By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
Next week, on June 10 and 11, Colorado gun owners and Second Amendment advocates will gather for two Legislative Round Up events in Lakewood and Fort Morgan, organized by the NRA-ILA (National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action) and Rocky Mountain Voice. The event is organized with coordination by Amanda Hardin of Lipstick Tactical, a Denver-based firearms training organization.
The events work to build advocacy efforts in light of multiple anti-gun laws the 2025 Colorado General Assembly passed and Governor Jared Polis signed into law.
The gatherings will provide a platform to discuss these laws and strategize legal and grassroots responses. “We’re running the exact same event in two geographically different locations to reach a larger audience,” explained Hardin. “If neither location is convenient, please reach out to me at [email protected]. We’re happy to bring this program to your community.”
Event schedule
- Lakewood Event:
Date and Time: June 10, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Bristlecone Shooting, Training, & Retail Center, 12105 W Cedar Dr, Lakewood, CO 80228
Purpose: Attendees will review the 2025 anti-gun measures, network with pro-2A advocates and receive NRA-ILA swag.
Contact: Clay Kimberling, (703) 943-6566
Registration: Register at NRA-ILA Frontlines Lakewood Event - Fort Morgan Event:
Date and Time: June 11, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Rocky Mountain Voice Office, 528 State St, Fort Morgan, CO 80701
Purpose: This round-up will focus on advocacy efforts regarding new gun laws and fostering community collaboration, with free NRA-ILA materials available.
Contact: Clay Kimberling, (703) 943-6566
Registration: Register at NRA-ILA Frontlines Fort Morgan Event
A turning point for Colorado gun rights
The NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action was created in 1975, at a time when the group saw the need for stronger advocacy on Capitol Hill. Today, that same division is turning its focus to Colorado.
The NRA-ILA is preparing legal action over several laws passed in 2024 and 2025. Among them: Senate Bill 25-003. Signed in April, the law requires a permit and up to 12 hours of firearms training for anyone wanting to purchase semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will oversee the training. The rule kicks in August 2026. The NRA-ILA and its allies say the measure goes too far and conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Heller ruling.
Another target is House Bill 24-1349, approved by voters in 2024. It adds a 6.5% excise tax on guns, ammo, and accessories to fund school safety and victim services—on top of the existing 11% federal Pittman-Robertson tax.
The NRA-ILA is challenging this tax in court through the lawsuit Langston v. Humphreys, arguing it unfairly penalizes constitutional rights.
A Twitter/X user, @schotts, commented on June 2, 2025, “Maybe the 25 new gun laws passed over the last 12 years weren’t such a good idea. Maybe years as a sanctuary state wasn’t a good idea. We used to be one of the safest states. Colorado is now the 2nd deadliest state. Democrats failed Colorado,” suggesting the tax and other gun laws have contributed to rising violence, referencing a recent attack in Boulder where 12 people were injured during a march for Israeli hostages.
Maybe the 25 new gun laws passed over the last 12 years weren’t such a good idea.
— schotts 🇺🇸🎄 (@schotts) June 2, 2025
Maybe years as a sanctuary state wasn’t a good idea.
We used to be one of the safest states.
Colorado is now the 2nd deadliest state.
Democrats failed Colorado.#copolitics #coleg https://t.co/cagGal3yBE
Senate Bill 24-131, passed in 2024, expands “gun-free zones” to include polling places, public parks, churches, and college campuses, restricting concealed and open carry.
The NRA-ILA argues these zones create vulnerabilities, noting that 94% of mass shootings occur in such areas, and continues to push for opposition.
House Bill 24-1353, passed in 2024 and awaiting Governor Polis’s signature, requires state permits for federally licensed firearm dealers, adding inspections and training requirements.
The NRA-ILA opposes it as duplicative and harassing to businesses already regulated by federal law.
Second Amendment in focus
The Legislative Round Up events offer Coloradans a chance to learn about these laws, discuss ongoing lawsuits, and plan for future advocacy.
The NRA-ILA describes the 2025 session as one of Colorado’s most anti-gun in recent history, making these gatherings critical for defending Second Amendment rights.
How to get involved
Residents are invited to attend the Lakewood or Fort Morgan events to learn more about recent firearm legislation and ongoing legal efforts. For details or to RSVP, contact Clay Kimberling at (703) 943-6566 or register at the links provided above.
Communities interested in hosting a similar event can reach out to Amanda Hardin at [email protected].