Ammo sold in Colorado will soon be kept off of open shelves

Starting in summer 2026, ammunition sold in Colorado must be kept behind counters or in locked shelves under a law signed Friday by Gov. Jared Polis.

House Bill 1133 requires ammo be accessible to customers only with the help of a store employee. It also generally prohibits the sale of ammo to people under the age of 18, though it includes several exemptions that allow sales to people who are currently between 18 and 21; to those who’ve passed a hunter’s safety course; and to military servicemembers and police officers.

The law defines ammo as “ammunition or (a) cartridge case, primer, bullet, or propellant powder designed for use in a firearm.” It was sponsored by Democratic Reps. Monica Duran and Lindsay Gilchrist and Sens. Judy Amabile and Cathy Kipp.

The law goes into effect July 1, 2026. Because it requires ammo be sold only with the assistance of store employees, the law effectively bans the ammo vending machines that were installed in at least three towns last year.

Polis also signed House Bill 1238, which institutes new security and age requirements for gun shows. The new law requires gun shows to have a security plan detailing their vendors, the venue’s layout and estimated number of attendees. The plans are submitted to local law enforcement.

The events must also have liability insurance and video cameras, and each firearm brought in by people other than vendors must be tagged. People under the age of 18 are also generally prohibited from attending without a parent, grandparent or guardian.

Gun show promoters are also required to ensure that customers abide by the state’s three-day waiting period law, under which a person must generally wait three days between purchasing and taking possession of a gun.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. It was sponsored by Democratic Reps. Junie Joseph and Sean Camacho and Sens. Cathy Kipp and Jessie Danielson.