Is a Colorado Non-Resident Permit Valid in Arizona?

Why

• Colorado does not issue carry permits to non-residents (no non-resident permits. armed-forces members stationed in colorado on permanent duty station orders, and their immediate family living in colorado, are deemed legal residents (c.r.s. 18-12-203(1)(a))).

A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q): Arizona recognizes any other state's permit if it is valid in the issuing state and the holder is legally present and not prohibited — no resident-only condition, so non-resident permits qualify. But out-of-state permit holders under 21 may not carry concealed in Arizona (§ 13-3112(S)).

Carry rules in Arizona

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

• No proactive duty, but if an officer asks whether you are carrying a concealed deadly weapon you must answer accurately (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b)); permit holders must present the permit for inspection on request (§ 13-3112(A), civil penalty up to $300).
• Arizona sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Arizona allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Anyone 21+ who may lawfully possess may carry a loaded handgun, concealed, in a vehicle without a permit; under-21s are limited to visible-holster or cased transport.

Off-limits places in Arizona

Arizona bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• School grounds (K-12)
• Polling places on election day

See all 5 places you can't carry in Arizona →

Colorado vs Arizona: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Colorado into Arizona changes 3 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); magazine limit (15 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (34 states → All states).

Going the other way, an Arizona non-resident permit in Colorado: not recognized.

Permits that do work in Arizona

These non-resident permits are honored in Arizona, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states

Driving on from Arizona

How a Colorado non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Arizona:

• California — No such permit issued
• Nevada — No such permit issued
• New Mexico — No such permit issued
• Utah — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Arizona honor a Colorado resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Arizona treats the two permit types differently.

Can an Arizona non-resident permit holder carry in Colorado?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Colorado's law, not Arizona's.

Does Colorado issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Colorado issues carry permits to residents only (no non-resident permits. Armed-forces members stationed in Colorado on permanent duty station orders, and their immediate family living in Colorado, are deemed legal residents (C.R.S. 18-12-203(1)(a))). 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.