By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice
A group of conservative leaders took a bold stand for gun rights today at the Colorado State Capitol. Between Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (RMGO) and the Colorado State Shooting Association, nearly 95,000 petitions were delivered on Thursday calling on Governor Jared Polis to veto SB25-003, the controversial “safety training” bill that critics say imposes unconstitutional restrictions on the Second Amendment.
The Capitol demonstration came just one day after Colorado’s Republican congressional delegation issued a formal letter to Governor Polis demanding a veto of SB25-003.
The letter—organized by U.S. Representative Jeff Crank and signed by Lauren Boebert, Jeff Hurd, and Gabe Evans—called the bill “one of the most restrictive gun ownership laws in the United States,” warning it would “empower criminals at the expense of law-abiding citizens.”
Among the lawmakers’ chief concerns is that the bill would create a de facto gun owner registry, managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, raising serious privacy and constitutional issues.
Additionally, it would impose bureaucratic obstacles—including new fees, scheduling delays, and red tape—that would disproportionately burden working-class Coloradans. Perhaps most troubling, the legislation grants local sheriffs broad discretion to block firearm purchases by denying individuals access to the state-mandated safety courses required under the law.
“Not only does this new scheme come with additional fees and time commitments that no criminal will ever participate in,” the letter stated, “but it also gives any sheriff hostile to the individual—or semi-automatic firearms in general—carte blanche authority to block enrollment.”
Despite changes to the original bill, including the removal of a full ban on so-called “assault weapons,” the delegation insists the amended version is no better.
“The legislature has relentlessly pursued ever-increasing restrictions on responsible gun owners,” the members wrote. “Polis has an opportunity to stand up for Colorado’s constitutional values—or to cement his legacy as a governor who let politics override rights.”
Will Polis Risk His Political Future?
While the bill passed along mostly party lines, speculation is swirling about whether Polis will sign it—especially as rumors grow about a possible run for U.S. Senate or even a 2028 presidential campaign.
On one hand, gun control remains a core priority for the Democratic base. On the other, political observers note that signing one of the most aggressive gun control measures in the nation could damage Polis with moderates and independents—a group he would likely need in any future statewide or national run.
A spokesperson for the governor said Polis worked with sponsors to amend the bill and “ensure people could continue to purchase the gun of their choice as long as they receive gun safety education.”
But critics argue the final product still tramples constitutional rights while shifting firearms oversight into the hands of an agency—Colorado Parks and Wildlife—that has no business managing firearm registries.
Is SB25-003 a Distraction from the Real Agenda?
Some activists suspect SB25-003 is just the tip of the iceberg. According to RMGO, 14 of the 16 anti-gun bills are still alive in the legislature—making this the most aggressive legislative session for gun control in Colorado history.
In an email sent by RMGO, Executive Director Ian Escalante writes, “For the record- the year after Columbine saw 12 anti-gun bills submitted. That number hasn’t been surpassed in 25 years!”
Active bills still in the legislative pipeline include:
| Bill | Description | Status |
| SB25-003 | Requires mandatory safety training and new licensing to purchase semi-automatic firearms | Awaiting delivery to the Governor |
| HB25-1225 | Allows individuals to be sued for open carrying while engaging in political activities | Passed House, awaiting Senate |
| HB25-1250 | Mandates anti-gun curriculum in public schools about red flag laws and firearm risks | Passed House, awaiting Senate Health & Human Services hearing |
| HB25-1262 | Creates a board requiring permission to report crimes and carry defensive tools | Referred to House Finance Committee |
| HB25-1238 | Criminalizes displaying firearms at gun shows without FFL, increases costs for promoters | Awaiting delivery to the Governor |
| SB25-034 | Allows individuals to voluntarily waive their gun rights via a ‘self red flag’ process | Referred to Senate Appropriations Committee |
| HB25-1098 | Funds Equifax to notify red-flag petitioners about gun purchase attempts | Referred to House Appropriations Committee |
| SB25-086 | Imposes liability on social media platforms for failing to report firearm-related posts | Final vote laid over to 04/04/2025 on Senate Floor |
| HB25-1133 | Bans ammunition purchases for adults under 21; imposes new restrictions on gun shops | Awaiting delivery to the Governor |
| HB25-1171 | Expands NICS restrictions to include multiple juvenile car theft convictions | House Judiciary Committee hearing on 04/08 at 1:30PM |
| HB25-1132 | Increases red flag exposure for veterans; funded through firearm excise tax | Final vote laid over to 04/04/2025 on Senate Floor |
| SB25-205 | Creates sheriff mandates for firearm serial number records and dealer liability | Heard in Senate State Affairs Committee on 04/01 |
| SB25-059 | Requires Colorado to apply for federal gun control grants | Awaiting delivery to the Governor |
| SB25-158 | Allows state seizure and disposal of firearms, limits local authority | Referred to Senate Appropriations Committee |
For now, the petitions have been delivered. The letter has been sent. And the state—and nation—await Governor Polis’s next move.
Will he veto SB25-003 and respect the voices of thousands of Coloradans and elected officials? Or will he sign the bill and risk a political firestorm as he looks to climb the national ladder?