Colo. Rev. Stat. » Title 18
Colorado Revised Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201 (2026)

Legislative declaration

✓ current as of July 2026
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section CO-LEGleg.colorado.gov JustiaTitle on Justia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar

(1) The general assembly finds that:

(a) There exists a widespread inconsistency among jurisdictions within the state with regard to the issuance of permits to carry concealed handguns;

(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2021.)

(c) Inconsistency regarding issuance of permits results in the arbitrary and capricious denial of permits to carry concealed handguns based on the jurisdiction of residence rather than the qualifications for obtaining a permit;

(d) Officials of local governments are uniquely equipped to make determinations as to where concealed handguns can be carried in their local jurisdictions; and

(e) It is necessary that the state occupy the field of regulation of issuing concealed handgun permits because there is a prevailing state interest in ensuring that no citizen is arbitrarily denied a concealed handgun permit.

(2) Based on the findings specified in subsection (1) of this section, the general assembly concludes that:

(a) The criteria and procedures for issuing permits to carry concealed handguns is a matter of statewide concern;

(b) It is necessary to provide statewide uniform standards for issuing permits to carry concealed handguns for self-defense; and

(c) Whether concealed handguns can be carried in a specific area is a matter of state and local concern.

(3) In accordance with the findings and conclusions specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the general assembly hereby instructs each sheriff to implement and administer the provisions of this part 2. The general assembly does not delegate to the sheriffs the authority to regulate or restrict the issuance of permits provided for in this part 2 beyond the provisions of this part 2. An action or rule that encumbers the permit process by placing burdens on the applicant beyond those sworn statements and specified documents detailed in this part 2 or that creates restrictions beyond those specified in this part 2 is in conflict with the intent of this part 2 and is prohibited.

