Legal Guides Colorado
Published: February 11, 2026| Last legal review: Oct 2026 · Reviewed by Chris Wing
How to Sell a Gun in Colorado Legally
Selling a firearm in Colorado requires compliance with universal background check laws and regulated transfer procedures. Most firearm sales must be processed through a licensed dealer or approved background check system.
From mandatory CBI background checks to waiting periods and dealer coordination, Colorado law leaves little room for informal or undocumented firearm sales. Understanding these requirements upfront helps avoid delays and compliance issues.
How to sell a gun in Colorado legally: quick steps
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Choose a private sale or an FFL transfer. Decide whether to sell privately to an eligible Colorado resident or transfer through a licensed dealer (FFL). The state law table below shows what Colorado requires. Details
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Handle the background check. Colorado generally requires private firearm transfers to go through a licensed gun dealer who requests a background check and approval. Details
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Complete the paperwork and bill of sale. Not required for most transfers, but documentation is still smart. When an FFL is used, the dealer’s recordkeeping provides a stronger paper trail. Details
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Shipping and out-of-state buyers. Do not transfer a firearm privately across state lines. Use an FFL and follow federal and state requirements. Details
Federal age update (as of Oct 2026): On Sep 17, 2026 the U.S. Department of Justice said it will not criminally enforce the federal 21+ age limit on licensed-dealer handgun sales to law-abiding 18–20-year-olds. The federal statute (18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1)) is unchanged, and state age limits still apply. DOJ announcement
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Selling your firearm checklist
This is a practical checklist for a compliant transfer. If anything feels unclear or high-risk, using a licensed dealer is the simplest way to ensure the transfer is correctly documented and legally compliant.
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Confirm a background check is required.
Colorado requires universal background checks for nearly all firearm sales, including private party transfers. Informal or undocumented transfers are not permitted.
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Bring the firearm and identification to a licensed dealer or approved transfer location.
Both buyer and seller must present valid government-issued photo ID. The background check is submitted through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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Initiate the CBI background check.
The background check is submitted and processed before the transfer can proceed. The firearm cannot be transferred until approval is received.
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Observe the mandatory waiting period.
Colorado law requires a 3-day wait between initiating the background check and delivering the firearm. If the firearm is a specified semiautomatic, the buyer also needs a sheriff-issued eligibility card (SB25-003, since Aug 1 2026).
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Consider selling directly to a licensed buyer.
Selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns.com simplifies the process by handling compliance, background checks, shipping and documentation.
Last legal review: Oct 2026
State laws for selling a gun in Colorado
Colorado requires background checks for most private firearm transfers and enforces a waiting period before delivery. This section covers common rules that affect private sales and dealer transfers. It is not legal advice.
If your situation is unclear or involves an out-of-state buyer, use a licensed dealer transfer and confirm details using the official links below.
| Topic | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Background check for private transfers | YES | Colorado generally requires private firearm transfers to go through a licensed gun dealer who requests a background check and approval. |
| Waiting period for firearm transfers | YES (3 days) | 3-day waiting period before a firearm can be delivered after the background check is initiated (C.R.S. 18-12-115). |
| Specified semiautomatic firearms (SB25-003) | Eligibility card required | Since Aug 1 2026, buying or transferring a specified semiautomatic firearm requires a sheriff-issued eligibility card plus a safety course. Otherwise owners may sell these only to an FFL or an out-of-state resident. |
| Excise tax | 6.5% | Colorado has applied a 6.5% excise tax on firearm and ammunition sales since Apr 1 2025 (Colorado Department of Revenue). |
| Can I sell to an out-of-state buyer | NO, unless you go through an FFL | Do not transfer a firearm privately across state lines. Use an FFL and follow federal and state requirements. |
| Minimum age: Dealer | 21+ | Colorado requires buyers to be 21+ for all firearm purchases (SB23-169). |
| Minimum age: Private transfer | 21+ | Colorado requires buyers to be 21+ for all firearm purchases (SB23-169), so do not sell to a buyer under 21. |
| Prohibited persons | Do not sell | Never sell to someone you know or reasonably suspect is prohibited. Stop the transaction if red flags appear and route it through an FFL if needed. |
| Bill of sale | Not required | Not required for most transfers, but documentation is still smart. When an FFL is used, the dealer’s recordkeeping provides a stronger paper trail. |
State law details
Understanding Colorado firearm sale rules
A detailed breakdown of common requirements.
Understanding Colorado firearm sale rules
Identification & documentation
In Colorado, most private transfers should be routed through a licensed gun dealer who can run the required background check and document the transfer. Even when a bill of sale is not required, maintaining a clear record is a smart risk reducer.
- Confirm the buyer is a Colorado resident with valid government-issued photo ID
- For most private transfers, arrange the transfer through a licensed gun dealer (FFL)
- Record firearm details (make, model, serial) and keep transfer documentation for your files
- C.R.S. 18-12-112 - Private firearms transfers; background check and approval requirements for most private transfers, including dealer facilitation
- C.R.S. 18-12-403 - Recordkeeping requirements for firearms transfers by dealers (used when private transfers are processed through an FFL)
Background checks in private sales
Colorado generally requires a background check for private firearm transfers. A licensed gun dealer submits the background check request through the state system and provides approval or denial before the transfer can be completed.
- Private transfers are typically processed through a licensed gun dealer (FFL)
- The dealer requests the background check and receives approval or denial
- Do not complete the transfer until the dealer confirms approval and timing requirements
- C.R.S. 18-12-112 - Private firearms transfers; requires dealer-facilitated background checks for most private transfers and outlines exceptions
- C.R.S. 24-33.5-424 - CBI InstaCheck procedures used to conduct firearm background checks and issue approvals or denials
Age & eligibility
Age and eligibility rules can differ depending on whether the transfer is dealer-facilitated, private, or involves an exception. When you are unsure, do not proceed until an FFL confirms the buyer’s legal eligibility.
