Senate Bill 25-003
Coverage of Senate Bill 25-003 in the Nexus archive.
- Montezuma County sheriff opts out of administering new Colorado gun law
Montezuma County Sheriff Steven Nowlin announced his office will not administer Colorado's new gun law, Senate Bill 25-003, due to funding, staffing, and constitutional concerns. The law requires eligibility cards and safety courses for purchasing certain semiautomatic firearms, which Nowlin argues lacks necessary resources and conflates hunter education with firearm purchase requirements. Supporters claim the law aims to reduce mass shooting fatalities.
- Colorado sees record spike in firearm background checks ahead of new gun law
Colorado's firearm background checks hit a record 59,452 in July, a 195% increase from July 2025, as residents rushed to purchase guns before Senate Bill 25-003 took effect on August 1. The law mandates new requirements for semiautomatic firearms, but Montezuma County Sheriffs Office declined to participate due to funding and staffing issues.