El Paso County SB25-003 Eligibility Card

Apply to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Checked against the agency's own site on 2026-10-08.

• New license: No county fee for El Paso County residents, $35 for everyone else, plus the state's $52.
• Local rules: Your name-based background check must be from the last 90 days, with the vendor's written attestation. Hand in a government-issued photo ID with your application.

Apply to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office · Every Colorado county

Common questions

How much does an eligibility card cost in 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. That's tied for the cheapest of the 22 counties that post a full price; the typical one charges about $75. Training is paid separately, to the instructor.

Where do I apply for an eligibility card in El Paso County?

Apply to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

What does El Paso County require beyond state law?

Your name-based background check must be from the last 90 days, with the vendor's written attestation. Hand in a government-issued photo ID with your application.

Rules every Colorado license follows

• 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))

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