Concealed Handgun Permit
General Information
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to provide you with the following information regarding the Concealed Handgun Permit Application process: information packet, application, required fees, procedures and guidelines. Our program complies with Colorado Revised Statutes 18-12-201 through 18-12-207.
CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMITS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Please call 719-520-7249 to schedule an appointment. Please have your proof of training available for verification when calling to schedule your appointment.
- The completed unsigned two page application. If the application is not fully completed, it cannot be processed.
- Valid Colorado Drivers License or State ID with full legal name and current El Paso County address.
- $135.00 payable by CASH (exact change REQUIRED, the Sheriff’s Office cannot make change), DEBIT/CREDIT CARD with 2.39% bank fee or $2.00 or whichever is greater, PERSONAL CHECK, MONEY ORDER, or CASHIER’S CHECK; non-cash payments are made payable to E.P.S.O. This includes the fee for the background, fingerprint check (CBI Cost) and the processing fee for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
- Proof of firearms training. *See below for firearms training requirements
Your initial appointment will take approximately 20 minutes. At that time, your application will be reviewed, a photo and signature will be obtained, fees will be collected, and your fingerprints will be taken.
Renewal Applications
- Renewal applications RECEIVED on or after July 1, 2025, are subject to new training requirements – there is no grace period.
- Renewals must include the original proof of training certificate dated within 6 months of the renewal application receipt date. Copies of certificates will NOT be accepted.
- Expired permits have a 6-month grace period in which to renew. Applications received after the 6-month grace period will not be processed and will be returned.
- Renewal applications may be submitted no more than 120 days prior to the expiration date. Renewal applications submitted prior to the 120 days before expiration date will be returned.
- Proof of firearms training. *See below for firearms training requirements
Contact Information
Phone
(719) 520-7249
Fax
(719) 471-1461
Email
chp@elpasoco.com
Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
Concealed Handgun Program
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Hours of Operation
8:00am – 4:30pm
Concealed Handgun Permit Information
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to provide you with the following information regarding our Verified Firearms Instructor Program: information packet, application, procedures and guidelines. Our program complies with HB24-1174 and Colorado Revised Statutes 18-12-201 through 18-12-207.
Verified CHP Firearms Instructor General Information
Effective July 1, 2025, all firearms training certificates submitted for a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) must be completed through an instructor verified by a Colorado county sheriff’s office. To be verified by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, instructors must meet the following criteria:
- Valid Colorado Driver’s License or ID
- Valid Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit
- Proof you are a certified firearms instructor, such as an NRA instructor certificate or Colorado POST instructor certificate
- Class training location must be within El Paso County
- Concealed Handgun Training class syllabus
- Completed, signed Verified CHP Firearms Instructor Application
- Sheriff Roybal has chosen to waive all fees for this program.
Upon approval, you will receive a Certificate of Verification and your information will be added to our public list of Verified Instructors. This verification process will be valid for 10 years, provided the instructor’s proof of firearms training certification remains valid. To that end, the expiration date which appears on your Certificate of Verification will match the expiration date of the submitted proof of firearms instructor certification. When updated firearms certification is received, the instructor will receive an updated Certificate of Verification.
Please note, during this 10-year verification period, it is the responsibility of the instructor to inform the CHP Unit of firearms instructor certification renewals. Failure to do so will result in removal from the public list of Verified Instructors. There is no grace period for expired instructor certifications.
If you reside in El Paso County and do not have a CHP permit, please contact (719) 520-7249 to schedule an appointment.
Additionally, if the instructor’s principal place of business changes location, please notify the CHP Unit within 30 days of your new business address.
For detailed instructions on how to apply, please see the Verified CHP Firearms Instructor Information Packet.
Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays. In the event of inclement weather, please call 719-520-7249.
Please call 719-520-7249 to schedule an appointment. Please have your proof of training available for verification when calling to schedule your appointment.
Your initial appointment will take approximately 20 minutes. At that time, your application will be reviewed, a photo and signature will be obtained, fees will be collected, and your fingerprints will be taken.
- The completed unsigned two page application. If the application is not fully completed, it cannot be processed.
- Valid Colorado Drivers License or State ID with full legal name and current El Paso County address.
- $135.00 payable by CASH (exact change REQUIRED, the Sheriff’s Office cannot make change), DEBIT/CREDIT CARD with 2.39% bank fee or $2.00 or whichever is greater, PERSONAL CHECK, MONEY ORDER, or CASHIER’S CHECK; non-cash payments are made payable to E.P.S.O. This includes the fee for the background, fingerprint check (CBI Cost) and the processing fee for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
- Proof of firearms training. *See below for firearms training requirements.
Pursuant to C.R.S. 18-12-211 (1) (a) a permit may be renewed within 120 days prior to the expiration date.
Courtesy renewal reminder notices are typically mailed approximately 120 days prior to the permit expiration date. Please note that no permit will be renewed more than four months ahead of its expiration date, nor six months or more after its expiration date.
The following three items are required to renew your El Paso County Concealed Handgun Permit:
- Completed and signed RENEWAL application.
- COLOR copy (front and back) of your valid Colorado Driver’s License with your full legal name AND current El Paso County address.
- A $63.00 PERSONAL CHECK, MONEY ORDER or CASHIER’s CHECK made payable to E.P.S.O.
- Proof of firearms training. *See below for firearms training requirements.
Please return the above listed items by mail or in person to:
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: CHP
27. E. Vermijo Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Additional firearms training is NOT required for the renewal process
- The renewal process can take up to 90 days to complete. Concealed Handgun Permits will be mailed to your listed El Paso County address.
- If you would like to pay for your renewal by credit card, please call 719-520-7119 to make an appointment.
