PERSONAL PROTECTION INSIDE THE HOME (Concealed carry)
This course introduces you to the rights and responsibilities you must consider when carrying a pistol for self defense. Successful completion of the course will get you the certificate necessary to apply for a Concealed Pistol License (CPL or CCW). Students will learn concepts and considerations to guide them in their daily life should they choose to apply for a concealed pistol license and choose to carry a pistol for personal protection including:
Skills to improve awareness of your surroundings
Basic defensive shooting skills
Responding to a violent confrontation
Firearms & the law
How to choose a handgun for self-defense
Strategies for home safety
Opportunities for continued skills development
Successful completion of this course earns you a certificate that qualifies you to apply for a Concealed Pistol License.
This is not a beginning shooters course.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This is an 8 hour course with both classroom time as well as 3 hours of range time. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, and course completion certificate.
PREREQUISITES: This course is for law-abiding adult citizens that are not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, 21 years or older that are experienced shooters.
PRE-COURSE EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS Students must be able to pass pre course qualification & demonstrate these skills in order to attend this class.
Shooters must be able to show:
Mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling
Shooting a group
Zeroing the firearm
Cleaning the firearm
Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by passing the Pre-Course Assessment.
FIREARM REQUIREMENTS: Your may bring your own firearm to use that is .22 caliber - 45 caliber (pending instructor inspection for safety -and operation) or you may rent a firearm. Prior arrangement is necessary for rental. If you are renting, you are responsible for providing your good quality factory ammunition for the rental gun. NO single action only revolvers of any caliber. If you have a double action revolver, you must be able to operate it double action throughout the course.
AMMUNITION REQUIREMENTS: Bring at least 100 rounds of good quality factory ammunition (I recommend 150). If you are renting a gun, you will need .22LR ammunition.
WHAT TO BRING: The range is indoors, temperatures vary, bring layers.
Ear & eye protection
Brimmed hat
High collared shirt
Water & snacks for the classroom
Lunch for in the classroom
Clothing layers for temperature protection on the range, appropriate footwear.
Course Cost: $175
COLORADO STATUTE HB24-1174 July 1, 2025
Under existing law, an applicant for a permit to carry a concealed handgun (permit) must demonstrate competence with a handgun. An applicant may demonstrate competence with a handgun in a number of ways, including by completing a training class offered by a certified instructor within 10 years before submitting an application for a permit. Pursuant to the act, beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant may demonstrate competence with a handgun by completing a training class only if the class satisfies the minimum standards for a training class, described below, and the applicant completes the class within one year before submitting an application for a permit. The act also allows a person to demonstrate competence with a handgun for the purpose of obtaining a permit by holding a current certification as a peace officer.
An initial concealed handgun training class is a law enforcement training firearms safety course or a firearms safety course taught by an instructor verified by a county sheriff (verified instructor) that is held in person and includes instruction regarding:
Knowledge and safe handling of firearms and ammunition;
Safe storage of firearms and child safety;
Safe shooting fundamentals;
Federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms;
State law pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense;
Best practices for safely interacting with law enforcement personnel who are responding to an emergency; and
Techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force.
A student must achieve a passing score on a written concealed handgun competency exam and in a live-fire exercise to complete an initial concealed handgun training class. An initial concealed handgun training class must provide at least 8 hours of instruction, including the live-fire exercise and written exam.
Beginning July 1, 2025, the act requires an applicant to renew a permit to demonstrate competence with a handgun. A renewal applicant may demonstrate competence with a handgun through participation in organized shooting competitions, current military service, or current certification as a peace officer; by being a verified instructor for firearms safety courses; by showing honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces or retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency with pistol qualifications within 10 years prior to submitting a renewal form; or completing an initial concealed handgun training class or a concealed handgun refresher class (refresher class) within 6 months prior to submitting a renewal form.
A refresher class must be held in person, be taught by a verified instructor, include instruction on changes to laws related to firearms, and require a passing score on a live-fire exercise and written exam. A refresher class must provide at least 2 hours of instruction, including the live-fire exercise and written exam.
The act requires a county sheriff to verify as training instructors any person whose principal place to conduct firearms training is in the sheriff's county. To be a verified instructor, a person must hold a valid concealed carry permit and be certified as a firearms instructor by a law enforcement agency, college or university, nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training, or firearms training school. Denial, suspension, or revocation of an instructor verification is subject to judicial review. It is a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified instructor for a concealed handgun training class unless the person is verified as a firearms instructor by a county sheriff.
The act prohibits a person from being issued a permit if the person was convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within 5 years before submitting a permit application.