Understanding Your Knife Rights in Colorado: A Legal Guide

People in Colorado love the outdoors and the rough terrain. Knives are often very important for these activities.

That being said, it is important to know the laws in your state about owning and carrying a knife to make sure you follow them. This guide will give you a general idea of Colorado’s knife laws as of 2024, so you can confidently follow them.

Overview of Knife Laws in Colorado

Compared to other states, Colorado’s knife laws are pretty clear, but there are still some important things to keep in mind.

The Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) Title 18, Article 12 lays out most of the state’s knife laws. These laws say what kinds of knives people can own, carry, and use in different places.

Legal Knife Ownership
In Colorado, most knives are legal to own, including pocket knives, hunting knives, and machetes. There are no restrictions on blade length for ownership. However, owning ballistic knives—knives with a blade that can be detached and propelled—remains illegal.
Concealed Carry Rules
Colorado law distinguishes between open carry and concealed carry.
- Pocket knives with blades shorter than 3.5 inches can be carried concealed without restriction.
- Knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches may only be carried openly or with a concealed carry permit (CCW) if considered a weapon.
Open Carry
Open carrying knives is generally legal in Colorado. However, certain municipalities, such as Denver, impose additional restrictions. In Denver, for example, carrying knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches is prohibited, whether concealed or open.

Restricted Locations

Some locations have additional restrictions on knife possession:

Schools: You can not bring any kind of knife to school, no matter how small it is.
Government Buildings: You can not bring knives into courthouses, federal buildings, or other secure places.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says that people can not bring knives through airport security checkpoints.

Self-Defense Considerations

This state’s “Make My Day” and “Stand Your Ground” laws let people use knives for self-defense. When you use a knife, though, you have to follow the rules of reasonable force, and you can not start a fight.

Municipal Variations

It is possible for local governments to have stricter rules than state laws. People know that Denver and Boulder have strict knife laws. Always look up the laws in your city or county to make sure you do not break them by accident.

Tips for Compliance

Know how long your knife’s blade is and carry it that way.
Do not bring knives into places that do not allow them.
When traveling across the state, make sure you know what the local laws are.
Know how much force is too much if you want to use a knife for self-defense.

Conclusion

The goal of Colorado’s knife laws is to protect everyone while still allowing people to be free. Finding out about these laws will help you enjoy your knives in a smart way while staying within the law.