- Use an FFL when age eligibility is unclear or the buyer is close to minimum-age thresholds
- Never transfer to anyone you know or reasonably suspect is prohibited
- If anything feels off, stop the transaction or route it through a licensed dealer
- C.R.S. 18-12-112 - Includes private-transfer restrictions and age provisions for private transfers, with limited exceptions
- 18 U.S.C. § 922 - Federal prohibited-person rules and baseline transfer restrictions
Waiting periods
Colorado has a statutory waiting period that can affect both dealer sales and private transfers processed through a dealer. In practice, the waiting period plus background-check processing can slow timelines compared to a simple private sale.
- Colorado imposes a 3-day waiting period before a firearm may be delivered
- Delays can occur if background checks take longer than expected
- Plan for extra time if you are coordinating dealer scheduling and transfer pickup
- C.R.S. 18-12-115 - Waiting period for firearm sales and transfers; defines the required delay before delivery
- SB25-003 (session law) - Eligibility card and safety course for specified semiautomatic firearms, effective Aug 1 2026
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Specified semiautomatic firearms - Eligibility card and course information
- Colorado Department of Revenue — Firearms and ammunition excise tax - 6.5% excise tax since Apr 1 2025
Prohibited persons
Federal law sets baseline prohibited-person categories and Colorado adds state-level offenses that can restrict firearm possession. Your risk increases if you ignore red flags or try to bypass the required transfer process.
- Do not sell if you know or reasonably suspect the buyer is prohibited
- Red flags: refusal to show ID, urgency to avoid a dealer, evasive answers, straw-purchase vibes
- When in doubt, stop the transaction or route it through an FFL
- C.R.S. 18-12-108 - Possession of weapons by previous offenders; outlines state restrictions for certain prior convictions
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) - Federal prohibited-person categories
Avoid delays from background checks and waiting periods
Colorado’s universal background check and waiting period laws can introduce delays and uncertainty in private firearm sales. Dealer scheduling, approval holds and paperwork issues can stall or derail a transaction. Selling directly to a licensed buyer removes these risks.
We’ve purchased over 350 firearms from Colorado sellers through a fully licensed process that navigates background check requirements and mandatory state waiting periods.
Colorado residents must follow federal laws for private transactions
ATF guidance and prohibited person requirements
Federal law requires that the buyer of a firearm must be legally eligible to own a gun.
Local ordinances, city rules and county policies
Colorado sets statewide rules for firearm transfers, background checks and waiting periods, but local governments can still influence how transfers are carried out in practice. These local factors rarely change whether a firearm can be sold, but they can affect timing, logistics and friction.
- Dealer availability and scheduling: Private transfers that require dealer facilitation can be slowed by limited FFL availability, appointment backlogs or reduced hours in certain cities and counties.
- Local enforcement priorities: While the underlying law is statewide, enforcement emphasis can vary by jurisdiction. Cities with stricter enforcement climates may scrutinize documentation and timing more closely.
- County administrative procedures: Some counties impose additional administrative steps or local practices that can extend wait times for dealer-facilitated transfers or background check processing.
Local rules usually do not change whether a firearm can be sold, but they often affect how smoothly the transfer happens. Using a licensed buyer with experience operating across Colorado helps reduce delays tied to dealer scheduling and local administrative friction.
Frequently asked questions
- Is selling my firearm to WeBuyGuns.com legal in Colorado?
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Yes. We are a federally licensed firearms dealer located in the state of Indiana. You, the seller, are covered under our license just as you would be if you walked into our store. There are no laws preventing you from selling your firearm to us. If the process seems daunting, just give us a call and we'll walk you through it.
- What if I inherited firearms and don’t know much about them?
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Inherited firearms are common. You can start by sending photos or a simple list of items and we’ll help identify what you have, explain what affects value and guide you through the next steps before anything is shipped.
- Can I sell a firearm I do not have the original box or paperwork?
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Yes. In most cases we only need clear photos and accurate details so we can make a documented offer. If anything else is needed, we will tell you during the review.
- How long are offers good for?
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Offers are valid for 14 days.
- Does We Buy Guns purchase gun collections or inherited estates?
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Yes. We frequently assist with firearm collections and inherited estates. After submitting one firearm you can add additional items from your user panel, or contact us directly for larger collections.
You can find additional guidance in our Estate Firearms Resource Center which includes resources for executors and families handling firearms in an estate.
- Can I sell a firearm privately in Colorado?
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Yes, but Colorado requires universal background checks for nearly all firearm sales, including private party transactions. The transfer must be processed through a licensed dealer or approved background check process.
- Do private gun sales in Colorado require a background check?
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Yes. Colorado law mandates background checks for all firearm transfers, including private sales. The background check is conducted through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- Is there a waiting period when selling a firearm in Colorado?
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Yes. Colorado requires a 3-day waiting period between the initiation of a background check and delivery of the firearm (C.R.S. 18-12-115).
- Can I sell a firearm to someone who lives out of state?
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No. Private interstate firearm transfers are prohibited. If the buyer lives in another state, the transfer must be conducted through licensed dealers in compliance with federal and state law.
- What if I inherited a firearm in Colorado?
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Inherited firearms are common in Colorado, but transfers may still require a background check depending on the circumstances. Using a licensed dealer ensures the transfer is properly documented and compliant.
The content on WeBuyGuns.com is provided as a service to the online community. While we strive to offer reliable and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Users should exercise their own judgment and consult official resources or an attorney, especially when selling firearms, as we do not provide legal advice.