SB25-003 gets most of the attention, but it isn't the only significant firearms bill Colorado passed heading into 2026. Governor Polis signed HB26-1144 on May 4, 2026, and it takes effect July 1, 2026 — one month before SB25-003's purchase requirements kick in. If you've been following the SSF rollout, this one is worth knowing about too, especially since it touches some of the same territory as our posts on receivers and home builds.

What it actually does

HB26-1144 prohibits knowingly manufacturing or producing a firearm, an unfinished frame or receiver, a large-capacity magazine, or a rapid-fire device using 3-dimensional printing. Critically, the bill defines "3-dimensional printing" broadly enough to cover more than what most people picture when they hear the term: it includes both additive manufacturing (building an object up layer by layer, the classic 3D-printer image) and subtractive manufacturing — meaning CNC milling is covered too, not just resin or filament printers.

Who's exempt

The prohibition doesn't apply to federally licensed firearm manufacturers, or to an instructor, student, or institution operating an accredited gunsmithing program. Outside of those categories, there's no carve-out for personal, non-commercial use — which is a notably different structure from SB25-003's SSF rules, where private citizens at least have a course-and-eligibility-card pathway to lawfully buy a covered firearm. Here, there's no equivalent path for an individual to 3D print or CNC-mill a firearm or frame/receiver for themselves.

Penalties

A first violation is a class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation is a class 5 felony.

One thing that got cut from the bill

Earlier drafts of HB26-1144 would have also prohibited distributing digital instruction files and code related to 3D-printed firearm components — the blueprint-sharing side of the issue, not just the manufacturing itself. That provision was stripped out in late March 2026 after Governor Polis signaled he'd veto the bill if it restricted the distribution of information. The version that became law regulates the act of manufacturing, not the sharing of files or know-how.

How this connects to what we've already covered

If you've read our piece on finishing an 80% lower, this bill adds another layer worth knowing about: if your build method involves a 3D printer or a CNC mill rather than a traditional drill press and jig, HB26-1144 is a separate law — with its own, narrower set of exemptions — that applies regardless of whether the finished firearm turns out to be an SSF under SB25-003. The two laws overlap in subject matter but aren't the same restriction, and they don't share the same exceptions.

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.