Colorado's New Firearms Safety Course Is Now in Effect

Colorado’s Firearm Purchasing Process Has Changed. Here’s What It Means for Law-Abiding Firearm Owners

Understanding Colorado’s new Firearms Safety Course requirement, eligibility card, costs, and what every firearm owner should know before purchasing a qualifying semiautomatic firearm.

By Mark Schneider
NRA Training Counselor | Colorado Firearms Safety Course Instructor | Owner, US Firearms Training Academy

After months of questions, confusion, and uncertainty, Colorado’s new Firearms Safety Course requirement officially went into effect today.

For months, my phone has been ringing with the same questions.

“Do I need this to buy a Glock?”

“How much is this going to cost?”

“Is my sheriff’s office even ready?”

As someone who teaches firearms courses throughout Colorado, I’ve had these conversations almost every day since Senate Bill 3 was signed. Today, those questions are no longer hypothetical. If you’re planning to purchase certain semiautomatic firearms in Colorado, the process has changed.

Whether you support this law or strongly oppose it, it is now the law. If you’re planning to buy a qualifying firearm, it’s important to understand what changed and how it affects you.

What Changed Today?

Just a few days ago, on July 28, a law-abiding Colorado resident could walk into a gun store, complete a background check, satisfy Colorado’s waiting period, and purchase many qualifying semiautomatic rifles.

Today, that same buyer may first need to complete a state-approved Firearms Safety Course, pass a written examination, apply through their local sheriff’s office, obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card, and only then return to purchase the firearm.

That’s a major change in how many Coloradans purchase firearms.

One of the Biggest Misconceptions

One of the biggest misconceptions I’ve seen over the last several months is that this law applies to every firearm.

It doesn’t.

Many people believed common handguns like Glock pistols, SIG Sauers, Smith & Wesson M&Ps, Springfield XD pistols, and similar recoil-operated semiautomatic handguns would now require the Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card.

In most cases, they do not.

The law generally applies to qualifying gas-operated semiautomatic firearms, not the vast majority of recoil-operated defensive pistols carried by everyday Coloradans.

That has easily been one of the most common questions I’ve been asked.

It’s Going to Cost More

One thing that cannot be ignored is the cost.

Before today, purchasing a qualifying semiautomatic rifle generally meant paying for the firearm, the state background check, applicable taxes, and complying with Colorado’s waiting period.

Now, buyers may also have to pay for:

A Colorado Firearms Safety Course
Colorado Parks and Wildlife application fees
Their local sheriff’s office fee for the Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card
Colorado’s firearm background check
The firearm itself

Depending on where you live and which training provider you choose, the additional costs can easily reach several hundred dollars before you even purchase the firearm.

For many Colorado families, that’s not insignificant.

It Also Takes More Time

The process doesn’t just cost more—it takes longer.

Instead of simply visiting a gun store, many buyers must now:

Apply for the eligibility card.
Complete 3rd party background check.
Wait for the sheriff’s office to process the application.
Receive Eligibility card.
Register for a course.
Attend the course.
Pass the written examination.
Information entered into firearms safety system
Go to a firearms dealer.
Pay the CBI background check fee.
Pay Firearms & Sales Tax.
Complete the purchase.
Satisfy Colorado’s waiting period.
Pick up firearm

Buying certain semiautomatic firearms in Colorado is no longer something that can be done on short notice.

Planning ahead has become part of the process.

The Constitutional Debate Isn’t Going Away

If you’ve spent any time reading comments online over the last several months, you’ve probably noticed one thing.

A lot of people believe this law is unconstitutional.

I’m not a judge, and I’m not going to pretend to decide how future court cases will turn out. That will ultimately be decided by the courts.

What I can say is that I’ve spoken with countless firearm owners who feel this law places additional burdens on law-abiding citizens while criminals will simply ignore it.

Supporters argue the law promotes firearm safety and responsible ownership.

Opponents argue it adds cost, delays, and government approval requirements before someone can exercise a constitutional right.

Those debates aren’t ending anytime soon.

Colorado Has Added Law After Law

Regardless of where someone stands politically, it’s hard to ignore how much Colorado’s firearm laws have changed over the last several years.

Today, Colorado has:

Universal background checks.
A red flag law.
Credit Card purchase tracking for firearms and ammo.
A 15-round magazine capacity limit.
A firearm and ammunition excise tax.
A CBI background check fee.
New & Renewal Concealed Carry Permit training requirements
Restrictions affecting ammunition sales and deliveries.
Minimum age requirements for purchasing certain firearms and ammunition.
Mandatory Firearms Safety Courses for qualifying semiautomatic firearm purchases.
New State licensing and security requirements for federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs).

As someone who’s worked in the firearms industry for years, I’ve watched each legislative session add another layer of regulation.

In my opinion, firearm ownership has become more expensive, more complicated, and less accessible for law-abiding citizens than it was just a few years ago.

I believe responsible firearm education has value—that’s been my career—but I also understand why many gun owners are frustrated by the growing number of costs, requirements, and government approvals now involved in purchasing certain firearms.

Many people I’ve spoken with have described it as having to “purchase their gun rights back.” Whether you agree with that statement or not, there’s no question that buying qualifying firearms in Colorado is now more expensive and more complicated than it was before August 1.

The bigger question is whether today’s law is the end—or just another step. Based on the direction Colorado has taken over the past several years, many firearm owners are concerned that additional restrictions may still be on the horizon.

USFTA Featured in The Denver Post

As Colorado’s new Firearms Safety Course requirement took effect today, US Firearms Training Academy instructor Alicia Garcia was featured in The Denver Post discussing the implementation of the new law and what it means for Colorado firearm purchasers.

The article highlights many of the same questions we’ve been hearing from students for months as Colorado transitions into this new system.

You can read the Denver Post article here:

Colorado’s new training requirements to buy semiautomatic rifles go into effect

Need to Complete Your Colorado Firearms Safety Course?

If you’re planning to purchase a qualifying semiautomatic firearm under Colorado’s new law, you’ll first need to complete a state-compliant Firearms Safety Course before applying for your Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card.

At US Firearms Training Academy (USFTA), we offer Colorado Firearms Safety Courses taught by experienced, Colorado-approved instructors. Our courses meet the state’s training requirements and are designed to help students understand firearm safety, Colorado law, and the application process.

Our goal isn’t simply to help you meet a legal requirement. It’s to make sure you leave with a better understanding of responsible firearm ownership and exactly what you’ll need to move through Colorado’s new process.

Learn more and register for an upcoming Colorado Firearms Safety Course:

Firearm Safety Course Eligibility Card In Colorado

Final Thoughts

August 1, 2026, marks one of the biggest changes to firearm purchasing in Colorado in decades.

Whether history views this law as an improvement to public safety or an unnecessary burden on law-abiding citizens remains to be seen.

What isn’t up for debate is that the process has changed.

If you’re planning to purchase a qualifying semiautomatic firearm, educate yourself before heading to the gun store. Know whether the firearm you’re buying requires a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card, understand the costs involved, and make sure you complete the process correctly the first time.

As instructors, our job isn’t to write the laws.

Our job is to help Coloradans understand them, comply with them, and continue promoting safe and responsible firearm ownership.

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Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational 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.