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Gun Waiting Period Laws in Colorado
2026 Complete Legal Guide
Colorado requires a 3 days waiting period for certain firearm purchases. Here is everything you need to know about gun waiting period laws in Colorado.
Gun Waiting Period Laws in Colorado Overview
State Waiting Period: 3 days — applies to all dealer sales.
Private Sales Waiting Period: None — waiting period applies to dealer sales only.
Federal 3-Day Default Rule: Applies — dealers may proceed after 3 business days if NICS has not responded.
Optional Permit: Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit available.
Online Purchases: The 3 days waiting period applies at the receiving FFL.
Exemptions: Licensed dealers, law enforcement, and military may be exempt. CHP does not bypass the waiting period.
Firearm Registration: Not required.
Permit to Purchase: Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit required for purchases.
Private Sales Waiting Period: None — waiting period applies to dealer sales only.
Federal 3-Day Default Rule: Applies — dealers may proceed after 3 business days if NICS has not responded.
Optional Permit: Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit available.
Online Purchases: The 3 days waiting period applies at the receiving FFL.
Exemptions: Licensed dealers, law enforcement, and military may be exempt. CHP does not bypass the waiting period.
Firearm Registration: Not required.
Permit to Purchase: Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit required for purchases.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Gun Waiting Period?
- Does Colorado Have a Waiting Period for Guns?
- The Federal 3-Day Default Rule in Colorado
- Waiting Periods for Private Gun Sales in Colorado
- Colorado Permit and Waiting Periods
- Waiting Periods for Online Gun Purchases in Colorado
- Why Colorado Residents Use Gun Transfer
- Responsible Firearm Ownership in Colorado
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Gun Waiting Period?
A gun waiting period is a mandatory delay between purchasing a firearm and being allowed to take physical possession of it. Waiting periods are set by state law — not federal law — and vary widely across the country. Some states require 3 days, others 7, 10, or even 14 days. Colorado requires a 3 days waiting period for all dealer sales under C.R.S. § 18-12-115. Compare waiting period laws in every state →
The federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act requires licensed dealers to run a NICS background check before any sale, but sets no national waiting period. States may add their own delays on top of that. Colorado has imposed a 3 days waiting period on top of the federal NICS check. The background check and waiting period run concurrently — the firearm cannot be transferred until both the check clears AND the waiting period has elapsed.
Yes. Colorado requires a 3 days waiting period for all dealer sales under C.R.S. § 18-12-115. Colorado’s 3-day waiting period applies to all dealer sales. The wait runs concurrently with the background check — the firearm cannot be transferred until both the check clears AND 3 days have passed.
- Most NICS checks at Texas dealers clear in minutes — not days.
- If NICS is delayed, the dealer may proceed after 3 business days without a response.
- Texas LTC (License to Carry) holders bypass NICS entirely — no delay possible.
- A denial means the transfer is prohibited — the buyer may appeal to the FBI's NICS Section.
The 3 days waiting period in Colorado begins when the dealer initiates the transfer process and applies to all dealer sales. The waiting period runs concurrently with the background check — the firearm cannot be transferred until both the check has cleared AND the full 3 days period has elapsed.
Does Colorado Have a Waiting Period for Guns?
Colorado’s 3 days waiting period is a firm requirement — no firearm covered by C.R.S. § 18-12-115 may be transferred before the waiting period has fully elapsed, even if the background check returns Proceed immediately. Plan your purchase accordingly. If you need a firearm for immediate self-defense, consider other legal options or consult with local law enforcement about any available emergency waiver process.
The 3 days waiting period in Colorado cannot be shortened by requesting expedited processing or paying additional fees. Plan your purchase well in advance of any date you need the firearm.
- Convicted felons are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under federal law.
- Individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors or subject to qualifying restraining orders.
- Unlawful users of controlled substances and those adjudicated mentally incompetent.
- Waiting periods do not change who is prohibited — a prohibited person is denied regardless of any wait.
In Colorado, the federal 3-business-day default rule applies on top of the state’s 3 days waiting period. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(1), if NICS does not return a response within 3 business days, the dealer may proceed with the transfer — but only after the Colorado state waiting period has also fully elapsed. Both the NICS check and the state waiting period must be satisfied before any transfer.
The Federal 3-Day Default Rule in Colorado
NICS checks at Colorado dealers typically clear in minutes. However, regardless of how quickly the NICS check clears, the Colorado state waiting period of 3 days must still be observed. The federal 3-day default rule is essentially irrelevant in Colorado — the state waiting period is always longer than the federal default window.
In Colorado, both the federal background check AND the state 3 days waiting period must be completed before a dealer can transfer a firearm. There are no shortcuts — plan your purchase accordingly.
- Buyer selects a firearm and completes ATF Form 4473.
- Dealer contacts FBI NICS — check typically clears in minutes.
- On Proceed: firearm is transferred immediately — no waiting period.
- Texas LTC holders: dealer skips NICS entirely and transfers on the spot.
Colorado does NOT allow private person-to-person firearm transfers without a background check. All private sales must be processed through a licensed Colorado FFL dealer. The 3 days waiting period applies to private sales processed through an FFL. There is no such thing as a direct private sale in Colorado that bypasses the background check requirement. GunTransfer.com connects buyers and sellers across Colorado and helps them locate a licensed FFL dealer to complete the transfer legally.
