Quick rundown on CO CCW laws

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Azrael256

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I'm helping a friend move to Denver, so I have a few quick questions:

"No guns" signs. Binding?

Bars? Restaurants that serve alcohol? Signage?

Are universities off limits?

Any other little details I need to know?

Any chu... er... friends want to help me carry a dresser upstairs?
 
www.cbi.state.co.us/ccw will cite the stautes for you. Short version- you cannot carry in K-12 public schools, any building or business that has a manned metal detector, federal buildings. Individual property or business owners may post a no-guns sign. If you are found to be in violation of this sign, and refuse to leave the premises, you will be subject to arrest for tresspass. Colorado has statutes regarding intoxicated persons in possession of firearms, not part of ccw statutes.
 
Individual property or business owners may post a no-guns sign. If you are found to be in violation of this sign, and refuse to leave the premises, you will be subject to arrest for tresspass
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So there is no hard preemptive "trespass by a CHL holder" law like we have in Texas?
 
no hard trepass law. Basically, if they catch you with your piece, just leave and its a non issue. Personally, I haven't seen an anti-ccw sign yet here. From talking to others, I know there are a few scattered places that do throw up worthless signs. Thankfully you can ignore them :neener:
 
I'm helping a friend move to Denver
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Denver is not the same as the rest of Colorado ... there is an "Assault Weapon" ban in Denver that recently won a court challenge, so I expect that Denver will ban CCW there eventually (or at least return to a "May Issue" system ... however its unclear whether permits from other counties will be permitted there, I expect they will).

If possible (and if its not too late) make sure your friend doesn't live in Denver ... most of the suburbs around the city are less annoying than the city itself.


CCW in your vehicle is legal without a permit here :) and open carry is legal (but expect a hassle in Denver on both of those if you have a run in with one of Denver's Finest).

CCW in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol is legal ... you can drink while carrying but it is illegal to be "under the influence" while carrying (although the statute doesn't define "under the influence" ... most consider it to be the same as driving, but it's actually totally up to officer discretion). I have a "one drink without food, two drinks with food" rule that works well for me, but I also live down in the Springs which is much friendlier to CCW (El Paso County was "Shall Issue" while the state was officially "May Issue").

Which brings me to an interesting bit, there is no State CCW license, all licenses are issued by the counties (so mine is an El Paso County permit) so the permits look different all over the state (El Paso's is kinda plain).

There is no requirement to tell law enforcement you are carrying here (although its still a good idea to do so) and I don't believe that your status as a licensed carrier will show up on a traffic computer (but I'm not 100% sure on that ... again it may be a county by county thing).

Signage carries no special weight here ... unless the signage is accompanied by metal detectors and/or security checking bags and patting people down (so some clubs you will not be allowed into).

There is no "printing = brandishing" stupidity here either ... since open carry is legal statewide its a non issue.


As for Denver, there is a legal concept here called "Home Rule" which Denver is trying to use to set up different laws than the rest of the state ... its a battle thats been going on for a while and maybe one of the other Coloradoans can explain it to you, but basically Denver wants to be "Chicago of the Rockies", gun bans and corruption and all.


At any rate, I still think Colorado CCW laws are better than Texas.
 
Zundfolge has it mostly right, except this:
and I don't believe that your status as a licensed carrier will show up on a traffic computer
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As a matter of fact it does. The local State Patrol supervisor showed me on his computer (they're good customers of mine).

Yes, the licenses are different all over the state. I think this needs to be changed. My license reads Concealed Handgun License when in reality it is a Concealed Weapon License.

I have seen one posted business here in Pueblo, their initials are Security Service Federal Credit Union. They put the stickers up after I had done all the paperwork for the loan on my new truck. :mad: My wife informed me of the sticker when I had to go back for the final signing of the title. I disarmed and went in and signed the papers. When I got home Sandy asked "Why didn't you just remove your vest?" ;)

I think I'm busy that day you are going to move that dresser.
 
Denver is NOT part of Colorado...

Just to clarify a few points:

1. Denver is a home rule city. They recently won (tied) a case that allows them to regulate certain aspects of the "assault-weapons ban". No saturday night specials, no magazines greater than 20 rounds, no open carry, carry in vehicle only with valid CCW.

2. Tell your friend to get Utah or Florida non-residential permit. It more useful in more states, and he won't get entered into the "Persons of Interest" database.

3. Outside Denver, the other stuff applies. Open Carry - ok. Concealed Carry in vehicle without a permit - ok. 20+ magazines - ok.

4. "No Open Carry" signs do carry weight, but ALL entrances to the area posted must have signage. No Weapons signs don't mean anything if you have a valid CCW. As stated, they can ask you to leave.

PM me if you have more questions.
 
I haven't seen any signage prohibiting weapons in metro Denver or elsewhere.

If I did I wouldn't give them my business.

The others are correct.

Can anyone elaborate on whether Denver plans to enforce its ban on the above weapons...

There was some scuttlebut in a news report that even though Denver won the "home rule" battle, it was so close and expensive and that it was enacted during the AWB (and since the AWB expired and all...) that Denver may plan to either not enforce it or take these rules off the books...

I may be free for a dresser move actually... PM me with info.
 
The recent challenge to the Denver AWB case came to a tie, so the previous ruling, which upholds their AWB under home rule status stands.

I don't believe that Denver will actively enfore its AWB, or I don't see how they can. BUT, I wouldn't want to be pulled over in Denver and have my AR15 w/ 30 rnd mags be discovered.
 
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