Colorado 80 Percent Lower Laws

Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).

Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.

To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here. 

What is an 80% Lower?

An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80 percent lower receivers we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.

Are 80 Lowers Legal In Colorado?

SB23-279 was signed into law on June 2nd 2023. According to the Colorado state senate bill, 80% lower receivers and frames will no longer be legal for residents of Colorado to manufacture, possess or sell 80 lowers or unfinished pistol frames beginning January 1, 2024. 

While 80 lowers may be legal per federal law, in June of 2021, Colorado reversed its preemption law which means that local governments can make their own gun regulations that are separate from the state law. There are already some Coloradan cities and localities that have banned certain firearms, parts and accessories or even 80 percent products. 

We are, unfortunately, no longer shipping any 80% lower receivers or pistol frames to the state of Colorado. 

Do I Need to Serialize My 80 Lower in Colorado?

If you build out your own firearms starting with 80 lowers in Colorado and want to be in compliance you will have to get the lower receiver engraved by a FFL. Should you wish to serialize your lower receiver we offer custom engraving for our lowers which can help you remain compliant with the law. 

Key Gun Laws in Colorado

Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Colorado.

Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements

In the state of Colorado, anyone the age of 18 years or older is eligible to purchase a long gun and anyone the age of 21 years or older can purchase a handgun. There are no permits or any extra identification documents required to purchase handguns in Colorado other than a driver’s license. All firearm purchases and private party transfers require a background check (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Colorado is a point of contact for the NICS and does have laws requiring firearms dealers to initiate the background check prior to transferring a firearm. However, Colorado uses their own system called the Colorado Bureau of Investigation or (“CBI”). The DROS process and the background check can take up to half an hour but buyers are allowed to take their firearms home the same day they purchase unless there is a flag in the system.

Open and Concealed Carrying

Colorado allows open carry in just about the whole state except for Denver county and persons must be at least 18 years of age and legally allowed to possess a firearm. Conceal carry weapon permits ,or “CCW’s,” are offered only to residents at least 21 years old but not non-residents. Colorado is a “shall issue” state. Be aware of the limits of open and conceal carrying by checking the state restrictions. To see which states’ concealed carry permits it honors check this reciprocity map here.

NFA Restrictions

Hunting with suppressors is currently legal. There isn’t a statewide assault weapons ban but certain cities in Colorado do have assault weapon bans (“AWB”) in place. However, not every city’s AWB ordinance is enforceable due to Colorado’s statewide preemption law.

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

There is a 15 round magazine capacity restriction in Colorado but NFA weapons and related items are unrestricted.

Mandatory Storage Requirements

Residents of Colorado should be aware of “safe storage” laws and mandatory firearm storage requirements in Colorado.

Self-Defense

Colorado does have a Castle Doctrine law in place and the state does allow you to “Stand Your Ground.”

Ammunition Purchase

No state permit or background check is required to purchase any ammunition in Colorado nor are any records of ammo purchases kept. Under the Gun Control Act (GCA) ammo for shotguns and rifles can be sold to individuals 18 years of age or older. Any handgun ammo and online purchases of ammo shipped to Colorado requires buyers to be at least 21 years old.