Source: L. 2003: Entire part added, p. 635, § 1, effective May 17. L. 2021: (1) and (2) amended, (SB 21-256), ch. 269, p. 1557, § 4, effective June 19.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2004–2026 · leading case: Peterson v. Martinez, 707 F.3d 1197 (10th Cir. 2013).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Peterson v. Martinez, 707 F.3d 1197 (10th Cir. 2013). · cites it 8× “The district court concluded that the executive director of the Department of Public Safety is entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity because he has no connection to the enforcement of the challenged statute. We agree with that conclusion.”
Regents of the Univ. of Colorado v. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, LLC, 271 P.3d 496 (Colo. 2012). · cites it 12× “is (collectively, the "Students"), filed a complaint against the University of Colorado's Board of Regents (the "Board of Regents" or "Board") and others alleging that the Board's Weapons Control Policy 14-IL ("the Policy")-which prohibits the carrying of handguns on campus by…”
Students for Concealed Carry On Campus, LLC v. Regents of the Univ. of Colorado, 280 P.3d 18 (Colo. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 11× “In this case of first impression, we consider whether the Concealed Carry Act (CCA), sections 18-12-201 to -216, C.R.S.2009, applies to universities Because the statute expressly applies to "all areas of the state," we conclude that plaintiffs have stated a claim for relief…”
Peterson v. LaCABE, 783 F. Supp. 2d 1167 (D. Colo. 2011). · cites it 2× “Background Plaintiff alleges that Colorado’s state statutes regarding permits to carry concealed handguns, C.R.S. § 18-12-201 et seq., are unconstitutional as applied to him.”
Copley v. Robinson, 224 P.3d 431 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009). “Indeed, the General Assembly's legislative declaration indicates that the purpose of enacting the new concealed handgun law was to provide for uniform, state-wide administration and standards in the consideration of applications for concealed handgun permits See § 18-12-201,…”
State ex rel. New Mexico Voices for Child., Inc. v. Denko, 2004 NMSC 011 (N.M. 2004). “II, § 13 (“but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons”); Colo.Rev.Stat. § 18-12-201 (2003). Conclusion {13} Not being persuaded by Petitioners’ argument, we hold that the Concealed Handgun Carry Act does not violate…”
Mary Ann Moreno, Plaintiff: v. Circle K Stores, Inc. Defendant:, 2026 CO 46 (Colo. 2026). · cites it 2× “¶100 Similarly, an employee who is fired for pulling a concealed weapon on a suspected shoplifter in the workplace would presumably have a basis for a wrongful termination suit on grounds that the employee was exercising their right to bear arms under article II, section 13 of…”
State Ex Rel. Voices for Child. v. Denko, 90 P.3d 458 (N.M. 2004). “II, § 13 ("but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons"); Colo.Rev.Stat. § 18-12-201 (2003). Conclusion {13} Not being persuaded by Petitioners' argument, we hold that the Concealed Handgun Carry Act does not violate…”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201(1)(a) — 2 cases
Regents of the Univ. of Colorado v. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, LLC, 271 P.3d 496 (Colo. 2012). “is (collectively, the "Students"), filed a complaint against the University of Colorado's Board of Regents (the "Board of Regents" or "Board") and others alleging that the Board's Weapons Control Policy 14-IL ("the Policy")-which prohibits the carrying of handguns on campus by…”
Students for Concealed Carry On Campus, LLC v. Regents of the Univ. of Colorado, 280 P.3d 18 (Colo. Ct. App. 2010). “In this case of first impression, we consider whether the Concealed Carry Act (CCA), sections 18-12-201 to -216, C.R.S.2009, applies to universities Because the statute expressly applies to "all areas of the state," we conclude that plaintiffs have stated a claim for relief…”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201(1)(d) — 1 case
Students for Concealed Carry On Campus, LLC v. Regents of the Univ. of Colorado, 280 P.3d 18 (Colo. Ct. App. 2010). “In this case of first impression, we consider whether the Concealed Carry Act (CCA), sections 18-12-201 to -216, C.R.S.2009, applies to universities Because the statute expressly applies to "all areas of the state," we conclude that plaintiffs have stated a claim for relief…”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201(1)(e) — 2 cases
Regents of the Univ. of Colorado v. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, LLC, 271 P.3d 496 (Colo. 2012). “is (collectively, the "Students"), filed a complaint against the University of Colorado's Board of Regents (the "Board of Regents" or "Board") and others alleging that the Board's Weapons Control Policy 14-IL ("the Policy")-which prohibits the carrying of handguns on campus by…”
Students for Concealed Carry On Campus, LLC v. Regents of the Univ. of Colorado, 280 P.3d 18 (Colo. Ct. App. 2010). “In this case of first impression, we consider whether the Concealed Carry Act (CCA), sections 18-12-201 to -216, C.R.S.2009, applies to universities Because the statute expressly applies to "all areas of the state," we conclude that plaintiffs have stated a claim for relief…”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201(2)(a) — 2 cases
Regents of the Univ. of Colorado v. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, LLC, 271 P.3d 496 (Colo. 2012). “is (collectively, the "Students"), filed a complaint against the University of Colorado's Board of Regents (the "Board of Regents" or "Board") and others alleging that the Board's Weapons Control Policy 14-IL ("the Policy")-which prohibits the carrying of handguns on campus by…”
Students for Concealed Carry On Campus, LLC v. Regents of the Univ. of Colorado, 280 P.3d 18 (Colo. Ct. App. 2010). “In this case of first impression, we consider whether the Concealed Carry Act (CCA), sections 18-12-201 to -216, C.R.S.2009, applies to universities Because the statute expressly applies to "all areas of the state," we conclude that plaintiffs have stated a claim for relief…”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201(2)(b) — 1 case
Students for Concealed Carry On Campus, LLC v. Regents of the Univ. of Colorado, 280 P.3d 18 (Colo. Ct. App. 2010). “In this case of first impression, we consider whether the Concealed Carry Act (CCA), sections 18-12-201 to -216, C.R.S.2009, applies to universities Because the statute expressly applies to "all areas of the state," we conclude that plaintiffs have stated a claim for relief…”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201(3) — 2 cases
Peterson v. Martinez, 707 F.3d 1197 (10th Cir. 2013). “The district court concluded that the executive director of the Department of Public Safety is entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity because he has no connection to the enforcement of the challenged statute. We agree with that conclusion.”
Regents of the Univ. of Colorado v. Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, LLC, 271 P.3d 496 (Colo. 2012). “is (collectively, the "Students"), filed a complaint against the University of Colorado's Board of Regents (the "Board of Regents" or "Board") and others alleging that the Board's Weapons Control Policy 14-IL ("the Policy")-which prohibits the carrying of handguns on campus by…”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.