We’re sharing the following information from Colorado State University Extension with all Larimer County 4-H Shooting Sports members and leaders. Click here for the original document.
Colorado House Bill 24-1348 became law effective January 1, 2025. The law implements new storage requirements for firearms left in unattended vehicles in Colorado.
The text of the law can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1348, in addition to the following summary of its requirements:
“The act prohibits knowingly leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the handgun is stored in a locked hard-sided container that is placed out of plain view and the container is in a locked vehicle, the locked trunk of the locked vehicle, or a locked recreational vehicle.
The act prohibits knowingly leaving a firearm that is not a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the firearm is stored in a locked hard-sided or soft-sided container that is placed out of plain view and the container is in a locked vehicle, the locked trunk of the locked vehicle, or a locked recreational vehicle. A firearm that is not a handgun that is stored in a soft-sided container must have a locking device installed on the firearm while stored in the soft-sided container.
A person who is considered to have a disability who stores a firearm in a locked soft-sided container does not violate the requirement to store a firearm in a hard-sided container. The act includes exceptions from the storage requirement for storing antique firearms, storing a firearm that is a not a handgun in a vehicle being used for farm or ranch operations, a person who lives in a vehicle or in a recreational vehicle, peace officers and active members of the armed forces, and certain activities related to lawful hunting.
Unsafe storage of a firearm in a vehicle is a civil infraction.”
The safe handling of firearms is one of the most important life skills we teach to our 4-H Shooting Sports members, and we encourage you to review this new law. We expect our staff and volunteers to take steps required by the law during all 4-H Shooting Sports activities. Additional firearms safety and storage information can be found in the Minimum Standards & Best Management Practices of a 4-H Shooting Sports Program.
