Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Training
Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Training
Complete in-person instruction covering firearm safety, Colorado concealed-carry requirements, lawful decision-making, conflict avoidance, live-fire competency, and the responsibilities associated with carrying a concealed handgun.
Training for the Responsibility of Concealed Carry
Obtaining a concealed handgun permit is not merely a paperwork requirement. Carrying a firearm in public creates significant safety, legal, ethical, and practical responsibilities. This course combines the required Colorado permit curriculum with practical instruction intended to help students make safer and more informed decisions before, during, and after a high-consequence event.
Who This Course Is For
- Colorado residents applying for an initial CHP
- New or developing handgun owners
- Individuals considering concealed carry
- Students seeking structured firearm-safety instruction
- Permit holders who want more comprehensive retraining
- Responsible adults seeking legal and practical education
Who Should Take Basic Pistol First
A CHP class includes instruction and live-fire evaluation, but it is not designed to cure every fundamental handling or marksmanship deficiency in one day.
Students who cannot safely load, unload, operate, and fire their handgun should consider completing Basic Pistol training before enrolling.
Colorado Initial CHP Training Requirements
Colorado law requires qualifying initial permit training to be conducted in person by a sheriff-verified instructor. The class must include at least eight hours of instruction, a written competency examination, and a live-fire exercise.
In-Person Instruction
The required initial concealed-handgun training is completed through direct, in-person instruction rather than an online-only course.
Written Examination
Students must achieve a passing score on the required written concealed-handgun competency examination.
Live-Fire Exercise
Students must safely complete and achieve a passing score during the required live-fire exercise.
Classroom Curriculum
Firearm Safety and Operation
- Universal firearm-safety rules
- Safe handling of handguns and ammunition
- Loading, unloading, and status verification
- Handgun components and operating controls
- Ammunition selection and common malfunctions
- Safe storage and child-access prevention
- Transportation and range-safety procedures
Concealed-Carry Equipment
- Handgun selection and suitability
- Holster construction and trigger protection
- Retention, concealment, and accessibility
- Belts and supporting equipment
- Off-body carry risks and limitations
- Daily inspection and maintenance
- Safe administrative handling practices
Law, Judgment, and Conflict Avoidance
Legal Topics
- Colorado concealed-handgun permit framework
- Lawful purchase, ownership, possession, and transportation
- State law addressing self-defense and deadly force
- Locations where firearm carry may be prohibited or restricted
- Private-property rules and posted restrictions
- Interacting safely with responding law enforcement
- Permit limitations and reciprocity considerations
Decision-Making Topics
- Awareness, avoidance, and conflict resolution
- De-escalation and disengagement
- Recognizing pre-incident warning behavior
- Managing a violent confrontation
- Judgmental use of force
- Communication with dispatchers and responders
- Immediate priorities after a defensive incident
Range Training and Live-Fire Evaluation
The range portion reinforces safe firearm handling and evaluates whether the student can complete the required live-fire exercise without creating an unreasonable safety risk.
Range Skills
- Range commands and safety procedures
- Safe loading and unloading
- Grip, stance, sight alignment, and trigger control
- Presentation from an approved ready position
- Accurate fire at designated distances
- Recognition and correction of common stoppages
- Safe completion of the live-fire course
Safety Standard
Students must consistently follow instructions, maintain muzzle discipline, keep fingers away from the trigger when appropriate, and safely control the firearm.
The instructor may stop or remove a student from a range exercise when the student creates a safety hazard or cannot safely perform the required handling procedures.
Course Price and What Is Included
Individual Enrollment
$175Approximately ten total training hours
Includes approximately eight classroom hours, two range hours, written examination, live-fire evaluation, course materials, and qualifying completion documentation for students who satisfy all requirements.
Possible Additional Expenses
- Range admission or lane fees, if not expressly included
- Ammunition
- Firearm rental
- Eye and hearing protection
- Targets or range-required supplies
- Sheriff application and fingerprint fees
The registration information should identify exactly which items are included for the scheduled class.
What Students Must Bring
Classroom
- Government-issued photo identification
- Note-taking materials
- Water, food, and personal comfort items
- Any required forms or registration documents
- Comfortable clothing appropriate for a full training day
Range
- Serviceable handgun approved for the course
- Correct factory ammunition in the required quantity
- Eye and hearing protection
- Brimmed hat and closed-toe footwear
- Approved holster, when specifically authorized
- Weather-appropriate clothing for the range environment
Course Completion Process
Attend
Complete the required in-person classroom and range instruction.
Participate
Complete classroom exercises, firearm-safety activities, and required practical instruction.
Pass
Achieve passing scores on the written competency examination and live-fire exercise.
Apply
Submit the permit application and required materials to the appropriate Colorado sheriff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this class satisfy Colorado’s initial CHP training requirement?
The course is designed to satisfy Colorado’s qualifying initial concealed-handgun training requirements when taught by the verified instructor and when the student successfully completes all required classroom, examination, and live-fire components.
Is online-only training accepted for an initial Colorado CHP?
No. Colorado’s current initial concealed-handgun training standard requires an in-person class taught by a sheriff-verified instructor.
Does completing the class guarantee a permit?
No. The course provides qualifying training documentation. The issuing sheriff determines whether the applicant satisfies the statutory eligibility, application, identification, background-check, and procedural requirements.
How long do I have to apply after completing the course?
For an initial application, Colorado generally requires the qualifying training class to have been completed within one year before the application is submitted. Confirm the current requirement with your issuing sheriff before relying on a deadline.
Do I need to own a handgun before attending?
Not necessarily. A suitable rental or loan arrangement may be available depending on the course and range. This must be arranged before class and should not be assumed.
Is this a beginner handgun class?
The course includes firearm-safety and shooting fundamentals, but students who have never handled or fired a handgun may benefit from completing Basic Pistol training first.
Can I use this course to renew my permit?
Colorado has separate renewal competency requirements. An initial class may qualify in some circumstances, but renewal applicants should confirm the applicable course timing and documentation before registering.
Does a Colorado CHP eliminate firearm-purchase background checks?
No. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation states that a Colorado CHP does not presently exempt the permit holder from a background check when purchasing a firearm.
Can a Colorado permit holder carry everywhere?
No. Federal, state, local, private-property, employment, educational, court, government-building, and other location-specific restrictions may apply. A permit does not override every restriction.
Prepare for More Than the Permit
Complete the required Colorado training while developing the safety, judgment, and practical skills associated with responsible concealed carry.