Newly Passed Colorado Bills Rework Firearm Laws
In the spring of 2025, Colorado enacted two significant laws reshaping firearms-related criminal policy. HB 25‑1062, signed into law on June 2, 2025, automatically elevates the theft of any firearm, regardless of its value, to a Class 6 felony. SB 25‑003, signed by the governor on April 10, 2025, lays the groundwork for stricter regulation of semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines. The intent behind HB 25‑1062 is to deter firearm theft by imposing consistent felony penalties, while SB 25‑003 aims to tighten control over semiautomatic gun acquisition and prevent high-capacity firearm proliferation.
Penalties for Firearm Theft Now Elevated by HB 25-1062
The passage of HB 25‑1062 marks a policy shift, any theft of a firearm in Colorado now constitutes a Class 6 felony, regardless of monetary value. The bill changes Colorado Revised Statutes regarding theft sentencing, specifically C.R.S. § 18‑4‑401, by removing firearms from the general, value‑based theft classification and reclassifying any firearm theft as a Class 6 felony regardless of the value of the stolen weapon Previously, state law treated theft under the standard value-based offense structure: a $150 gun could be treated as a misdemeanor, while a high-value firearm might escalate to a felony. This change signals Colorado’s view that the intrinsic danger posed by firearms justifies a uniform felony response. Under the new law, even lower-cost firearms stolen from a home or vehicle now carry penalties of 12 to 18 months in prison, a one-year mandatory parole period, and fines up to $100,000. In contrast, under the old system, a thief might have avoided a felony record entirely by targeting inexpensive firearms. This eliminates disparate treatment and reflects the idea that any weapon theft is inherently risky to public safety.
Consider a scenario: under the prior law, someone stealing a $300 handgun from an unsecured backyard shed might have faced a misdemeanor. Under HB 25‑1062, that same act is now a felony with long-term consequences, a pivotal deterrent. If multiple firearms are stolen in one incident, each counts as a separate Class 5 felony, allowing prosecutors to pursue even greater penalties. Colorado legislators argue this uniform sentencing removes loopholes criminal actors may exploit and aligns legal consequences with the potential harm firearm theft enables.
SB 25-003: New Laws as of April 2025
SB 25‑003 began its legal journey by formally amending definitions and prohibiting rapid-fire conversion devices, like bump stocks and binary triggers, and classifying them as “dangerous weapons.” While the bill was signed in April 2025, these structural changes, including categorization of semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines and the elimination of machine-gun accessories, are already in effect as of its signing. SB 25‑003 amends definitions in C.R.S. § 18‑12‑101, establishing a new statutory category for “specified semiautomatic firearms” (e.g., semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, or gas‑operated handguns with detachable magazines) and classifies “rapid‑fire devices” as dangerous weapons, with additional restrictions on their manufacture, transfer, or sale. Rapid-fire devices are now explicitly restricted and carry criminal liability for manufacture, sale, or possession even before the training and eligibility system begins. The Department of Revenue must also publish guidance on which semiautomatic models fall under these new rules.
SB 25-003: Upcoming Changes Beginning August 2026
The most substantive aspects of SB 25‑003 revolve around the creation of a firearms safety course eligibility card, mandatory training requirements, and tighter restrictions on certain firearm acquisitions. Beginning August 1, 2026, Coloradans seeking to purchase semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, or gas-operated handguns with detachable magazines must apply for and obtain this eligibility card from their local sheriff. To qualify, applicants must pass a four-hour “basic” or twelve-hour “extended” safety course, conducted in person, complete a detailed background check, and submit attestation and ID as required.
This training includes instruction on safe handling, storage, ammunition, mental health risks, crisis intervention, and legal responsibilities. Noncompliance or false statements on applications may result in perjury charges and revocation of eligibility cards. Purchases of these firearms without the eligibility card will no longer be permitted after the effective date, though possession of existing firearms remains legal. The legislation also maintains exemptions for fixed-magazine firearms and most recoil-operated handguns, while carving out exceptions for common hunting rifles.
Defense Attorney for Weapons-Related Crimes in Denver, Colorado
If you or a loved one has been charged with Theft of a Firearm, Possession of a Prohibited weapon, or any other Firearm Crime in Denver, or the surrounding areas in Colorado, it is important to hire a criminal defense attorney immediately. The Law Office of Matthew Martin can provide the legal assistance you need to ensure your case is in the right hands, and you will be getting the best representation that you deserve.
Call 303.725.0017 to request a free consultation.
Other Insights
New Utah Law Increases Penalties for Sex Crimes Involving Incapacitated Individuals
Prosecutors Warn against Citizen Vigilante Predator Hunters
The Problems of Bibb County Jail's Dangerous Conditions
Comments