Congratulations on your decision to apply for a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit. This page provides an overview of the training requirements and the application process.
Take The Required Training Class:
On July 1st, 2025 the training requirements to apply for a Colorado Concealed Handgun permit changed.
The Training Requirements:
In order to submit your application, you must complete 8 total hours of training with a verified instructor. In order to make this as convenient as possible, we offer the class in a full-day format (with lunch break) or alternatively in 2 x 4-hour parts.
If taking our class in parts, each part is 4 hours long, with Part 1 consisting of lecture-only instruction in a classroom and Part 2 consisting of live instruction on a gun range.
Please note that when you sign up for these classes you can choose any Part 1 and any Part 2 class we offer. Please note you do neet to complete the full-day class or both Part 1 and Part 2 within 12 months of submitting your application for your permit.
Also please note we require you complete Part 1 before you take Part 2 but we encourage you can sign up for both initially.
You will be required to complete an open-book written exam and a 50-round shooting exam. Both are extremely simple. For additional questions about the classes themselves please visit our class schedule and read the descriptions.
Submitting Your Application:
In order to apply for a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit you must apply in person at the county sheriff's office in the county in which you reside.
If you own a business that is registered in a different county you can choose to apply in either the county where your business is registered or the county in which you reside.
Things That Vary By County:
The following items are different from county to county and we encourage you to visit your county sheriff's website to obtain the answers to these questions:
- How much will it cost to apply. The state will charge a fee of $52.50. The county can charge their own independent fee up to $100.
- How can you pay the fee(s). Counties have different policies about accepting cash, checks, cards, money orders, etc.
- How and when do you apply. While ultimately you will need to be at the sheriff's office in person to be fingerprinted and sign the application, some counties require you set an appointment via an online tool or system. Other counties may not require an appointment but may only accept applications on certain days of the week, times of days, or only a limited number of applications per day.
Do your research and find out the answers to these 3 questions for your county.
Your Application Appointment:
You will be required to produce up-to-date and accurate Colorado government-issued photo ID. In addition, you will need to provide documentation of having completed a qualifying training course (see above for details).
Under select circumstances, you may be asked to bring additional paperwork but that would be unusual.
Be prepared to fill out paperwork if you haven't done so already online. This will require knowing your birth date and social security number.
At this appointment you will be fingerprinted.
Wait Time:
Once you have submitted your application and been fingerprinted Colorado law requires that the county process your application and provide you with a permit or deny you a permit in no more than 90 days.
Some counties are faster than others.
Some seasons are busier than others.
Some counties are slow on purpose.
Please note that the county does not have discretionary authority. If you pass the background check you get the permit.