Mdbtyhtr wrote:
Colorado is an open carry state, but that is restricted in Jefferson County and the City of Denver, however, if you possess a concealed carry permit, you are okay statewide. Apparently, Colorado is still the wild, wild west!
Scott
Hello Scott!
Just a clarification...
You are right about city and county of Denver denying the right to keep and bear arms in their jurisdiction unless you've paid for the privilege by obtaining a conceal handgun permit. They do deny open carry to those who assume the right if they have no permit.
Jeffco, however, and everywhere else in Colorado is Open Carry. No other jurisdiction is exempt from Colorado's statewide preemption law. Legislation signed by Governor Bill Owens in 2003 stated regulation if firearms was a matter of statewide concern with extraterritorial impact. Denver claimed exemption on the basis of "home rule" jurisdiction.
The matter has been fought over since Denver took that stance, and holds to it to this very day. The Meier's Decision affirmed Denver's infringement of the 2nd Amendment rights if citizens and continues to be litigated to this day.
Point being, Jefferson County is an open carry jurisdiction too, and I personally O.C. there all the time. I had an officer in Golden try to tell me I couldn't in their jurisdiction, but after providing a detailed analysis of Colorado preemption law through the police department, got myself a nice apology letter from them.
O.C. anywhere in Colorado.... Except City and County if Denver! Everywhere else, you're Golden! (sic)