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Colorado firearms statistics

How many guns Colorado makes and who makes them, the jobs and pay behind them, licenses, background checks, exports, hunting licenses and conservation money. Every figure comes from a federal source and keeps that source’s own period.

Newest data: FBI checks through August 2026 · ATF licenses, August 2026 · ATF production, 2024 · BLS jobs, 2025. How Colorado compares · U.S. statistics · Colorado directory

  1. 2,313firearms made in Colorado in 2024, 42nd of 50 states and <0.1% of U.S. productionATF · 2024
  2. 1,679federal firearms license records, 17th of 50 statesATF · Aug 2026
  3. 378,763paid hunting-license holders, 13th of 50 statesUSFWS · license year 2024
  4. 468,031FBI background checks in 2025, 18.8% of them for permits. A check is not a saleFBI · 2025, 12 months
  5. 279private jobs making small arms in 2025, paying $77,934 on averageBLS · 2025
  6. $22,930,115Wildlife Restoration apportionment for fiscal 2026, 11th of 50 statesUSFWS · FY 2026
  7. $1.7 millionof firearms and ammunition exported from Colorado in 2025, across 2 product groupsCensus · 2025, 12 months

How many guns are made in Colorado?

Plants in Colorado reported making 2,313 firearms in 2024, down 36.7% from 2023. That is <0.1% of U.S. production, 42nd among the states. The high was 3,702 in 2013. [1] See gun manufacturers in Colorado for the makers listed in our directory.

Firearms manufactured in Colorado, 2004–2024 firearms

  • Hatched: withheld

2024: 2,313 · 2023: 3,653 · 36.7% fewer

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report (AFMER), plants in Colorado, by calendar year. ATF withheld the state’s figures for 2022 and 1992–2003.

  • 2,313firearms reported by plants in Colorado for 2024, <0.1% of U.S. production; 3,653 for 2023ATF AFMER · calendar year 2024 · ColoradoCite

What Colorado makes

Rifles were 51.3% of Colorado production in 2024.

  1. Rifles1,187 51.3%
  2. Pistols688 29.7%
  3. Shotguns137 5.9%
  4. Revolvers38 1.6%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024. Each type adds up what Colorado plants reported.

Largest filings in Colorado, 2024

Each row is one plant’s ATF filing. Names appear as filed and are not yet matched to manufacturer pages. Colorado had 92 filings in 2024.

Largest filings, 2024
#FilingPlant cityFirearms, 2024Share of Colorado
1M+M Inc.Northglenn · 17.4%Northglenn40317.4%
2Smart Home Security LLCAult · 15.5%Ault35815.5%
3Cook's Gun Repair & Customizing LLCColorado Springs · 10.2%Colorado Springs23710.2%
4Harris Gunworks Inc.Louviers · 9.6%Louviers2229.6%
5Phoenix Weaponry LLCBerthoud · 5.2%Berthoud1205.2%
6Individual licenseeColorado Springs · 3.3%Colorado Springs763.3%
7Bastian and Bastian LLCColorado Springs · 3.1%Colorado Springs713.1%
8Elite Arms LLCOtis · 2.3%Otis542.3%
9Argali Investiments, LLCGrand Junction · 2.0%Grand Junction472.0%
10Triple J Armory, Inc.Littleton · 1.9%Littleton451.9%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024 filings. A filing covers one plant, so it is not a company total.

Production by city

Colorado Springs has the most filings (8), and Northglenn reported the most firearms.

  1. Northglenn403 1 filing
  2. Colorado Springs400 8 filings
  3. Ault358 1 filing
  4. Louviers222 1 filing
  5. Littleton135 7 filings
  6. Berthoud125 2 filings
  7. Otis54 1 filing
  8. Grand Junction47 1 filing

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024. A filing’s city is where the plant is, not always where the company is based.

Show all 21 years
Firearms made in Colorado, in all and by type
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsShotgunsRevolvers
2024Firearms made2,313Rifles1,187Sum of 92 filingsPistols688Sum of 92 filingsShotguns137Sum of 92 filingsRevolvers38Sum of 92 filings
2023Firearms made3,653Rifles2,379Sum of 100 filingsPistols792Sum of 100 filingsShotguns197Sum of 100 filingsRevolvers125Sum of 100 filings
2022Firearms madeWithheldRiflesNot reportedPistolsNot reportedShotgunsNot reportedRevolversNot reported
2021Firearms made3,109Rifles2,018Sum of 75 filingsPistols614Sum of 75 filingsShotguns10Sum of 75 filingsRevolvers4Sum of 75 filings
2020Firearms made3,535Rifles2,139Sum of 76 filingsPistols638Sum of 76 filingsShotguns22Sum of 76 filingsRevolvers8Sum of 76 filings
2019Firearms made1,240Rifles793Sum of 64 filingsPistols271Sum of 64 filingsShotguns6Sum of 64 filingsRevolvers3Sum of 64 filings
2018Firearms made1,135Rifles799Sum of 62 filingsPistols170Sum of 62 filingsShotguns11Sum of 62 filingsRevolvers5Sum of 62 filings
2017Firearms made970Rifles783Pistols122Shotguns1Revolvers0
2016Firearms made1,647Rifles878Sum of 49 filingsPistols109Sum of 49 filingsShotguns0Sum of 49 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 49 filings
2015Firearms made1,242Rifles972Sum of 51 filingsPistols119Sum of 51 filingsShotguns5Sum of 51 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 51 filings
2014Firearms made620Rifles317Sum of 49 filingsPistols95Sum of 49 filingsShotguns2Sum of 49 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 49 filings
2013Firearms made3,702Rifles396Sum of 44 filingsPistols101Sum of 44 filingsShotguns19Sum of 44 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 44 filings
Earlier years, 2004–2012
Firearms made in Colorado, in all and by type, 2004–2012
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsShotgunsRevolvers
2012Firearms made1,900Rifles263Sum of 42 filingsPistols104Sum of 42 filingsShotguns14Sum of 42 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 42 filings
2011Firearms made379Rifles99Sum of 25 filingsPistols131Sum of 25 filingsShotguns5Sum of 25 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 25 filings
2010Firearms made863Rifles191Sum of 20 filingsPistols619Sum of 20 filingsShotguns5Sum of 20 filingsRevolvers2Sum of 20 filings
2009Firearms made427Rifles308Sum of 18 filingsPistols117Sum of 18 filingsShotguns1Sum of 18 filingsRevolvers1Sum of 18 filings
2008Firearms made1,023Rifles512Sum of 16 filingsPistols425Sum of 16 filingsShotguns3Sum of 16 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 16 filings
2007Firearms made1,062Rifles160Sum of 12 filingsPistols74Sum of 12 filingsShotguns0Sum of 12 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 12 filings
2006Firearms made374Rifles288Sum of 11 filingsPistols82Sum of 11 filingsShotguns4Sum of 11 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 11 filings
2005Firearms made527Rifles520Sum of 5 filingsPistols3Sum of 5 filingsShotguns4Sum of 5 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 5 filings
2004Firearms made2Rifles2Sum of 1 filingsPistols0Sum of 1 filingsShotguns0Sum of 1 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 1 filings
Cite a figure from this section (24)

How many people make firearms in Colorado?

