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Common Questions From CCW Holders in Colorado

Mark Schneider

Your Go-To FAQ for Colorado Concealed Carry Law, CHP Permits, and Responsible Firearm Ownership

Whether you’re a new applicant or a long-time concealed carrier, you probably have questions—especially with Colorado’s laws changing in July 2025. As verified instructors, we’ve put together the most detailed and accurate FAQ available for CCW holders in the state. Let’s break it down:

📝 CHP Application & Renewal

❓ Do I Need to Take a Class to Get My CHP?

Yes. You must complete an 8-hour, in-person training class that includes:

  • Live-fire shooting (minimum 50 rounds)
  • A written exam (must score 70%+)
  • Instruction from a verified Colorado instructor

🔒 After July 1, 2025, online classes are no longer valid.

❓ What’s the Application Process?

StepWhat You Need
Training8-hour in-person class (valid 1 year)
IDValid Colorado photo ID
PhotoPassport-style photo
ApplicationCompleted at your county sheriff’s office
FeeUp to ~$152 depending on county
FingerprintsTaken at your appointment
Background CheckCBI + FBI check required
ProcessingUp to 90 days

❓ What About Renewals?

TopicDetails
Renewal PeriodUp to 120 days before expiration
Grace Period6 months after expiration (late fee may apply)
Expired 6+ MonthsMust reapply as a new applicant
New Requirements (7/1/25)2-hour refresher, live fire, written test
ID RequiredColorado driver’s license or ID
Late Fee~$15 in most counties

⚖ Use of Force Laws

❓ When Can I Use Deadly Force?

Under CRS 18-1-704 & 704.5:

  • Threat must be imminent
  • You cannot be the initial aggressor
  • Force must be proportional to the threat
  • Deadly force is only justified to prevent death or serious bodily harm

Deadly force is justified if stopping:

  • Murder or attempted murder
  • Sexual assault (active, not past or future)
  • Kidnapping
  • Robbery (with threat or weapon)
  • Aggravated assault
  • Burglary involving forced entry
  • First-degree arson posing threat to life

📍 Where Can and Can’t I Carry?

LocationCarry Allowed?
Denver City Buildings❌ No
Boulder Parks❌ No
CU/CSU Buildings❌ No
DIA Airport❌ No
K–12 School Grounds✅ In vehicle ONLY
Private Property Posted “No Guns”❌ No
Public Transit✅ With CHP
National Forests✅ Yes
Federal Buildings❌ No
Military Bases❌ Not without written authorization

🧠 Mental Health & CHP

❓ Will Mental Health Disqualify Me?

You may be denied a CHP if:

  • You were adjudicated mentally incompetent
  • Placed on a mental health hold
  • Committed to a mental institution

You can petition the court for restoration with documentation from a licensed provider.

🔫 Firearm & Permit Details

❓ How Many Guns Can I Carry?

There’s no legal limit on how many firearms you carry, as long as they are concealed and safely handled.

❓ Can I Carry with a Round in the Chamber?

Yes. All modern handguns are designed to be carried with a round chambered, using a proper holster.

❓ Can I Use Medical Marijuana and Still Have a CHP?

No. Marijuana use, even medical, disqualifies you under federal law. Lying on your CHP application may result in perjury charges.

❓ What Happens if I Lose My Permit?

You must report it and request a replacement from your county sheriff. A fee usually applies.

❓ Can I Carry at Work?

That depends on:

  • Employer policy
  • Whether it’s private or public property
  • If you keep it in your vehicle, it’s often allowed unless posted otherwise

❓ What if I Move to Another County or State?

  • New county: Notify sheriff’s office and renew with them
  • Out-of-state move: Your Colorado CHP becomes invalid

🚗 Firearm Transportation

TypeLegal?
Handgun (Loaded, Concealed in Car)✅ Yes
Long Gun (Loaded)❌ No – must be unloaded
Ammo in Same Case?✅ Legal, but not best practice
Gun Left in Car Unattended?✅ If it’s secured and not visible

🚫 Reasons for Denial

ReasonOutcome
Felony ConvictionLifetime ban
Domestic Violence MisdemeanorFederal disqualifier
Active Restraining OrderDisqualified until lifted
Lying on ApplicationConsidered perjury
Recent Alcohol/Drug OffensesDiscretionary denial

🧍 Situational Awareness & De-escalation

  • Avoid confrontations whenever possible
  • Always scan for exits and group behavior
  • Use strong body language and clear verbal direction
  • Don’t let ego override smart choices
  • Drawing your firearm is only for defense, not intimidation

📞 What Should I Say to 911 After a Shooting?

