Colorado Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Safety Course

Cost
$300
Class Duration
12 hours

The Colorado Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Safety Course is the complete safety course required by Colorado to purchase specified semiautomatic firearms since August 1st, 2026.

Colorado Senate Bill 25-003 requires the completion of a 12-hour in-person Extended Firearms Safety Course. This course fulfills that requirement. (If you already hold a CPW-certified hunter education card, you only need the 4-hour Basic course.) Upon completion of this class you will be issued proof of completion, and your instructor will record your result in your Colorado CPW FSS Student record within 3 business days. CPW emails you as soon as it is entered.

Before class, you must hold a valid Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card, issued by your county sheriff (Steps 1–3 on CPW's page, linked below). State law requires us to verify your card before you may attend.

Legal Details

The most relevant statutes to understand are:

  • C.R.S. § 18-12-116 — Purchase restrictions, the definition of specified semiautomatic firearms, training exemptions, eligibility requirements, and course requirements.
  • C.R.S. § 33-9-115 — CPW's firearms training and safety course record system, where course eligibility and completion are recorded.
  • C.R.S. § 18-12-101 — General definitions, including "semiautomatic firearm."

The list of specified semiautomatic firearms is maintained by the Colorado Department of Revenue and published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Use that page as the most up-to-date instructions on how to acquire your approval to purchase. This class represents "Step 4: Course & Exam."

Lessons Covered

  • State Required Firearms Safety

Required Equipment

Students are expected to bring the following equipment. Anything else will be provided by the instructor.

  • Your Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card
  • Payment for class fees
  • Pen and paper for taking notes
  • Lunch, dinner, and/or snacks

Important Details

This class does not have any kind of live fire or range requirement. It is held indoors in a classroom environment. If you bring a firearm on the premises, we may choose to clear it of ammunition and secure it for the duration of the class.

To complete the course, you must pass a final exam, including a hands-on safe-handling practical, with a score of 90% or better, as required by CPW.

Arrival instructions will be provided in an email the week prior to class.

This class is held over twelve hours in two days.

Day 1: Friday Evening

We will have a student intake and course introduction session on the Friday evening before the majority of the class. This session will last approximately one hour. This session is at the same location as the rest of the class on Saturday. This session is from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Students must bring their Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card and payment for the class. Students will receive class outline materials. This session is not optional.

Day 2: Saturday

We will begin class at 8:30 AM and end class at 7:30 PM. Students should prepare to be in the classroom the entire time. Anyone who arrives less than 15 minutes late will have to stay later. Students who are more than 15 minutes late will be ineligible for completion of the class.

The facility will provide restrooms, water, coffee and possibly additional snacks, breakfast, etc. Students may choose to order lunch and dinner at their own cost.

Students will not have to be seated for the entire duration, but must be present. We will have regular breaks and time to move around.

Basic Class Session

On Saturday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM students who possess a CPW Hunter Education card may attend the class to receive their required training. Very Important: Students with hunter education must also go through the process with their sheriff's office to receive their Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card. Please contact me prior to class to let me know you only need the 4-hour basic class.