Does Colorado Have a Magazine Capacity Law?

Yes. Colorado has had a magazine capacity law in place since July 1, 2013, limiting most firearm magazines to 15 rounds or fewer. While the law includes a grandfather clause, relying on it has become increasingly risky — especially as enforcement realities and dealer compliance tighten moving forward.

This article explains the actual statute, the grandfather clause, how law enforcement evaluates magazine age, and what changes beginning August 1, 2026 mean for firearm owners and gun stores.

**Understanding the 15-Round Limit, the Grandfather Clause, and What Changes in 2026**

The Actual Colorado Magazine Capacity Statute

Colorado’s magazine restriction is found in:

Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-12-302 — Prohibited Use of a Large-Capacity Magazine

Under this law, it is generally illegal to possess, sell, transfer, or purchase a magazine that is capable of accepting more than 15 rounds of ammunition, unless a specific exception applies.

What Counts as a “Large-Capacity Magazine”?

Under CRS § 18-12-301, a large-capacity magazine includes:

Any fixed or detachable magazine
That can accept more than 15 rounds, or
That can be readily converted or restored to accept more than 15 rounds

This is important:
Temporary blocks or removable limiters do not qualify.
Reduced-capacity magazines must be permanently modified to be compliant.

The Grandfather Clause (Pre–July 1, 2013)

Colorado law allows possession of a magazine over 15 rounds only if:

You owned the magazine before July 1, 2013, and
You have maintained continuous possession of that magazine since that date

There are no exceptions for:

Buying the magazine later
Inheriting it
Being gifted it
Purchasing it out of state and bringing it into Colorado

If the magazine changed hands after July 1, 2013, it is not grandfathered.

Why the Grandfather Clause Is Harder to Defend Today

Technically, the burden of proof is on the State.
Practically, that does not mean the defense is easy.

The law has now been in effect for over a decade, and most people:

Do not have receipts
Do not have serial numbers
Cannot easily prove when a specific magazine was acquired

As more time passes, claims of pre-2013 ownership face greater scrutiny, especially during law enforcement encounters or post-incident investigations.

Moving to Colorado With Magazines Over 15 Rounds

If you move to Colorado with magazines that hold more than 15 rounds, those magazines are generally illegal to possess once they enter the state.

Colorado does not recognize out-of-state grandfathering. The grandfather clause only applies if the magazine was owned before July 1, 2013 and continuously possessed in Colorado since that date. If you moved to Colorado after the ban took effect, that requirement cannot be met.

Bringing high-capacity magazines into Colorado after July 1, 2013 is typically considered unlawful importation and possession, regardless of whether they were legal where you previously lived.

Bottom line: New residents should sell, permanently modify, or leave high-capacity magazines out of Colorado. Carrying compliant 15-round magazines avoids unnecessary legal risk.

How Law Enforcement Tries to Establish Magazine Age

Law enforcement rarely needs a receipt to challenge a claim. Instead, they rely on timeline questioning designed to expose inconsistencies.

Common questions include:

“When did you buy this firearm?”
“Did this magazine come with the gun?”
“Where did you purchase it?”
“How long have you owned this magazine?”
“When did you move to Colorado?”

If someone states they bought the firearm after 2013, or that the magazine came with the gun, it can immediately undermine a grandfather claim.

These are not casual questions — they are intentional and strategic.

Penalties for Violating the Magazine Law

Possession of a prohibited large-capacity magazine is a Class 2 misdemeanor, which can include:

Criminal charges
Fines and court costs
Additional complications depending on the context of the stop or incident

It is not a felony — but it is not a minor citation either.

Important Update: What Changes on August 1, 2026

Beginning August 1, 2026, Colorado firearm laws tighten further — not by changing the magazine limit, but by changing how firearms and magazines are sold and transferred by gun stores.

The 15-round limit stays the same.
What changes is dealer responsibility and enforcement reality.

Does the Charge Increase in 2026?

No.

As of August 1, 2026:

Possession of a prohibited magazine does not automatically become a felony
The offense remains a misdemeanor under CRS § 18-12-302
There is no statute that upgrades simple possession based solely on the date

However, enforcement risk increases because dealer practices become much stricter.

New Obligations for Gun Stores Starting August 1, 2026

Starting August 1, 2026, Colorado FFLs must ensure strict compliance.

