GUN SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU
Whether you own a gun, live with one in your home or want to play a role in gun violence prevention, explore tips and information here.
A common question among firearm owners: “If I use my firearm often, do I really need to lock it every time?” The answer? Yes, you do. Quick-access safes open fast. Cable locks clip on in seconds. Lock boxes move with you. Skipping storage can lead to firearms being accessible to unauthorized users. Find storage options that fit …
More common than you might think: Over 1 in 4 firearm owners in Colorado have temporarily stored a firearm outside their home in the past five years. Responsible firearm ownership includes knowing when to safely store firearms away from home, such as during travel, when guests are visiting, or when supporting a loved one’s mental health. Find …
Done at the range or wrapping up a hunt? A quick cleanup keeps your firearm reliable and you safe. • Double-check that the chamber has been unloaded and inspect it for wear. • Wipe away dirt or moisture, and clean the barrel to prevent buildup or rust. • Add a light coat of oil, and then store it …
Gearing up for a big game hunt? In Colorado, the law states that hunters must wear 500 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, plus a matching hat. These bright colors help hunters stay visible to one another, while big game animals see them very differently. Remember, camouflage patterns, even in those …
A common question from Colorado firearm owners is how to safely store a concealed carry firearm when it's not on you. • In your car: Use a lockbox designed for vehicles, ideally secured to the car frame. A glovebox or center console is not secure. • At home: Store your firearm in a locked safe or lockbox. …
In Colorado, almost 3 in 10 gun owners keep at least one firearm loaded and unlocked. That is nearly a third of households where kids, teens, or even guests could gain unauthorized access to a firearm. The safest option? Store firearms locked, unloaded, and out of sight. Because protecting the people you care about is always …
Between 2019 and 2023, there were 252 firearm deaths among children under the age of 18 in Colorado. If you have firearms at home, there are steps you can take to keep your children safe and reduce the risk of unintentional injuries, suicides, and unauthorized access. Learn more about strategies to help keep kids safer with …
It’s always a good time to give your firearm storage a quick safety check. Check your locks, test your safes, and make sure your storage setup is solid. Change all outdated passcodes and make sure every firearm is secure and out of reach from anyone who should not have it. A few simple steps now can save …
No matter the season, it’s always a good idea for gun owners to give their storage a quick safety check. With friends and family around your house, here's a quick checklist that's good to keep in mind: • Are guns unloaded? • Are your firearms locked up? • Is the gun storage out of sight? Need more information …
A locked gun safe is a good move. Want to take it up a notch? Place it somewhere out of sight. Keeping it tucked away adds another layer of protection against theft, accidents, and unauthorized access. There are plenty of ways to secure your firearm while still keeping it close and accessible when you need it. …
We know responsible gun owners care about safety and readiness. You keep your firearm in a safe place to prevent accidents, and that makes a difference. For even stronger protection, store your ammunition separately, but still where you can reach it quickly. It only takes a few extra seconds to access your ammo, load your …
Nearly 32,600 lost and stolen firearms were recovered in Colorado between 2018 and 2022. When a firearm goes missing, time matters. Colorado law requires reporting a lost or stolen gun to local law enforcement within five days. Timely reporting speeds up tracing, boosts the chance of recovery, and helps keep communities safer. Learn more about reporting lost …
No one thinks their firearms will be stolen or lost. Keeping detailed records of your firearms can help make recovery easier if the unthinkable happens. • Write down the make, model, and serial number. • Add a short description with any unique details. • Take clear photos from multiple angles. If a firearm is ever stolen, report it to …
Out enjoying Colorado’s open spaces for a little target practice? Remember these simple guidelines: • Check local ordinances and laws. • Use a solid backstop to safely stop bullets and avoid dangerous ricochets. • Make sure your target is set up in a safe direction, with no people, roads, or trails behind it. • Clean up all targets, casings, …
Heading out on a road trip? Leaving guns in your car overnight can make your vehicle an easy target for theft. If there is no way around it, unload the firearm, lock it in a secure container, and hide it, ideally in a locked trunk. Before you leave, double-check that every door is locked. The …
