2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Colorado (CO) for 2026

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    • Written by Maley DeVriendt
    • Post authorWritten by: Maley DeVriendt
    • Post dateDecember 12, 2025
    • Updated dateDecember 12, 2025
    • 6 min read

    How to Sell a Gun in CO for Cash: The 2026 CashMyGuns Guide

    How to Sell a Gun in Colorado for Cash in 2026

    Selling a gun in Colorado requires knowledge of the state’s laws to ensure compliance and prevent serious criminal penalties. Colorado has a Universal Background Check law (C.R.S. 18-12-112) which mandates that virtually all firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals—including sales, gifts, or loans—must be processed through a licensed gun dealer (FFL), with limited exceptions for immediate family transfers.

    The state has various laws concerning the ownership, transfer, and the carrying of firearms. If you are considering selling a gun to another individual, you must be fully informed and up to speed with the laws that regulate transfers to ensure you are in compliance and not breaking any laws.

    The following information is compiled from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

    Best options for selling a gun in Colorado in 2026?

    There are many ways to handle the sale of firearms in Colorado, giving sellers a variety of options to choose from.

    • Sell to CashMyGuns.com – Colorado Best choice in 2026

      CashMyGuns.com provides a reliable online service for anyone looking to sell a firearm. Our process is simple, secure and fully compliant with Colorado firearm laws. Share the make, model and condition of your gun, and you’ll receive an instant offer right away.

    • Sell to a licensed local dealer

      One option is to sell your firearm to a licensed local dealer. This approach helps ensure full compliance with Colorado firearm laws, but sellers often receive significantly less than true market value when choosing this route.

    • Sell through a private firearm sale

      Gun owners may also complete a private firearm sale. In Colorado any gun owner selling or transferring a firearm to a non-immediate family member must comply with state law (C.R.S. 18-12-112) by arranging for a background check to be conducted through a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL), though immediate family members—defined as spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts, and uncles (in-laws excluded)—are exempt from this requirement; however, the firearm must not be transferred to any family member who is legally prohibited from purchasing and/or possessing a firearm.

      Failure to comply with the provisions of this section constitutes a Class 1 Misdemeanor and also prohibits the convicted person from possessing a firearm for two years per state law (C.R.S. 18-12-112 (9)(a)).
      View ATF guidance for private firearm transfers.

    • Dispose of a firearm legally

      If the goal is simply to dispose of a firearm legally, owners can surrender it to local law enforcement. This method is safe and compliant, but it may result in losing out on the potential value the firearm could earn in a legitimate sale.

    2026 State laws and requirements for selling a gun in Colorado

    Any individual purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer (FFL) is required by federal law to complete the ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record). Furthermore, under the permanent provisions of the Federal Brady Law, the firearms purchaser must undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check, which the licensed firearms dealer performs.

    This check is crucial as it indicates to the dealer whether the purchaser’s background legally allows them to complete the firearm purchase. Should the NICS check result in a denial that the purchaser believes is unwarranted, a formal appeal process is available to challenge the decision and potentially receive the necessary clearance to complete the transaction.

    2026 Firearm Ownership Prohibitors in Colorado

    In Colorado, there are both state and federal disqualifications that will prevent a buyer from purchasing a gun, including, but not limited to, conviction of a felony or a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, being subject to certain court protection orders, and being adjudicated as a mental defective or involuntarily committed to a mental institution.

    The following disqualifies a person in Colorado from purchasing a firearm.

    • R.S. 18-12-108(3) and (4)(c) – Has Been Adjudicated Delinquent for a crime, which if committed as an adult, would be a felony.
    • R.S. 18-3-204-Third Degree Assault- victim was LEO, Emergency Responder, Mental Health Provider in the performance of their duties. Pursuant to sentencing guidelines, an individual could receive a misdemeanor sentence of 24-48 months, thereby disqualifying a person per 18 U.S.C. §922 (g) (1).

    FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

    • Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
    • Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
    • Felony pre-trial release.
    • Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
    • Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
    • Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
    • Renounced U.S. citizenship.
    • Illegal alien.

    Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

    The process of selling a firearm in Colorado is highly regulated and complex due to the state’s Universal Background Check law (C.R.S. § 18-12-112).

