Colorado SB25-003: What You Need to Know Before August 1, 2026

If you are a Colorado gun owner or AR-15 builder, August 1, 2026 is a date that matters. That is when Colorado SB25-003 takes full effect, and it changes how you can legally purchase a covered semiautomatic firearm in the state. The window to buy without the new requirements is closing, and understanding what is coming helps you make a confident decision before the deadline.

At Dirty Bird Guns and Ammo, we stay on top of firearm legislation so our customers can make informed choices. This is our plain-English breakdown of SB25-003, what it requires, and what Colorado buyers should consider right now.

This article is informational and not legal advice. Verify details with a Colorado-licensed attorney or your local FFL before making decisions about specific firearms or transactions.

What Colorado SB25-003 Does

Colorado SB25-003 was signed by Governor Jared Polis on April 10, 2025. Starting August 1, 2026, it restricts the purchase, sale, transfer, and distribution of what the state calls specified semiautomatic firearms, or SSFs. The definition covers semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines, semiautomatic shotguns with detachable magazines, and gas-operated semiautomatic handguns with detachable magazines.

For AR-15 buyers, that definition covers most complete AR-platform rifles. If it is semiautomatic, accepts a detachable magazine, and does not fall under one of the law’s exemptions, SB25-003 applies to it.

What Is Exempt in Colorado SB25-003

Several firearm types fall outside the SSF definition in Colorado SB25-003. Rimfire firearms of .22 caliber or smaller are exempt unless the firearm has a separate upper and lower receiver. Manually operated firearms using bolt, pump, lever, or slide actions are not covered. Semiautomatic firearms with permanently affixed magazines limited to 15 rounds or fewer are also exempt, as are single- or double-action semiautomatic handguns that cycle via recoil rather than gas operation. Most semiautomatic hunting shotguns fall outside the definition as well. The Colorado Department of Revenue is finalizing an official list of specific covered makes and models, with official guidance expected in July 2026.

What Is Grandfathered

If you legally own a covered firearm before August 1, 2026, you are not affected. The Colorado SB25-003 does not require existing owners to surrender, register, or modify their firearms. SB25-003 applies only to new purchases and transfers that occur on or after the effective date.

The New Purchase Process After August 1

This is the part that catches many buyers off guard. Purchasing a covered SSF after August 1 is not simply a matter of completing additional paperwork at the counter. It requires working through a multi-step process before the transaction can even begin.

Buyers must first create a profile in the new CPW Firearm Safety System and apply for a firearms safety course eligibility card through their county sheriff’s office. That application requires a valid state ID, a background check, and a fee. The sheriff reviews the application and issues an eligibility card to qualified applicants. Anyone unable to legally possess a firearm under state or federal law will be denied.

With the eligibility card in hand, the buyer then completes a required in-person firearms safety course. Those who have completed a CPW-certified hunter education course qualify for the 4-hour Basic Course. Those without hunter education must complete the 12-hour Extended Course, which must be delivered across at least two separate days. Both courses include a final exam requiring a score of 90 percent or better. The completed course must fall within the five years prior to the transaction.

One point that causes significant confusion: a Colorado CCW or CHP permit does not exempt anyone from these requirements under Colorado SB25-003. Concealed carry permit holders and experienced shooters must still complete the full process when purchasing a covered firearm after August 1.

The Firearm Safety System application goes live on July 20, 2026. Some sheriff offices may not begin processing applications until August 1 itself, so buyers planning to purchase under the new system should expect potential delays as the process gets underway.

Rapid-Fire Devices

SB25-003 also prohibits the purchase and sale of rapid-fire conversion devices, including bump stocks and binary triggers. Colorado now classifies these as dangerous weapons under state law. If you are considering any aftermarket trigger components, confirm with your FFL before ordering.

Magazines

Colorado’s prohibition on selling or transferring magazines holding more than 15 rounds has been in place since 2013. SB25-003 does not change that. Dirty Bird does not ship over-15-round magazines to Colorado addresses.

What This Means If You Are Shopping Now

The purchase process before August 1 follows the existing rules you already know: background check, standard transfer, done. After August 1, buying a covered AR-15 in Colorado requires the eligibility card, the training course, and sheriff approval before you can complete the transaction.

If a complete AR-15 is on your list, buying before the deadline is the simpler path. If you are building rather than buying complete, talk to your FFL about timing on lower receiver transfers specifically, since the serialized lower is the regulated firearm component.

Where to Learn More

The full bill text is available at leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-003. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is the agency responsible for implementing the training program and maintains a dedicated page at cpw.state.co.us/specified-semiautomatic-firearms. Official guidance from the Department of Revenue is expected on July 1, 2026.

At Dirty Bird Guns and Ammo

We carry a wide selection of AR-15 rifles, complete uppers, and components at our Bakersfield location and online at dirtybirdusa.com. Our team stays current on firearm regulations so we can help customers make informed decisions within the rules that apply to them. If you have questions about a specific purchase or want guidance on what is in stock now, reach out or stop by. We are here to help you get what you need before the window closes.