All Out of County Renewals will require an in-person appointment. Please contact us at 719-520-7119 to schedule an appointment to renew in El Paso County.
You will need the following documents:
- Completed and signed RENEWAL application.
- Front and back color copy of your valid Colorado Driver’s License with your full legal name and current El Paso County address.
- Front and back color copy of your current county’s Concealed Handgun Permit.
- A $63.00 personal check, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to E.P.S.O.
- Submit proof of training demonstrating competence with a handgun. *See below for firearms training requirements.
- Be 21 years of age or older at the time of the application.
- Be a resident of El Paso County (active military stationed in El Paso County qualify as residents with a Military ID and PCS Orders).
- Provide a valid Colorado Driver’s License or Colorado ID or a Military ID and PCS orders.
- Submit proof of firearms training within the last ten years.
- Successfully complete a background investigation.
- Submit proof of training demonstrating competence with a handgun. *See below for firearms training requirements.
The applicant demonstrates competence with a handgun by submitting any of the following:
For New Applications:
- Evidence of experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competitions, current military service, or current certification as a peace officer pursuant to article 2.5 of title 16;
- Evidence that, at the time the application is submitted, the applicant is a certified instructor;
- Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces within the three years preceding submittal of the application;
- Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application;
- A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the application;
- A training certificate from a concealed handgun training class obtained within the one year preceding submittal of the application. The applicant shall submit the original training certificate that includes the printed name and original signature of the verified instructor. To the extent permitted by section 18-12-202.5, in obtaining a training certificate from a concealed handgun training class, the applicant has discretion in selecting which concealed handgun training class to complete. A Refresher Class certificate is not valid for a new application.
- Evidence of demonstrating competence with firearms through participation in organized shooting competitions, current military service, or current certification as a peace officer pursuant to article 2.5 of title 16;
- Evidence that, at the time the application is submitted, the applicant is a verified instructor;
- Proof of honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the renewal form;
- A certificate showing retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency that reflects pistol qualifications obtained within the ten years preceding submittal of the renewal form; or
- A training certificate that includes the original signature of the class instructor from a concealed handgun training class or a refresher class, described in section 18-12-202.5, obtained within six months prior to submitting a renewal form.
FAQs
How long is the permit good for?
Pursuant to C.R.S. 18-12-204 (1) (b) a permit is valid for a five year period after the date of issuance. However, if you move out of the State of Colorado, you must complete a change of address form and turn in your permit to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as the permit will become invalid once you no longer reside within the state. Failure to notify of any change of address is a civil infraction.
How much does a new Concealed Handgun Permit cost?
$135.00 payable by CASH (exact change required), PERSONAL CHECK, MONEY ORDER, or CASHIER’S CHECK; non-cash payments are made payable to E.P.S.O. This includes the $52.50 Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) fee for the background and fingerprint check and a $82.50 processing fee for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM FINGERPRINTING OR FEES, NO EXCEPTIONS.
What if I move?
Within 30 days after a permittee changes the address specified on his or her permit, the permit holder shall notify the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, in writing, of the change of address. A change of address form is located on the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office website. Failure to notify the Sheriff’s Office is a civil infraction.
What happens if my permit is lost or stolen or destroyed?
A permit holder must notify the issuing Sheriff’s Office, in writing, within three business days of loss, theft or destruction of a Concealed Handgun Permit. The form is located on the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office website. Failure to notify the Sheriff’s Office is a civil infraction.
Do we have reciprocity with other states?
Reciprocity of Concealed Handgun Permits is for travel only.
Colorado will recognize a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun that was issued in a reciprocal state IF the permit was issued to a resident of the state that issued the permit. The permit holder must have a valid driver’s license or identification card issued from the same state that issued the permit. The permit holder must be 21 years of age or older. When you become a resident of the state of Colorado, you must apply for a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit. Your valid permit issued from a reciprocal state will only be recognized for 90 days after the date your valid Colorado driver’s license or identification card was issued.
Resources
Concealed Handgun Permit
New Application
Download this form to apply for a concealed handgun permit.
Concealed Handgun Permit – Renewal Application
Download this Renewal Application.
Verified CHP Firearms Instructor
Information Packet
Verified CHP Firearms Instructor
Application
Verified CHP Firearms Instructor List
Change of Address / Lost Permit
Download and complete this form if you have changed your address or lost your permit.
You may email the completed form to CHP@elpasoco.com
or drop it off/mail it to:
27 E. Vermijo Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Legal Name Change Information
If your legal name has changed, please call 719-520-7249 to schedule an appointment to update your name on your Concealed Handgun permit.
Please bring the following items to your name change appointment for your El Paso County Concealed Handgun Permit:
- Your updated Colorado Driver’s License.
- Your marriage license, divorce decree, or other name change document.
- A completed Change of Address form.
Alien Supplementary Questionaire
If you are a non-U.S. citizen residing in the United States, please download and complete this form. Submit the completed form along with your new or renewal application.
HR218 Information
Download this information packet for general information on HR218.
HR218 Application
Download this form to complete your HR218 application.
HR218 Range Dates
Applicants may qualify at the Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex the 1st Monday of every month.
If the 1st Monday of the month is a Federal holiday, the range date will be moved to the 2nd Monday of that month.
Range Directions
In order to renew your HR218 permit, you will need to qualify at the Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex (C.M.S.C.)
Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex:
7796 Route 1, Fort Carson, CO 80913.
Directions are: Ft. Carson Gate 20 & Highway 16 – From I-25 take Exit 132B, entrance is located on the south side of Highway 16 about 50 yards before Gate 20. Follow the road around to the complex, the E.P.S.O. Range Office is located in the “H.D. Bradley Training Facility” (grey modular building) directly in front of Range 1.