Colorado seeks feedback from firearms dealers as new regulations take shape

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project

Colorado Department of Revenue seeks feedback from Firearms Dealers

The Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) was tasked with regulating — on top of the ATF and existing federal regulation — firearms dealers in the state. They are the ones who make the rules to enforce recently passed requirements on Colorado firearm dealers.

I got an email from DOR last week announcing an upcoming rulemaking relevant to firearms dealers. The Department has an existing working group which will be doing the rulemaking, but that doesn’t mean you cannot weigh in.

You can provide public comment to the group and can also send in written comment.

The announcement of the meeting along with all links to draft rules, agendas, meeting signups, and the email to send comments is below.

Please feel free to copy and send to anyone you know who might be interested in speaking up.

If it’s of any help, I included the email I wrote and sent in to the address linked below. That email is screenshot 1.

Working group details:

This is a reminder that our first working group meeting for the Firearms Dealers Working Group is scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In Person: 1707 Cole Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80401. We will meet in the Red Rocks Conference Room.

Virtual: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89330482746 | Meeting ID: 893 3048 2746

Click on the following text to view FDDWG Session #1: Proposed draft rules

Session #1 Agenda and Presentation

We want to remind everyone that their voice is important, and written comments are always accepted and reviewed regardless of formal working group inclusion status.

Written comments should be submitted to [email protected]

Furthermore, we will allow time at the end of working group sessions for comments from anyone in attendance as time and technology allows. We have a lot of important work to do this year, and we look forward to your thoughtful insight as we embark on this rulemaking season.

Downloadable Link: Proposed draft rules

Related:

When you pile state regulation on top of existing federal licensing and regulation, I think it’s hard to argue that you’ll have a huge increase in safety. Pretty easy to argue, however, that you will make life harder on those trying to sell firearms, perhaps to the point that they quit.

In case you missed it, I recently did a quick look at the declining numbers of firearms dealers in Colorado from 2021 to 2026.

That is linked below.

https://coloradoaccountabilityproject.substack.com/p/cos-second-amendment-deserts-2-part

No silly, not cost cutting, more temporary patches to keep the spending going!

The Sum and Substance article linked at bottom details another bill signed by Governor Polis, SB26-178. The bill itself is linked second, an earlier newsletter I wrote (for context) prior to the bill passing and becoming law, is linked third.

There’s a whole lot in the article that relates to politics. There’s the back and forth by the sponsors along with a hearty helping of sausage-making. Sharp eyed readers will also note the usual claptrap by Governor Polis talking about saving Coloradans money when what he really means is Colorado is taking from all to make it cheaper for some.

You’re welcome to read that if you’d like. I want to take the time here to discuss what this bill means, how it’s an example of poor financial decisions that prove disastrous for our state’s budget.

Over and over from Democrats/progressives and in the press (I know, startling that they’d forward the narrative) there is talk of structural budget deficit. Our state doesn’t gather enough money. We don’t get to tax more because of TABOR. Etc.

The opposition argument usually runs along the lines of noting how our state doesn’t manage its money well. In particular how they nationalize costs with one-time or limited monies thus obligating our state to pick up the slack if that outside funding falls flat.

READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT COLORADO ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.