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories makers (industry code NAICS 332994) in Colorado had 279 jobs at 12 establishments in 2025. Average pay was $77,934 a year. Jobs were highest in 2022, at 454, the first year BLS counted other ordnance makers too. [5]

Private employment in small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing, Colorado, 2001–2025 jobs, annual average

2025: 279 · 2024: 291 · 4.1% fewer

Source: BLS county and state jobs counts (QCEW), Colorado, private employers. From 2022, BLS counts other ordnance makers in this industry too, so years on either side of the line are not compared. Years BLS withheld are gaps.

  • 279private jobs making small arms, ordnance and accessories in Colorado at 12 establishments, paying $77,934 on averageBLS QCEW · 2025 annual average · ColoradoCite
  • 0.60job concentration (location quotient): small arms manufacturing is about half as large a share of Colorado jobs as of U.S. jobsBLS QCEW · 2025 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $11,044,000shipped by 13 small arms plants with 50 employees and a $2,108,000 payrollEconomic Census · 2022 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $12,010,000shipped by 4 ammunition plants with 39 employees and a $2,350,000 payrollEconomic Census · 2022 · NAICS 332992Cite

Counties with the most small arms plants, 2025

  1. Mesa County3 establishments
  2. El Paso County2 establishments
  3. Weld County1 establishment
  4. Adams County1 establishment
  5. Denver County1 establishment
  6. Boulder County1 establishment
  7. Montrose County1 establishment
  8. Jefferson County1 establishment

Source: BLS QCEW, private small arms establishments (NAICS 332994) by county, 2025. BLS publishes every county’s establishment count but withholds most county job counts.

Show all 24 years · jobs, pay and plants
Jobs and pay, 2025, private employers
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)Ammunition (332992)
JobsSmall arms (332994)279Ammunition (332992)Not published
Average annual paySmall arms (332994)$77,934Ammunition (332992)Not published
Total wagesSmall arms (332994)$21,756,441Ammunition (332992)Not published
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)12Ammunition (332992)2

Source: BLS QCEW, 2025. “Not published” means BLS withheld the figure or has none for Colorado.

Establishments, shipments and payroll, 2022 Economic Census
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)Ammunition (332992)
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)13Ammunition (332992)4
EmployeesSmall arms (332994)50Ammunition (332992)39
Value of shipmentsSmall arms (332994)$11,044,000Ammunition (332992)$12,010,000
Value addedSmall arms (332994)$6,787,000Ammunition (332992)$7,983,000
Annual payrollSmall arms (332994)$2,108,000Ammunition (332992)$2,350,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census.

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, Colorado
YearJobs
2025Jobs279
2024Jobs291
2023Jobs328
2022Jobs454
2021Jobs493
2020Jobs465
2019JobsNot published
2018JobsNot published
2017JobsNot published
2016JobsNot published
2015JobsNot published
2014JobsNot published
Earlier years, 2001–2013
Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, Colorado, 2001–2013
YearJobs
2013JobsNot published
2012JobsNot published
2011JobsNot published
2010Jobs3
2009JobsNot published
2008JobsNot published
2006JobsNot published
2005JobsNot published
2004JobsNot published
2003JobsNot published
2002JobsNot published
2001Jobs10
Cite a figure from this section (19)

How many federal firearms licenses are there in Colorado?

ATF’s August 2026 list holds 1,679 license records in Colorado, 260 fewer than a year earlier. Of those, 940 are dealers and 542 are manufacturers. A record is one license, not one store, and one business can hold several. [2] License records are not storefronts: to find a store, see gun shops in Colorado.

Dealer and manufacturer license records in Colorado, January 2021 to August 2026 records

  • Dealers (type 01)
  • Manufacturers (type 07)

Source: ATF Federal Firearms Listings, monthly lists. Months ATF did not publish are gaps, not zeros. ATF’s October and November 2025 lists came out during the federal shutdown (October 1 to November 12, 2025), when ATF paused license renewals. Both are about 10% short in every state and license type, and the count recovers in December: licenses waiting on renewal were left off, not closed.

  • 1,679federal firearms license records on the August 2026 list, all 8 listed types together; 1,939 a year earlierATF Federal Firearms Listings · August 2026 · ColoradoCite

License types, August 2026

  1. Dealers (type 01)940 56.0%
  2. Manufacturers (type 07)542 32.3%
  3. Pawnbrokers (type 02)115 6.8%
  4. Ammunition manufacturers (type 06)34 2.0%
  5. Importers (type 08)33 2.0%
  6. Destructive-device manufacturers (type 10)10 0.6%
  7. Destructive-device importers (type 11)3 0.2%
  8. Destructive-device dealers (type 09)2 0.1%

Source: ATF Federal Firearms Listings, August 2026. ATF’s public list leaves out collector (type 03) licenses, so they are not counted here. That does not mean there are none.

