Colorado has some of the most nuanced weapons laws in the country. In Fort Collins, Loveland, and across Larimer County, a firearms or weapons charge can upend your life even when you believed you were acting lawfully. Larimer County is a region where gun ownership is common and deeply rooted in culture, from hunters in the Poudre Canyon and Red Feather Lakes to competitive shooters, ranchers, and everyday residents who keep firearms for personal protection. Most people who face weapons charges here had no criminal intent. That doesn’t make the charges any less serious.
Colorado’s weapons statutes are layered, state law, federal law, and in some cases local ordinances all apply simultaneously. What’s legal in one context can be a felony in another. Here are the most common weapons charges prosecuted in Larimer County and what defendants need to understand.
The Most Common Larimer County Weapons Charges
Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender: Class 5 Felony
Under C.R.S. § 18-12-108, convicted felons, those under Domestic Violence protection orders, and others are prohibited from possessing firearms or weapons. This is among the most frequently charged weapons offenses in the county.
Unlawfully Carrying a Concealed Weapon: Class 1 Misdemeanor
Carrying a concealed handgun or knife without a valid Colorado concealed carry permit (C.R.S. § 18-12-105) is a misdemeanor.
Possession of a Dangerous or Illegal Weapon: Class 1 Misdemeanor or Class 5 Felony
Colorado law (C.R.S. § 18-12-102) prohibits possession of a dangerous weapon (firearm silencer, machine gun, rapid-fire device, short shotgun, or short rifle) and is charged as a class 5 felony. It is a class 1 misdemeanor to possess an illegal weapon (blackjack, gas gun, ballistic knife, or metallic knuckles).
Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon on School Grounds: Class 1 Misdemeanor or Class 6 Felony
Bringing a firearm or weapon onto school grounds, including CSU’s campus in Fort Collins, is prohibited under C.R.S. § 18-12-105.5. For a deadly weapon that is not a firearm, it is a class 6 felony. For possessing a firearm on school grounds, it is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Domestic Violence and Weapons: A Dangerous Combination
When a weapons charge accompanies a Domestic Violence case, the consequences compound immediately. A DV conviction, even a misdemeanor, can trigger a lifetime federal ban on firearm possession. Active Domestic Violence protection orders also prohibit weapons possession under both Colorado and federal law. Violating that prohibition, even by keeping a gun in your own home, is a separate felony. Larimer County prosecutors are acutely aware of this overlap and pursue it aggressively.
If you or someone you love has been charged with a Weapons crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Jimmy Chan