Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card

Beginning August 1, 2026, Colorado Senate Bill 25-003 prohibits the purchase or transfer of specified semiautomatic firearms (SSFs) in the state of Colorado. This law requires eligible purchasers of specific semiautomatic firearms to obtain a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card before attending a required Firearms Safety Course. 

Important Information: The Sheriff does not approve the purchase of a firearm. Our responsibility is limited to determining whether an applicant is eligible to attend the Firearms Safety Course under Colorado law. This does not guarantee approval for the purchase or transfer of Specified Semiautomatic Firearms (SSF). 

You must be a resident of Fremont County to submit your application.  We will not be accepting applications from non-residents. If you are not a Fremont County resident, you will be referred to the county sheriff’s office where you live.

For more information about Colorado's Firearms Safety Program, a list of firearms covered by this bill or to start your application, please visit the the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

How to apply for a Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card in Fremont County: 

STEP 1:Complete your application with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)

The process begins by completing the application on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) website.

When you submit your application, it will be forwarded to your county Sheriff’s office. Once your application has been reviewed by the Sheriff’s Office, you will receive an email notification that your application has been updated. Next, you will need to complete and gather the required documents (listed in step 2) and submit them to the Sheriff’s Office before your application can be processed for final approval

STEP 2:Required documentation

You must have all required documents before submitting them to the Sheriff’s Office:

  • Completed Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Application
  • Valid US government issued photographic identification (e.g. state issued DL/ID, passport, military ID). **If the address on the front of the applicant's driver’s license doesn't match the current address you must bring proof of residency.
  • **Proof of residency/address verification accepted: (e.g. current utility bill, lease/rental agreement, car registration)
  • Results of a completed name-based background of National and Colorado public criminal history and Judicial databases completed by a third-party vendor within 90 days of submitting your application (Note: this background check is not done by the Sheriff's Office or CBI)
  • 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: $102.00 (CPW $52.00/FCSO $50.00) Fees will be collected at this time. Payment can be made by cash, cashier checks, money orders or credit/debit card (a credit card transaction will apply). 

WHO IS A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR WHO PERFORMS NAME-BASED BACKGROUND CHECKS

  • To locate a vendor, applicants may search online for “SB25-003 name-based background check” by opening Google or another search engine. 

  • Before paying for a background check, applicants should confirm that the provider’s documentation meets all applicable requirements. 

  • Make sure the company can provide a check of “National and Colorado public criminal history and Judicial databases…”

  • Make sure the company sends you the required “attestation that the background check was performed by the vendor” and that it is a normal part of the vendor's business. 

STEP 3: Submit your documents to the Sheriff's Office for review and application decision. 

Submit your documents (in-person) to the Sheriff’s Office, Records Division, 100 Justice Center Road, Canon City. During the scheduled hours. NOTE: (Online document submission – Coming soon).

Scheduled hours for application submissions: 

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, at the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Records Division, 100 Justice Center Road, Canon City. Applicants are seen on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis.

The Sheriff's Office will review your application along with all the required documents you submitted to determine your eligibility. If approved, we enter your eligibility information into the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Firearms Safety System. You will then be issued an eligibility card (EC) valid for 5 years. Whether approved or denied, you will receive an auto-generated email from the state. You may also check the status online through your original application.  

Eligibility Card: Eligible applicants will receive their Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card by email. 

STEP 4: Enroll and complete an in-person firearms safety course, taught by a verified Safety Program Instructor.

Once you receive your “Firearm Safety Course Eligibility Card” from the Sheriff’s Office, you may then enroll with a Verified Firearms Safety Program Instructor to complete a firearms safety course. (Instructors who teach in Fremont County MUST be certified in Fremont County). After you complete the course, the instructor will enter your results into the state database system. The system will generate a certificate of completion. The certificate is valid for five years for purchasing specified semiautomatic firearms (SSF).

STEP 5: Firearm Purchase & FFL Verification

Licensed firearms dealers can then verify your training and eligibility to complete your SSF purchase.