Gun show vendors - requirements - penalties

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-505, under Criminal Code.

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-505

[Editor's note: This version of this part is effective January 1, 2026.]

(1) While participating in a gun show, a gun show vendor shall:

(a) Prominently display a copy of the vendor's federal firearms license and a copy of the vendor's state firearms dealer permit at the vendor's primary place of business at the gun show;

(b) Keep all firearms in the vendor's possession unloaded and securely affixed to the vendor's countertop or wall by use of a plastic tie or electronically monitored wire;

(c) Display and offer for sale or transfer ammunition in compliance with any applicable state or federal law; and

(d) Include with each sold firearm the following information, in writing:

Firearms storage and reporting requirements:

Firearms must be responsibly and securely stored when they are not in use to prevent access by unsupervised juveniles and other unauthorized users. Section 18-12-114, C.R.S.

Firearms left in an unattended vehicle must be stored in accordance with state law. Section 18-12-114.5, C.R.S.

If a firearm is lost or stolen, the owner of the firearm must report the loss or theft to a law enforcement agency not more than five days after discovering that the firearm has been lost or stolen. Section 18-12-113, C.R.S.

(2) A gun show vendor who violates this section commits unlawful gun show vendor activity. Unlawful gun show vendor activity is a class 2 misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense is a class 1 misdemeanor and, pursuant to section 18-12-503 (1)(b), the person who has committed a second or subsequent offense of unlawful gun show vendor activity is prohibited from participating as a vendor at a gun show.

Source: L. 2025: Entire part R&RE, (HB 25-1238), ch. 93, p. 422, � 2, effective January 1, 2026.

Editor's note: Prior to its repeal and reenactment, this section was similar to former � 12-26.1-105 as it existed prior to 2018.

18-12-506. Background checks at gun shows - records - fees - notice posted by promoter - penalties - definition. [Editor's note: This version of this part is effective January 1, 2026.]

(1) (a) Before a gun show vendor transfers or attempts to transfer a firearm at a gun show, the vendor shall:

(I) Require that a background check, in accordance with section 24-33.5-424, be conducted of the prospective transferee; and

(II) Obtain approval of a transfer from the Colorado bureau of investigation after a background check has been requested by a licensed gun dealer, in accordance with section 24-33.5-424.

(b) A gun show promoter shall arrange for the services of one or more licensed gun dealers on the premises of the gun show to obtain the background checks required by this section.

(c) If any part of a firearm transaction takes place at a gun show, the transferor shall not transfer the firearm unless a background check has been obtained by a licensed gun dealer.

(d) A person who violates this subsection (1) commits a class 1 misdemeanor.

(2) (a) A licensed gun dealer who obtains a background check on a prospective transferee shall record the transfer, as required by section 18-12-402, and retain the records, as required by section 18-12-403, in the same manner as when conducting a sale, rental, or exchange at retail.

(b) Any individual who knowingly gives false information in connection with the making of the records described in this subsection (2) commits a class 1 misdemeanor.

(3) Reserved.

(4) (a) A gun show promoter shall prominently post a notice, in a form to be prescribed by the executive director of the department of public safety or the executive director's designee, setting forth the requirement for a background check required in this section.

(b) A gun show promoter who violates this subsection (4) commits a class 2 misdemeanor.

(5) This section does not apply to the transfer of an antique firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 921(a)(16), or a curio or relic, as defined in 27 CFR 478.11.

(6) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, licensed gun dealer means any person who is a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or dealer licensed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. sec. 923, as a federally licensed firearms dealer.

(7) The general assembly shall appropriate money as necessary to implement this section.

Source: L. 2025: Entire part R&RE, (HB 25-1238), ch. 93, p. 422, � 2, effective January 1, 2026.

Editor's note: (1) Prior to its repeal and reenactment, this section was similar to former � 12-26.1-106 as it existed prior to 2018.

(2) The provisions of this section are similar to provisions of several former sections of this part 5 as they existed prior to 2025. For a detailed comparison, see the comparative tables located in the back of the index.