Show all 68 months by type
License records in Colorado by type, by month
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Importer (08)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)Destructive-device dealer (09)
August 2026All types1,679Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)940Manufacturer (07)542Pawnbroker (02)115Ammunition manufacturer (06)34Importer (08)33Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
July 2026All types1,711Dealer (01)962Manufacturer (07)548Pawnbroker (02)118Ammunition manufacturer (06)35Importer (08)33Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
June 2026All types1,728Dealer (01)973Manufacturer (07)555Pawnbroker (02)118Ammunition manufacturer (06)36Importer (08)33Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
May 2026All types1,743Dealer (01)983Manufacturer (07)558Pawnbroker (02)118Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)34Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
April 2026All types1,755Dealer (01)993Manufacturer (07)560Pawnbroker (02)118Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)34Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
March 2026All types1,769Dealer (01)1,001Manufacturer (07)564Pawnbroker (02)120Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)34Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
February 2026All types1,783Dealer (01)1,015Manufacturer (07)564Pawnbroker (02)121Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)34Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
January 2026All types1,786Dealer (01)1,017Manufacturer (07)561Pawnbroker (02)123Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Importer (08)35Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
December 2025All types1,809Dealer (01)1,034Manufacturer (07)564Pawnbroker (02)125Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Importer (08)35Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
November 2025All types1,687Sum of 8 reported license types. Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDealer (01)974Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listManufacturer (07)525Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listPawnbroker (02)110Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listAmmunition manufacturer (06)38Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listImporter (08)31Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device manufacturer (10)4Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device importer (11)3Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device dealer (09)2Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list
October 2025All types1,621Dealer (01)942Manufacturer (07)510Pawnbroker (02)93Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Importer (08)30Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
September 2025All types1,879Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,088Manufacturer (07)574Pawnbroker (02)127Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)38Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
August 2025All types1,939Dealer (01)1,126Manufacturer (07)593Pawnbroker (02)129Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Importer (08)38Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
July 2025All types1,990Dealer (01)1,165Manufacturer (07)598Pawnbroker (02)137Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)38Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
June 2025All types2,018Dealer (01)1,194Manufacturer (07)597Pawnbroker (02)137Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)39Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
May 2025All types2,055Dealer (01)1,223Manufacturer (07)603Pawnbroker (02)137Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)40Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
April 2025All types2,078Dealer (01)1,242Manufacturer (07)606Pawnbroker (02)139Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)40Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
March 2025All types2,095Dealer (01)1,255Manufacturer (07)608Pawnbroker (02)141Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)39Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
February 2025All types2,105Dealer (01)1,261Manufacturer (07)612Pawnbroker (02)142Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)39Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)2Destructive-device dealer (09)2
January 2025All types2,111Dealer (01)1,265Manufacturer (07)614Pawnbroker (02)143Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)38Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)2Destructive-device dealer (09)2
December 2024All types2,126Dealer (01)1,278Manufacturer (07)615Pawnbroker (02)143Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)38Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
November 2024All types2,143Dealer (01)1,294Manufacturer (07)617Pawnbroker (02)142Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)38Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
October 2024All types2,149Dealer (01)1,295Manufacturer (07)619Pawnbroker (02)143Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)40Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
September 2024All types2,153Dealer (01)1,297Manufacturer (07)621Pawnbroker (02)142Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Importer (08)40Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
Earlier months, January 2021 – August 2024
License records in Colorado by type, by month, January 2021 – August 2024
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Importer (08)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)Destructive-device dealer (09)
August 2024All types2,174Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,301Manufacturer (07)629Pawnbroker (02)149Ammunition manufacturer (06)43Importer (08)41Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
July 2024All types2,193Dealer (01)1,314Manufacturer (07)630Pawnbroker (02)149Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Importer (08)42Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
June 2024All types2,188Dealer (01)1,318Manufacturer (07)622Pawnbroker (02)149Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Importer (08)41Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
May 2024All types2,217Dealer (01)1,335Manufacturer (07)630Pawnbroker (02)150Ammunition manufacturer (06)47Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)3Destructive-device dealer (09)2
April 2024All types2,242Dealer (01)1,348Manufacturer (07)635Pawnbroker (02)153Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)2
March 2024All types2,247Dealer (01)1,353Manufacturer (07)635Pawnbroker (02)153Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)2
February 2024All types2,249Dealer (01)1,357Manufacturer (07)631Pawnbroker (02)154Ammunition manufacturer (06)50Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)2
January 2024All types2,258Dealer (01)1,367Manufacturer (07)632Pawnbroker (02)153Ammunition manufacturer (06)50Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)2
December 2023All types2,262Dealer (01)1,367Manufacturer (07)633Pawnbroker (02)154Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)2
November 2023All types2,282Dealer (01)1,386Manufacturer (07)633Pawnbroker (02)154Ammunition manufacturer (06)52Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)2
October 2023All types2,282Dealer (01)1,388Manufacturer (07)631Pawnbroker (02)155Ammunition manufacturer (06)52Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
September 2023All types2,285Dealer (01)1,394Manufacturer (07)627Pawnbroker (02)156Ammunition manufacturer (06)52Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
August 2023All types2,292Dealer (01)1,403Manufacturer (07)627Pawnbroker (02)155Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
July 2023All types2,281Dealer (01)1,395Manufacturer (07)624Pawnbroker (02)156Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
June 2023All types2,300Dealer (01)1,407Manufacturer (07)626Pawnbroker (02)159Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)46Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
May 2023All types2,299Dealer (01)1,416Manufacturer (07)618Pawnbroker (02)159Ammunition manufacturer (06)50Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
April 2023All types2,292Dealer (01)1,415Manufacturer (07)611Pawnbroker (02)161Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
March 2023All types2,279Dealer (01)1,413Manufacturer (07)600Pawnbroker (02)161Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
February 2023All types2,276Dealer (01)1,417Manufacturer (07)592Pawnbroker (02)161Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
January 2023All types2,268Dealer (01)1,419Manufacturer (07)583Pawnbroker (02)160Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)45Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
December 2022All types2,261Dealer (01)1,420Manufacturer (07)573Pawnbroker (02)162Ammunition manufacturer (06)50Importer (08)44Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
November 2022All types2,255Dealer (01)1,421Manufacturer (07)568Pawnbroker (02)162Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)43Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
October 2022All types2,251Dealer (01)1,421Manufacturer (07)563Pawnbroker (02)163Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Importer (08)43Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
September 2022All types2,274Dealer (01)1,447Manufacturer (07)557Pawnbroker (02)166Ammunition manufacturer (06)50Importer (08)43Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
August 2022All types2,259Dealer (01)1,439Manufacturer (07)550Pawnbroker (02)166Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)42Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
July 2022All types2,266Dealer (01)1,450Manufacturer (07)544Pawnbroker (02)169Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)41Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
June 2022All types2,266Dealer (01)1,455Manufacturer (07)540Pawnbroker (02)167Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)42Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
May 2022All types2,261Dealer (01)1,456Manufacturer (07)534Pawnbroker (02)167Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)42Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
April 2022All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not availableDestructive-device dealer (09)Not available
March 2022All types2,267Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,469Manufacturer (07)524Pawnbroker (02)170Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)42Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
February 2022All types2,272Dealer (01)1,470Manufacturer (07)526Pawnbroker (02)171Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)43Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
January 2022All types2,270Dealer (01)1,472Manufacturer (07)521Pawnbroker (02)172Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)43Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
December 2021All types2,272Dealer (01)1,471Manufacturer (07)523Pawnbroker (02)172Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)43Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
November 2021All types2,266Dealer (01)1,474Manufacturer (07)515Pawnbroker (02)173Ammunition manufacturer (06)50Importer (08)42Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
October 2021All types2,260Dealer (01)1,473Manufacturer (07)508Pawnbroker (02)175Ammunition manufacturer (06)51Importer (08)41Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
September 2021All types2,259Dealer (01)1,474Manufacturer (07)505Pawnbroker (02)175Ammunition manufacturer (06)53Importer (08)40Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
August 2021All types2,251Dealer (01)1,472Manufacturer (07)499Pawnbroker (02)176Ammunition manufacturer (06)54Importer (08)38Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
July 2021All types2,250Dealer (01)1,481Manufacturer (07)490Pawnbroker (02)178Ammunition manufacturer (06)53Importer (08)36Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
June 2021All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not availableDestructive-device dealer (09)Not available
May 2021All types2,216Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,468Manufacturer (07)472Pawnbroker (02)179Ammunition manufacturer (06)52Importer (08)34Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
April 2021All types2,198Dealer (01)1,468Manufacturer (07)454Pawnbroker (02)178Ammunition manufacturer (06)54Importer (08)33Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)1
March 2021All types2,195Dealer (01)1,471Manufacturer (07)449Pawnbroker (02)178Ammunition manufacturer (06)53Importer (08)31Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)3
February 2021All types2,193Dealer (01)1,473Manufacturer (07)445Pawnbroker (02)178Ammunition manufacturer (06)52Importer (08)31Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)3
January 2021All types2,175Dealer (01)1,464Manufacturer (07)432Pawnbroker (02)180Ammunition manufacturer (06)53Importer (08)31Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8Destructive-device importer (11)4Destructive-device dealer (09)3
Cite a figure from this section (9)

How many background checks does Colorado run?