You’re ready for vacation. You double-checked that the garage door is closed, locked the doors, and set the thermostat, but what about your firearms? Before you leave: Unload firearms and lock them in a secure, out-of-sight location, or consider off-site storage. While you're away: Keep storage details private, avoid posting vacation plans, and ensure no one, house …
You’ve already locked your firearms up with a safe, case, or even a cable or trigger lock. But just like your car needs the occasional tune-up, your storage setup needs a check now and then. Update the combo or check the battery if it's electronic, so it continues to keep your firearms secure and out …
Now is the time to plan ahead. Whether you're just getting started as a firearm owner or you’re thinking about expanding your collection, choosing the right gun safe comes down to a few key considerations. • Plan ahead. Take stock of what you own and plan for what’s next. • Measure smart. Make sure your safe fits …
You already know the importance of storing your guns safely. But how do you ensure they are accessible during an emergency? The answer: Choosing the right safe! Here are some options: • Biometric gun safe: By using your unique biological data, like a fingerprint, these safes are easy to access and compact enough to be stored almost …
Where you store your firearm is just as important as how you store it: • Choose a discreet spot: Keep them within your reach but out of sight and access for others, avoiding common areas where they can be easily found. • Add extra security: Bolting the lockbox or safe to the floor or wall adds an …
Proper firearm storage saves lives! Whether you're a hunter, recreational shooter, or have a firearm for home defense, there’s a secure storage solution for you: • Long-term storage: A gun safe or vault is perfect for hunters and collectors to store firearms securely. • Quick-access storage: For self-defense, opt for secure options like biometric safes or traditional …
After hunting or shooting outdoors in cold weather, it’s natural for a firearm to collect moisture as it warms up. Wiping down any condensation and keeping the firearm in a dry place also ensures it stays in good condition. A well-maintained firearm is safer and more reliable, giving you peace of mind that it will …
If you’re parking with your gun in your car, keep it locked and out of sight. If your firearm is stolen from your vehicle, it’s important to take action right away:- Contact local law enforcement.- Provide details about the firearm.- File a report to help with recovery. Learn more about how to report a stolen …
If you are worried that someone may be at risk of harming themselves or others with a firearm, Colorado has tools that can help keep people safe. There are steps you can take to support someone in crisis, and an Extreme Risk Protection Order is one of the options available.
Learn more at LetsTalkGunsColorado.com/extreme-risk-protection-orders.
Colorado now offers two e-learning courses on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), tools that can help when someone poses a threat to themselves or others by having access to their firearm.
- • For health care and mental health professionals: Learn how to identify risk, understand the ERPO process, and navigate next steps.
Find the course here: https://bit.ly/3KSYShQ
- • For educators and school staff: Gain guidance on recognizing warning signs, coordinating a response, and understanding ERPO filing.
Course for higher education: https://bit.ly/42Neo4V
Course for K–12: http://bit.ly/3IPp7VX
Just as guardrails on a mountain road can keep you safer while driving, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) can help keep you or your loved one safe during a crisis. In Colorado, an ERPO is a guardrail that temporarily creates space between a person in crisis and firearms to help prevent harm and provide space for healing.
Learn more about ERPOs at LetsTalkGunsColorado.com/Extreme-Risk-Protection-Orders/.
An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) can be used when a gun owner in crisis poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themself or others by having access to a firearm.
The goal is simple: help prevent a bad day from turning into a tragic one by giving someone in crisis the chance to get the help they need.
Learn more about ERPOs in Colorado at LetsTalkGunsColorado.com/extreme-risk-protection-orders/.
An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) temporarily prevents someone in crisis from accessing firearms when they pose an immediate risk to themselves or others.
Here is why that matters: ERPOs create a temporary pause that gives individuals time to connect with mental health resources and support during a challenging moment. Learn more about ERPOs at LetsTalkGunsColorado.com/Extreme-Risk-Protection-Orders/
When someone is in crisis and other steps have not been successful or are not possible, an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) allows firearms to be temporarily separated from someone who poses a risk of harming themselves or others.
