Colorado Firearms Tax – April 1st Implementation Date – Urgent Action Required

In November of 2024, Colorado created a 6.5% state excise tax to be paid by vendors on the sale of firearms, ammunition, and firearm precursor parts to consumers located in Colorado. The excise tax does not apply to wholesale sales or sales to peace officers, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and law enforcement. The provisions of “Proposition KK” are codified at Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-37-101, et seq.
Who Does This Apply To?
For the tax Colorado defines a “vendor” as a person or company doing business as an ammunition vendor, firearms dealer, or firearms manufacturer. All Colorado Vendors must register with the Colorado Department of Revenue by April 1, 2025, and file annual registration renewals. Vendors must keep complete and accurate records to determine their correct tax liability, including itemized invoices of all taxable products sold to Colorado consumers.
Vendors that do not have a location in Colorado must register when annual retail sales into the state exceed $20,000. This includes online sales, catalog sales, etc. If sales in Colorado are $20,000 or less for the prior calendar year, the vendor must register by the 1st of the month 90 days after retail sales exceed $20,000 for the calendar year.
Firearm industry vendors must register with the Colorado Department of Revenue by April 1, 2025. Failure to register opens vendors to back payment requirements and potential penalties. Read more