The FBI’s background check system (NICS) logged 468,031 checks in Colorado in 2025, down 1.9% from 2024. Permit checks were 18.8% of them, and a permit check is not a purchase. From January through August 2026 the count was 330,993, against 337,642 a year earlier. [4]

FBI NICS background checks in Colorado per year, 1999–2025 checks

2025: 468,031 · 2024: 477,002 · 1.9% fewer

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Colorado monthly counts added up by calendar year. A year is shown only when all twelve months are reported.

  • 468,031firearm background checks in Colorado in 2025, 87,965 of them permit checksFBI NICS · 2025 · sum of 12 monthly totalsCite

What the checks were for, 2025

  1. Handgun204,367 43.7%
  2. Long gun127,586 27.3%
  3. Permit87,876 18.8%
  4. Other firearm23,250 5.0%
  5. Multiple firearms20,631 4.4%
  6. Returned handgun3,718 0.8%
  7. All other types603 0.1%

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Colorado counts by type, 2025. The types add up to the year’s 468,031 checks.

Show every year and month
FBI NICS background checks in Colorado by year
YearChecks
2025Checks468,031
2024Checks477,002
2023Checks507,651
2022Checks528,335
2021Checks628,811
2020Checks680,507
2019Checks469,535
2018Checks524,770
2017Checks496,995
2016Checks540,514
2015Checks454,062
2014Checks413,284
Earlier years, 1999–2013
FBI NICS background checks in Colorado by year, 1999–2013
YearChecks
2013Checks514,658
2012Checks414,838
2011Checks336,296
2010Checks300,820
2009Checks313,641
2008Checks285,521
2007Checks221,737
2006Checks214,749
2005Checks206,287
2004Checks194,191
2003Checks181,257
2002Checks183,754
2001Checks348,696
2000Checks307,512
1999Checks257,308
FBI NICS background checks in Colorado by month
MonthChecks
August 2026Checks24,811
July 2026Checks87,628
June 2026Checks39,628
May 2026Checks34,387
April 2026Checks36,786
March 2026Checks40,708
February 2026Checks33,852
January 2026Checks33,193
December 2025Checks36,801
November 2025Checks32,331
October 2025Checks31,378
September 2025Checks29,879
August 2025Checks27,919
July 2025Checks28,261
June 2025Checks39,917
May 2025Checks37,309
April 2025Checks56,509
March 2025Checks68,099
February 2025Checks42,109
January 2025Checks37,519
December 2024Checks45,329
November 2024Checks40,416
October 2024Checks38,836
September 2024Checks35,686
Earlier months, November 1998 – August 2024
FBI NICS background checks in Colorado by month, November 1998 – August 2024
MonthChecks
August 2024Checks35,955
July 2024Checks33,581
June 2024Checks33,399
May 2024Checks38,821
April 2024Checks49,496
March 2024Checks51,004
February 2024Checks38,824
January 2024Checks35,655
December 2023Checks44,179
November 2023Checks42,494
October 2023Checks37,023
September 2023Checks39,320
August 2023Checks37,881
July 2023Checks36,324
June 2023Checks38,588
May 2023Checks42,050
April 2023Checks47,614
March 2023Checks56,915
February 2023Checks44,124
January 2023Checks41,139
December 2022Checks48,901
November 2022Checks43,932
October 2022Checks40,891
September 2022Checks41,857
August 2022Checks45,130
July 2022Checks41,071
June 2022Checks45,272
May 2022Checks40,505
April 2022Checks44,201
March 2022Checks52,984
February 2022Checks42,694
January 2022Checks40,897
December 2021Checks54,788
November 2021Checks48,728
October 2021Checks46,964
September 2021Checks45,908
August 2021Checks46,385
July 2021Checks44,778
June 2021Checks44,970
May 2021Checks50,079
April 2021Checks60,918
March 2021Checks69,757
February 2021Checks50,485
January 2021Checks65,051
December 2020Checks60,239
November 2020Checks61,362
October 2020Checks59,132
September 2020Checks54,479
August 2020Checks57,388
July 2020Checks59,666
June 2020Checks66,038
May 2020Checks49,967
April 2020Checks52,249
March 2020Checks77,305
February 2020Checks40,549
January 2020Checks42,133
December 2019Checks47,496
November 2019Checks39,682
October 2019Checks37,564
September 2019Checks35,333
August 2019Checks38,755
July 2019Checks33,812
June 2019Checks34,773
May 2019Checks36,814
April 2019Checks39,433
March 2019Checks46,915
February 2019Checks40,467
January 2019Checks38,491
December 2018Checks50,544
November 2018Checks44,094
October 2018Checks37,586
September 2018Checks35,347
August 2018Checks40,922
July 2018Checks37,788
June 2018Checks38,395
May 2018Checks41,583
April 2018Checks47,462
March 2018Checks61,839
February 2018Checks47,221
January 2018Checks41,989
December 2017Checks59,800
November 2017Checks51,473
October 2017Checks40,163
September 2017Checks35,873
August 2017Checks37,150
July 2017Checks33,811
June 2017Checks36,459
May 2017Checks36,008
April 2017Checks39,989
March 2017Checks45,645
February 2017Checks43,577
January 2017Checks37,047
December 2016Checks55,428
November 2016Checks54,418
October 2016Checks45,337
September 2016Checks40,013
August 2016Checks40,996
July 2016Checks43,094
June 2016Checks41,134
May 2016Checks36,512
April 2016Checks41,636
March 2016Checks46,430
February 2016Checks47,302
January 2016Checks48,214
December 2015Checks64,547
November 2015Checks42,271
October 2015Checks37,785
September 2015Checks34,229
August 2015Checks36,156
July 2015Checks31,280
June 2015Checks31,777
May 2015Checks33,062
April 2015Checks34,688
March 2015Checks37,740
February 2015Checks37,520
January 2015Checks33,007
December 2014Checks47,309
November 2014Checks36,523
October 2014Checks35,546
September 2014Checks30,504
August 2014Checks32,230
July 2014Checks29,247
June 2014Checks26,802
May 2014Checks31,697
April 2014Checks34,615
March 2014Checks38,547
February 2014Checks36,936
January 2014Checks33,328
December 2013Checks43,268
November 2013Checks37,908
October 2013Checks34,371
September 2013Checks31,620
August 2013Checks35,642
July 2013Checks42,207
June 2013Checks40,488
May 2013Checks39,181
April 2013Checks43,675
March 2013Checks58,007
February 2013Checks55,170
January 2013Checks53,121
December 2012Checks53,453
November 2012Checks46,192
October 2012Checks35,009
September 2012Checks32,087
August 2012Checks34,204
July 2012Checks28,679
June 2012Checks25,936
May 2012Checks27,051
April 2012Checks29,874
March 2012Checks36,411
February 2012Checks35,411
January 2012Checks30,531
December 2011Checks39,534
November 2011Checks31,566
October 2011Checks27,895
September 2011Checks27,601
August 2011Checks25,611
July 2011Checks22,111
June 2011Checks22,374
May 2011Checks24,526
April 2011Checks28,366
March 2011Checks32,233
February 2011Checks28,056
January 2011Checks26,423
December 2010Checks34,693
November 2010Checks27,634
October 2010Checks25,402
September 2010Checks23,433
August 2010Checks25,298
July 2010Checks21,849
June 2010Checks21,273
May 2010Checks21,575
April 2010Checks23,609
March 2010Checks26,781
February 2010Checks25,008
January 2010Checks24,265
December 2009Checks29,201
November 2009Checks24,466
October 2009Checks22,940
September 2009Checks21,855
August 2009Checks22,782
July 2009Checks20,949
June 2009Checks24,127
May 2009Checks27,595
April 2009Checks30,277
March 2009Checks32,067
February 2009Checks29,189
January 2009Checks28,193
December 2008Checks35,616
November 2008Checks39,798
October 2008Checks26,115
September 2008Checks21,596
August 2008Checks22,460
July 2008Checks19,673
June 2008Checks18,991
May 2008Checks19,921
April 2008Checks20,016
March 2008Checks22,401
February 2008Checks20,877
January 2008Checks18,057
December 2007Checks25,846
November 2007Checks20,057
October 2007Checks19,661
September 2007Checks17,525
August 2007Checks18,573
July 2007Checks15,460
June 2007Checks15,466
May 2007Checks17,002
April 2007Checks16,769
March 2007Checks20,070
February 2007Checks18,301
January 2007Checks17,007
December 2006Checks24,297
November 2006Checks20,853
October 2006Checks19,853
September 2006Checks18,384
August 2006Checks18,582
July 2006Checks14,434
June 2006Checks14,451
May 2006Checks14,543
April 2006Checks15,906
March 2006Checks19,787
February 2006Checks17,483
January 2006Checks16,176
December 2005Checks24,669
November 2005Checks19,465
October 2005Checks18,924
September 2005Checks17,457
August 2005Checks16,287
July 2005Checks13,416
June 2005Checks13,691
May 2005Checks13,666
April 2005Checks16,405
March 2005Checks18,340
February 2005Checks16,624
January 2005Checks17,343
December 2004Checks24,630
November 2004Checks17,448
October 2004Checks22,001
September 2004Checks17,735
August 2004Checks15,195
July 2004Checks13,110
June 2004Checks12,330
May 2004Checks12,521
April 2004Checks14,576
March 2004Checks16,334
February 2004Checks14,119
January 2004Checks14,192
December 2003Checks20,714
November 2003Checks15,438
October 2003Checks17,450
September 2003Checks15,308
August 2003Checks16,323
July 2003Checks12,002
June 2003Checks13,193
May 2003Checks13,048
April 2003Checks13,153
March 2003Checks15,687
February 2003Checks15,067
January 2003Checks13,874
December 2002Checks19,938
November 2002Checks17,115
October 2002Checks18,322
September 2002Checks16,030
August 2002Checks16,702
July 2002Checks11,967
June 2002Checks10,878
May 2002Checks12,508
April 2002Checks13,722
March 2002Checks17,092
February 2002Checks14,328
January 2002Checks15,152
December 2001Checks40,529
November 2001Checks35,152
October 2001Checks43,020
September 2001Checks36,990
August 2001Checks28,926
July 2001Checks21,457
June 2001Checks21,850
May 2001Checks21,077
April 2001Checks23,024
March 2001Checks29,331
February 2001Checks23,686
January 2001Checks23,654
December 2000Checks37,766
November 2000Checks29,512
October 2000Checks30,224
September 2000Checks28,974
August 2000Checks25,582
July 2000Checks19,290
June 2000Checks20,632
May 2000Checks17,670
April 2000Checks21,778
March 2000Checks27,658
February 2000Checks24,812
January 2000Checks23,614
December 1999Checks45,397
November 1999Checks30,811
October 1999Checks32,436
September 1999Checks25,084
August 1999Checks20,607
July 1999Checks10,758
June 1999Checks10,842
May 1999Checks10,605
April 1999Checks11,739
March 1999Checks17,287
February 1999Checks22,239
January 1999Checks19,503
December 1998Checks23,176
November 1998Checks622Partial month: NICS began on November 30, 1998
Cite a figure from this section (14)

