Sidearm’s in CO

[trophyhill]

With the onslaught against 2A rights by the libs up there, how do the new laws affect hunting. In particular, those who carry while bowhunting? And to be honest, there’s so much information and talk going on right now about CO gun control, it’s hard to keep up with and to know what’s legit and what’s not. When i started hunting CO in 2009, it was open carry and never gave carrying a sidearm a second thought. And just recently i saw where a bunch of violent criminals have been released. Catch and release so for me anyway, it’s even more important now than ever to have personal protection anytime I’m in CO. I posted here because i know a lot of you CO guys know more about what’s actually happening there than the fluff I’m seeing on various social media.

Thanks in advance.

 

[patagonialuke]

I don't carry while hunting here; our bears are like big raccoons, and the probability of a lion encounter is so low that I don't think about them. Aside from small pockets of the middle and southern Front Range cities, violent crime has never been something I've worried about while living in various parts of the state.

But, as far as I know, any legal gun owner can open carry anywhere in the state aside from Denver County. Concealed legality for non-residents depends on whether there's permitting reciprocity between your state and CO. Any legal gun owner can have a loaded handgun in their vehicle.

If you make a quick call to the local sheriff, I'm sure they'd be happy to clarify any regulations where you'll be hunting.

 

[sndmn11]

With the onslaught against 2A rights by the libs up there, how do the new laws affect hunting. In particular, those who carry while bowhunting? And to be honest, there’s so much information and talk going on right now about CO gun control, it’s hard to keep up with and to know what’s legit and what’s not. When i started hunting CO in 2009, it was open carry and never gave carrying a sidearm a second thought. And just recently i saw where a bunch of violent criminals have been released. Catch and release so for me anyway, it’s even more important now than ever to have personal protection anytime I’m in CO. I posted here because i know a lot of you CO guys know more about what’s actually happening there than the fluff I’m seeing on various social media.

Thanks in advance.

Nothing really changed "while hunting".

(rough paraphrasing) There is a new law requiring locked up hard cases for handguns if left in the vehicle, and the same or on firearm locking devices in a soft case for long guns left in a vehicle when not hunting. I can pull up the statue in a bit.

 

[isItFallYet]

Nothing really changed "while hunting".

(rough paraphrasing) There is a new law requiring locked up hard cases for handguns if left in the vehicle, and the same or on firearm locking devices in a soft case for long guns left in a vehicle when not hunting. I can pull up the statue in a bit.

weird, seems like a locked vehicle would satisfy the requirement as a “locked up hard case”. —well as long as the vehicle isn’t a soft top convertible.

 

[sndmn11]

Nothing really changed "while hunting".

(rough paraphrasing) There is a new law requiring locked up hard cases for handguns if left in the vehicle, and the same or on firearm locking devices in a soft case for long guns left in a vehicle when not hunting. I can pull up the statue in a bit.

https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-18/article-12/part-1/section-18-12-114-5/

2024 Colorado Revised Statutes​

Universal Citation:
CO Rev Stat § 18-12-114.5 (2024)
Learn moreThis media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

• (1)
  • (a)A person shall not knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the handgun is in a locked hard-sided container that is placed out of plain view, including a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle's interior, and the container is in any of the following:
    • (I) A locked vehicle;
    • (II) The locked trunk of a locked vehicle; or
    • (III) A locked recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902.
  • (b)A person shall not knowingly leave a firearm that is not a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the firearm is in a locked hard-sided or locked soft-sided container, including a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle's interior, and the container is in any of the following:
    • (I) A locked vehicle;
    • (II) The locked trunk of a locked vehicle; or
    • (III) A locked recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902.
  • (c) A firearm that is not a handgun that is stored in a soft-sided container must have a locking device installed on the firearm while the firearm is stored in the soft-sided container.
  • (d) For the purposes of this subsection (1), a locked glove compartment or the locked center console of a vehicle is a locked hard-sided container.
• (2) A person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits unlawful storage of a firearm in a vehicle. Unlawful storage of a firearm in a vehicle is a civil infraction.
• (3)This section does not apply to:
  • (a) Storing an antique firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 921 (a)(16), as amended;
  • (b) Storing a firearm that is a not a handgun in a vehicle that is being used for farm or ranch operations that is on the person's private farm or ranch, including a leased farm or ranch. As used in this subsection (3)(b), "farm" and "ranch" have the same meanings as set forth in section 39-1-102.
  • (c) A person who lives in a vehicle or in a recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902, in which the firearm is stored. A person who lives in a vehicle or recreational vehicle must store firearms in the vehicle or recreational vehicle in accordance with the storage requirement described in section 18-12-114.
  • (d) A peace officer;
  • (e) A person who holds a valid resident or out-of-state hunting license who is engaged in lawful hunting activities;
  • (f) A person engaged in the instruction of hunter education courses and outreach offered by the division of parks and wildlife; and
  • (g) An active member of the United States armed forces while on duty.
• (4) Notwithstanding the requirement in subsection (1) of this section to store a firearm in a locked hard-sided container, a person who is considered to have a disability, as defined in 42 U.S.C. sec. 12102, who stores a firearm in a locked soft-sided container does not violate this section with respect to the storage of the firearm that is in the locked soft-sided container.
• (5) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "vehicle" has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-1-102.

