Colorado SB25-003 Eligibility Cards by County

Since August 1, 2026, buying most semiautomatic rifles and shotguns with detachable magazines in Colorado takes a safety course, and before you can sign up for the course you need an eligibility card from a county sheriff. The law lets each sheriff set its own fee, and they've gone very different ways: Mesa and El Paso add nothing to the state's $52, Denver charges $200 in all, many take only their own residents, and Montezuma isn't issuing cards at all.

Checked against each agency's own site on 2026-10-08. Colorado gun laws.

The same everywhere

What it covers: The law covers semiautomatic rifles and shotguns with a detachable magazine and gas-operated semiautomatic pistols with one. Guns you owned before August 1, 2026 aren't affected, and bolt, pump and lever actions and most .22 rimfires aren't covered. The Department of Revenue keeps the official list. (C.R.S. § 18-12-116(2))
Who issues the card: You start with an online application to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, then send your ID and background check to the sheriff. The card only lets you sign up for the class; it isn't a permit to buy anything. (C.R.S. § 18-12-116(5)(b)(I))
Why fees differ: On top of the state's $52, each sheriff sets its own fee, from nothing to as much as $150 for out-of-county applicants. None of it comes back if you're denied. (C.R.S. § 18-12-116(5)(b)(V))
The background check you buy: The sheriff doesn't run this check; you buy it from a private company and hand in the results with the company's written statement that it did the check. Some counties also say how recent it has to be. (C.R.S. § 18-12-116(5)(b)(III))
Which course: If Parks and Wildlife has your hunter education on record, you take the 4-hour basic course; otherwise the 12-hour extended one, over two days. Both are in person with a sheriff-verified instructor, and you need 90% on the exam. A concealed carry class doesn't count. (C.R.S. § 18-12-116(5)(a)(III))
When a sheriff can say no: A sheriff has to turn you down if you can't legally have a gun or can't be identified, and may turn you down over documented past behavior suggesting you're a danger. You get the reason in writing and can ask a court to review it; the sheriff has to prove the case. (C.R.S. § 18-12-116(5)(b)(VI)(C))

Every county

El Paso County: A new eligibility card in El Paso County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Denver: A new eligibility card in Denver costs about $200, including the state's $52 records fee.
Arapahoe County: A new eligibility card in Arapahoe County costs about $152: $100 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Jefferson County: A new eligibility card in Jefferson County costs about $102: $50 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Adams County: A new eligibility card in Adams County costs about $102: $50 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Douglas County: A new eligibility card in Douglas County costs about $77: $25 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Larimer County: The Larimer County Sheriff's Office doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
Weld County: The Weld County Sheriff's Office doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
Boulder County: The Boulder County Sheriff's Office doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
Pueblo County: A new eligibility card in Pueblo County costs about $152: $100 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Mesa County: A new eligibility card in Mesa County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Broomfield: The Broomfield Police Department doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
Garfield County: The Garfield County Sheriff's Office doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
Eagle County: A new eligibility card in Eagle County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Fremont County: A new eligibility card in Fremont County costs about $102: $50 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Delta County: A new eligibility card in Delta County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Summit County: The Summit County Sheriff's Office doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
Morgan County: A new eligibility card in Morgan County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Elbert County: A new eligibility card in Elbert County costs about $102: $50 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Montezuma County: The Montezuma County Sheriff's Office isn't issuing eligibility cards, so you'll need to apply in a county that takes out-of-county applicants.
Routt County: A new eligibility card in Routt County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Logan County: A new eligibility card in Logan County costs about $53: $1 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Park County: A new eligibility card in Park County costs about $92: $40 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Gunnison County: A new eligibility card in Gunnison County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Pitkin County: A new eligibility card in Pitkin County costs about $102: $50 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Grand County: A new eligibility card in Grand County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Moffat County: A new eligibility card in Moffat County costs $52, just the state's records fee; there's no local fee on top.
Clear Creek County: The Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
San Miguel County: A new eligibility card in San Miguel County costs about $105: $53 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.
Gilpin County: The Gilpin County Sheriff's Office doesn't post its eligibility card fees online, so call or check its site before you apply.
Custer County: A new eligibility card in Custer County costs about $72: $20 in county fees plus the state's records fee of $52.

Other counties

We couldn't find an eligibility card process on these sheriffs' own sites, so call the Sheriff's Office before you apply. If yours isn't issuing, Denver takes applicants from any county, and several others take out-of-county applicants for a higher fee.

Alamosa, Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Dolores, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jackson, Kiowa, Kit Carson, La Plata, Lake, Las Animas, Lincoln, Mineral, Montrose, Otero, Ouray, Phillips, Prowers, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan, Sedgwick, Teller, Washington, Yuma

Not legal advice. Confirm fees with the agency before you pay.