SB25-003 was signed into law by Colorado’s governor on April 10, 2025. Most of the act took effect immediately, but its central provision — a ban on purchasing, selling, or transferring certain semiautomatic firearms — doesn’t kick in until August 1, 2026. We’re going to try and break down what’s changing for buyers and sellers in Colorado — but before we do, a quick disclaimer.

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 circumstance.

In general, this bill:

  • Defines what a “specified semiautomatic firearm” (SSF) is
  • Prohibits manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing SSFs with a list of exceptions
  • Creates a firearms safety course and eligibility card requirement
  • Creates a new digital system for tracking eligibility
  • Creates appropriations for how all of this will be paid for as well as a schedule to submit expense reports
  • Increases the penalty for large-capacity magazines (C.R.S. 18-12-302) from a class 2 to a class 1 misdemeanor

This new law doesn’t affect anyone who already owns an SSF before August 1, 2026 — you can keep and use those firearms as you normally would. The restrictions only apply to new purchases and transfers on or after August 1, 2026. One thing worth flagging: if you later want to sell or transfer an SSF you already own to another Colorado resident after that date, the recipient will still need to clear the course/eligibility card requirement (or qualify for an exemption) before the transfer is legal.

Section 7 of the bill adds C.R.S. 24-35-122 (“Specified semiautomatic firearms guidance”), which tasks the Department of Revenue’s Firearms Dealer Division with publishing a list of specific makes and models that do — and don’t — count as SSFs. That list is now out: DOR released the final guidance on July 1, 2026, covering hundreds of rifle, shotgun, and handgun series, along with their frames, receivers, and parts kits. It’s worth noting the document isn’t the last word, though — it explicitly states it “does not constitute final agency action.” If you think a specific firearm is misclassified, there’s a formal appeal path: first a Statement of Position request to the Firearms Dealer Division, then, if you’re still unsatisfied, a declaratory order from DOR’s Executive Director, which is the version actually subject to judicial review. The guidance is also reviewed and updated annually as new models hit the market.

We’ll be breaking down the bill, as we understand it, in a series of articles, with updates as we learn more.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife runs the firearms safety course and eligibility card system this law creates — you can find more on how that process works at cpw.state.co.us/specified-semiautomatic-firearms. For the DOR’s official model guidance list itself, see the July 1, 2026 guidance document.