Colorado § 18-12-201 Legislative declaration

Colorado Statutes

§ 18-12-201 — Legislative declaration

Colorado § 18-12-201

Title 18Criminal

Art.Offenses Relating to Firearms

This text of Colorado § 18-12-201 (Legislative declaration) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-201 (2026).

Text

(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 i

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(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.

Legislative History

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.