thank you for reading!
Don't miss out on this great opportunity
To enjoy this article and others, get standard digital access
$1 for 6 months
Already a subscriber?
Peggy Dollar, front left, and members of Mothers for Gun Control in America and students from Denver metropolitan schools rally for gun violence measures in front of the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. About 100 people gathered for the rally. (Photo by Hyun Chang/Denver Post)
Colorado has made it a misdemeanor to knowingly carry a firearm on school grounds, at a polling place or in a government building under a law signed by Gov. Jared Polis on Friday.
The ban, which goes into effect July 1, includes open and concealed carry of firearms and applies to public and private schools, universities and child care facilities. Exceptions are made for law enforcement, military, security personnel and some other personnel who carry firearms as part of their official duties. Concealed carry permit holders can carry firearms in parking lots adjacent to prohibited areas.
As the bill made its way through Congress, several other proposed gun-free zones were removed.
The ban applies to state capitols and state lawmakers. During debate, Republican lawmakers questioned the constitutionality of applying it to them, some of whom carry firearms inside the Capitol, if it interferes with their ability to represent their constituents.
Local governments may also exempt themselves from the ban within their jurisdictions. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution on May 14 to do just that.
Senate Bill 131 is one of several new bills regulating the possession and sale of firearms moving through the Legislature this year. Governor Polis has already signed bills requiring the safe storage of firearms in vehicles, providing more funding to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to investigate firearms-related crimes, and mandating certain merchant regulations for the sale of firearms and ammunition. Bills requiring licenses for firearms dealers, as well as new requirements for concealed carry permits, are awaiting the Governor's action.
Voters will decide in November on a proposal to tax the sale of firearms and ammunition to fund mental health services and support for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes.
Stay up to date on Colorado politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.
Read more at The Denver Post
