Colorado's SSF guidance list isn't a one-time snapshot. The state built ongoing revision into the process from the start, and that matters for how much weight you should put on today's version.
What the documents actually say
The guidance document states plainly: "this guidance document will be reviewed and updated annually." Colorado Parks and Wildlife's own description goes further: "Provided in this document is not all-inclusive of firearms currently available, or that will be available in the future. As a result, the guidance document will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. As new firearms are manufactured that meet the criteria, they will be added to the Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Guidance document after appropriate research is conducted and feedback is obtained from the industry and public." And, as covered in our other posts, the guidance "does not constitute final agency action."
Three practical implications
New models will keep getting added over time as manufacturers release new configurations that meet the statutory definition — this list will almost certainly be longer a year from now than it is today. Being unlisted right now is a snapshot, not a guarantee: since the guidance is explicitly non-exhaustive, the underlying statutory definition — not the list — is what actually controls, which is the same point we make in The List Isn't the Law. And if something you already own gets added to a future version of the list, that doesn't change your grandfathered status: SB25-003 restricts manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase going forward, not simple possession of something you already legally own.
One practical habit worth adopting
Check the version date on whatever copy of the guidance you're looking at. A saved PDF, a screenshot, or a secondhand summary from months ago may not reflect the current list — and given how this document is designed to evolve, "current" is doing real work in that sentence.
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.
