By Jesse Paul | Colorado Sun
From limiting who can purchase most semiautomatic rifles on the market today to raising the minimum age to buy ammunition, Democrats in the legislature were busy this year imposing new gun regulations
Democrats in the Colorado legislature this year passed a dozen bills imposing new gun regulations, all of which were signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis.
They included measures limiting who can purchase most semiautomatic rifles on the market today, raising the minimum age to buy ammunition and aiming to improve Colorado’s response to mass shootings.
While some don’t go into effect until next year, and a few are sure to draw legal challenges from gun rights groups, they represent some of the most wide-reaching changes to Colorado’s firearms laws ever adopted.
Here’s a breakdown of what gun measures the legislature passed this year and what they will do.
Senate Bill 3, requiring training and vetting to purchase certain semiautomatic firearms that can accept detachable ammunition magazines
Starting Aug. 1, 2026, the manufacture, sale and purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms that can accept detachable ammunition magazines will be outlawed in Colorado under this measure signed into law by Polis in April.
That will include AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, as well as a long list of their popular variants. Senate Bill 3 will also affect tactical shotguns and a small number of handgun models.
Consumers will be able to get around the purchasing prohibition by getting vetted by their county’s sheriff, completing up to a dozen hours of training and passing a test.
The banned weapons would only be available to anyone who is otherwise allowed to purchase a gun if they have a magazine with a maximum capacity of 15 rounds that is welded, epoxied or soldered on. Right now, those kinds of weapons are rarely made.
The bill also bans so-called rapid-fire trigger devices, like bump stocks, which can make a semiautomatic weapon fire at a rate similar to that of an automatic gun.
Semiautomatic guns fire a bullet each time their trigger is pulled, while automatic weapons fire continuously until their trigger is released.
>> READ MORE
Senate Bill 34, voluntary no-buy list
If the state receives sufficient gift or grant funding, people would be able to voluntarily file a confidential waiver online with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation temporarily blocking their own ability to purchase a gun under this measure.
A person would be able to revoke the waiver at any time, but it would remain in effect for 30 days after the revocation is submitted.
Someone who tries to buy a gun while their waiver is in effect would be subject to a $25 fine.
The law takes effect in August, but the program won’t begin until the state receives enough funding to run the program.
>> READ MORE
Senate Bill 59, improving the state’s response to mass shootings
The Colorado Department of Public Safety is directed to apply for federal and grant funding to improve the state’s response to mass shootings under this bill signed into law by the governor.
Senate Bill 158, regulating where state agencies buy their guns
Starting next year, state agencies that buy firearms, ammunition and gun accessories will have to purchase those items from businesses that meet certain requirements.
The measure lists those requirements as being that they:
- Trace requests they have received from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Provide documentation on any theft or loss. They also must provide documentation of their most recent ATF inspection report and of any violations discovered from federal agency inspections and corrective actions taken.
- Sellers would also be required to disclose their policies to prevent, detect and screen for illegal gun sales or thefts
Senate Bill 205, giving gun dealers a way to check if a weapon has been stolen
Starting on July 1, 2026, gun dealers will be able to request a firearm serial number check from law enforcement before purchasing a weapon under this measure.
The bill gives county sheriff’s offices and police departments 72 hours to complete the serial number check.
The legislation would also require federal firearms licensees to report within 48 hours if they believe someone attempted to sell them a gun that is stolen, lost or involved in an open criminal investigation.