submitted, the applicant is a certified instructor.
Evidence of experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competitions or current military service.
A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within 10 years preceding submittal of this application.
Note: A hunter safety or comparable course is not acceptable.

What if I already have a permit from another state?
If you have recently moved to Colorado and have a valid Colorado driver's license, you will need to apply for a Colorado permit to carry. You have a 90-day grace period from the time you move to Colorado. You must obtain a Colorado driver's license prior to applying for a permit to provide proof of residency. You are not required to forfeit your other permit, but it is not valid here in Colorado following the grace period. Per Senate Bill 34, which went into effect May 17, 2007, if you are already a Colorado resident with an out-of-state permit, the permit is not valid and you are considered to be carrying illegally.

I own property in Colorado and another state. Where should I apply?
Although you may own property in Colorado, you will need to apply in the state where you claim primary residency (i.e. hold a valid driver's license, are registered to vote, registered vehicles, etc.). If you hold a valid Colorado driver's license, you must have a Colorado permit in order to legally carry in the state of Colorado. Per Senate Bill 34, which passed May 17, 2007, you may not carry in the state of Colorado with an out-of-state permit if you are a Colorado resident, unless you have recently moved to Colorado, in which you have a 90-day grace period to pursue a Colorado permit.

Colorado has reciprocity with most other states should you decide to obtain a permit in the state where you claim primary residency.

Can I have an application mailed or faxed to me?
Due to the volume of requests, we are unable to mail applications. If you would like an application faxed to you, please call 303-271-5542.

How do I apply for a permit?
The application (pdf), except for the signature, must be completed in full, including:

an original or copy of a firearms training certificate;
a copy of a valid Colorado driver's license or Colorado or military photo identification to provide proof of residency; and
the processing fees

You must deliver the original application, in person, to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Records Section. Applications will be accepted Tuesdays and Thursdays only, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All applicants must sign the completed application in the presence of the county sheriff or their designee per Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 18-12-205(2)(a). A set of fingerprints will be taken by the Records Section upon submission of all required items.

The CCW application is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader to view and print.
Click on the icon to the left to download the free software.

What are the fees for a new applicant?
Two separate fees must be submitted with the application:

$100 made payable to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in the form of: U.S. currency, money order, credit card (MasterCard or VISA only) or a cashier's/certified check.
$52.50 made payable to CBI in the form of: business check, money order or a cashier's/certified check.

What if I am a retired peace officer (Level 1 or 1A only)?
If you have retired within the last five years, you must submit a completed application, along with a letter written by your former chief or sheriff, containing the following information:

You are a legal resident of Colorado
You are not ineligible to possess a firearm per federal law
You have not been convicted of perjury
You don't chronically or habitually use alcoholic drinks
You don't unlawfully use or are addicted to a controlled substance
You don't have a restraining order, or a permanent or temporary restraining order against you

Although fingerprints and fees are waived, you must demonstrate competence with a handgun by providing documentation that proves qualification within the last ten years.

You must deliver the original application in person to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Records Section. Applications will be accepted Tuesdays and Thursdays only, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All applicants must sign the completed application in the presence of the county sheriff or his designee per Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 18-12-205(2)(a).

The permit is valid for five years. Once expired, you will need to submit as a "new" applicant, with the exception of a firearms training certificate, and provide those two fees ($100 and $52.50), as well as fingerprints.

How do I renew my existing permit?
Within 120-days prior to the expiration of your permit, you may submit a completed application, to include providing proof of residency by submitting a copy of a valid Colorado driver's license or valid Colorado or military photo identification, and the processing fees. The proof of firearms training on the back of the application does not pertain to renewal applicants, as long as a certificate is already on file. You must deliver the original application, in person, to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Records Section. Applications will be accepted Tuesdays and Thursdays only, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All applicants must sign the completed application in the presence of the county sheriff or their designee per Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 18-12-205(2)(a).

