Concealed Handgun Permits

Required Documentation to Apply

• Colorado Drivers License or ID Card

• Proof of Denver County Residency
  Applicants that do not live in Denver can still apply if they maintain a second residence or own or lease real property used for business in Denver.

• Proof of Firearm Competence 

Firearms Competency Options

Concealed Handgun Training Course Certificate

Training course certificates must be issued from a verified instructor. The verified instructor may be from any Colorado County - pursuant to CRS 18-12-202.7 - so long as the verified instructor is listed on the county's public website.

Denver County Verified Instructors

• Verified Instructors will provide a certificate upon completion. The certificate will be accepted for 1 year after issuance.
• Upload the certificate during the application.

Alternatives to Training Course

 Some applicants may be exempt from the training course if they provide proof of one of the following:

• Evidence of current military service, current Colorado peace officer status, or participation in organized shooting competitions.
  NOTE: To demonstrate handgun competency for permit purposes, the applicant must: (1) have participated in at least two organized shooting competitions within the past year; (2) have competed using a handgun; and (2) provide documentation of performance (e.g., score or accuracy rating). Competitions must be organized by a nationally recognized organization. See CRS §§ 18-12-203(1)(h), 18-12-211(1)(a), and (3)(a).
• Evidence the applicant is a certified instructor as defined in CRS 18-12-202.
• Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the US armed forced within 3 years, or 10 years with if military retiree has pistol qualification listed.
• A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency with pistol qualifications within the last 10 years.

Application

• All applicants must be 21 years of age or older*.
• A valid personal email address is required.
• Once the application is submitted, the applicant must appear in person and have all follow-up documents submitted within 60 days. Applicants that reschedule their in-person appointments or do not submit requested supplemental documents within the first 60 days of their initial submission will have their applications withdrawn and will be refunded the CBI fee and half the Denver agency fee. Applicants that have had their applications withdrawn, may reapply and will be required to pay all fees.
• Applicants who do not appear for their scheduled appointments without prior notification to the department will have their applications withdrawn. A refund will be issued, minus a $50 fee.
• A credit/debit card is required for payment.
• When you apply for a concealed handgun permit with Denver, a total processing fee of $152.50 is required. This fee pays for forms, ID cards, local criminal history checks, other administrative costs to maintain your 5-year permit, a state and national criminal history check (fingerprints), and an Insta-check (NICS) per statute. Payment will be taken during the application process.
• Fingerprints and photographs are required and will be scheduled during the application process.
• Once submitted, applications may take up to 90 days to process.

Concealed Handgun Permit Application

*Those age 18-21 may be eligible for an emergency permit valid for a limited time. To apply for this exemption, email DPD.CHP@denvergov.org.

Renewal Criteria

• If your permit was issued by Denver, but you now live in another county, renew in your new county.
• If permit was issued in another county, but you live in Denver now, apply as a renewal with Denver.
• You live in Denver and your Colorado issued permit will expire in 120 days or less.
• Colorado issued permit has expired by 6 months or less. Permits expired 6 months or more must apply as a First Time/New Applicant.

Required Documentation to Apply

• Colorado Drivers License or ID Card
  US Armed Forces members and their families are not required to possess a Colorado ID. Instead, they can upload a military ID or orders and a state ID from their licensing state.

• Proof of Denver County Residency
  Applicants that do not live in Denver can still apply if they maintain a second residence or own or lease real property used for business in Denver.

• Proof of Firearm Competence 

Firearms Competency Options

Concealed Handgun Training - Refresher Class Certificate (2 hours) or Training Course Certificate (8 hours)

Applicants eligible for renewal have the option of taking the shorter refresher 2 hour course, or if they want to have the full training, they have the option of taking the full 8 hour course.

Training course certificates must be issued from a verified instructor. The verified instructor may be from any Colorado County - pursuant to CRS 18-12-202.7 - so long as the verified instructor is listed on the county's public website.

Denver County Verified Instructors

• Verified Instructors will provide a certificate upon completion. The certificate will be accepted for 6 months after issuance.
• Upload the certificate during the application.