    This law mandates that all private sales to non-immediate family members must be processed through a licensed dealer (FFL). Failure to comply is a serious crime, punishable as a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Navigating this strict compliance and the associated legal liability can be overwhelming.

    Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun, ensuring 100% compliance with all Colorado and federal regulations.

    We eliminate the hard part by utilizing our Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), who is government-licensed to manage the mandatory legal transfer and fully assumes the compliance liability by running the required background check on the receiving end.

    The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house: simply tell us which firearm(s) you wish to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us.

    When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days, making the process safe, quick, and completely hassle-free.

    When you use Dunlap Gun Buyers, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

    Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

    Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

    Begin our safe and discrete process here.

    2026 Colorado General Resources

    “DISCLAIMER”

    The content on this website is provided as a general informational resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice. While CashMyGuns.com makes every effort to gather and present accurate, reliable, and up to date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the material on this site or any external links.

    Anyone using the information found here does so at their own risk. Before selling or transferring a firearm, users should always consult official Colorado firearm law resources or seek guidance from a qualified attorney to ensure full legal compliance.

    2026 Colorado Gun Sale FAQ's

    • Can I legally sell a gun in Colorado in 2026?

      Yes, you can legally sell a firearm in Colorado in 2026 as long as you meet state and federal requirements. Private sales between law-abiding residents are allowed, and Colorado does not require permits, registration, or background checks for private transactions. However, you must verify that the buyer is 18 or older for rifles and shotguns, and 21 or older for handguns.

    • What's the safest way to sell my gun in Colorado?

      The safest way to sell your gun is through a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) who can handle the transaction professionally and ensure all legal requirements are met. This option provides documentation, handles background checks if needed, and offers protection for both buyer and seller. Alternative options include private sales with proper verification and documentation, though these place more responsibility on you to ensure legal compliance.

    • Do I need a permit to sell a handgun in Colorado?

      No, Colorado does not require a permit to sell a handgun in a private transaction. The state has no permit-to-purchase requirements, no waiting periods, and no registration system for firearms. However, federal law still applies, meaning you cannot knowingly sell to a prohibited person.

    • Can I sell a gun directly to another person for cash?

      Yes, private cash sales are legal in Alabama between eligible individuals. Colorado law does not mandate background checks for private sales, though it's recommended to verify the buyer's eligibility. While not required by law, keeping a bill of sale with the buyer's information and firearm details is a smart practice for your protection.

    • Do I need to register my gun before selling it?

      No, Colorado does not have gun registration, so there's no requirement to register your firearm before selling it. You can sell your gun without any state-mandated paperwork, though maintaining a personal record of the transaction is advisable.

    • What are the age requirements for selling firearms in Colorado?

      Buyers must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns, and ammunition. For handguns, buyers must be at least 21 years old. Colorado Code specifically prohibits selling, giving, or lending a handgun to anyone under 18 years of age.

    • How can I ensure the buyer is legally allowed to own a firearm?

      While Colorado doesn't require background checks for private sales, federal law prohibits selling to certain individuals, including convicted felons, those with domestic violence convictions, individuals with restraining orders, and those adjudicated as mentally unfit. You can verify eligibility by checking a valid ID and asking about their legal status, or you can complete the transfer through a licensed dealer who will perform a background check.

    • Can I sell my gun online in Colorado?

      Yes, you can sell guns online through various platforms and marketplaces. However, if shipping a firearm across state lines, federal law requires the gun be sent to a licensed dealer (FFL) in the buyer's state. For in-state sales arranged online, you can complete the transfer directly with the buyer following Colorado's private sale regulations.

    • What information should I include in a bill of sale?

      A proper firearm bill of sale should include the make, model, caliber, and serial number of the gun, along with both the buyer's and seller's names, addresses, and signatures. The date of sale should also be recorded. While Colorado doesn't legally require a bill of sale, having this documentation protects both parties and provides a record of the transfer.

    • Are there restrictions on selling certain types of firearms?

      Yes, certain firearms are subject to federal restrictions under the National Firearms Act (NFA). These include machine guns, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and suppressors. Selling firearms with altered or removed serial numbers is also illegal. Additionally, Colorado law prohibits certain devices designed to convert pistols into machine guns.

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