By Mike Krause | Complete Colorado
DENVER– While majority Democrats in the state legislature push for new restrictions on the lawful carrying of concealed handguns, new data shows 25,218 Colorado adults subjected themselves to the scrutiny already required to become new concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders in 2023, while another 36,291 renewed existing permits. That’s according to a County Sheriffs of Colorado annual report, published earlier this month.
While that number trails a permitting surge during Covid lock-downs and rioting related to the police killing of George Floyd (over 37,000 in 2020 and more than 41,000 in 2021), it’s still larger than the 23,250 permits issued in pre-pandemic 2019. In the five-year period from 2019-2023, just over 155,000 Coloradans obtained new permits, while just under 143,ooo existing permits were renewed (a Colorado CHP is valid for five years).
The Crime Prevention Research Center in 2023 estimated that just over 16 percent of the Colorado population 21 or older holds a carry permit.