Alternatives to Training Course

 Some applicants may be exempt from the training course if they provide proof of one of the following:

• Evidence of current military service, current Colorado peace officer status, or participation in organized shooting competitions.
  NOTE: To demonstrate handgun competency for permit purposes, the applicant must: (1) have participated in at least two organized shooting competitions within the past year; (2) have competed using a handgun; and (2) provide documentation of performance (e.g., score or accuracy rating). Competitions must be organized by a nationally recognized organization. See CRS §§ 18-12-203(1)(h), 18-12-211(1)(a), and (3)(a).
• Evidence the applicant is a verified instructor.
• Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the US armed forced within 3 years, or 10 years with if military retiree has pistol qualification listed.
• A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency with pistol qualifications within the last 10 years.

Application

• You may renew up to 120 days (4 months) prior to your current permit expiration.
• A valid personal email address is required.
• Once the application is submitted, the applicant must appear in person and have all follow-up documents submitted within 60 days. Applicants that reschedule their in-person appointments or do not submit requested supplemental documents within the first 60 days of their initial submission will have their applications withdrawn and will be refunded the CBI fee and half the Denver agency fee. Applicants that have had their applications withdrawn, may reapply and will be required to pay all fees.
• Applicants who do not appear for their scheduled appointments without prior notification to the department will have their applications withdrawn. A refund will be issued, minus a $50 fee.
• A credit/debit card is required for payment.
• The cost to renew is $63.00. NOTE: If the permit is expired less than six months, a late fee of $15.00 will be applied. A permit expired more than six months is not renewable.
• Updated photographs and signing an affidavit confirming you meet the legal requirements is required and will be scheduled during the application process.
• Applications denied, revoked or suspended will not be entitled to a refund. The fees collected cover to the cost of processing your application, including fees paid to the State of Colorado.
• Once submitted, applications may take up to 90 days to process.

Concealed Handgun Permit Renewal Application

The Denver Department of Public Safety is prohibited by law from issuing concealed handgun permits to individuals who are disqualified from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. Disqualifications commonly include felony convictions, habitual substance abuse, domestic violence offenses, and other conditions that raise public safety concerns. This list outlines the statutory and behavioral criteria that may prevent an applicant from obtaining a permit.

State Statutes for Concealed Handgun Permit Disqualifications

1. Disqualified from possessing a firearm under State or Federal Law. This most commonly includes felony convictions.
2. Chronically or habitually uses alcohol. For example, two or more DUI convictions within the last 10 years will be disqualifying.
3. Providing false information or deliberately omitting information on the application.
4. Unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances. Denver will review all available internal and external records for evidence of drug use.
5. Subject of a restraining order.
6. Has disqualifying domestic violence convictions.
7. If there is a reasonable belief, based on documented previous behavior, that the applicant is likely to pose a danger to themselves or others if issued a concealed handgun permit. Examples include, but are not limited to, documented mental health concerns, suicidal ideations, erratic public behavior leading to safety holds, threats not resulting in arrest, or threats or acts of self-harm.
8. Crimes specified as prohibited by CRS 24-33.5-424(3)(b.3):

• Assault in the third degree, as described in section 18-3-204;
• Sexual assault, as described in section 18-3-402 (1)(e);
• Unlawful sexual contact, as described in section 18-3-404;
• Child abuse, as described in section 18-6-401;
• Violation of a protection order, as described in section 18-6-803.5 (1)(a) and (1)(c)(I);
• A crime against an at-risk person, as described in section 18-6.5-103;
• Harassment, as described in section 18-9-111 (1)(a);
• (A bias-motivated crime, as described in section 18-9-121;
• (Cruelty to animals, as described in section 18-9-202 (1)(a) and (1.5);  
• Possession of an illegal weapon, as described in section 18-12-102 (4);
• (Unlawfully providing a firearm other than a handgun to a juvenile, as described in section 18-12-108.7 (3);  
• Unlawful conduct involving an unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver, as described in section 18-12-111.5; or
• Unlawful manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm, as described in section 18-12-116.

