Specified Semiautomatic Firearms
The link to the Firearms Safety System application will be available on July 20, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. MST. Some counties will not be reviewing application until August 1, 2026 and others are not accepting applications at all. To avoid a delay in the process, please check with your local Sheriff's office before submitting your application.
This law only affects those who will purchase and/or transfer SSFs on or after August 1, 2026.
Specified Semiautomatic Firearms
The link to the Firearms Safety System application will be available on July 20, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. MST. Some counties will not be reviewing application until August 1, 2026 and others are not accepting applications at all. To avoid a delay in the process, please check with your local Sheriff's office before submitting your application.
This law only affects those who will purchase and/or transfer SSFs on or after August 1, 2026.
How to Purchase Specified Semiautomatic Firearms: Customer Journey
Step 1: Customer Application
Go to the Firearms Safety System (FSS) application web link (will not go live until July 20) to complete an application which then creates a user account. > Go to the Firearms Safety System web link (will not go live until July 20) to create an account and complete an application.
Once you hit submit, your application will be sent to your county Sheriff’s office queue. It will not be processed until the next step. If you have Hunter Education, you will add the information to your application during this step.
Step 2: Sheriff's Office
You must provide: name-based background check and government –issued photo ID to your county Sheriff’s office for your application to be processed. Contact your Sheriff's Department for information regarding the name based background check and how to submit the required documents for their review. FEES ARE COLLECTED DURING THIS STEP. CPW = $52.00. Each Sheriff can set their own fee.
Step 3: Sheriff Review and Eligibility Card Issuance
The sheriff reviews the documentation, determines eligibility and issues an eligibility card (EC) that is good for 5 years. Your eligibility card information is entered into the FSS by the Sheriff. Whether approved or denied you will receive an auto generated email. If denied an EC, you will be contacted by your local sheriff’s office.
Step 4: Course & Exam
Find an approved instructor and enroll in course. A fee may be associated with this step. You may take the course from any FSP Verified Firearms Instructor. The instructor will verify your eligibility to take the Basic (4hrs) or Extended (12hrs) course. During this step, you will need to pass an exam and hands-on practical with a 90% or better.
When the instructor enters pass/fail, you will receive an email immediately. If you pass the course, you have 5 years to purchase specified semi-automatic firearms (SSF).
Step 5: Purchase & FFL Verification
The gun dealer will confirm your eligibility in the FSS and begin the purchase process.
Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Guidance
Provided in this document is not all-inclusive of firearms currently available, or that will be available in the future. As a result, the guidance document will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. As new firearms are manufactured that meet the criteria, they will be added to the Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Guidance document after appropriate research is conducted and feedback is obtained from the industry and public.
Firearms List
Download listFees
| Fee | Amount | Collecting Agency | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheriff's Office Fee |
Varies by county | Sheriff's Office | If the application is approved, a Firearms Eligibility Card is issued to the applicant. |
| Firearms Training and Safety Course Record Fee | $52 | Collected by Sheriff's Office and sent to Colorado Parks and Wildlife | The Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the fee to cover the Firearms Safety Program’s administrative costs. The commission may adjust the fee, but not more than once per year. This fee is separate from any fee assessed by the sheriff for their administrative purposes and any fee charged by a private firearms instructor for the purpose of conducting firearms training classes for applicants. You will be charged these application fees whether or not your application is approved. |
Firearms Safety Course
Once the application is approved, you will contact a verified Firearms Safety Program (FSP) Instructor
to sign up for the appropriate class. The instructor will have access to the Firearms Safety System to confirm your eligibility for either the Basic or Extended Course. A list of FSP instructors will be provided starting July 20. You may take any of the Firearm Safety courses anywhere in the state, from the instructor of your choice.
Courses will instruct students on safe handling of semiautomatic firearms and ammunition magazines, child safety and safe storage of firearms, firearm deaths associated with mental illness, extreme risk protection orders, and victim awareness and empathy along with other firearms safety related topics.
- Courses must be taught by an instructor verified by a Sheriff according to CRS 18-12-202.7
- Courses must be in-person only, with the instructor on site.
- Students must pass the course with a minimum score of 90% on their final exam.
- Upon successful completion of course, applicants have five years to purchase SSFs. After five years, you must complete the process from Step 1.
Completion of a hunter education course certified by CPW will not qualify you for purchasing a SSF. In addition to your hunter education course, you will need to complete a Basic Firearms Safety Program course. You must have your hunter education credentials verified in CPW's records system. All out-of-state hunter education must be CPW-certified; if you took hunter education outside of Colorado, you must bring your hunter education card or record to a CPW office to verify your credentials.
Completion of any other firearm safety course does NOT satisfy the requirements to purchase SSFs. You will need to take Hunter Education and the Basic (4 hour) class, or just the Extended (12 hour) class without taking Hunter Education. All background checks and courses taken for a concealed carry weapon (CCW) are not reciprocal for the Firearms Safety Program.
If you have never taken a hunter education course or CPW firearms safety course, you must enroll in an extended firearms safety course. The course is a duration of 12 hours of instruction, which must be provided on at least 2 different days.
Students must pass the course with a minimum score of 90% on their final exam. When the course is completed, the Instructor will input students' scores in the CPW Firearms Safety database within 3 business days.
Resources for Sheriffs and Firearm Instructors
To become a Firearms Safety Program Safety instructor you must first be a verified firearms instructor through a county Sheriff, pursuant to C.R.S. 18-12-202.7. Once that is fulfilled, instructors can register for a Firearms Safety Program Train the Trainer. This training will introduce instructors to the curriculum, establish our teaching and testing guidelines, and protocols. During the Train the Trainer, instructors will be introduced to the Firearms Safety System and learn how to create their account, register students, and enter their course completion status.
This training may be held virtually or in-person. There is a cap of 50 attendees per class and will be first come first serve. Trainings are free of charge. Please register for only ONE training below that fits your schedule.
Upcoming Instructor Training
July 27, 2026
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Virtual
April 2 Webinar
The webinar discusses SB25-003 and the implementation of the law come August 1, 2026. CPW presents a powerpoint of the facts of SB25-003, CPW's involvement, other stakeholder involvement, the journey of a customer and answers questions from those in attendance.
April 2 Webinar Recording
Frequently Asked Questions
Download
Firearms Safety Program Handout
DownloadContact
Firearms Safety Program
- 303-291-7143
- [email protected]