What does Colorado export?

Firearm and ammunition exports that started their trip in Colorado came to $1.7 million in 2025, across 2 product groups. Rifles were 75.4% of that. [7]

Firearm and ammunition exports from Colorado, 2010–2025 current dollars

  • Hatched: not reported

2025: $1,704,296 · 2024: $156,772 · $1,547,524 more

Source: Census international trade, exports by the state where they start their trip to the border, which is not always where they were made. USA Arms adds up the product groups Census reported each year, and the groups can differ from year to year.

By product, 2025

  1. Rifles$1,285,850
  2. Cartridges and parts$418,446

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Colorado, 2025. USA Arms adds up each product’s twelve months; a product Census did not report every month is left out. Monthly values by product and country through December 2025 are in Census trade data.

Where the exports went, 2025

  1. United Arab Emirates$804,425
  2. Norway$695,578
  3. Jordan$235,886
  4. Germany$126,439
  5. Canada$71,729
  6. Switzerland$21,069
  7. Poland$7,152
  8. Australia$6,328

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Colorado, 2025. USA Arms adds up every month and product group Census reported for each destination; 10 destinations in all, the largest 8 shown. A destination is where the goods were bound, not always where they were used.

Show all 15 years
Firearm and ammunition exports from Colorado, product groups added up by USA Arms
YearExports
2025Exports$1,704,2962 product families
2024Exports$156,7721 product family
2023Exports$2,063,0923 product families
2022Exports$5,643,1794 product families
2021Exports$3,486,3033 product families
2020Exports$1,691,898
2019Exports$941,624
2018Exports$2,215,873
2016Exports$1,042,4822 product families
2015Exports$1,199,379
2014Exports$1,496,7884 product families
2013Exports$2,521,6995 product families
Earlier years, 2010–2012
Firearm and ammunition exports from Colorado, product groups added up by USA Arms, 2010–2012
YearExports
2012Exports$666,5112 product families
2011Exports$671,3453 product families
2010Exports$464,2512 product families
Cite a figure from this section (11)

How many hunting licenses does Colorado certify?

Colorado certified 378,763 paid hunting-license holders for license year 2024, 1.7 times the 219,623 of 1956. Hunters bought 519,015 resident and 257,312 nonresident licenses, for $85,965,352 in all. A holder is one certification, not one person: someone licensed in two states counts in each. [3]

Paid hunting-license holders in Colorado, 1956–2024 license holders

2024: 378,763 · 2023: 378,301 · 0.1% more

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) hunting license counts, Colorado, by license year.

