CO · checked October 18, 2026

Shotgun laws in Colorado

What Colorado adds on top of federal law: short-barreled shotguns, 14-inch "firearms," feature rules, magazine limits, permits and waiting periods.

Decorative editorial illustration for the state shotgun law referenceVerify the current state and federal rules with official sources
Federal update — Oct 9, 2026

ATF says it is no longer enforcing federal NFA approval or registration for short-barreled shotguns. That does not change state law: where a state only allows SBSs that are registered under the NFA, you still need that registration to be legal under state law. What changed.

Short-barreled shotgunsUnclear — see notes

Possessing a short shotgun (barrel under 18 in. or overall length under 26 in.) is a felony, with an affirmative defense for someone holding a 'valid permit and license'; the statute does not say whether NFA registration counts.[1]

C.R.S. §§ 18-12-102(1), (3), (5); 18-12-101(1)(i)
14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14)Unclear — see notes

Colorado defines a 'short shotgun' as a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches but does not define 'shotgun', so whether a non-NFA 14-inch 'firearm' is covered was not confirmed.[2]

Semi-auto / feature rulesFeature rules apply

Since Aug. 1, 2026 (SB25-003), buying a semi-auto shotgun with a detachable magazine requires a sheriff-issued eligibility card and a state-certified firearms safety course; there is no feature-based ban.[3]

SB25-003 (2025)
Magazine limitsLimit: 15 rounds; shotgun: tube over 28 inches of shells, or detachable over 8 shells

Colorado bans magazines over 15 rounds; for shotguns that means a fixed tube holding more than 28 inches of shells, or a detachable box/drum holding more than 8 shells.[4]

Permit to buyNo state permit

Ordinary shotguns need no permit, but from Aug. 1, 2026 semi-auto shotguns with detachable magazines need a sheriff-issued eligibility card plus a safety course (SB25-003).[5]

Waiting period3-day wait

Sellers must wait 3 days after the dealer starts the background check, or until approval, whichever is later; it applies to all firearms.[6]

Where a state has no official guidance on a point, the summary says what the statute text appears to say, and marks it unclear when it can't be read either way.

Also know

SB25-003 is being challenged in court (the NRA says it has joined the case); check its status before relying on it.

Not legal advice

This is a plain-English summary. Cities and counties can add rules, and laws change. Confirm with Colorado's official sources or a licensed attorney before you buy, build or travel.

Federal rules that apply everywhere

  • Under the National Firearms Act, a 'shotgun' is a weapon designed and intended to be fired from the shoulder that uses a fixed shotgun shell to fire shot or a single projectile through a smooth bore with each pull of the trigger. source
  • The Gun Control Act uses nearly the same definition: a shotgun is designed and intended to be fired from the shoulder and fires shot or a single projectile through a smooth bore for each pull of the trigger. source
  • Federal law defines a short-barreled shotgun as a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches, or any weapon made from a shotgun with an overall length under 26 inches. source
  • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the law that cut the NFA tax, is Public Law 119-21 and was approved on July 4, 2025. source

Shotguns to consider

Use the 3-step quiz — it flags Colorado's rules on your matches — or compare every model.

Sources

  1. Colorado — Short-barreled shotguns
  2. Colorado — 14" 'firearms' (Shockwave / TAC-14) (secondary source)
  3. Colorado — Semi-auto / feature rules
  4. Colorado — Magazine limits (secondary source)
  5. Colorado — Permit to buy
  6. Colorado — Waiting period (secondary source)

Last checked October 18, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Send a correction.

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