Is a Virginia Resident Permit Valid in Colorado?

Why

• Colorado's official reciprocity list includes Virginia.
• The agreement covers only permits issued to Virginia residents.

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

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Colorado, these rules replace the ones you know from Virginia.

• 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 Virginia resident permit valid in Colorado?

Colorado accepts the Virginia resident permit. Bring the permit itself when you carry; Colorado's own carry rules apply during your stay.

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.

Where does Colorado publish its official reciprocity list?

Colorado publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.