Added by 2024 Ch. 178,§ 1, eff. 1/1/2025.



Section 7 of chapter 178 (HB 24-1348), Session Laws of Colorado 2024, provides that the act adding this section applies to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2025.

 

[trophyhill]

Great info! That clarifies a bunch sndmn11!

 

[sndmn11]

Great info! That clarifies a bunch sndmn11!

Keep in mind that it is a non-criminal violation (section 2) with a maximum fine of $500, and I don't believe a minimum "penalty".

There are likely oodles of ways to challenge it if cited, or just ignore it, but you are an adult and that is the only new "gun law" I could think of that might be relevant to your question.

 

[trophyhill]

Keep in mind that it is a non-criminal violation (section 2) with a maximum fine of $500, and I don't believe a minimum "penalty".

There are likely oodles of ways to challenge it if cited, or just ignore it, but you are an adult and that is the only new "gun law" I could think of that might be relevant to your question.

Thanks man. Appreciate it. No hunts in CO this year. Only NM. Hope you have some great hunts!

 

[Laelkhunter]

Every year when we go to Chama for my annual elk chasing, we end up taking a trip to the WalMart in Pagosa Springs Colorado about 45 minutes away. We always notice there are several folks open carrying handguns (in a belt holster). Could be hunters roaming through the store or just citizens exercising their 2A rights. It seems peculiar that they are lawful in their open carry but if they left the handgun in the car under the seat or in the glove compartment they would be violating the law.

 

[LongWayAround]

Every year when we go to Chama for my annual elk chasing, we end up taking a trip to the WalMart in Pagosa Springs Colorado about 45 minutes away. We always notice there are several folks open carrying handguns (in a belt holster). Could be hunters roaming through the store or just citizens exercising their 2A rights. It seems peculiar that they are lawful in their open carry but if they left the handgun in the car under the seat or in the glove compartment they would be violating the law.

They're Texans.

 

[AM_Hunter]

https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-18/article-12/part-1/section-18-12-114-5/

2024 Colorado Revised Statutes​

Universal Citation:
CO Rev Stat § 18-12-114.5 (2024)
Learn moreThis media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

• (1)
  • (a)A person shall not knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the handgun is in a locked hard-sided container that is placed out of plain view, including a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle's interior, and the container is in any of the following:
    • (I) A locked vehicle;
    • (II) The locked trunk of a locked vehicle; or
    • (III) A locked recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902.
  • (b)A person shall not knowingly leave a firearm that is not a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the firearm is in a locked hard-sided or locked soft-sided container, including a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle's interior, and the container is in any of the following:
    • (I) A locked vehicle;
    • (II) The locked trunk of a locked vehicle; or
    • (III) A locked recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902.
  • (c) A firearm that is not a handgun that is stored in a soft-sided container must have a locking device installed on the firearm while the firearm is stored in the soft-sided container.
  • (d) For the purposes of this subsection (1), a locked glove compartment or the locked center console of a vehicle is a locked hard-sided container.
• (2) A person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits unlawful storage of a firearm in a vehicle. Unlawful storage of a firearm in a vehicle is a civil infraction.
• (3)This section does not apply to:
  • (a) Storing an antique firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 921 (a)(16), as amended;
  • (b) Storing a firearm that is a not a handgun in a vehicle that is being used for farm or ranch operations that is on the person's private farm or ranch, including a leased farm or ranch. As used in this subsection (3)(b), "farm" and "ranch" have the same meanings as set forth in section 39-1-102.
  • (c) A person who lives in a vehicle or in a recreational vehicle, as defined in section 24-32-902, in which the firearm is stored. A person who lives in a vehicle or recreational vehicle must store firearms in the vehicle or recreational vehicle in accordance with the storage requirement described in section 18-12-114.
  • (d) A peace officer;
  • (e) A person who holds a valid resident or out-of-state hunting license who is engaged in lawful hunting activities;
  • (f) A person engaged in the instruction of hunter education courses and outreach offered by the division of parks and wildlife; and
  • (g) An active member of the United States armed forces while on duty.
• (4) Notwithstanding the requirement in subsection (1) of this section to store a firearm in a locked hard-sided container, a person who is considered to have a disability, as defined in 42 U.S.C. sec. 12102, who stores a firearm in a locked soft-sided container does not violate this section with respect to the storage of the firearm that is in the locked soft-sided container.
• (5) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "vehicle" has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-1-102.

