Beginning in August 2023, it will be a misdemeanor for a person under the age of 21 to purchase firearms.¹ It will also be a misdemeanor to sell a firearm to a person under the age of 21.²

In Colorado, any person under age 18 may not knowingly possess a handgun, except:

• When in attendance at a hunter’s or firearms safety course;
• During lawful firearm or target shooting;
• During certain organized competitions or performances;
• When hunting or trapping with a valid state license;
• When traveling to or from such activities as previously noted;
• When on property under the control of the person’s parent, legal guardian or grandparent with the permission of such person’s parent, legal guardian or grandparent; or
• When at the person’s residence, with the permission of the person’s parent or legal guardian, for the purpose of lawful self-defense.³

Colorado does not provide a minimum age to possess rifles or shotguns. Colorado also provides no minimum age for the purchase of a handgun or a long gun, although federal age restrictions  still apply.

For additional age-related restrictions, see the Colorado Child Access Prevention section.

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1. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-112(2)(f).[↩]
2. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-112(2)(e), 112.5(a.3).[↩]
3. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-108.5(1), (2).[↩]