Even where a waiting period applies to private sales in Colorado, GunTransfer.com helps buyers and sellers navigate the process efficiently. A written bill of sale documents the transaction date, firearm details, and both parties’ information — protecting both parties under state and federal law. GunTransfer.com helps Colorado residents in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora complete every transfer the right way.
Waiting Periods for Private Gun Sales in Colorado
For private sales in Colorado that require a waiting period, use GunTransfer.com to document the transaction date — establishing a clear paper trail of when the waiting period began and ended. This protects both buyer and seller and ensures the transfer is fully compliant with Colorado gun waiting period laws.
Colorado CHP and Waiting Periods
| Purchase Type | Background Check | Waiting Period | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Dealer | Required Colorado Bureau of Investigation | 3 days | Background check required. CHP holders bypass NICS check. |
| Private Sale | Required through FFL | 3 days | All private sales must be processed through a licensed Colorado FFL dealer. The 3-day waiting period applies. |
| Online Purchase | Required at receiving FFL | 3 days | Ships to Colorado FFL dealer. Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check required. 10-day wait applies after check clears. |
| Out-of-State Purchase | Required at Colorado FFL | 3 days in Colorado | Must ship to a licensed Colorado FFL. Colorado waiting period and background check apply at receiving dealer. |
| CHP Holder | Exempt | None | No permit available to bypass the waiting period or background check in Colorado. |
Waiting Periods for Online Gun Purchases in Colorado
Yes. Colorado’s 3 days waiting period applies to online firearm purchases as well. The firearm ships to a licensed Colorado FFL dealer. The dealer contacts Colorado Bureau of Investigation for a background check, and the 3 days waiting period must elapse before the dealer can release the firearm to you. Online buyers should factor in both shipping time and the waiting period when planning a purchase.
Online Gun Purchases and Background Checks in Texas
When purchasing a firearm online in Texas:
Standard buyers must wait the full 3 days after the background check clears. Confirm the receiving dealer’s transfer fee and hours before completing your purchase. Factor the 3 days waiting period into your purchase timeline.
- Purchase the firearm online and select a licensed Texas FFL dealer to receive it.
- Firearm ships to the FFL — buyer is notified when it arrives.
- Buyer visits the FFL, completes ATF Form 4473, and NICS check is run.
- On Proceed (or LTC verification): firearm is transferred immediately — no waiting period.
Tips for a Safe Private Transfer in Colorado
- Verify the buyer is at least 18 years old and does not appear to be a prohibited person.
- Complete a written bill of sale with both parties' information and the firearm's make, model, and serial number.
- Keep a copy of the bill of sale for your personal records.
- Use GunTransfer.com to generate a proper bill of sale and document the transfer instantly.
Colorado gun owners use GunTransfer.com to document the start and completion of every firearm transfer and navigate Colorado’s 3 days waiting period efficiently. GunTransfer.com creates a clear paper trail showing when the transfer process began, when the waiting period elapsed, and when the firearm was legally received. This documentation protects both buyers and sellers in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora and across Colorado.
Why Colorado Residents Use Gun Transfer
GunTransfer provides a secure system that helps:
GunTransfer.com makes it easy for Colorado residents from Denver to Fort Collins and everywhere across the Centennial State to understand their rights, document their transfers, and comply with Colorado’s 3 days waiting period requirement. Every transfer documented through GunTransfer.com includes a timestamped record that clearly establishes compliance with state law.
- Document firearm ownership transfers
- Record firearm serial numbers
- Maintain firearm transaction history
- Create proof of private firearm transactions
- Promote responsible firearm ownership
Transfers Stopped For Safety Thanks To Gun Transfer!
Responsible Firearm Ownership in Colorado
Colorado’s 3 days waiting period is the law — and GunTransfer.com helps you comply with it while keeping complete documentation of every transfer. GunTransfer.com is the smart choice for every responsible Colorado buyer and seller.
- Understanding firearm laws
- Ensuring legal firearm transfers
- Storing firearms safely
- Maintaining documentation of firearm ownership
Frequently Asked
Questions
Does Colorado have a waiting period for gun purchases?
Yes. Colorado requires a 3 days waiting period for all dealer sales. Colorado’s 3-day waiting period applies to all dealer sales. The wait runs concurrently with the background check — the firearm cannot be transferred until both the check clears AND 3 days have passed
Is there a waiting period for private gun sales in Colorado?
No. Colorado’s waiting period applies to dealer sales only — private transfers between individuals are not subject to the waiting period.
Do CHP holders skip the waiting period in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado’s 3 days waiting period applies to all dealer purchases regardless of permit status.
Is there a waiting period when buying a gun online in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado’s 3 days waiting period applies to online purchases. The firearm ships to a licensed Colorado FFL dealer, and the waiting period begins when the dealer initiates the background check.
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Colorado Gun Waiting Period Resources: C.R.S. § 18-12-115 — Colorado Waiting Period | ATF — Brady Law & 3-Day Default Rule | ATF — Permit NICS Exemption Chart | FBI NICS | Giffords — State Waiting Period Laws
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