Elk River Guns

Colorado’s New Semi-Automatic Firearm Law (SB25-003), Explained

Colorado SB25-003 · In effect since August 1, 2026

Colorado’s New Semi-Automatic Firearm Law, Explained

To buy most semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and certain handguns in Colorado, you now need a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card and an in-person safety course. Here’s the whole process, laid out step by step in plain English.

Get on the interest list →
See the 5 steps
Updated August 2026 · Written for our customers, not lawyers.

The law is here — don’t sweat it

We’ll walk you through the whole process.

The card-and-course requirement took effect August 1, 2026 — it’s a one-time process, good for five years. Right now the nearest safety course is a long haul to the Front Range, so we’re looking into whether we can bring one closer to home. If that’d help you, add your name: the more interest we see, the stronger the case — and the list gets first notice.

Add your name to the interest list →

What the law does

Senate Bill 25-003 prohibits selling, transferring, or purchasing a Specified Semiautomatic Firearm (SSF) in Colorado unless the buyer has completed a new state eligibility-and-training process. It is not a ban: you can still own these firearms, and anything you already owned before August 1, 2026 is grandfathered. It simply adds a one-time card-and-course step before a new purchase.

The one-sentence version: you’ll need a sheriff-issued Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card and a passing grade in an in-person safety course before you can buy a covered semi-auto in Colorado.  See CPW’s official Firearms Safety Program page →

What’s covered — and what isn’t

Covered

  • Semi-automatic rifles with a detachable magazine
  • Semi-automatic shotguns with a detachable magazine
  • Gas-operated semi-auto handguns with a detachable magazine

Not covered

  • Bolt, pump, lever & slide actions
  • Rimfire .22 or smaller (unless separate upper & lower)
  • Fixed magazines of 15 rounds or fewer
  • Recoil-operated handguns — most semi-auto pistols
  • Permanently inoperable guns; qualifying antiques & C&R

Handgun shoppers: the vast majority of semi-auto pistols are recoil-operated and therefore exempt. Only gas-operated semi-auto handguns fall under the law.

Already own a covered firearm?

You’re unaffected. SB25-003 applies only to purchases and transfers on or after August 1, 2026. Anything lawfully in your possession before that date is grandfathered — no card, no course, no registration required to keep it.

Come shoot with us — then let’s get you squared away.

How to get your card — step by step

Steps 1–3 get you the card. Here’s how the whole thing fits together.

1

Apply online with the state. Create your account and start your application in Colorado’s Firearms Safety System (FSS) — the state’s official portal at coloradofss.com. Everything ties back to it, including your final purchase.

2

Get your name-based background check. You’ll need a third-party, name-based check to hand to the Sheriff — it must cover national + Colorado criminal history and court records, and include the vendor’s attestation. It’s done online and emailed to you. Most folks are using MyTruSeal (about $30 + small court fees).

Just so we’re clear: we don’t run, receive, or store your report, and we earn nothing from this link — it’s simply the provider most people are using. Always confirm your check will be accepted with the Routt County Sheriff before you apply.

3

Visit the Routt County Sheriff for your card. Bring your government photo ID and your background check. They review it, confirm your eligibility, and issue your Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card — good for five years. Expect the $52 state record fee plus a county fee (call to confirm).

4

Take the required safety course. Complete a Basic (4-hr) or Extended (12-hr) course in person and pass at 90%; your instructor reports completion to the state. Today that means a trip to the Front Range — but we’re working to bring the course closer to home. Add your name and you’ll be first to hear when we do.

5

Buy your firearm. Once you’re eligible, come see us. We confirm your status in the state system, run the standard CBI InstaCheck, and complete the transfer under all applicable state and federal law. When you’re ready for the rifle, we’re right here in Steamboat.

What it costs

$52
State record fee
Paid to the Sheriff, sent to CPW
Varies
County admin fee
Set by Routt County — call to confirm
≈$30
Background check
Per name, + small court fees

Course
Instructor tuition
Set by the provider — varies

The safety course — and the hunter-ed shortcut

Save yourself 8 hours

Get your Colorado hunter-education card first.

A CPW hunter-education card does not exempt you — you still take a safety course. But it changes which course you owe:

Have a hunter-ed card 4-hour Basic firearms safety course
No hunter-ed or prior course 12-hour Extended course, across at least two days

Either way you pass at 90%, and your hunter-ed credentials must be verified in CPW’s system. So step one for most people: knock out hunter education through Colorado Parks & Wildlife, then take the short course.

Training at the range with Elk River Guns

Be first in line

Get on the SB25-003 interest list.

