In the wake of numerous mass shootings, Colorado has enacted a series of significant firearm regulations over the past decade. Following the tragic Aurora movie theater shooting on July 20, 2012, which claimed twelve lives and injured 70, the state has continuously adapted its gun laws to address public safety concerns.
The catalyst for many of these legislative changes was not only the Aurora incident but also other high-profile shootings across the United States. For instance, the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012, where 20 children and six educators were killed, further intensified calls for reform.
During the legislative session in early 2013, then-Governor John Hickenlooper signed three landmark laws aimed at reducing gun violence. These included a limit of 15 rounds for firearm magazines, a requirement for universal background checks, and a fee imposed on gun buyers to fund these checks.
This legislative push faced fierce backlash. On September 10, 2013, two Democratic state senators were recalled by voters, a response driven by gun-rights advocates upset over the new laws. Subsequently, in November 2014, Republicans regained control of the state Senate, ending a period of Democratic dominance.
The momentum for gun control resurfaced following mass shootings in other states. The attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016, which resulted in 49 deaths, and the Las Vegas shooting on October 1, 2017, where 60 concertgoers were killed, reignited discussions around firearm legislation.
On February 14, 2018, a former student carried out a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 individuals. This led to renewed advocacy for gun control measures nationwide, including in Colorado. Following the election of Jared Polis as governor in November 2018, Democrats regained control of the state legislature.
In April 2019, Polis signed the extreme risk protection order law, also known as the red-flag law. This legislation allows judges to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
The tragic shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder on March 22, 2021, where ten people lost their lives, prompted further legislative action. During the 2021 session, Colorado lawmakers passed five new gun laws, which included establishing firearm storage requirements and expanding background checks.
Tragedy struck again on May 9, 2021, when a shooter killed six individuals at a birthday party in Colorado Springs. In response, lawmakers banned open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places during the 2022 legislative session.
The violence continued with the shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs on November 19, 2022, where five patrons were killed and 22 others were injured. The incident underscored the urgency of addressing gun violence in the state.
In the 2023 legislative session, Colorado enacted four new gun laws, including a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases and raising the minimum age to buy a firearm to 21. The laws also expanded who can file extreme risk protection orders and banned the sale and possession of ghost guns, which lack serial numbers.
As lawmakers prepare for the 2024 legislative session, they have already enacted seven additional gun laws. These include new training requirements for concealed-carry permits and establishing new protocols for firearm storage in vehicles. A new tax on firearms and ammunition was also approved by voters, with 54% in favor.
In 2025, the legislative session saw the passage of another set of seven laws, which include making firearm theft a felony, setting a minimum age of 21 for purchasing ammunition, and creating a voluntary do-not-sell list for firearms.
Colorado’s legislative journey reflects a growing commitment to addressing gun violence through comprehensive regulation. The state continues to navigate the delicate balance between Second Amendment rights and the imperative of public safety.
