Can you open carry in Denver?
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No. Denver bans the open carrying of firearms citywide. The prohibition is in Denver's municipal code (§ 38-118), and a Colorado concealed-handgun permit does not authorize open carry anywhere — a permit covers concealed carry only.
Colorado has no statewide open-carry ban, but state law expressly lets local governments like Denver prohibit open carry within their jurisdiction (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-104). Concealed carry with a valid permit remains legal in Denver, subject to posted building bans such as city-owned buildings (§ 38-131).
Denver prohibits open carry citywide
Unlike most of Colorado, where openly carrying a firearm is generally not a state crime, Denver bans open carry across the entire city under its municipal code, § 38-118 ("Unlawful carrying of weapons"). This applies regardless of whether you hold a concealed-handgun permit, because a permit only ever authorizes concealed carry.
The precise operative wording of § 38-118(a)/(b) is not quoted here: Denver's official code host blocks automated verification, so we could not confirm the exact sentence word-for-word. The existence and location of Denver's open-carry ban at § 38-118 are corroborated by multiple independent sources, including the city's own 2022 amending bill. We state the rule by cite and subject rather than as a verbatim quote.
Why Denver can ban open carry when the state doesn't
Colorado regulates concealed carry and carry in specific sensitive locations, but it has no general statute banning open carry. What it does have is a statute that lets local governments enact their own open-carry bans:
A local government may enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area within the local government’s jurisdiction. If a local government enacts an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area, the local government shall post signs at the public entrances to the building or specific area informing persons that the open carrying of firearms is prohibited in the building or specific area.
Colorado's 2021 preemption law (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-103) reinforced that local governments may regulate firearms more strictly than the state. Denver's citywide open-carry ban is an exercise of that authority.
Concealed carry with a permit is still legal in Denver
A Colorado concealed-handgun permit authorizes concealed carry statewide, including in Denver, by default:
A permit to carry a concealed handgun authorizes the permittee to carry a concealed handgun in all areas of the state, except as specifically limited in this section. A permit does not authorize the permittee to use a handgun in a manner that would violate a provision of state law.
That default is subject to Denver's posted building and area bans — most notably its ban on firearms in city-owned or leased buildings (§ 38-131) and its parks ordinance (§ 39-9), which are authorized by C.R.S. § 18-12-214(1)(c). For a permit holder, a first-offense violation of those posted bans is a non-criminal matter capped at a $50 fine. But the permit never converts into open-carry authority: openly carrying in Denver remains prohibited even with a permit.
The vehicle exception
Denver's carrying ordinance includes a documented exception for transporting a firearm in a private vehicle. The 2022 amendment to § 38-118 quotes its own exceptions verbatim:
Exceptions. It shall not be an offense under either subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section if, at the time of carrying, the person is abiding by all other federal, state, and local laws and is: (1) A law enforcement officer; (2) An active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces, while engaged in the performance of their duties; (3) Acting with valid authorization from the city; (4) In their own dwelling, place of business, or on property owned or under their control; or (5) Transporting the weapon while travelling within a private automobile or other private means of conveyance for the purposes of hunting or the lawful protection of such person or their property, or another person or that person’s property. Except for pistols and revolvers, any firearm being transported must be unloaded during such transport.
Note the closing sentence: except for pistols and revolvers, a firearm being transported under this exception must be unloaded. For the statewide vehicle rules that also apply, see Colorado gun laws in a vehicle.
Common questions
Can I open carry in Denver if I have a concealed carry permit?
No. A Colorado concealed-handgun permit authorizes concealed carry only (C.R.S. § 18-12-214(1)(a)); it does not authorize open carry anywhere. Denver's citywide open-carry ban (§ 38-118) applies to permit holders and non-permit holders alike. If you have a permit, you may carry concealed in Denver, subject to posted building bans.
Can I have a gun in my car in Denver?
Yes, within a documented exception. Denver Rev. Mun. Code § 38-118(c) allows transporting a firearm in a private vehicle for hunting or the lawful protection of persons or property, but — except for pistols and revolvers — the firearm must be unloaded during transport. See Colorado gun laws in a vehicle for the statewide rules that also apply.
Is open carry legal in the rest of Colorado?
Generally yes at the state level — Colorado has no statewide statute banning open carry by adults who may lawfully possess a firearm. But local governments can ban it: state law (C.R.S. § 29-11.7-104) lets a city or county prohibit open carry in a building or specific area, which is exactly what Denver has done citywide. See Open carry in Colorado.
Why can Denver ban open carry when Colorado allows it?
Because state law specifically authorizes it. C.R.S. § 29-11.7-104 lets a local government prohibit open carry in its jurisdiction (with posted signs), and Colorado's 2021 preemption law (§ 29-11.7-103) confirms that local governments may regulate firearms more strictly than the state. Denver's § 38-118 open-carry ban is built on that authority.