Concealed Carry, News

How Much Does a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Cost?

2025 Guide for New & Renewal Applicants

If you’re applying for or renewing a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), knowing the total cost ahead of time helps you budget and avoid surprises.
Colorado law requires state-approved training, a background check, and payment of county sheriff’s fees for both new and renewal permits.

Below is the full breakdown for new applications and renewals, including training, range, and ammo costs.


1. County Sheriff’s Office Fee

Your CHP application or renewal is processed through your county sheriff’s office.

  • New permit fee: $50 – $100 (varies by county)
  • Renewal fee: $63 in most counties
  • Late renewal penalty: Usually + $15 if expired within 6 months

This fee covers administrative processing, record checks, and submitting your background check request to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.


2. Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Fee

The CBI charges $52.50 for the mandatory background check on both new and renewal applications.

This covers:

  • Criminal history & mental health record checks
  • Fingerprint processing (for new applicants)
  • Statewide verification of eligibility

For more details on eligibility and the legal process, see our Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Guide.


3. Training Class Costs – Required for Both New and Renewal

Colorado law requires state-approved training every time you apply or renew.

At Concealed Carry Classes of Denver, we offer:

  • New Permit Class: $160 – 9 hours, meets all state requirements
  • Renewal Class: $110 – 4.5 hours, meets all state requirements
  • Range Fee: $20 – $25 (varies by location)
  • Ammunition: 50–100 rounds, typically $20 – $50 depending on caliber

Want to prepare for the shooting qualification? Check out our Colorado Shooting Drills to sharpen your skills before class.


4. Total Estimated Costs

For a New Permit:

ExpenseTypical Cost
Sheriff’s Fee$50 – $100
CBI Fee$52.50
New Permit Class$160
Range Fee$20 – $25
Ammunition$20 – $50
Total$302.50 – $387.50

For a Renewal:

ExpenseTypical Cost
Sheriff’s Fee$63
CBI Fee$52.50
Renewal Class$110
Range Fee$20 – $25
Ammunition$20 – $50
Total$265.50 – $300.50

Why Choose Concealed Carry Classes of Denver?

  • State-approved instructors verified by local sheriffs
  • Denver & Thornton classroom locations
  • Live-fire qualification included
  • Covers Colorado gun laws and self-defense scenarios
  • Small class sizes for personalized instruction

Sign Up Today
Don’t wait until the last minute—classes fill quickly!
Register now for your Colorado concealed carry class and carry with confidence.

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law

What Does the Colorado Written CCW Test Cover?

If you’re planning to get your Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), you’ll need to take a state-compliant class that includes both a written exam and a live-fire shooting qualification. Whether you’re attending our 8-hour class for new applicants or our 4-hour renewal course, the written CCW test is a required step—and it’s designed to make sure you understand your responsibilities as a firearm carrier.

Let’s break down what you can expect on test day.


✅ Who Has to Take the Written CCW Test?

  • New Applicants (8-hour course): Must complete a full classroom curriculum, take a written test, and pass a live-fire qualification.
  • Renewals (4-hour course): Must take an abbreviated class and pass a written test. Some counties may waive the live-fire portion for renewals, but we include it regardless for safety and skill upkeep.

📝 What’s On the Colorado CCW Written Test?

We designed our test to meet and exceed the new requirements under Colorado Revised Statute § 18-12-202.5, effective July 1, 2025. The written exam is multiple choice and covers real-world knowledge every responsible carrier should know.

Here are the major categories:

🔒 Firearm Safety Basics

  • Safe storage and transport
  • Trigger discipline and muzzle awareness
  • Misfire procedures

📜 Colorado Firearms Law

  • Where you can and cannot carry
  • Use of force vs. deadly force
  • Defense of others and property
  • Duty to retreat (or lack thereof)

👮‍♂️ Interaction with Law Enforcement

  • What to do during a traffic stop while armed
  • Declaring your CHP status
  • How to avoid escalating a situation
  • The five elements of a lawful self-defense claim (Innocence, Imminence, Proportionality, Avoidance, and Reasonableness)
  • Real-life scenarios and case law examples
  • What happens after a defensive shooting

🧠 Mental & Physical Effects of a Shooting

  • Tunnel vision, adrenaline dump, and fine motor skill loss
  • The psychology of confrontation
  • What happens after you pull the trigger

📊 What Score Do You Need to Pass?

  • Minimum Passing Score: 80%
  • You’ll have plenty of time to finish, and we go over everything in class.
  • If you fail, you can retake the test after reviewing the relevant material.

📅 When Do You Take the Test?

  • New Applicants: Toward the end of the classroom portion—after lunch but before heading to the range.
  • Renewals: After the classroom refresher. If you’ve stayed sharp, you’ll do fine.

💡 Is It Hard?

No. It’s not a trick test. But it is serious. We want every student—new or experienced—to walk out with confidence and legal clarity. If you’re paying to carry a concealed firearm legally, it’s worth knowing the law and your responsibilities.


