Colorado: Out-of-State Visitor

Onomea

Onomea

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I am likely to visit Colorado later this year for a family event. I have an Oregon CHL and a Utah non-resident permit, neither of which Colorado recognizes.

I think best I can do is keep my handgun in my car except when in my hotel or rental. Researching this, I came across this regulation:



Colorado Gun Laws | Colorado State Patrol - CSP

So, the state of Colorado wants me to carry my revolver in plain view between my car and wherever I am staying? I'm thinking hotel clerks and guests, or AirBnB neighbors may be discombobulated...
 
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As a Colorado resident for most of my life I would offer a few comments:

1. Colorado state law pre-empts local (municipal or county) laws, thus state law is the only significant factor to consider. Having said that, I will warn anyone who is planning on visiting Colorado that there are several cities and counties (notoriously the Denver metro area, consisting of 6 counties and 13 cities) that continue to apply and enforce restrictions that conflict with state laws. My suggestion is to avoid being a test case, avoid the need for attorneys and bail bondsmen, and if at all possible avoid the greater Denver metro area entirely.

2. Carrying a firearm in a motor vehicle is allowed under Colorado law, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded (note that long guns, rifles & shotguns, may not have a round in the chamber due to fish & game laws). Under state law the automobile is treated essentially as an extension of the home. Note the comments at #1 above re: greater Denver metro area!

3. Open carry is generally allowed anywhere in Colorado subject to restrictions in schools, courthouses, police & sheriffs stations, post offices, etc. This is not to suggest that open carry is common, and should not be taken as an invitation to walk around with firearms openly displayed. We have plenty of "Karens" and "Chads" here who will light up the 9-1-1 line with Man With a Gun complaints, so discretion remains the best policy. Again, note the comments at #1 above re: Denver metro area.

4. Concealed carry prohibitions generally apply anywhere open to the general public. When a person is on property under his lawful control there are no such restrictions. Arguably, when a person is staying at a hotel, motel, air b-n-b, etc, that person is a resident, thus not in a public place (do not confuse public place with a place of public accommodation). I would not want to be the test case, but I suggest that arriving with a reservation, checking in, remaining during the rental period, or checking out you would be completely free of concerns regarding firearms in your possession (openly or concealed). Once again, not earlier comments regarding the Denver metro area, where the owner of a highly regarded Italian shotgun manufacturer was arrested while checking into a luxury hotel to attend a trade show featuring fine shotguns.

5. Possession of a deadly weapon while under the influence (of intoxicating beverages or other substances) is a criminal offense. Note that this restriction is one against possession while intoxicated; one may carry in restaurants or bars so long as no intoxication is involved. Note that the typical limits and testing typical to drunk driving do not apply, only the testimony of any person who believes that you are intoxicated, so be very careful about mixing alcohol and firearms.

6. Other than the aforementioned greater Denver metro area, and perhaps Boulder (42 square miles surrounded by reality) the vast majority of Coloradoans will pay little attention, and very few cops will care even a little bit about your firearms, so long as you don't engage in stupid behaviors.

7. Signs prohibiting firearms on private property will be seen. These do not carry the force of law per se; a person violating the property owner's limits may be required to leave, otherwise being treated as a trespasser and subject to misdemeanor or petty offense charge for such.

8. Personally, I make a habit of keeping my concealed handgun permit next to my driver license, and in any circumstances requiring contact with law enforcement officers I make a point of presenting both. Not required by state or local laws, but I consider it a basic courtesy. The only time I recall this taking place was a relatively minor traffic accident, but the investigating officer seemed to appreciate my gesture.

In case I failed to mention this, all bets are off within the greater Denver metropolitan area. One may expect to have state laws ignored while local ordnances are enforced without mercy, and the usual constitutional liberties are not closely adhered to in all cases.

Enjoy your visit!
 
Thanks for the responses. Sounds like circumspection is in order.

But, what to make of the highlighted sentence?



I am gonna be in the Denver metro area....
 
That sentence seems to leave open the idea of WHO's plain view it is in. Maybe as long as you can see it it's ok?

(Not a lawyer, even on tv...)
 
Does Colorado recognize any out of state concealed carry permits? I have the two mentioned above, plus Arizona. In Oregon, when stopped by a cop, they know when they walk up to your rig that you have a carry permit, it is linked to your vehicle license. I have been asked a couple times the location of the weapon.
 
Be aware that when exiting the state of Colorado, some other State Highway Patrol agencies will delight in pulling over out-of-state vehicles in order to search for contraband that may be legal in Colorado but not in theirs; mostly looking for marijuana mules. Even geezers driving shiny new pickups; ask me how I know this. I would suggest that you know and comply with those other states CCW & firearms transit laws as well. -S2
 
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Onomea said:
Thanks for the responses. Sounds like circumspection is in order.

But, what to make of the highlighted sentence?



I am gonna be in the Denver metro area....
Click to expand...

What I make of the highlighted sentence is that someone has offered a considered opinion on applicable laws, and that is worth taking into consideration. How accurate that opinion may be is open to debate.

What I mentioned earlier still applies, even with the caveat that I used about "arguably", that when someone is on the premises of a residential facility (hotel, motel, etc) with reservations and intent to use that property as a domicile (although temporarily) that person is on property under his lawful control (admittedly limited in scope) as a tenant, thus occupying private property not subject to Colorado carry laws (which apply only on public property).

Again, there is a significant difference between public property (parks, streets, sidewalks, public buildings, etc) and places of public accommodation (private property remaining under the exclusive control of owners, agents, or those with lawful interests such as lawful tenants).

And again, I would not recommend being the test case. I do not recommend any Colorado detention centers or jails, I do not like to waste my money on attorneys or bail bondsmen.

Coming and going from an automobile in a hotel parking lot as a registered guest, a firearm inside a closed piece of baggage, absent other facts there is no likelihood of anything approaching probable cause to search, seize, detain, or arrest. Where is the harm? I see no foul. A tree might have fallen in a forest far away, but no one around me heard a sound.

Discretion. Out of sight, out of mind. Don't ask, don't tell.

Especially if you must be in the Denver metro area.
 
Igiveup said:
Does Colorado recognize any out of state concealed carry permits? I have the two mentioned above, plus Arizona. In Oregon, when stopped by a cop, they know when they walk up to your rig that you have a carry permit, it is linked to your vehicle license. I have been asked a couple times the location of the weapon.
Click to expand...

Colorado reciprocates with over 30 other states in honoring concealed carry permits. Basically, if another state honors Colorado permits that state's permits are honored in Colorado.

I am not aware of any linkage between concealed handgun permits and license plates or driver licenses in Colorado (although it would not surprise me in this modern age of digital information). There is no duty to inform police, but I recommend doing so as a simple courtesy that might prevent unnecessary grief.
 
CBI

Igiveup said:
Does Colorado recognize any out of state concealed carry permits? I have the two mentioned above, plus Arizona. In Oregon, when stopped by a cop, they know when they walk up to your rig that you have a carry permit, it is linked to your vehicle license. I have been asked a couple times the location of the weapon.
Click to expand...

Best source on Reciprocity;

Google CBI and CHP Reciprocity.

Apparently we can't leave a link to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations.
 
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