The nearest safety course is hours away on the Front Range. We’re looking into bringing one closer to home — add your name so we can gauge interest. We’ll keep you posted on local options and send you a plain-English walkthrough of getting your Eligibility Card. If it happens, seats would be limited, and this list gets first notice.

  • First to hear if a local course opens up
  • Step-by-step help getting your Eligibility Card
  • No spam — just what you need to get your card and your gun
SB25-003 Class Interest

Buying online from us

Nothing changes with our online store. We continue to list and ship these firearms to your FFL nationwide, exactly as before. Colorado simply joins the list of states (like New York and California) where extra steps apply at transfer. Colorado residents completing a transfer go through the eligibility-card and course process at the receiving FFL; out-of-state customers see no change at all.

Not sure where your rifle lands? Bring it by — we’ll tell you straight.

Quick reference

Effective date August 1, 2026 (now in effect)
State portal coloradofss.com — apply & create your account
Covered Semi-auto rifles/shotguns with detachable mags; gas-operated semi-auto handguns with detachable mags
Not covered Bolt/pump/lever/slide; .22 rimfire (no separate receivers); fixed mags ≤15; recoil-operated handguns; qualifying antiques/C&R
The sequence Background check → sheriff eligibility card → safety course (90%) → buy at FFL
Course length 4-hour Basic (with hunter-ed) or 12-hour Extended (without)
Card & course validity 5 years
Typical fees $52 state record fee + county fee + ~$30 background check + course tuition
Already own one? Unaffected — grandfathered

Frequently asked questions

Is Colorado banning AR-15s?
No. SB25-003 does not ban ownership of AR-pattern or other semi-automatic rifles. It adds an eligibility-card and safety-course requirement before you can buy or transfer a covered firearm. Firearms you already own are unaffected.
Can I take the course online?
No. Colorado requires the certified course to be 100% in person, with the instructor on site. Any prep materials a provider offers online are just prep — the course, exam, and hands-on check all happen in person.
Where do I get the name-based background check?
From a third-party vendor that covers national + Colorado criminal history and court records and includes a vendor attestation. Most people are using MyTruSeal (about $30). We don’t run or handle your report — always confirm your check is accepted with the Routt County Sheriff before applying.
Does a hunter-education card mean I can skip the course?
No. A hunter-ed card does not exempt you. It qualifies you for the shorter 4-hour Basic course instead of the 12-hour Extended course. You still complete the course and pass at 90%.
Which comes first — the course or the sheriff?
The sheriff comes first. You apply through the state portal and your county sheriff, and if approved they issue your Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card. That card is what makes you eligible to take the safety course. When you pass, you’re eligible to buy.
I already own a covered rifle. Do I need to do anything?
No. The law only applies to purchases and transfers on or after August 1, 2026. There’s no registration requirement for firearms you already possess.
Are handguns affected?
Only gas-operated semi-automatic handguns with a detachable magazine. Most semi-auto pistols are recoil-operated and are exempt.
Are .22 rifles covered?
Rimfire firearms of .22 caliber or smaller are exempt — unless the firearm has a separate upper and lower receiver. A standard .22 plinker is fine; a .22 built on a separate-receiver platform may not be.
Can I still buy from your website?
Yes. We continue to list and ship these firearms nationwide to your FFL. Colorado buyers complete the eligibility-card and course steps at the receiving dealer; out-of-state buyers are unaffected.
How long is everything good for?
Five years. Your Eligibility Card is valid five years, and after you pass the course you have five years to purchase — then you renew the process.
How much does all of this cost?
Expect a $52 state Firearms Safety Course record fee collected by the sheriff, a separate county administrative fee, about $30 for the name-based background check, the instructor’s course fee, and the usual FFL transfer/InstaCheck fee. The application fee is charged whether or not you’re approved.
Where’s the official information?
Colorado Parks & Wildlife maintains the program page at cpw.state.co.us/specified-semiautomatic-firearms, hunter education at cpw.state.co.us/hunting/education-outreach, and the full bill text is at leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-003. Always confirm specifics with CPW and your county sheriff.

Don’t want the long drive? Get on the list.

The nearest safety course is hours away on the Front Range. We’re looking into bringing one to the Western Slope — and the more folks who want it local, the more likely we make it happen. Add your name, and we’ll help with your card and the rifle when you’re ready.

Add your name to the interest list →
 
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This page is general information for our customers and is not legal advice. Senate Bill 25-003 and its implementation details are subject to change as Colorado Parks & Wildlife and county sheriffs finalize rules and fees. Verify all specifics with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (cpw.state.co.us) and the Routt County Sheriff’s Office before relying on them. Elk River Guns · 1320 Dream Island Plaza, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.