Added by 2024 Ch. 178,§ 1, eff. 1/1/2025.



Section 7 of chapter 178 (HB 24-1348), Session Laws of Colorado 2024, provides that the act adding this section applies to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2025.

It does say that the following people are exempt:

• (e) A person who holds a valid resident or out-of-state hunting license who is engaged in lawful hunting activities;

Does that mean if youre actively hunting you can leave your firearms unlocked inside your vehicle?

 

[sndmn11]

It does say that the following people are exempt:

• (e) A person who holds a valid resident or out-of-state hunting license who is engaged in lawful hunting activities;

Does that mean if youre actively hunting you can leave your firearms unlocked inside your vehicle?

I believe a reasonable and logical person would have that conclusion.

 

[AM_Hunter]

I believe a reasonable and logical person would have that conclusion.

Not many of those around anymore

 

[Short Track]

My hunting partner states he can open carry in CO, but not concealed. and he does it.

I state, I have no reason to carry a pistol. I'm not afraid of the liberal pot heads. Not my thing to carry a pistol.

 

[spike camp]

I don't carry while hunting here; our bears are like big raccoons, and the probability of a lion encounter is so low that I don't think about them. Aside from small pockets of the middle and southern Front Range cities, violent crime has never been something I've worried about while living in various parts of the state.

But, as far as I know, any legal gun owner can open carry anywhere in the state aside from Denver County. Concealed legality for non-residents depends on whether there's permitting reciprocity between your state and CO. Any legal gun owner can have a loaded handgun in their vehicle.

If you make a quick call to the local sheriff, I'm sure they'd be happy to clarify any regulations where you'll be hunting.

This picture was taken in Steamboat a few days ago.
A bit bigger than a trash panda.

Had a bear toss my backcountry tent two years ago.
Destroyed a $650 Zpacks tent, slashed my $200 pad and bite a hole in my $100 Jetboil.

And, I’ve had multiple run-in’s with cats while elk hunting the last 20 years or so…including calling one in to 15 yards with my wife, with cow elk sounds.

I don’t disagree that encounters are rare, but it only takes one bad encounter to change one’s perspective.

 

[patagonialuke]

Had a bear toss my backcountry tent two years ago.
Destroyed a $650 Zpacks tent, slashed my $200 pad and bite a hole in my $100 Jetboil.

And, I’ve had multiple run-in’s with cats while elk hunting the last 20 years or so…including calling one in to 15 yards with my wife, with cow elk sounds.

I don’t disagree that encounters are rare, but it only takes one bad encounter to change one’s perspective.

Very fair and useful context. Low probability on paper does not equal zero risk.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

weird, seems like a locked vehicle would satisfy the requirement as a “locked up hard case”. —well as long as the vehicle isn’t a soft top convertible.

It isn't about logic, its about making owning and legally owning guns difficult and try and make people who have guns stolen criminals themselves while they ignore real criminals. CO lefties want to ban guns and they keep chipping away.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

My hunting partner states he can open carry in CO, but not concealed. and he does it.

Keep in mind "coat tail" rules, IE if a jacket obscures the gun or its tucked in a backpack its technically "concealed carry". Are you likely to run into issues? Probably not but that is the letter of the law unless I am mistaken.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Had a bear toss my backcountry tent two years ago.
Destroyed a $650 Zpacks tent, slashed my $200 pad and bite a hole in my $100 Jetboil.

Just buy a bear tag, that'll end encounters.

 

[5MilesBack]

weird, seems like a locked vehicle would satisfy the requirement as a “locked up hard case”. —well as long as the vehicle isn’t a soft top convertible.

Only a logical person would come to that conclusion. That rules out all CO liberal legislators.

"Their" logic is that a locked gun case inside a vehicle will keep these guns out of the hands of criminals. They can't grasp the concept of the criminals just taking the entire locked gun case out of a locked vehicle. SMH