A major overhaul of Colorado’s concealed carry handgun permit process went into effect on July 1, bringing with it a host of stricter requirements and sparking a rush of applications at sheriff’s offices across the state.
The bill in question, House Bill 24-1174, mandates that concealed handgun training classes in Colorado must take place entirely in person, with no online instruction allowed. Each class must provide at least eight hours of training, which includes both live-fire shooting exercises and a written competency exam. The curriculum is required to address firearm safety, safe storage, shooting fundamentals, relevant laws concerning firearm ownership and use, self-defense statutes, and techniques for avoiding criminal attacks.
For permit renewals, refresher classes are required and must last a minimum of two hours, including a live-fire component and a written exam. These refresher classes must emphasize any changes to firearm laws passed within the previous five years. While they are valid for permit renewal, they cannot be used to meet the requirements for an initial permit application.
Sheriffs have the responsibility of verifying firearms instructors to ensure they meet established criteria. Once verified, instructors must provide students with training certificates upon completion of their courses. When renewing a permit, holders must demonstrate ongoing handgun competence, either through up-to-date training certificates or by presenting evidence of firearm-related qualifications.
The changes, championed by Democratic lawmakers, were framed as a necessary step to “save lives,” but have also been met with frustration by some gun owners.
Local law enforcement has noted that the implementation of the law has led to an “all-time high” in activity as residents hurried to apply for or renew their permits before the new requirements kicked in.
Jason Kennedy, division chief for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, described the situation as a “madhouse,” noting, “We’re doing, you know, all-time highs. Over the last year, we saw about a 330% increase in new permits and then renewals, at 663%.” He explained that, “On Tuesday, we had an all-time high of 95 new permits. And I think it was like 53 renewals in one day. We have one fingerprint machine and one camera, and so we can only process that fast.”
Many applicants found themselves waiting in line for hours, anticipating a significantly more arduous permitting process under the new system. A key concern is the mandate that all training take place in person, eliminating the flexibility of online options. This change disproportionately affects people in rural areas and those with demanding schedules, who now face limited access to required instruction.
In addition, the requirement to complete at least eight hours of training, including live-fire exercises and a written exam, is widely viewed as an excessive burden for exercising what should be recognized as a constitutional right. Compounding these challenges, the new rule requiring sheriffs to verify all firearms instructors introduces yet another layer of bureaucracy and may further restrict the availability of qualified trainers.
Riley Andrews, a Castle Rock resident seeking a permit, told reporters, “We thought we’d get here right at opening time, at nine o’clock.” Another resident, Robin Schween, explained his motivation for beating the deadline: “It’s becoming more restrictive. You have to take additional educational requirements, and just don’t think I need to go through all of that again. So getting it in before the deadline.” Schween further expressed, “Colorado is making our gun ownership laws so much more burdensome to the population.”
These sweeping changes underscore a steadily tightening grip on gun rights within Colorado, marking yet another notable infringement on the right to bear arms in the Rocky Mountain state. For many residents and Second Amendment advocates, House Bill 24-1174 stands as the latest example of how regulatory barriers continue to erode foundational civil liberties once taken for granted.
About José Niño
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. You can contact him via Facebook and X/Twitter. Subscribe to his Substack newsletter by visiting “Jose Nino Unfiltered” on Substack.com.