  • 378,763paid hunting-license holders Colorado certified for license year 2024; the high was 393,066 in 2022USFWS certifications · 2024 · ColoradoCite
Show all 69 years
Hunting licenses certified by Colorado
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2024Paid license holders378,763Resident licenses519,015Nonresident licenses257,312Gross cost$85,965,352
2023Paid license holders378,301Resident licenses538,986Nonresident licenses257,398Gross cost$83,660,413
2022Paid license holders393,066Resident licenses546,036Nonresident licenses260,246Gross cost$86,063,991
2021Paid license holders370,736Resident licenses565,109Nonresident licenses234,856Gross cost$76,975,492
2020Paid license holders354,410Resident licenses522,635Nonresident licenses225,165Gross cost$77,485,372
2019Paid license holders296,609Resident licenses481,253Nonresident licenses120,954Gross cost$62,688,139
2018Paid license holders295,451Resident licenses471,558Nonresident licenses111,398Gross cost$59,006,693
2017Paid license holders298,901Resident licenses466,449Nonresident licenses113,156Gross cost$61,712,000
2016Paid license holders294,319Resident licenses459,518Nonresident licenses109,246Gross cost$57,056,595
2015Paid license holders290,064Resident licenses456,672Nonresident licenses107,198Gross cost$54,784,656
2014Paid license holders284,773Resident licenses439,560Nonresident licenses105,656Gross cost$53,835,940
2013Paid license holders281,201Resident licenses425,043Nonresident licenses105,693Gross costWithheld
Earlier years, 1956–2012
Hunting licenses certified by Colorado, 1956–2012
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2012Paid license holders280,302Resident licenses421,341Nonresident licenses106,833Gross costWithheld
2011Paid license holders286,363Resident licenses423,270Nonresident licenses114,101Gross costWithheld
2010Paid license holders288,086Resident licenses418,087Nonresident licenses117,806Gross costWithheld
2009Paid license holders294,186Resident licenses408,997Nonresident licenses129,737Gross costWithheld
2008Paid license holders294,186Resident licenses408,997Nonresident licenses129,737Gross costWithheld
2007Paid license holders306,179Resident licenses421,610Nonresident licenses144,688Gross costWithheld
2006Paid license holders306,179Resident licenses421,610Nonresident licenses144,688Gross costWithheld
2005Paid license holders312,151Resident licenses435,517Nonresident licenses145,718Gross costWithheld
2004Paid license holders318,971Resident licenses437,720Nonresident licenses144,013Gross costWithheld
2003Paid license holders309,801Resident licenses388,842Nonresident licenses165,057Gross costWithheld
2002Paid license holders300,574Resident licenses387,879Nonresident licenses160,132Gross costWithheld
2001Paid license holders309,801Resident licenses388,842Nonresident licenses165,057Gross costWithheld
2000Paid license holders300,574Resident licenses387,879Nonresident licenses160,132Gross cost$52,158,932
1999Paid license holders298,292Resident licenses373,303Nonresident licenses159,291Gross cost$48,323,003
1998Paid license holders337,475Resident licenses326,903Nonresident licenses246,545Gross cost$42,632,420
1997Paid license holders328,879Resident licenses342,622Nonresident licenses216,961Gross cost$41,763,556
1996Paid license holders362,927Resident licenses368,057Nonresident licenses236,730Gross cost$48,970,896
1995Paid license holders352,823Resident licenses382,186Nonresident licenses195,557Gross cost$45,886,917
1994Paid license holders349,491Resident licenses413,732Nonresident licenses173,916Gross cost$42,651,523
1993Paid license holders295,895Resident licenses418,574Nonresident licenses185,555Gross cost$42,820,193
1992Paid license holders301,710Resident licenses384,789Nonresident licenses178,199Gross cost$42,130,225
1991Paid license holders313,346Resident licenses412,033Nonresident licenses178,985Gross cost$43,312,642
1990Paid license holders301,910Resident licenses403,492Nonresident licenses168,969Gross cost$40,435,025
1989Paid license holders326,962Resident licenses433,251Nonresident licenses182,968Gross cost$41,890,929
1988Paid license holders327,979Resident licenses434,437Nonresident licenses183,837Gross cost$34,787,896
1987Paid license holders340,911Resident licenses385,726Nonresident licenses157,732Gross cost$31,496,917
1986Paid license holders325,761Resident licenses380,974Nonresident licenses137,921Gross cost$27,936,637
1985Paid license holders315,434Resident licenses438,793Nonresident licenses121,363Gross cost$24,851,215
1984Paid license holders304,498Resident licenses359,180Nonresident licenses101,467Gross cost$21,238,336
1983Paid license holders310,898Resident licenses375,966Nonresident licenses105,061Gross cost$22,817,639
1982Paid license holders310,378Resident licenses390,501Nonresident licenses101,074Gross cost$22,628,812
1981Paid license holders358,823Resident licenses520,785Nonresident licenses136,548Gross cost$20,110,660
1980Paid license holders350,689Resident licenses520,115Nonresident licenses119,056Gross cost$18,314,150
1979Paid license holders338,367Resident licenses493,754Nonresident licenses122,205Gross cost$18,370,746
1978Paid license holders312,419Resident licenses468,429Nonresident licenses111,661Gross cost$16,855,235
1977Paid license holders305,961Resident licenses440,403Nonresident licenses111,128Gross cost$16,285,982
1976Paid license holders315,411Resident licenses425,197Nonresident licenses113,757Gross cost$16,467,340
1975Paid license holders298,383Resident licenses394,828Nonresident licenses58,774Gross cost$10,239,276
1974Paid license holders317,471Resident licenses397,698Nonresident licenses85,862Gross cost$8,355,022
1973Paid license holders301,166Resident licenses396,404Nonresident licenses81,634Gross cost$8,753,318
1972Paid license holders323,922Resident licenses438,699Nonresident licenses80,977Gross cost$8,387,637
1971Paid license holders263,687Resident licenses363,506Nonresident licenses57,473Gross cost$6,204,612
1970Paid license holders259,454Resident licenses335,942Nonresident licenses45,268Gross cost$4,707,541
1969Paid license holders300,311Resident licenses372,968Nonresident licenses78,290Gross cost$6,986,325
1968Paid license holders272,059Resident licenses339,041Nonresident licenses83,575Gross cost$6,766,536
1967Paid license holders283,205Resident licenses352,505Nonresident licenses83,488Gross cost$6,363,464
1966Paid license holders243,452Resident licenses327,926Nonresident licenses75,746Gross cost$5,180,946
1965Paid license holders293,056Resident licenses358,255Nonresident licenses82,905Gross cost$4,432,092
1964Paid license holders279,783Resident licenses357,510Nonresident licenses116,875Gross cost$5,125,423
1963Paid license holders280,738Resident licenses366,863Nonresident licenses114,925Gross cost$5,038,234
1962Paid license holders278,535Resident licenses364,555Nonresident licenses109,573Gross cost$4,821,232
1961Paid license holders272,267Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1960Paid license holders262,885Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1959Paid license holders254,229Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1958Paid license holders241,301Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1957Paid license holders238,262Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1956Paid license holders219,623Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
Cite a figure from this section (5)

How much conservation money does Colorado receive?

