Everything we've written about SB25-003's eligibility card and safety course requirement comes with an asterisk: it's being challenged in federal court, and a ruling against the state could change the picture with little warning.
The basics
Del Toro v. Polis was filed September 2, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (case no. 1:25-cv-02725). The plaintiffs include the Colorado State Shooting Association — the state's official NRA affiliate — along with individual plaintiffs. The Mountain States Legal Foundation is handling the case, and the NRA-ILA has indicated ongoing involvement as well.
What they're arguing
The core claim is a Second Amendment challenge to the permit-to-purchase structure in C.R.S. 18-12-116: the argument is that requiring a background check, a sheriff-issued eligibility card, and a state-approved safety course before a Coloradan can exercise what the plaintiffs frame as a constitutional right — buying a common semiautomatic firearm — creates an unconstitutional barrier, not a reasonable regulation.
Where it stands
As of our last check, no court has issued an injunction against any part of SB25-003, and August 1, 2026 remains the operative date for the purchase and safety-course requirements. That said, court status on a case like this can shift quickly — a preliminary injunction motion, a hearing, or a ruling can all happen with little public notice before the docket catches up.
Worth keeping in mind
Colorado's other recent firearms restrictions — the 15-round magazine limit, the three-day waiting period, the age-21 purchase requirement — have all faced their own legal challenges over the years and have generally been upheld. That track record doesn't tell us how this case comes out, but it's relevant context: a lawsuit being filed isn't the same as a law being blocked, and plenty of contested Colorado gun laws have stayed in effect through litigation.
How to track it yourself
We'll update our coverage if anything changes, but for the most current status directly from the source, Mountain States Legal Foundation maintains a case page with filings and updates. If you're making a purchase decision that depends on whether this law is still standing, check there — or with a Colorado attorney — before you assume anything based on what you read here or anywhere else.
As always, we are not lawyers — just Colorado citizens trying to understand the new law and share what we learn. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney/client relationship. The accuracy, completeness, or currency of the content is not warranted. Your use of content on this website is at your own risk. Consult an attorney about your specific circumstances.
