Is a Colorado concealed carry permit valid in New Mexico?
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Yes. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety’s recognition-and-reciprocity table lists Colorado as recognized, with an effective date of January 1, 2020, so a Colorado permit holder may carry concealed while visiting New Mexico. Unlike some neighbors, New Mexico does not have general permitless carry — a license is required, and reciprocity is the basis for a Colorado visitor. Colorado honors a New Mexico license in return, for a New Mexico resident 21 or older.
Outbound: New Mexico honors your Colorado license
New Mexico DPS maintains a recognition-and-reciprocity table. Its Colorado row shows an effective date of January 1, 2020 and marks both directions “Yes” — New Mexico accepts a Colorado concealed handgun license, and New Mexico’s license is in turn accepted by Colorado. Because New Mexico is not a permitless-carry state, a visiting Colorado permit holder relies on this recognition to carry concealed there.
New Mexico DPS has also noted a rule update to its concealed-carry regulations (10.8.2 NMAC, in effect December 9, 2025) that governs how concealed handguns are carried generally; it does not appear to change the Colorado reciprocity entry itself, but New Mexico’s own carry rules govern where and how you may carry once you are there — confirm on the DPS page before you travel.
Inbound: does Colorado honor a New Mexico license?
Yes, subject to Colorado’s standard conditions. New Mexico is on the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s honored-states list, and recognition runs through C.R.S. § 18-12-213:
18-12-213. Reciprocity. (1) A permit to carry a concealed handgun or a concealed weapon that is issued by a state that recognizes the validity of permits issued pursuant to this part 2 shall be valid in this state in all respects as a permit issued pursuant to this part 2 if the permit is issued to a person who is: (a) Twenty-one years of age or older; and (b) (I) A resident of the state that issued the permit, as demonstrated by the address stated on a valid picture identification that is issued by the state that issued the permit and is carried by the permit holder ...
So Colorado honors a New Mexico license only for a New Mexico resident (matching New Mexico ID) who is 21 or older. Colorado never honors a non-resident permit. See the full picture on Colorado concealed carry reciprocity.
Common questions
Can I carry in New Mexico with a Colorado permit?
Yes. New Mexico DPS recognizes a Colorado concealed handgun license, effective January 1, 2020, so a Colorado permit holder may carry concealed while visiting New Mexico. New Mexico’s own rules govern where and how you may carry.
Does New Mexico have permitless carry?
No. Unlike some neighboring states, New Mexico requires a license to carry a concealed handgun. A Colorado visitor relies on New Mexico’s recognition of the Colorado license rather than a permitless-carry law.
Does Colorado honor a New Mexico concealed carry license?
Yes, for a New Mexico resident 21 or older, proven by matching New Mexico ID (C.R.S. § 18-12-213). Colorado does not recognize any non-resident permit.