Say:

“There has been a shooting. I was attacked. I defended myself. Please send police and medical. I will cooperate and would like to speak to my attorney.”

Then say nothing else.

🧾 Common Procedural Questions

❓ Do I Have to Carry My Permit With Me?

Yes. You must carry both your CHP and valid ID while carrying.

❓ Can I Carry in a Bar or Restaurant?

Yes, but you may not be intoxicated while carrying. Stay below the legal limit.

❓ Can I Wear a Mask While Carrying?

Yes. Colorado law does not prohibit carrying with a face covering.

❓ Is There Magazine Capacity Limit?

Yes – 15 rounds. Possession of higher-capacity magazines is illegal unless lawfully owned before July 1, 2013. Proving that can be difficult, so we recommend using compliant mags only.

✅ Take the Next Step in Your CCW Journey

Gear and Equipment, Guide, Legal & Law

🛡 Why Security Guards Should Always Carry Magazines That Comply With State Law

Mark Schneider

Introduction: Duty, Law, and Public Trust

Security guards are trusted to maintain safety, enforce rules, and deter unlawful activity. They are, in theory and often in practice, part of the public safety framework. But when a guard violates the same laws they’re hired to uphold—especially gun laws—it undermines everything they stand for.

One of the most commonly overlooked areas of legal compliance is magazine capacity. Several states restrict how many rounds a handgun magazine can legally hold. If you’re carrying more than what your state allows, you’re not just violating policy—you’re potentially opening yourself up to criminal prosecution, civil liability, and career-ending consequences.

🗺 States With Magazine Capacity Limits

As of 2025, several states (and the District of Columbia) enforce magazine capacity laws. These typically restrict handgun magazines to 10 or 15 rounds. If you work as a security guard in one of these states, you must carry gear that complies with local law:

StateHandgun Mag LimitNotes
California10 roundsPossession, sale, and transfer banned
Colorado15 roundsGrandfathered if owned before July 1, 2013
Connecticut10 roundsPre-ban mags must be registered
Delaware17 roundsSome exemptions for permit holders
Hawaii10 roundsApplies to handguns only
Illinois15 roundsState-level limits; some localities (e.g., Cook County) cap at 10 rounds
Maryland10 roundsPossession legal; sale and transfer banned
Massachusetts10 roundsPre-1994 mags exempt if legally owned
New Jersey10 roundsNo grandfather clause—strict enforcement
New York10 roundsLaw clarified to allow 10 rounds (7-round load rule removed)
Oregon10 roundsLaw passed but under court injunction
Rhode Island10 roundsBan includes possession
Vermont15 rounds (handguns)Rifles limited to 10 rounds
Washington State10 roundsPossession legal; sale/manufacture/import banned
Washington, D.C.10 roundsBan includes possession

⚠ Always check local laws and city ordinances in addition to state statutes, as cities may impose stricter limits (e.g., Boulder, CO).

Carrying an unlawful magazine is a criminal act in many states. If you’re caught, you’re no longer the protector—you’re the violator. And if you’re involved in a use-of-force incident with an illegal magazine, things can escalate fast.

In a courtroom, whether criminal or civil, the prosecutor or plaintiff will point to your unlawful magazine as a sign that you were reckless, unlawful, or even dangerous from the start.

❝“The guard broke the law the moment he stepped out the door. He violated the public’s trust. He carried the same kind of high-capacity magazines used by gang members and active shooters. This is not how a responsible professional behaves.”❞

You’re risking:

  • Felony or misdemeanor charges
  • Loss of your security license
  • Job termination
  • Civil damages
  • Total loss of credibility in court

📋 Licensing Risk: Your Gear Can Get You Suspended

I recently spoke with a guard who admitted to carrying 17-round magazines. He justified it by saying, “That’s what came with the Glock.”

But here’s the reality:

  • Colorado’s 15-round limit has been in place since July 1, 2013
  • He bought the gun in 2020
  • Therefore, his magazines are not grandfathered

Licensing agencies don’t ask when the magazine was made—they ask when you bought it and how old you were in 2013. If you were under 21 in 2013, there’s no legal way you could’ve possessed a grandfathered mag.

I’ve heard firsthand of guards:

  • Losing their license for 5 years
  • Getting hit with large fines
  • Causing their security company to its license
  • Causing companies to lose contracts

Being a guard is a privilege, not a right. One illegal mag can end your career.

📊 The 3-5 Rule and Real-World Data: You Don’t Need 17+ Rounds

The USCCA’s “3-5 Rule” holds true for most armed encounters:

3 to 5 yards, 3 to 5 seconds, and 3 to 5 rounds.

