Colorado Firearm Safety Course Eligibility Card | 4-Hour & 12-Hour Classes

Effective August 1, 2026, Colorado law requires individuals to complete a certified Firearm Safety Course before purchasing or transferring specified semiautomatic firearms. At U.S. Firearms Training Academy (USFTA), we offer courses that fully comply with these new legal requirements, ensuring responsible firearm ownership.​

Why Choose USFTA’s Colorado Firearm Safety Courses?

Whether you’re a first-time gun owner or an experienced shooter, our courses are designed to:

  • Fulfill Colorado’s legal training requirements
  • Promote safe firearm handling and storage
  • Educate on legal responsibilities and risk management
  • Prepare you for responsible ownership
  • Provide certification required for purchasing specified semiautomatic firearms​

✅ Verified Instructors: All USFTA courses are taught by sheriff- or police-verified instructors, as mandated by Colorado law.
✅ In-Person Training: Online-only courses are not accepted; all training must be completed in person.​

How It Works

  1. Apply for a Firearm Safety Course Eligibility Card
    Before enrolling in a certified firearm safety course, you must obtain a Firearm Safety Course Eligibility Card from your county sheriff’s office. This involves submitting an application, providing government-issued photographic identification, and undergoing a name-based criminal history background check conducted by a private vendor. The sheriff may deny the application if you cannot lawfully possess a firearm or if there is reasonable belief that you may pose a danger to yourself or others.
  2. Enroll in a Certified Firearm Safety Course
    Once you have obtained the Eligibility Card, you can enroll in either the Basic or Extended Firearm Safety Course offered by USFTA.
  3. Complete the Course and Pass the Exam
    At the conclusion of the course, you must pass a written exam with a score of at least 90% and demonstrate safe firearm handling. Upon successful completion, the instructor will report your course completion to the Firearms Training and Safety Course Record System maintained by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
  4. Purchase or Transfer a Specified Semiautomatic Firearm
    With your course completion recorded in the system, you are then eligible to purchase or transfer specified semiautomatic firearms in Colorado. Federal firearms licensees can verify your completion status through the CPW’s system.

Course Options

🔹 Basic Firearm Safety Course
Best for: Individuals who have completed a certified Firearm Safety Course or Hunter Education course in the past 5 years.​

  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Focus: Core firearm safety and legal awareness
  • Topics Include:
    • Safe handling, storage, and proper magazine use
    • Child access prevention and mental health considerations
    • Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) and community safety
  • Requirement: Pass a written exam with a score of 90% or higher
  • Certification: Course completion will be recorded in the CPW’s system​

🔸 Extended Firearm Safety Course
Best for: Individuals who have not taken a certified safety course within the last 5 years or who seek a more comprehensive education.​

  • Duration: 12 hours (split into two 6-hour days)
  • Focus: Comprehensive safety, risk management, and legal responsibilities
  • Topics Include:
    • All content from the Basic course with expanded legal and practical application
    • Legal use of force, civil liability, and risk awareness
    • Psychological preparedness and real-world defensive scenarios
  • Requirements:
    • Pass a written exam with 90% or higher
    • Successfully demonstrate safe firearm handling during exercises
  • Certification: Course completion will be recorded in the CPW’s system​

Compliance and Accreditation

  • Verified Instructors: All USFTA instructors are law enforcement-verified and meet Colorado’s instructor standards.
  • In-Person Training: Fully compliant with Colorado’s in-person training requirement.
  • Mandatory Final Exam: A passing score of 90% or higher is required to complete the course.​

Locations & Scheduling

USFTA offers Firearm Safety Courses across Colorado with flexible dates and multiple convenient locations. View our calendar to find a session near you and secure your seat today!​

Get Started Today

Ready to meet Colorado’s new firearm training requirements?

Click Here To View Our Calendar & Take A Firearms Safety Course

Stay compliant, improve your firearm knowledge, and take responsible ownership seriously — with certified, professional training from USFTA.