ERPOs create space for someone to get the help they need. Find out more at https://letstalkgunscolorado.com/extreme-risk-protection…/.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) help protect people who may be at-risk to themselves or others. By petitioning a judge for temporary firearm access restrictions, ERPOs provide a critical tool for preventing tragedies. It’s about protecting lives and ensuring that individuals get the help they need during a crisis.
When someone is in crisis and is a risk to themselves or others, it’s important to allow them the time to get the support they need. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) are a temporary tool to keep people safe. When used alongside other crisis resources, protection orders can prevent firearm-related tragedies.
From 2019 to 2023, construction workers experienced more than twice the number of firearm related suicides compared to the next highest industry in Colorado (source: CDPHE Colorado Violent Death Reporting System).
We can look out for our fellow Coloradans by reaching out, staying connected, and helping make sure they have the support they need.
Support is available through 988Colorado.com by chat, text, or call.
As a member of Colorado’s firearm community, you are a trusted voice. Use that trust to promote safety and care.
- • Start the conversation: If you are concerned about a fellow gun owner, be direct but compassionate.
- • Normalize help: Mental health care is a sign of strength, not weakness. Encourage others to seek support just as they would for a physical injury.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988. For more ways to talk about firearms, head to LetsTalkGunsColorado.com/Collective-Responsibility/.
If a young person in your life is going through a tough time, they don’t have to do it alone. The I Matter program provides up to six free, confidential therapy sessions for all Colorado youth. Sign up at imattercolorado.org. If they need urgent help, call or text 988.
Sometimes, stress can pile up, feeling like a heavy weight pressing down on you. Ask yourself, “Is this burden heavier than I can carry right now?” If it feels like too much, do not ignore it. Step back, take a break, talk to someone you trust, or reach out for support.
Talk to someone at 988colorado.com or find ways to care for your mental health at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/…/caring-for-your-mental-health.
When someone you care about is struggling, it’s not always clear how to help, but your support can make a real difference. From recognizing the signs of a crisis to understanding what to do and what not to do, there are steps you can take to guide them toward help. Visit 988lifeline.org/help-someone-else to learn more.
- •Life Transitions: When you’re moving, remodeling, or living in temporary housing.
- •Curious Visitors: Prevent access by children, guests, or others.
- •Traveling: Off-site storage adds peace of mind if you’re away from home.
- •Mental Health Reasons: Out-of-home gun storage can be helpful to persons in crisis experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Check out the Colorado Gun Storage Map to find locations near you: ColoradoFirearmSafetyCoalition.org/gun-storage-map/
Children usually find unsecured guns in familiar places like their home or a relative’s home. Here is how to prevent that risk.
- • Lock up your gun securely so your child can’t get to it, and keep any passcodes or keys completely hidden.
- • Talk with friends and family about how they keep their guns stored.
Find ways to start the conversation at LetsTalkGunsColorado.com/collective-responsibility/.
When you’re relaxed, it’s easier to talk about important topics like mental health and firearms. Whether you are on a drive, watching a show, or on a hike, choose a moment when the pressure is off to talk about gun safety.
Find ways to talk about guns at LetsTalkGunsColorado.com.
Nearly 30% of Colorado middle and high schoolers say they could access a loaded gun without adult permission. One of the best ways to keep kids safe? Talk to them about firearm safety. Talk honestly about real-life risks and responsibilities. Make sure kids understand that curiosity and peer pressure can lead to danger.
Visit LetsTalkGunsColorado.com for more resources to start the conversation.
Being open about your own firearm storage can help keep conversations comfortable and stress-free for everyone involved. Check out the conversation guide at AgreetoAgree.org/conversation-guides/secure-gun-storage for practical tips on starting the conversation, answering questions, and what comes next.
Over time, health conditions, memory shifts, or physical changes can make it harder to handle firearms safely, even for experienced owners. That’s why it can help to plan ahead. Talk with someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or doctor, about what makes sense moving forward. That might include storage options or passing down firearms as part of your legacy.
Someone handling a firearm unsafely can put everyone at risk. Speaking up isn’t always easy, but as responsible gun owners, we have a shared duty to promote safety. A simple conversation could help prevent an accident and even save a life.