That’s not theory—it’s backed by hard data from law enforcement and private sector shootings:

  • FBI Shootings (1989–2016): 70% occurred within 0–7 yards, averaging 3.2–3.7 rounds fired.
  • DEA Shootings (2007): Avg distance 14.6 feet; 5 rounds fired.
  • Rangemaster Students (2024): Avg 3.8 rounds fired; most within one car length.

Source: Tom Givens | Rangemaster

Security guards—especially in plainclothes or retail settings—face the same types of threats as CCW holders and federal agents. Most deadly force encounters happen fast and up close, and they don’t require excessive ammo.

If you’re worried about needing more ammo, the answer isn’t an illegal mag—it’s smart redundancy.

Personally, I carry:

  • A Glock 45 with 15+1
  • Three 15-round mags on my vest (all legal under Colorado law)
  • Four more loaded mags in my patrol car’s active shooter bag
  • An extra box of ammo secured in my vehicle

I believe in being ready for the worst—but I refuse to break the law to do it.

If I could legally carry high-capacity magazines, I would. But I’m not risking my license, my job, or my freedom.

🧠 Train Like You Carry: Reload Skills Matter

If you work in a mag-restricted state, you need to be extremely proficient in emergency reloads. It’s not optional—it’s survival.

  • Practice dry reloads at home with dummy rounds
  • Focus on slide-lock and tactical reloads
  • Train under stress and in different positions

Carrying backup mags is smart.
Being able to use them under stress is what saves lives.

🔺 Final Considerations: More Reasons to Stay Compliant

1. 💼 Civil Lawsuits & Negligence Claims

Illegal gear opens the door to arguments of negligence. You’ll look reckless—and you could lose a civil case, even if your shooting was justified.

2. 💸 Insurance Coverage Can Be Denied

Many insurers won’t pay out if you were violating the law. That means you’ll face legal costs and civil suits alone.

3. 👵️ Client & Public Perception

Oversized mags don’t make you look professional. They make you look aggressive. That can hurt your company’s image and your own credibility.

4. 🔁 You Can Still Carry Smart

  • Carry extra mags
  • Use a go-bag
  • Keep spare ammo in your car
  • Stay lawful and ready

5. 🧐 Your Integrity is Everything

Lawful, well-equipped guards are respected. Law-breaking guards destroy trust. You are a representative of public safety—act like it.

Carrying an illegal magazine doesn’t make you more prepared—it makes you more vulnerable. To legal action. To losing your license. To destroying your credibility.

Stay compliant. Stay trained. Stay professional.

📣 Get The Training & Coverage You Need

📅 Security Guard Insurance
Involved in a use-of-force incident? Don’t risk your livelihood. Get coverage that protects you from criminal, civil, and administrative fallout.
👉 Compare Security Guard Self-Defense Insurance Plans

🕵️‍♂️ Security Guard Training
Whether you’re renewing your license or getting certified for the first time, we offer professional training built around real-world threats and Colorado law.
👉 View Security Guard Training Programs

🏹 Colorado CCW Classes
Get certified the right way—with live fire, legal education, and professional instruction. Our concealed carry courses meet Colorado’s updated 2025 standards.
👉 Book a Colorado Concealed Carry Class

🔒 Understand Colorado’s Self-Defense Laws
We break down Colorado Revised Statutes, use-of-force laws, and landmark cases in plain English.
👉 Explore Colorado Self-Defense Law Guide

🧑‍🔫 About Instructor Mark Schneider
Mark Schneider is the Senior Instructor at Concealed Carry Classes of Denver and Training Manager for a licensed security company. With thousands of hours of field experience, legal research, and hands-on instruction, Mark has trained hundreds of CCW holders, armed guards, and private citizens across Colorado.
👉 Learn More About Mark Schneider

Legal & Law, News

Colorado Teen Shot Over Alleged Trespassing — Self-Defense or Criminal Act?

Mark Schneider

A recent shooting in Conifer, Colorado has ignited controversy over the use of force, property rights, and firearms responsibility. Brent John Metz, a town council member in Mountain View, reportedly shot a 17-year-old boy in the face while the teen sat in a vehicle parked near private property. The victim and his friend were reportedly writing a note to request permission to take homecoming photos by a nearby lake.

Metz has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including second-degree assault, felony menacing, and illegal discharge of a firearm. His defense claims the shooting was accidental — that his Sig Sauer P320 fired on its own without the trigger being pulled.