Colorado Concealed Carry Permit

This is the Colorado Concealed Carry Permit, issued as a courtesy to eligible officers upon retirement. The permit is valid for five years and must be renewed in the county where the officer resides. Please download and complete the application, then email it to DPD.CHP@denvergov.org or drop it off at the ID Bureau.

This service is available only to newly retired Denver Police Officers. All other agencies must use the federal HR-218 permit process or contact their respective retiring agency.

Retired DPD Officer Handgun Permit Application(PDF, 624KB)

Federal HR-218 - 1 Year Permit (Valid Nationwide)

This is a federal CCW permit only issued to retired law enforcement. A retired officer must initiate the process at the shooting range, then the application must be signed and submitted to us.

The fee for this type of CCW is $13.00 and it expires in 1 year.

Separated Law Enforcement Officer - Permit Application(PDF, 39KB)

Are you looking to submit an Address/Name Change or a Lost/Stolen replacement?

• Address change is required by state statute; you must submit an address change form with the agency that holds your permit.
• Have you recently changed your name? You must submit a valid legal document identifying your new name. Name changes will require fingerprints, which will be scheduled upon submitting the name change application.
• Have you lost your permit? You can request a replacement permit.
• Was your permit stolen? You must have a police report number to file a stolen replacement request.
• A valid email address is required.

To complete a name change, change your address, or request a lost/stolen/damaged replacement:

Application - Submit Your Request

Those seeking to become a verified instructor in Denver under CRS 18-12-202.7 must complete an application and upload the required documents.

The following documents must be uploaded at the time of application:

• Colorado Identification or Driver License
• Valid Current Concealed Carry Permit from any Colorado County
• Proof of Instructor Affiliation
• Detailed Syllabus/Plans for Concealed Handgun Training Class
• Detailed Syllabus/Plans for Refresher Class
• Description of Training Facility
• A copy of the Written Exam
• Testing Criteria and passing score for live-fire Exercises
• Copy of Training Certificate You Will Issue

The cost to apply for instructor verification in Denver is $125.00.

Current list of active verified instructors in Denver

Colorado Senate Bill 25‑003 introduces a new process for purchasing or transferring "Specified Semiautomatic Firearms" - those with detachable magazines - requiring completion of a state-approved firearms safety course and issuance of an eligibility card. This state law only affects those who will purchase and/or transfer Specified Semiautomatic Firearms on or after August 1, 2026. Applicants do not need to reside in the county where they apply.

Department of Revenue - List of Affected Firearms(PDF, 11MB)

Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Public Guide(PDF, 555KB)

How to Purchase a Specified Semiautomatic Firearm:

STEP 1: State Application

Go to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Specified Semiautomatic Firearms website to create a user account and initiate an application. Applicants may apply in any Colorado county and will select the county to which their application will be forwarded.

STEP 2: County Application

If the initial application is forwarded to Denver County, applicants must then visit the Denver Police Department Firearms Eligibility Card Portal and apply for the Safety Course Eligibility Card. This should only be completed AFTER applying with Colorado Parks & Wildlife AND having selected Denver County. 

NOTE: Denver County charges $200 and this fee is inclusive of the fee collected on behalf of the state.

STEP 3: Review and Eligibility Issuance

Your application will be reviewed to determine eligibility. If approved, you will be issued an eligibility card that is valid for five years.

STEP 4: Course and Exam

Find an approved instructor and enroll in course. A fee may be associated with this step and a list of Verified Firearms Instructors is maintained on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. You may take the course from any specified semiautomatic endorsed Verified Firearms Instructor in the state of Colorado. The instructor will verify your eligibility to take the Basic (4hrs) or Extended (12hrs) course. During this step, you will need to pass an exam and hands-on practical with a 90% or better. If you pass the course, you have 5 years to purchase specified semiautomatic firearms.

STEP 5: Purchase

The dealer will confirm your eligibility and begin the purchase process.