Colorado Requiring “Firearms Safety Training”: Another Attack On Your Rights!

 

Senate Bill 25-003 was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on April 10, 2025. Now Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is beginning statewide public engagement efforts to 1) inform Coloradans about the new Firearms Safety Program required under Senate Bill 25-003 (SB25-003) and 2) to gather public feedback ahead of the law’s implementation on Aug. 1, 2026.

This “law” is just another example of Gov Polis and his cronies trampling on the rights of Colorado’s lawful gun owners. This has the same stink as the ballot box biology vote which required CPW to reintroduce wolves in  Colorado. Once you get through the democrats “firearms safety” cover-story, SB25-003 is essentially a ban on “specified” semi-autos and nothing more than another effort to gradually erode our Second Amendment rights. Just like slowly boiling a frog in water, the “anti’s” are hoping we just sit still and lose all our freedoms before we realize what’s happened. We have all got to speak up and stand our ground against this encroachment on our right to bear arms!

Senate Bill 25-003:

-Defines specified semiautomatic firearms to include:

• Semiautomatic rifles or shotguns with detachable magazines.
• Certain gas-operated semiautomatic handguns with detachable magazines. 

-Prohibits the purchase and sale of rapid-fire conversion devices, such as bump stocks and binary triggers, and classifies them as dangerous weapons under Colorado law.

-Prohibits knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing the specified semiautomatic firearms without complying with the permit requirements, with criminal penalties for violations.

There’s no doubt the good folks in CPW recognize the significance of this violation of our gun rights, so they’re making an effort to educate the public. CPW has launched a dedicated webpage outlining legally required program requirements and timelines. As the program is finalized, CPW will host a series of public and stakeholder meetings across the state through May 2026. At these meetings, CPW staff will share information and address questions, and attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback. I recommend everyone attend these meeting and let your voice be heard !

CPW will host the following public meetings to share information and gather feedback:

West Slope Public Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 | 6–8 p.m.
Cameo Shooting and Education Complex
3934 I 9/10 Rd, Palisade, CO 81526

Southeast Public Meeting
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Time and location to be announced

Denver Metro Public Meeting
Mid-April 2026
Details to be announced

Virtual Public Meeting
Date and time to be announced

In addition, CPW will host targeted stakeholder meetings with county sheriffs, federal firearms licensed dealers. and firearms safety instructors. A full schedule is available on CPW’s website.

How to learn more
Members of the public can learn more about SB25-003, firearms safety course requirements, and upcoming meetings by visiting CPW’s website.

Questions about the Firearms Safety Program may be directed to: [email protected].
Questions about public and stakeholder meetings may be directed to: [email protected].

Details of the Program
Starting Aug. 1, 2026, individuals seeking to purchase or transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm (SSF) must successfully complete an in-person firearms safety course within five years before the transaction. This includes background checks and safety education covering safe handling, storage, federal/state gun laws, de-escalation, and range time. 

An SSF is defined as:

• A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine, or
• A gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.

The law does not affect individuals who already own an SSF, nor does it prohibit the use of these firearms in any way. The requirement applies only to future purchases or transfers after the effective date. As outlined in SB25-003, the Department of Revenue, which permits firearms dealers in Colorado, will provide and maintain the list of SSFs. This list will be linked from CPW’s website. Most semiautomatic hunting shotguns and several other firearm types are exempt under the statute.

Individuals who have completed a CPW-certified hunter education course will be eligible for a shorter, four-hour Basic Course. Those without hunter education must complete a 12-hour Extended Course. All courses must be completed in person and will include a final exam requiring a minimum score of 90%.