🛡 We Make Sure You’re Prepared

Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned carrier, our team makes sure you’re 100% ready before you ever see the test. No guessing. No surprises. Just real knowledge, responsible instruction, and a path to legal concealed carry in Colorado.


📣 Ready to Get Your Colorado CHP?

We offer state-approved 8-hour CCW classes for new applicants and 4-hour renewal classes for current permit holders. All include live-fire training and written testing under the new law.

👉 Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Classes
👉 Compare Self-Defense Insurance Plans
👉 Colorado Self-Defense Laws Explained

Concealed Carry, Firearms Training, Shooting Techniques

Colorado CHP Shooting Qualification: What to Expect During Your Live-Fire Test

If you’re applying for or renewing your Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), you’re now required to complete a live-fire shooting qualification under the updated law—Colorado Revised Statute § 18-12-202.5. Whether this is your first permit or you’re coming back to renew, this guide explains exactly what to expect during the qualification process.


✅ Colorado CHP Live-Fire Qualification: Course of Fire

The qualification is designed to be straightforward and beginner-friendly. It evaluates your ability to safely handle and accurately fire your handgun—there’s no timed element or tactical movement.

Target Type:
We use an IDPA-style silhouette target, either full-size or scaled down to 8.5″ x 11″ paper depending on the range, equipment, and training setup.

Scoring Standard:
To pass, shooters must hit anywhere inside the silhouette with at least 18 out of 25 total rounds. No scoring zones or bullseyes are required.

🎯 Shooting Distances and Round Counts:

  • 7 feet: 10 rounds
  • 10 feet: 10 rounds
  • 13 feet: 5 rounds
  • Total: 25 rounds
  • Passing Score: 70% (18 hits in the silhouette)

📏 Why These Distances?

These distances are based on real-world self-defense statistics. According to the USCCA’s “3-5 Rule,” most defensive shootings:

  • Occur at 3 to 5 yards
  • Last 3 to 5 seconds
  • Involve 3 to 5 rounds fired

Our shooting distances—7, 10, and 13 feet—are consistent with this rule. They simulate realistic defensive encounters and help develop the practical skills that matter most when it counts.


📄 Using an 8.5″ x 11″ IDPA-Style Target

In some classes, instructors may use a scaled-down IDPA target printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper. This version may be used for official qualifications when appropriate, particularly at smaller ranges or for mobile training environments.

📏 Scaled Shooting Distances:

  • 5 feet: 10 rounds
  • 7 feet: 10 rounds
  • 9 feet: 5 rounds

As long as the shooter places 18 out of 25 shots inside the silhouette, this format is valid and compliant with Colorado law for both new and renewal applicants.

⬇️ See Below to Download Your Scaled Target ⬇️


🔁 Unlimited Attempts — But Safety is Non-Negotiable

All students—whether new or renewing—are allowed unlimited attempts to pass the shooting test. If you don’t qualify the first time, we’ll work with you until you do.

However, any serious safety violation will result in immediate disqualification. This includes:

  • Unsafe muzzle direction (flagging yourself or others)
  • Failing to keep the firearm pointed downrange
  • Ignoring instructor commands
  • Handling the firearm during a cease-fire
  • Violating posted or stated range rules

Our instructors will guide you every step of the way, but range safety is strictly enforced for everyone’s protection.


🧠 No Time Limit = Less Pressure

There is no time limit during the shooting qualification. Students can shoot at their own pace, focusing on fundamentals like grip, stance, sight alignment, and trigger control. Our goal is to help you shoot confidently and safely.


👨‍🏫 Required for Both New and Renewal Applicants

This qualification is now mandatory for:

  • First-time CHP applicants
  • Renewal applicants under Colorado’s new 2025 law

We provide a full 8-hour course that includes legal education, firearm safety, use-of-force instruction, and this required live-fire qualification—all taught by experienced, certified instructors.


📍 Where the Qualification Happens

Classroom instruction takes place at our Denver location (2186 S Holly St). Afterward, we travel to a nearby indoor shooting range in Denver or Aurora. In some cases, we may use scaled-down targets at modified distances in controlled training environments.


📌 Why the Law Changed

As of July 1, 2025, Colorado Revised Statute § 18-12-202.5 requires that all CHP applicants—new and renewing—complete a class with live-fire training. Online-only or no-shoot courses no longer qualify.

This update ensures that all permit holders demonstrate hands-on proficiency with a handgun before being legally allowed to carry it concealed.


📣 Ready to Qualify?

🥇 We offer Colorado CHP classes with live-fire training included. Whether you’re new to concealed carry or renewing your permit, we’ll guide you through everything from start to finish.

👉 Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Classes

🛡 Need Legal Protection?
We also compare top-rated self-defense insurance plans that protect you after a use-of-force incident.

👉 Compare Self-Defense Insurance Plans