Gun stores cannot sell:

Magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds
Firearms that include magazines over 15 rounds

If a firearm normally ships with higher-capacity magazines, dealers must:

Replace them with factory 15-round magazines, or
Sell the firearm with permanently modified 15-round magazines, or
Remove magazines from the sale entirely

Temporary blocks or removable limiters are not acceptable.
Any reduced-capacity magazine must be permanently altered.

Because violations threaten dealer licensing, most gun stores will be extremely conservative.

Why This Makes the Grandfather Clause Riskier After 2026

Even though the grandfather clause technically still exists:

The law will be 13+ years old
Dealers will no longer introduce legacy magazines into circulation
Nearly all new firearm purchases will come with compliant magazines
Any magazine over 15 rounds stands out immediately

The burden of proof may still be on the State, but the practical defense becomes weaker over time.

My Recommendation as a Firearms Instructor

Even if you have lived in Colorado your entire life and your magazines are technically grandfathered, my recommendation is simple:

Carry 15-round magazines.

That is exactly what I do myself.

Relying on the grandfather clause means relying on a legal argument — possibly under stress, scrutiny, or after a defensive incident. Clear compliance removes that variable entirely.

Modern 15-round magazines are reliable, effective, and widely available. From a defensive standpoint, you give up very little. From a legal standpoint, you reduce unnecessary risk.

Clear compliance beats a legal argument every time.

Magazine Capacity Law in Colorado: Q & A

Q: Does Colorado have a magazine capacity limit?

Yes. Colorado limits most firearm magazines to 15 rounds or fewer under CRS § 18-12-302. The law has been in effect since July 1, 2013.

Q: Are magazines over 15 rounds completely illegal in Colorado?

Not entirely. Magazines over 15 rounds are only legal if they were owned before July 1, 2013 and have remained in continuous possession since that date. This is known as the grandfather clause.

Q: Is the grandfather clause still valid?

Yes, the grandfather clause still exists in the statute. However, relying on it has become riskier over time, especially since the law is now more than a decade old and most people lack documentation proving pre-2013 ownership.

Q: Who has the burden of proof — me or the State?

Technically, the burden of proof is on the State. Practically, law enforcement may challenge your claim through questioning designed to establish timelines and inconsistencies.

Q: How does law enforcement try to determine when a magazine was bought?

Officers often ask questions like:

When did you buy the firearm?
Did the magazine come with the gun?
Where did you purchase it?
How long have you lived in Colorado?

If your answers suggest the magazine was acquired after 2013, that can undermine a grandfather claim.

Q: Does the charge for possessing a large-capacity magazine increase on August 1, 2026?

No. Possession of a prohibited magazine does not automatically become a felony in 2026. It remains a misdemeanor under current Colorado law.

Q: What actually changes on August 1, 2026?

Starting August 1, 2026, gun stores (FFLs) must be far more restrictive in how firearms and magazines are sold. Dealers cannot sell firearms with magazines over 15 rounds and must ensure all magazines sold are compliant.

Q: Do gun stores have to permanently block magazines?

Yes, if a magazine is reduced to 15 rounds, the modification must be permanent. Temporary blocks, removable limiters, or easily reversible modifications are not compliant.

Q: Can I buy a firearm that normally comes with higher-capacity magazines?

Yes, but the dealer must:

Replace them with factory 15-round magazines,
Permanently modify the magazines to 15 rounds, or
Remove the magazines from the sale entirely.

Q: Is it legal to bring high-capacity magazines from another state into Colorado?

No. Importing, purchasing, or transferring magazines over 15 rounds after July 1, 2013 is prohibited unless they are lawfully grandfathered.

Q: What is the safest option for Colorado firearm owners?

Carry and use 15-round magazines. This avoids gray areas, eliminates grandfather-clause disputes, and reduces legal risk — even if higher-capacity magazines may technically be grandfathered.

Q: What do you personally recommend?

As a firearms instructor, I recommend 15-round magazines only — and that’s what I personally carry. Clear compliance removes unnecessary legal risk and avoids relying on arguments after the fact.

Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Class

If you live in Colorado and are applying for or renewing 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

Other Related Articles:

Legal Disclaimer

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.