How buying a gun in Colorado Springs works
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where Colorado law allows.
Colorado mandates a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check for dealer and most private sales, with a three-day waiting period from the check's start before delivery. Buyers must be at least 21, with few exceptions. Magazines over 15 rounds cannot be sold or transferred. Starting August 1, 2026, purchasing specified semi-automatic firearms requires a safety course and a sheriff-issued eligibility card.
Dealers in these communities all work for Colorado Springs-area buyers:
- Manitou Springs
- Fountain
- Monument
- Security-Widefield
- Falcon
- Woodland Park
- Black Forest
- Palmer Lake
Carrying a gun in El Paso County
Colorado does not permit concealed carry without a license. The El Paso County Sheriff issues permits to residents 21 and older who complete a training course and pass a background check; permits last five years. Open carry is generally allowed but can be restricted locally. Since 2021, cities and counties may set their own firearm rules, including carry limits in specific areas. Check local laws where you live and travel.
Hunting near Colorado Springs
Most deer and elk rifle hunting in Colorado requires a limited license drawn in the spring, with over-the-counter options for certain species and units. Deer rifle seasons typically occur in October and November by game management unit. Plains units along the Front Range, including those near El Paso County, have their own dates and mostly private land. Rifles must be centerfire and meet caliber and bullet-weight requirements. Review the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure for nearby units.
Colorado Springs is near Pike National Forest. Deer licenses are issued by Game Management Unit, so consult the CPW Big Game Brochure for units close to El Paso County.
The city's strong military presence and proximity to Pike National Forest make hunting and shooting sports a common activity.
Public shooting ranges near Colorado Springs
The public ranges on the city pages are run or listed by the state wildlife agency, a state forest or a national forest, chosen by distance from each city. Licenses, passes and hours are the agency's; some public ranges restrict rapid fire or large-format pistols, so read the rules.
Source: State wildlife agency and public-land range listings, September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.