Concerning the Colorado bureau of investigation's firearms background check operating hours.
Summary
HB 26-1302 changes how the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) operates the state firearms background check system. Under current law, CBI must be open at least 12 hours per day every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas to receive and process firearm transfer background check requests. The bill gives CBI discretion to set its own operating hours based on business needs, while still requiring it to remain open at least 12 hours per day and to accept submissions every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The bill also updates the statutory framework to reflect Colorado’s 3-day waiting period for firearm transfers. It clarifies that background check requests must be placed into the processing queue immediately, regardless of waiting periods, and that the waiting period begins when a licensed gun dealer initiates the background check. In addition, the bill requires CBI to report annually to the House and Senate judiciary committees on processing times, operating-hour changes, outages, and steps taken to improve access and efficiency.
Impact
HB 26-1302 amends Colorado’s firearms background check statute, specifically C.R.S. 24-33.5-424, by replacing a fixed-hours mandate with a flexible operating-hours standard for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. It preserves minimum daily availability and submission access, but shifts operational scheduling authority to CBI leadership. The bill also adds annual reporting requirements to legislative committees, creating ongoing oversight of background check performance, service availability, and system disruptions.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive and administrative rather than adversarial. The legislative declaration frames the change as a modernization measure intended to align CBI operations with the state’s existing 3-day waiting period, improve staffing efficiency, streamline processes, and reduce costs without reducing service. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no additional evidence of opposition or divided sentiment in the available record.
Contention
The main policy issue is the balance between operational flexibility for CBI and guaranteed public access to firearm background check services. Supporters of the bill appear to favor allowing CBI to adjust hours to match workload and reduce unnecessary staffing, while maintaining daily availability and reporting requirements. Potential concerns would likely come from those worried that giving CBI discretion over hours could reduce access, slow processing, or create uncertainty for gun dealers and purchasers, though the bill attempts to address those concerns by preserving minimum service requirements and mandating annual reporting.