18-12-105.3. Unlawful carrying of a firearm in government buildings - penalty - definitions -

18-12-105.3. Unlawful carrying of a firearm in government buildings - penalty - definitions - repeal. (1) A person shall not knowingly carry a firearm, whether loaded or not loaded, in any of the following locations, including their adjacent parking areas:

(a) On the property of or within any building in which:

(I) The chambers, galleries, or offices of the general assembly, or either house thereof, are located;

(II) A legislative hearing or meeting of the general assembly is being conducted; or

(III) The official office of any member, officer, or employee of the general assembly is located;

(b) Unless permitted by a local government, as described in subsection (4)(b) of this section, on the property or within any building in which:

(I) The chambers or galleries of a local government's governing body are located;

(II) A meeting of a local government's governing body is being conducted; or

(III) The official office of any elected member of a local government's governing body or of the chief executive officer of a local government is located; or

(c) A courthouse or any other building or portion of a building used for court proceedings.

(2) This section does not apply to:

(a) A peace officer carrying a firearm pursuant to the authority granted in section 16-2.5-101 (2);

(b) A member of the United States armed forces or Colorado National Guard when engaged in the lawful discharge of the member's official duties;

(c) Security personnel employed or retained by an entity that controls or operates a place described in this section and security personnel described in section 24-33.5-216.7 (5) while engaged in the security personnel's official duties;

(d) Law enforcement personnel, defense counsel personnel, and court personnel carrying or possessing a firearm in the performance of their official duties as part of the lawful and common practices of a legal proceeding; and

(e) A person who holds a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun or a temporary emergency permit issued pursuant to part 2 of this article 12 who is carrying a concealed handgun in the adjacent parking area of a location listed in subsection (1) of this section.

(2.3) (a) On and before January 4, 2025, subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to a member of the general assembly.

(b) This subsection (2.3) is repealed, effective January 5, 2025.

(3) A person commits unlawful carrying of a firearm in a government building if the person violates subsection (1) of this section. Unlawful carrying of a firearm in a government building is a class 1 misdemeanor.

(4) (a) This section does not prohibit a local government from enacting an ordinance, regulation, or other law pursuant to section 18-12-214 or 29-11.7-104 that prohibits a person from carrying a firearm in a specified place.

(b) A local government may enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law that permits a person to carry a firearm at place described in subsection (1)(b) of this section.

(5) Nothing in this section prohibits a person from securely storing a firearm in a vehicle, as required by state law, that is at a location described in this section.

(6) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Governing body" has the same meaning set forth in section 29-1-102.

(b) "Local government" means any city, county, city and county, special district, or other political subdivision of this state, or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof.