Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card
General Information
Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card (SB25-003)
Beginning August 1, 2026, Colorado Senate Bill 25-003 (SB25-003) establishes new requirements for individuals seeking to purchase or transfer certain specified semiautomatic firearms. Before enrolling in a required Colorado Parks and Wildlife firearms safety course, applicants must first obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card from a Colorado Sheriff’s Office.
The El Paso County Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card application will be available on August 1, 2026.
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
Before You Apply
Before applying for a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card, applicants must:
- Be legally eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law.
- Obtain a third-party name-based national and Colorado public criminal history background check completed within 90 days of submitting your application. We cannot recommend a vendor for this process.
- Attestation completed by the third-party vendor verifying the background check was performed by the vendor in the regular course of its business.
Important Information
- The Firearms Safety Course Card is required before you may enroll in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety Course required by SB25-003.
- The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office does not provide the required firearms safety courses. Courses are taught by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety Program (FSP) Instructors.
- The Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card is not a permit to purchase or possess a firearm.
How the Process Works
1
CPW Application
Submit an application through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety System, available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. If you have completed Hunter Education, enter that information in your application.
2
Submit to Sheriff
Submit your application to the Sheriff’s Office. Provide a government-issued photo ID and a third-party name-based national and Colorado public criminal history background check completed within 90 days of submitting your application. Attestation completed by the third-party vendor verifying the background check was performed by the vendor in the regular course of its business. Processing fees are collected during the application process.
3
Sheriff Review
The Sheriff’s Office reviews your application to determine eligibility. If approved, your information is entered into the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety System. You will be notified if your application is approved or denied. You may also check its status online through your original application.
4
Complete Course
Once approved, you will receive an email from Parks and Wildlife identifying the course you must complete. You may then enroll with a Firearms Safety Program Instructor. After you complete the course, the instructor will enter your pass or fail into the Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety System.
5
Firearm Purchase
When purchasing a Specified Semiautomatic Firearm, the gun dealer will confirm your eligibility through the Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety System.
Application Fees
FAQs
How long is the Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card (SB25-003) valid?
The Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card is valid for five years from the date of issuance.
How much does the Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card (SB25-003) cost?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires a $52.00 processing fee for all applications. Sheriff Roybal has chosen to waive the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office processing fee for El Paso County residents. Applicants who reside outside El Paso County will be charged a $35.00 Sheriff’s Office processing fee in addition to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife processing fee.
Who needs a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card (SB25-003)?
Anyone seeking to enroll in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety Course required to purchase or transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm must first obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card from a Colorado Sheriff’s Office.
Do I have to apply through my county of residence?
No. Colorado law allows applicants to obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card from any Colorado Sheriff’s Office. Processing fees may vary by agency.
Do I need the Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card before taking the firearm safety course?
Yes. You must obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card before enrolling in the required Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety Course.
Does the Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card allow me to purchase a firearm?
No. The Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card only authorizes you to enroll in the required Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety Course. After successfully completing the course, additional requirements established by Colorado law must be met before purchasing or transferring a specified semiautomatic firearm.
Can I use a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card issued by another Colorado Sheriff’s Office?
Yes. A Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card issued by any Colorado Sheriff’s Office is valid throughout the state of Colorado.
Where can I take the required Firearms Safety Course?
The required Firearms Safety Course must be completed through a Colorado Parks and Wildlife-approved instructor. A list of approved instructors, course schedules, and registration information is available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
How recent does my third-party background check need to be?
Your third-party name-based national and Colorado public criminal history background check must be no more than 90 days old when you submit your application.
Resources
El Paso County Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card Application
This link will take you to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office application page.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife SSF Website
This link will take you to the Parks and Wildlife Specified Semiautomatic Firearms page.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms List
This link will take you to the Colorado Department of Revenue list of specified semiautomatic firearms.