Colorado Revised Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-301 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of July 2026
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As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Bureau" means the Colorado bureau of investigation created and existing pursuant to section 24-33.5-401, C.R.S. (2) (a) "Large-capacity magazine" means: (I) A fixed or detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip, or similar device capable of accepting, or that is designed to be readily converted to accept, more than fifteen rounds of ammunition; (II) A fixed, tubular shotgun magazine that holds more than twenty-eight inches of shotgun shells, including any extension device that is attached to the magazine and holds additional shotgun shells; or (III) A nontubular, detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip, or similar device that is capable of accepting more than eight shotgun shells when combined with a fixed magazine. (b) "Large-capacity magazine" does not mean: (I) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than fifteen rounds of ammunition; (II) An attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition; or (III) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.

Source: L. 2013: Entire part added, (HB 13-1224), ch. 48, p. 144, § 1, effective July 1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 2016–2026 · leading case: Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis, 2020 CO 66 (Colo. 2020).
Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis, 2020 CO 66 (Colo. 2020). · cites it 13× “” § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.S. (2019) (emphasis added).”
Ass'n of N.J. Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc. v. Attorney Gen. N.J., 910 F.3d 106 (3rd Cir. 2018). “4021(e)(1)(A), (B) (ten rounds for a "long gun" and fifteen rounds for a "hand gun"); Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-301 (2)(a)(I) (fifteen rounds).”
United States v. Trumbull, 114 F.4th 1114 (9th Cir. 2024). · cites it 2× “4 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-301 ; 720 Ill. Comp.”
Virginia Duncan v. Rob Bonta, 19 F.4th 1087 (9th Cir. 2021). “Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-301 , 302; Conn.”
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Hickenlooper, 2015 COA 45 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 8× “" § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.S. 2015. Those who purchased a large-capacity magazine prior to the effective date of the statute must maintain "continuous possession" of it.”
Virginia Duncan v. Rob Bonta, 133 F.4th 852 (9th Cir. 2025). “Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-301 , 302; Conn.”
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Hickenlooper, 371 P.3d 768 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). “" § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.98.2015. Those who purchased a large-capacity magazine prior to the effective date of the statute must maintain "continuous possession" of it.”
United States v. Nahsiem McIntosh, 124 F.4th 199 (3rd Cir. 2024). “Colorado is the only state to adopt a 15-round numeric threshold, see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-301 (2)(a)(I), while Delaware—the only state with a higher threshold than U.”
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Hickenlooper, 2016 COA 45 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “" § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.S. 2015. Those who purchased a large-capacity magazine prior to the effective date of the statute must maintain "continuous possession" of it.”
Ass'n of New Jersey Rifl v. Attorney Gen. New Jersey (3rd Cir. 2018). “4021(e)(1)(A), (B) (ten rounds for a “long gun” and fifteen rounds for a “hand gun”); Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-301 (2)(a)(I) (fifteen rounds).”
Ass'n of New Jersey Rifl v. Attorney Gen. New Jersey (3rd Cir. 2018). “4021(e)(1)(A), (B) (ten rounds for a “long gun” and fifteen rounds for a “hand gun”); Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-301 (2)(a)(I) (fifteen rounds).”
Virginia Duncan v. Rob Bonta (9th Cir. 2021). “Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-301 , 302; Conn.”
— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I) — 5 cases
Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis, 2020 CO 66 (Colo. 2020). “” § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.S. (2019) (emphasis added).”
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Hickenlooper, 2015 COA 45 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). “" § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.S. 2015. Those who purchased a large-capacity magazine prior to the effective date of the statute must maintain "continuous possession" of it.”
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Hickenlooper, 371 P.3d 768 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). “" § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.98.2015. Those who purchased a large-capacity magazine prior to the effective date of the statute must maintain "continuous possession" of it.”
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Hickenlooper, 2016 COA 45 (Colo. Ct. App. 2016). “" § 18-12-301(2)(a)(I), C.R.S. 2015. Those who purchased a large-capacity magazine prior to the effective date of the statute must maintain "continuous possession" of it.”
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