As both a firearms instructor and a Sig P320 owner, I have serious concerns about this case — not just about the act itself, but also about the misuse of legal self-defense claims.

Brent Metz is claiming the shooting was accidental, but if the defense later pivots toward a self-defense or defense-of-property argument, they’ll have to overcome serious legal obstacles under Colorado law.

C.R.S. § 18-1-704 – Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense

Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-1-704, the use of deadly force is only justified when a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect themselves or another from the imminent use of unlawful force, specifically force that could cause serious bodily injury or death.

What Does “Reasonable Belief” Actually Mean?

In Colorado, the justification for using force — especially deadly force — hinges not just on what the defender felt, but whether that belief would make sense to a reasonable person in the same situation. This is known as the reasonable belief standard. It doesn’t matter if the person using force was nervous, startled, or simply “felt threatened.” What matters is whether an objective observer, knowing the same facts, would also believe that serious bodily injury or death was imminent. In this case, where the teens were unarmed, seated in a vehicle, and not acting aggressively, it’s hard to imagine how a reasonable person would perceive that as a deadly threat.

Evaluating Imminence Using AOJ

Imminence is evaluated using the AOJ standard:

  • Ability – Did the threat have the means to cause serious harm?
  • Opportunity – Were they in a position to carry it out?
  • Jeopardy – Did their actions clearly show intent to inflict serious bodily injury or death?

In this case, the teens were seated, unarmed, and not acting aggressively. There was no apparent weapon, no hostile movement, and no verbal threats — meaning none of the AOJ elements were met.

C.R.S. § 18-1-705 – Use of Force in Defense of Premises

Metz was not the property owner, but even if he had been, § 18-1-705 only allows physical force — not deadly force — to stop an unlawful entry. Deadly force can only be used if someone is committing or attempting to commit a violent felony inside the premises. Simply being on private property does not qualify.

C.R.S. § 18-1-706 – Use of Force in Defense of Property

This statute allows reasonable physical force to prevent theft, trespass, or vandalism — but it does not authorize deadly force. You cannot shoot someone just to protect land, a vehicle, or personal items. Colorado law is very clear: Deadly force is reserved for imminent threats to human life — not property.

Additional Charges: Menacing and Illegal Discharge

Brent Metz has been charged with the following felonies:

  • Felony Menacing: For knowingly placing someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon. The fact that the teens were shot at through a windshield while sitting in a car strengthens this charge.
  • Illegal Discharge of a Firearm (§ 18-12-107.5): Metz fired into an occupied vehicle, which is a felony in Colorado — regardless of his intent.

These charges indicate that prosecutors do not believe this was a lawful use of force.

A Personal Note on the Sig Sauer P320 Defense

As someone who currently owns and uses two Sig Sauer P320s, I feel compelled to speak up.

I’ve had one of my P320s through a two-day intensive course at Sig Sauer Academy, where I fired over 750 rounds with zero issues. I’ve trained regularly with both pistols and carried them confidently. I also know multiple armed security guards, including my Captain, who have used the P320C in harsh, real-world conditions — including physical altercations. Still, none have ever reported an unintentional discharge.

The defense’s claim that the P320 fired without trigger input is not something I find believable — at least not without confirmation from a qualified gunsmith. I’ve worked with Rob at Bowers Tactical for over 14 years, and I’d trust someone like him to evaluate this firearm properly. Unless someone of that caliber inspects this pistol and finds a mechanical defect, I think this argument is a Hail Mary — not a credible defense.

Whether you’re a civilian, CCW holder, or armed security professional, this case is a stark reminder of how quickly a bad decision — or a false assumption — can turn into a felony charge. Owning a firearm is not enough. You must understand the law, train regularly, and have a legal safety net in place.

✅ Take a Concealed Carry Class
Learn the law, build your skills, and meet Colorado’s updated requirements.
👉 https://concealedcarryclassdenver.com/colorado-concealed-handgun-permit-class/

✅ Protect Yourself with Self-Defense Insurance
We compare top programs so you can find the best legal protection before you ever need it.
👉 https://concealedcarryclassdenver.com/self-defense-insurance-comparison/

✅ Know the Law Inside and Out
Explore our in-depth guide to Colorado’s use-of-force and self-defense statutes.
👉 https://concealedcarryclassdenver.com/colorado-self-defense-laws/

✅ Train with Purpose Using Our Shooting Drills
Download printable targets and time-based training exercises to sharpen your defensive shooting.
👉 https://concealedcarryclassdenver.com/shooting-drills/

Stay Ready. Stay Informed.

You can’t afford to get this wrong. Get trained, get covered, and get educated — before you’re the next headline.