Colorado Gun Storage Law for Vehicles and Hunters

Colorado gun owners, hunters, and concealed carry permit holders need to understand the new firearm storage rules for vehicles. As of January 1, 2025, Colorado law places specific requirements on how firearms must be stored when they are left in an unattended vehicle.

This is especially important for hunters, truck owners, concealed carry permit holders, and anyone who keeps a firearm in a car, pickup, RV, or hunting vehicle.

Can You Leave a Gun in Your Car in Colorado?

Yes, but you need to be careful. Colorado law does not simply say, “throw it in the glove box and forget about it.” The law is aimed at preventing guns from being stolen from vehicles or accessed by unauthorized people.

For a handgun left in an unattended vehicle, Colorado law requires the handgun to be stored in a locked hard-sided container that is placed out of plain view. That container must be inside a locked vehicle, locked trunk, or locked recreational vehicle.

For firearms that are not handguns, the law allows a locked hard-sided or locked soft-sided container, but the firearm still must be secured and out of plain view.

⚠️ Leaving a firearm unsecured in your vehicle can violate Colorado law.

 

Colorado Vehicle Gun Storage Checklist

• Do not leave the firearm visible from outside the vehicle.
• Lock the vehicle.
• Use a locked container.
• For handguns, use a locked hard-sided container.
• For long guns, use a locked hard-sided or locked soft-sided container.
• Do not rely on “hidden under the seat” as a storage plan.
• Do not leave firearms where children, juveniles, thieves, or unauthorized users can access them.

What About Hunters in Colorado?

Hunters have another layer of rules to think about. Colorado hunting regulations also restrict how rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows, and firearms may be carried in or on vehicles, off-highway vehicles, and snowmobiles.

A major rule hunters need to remember is this:

Loaded Rifles and Shotguns in Vehicles

Colorado treats loaded rifles and shotguns differently than handguns in vehicles. A person may legally possess a handgun in a vehicle under many circumstances, but that does not mean a rifle or shotgun can be loaded in the vehicle during hunting activity.

Hunters should make sure rifles and shotguns are unloaded before placing them in a vehicle, ATV, UTV, OHV, or snowmobile.

Muzzleloaders in Vehicles

Muzzleloaders have their own rules. A muzzleloader may be considered unloaded if the percussion cap or shotshell primer is removed, or if powder is removed from the flash pan.

If you are using an electronic-ignition muzzleloader, the chamber must be empty or the battery must be disconnected and removed from its compartment to be considered unloaded.

OHVs, Snowmobiles, and Hunting Firearms

Hunters using off-highway vehicles or snowmobiles need to be especially careful. These are common places where people accidentally violate hunting transport rules.

• You cannot operate or ride a snowmobile with a firearm unless it is completely unloaded and fully cased.
• If you are archery hunting, your bow must be unstrung or fully cased.
• Compound bows do not need to be unstrung, but they do need to be cased.
• Firearms, except handguns, carried on an OHV during certain big game seasons must be unloaded in both the chamber and magazine.
• Firearms, except handguns, and bows carried on an OHV must generally be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case.
• Open-ended scabbards or partial cases may not be enough.

Common Mistakes Gun Owners Make

Here are the mistakes that get people in trouble:

• Leaving a handgun under the seat.
• Leaving a firearm visible in the back seat.
• Assuming a locked vehicle alone is enough.
• Leaving a rifle or shotgun loaded in a truck during hunting season.
• Using a glove box as the only security plan.
• Forgetting that “vehicle” can include OHVs and snowmobiles in hunting situations.
• Assuming concealed carry rules and hunting rules are the same thing.

Colorado Gun Storage Law: Home vs. Vehicle

Colorado also has a separate secure storage law dealing with firearms that are not in use. Firearms should be stored responsibly to prevent access by unsupervised juveniles and unauthorized users.

The simple rule is this: if the gun is not under your control, it needs to be secured.

That does not just protect you legally. It also helps prevent theft, accidents, and unauthorized access.

Do Not Guess on Colorado Gun Law

Colorado firearm law is changing fast. What someone told you ten years ago may not be correct today. Vehicle carry, hunting transport rules, concealed carry, safe storage, and use-of-force law are separate topics. Mixing them together is where people make bad decisions.

If you own firearms in Colorado, especially if you carry or hunt, take the time to understand the difference between:

• Carrying a handgun in a vehicle
• Leaving a gun in an unattended vehicle
• Transporting rifles and shotguns while hunting
• Storing firearms at home
• Carrying under a Concealed Handgun Permit

Final Word

Colorado’s vehicle firearm storage law is not something to ignore. If you leave a gun in a vehicle, lock it up, keep it out of sight, and use the right type of container. If you are hunting, make sure rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows, OHVs, and snowmobiles are handled according to Colorado hunting rules.

When in doubt, slow down and secure the firearm properly.