Am I permitted to carry a gun while hiking in Colorado?

• People subject to a protective order that forbids gun possession cannot hike with guns;
• Minors under age 18 may not hike with handguns;
• No one may carry short rifles, short shotguns, or machine guns ever; and
• No one may hike with a gun on school or university grounds (public or private)

Furthermore, federal law prohibits certain people from carrying firearms (whether hiking or not). These include:

1. Convicted felons;
2. People convicted of domestic abuse;
3. Drug addicts;
4. Mentally ill people;
5. Dishonorably discharged veterans;
6. Former U.S. citizens;
7. Illegal aliens; and
8. Non-immigrant visa-holders

Finally, hikers who open carry in national parks have to follow certain additional laws:

• Guns are prohibited within 150 yards of a building, campsite, residence, developed recreational site, or occupied area;
• They may not fire guns across — or on — a road, in a cave, or a body of water; and
• It is illegal to bring guns into certain facilities. These typically include maintenance buildings, visitor centers, and offices.

In any case, people should always double-check the local, state, and federal laws before carrying a gun. And before entering any park or forest, hikers should check if the park has any gun rules as well.

Concealed carry hiking laws

Hikers must have a CCW permit to carry concealed guns in Colorado. The permit may be from Colorado or a state Colorado has reciprocity with.

Coloradans may apply for CCWs from their local sheriff department. There is an application fee that may not exceed $100. The applicant will also have to provide fingerprints.

Eligibility requirements for a CCW are the following:

1. Colorado residency;
2. 21 years old or older;
3. Legally allowed to possess guns (see the previous section);
4. No perjury convictions related to CCW applications;
5. No current or recent alcoholism;
6. There are no restraining orders out against the person; and
7. Firearms competency (usually this is demonstrated by taking a class)

CCWs are good for five years. Hikers must carry both their CCW and a photo ID to carry a concealed gun. Hikers must also show police their CCW and ID upon request.

Failure to carry and show a CCW and valid ID upon demand is a petty offense. The penalty is:

• A fine of up to $300, and/or
• Up to 10 days in jail

(Prior to March 1, 2022, forgetting to carry a permit was a class 1 petty offense carrying up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $500. SB21-271.)

There is a way to get this charge dismissed. The defendant just has to show the court he/she had a valid CCW and ID at the time of the offense.

Legal References:

1. United States Code of Federal Regulations Title 36, Chapter II, Part 261.
2. 18-12-108.5 C.R.S.; 18-12-108 C.R.S.; 33-6-125 C.R.S.; 18-9-118 C.R.S.; 18-12-105 C.R.S.
3. Boulder Municipal Code 5-2-4.