Colorado’s knife laws specify what residents and visitors may legally carry throughout the state. The regulations focus on blade length measurements, concealment definitions, and restrictions that differ between state statutes and municipal ordinances. Knife owners who understand these laws can avoid legal issues and comply with them in daily activities.
These statewide laws create a foundation, but understanding local variations is crucial. Cities may enact stricter rules, so knife legality can change quickly as you move between city limits, even between neighboring communities.
Understanding Colorado’s Knife Definition
Colorado Revised Statutes 18-12-101 defines a knife as any dagger, dirk, knife, or stiletto with a blade over 3.5 inches in length. It also defines knives as any other dangerous instrument that can inflict cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds. This definition supports all knife-related regulations in the state. The law excludes hunting or fishing knives carried for sports, protecting people who engage in these outdoor activities.
The 3.5-inch blade length serves as the primary threshold that separates legal from illegal concealed carry throughout Colorado. This measurement standard applies uniformly across the state, providing a consistent benchmark for knife owners. The specificity of this measurement eliminates ambiguity and gives knife carriers a concrete standard to follow when selecting everyday tools.
Blade Length Measurement Standards
Courts measure blade length in accordance with the precedent set in People v. Pickett, 571 P.2d 1078 (1977). According to this rule and guidance from the American Knife and Tool Institute, measure blade length from the tip to the point where the blade meets the handle. This method excludes the handle and focuses only on the cutting portion.
For our customers selecting folding knives or fixed blades, this measurement method provides certainty about legal compliance. A knife with a 3.5-inch blade measured according to these standards remains legal for concealed carry, while anything exceeding this length requires open carry or falls under specific exceptions outlined in state law.
Concealed Carry Regulations
Colorado Revised Statutes 18-12-105 prohibits knowingly carrying a concealed knife with a blade over 3.5 inches. The blade is considered concealed if hidden from ordinary view, such as in a pocket, under clothing, or in a bag worn on the person. Colorado has no statutory definition of concealment, but jury instructions define it as hidden from sight and not apparent to ordinary observation.
This definition impacts how knife owners transport and carry their knives. Pocket clips that leave part of the knife visible may not count as concealment. However, police may interpret this differently in some situations. Knives with blades 3.5 inches or less are not subject to state concealment restrictions. Carriers may keep these in pockets, bags, or other concealed places.
Open Carry Provisions
Colorado state law permits open carry of legal knives, regardless of blade length. Open carry means carrying knives so they are visible, such as on a belt sheath or with the clip showing. With this approach, knife owners may carry larger blades that exceed the 3.5-inch limit for concealed carry.
The freedom to openly carry knives of any length applies only where state law governs. Local municipalities can impose their own restrictions on open carry, creating a patchwork of regulations that vary from city to city. Knife carriers must research local ordinances before openly carrying blades in urban areas or traveling between Colorado cities.
Municipal Restrictions and Local Ordinances
Several Colorado cities enforce knife rules that go beyond state restrictions. Denver bans the open carry of knives with blades over 3.5 inches, as stated in Denver Municipal Code Section 38-117. Aurora also restricts open carry for blades longer than 3.5 inches. Boulder and Colorado Springs ban the concealed carry of any knife and prohibit displaying knives in a way that is intimidating or alarming.
Lakewood also restricts the open carry of knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches. These examples highlight how local governments can set rules stricter than state law. Since Colorado does not pre=empt local knife laws, each city enforces its own regulations. This makes it essential for knife carriers to research and understand both state laws and the local ordinances in their location.
Automatic and Ballistic Knives
On August 9, 2017, Colorado’s law changed. Senate Bill 17-008 removed switchblades and gravity knives from the list of illegal weapons. Now, these knives are legal under state law, and residents may own and carry them. However, some cities, like Denver, still prohibit switchblades and gravity knives through local ordinances, keeping those restrictions in place despite the state law change.
Ballistic knives remain illegal throughout Colorado. Colorado Revised Statutes 18-12-101 defines ballistic knives as any knife with a blade forcefully projected from the handle by means of a spring-loaded device or explosive charge. Possession of ballistic knives constitutes a dangerous weapons violation regardless of location within the state.
School Property Restrictions
Colorado Revised Statutes 18-12-105.5 prohibits possession of knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches on school property. This restriction applies to all educational institutions from kindergarten through university level, including seminaries. The law covers both public and private schools, creating uniform protection across all educational environments.
An exception allows knives to be stored in locked compartments inside vehicles on school property. This rule enables parents, staff, and visitors to transport knives through school grounds, provided they stay secured in their vehicles. Carriers may lawfully carry non-ballistic knives with blades not exceeding 3.5 inches on school grounds, provided they remain consistent with the general concealed carry blade length limit.
Legal Exceptions for Concealed Carry
Colorado law provides several exceptions to the prohibition on carrying concealed knives over 3.5 inches. These include carrying at one’s home or dwelling, on one’s property, at one’s workplace, or in private vehicles for protection. The hunting and fishing exception allows sportsmen to carry larger knives while taking part in these activities.
The hunting and fishing exception operates as an affirmative defense, and knife owners must prove they carried the knife for sports use. Carriers must show that the knife qualifies as a hunting or fishing knife and that they actively engaged in or traveled to participate in these activities. This exception recognizes the legitimate need for larger blades in outdoor recreation while maintaining urban restrictions.
Penalties for Violations
Violating Colorado’s concealed carry law is a Class 2 misdemeanor. According to the American Knife and Tool Institute, penalties range from 3 to 12 months in jail, with fines from $250 to $1,000. These penalties apply if you conceal a knife over 3.5 inches, unless you meet an exception.
Possession of a ballistic knife is a Class 5 felony under section 18-12-102. This carries 1 to 3 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1,000 to $100,000. Possessing knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches on school grounds is a Class 6 felony. Punishment includes a sentence of 1 to 18 months in prison and fines of $1,000 to $100,000. These strict penalties show how seriously Colorado treats violations in sensitive places.
Intent and Legal Interpretation
The Colorado Supreme Court set important precedent in A.P.E., a Juvenile v. The People of the State of Colorado, 20 P.3d 1179 (2001). The court said people cannot be convicted for carrying knives with blades under 3.5 inches unless there is proof of intent to use the knife as a weapon. The court also ruled that intent cannot be assumed based on the knife’s appearance alone.
This interpretation protects lawful knife carriers from prosecution solely for owning a knife or for its appearance. Prosecutors must show real intent to use a sub-3.5-inch blade as a weapon before they can secure a conviction under this law. For our customers, this precedent provides protection when carrying legal utility knives.
Law Enforcement Exemptions
Colorado law exempts law enforcement officers from knife restrictions when carrying weapons in conformance with their employing agency's policy. School Resource Officers receive similar exemptions for weapons on school grounds, allowing them to carry knives as part of their official duties. These exemptions recognize the professional requirements of law enforcement personnel while maintaining restrictions for civilian carriers.
Practical Compliance for Knife Carriers
Knife owners in Colorado should measure their blades carefully using the established tip-to-handle junction standard. Selecting knives with blades 3.5 inches or less ensures statewide concealed carry compliance, though municipal restrictions may still apply. When carrying knives exceeding this length, open carry remains an option where local ordinances permit.
Travelers should research municipal knife laws before visiting different Colorado cities. A knife that is legal in rural areas or smaller towns may be prohibited in Denver, Boulder, or Colorado Springs. Staying informed about location-specific regulations helps prevent violations and the risk of criminal charges. For those who carry knives for utility purposes, choosing tools that comply with the 3.5-inch standard helps maintain legal compliance across Colorado.