Can You Carry a Firearm in Boulder, Colorado?

Short answer: Yes—you can carry a firearm in Boulder, but how and where you carry matters. Open carry is prohibited, while concealed carry is lawful with a valid permit, subject to Boulder’s local ordinances, additional “restricted” areas, and real-world enforcement considerations.

Is it legal to carry a gun in Boulder?

Boulder is one of the most restrictive jurisdictions in Colorado. This article provides a complete, all-encompassing guide to carrying a firearm in Boulder, including open carry, concealed carry, homes, businesses, vehicles, “sensitive areas,” how Bruen fits in, and practical risk management.

Colorado Carry Law: The Big Picture

Under Colorado law:

Open carry is generally legal without a permit, and
Concealed carry requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP).

However, Colorado allows local governments to impose stricter rules. Boulder has exercised that authority through municipal ordinances that control within city limits, overriding the statewide default.

Open Carry in Boulder (Illegal)

Open carry is illegal within the City of Boulder.

Boulder Municipal Code — Actual Citation

Boulder’s open carry ban is codified in the Boulder Revised Code (B.R.C.) § 5-8-3, titled Open Carrying Firearms.

“A person shall not openly carry a firearm on his or her person in a public place within the City of Boulder.”
— B.R.C. § 5-8-3(a)

What This Means in Practice

Applies to handguns and long guns
Applies to streets, sidewalks, parks, trails, and other public places
Applies regardless of concealed handgun permit status
Enforced as a municipal offense by Boulder Police

If a firearm is visible to ordinary observation in a public place, you are exposed to enforcement.

How the Bruen Decision Fits In

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decided New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, holding that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to carry a firearm in public for self-defense.

What Bruen Did

Confirmed a right to public carry
Ended discretionary “may-issue” permit schemes
Required regulations to align with historical tradition

What Bruen Did Not Do

It did not invalidate all local firearm regulations
It did not eliminate concealed carry permits
It did not specifically strike down Boulder’s open carry ban

As of now, Boulder continues to enforce B.R.C. § 5-8-3. Bruen is not a defense on the sidewalk—any constitutional challenge happens after enforcement, not before.

Concealed Carry in Boulder (Legal With a Permit)

Concealed carry is legal in Boulder if you have a valid Colorado-recognized Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP).

A CHP allows you to:

Carry a concealed handgun within Boulder city limits
Avoid violating Boulder’s open carry ban
Travel through Boulder lawfully while armed

Important Limitations

A CHP does not allow open carry
You must comply with restricted locations
Private property owners may prohibit firearms
If the firearm becomes visible, you may still violate the open carry ban

Carrying a Firearm in Your Home in Boulder

You may lawfully possess and carry a firearm—openly or concealed—inside your own home in Boulder.

However, visibility to the public matters.

Increased Risk Scenarios

Standing in a doorway with a visible firearm
Carrying on a porch or balcony visible from the street
Firearm visible through windows or open doors

While the interior of the home is private, public visibility can trigger police response.

Best practice: Keep firearms out of public view, even on your own property.

Carrying a Firearm in a Business You Own

Ownership alone does not create an exception.

Businesses Open to the Public

Retail stores, restaurants, bars, offices with walk-in customers, and similar establishments are treated as public places.

Open carry in customer-facing areas is prohibited
Concealed carry is lawful only with a valid CHP
Visibility to customers or passersby is the trigger

Private, Non-Public Areas

Open carry may be lawful only when:

The area is not open to the public, and
The firearm is not visible from public areas.

Examples include back offices, secured workspaces, or a closed business after hours.

Carrying a Firearm in a Vehicle in Boulder

Under Colorado law:

Lawful firearm possession in a vehicle is generally permitted
A handgun may be carried in a vehicle without a permit
Carrying a chambered long gun in your vehicle is a prohibited by Colorado law

However:

Exiting a vehicle with a visible firearm in Boulder can create exposure
Stepping into public view with a visible firearm may be treated as open carry
Private parking lots may impose their own restrictions

Vehicle carry does not provide a blanket exception once you leave the vehicle.

Boulder’s “Sensitive Areas” Ordinance (Section 5-8-15)

In addition to the open carry ban, Boulder has enacted B.R.C. § 5-8-15, titled Firearms Prohibited in Sensitive Areas. This ordinance attempts to prohibit both open and concealed carry in a wide range of locations.

