The Colorado State Legislature passed new legislation that changes the process for anyone seeking to apply for or renew their concealed handgun permit (CHP), and for verification of firearms instructors. Those changes are detailed below.

• House Bill 24-1174 was signed into law in 2024 and goes into effect 7/1/2025. Any CHP application submitted on or after 7/1/2025 must comply with the new requirements.
• Handgun training classes must be conducted by a Verified Instructor. 
• Firearm instructors must be "Verified" through the Sheriff's Office in the jurisdiction where the majority of their training is conducted. 
• Verification is valid state-wide.
• Verified Instructors must be listed on the local Sheriff's website.
• New training requirements include a written test with a minimum score of 80% and live-fire training and test with a minimum score of 70% accuracy for both New and Renewal applicants.
• Classes are to be held in-person by the Verified Instructor. No portion of the class shall be on the internet.
• New applicant training class must be a minimum total of 8 hours and the Renewal applicant "refresher" class must be a minimum of 2 hours.
• Training certificates signed by a Verified Instructor will be valid 1 year for New applicants and 6 months for Renewal applicants.
• LCSO will continue to accept active law enforcement or military ID, and handgun training within 10 years through a government or law enforcement agency, honorably discharged military (DD214), or an official handgun shooting competition.

What does this mean for me?

If you do not have a current CHP but want to apply for one, after July 1, 2025 you will be required to take a class taught by a Verified Firearms Instructor. You can find the list of Verified Firearms Instructors, maintained by LCSO, here.

If you currently have a CHP, you can only renew your permit up to 120 days (4 months) before it expires.  After 7/1/2025 you will be required to take a “refresher” handgun training class from a Verified Firearms Instructor unless you retired within the past 10 years from law enforcement, the military, or participate in organized shooting competitions.

If you are a current firearms instructor, you must comply with the new requirements in order to continue teaching classes for concealed handgun permits.

If you have additional questions, visit the LCSO website here. People can also contact the LCSO CHP unit at 970-498-5157 or email Sheriff-CHP@co.larimer.co.us.