Is a Arkansas Non-Resident Permit Valid in Colorado?

Why

• Arkansas does not issue carry permits to non-residents (requires arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty us armed forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement).

Colorado honors a permit only if the issuing state honors Colorado's CHP, the holder is 21+, is a RESIDENT of the issuing state, and carries a matching driver's license or state ID from that state. Colorado explicitly does not recognize any permit issued to a non-resident of the issuing state - a Colorado resident also cannot carry in-state on another state's non-resident permit (C.R.S. 18-12-213; CBI reciprocity page).

Carry rules in Colorado

Colorado's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• No duty to volunteer. Permittee must carry the permit plus valid photo ID whenever carrying and must produce both upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a class 1 petty offense (C.R.S. 18-12-204(2)(a)).
• Colorado limits magazine capacity to 15 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• Colorado is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Colorado recognizes.
• A person who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry it, loaded, in a private automobile without any permit for a legal use including self-defense (C.R.S. 18-12-204(3)(a)); this does not extend onto school grounds under 18-12-105.5.

Off-limits places in Colorado

• K-12 public school grounds (permittee's handgun may remain in a locked vehicle)
• Public buildings with permanent security screening and guards at each entrance
• State legislative and local government buildings (SB24-131, eff. 2024-07-01)
• Courthouses and buildings used for court proceedings
• Colleges, universities and licensed childcare center buildings (SB24-131)
• Polling places, central count facilities, and within 100 feet of a ballot drop box during elections

Frequently asked questions

Is a Arkansas non-resident permit valid in Colorado?

Arkansas has no non-resident permit program (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement). Travelers who want multi-state coverage usually pair their home-state permit with a widely honored non-resident permit from another state.

Do I have to tell police in Colorado that I am carrying?

No duty to volunteer. Permittee must carry the permit plus valid photo ID whenever carrying and must produce both upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a class 1 petty offense (C.R.S. 18-12-204(2)(a)).

Does Colorado limit magazine capacity?

Colorado limits magazine capacity to 15 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.

Does Arkansas issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Arkansas issues carry permits to residents only (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.