Locations Listed as “Sensitive Areas”

According to the ordinance, firearms are prohibited in:

City-owned buildings and property
Parks, playgrounds, and open space
Community centers and recreation facilities
Public demonstrations and permitted events
Bars, grocery stores, and theaters
Churches and other houses of worship
Hospitals and mental health centers
Stadiums and large venues
Daycares
Banks

This goes far beyond Boulder’s open carry ban and attempts to regulate lawful concealed carry by permit holders in many everyday locations.

Legal Weight of Boulder’s “Sensitive Areas” Is Unsettled

While B.R.C. § 5-8-15 exists on the books, the legal authority behind many of these restrictions is unsettled, particularly after Bruen.

Key issues include:

Several listed locations are not historically recognized sensitive places
Some restrictions rely on municipal ordinance rather than state statute
Colorado law limits how broadly cities may prohibit firearm possession
Many listed locations (e.g., grocery stores, churches, banks) are private property, where exclusion is typically controlled by the owner—not the city

As a result, not all of these restrictions clearly carry the same legal weight, especially as applied to lawful concealed carry by permit holders.

Enforcement Reality (Even When Authority Is Debatable)

Regardless of legal uncertainty:

Boulder Police may still respond and investigate
You may be detained or ordered to leave
Trespass laws may be used if you refuse to comply
Firearms may be temporarily seized during investigation

Any challenge to legality occurs in court, not during the encounter.

Boulder vs. the Rest of Colorado

Location	Open Carry	Concealed Carry
Most of Colorado	Legal	Permit required
Boulder	❌ Prohibited	✅ With CHP
Denver	❌ Prohibited	✅ With CHP

Always verify local ordinances, not just state law.

How to Carry Legally in Boulder

If you plan to carry a firearm in Boulder, the only practical and lawful method is:

Concealed carry with a valid Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)

A CHP allows you to:

Carry discreetly
Avoid Boulder’s open carry prohibition
Reduce unnecessary law-enforcement encounters
Carry lawfully while living, working, or traveling in Boulder

Get Your Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)

If you live in, work in, or regularly travel to Boulder, obtaining a CHP is the smartest next step.

A quality CHP class covers:

Colorado and Boulder firearm laws
Where you can and cannot carry
Use-of-force and self-defense legal standards
Safe, responsible concealed carry practices
Required training and qualification standards

US Firearms Training Academy offers professional CHP training designed to keep you legal, informed, and confident in restrictive jurisdictions like Boulder.

Click Here For More Info On Obtaining Your CHP Permit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you open carry anywhere in Boulder?
No. Open carry is prohibited citywide under B.R.C. § 5-8-3.

Is concealed carry legal in Boulder?
Yes, with a valid Colorado-recognized Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP).

Does Bruen override Boulder’s firearm laws?
No. Boulder’s ordinances remain enforceable unless struck down by a court.

Can I carry a firearm in my home in Boulder?
Yes, but public visibility (doors, windows, porches) increases enforcement risk.

Can I carry a firearm in my car in Boulder?
Yes, but exiting the vehicle with a visible firearm can create legal exposure.

Do Boulder’s “sensitive area” restrictions definitely hold up in court?
Their legal footing is unsettled, but they are still being enforced.

Final Takeaway

You can carry a firearm in Boulder—but only if you do it correctly.
Open carry is prohibited. Concealed carry is lawful with a valid permit, and discretion is critical.

If you plan to carry in Boulder, understanding local ordinances and obtaining a Concealed Handgun Permit is essential.

Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Class

If you live in Colorado and are applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), state law requires completion of a qualifying training course taught by a verified instructor. Our Colorado CHP classes meet current statutory requirements and include legal instruction, firearms safety, and required certification documentation.
View upcoming Colorado CHP classes and sign up here: Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Class

Self-Defense Insurance

Even a lawful act of self-defense can trigger criminal investigations, civil lawsuits, and significant legal costs. Many CCW holders evaluate self-defense insurance or legal protection plans to help manage those risks—coverage varies by provider and state, so understanding the differences matters.
Learn more and compare options here: Self-Defense Insurance Comparison

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Legal Disclaimer:
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws can change, and local, state, federal, tribal, and municipal regulations may vary. Always verify current laws and consult a qualified attorney before carrying a firearm or making legal decisions related to self-defense. US Firearms Training Academy assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content.