Wildlife Restoration apportioned $22,930,115 to Colorado for fiscal 2026, 8.2% less than fiscal 2025. The record was $32,311,971 in fiscal 2023. The money comes from federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery gear. [3]

Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Colorado, FY 1939–FY 2026 current dollars

FY 2026: $22,930,115 · FY 2025: $24,978,169 · 8.2% less

Source: USFWS, Colorado, including hunter education money. Not adjusted for inflation.

  • $22,930,115apportioned to Colorado for fiscal 2026 through Wildlife Restoration, including hunter education; the high was $32,311,971 for fiscal 2023USFWS · FY 2026 · ColoradoCite
Show all 88 fiscal years
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Colorado
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2026Apportioned$22,930,115
FY 2025Apportioned$24,978,169
FY 2024Apportioned$27,156,268
FY 2023Apportioned$32,311,971
FY 2022Apportioned$29,874,041
FY 2021Apportioned$17,065,006
FY 2020Apportioned$15,125,584
FY 2019Apportioned$16,885,597
FY 2018Apportioned$19,872,123
FY 2017Apportioned$19,418,582
FY 2016Apportioned$17,257,494
FY 2015Apportioned$20,211,205
Earlier fiscal years, FY 1939–FY 2014
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Colorado, FY 1939–FY 2014
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2014Apportioned$19,083,986
FY 2013Apportioned$13,164,031
FY 2012Apportioned$9,294,002
FY 2011Apportioned$9,518,861
FY 2010Apportioned$12,082,546
FY 2009Apportioned$8,551,203
FY 2008Apportioned$7,830,531
FY 2007Apportioned$6,800,074
FY 2006Apportioned$6,177,940
FY 2005Apportioned$5,984,357
FY 2004Apportioned$4,877,855
FY 2003Apportioned$5,531,602
FY 2002Apportioned$4,825,397
FY 2001Apportioned$5,207,659
FY 2000Apportioned$5,165,816
FY 1999Apportioned$4,355,206
FY 1998Apportioned$4,027,413
FY 1997Apportioned$4,049,890
FY 1996Apportioned$4,916,985
FY 1995Apportioned$5,190,974
FY 1994Apportioned$4,390,811
FY 1993Apportioned$3,891,769
FY 1992Apportioned$3,752,213
FY 1991Apportioned$3,947,068
FY 1990Apportioned$2,891,078
FY 1989Apportioned$2,910,601
FY 1988Apportioned$2,676,568
FY 1987Apportioned$2,617,742
FY 1986Apportioned$2,625,612
FY 1985Apportioned$1,985,328
FY 1984Apportioned$2,195,924
FY 1983Apportioned$2,628,293
FY 1982Apportioned$2,848,275
FY 1981Apportioned$1,957,394
FY 1980Apportioned$2,159,879
FY 1979Apportioned$1,954,944
FY 1978Apportioned$1,519,948
FY 1977Apportioned$2,006,254
FY 1976Apportioned$1,444,173
FY 1975Apportioned$1,267,454
FY 1974Apportioned$1,121,016
FY 1973Apportioned$1,001,120
FY 1972Apportioned$820,454
FY 1971Apportioned$779,768
FY 1970Apportioned$768,104
FY 1969Apportioned$786,186
FY 1968Apportioned$675,934
FY 1967Apportioned$605,200
FY 1966Apportioned$495,250
FY 1965Apportioned$428,470
FY 1964Apportioned$375,322
FY 1963Apportioned$349,147
FY 1962Apportioned$411,851
FY 1961Apportioned$336,664
FY 1960Apportioned$351,939
FY 1959Apportioned$436,366
FY 1958Apportioned$455,707
FY 1957Apportioned$485,843
FY 1956Apportioned$466,141
FY 1955Apportioned$312,276
FY 1954Apportioned$381,383
FY 1953Apportioned$311,023
FY 1952Apportioned$529,340
FY 1951Apportioned$275,418
FY 1950Apportioned$324,399
FY 1949Apportioned$369,471
FY 1948Apportioned$261,843
FY 1947Apportioned$70,204
FY 1946Apportioned$27,382
FY 1945Apportioned$23,654
FY 1944Apportioned$25,183
FY 1943Apportioned$30,815
FY 1942Apportioned$70,421
FY 1941Apportioned$60,516
FY 1940Apportioned$35,297
FY 1939Apportioned$22,439
Cite a figure from this section (2)

How does Colorado compare?

Colorado ranks 42nd for firearms made, 17th for license records, 22nd for small arms jobs, 20th for job concentration, 13th for hunting license holders and 11th for Wildlife Restoration money. Pick a measure to see every state, or see all fifty states compared on the U.S. page.

Measure
AlaskaAK10256287.2K$35.6MAlabamaAL150K1.48K497K$19.2MArkansasAR50.8K1.5K8103.88331K$14MArizonaAZ550K2.58K2.23K4.32303K$23.1MCaliforniaCA50K2.03K4860.17252K$26.8MConnecticutDelawareFloridaFL350K4.56K8280.52265K$16.4MGeorgiaGA797K2.42K1.25K1.60816K$27.7MHawaiiHI29810515.3K$5.03MIowaIA23.2K1.46K710.28223K$12.1MIdahoID42.7K1.34K3522.52301K$16.6MIllinoisIL213K1.41K282K$16.6MIndianaIN18.1K1.73K2610.51253K$13.9MKansasKS8.88K1.21K530.23282K$16.1MKentuckyKY613K1.44K9442.97316K$14MLouisianaLA4.79K1.29K451K$17.6MMassachusettsMarylandMaineME735547208K$9.38MMichiganMI23.9K2.44K350.05632K$23.9MMinnesotaMN26K1.55K1.69K3.58528K$23.8MMissouriMO55.1K2.44K2380.51522K$22.4MMississippiMS1.04K1.05K272K$12.2MMontanaMT10.4K1.18K3143.83233K$22MNorth CarolinaNC656K3.06K1.02K1.29582K$22.3MNorth DakotaND1.66K543149K$12.1MNebraskaNE4.19K804267K$15.2MNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNM2.74K689280.20160K$17.8MNevadaNV147K8592490.99111K$15.6MNew YorkNY88.2K1.82K2990.19533K$20.9MOhioOH53.9K2.79K2370.27360K$16.6MOklahomaOK6.01K1.7K356K$17.5MOregonOR12.9K1.38K330K$20.1MPennsylvaniaPA95.6K3.24K1.2K1.241.03M$30.6MRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSC765K1.49K7652.06199K$11.1MSouth DakotaSD1.9K646801.09223K$14.3MTennesseeTN1.16M1.99K1.17K2.24734K$24.2MTexasTX666K8.34K1.12K0.501.12M$38.9MUtahUT135K1.37K7002.51283K$16.4MVirginiaVA12K1.99K2210.33251K$14.3MVermontWashingtonWA177K1.17K4820.84164K$15.4MWisconsinWI205K1.77K1.02K2.16652K$23.5MWest VirginiaWV3.32K943260.23278K$9.83MWyomingWY12.9K8243678.13119K$14.4MColoradoCO2.31K1.68K2790.60379K$22.9M
  • Under 3.32K
  • 3.32K to 18.1K
  • 18.1K to 88.2K
  • 88.2K to 350K
  • 350K and up
  • Under 646
  • 646 to 1.18K
  • 1.18K to 1.49K
  • 1.49K to 2.03K
  • 2.03K and up
  • Under 123
  • 123 to 299
  • 299 to 765
  • 765 to 1.17K
  • 1.17K and up
  • Not published
  • Under 0.27
  • 0.27 to 0.52
  • 0.52 to 1.60
  • 1.60 to 3.58
  • 3.58 and up
  • Not published
  • Under 111K
  • 111K to 251K
  • 251K to 301K
  • 301K to 522K
  • 522K and up
  • Under $9.83M
  • $9.83M to $14.4M
  • $14.4M to $17.5M
  • $17.5M to $23.1M
  • $23.1M and up

Map and table: firearms the state’s plants reported to ATF, calendar year 2024. Darker means higher.

