HB26-1212 would substantially expand concealed-carry rights in Colorado. As introduced, it allows a person who is at least 18 years old and otherwise permitted under federal and state law to possess a handgun to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit, and gives that person the same rights, limitations, and authority as a permit holder. The bill also preserves the option to obtain a permit for interstate reciprocity purposes, but changes the minimum age for permits and for recognition of out-of-state permits from 21 to 18.
The bill would also convert Colorado concealed handgun permits from five-year permits into lifetime permits, eliminate renewal requirements, and provide that existing valid permits generally do not expire. It repeals the temporary emergency permit process and removes statutory provisions tied to renewal, including renewal fees and renewal procedures. In addition, it revises several related provisions governing training, sheriff duties, judicial review, background checks, and the treatment of retired peace officers.
A major policy change in the bill is the removal of local government authority to regulate concealed carry of handguns and open carry of handguns in buildings or specific areas. It repeals local authority for ordinances, rules, or regulations restricting concealed handgun carry by permit holders and bars local governments from prohibiting open carry of handguns, while preserving local authority only over firearms other than handguns in certain contexts. The bill also updates school, government-building, and intoxication-related weapons statutes to conform to the new permitless concealed-carry framework.
The bill’s impact on state law would be broad, affecting Colorado’s concealed-carry permitting scheme, reciprocity rules, local firearms regulation, and related enforcement provisions. It would shift Colorado toward a permitless concealed-carry model for adults 18 and older who may lawfully possess handguns, while keeping permits available primarily for use in other states that recognize Colorado permits. It would also reduce the role of sheriffs in renewal administration and eliminate the temporary emergency permit category.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill’s introduction and committee outcome appears to be strongly contested, with no recorded supportive or opposing testimony in the provided materials. The House Judiciary Committee postponed the bill indefinitely, which indicates it did not advance out of committee. The main points of contention are likely the expansion of concealed carry to 18-year-olds, lifetime permits, repeal of local control over handgun restrictions, and the elimination of permit renewal and emergency-permit safeguards.
HB26-1212 would amend multiple sections of Title 18 and one section of Title 29 to create permitless concealed carry for eligible adults 18 and older, convert existing concealed handgun permits to lifetime permits, repeal renewal and temporary emergency permit provisions, and preempt local governments from regulating concealed or open carry of handguns in the manner previously allowed. It would also revise related statutes governing carry in government buildings and schools, sheriff permitting duties, reciprocity, and reporting on local gun-violence-prevention measures.
The available record suggests the bill was controversial and did not have enough support to advance, as it was postponed indefinitely in the House Judiciary Committee. No committee transcript or vote breakdown is provided, so the specific arguments for and against are not recorded here, but the bill’s sweeping changes to concealed-carry law and local regulatory authority indicate a likely polarized response.
The most notable points of contention are the bill’s permitless concealed-carry provision for 18-year-olds, the conversion of permits to lifetime status, the repeal of temporary emergency permits and renewal requirements, and the elimination of local government authority to restrict handgun carry in buildings or specific areas. Supporters would likely view the bill as expanding self-defense rights and creating statewide uniformity, while opponents would likely focus on public-safety concerns, reduced local control, and the removal of existing permitting and training checkpoints.