Many people ask if Colorado has a law that makes “brandishing” a firearm illegal — meaning waving, drawing, or showing a gun in a threatening or reckless way.
👉 Short answer:
- No, Colorado does not have a law actually called “brandishing.”
- Instead, Colorado handles these situations under crimes like menacing, and some cities (like Denver) have local codes against flourishing deadly weapons.
Menacing Under Colorado Law (C.R.S. 18-3-206)
In Colorado, the crime most people confuse with brandishing is called menacing. Under C.R.S. 18-3-206:
A person commits menacing if, by any threat or physical action, he or she knowingly places or attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
Levels of menacing:
- Misdemeanor menacing (no weapon) is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Felony menacing involves a deadly weapon (or pretending to have one) and is a Class 5 felony.
➡ Intent is key
Menacing requires that you intended to threaten or instill fear.
If you simply have a firearm on your person or it is partially visible by accident, that alone is not menacing.
Local Ordinances: Denver’s “Flourishing” Law
Some Colorado cities go further with local rules. For example, Denver Revised Municipal Code § 38-117 makes it illegal to:
Flourish, display or brandish any deadly weapon in a manner calculated to cause alarm.
➡ Intent also matters here
“Calculated to cause alarm” means there must be an intention to display the firearm in a way that would scare or alarm others.
Just having a gun on your belt that someone sees is not enough for a flourishing charge.
Printing Is Not Illegal
Many concealed carriers worry about “printing,” which is when the outline of a firearm is visible under your clothing. Or maybe you accidentally lift your shirt when reaching for something in the grocery store, exposing your holstered handgun for a second.
✅ This is not illegal in Colorado.
There is no law that penalizes merely revealing or “printing” a firearm without any threatening act.
As long as there is no intent to threaten, intimidate, or cause alarm, you are generally within your rights.
What About Defensive Display?
Colorado law does not have a statute for “defensive display,” like some other states (e.g., Arizona).
So if you show your firearm to deter a potential threat, you could still be investigated for menacing. Whether it results in charges depends heavily on:
- If your belief of imminent serious bodily harm was reasonable, and
- If it would pass the reasonable person standard (i.e., would a jury of 12 think it made sense?).
Bottom Line
✅ Colorado has no law called “brandishing.”
🚫 But improper display of a firearm meant to intimidate could be menacing under state law, or flourishing under local laws like in Denver.
⚖️ Both require intent to threaten or cause alarm — simply having a gun visible (printing or accidental exposure) is not a crime.
Ready to Learn More or Protect Yourself?
- 🔫 Take a CCW class to learn when you can legally display or use your firearm.
- 🛡 Explore self-defense insurance to safeguard your future.
- 🛍 Shop our tactical gear & body armor to be properly equipped.
- 🎯 Try our shooting drills to build your skills and confidence.
- 📚 Check out our law section for more guides on Colorado firearm and self-defense laws.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and interpretations vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified attorney in your area to get advice specific to your situation.