Map and table: federal firearms license records on ATF’s Aug 2026 list, all listed types. Darker means higher.

Map and table: private small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing jobs, 2025 annual average. Darker means higher.

Map and table: the share of the state’s private jobs in small arms manufacturing, against the U.S. share, 2025; 1.00 means the same share. Darker means higher.

Map and table: paid hunting-license holders the state certified for license year 2024. Darker means higher.

Map and table: Wildlife Restoration and hunter education money apportioned for fiscal 2026. Darker means higher.

Every state and measure
RankStateFirearms made, 2024License records, Aug 2026Small arms jobs, 2025Job concentration, 2025Hunting license holders, 2024Wildlife Restoration, FY 2026
1New Hampshire1,381,9226021,69715.4059,947$5,027,605
2Tennessee1,164,2391,9901,1712.24734,342$24,236,720
3Georgia796,8572,4251,2501.60815,738$27,695,024
4South Carolina764,9041,4947652.06199,114$11,071,422
5Texas665,8328,3431,1200.501,117,858$38,857,809
6North Carolina656,2673,0581,0201.29581,521$22,308,487
7Kentucky613,2251,4429442.97315,758$13,967,424
8Arizona549,9892,5802,2344.32303,298$23,118,473
9Massachusetts479,681589Not publishedNot published60,377$8,289,959
10Florida350,1574,5588280.52265,018$16,437,305
11Connecticut225,5306591,2464.6025,903$6,023,949
12New Jersey222,163380Not publishedNot published67,305$8,289,959
13Illinois213,4461,414Not publishedNot published282,380$16,595,276
14Wisconsin205,1101,7751,0172.16652,399$23,485,531
15Washington176,7451,1654820.84163,801$15,447,463
16Alabama150,1801,479Not publishedNot published497,063$19,216,281
17Nevada146,5248592490.99111,210$15,610,455
18Utah135,2091,3707002.51282,841$16,350,555
19Pennsylvania95,6103,2371,1971.241,031,218$30,594,626
20New York88,1651,8162990.19533,479$20,933,144
21Missouri55,1392,4372380.51521,787$22,441,430
22Ohio53,8952,7852370.27359,811$16,569,111
23Arkansas50,8031,5008103.88331,401$14,014,316
24California49,9712,0304860.17251,590$26,821,647
25Idaho42,6771,3413522.52300,759$16,597,136
26Vermont28,628340Not publishedNot published55,171$5,027,605
27Minnesota26,0321,5521,6853.58527,774$23,819,471
28Michigan23,9142,436350.05632,144$23,914,949
29Iowa23,1901,456710.28222,692$12,112,654
30Indiana18,1361,7312610.51252,645$13,857,865
31Wyoming12,9468243678.13118,896$14,427,611
32Oregon12,8721,379Not publishedNot published330,416$20,075,259
33Virginia11,9591,9942210.33251,350$14,312,936
34Maryland10,7567921230.28111,027$7,898,984
35Montana10,3771,1843143.83233,193$21,957,263
36Kansas8,8811,206530.23282,124$16,080,090
37Oklahoma6,0111,704Not publishedNot published356,283$17,533,166
38Louisiana4,7941,288Not publishedNot published451,343$17,626,642
39Nebraska4,188804Not publishedNot published266,748$15,218,471
40West Virginia3,323943260.23278,193$9,827,675
41New Mexico2,744689280.20160,081$17,768,168
42Colorado2,3131,6792790.60378,763$22,930,115
43South Dakota1,896646801.09222,875$14,329,482
44North Dakota1,659543Not publishedNot published148,512$12,140,115
45Mississippi1,0381,053Not publishedNot published271,751$12,204,415
46Maine735547Not publishedNot published208,206$9,376,640
47Hawaii298105Not publishedNot published15,296$5,027,605
48Rhode Island103115Not publishedNot published7,378$5,027,605
49Alaska102562Not publishedNot published87,159$35,595,455
50Delaware41135Not publishedNot published15,399$5,027,605

Ranks count only states with a published value. A state without one is listed last, never as zero. Background checks are left out: state permit rules change how many checks a state runs, and a check is not a sale. Sources: ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report, ATF Federal Firearms Listings, BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, USFWS Wildlife Restoration and hunting licenses.

Find firearms businesses in Colorado

Research with Colorado figures

  1. Who makes America's guns?Inside: Colorado’s largest filings each year · compare Colorado with another state or year
  2. When do Americans run firearm background checks?Inside: Every day since 1998 for the whole country; the FBI publishes no daily counts by state
  3. Firearm background checks per person, by stateInside: Colorado’s rate per 1,000 residents · its yearly check mix · monthly checks since 1998
  4. How do federal firearms license counts and types differ by state?Inside: Colorado’s license mix against the U.S. · compare Colorado with another state
  5. Where are hunting licenses most common?Inside: Colorado’s license holders per 100 residents, its rank and its nonresident share

All research

Sources, downloads and corrections

Every number above has its own link. Select Cite to copy a figure as one sentence with its source, period and link.

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Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit USA Arms and link to this page.

  1. [1] ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reportcalendar years 2004–2024www.atf.gov
  2. [2] ATF Federal Firearms Listingsmonthly lists by license type, January 2021 – August 2026www.atf.gov
  3. [3] USFWS Wildlife Restoration apportionments and hunting-license certificationshunting licenses, license years 1956–2024; apportionments, fiscal years 1939–2026www.fws.gov
  4. [4] FBI NICS firearm checksmonthly state counts, November 1998 – August 2026; checks by type, 2025www.fbi.gov
  5. [5] BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wagesprivate employers by industry, 2001–2025www.bls.gov
  6. [6] Census Bureau, Economic Census2022 Economic Census, Coloradowww.census.gov
  7. [7] Census international tradeColorado-origin exports by product, 2025; monthly values through December 2025www.census.gov

Each figure keeps the period its source uses: calendar years, federal fiscal years (ending September 30), license years or months. Withheld and unpublished values are labeled, never shown as zero. Partial years are labeled, never stretched to a full year. Totals that USA Arms added up say so. Found something wrong? Submit a correction.