Free Colorado Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale
Colorado has been one of the strictest states for private firearm transfers since the 2013 post-Newtown reforms — universal background checks apply to almost every transfer, and the 2024 three-day waiting period (HB 23-1219) added another layer. Private sellers cannot simply hand a firearm to a buyer; the transfer must run through an FFL who conducts the CBI InstaCheck and observes the waiting period. A bill of sale documents the transaction for both parties' records, but it does not replace the legally required FFL process.
Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Remove it for €4.99. Already subscribed? Sign in.
Colorado Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Colorado state sales tax of 2.9% plus local add-ons applies to firearm purchases from dealers. Private-party sales between individuals are generally not subject to sales tax, but the FFL processing the transfer typically charges a transfer fee ($30-75) which may include applicable taxes on the fee itself.
Inspection Requirements
No firearm inspection. The mandatory steps are: meeting at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), the buyer completing ATF Form 4473, the FFL submitting the buyer's information to CBI for the InstaCheck background check, and observing the three-day waiting period under HB 23-1219 before delivery (with limited exceptions).
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by No firearm registration in Colorado — not the same agency that handles cars in Colorado. Plan for separate filings.
Colorado Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Both buyer and seller meet at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) — gun store, pawn shop, or licensed transfer agent
- Buyer completes ATF Form 4473 at the FFL
- FFL submits buyer's information to Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for InstaCheck background check
- Observe the three-day waiting period under HB 23-1219 before the buyer can take possession
- Buyer must be 21 or older for handguns and most long guns (Colorado raised the age in 2023)
- Bill of sale records make, model, type, caliber, serial number, sale price, and date
- Include both parties' full legal names, addresses, and government-issued ID numbers
- Pay the FFL's transfer fee (typically $30-75)
- Both parties keep signed copies of the bill of sale and any FFL paperwork provided
- Do not hand over the firearm directly between private parties — that's a felony in Colorado
Common Pitfalls
- Conducting a private transfer without going through an FFL — illegal in Colorado since 2013, classified as a misdemeanor for first offense and felony for repeats
- Assuming family transfers are exempt — Colorado's exemptions are narrow (immediate family gifts, inheritance, antique firearms pre-1899, and a few others)
- Trying to skip the three-day waiting period — HB 23-1219 (2024) mandates it with very limited exceptions
- Not verifying buyer is 21+ — Colorado raised the minimum age for most firearm purchases in 2023
- Selling to someone who is a "prohibited person" — felons, domestic violence offenders, those subject to ERPO/red flag orders cannot legally receive firearms
- Forgetting Colorado's "large capacity magazine" ban (over 15 rounds) — sales/transfers within Colorado are restricted
- Not documenting serial number on the bill of sale — critical if the firearm is later stolen or recovered
- Assuming Colorado follows federal rules only — state law adds universal background checks, three-day wait, and red flag (ERPO) provisions
Pro Tip
Colorado's firearm transfer rules are among the strictest in the country: universal background check, three-day wait, age 21 minimum, and FFL-mediated transfer for nearly all sales. Get the legal process right at the FFL, and use the bill of sale as your personal record of the transaction.