Is a Colorado Non-Resident Permit Valid in Minnesota?

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))).

DPS publishes the recognized-state list annually (Minn. Stat. 624.714 subd. 16); the statute recognizes 'a person holding a carry permit' from a qualifying state without requiring residency in the issuing state. NOT recognized (2026 list): Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Several states are recognized only conditionally — see overrides.

Carry rules in Minnesota

Crossing into Minnesota swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• No proactive duty: the permit card and ID must be displayed upon lawful demand, and the holder must disclose whether they are carrying only upon a peace officer's request (Minn. Stat. 624.714 subd. 1b).
• Minnesota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Minnesota is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Minnesota recognizes.
• A permit is required to carry a loaded pistol in a motor vehicle; without a permit, pistols must be transported unloaded and cased under the Minn. Stat. 624.714 transport exceptions.

Off-limits places in Minnesota

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

• School property, except in a vehicle or placing/retrieving from the trunk (Minn. Stat. 609.66 subd. 1d)
• Courthouse complexes, unless the permit holder has notified the sheriff (Minn. Stat. 609.66 subd. 1g)

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

Colorado vs Minnesota: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Colorado into Minnesota changes 3 rules: magazine limit (15 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (34 states → 33 states); open carry (Yes, no permit → With a permit).

Going the other way, a Minnesota non-resident permit in Colorado: not recognized.

Permits that do work in Minnesota

These non-resident permits are honored in Minnesota, 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
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Nevada non-resident permit · honored in 31 states

Driving on from Minnesota

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

• Iowa — No such permit issued
• North Dakota — No such permit issued
• South Dakota — No such permit issued
• Wisconsin — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Minnesota honor a Colorado resident permit?

Recognized — carry with your permit. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Minnesota treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Minnesota 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 Minnesota'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.