What are the renewal fees?
Two separate fees must be submitted with the application:

$50 made payable to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in the form of: U.S. currency, money order, credit card (MasterCard or VISA only), or a cashier's/certified check.
$13 made payable to CBI in the form of: business check, money order or cashier's/certified check; or
$52.50 made payable to CBI, if you were not previously fingerprinted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (i.e. are renewing a permit you received from another agency in the state of Colorado).

Note: You may only renew your existing permit up to six months past the expiration date with an additional late fee of $15 in addition to the $50 renewal fee (total of $65). If you fail to renew your existing permit within that time, you must start the process over by submitting as a "new" applicant, with the exception of a training certificate if one on file is less than ten years old.

How long does the process take?
The process is completed within 90 days following the date the required items are received. Upon approval, the applicant will be notified to come in for a photograph and the issuance of a permit card. Applicants who are denied or revoked a permit have the right to seek a second review by the sheriff by submitting additional information, or may seek judicial review pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) section 18-12-207.

How long is the permit valid?
A permit is valid for five years from date of issuance, unless cancelled or revoked during that time.

Where can I get a firearms training certificate?
A firearms training certificate can be obtained through any NRA, gun club, shooting range or weapons training facility that has a "certified instructor." You can verify the instructor is certified by their credentials. If the instructor is NRA certified, they will have an instructor's certificate as well as a wallet-sized card which shows an expiration date. If expired, the instructor is no longer allowed to be teaching classes.

Once you have decided on a facility to receive your training through, you will need to obtain the following required item from the certified instructor to be submitted with your application:

A training certificate that includes: (your name, course name, date of course, and the instructor's original signature);

A "certified instructor" is an instructor for a firearms safety course who is certified as a firearms instructor by a county, municipal, state, or federal law enforcement agency; the Colorado POST board; a federal military agency; or a national nonprofit organization that certifies firearms instructors, operates national firearms competitions, and provides training, including courses in personal protection, in small arms safety, use and marksmanship.

A "handgun training class" means:

A law enforcement training firearms safety course;
A firearms safety course offered by a law enforcement agency, an institution of higher education, or a public or private institution or organization or firearms training school, that is open to the general public and is taught by a certified instructor; or
A firearms safety course or class that is offered and taught by a certified instructor.

Note: A training certificate is not required if you are applying for a renewal of your current permit and there is one already on file.

Do other states honor Colorado's permit (reciprocity)?
Permits are valid throughout the state of Colorado. Other states do have reciprocity with Colorado.

Do Colorado State Parks or Open Space allow a person to carry a handgun?
Only if you are a valid permit holder and carry concealed. You must not carry in an open fashion.

If I am issued a permit, who is my information shared with?
Any information contained in your file is confidential and for law enforcement use only. The Open Record's Act does not apply to concealed permit holders. Although your information is entered into a statewide database, this is not a criminal database, and the information simply states you are a valid concealed permit holder.

What happens to my permit if I move?
You must notify the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office within 30 days of an address change. Failure to do so is a chargeable offense. You will need to complete and have notarized a change of address form. Once completed, take the form and your current permit card, in person, to the Sheriff's Office Records Section. A new card will be issued.

If you move within the state of Colorado, your permit remains valid until it expires. At that time, you may either renew the permit with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office or you may submit a new application to the sheriff's office where you reside. If you move to another state, your permit becomes invalid.

What should I do if I lose my permit card?
You must notify the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office within three business days of a lost, stolen or destroyed permit card. Failure to do so is a chargeable offense.

You will need to make a report with the jurisdictional agency where your card was lost or stolen. Complete and have notarized a change of address form, and return the form and a copy of your police report, in person, to the Sheriff's Office Records Section. Your card will be replaced at a fee of $15.

What are my rights and responsibilities?
Your right to own, possess and use firearms includes the responsibility to know how to safely and legally use them.

Colorado Constitution Article II, Section 13
Right to Bear Arms. The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person, or property, or in aid of the civil power when hereto legally summoned, shall be called into question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons.

Who do I contact with additional questions?
You may contact Judy Searle at 303-271-5595 or by email at jsearle@jeffco.us

Last Modified: Mar 28, 2009 10:17 PM