The laws about carrying knives in Colorado can be a bit tricky. You're allowed to openly carry knives, but there are some restrictions if you want to carry them concealed - meaning hiding them from plain view.
You may only conceal carry knives with a blade shorter than 3.5 inches, or if it is a hunting or fishing knife.
That being said, there are some specific types of knives that you're not allowed to carry at all - ballistic knives are a no-go in Colorado. On the other hand, switchblades are generally legal to carry, but it’s important to note that in certain cities like Denver, there are additional rules involving switchblades.
In Colorado, you are not permitted to bring any type of knife onto school property. State law, specifically defined in statute 18-12-101 C.R.S., describes a "knife" as;
any dagger, dirk, knife, or stiletto with a blade over three and one-half inches in length, or any other dangerous instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds, but does not include a hunting or fishing knife carried for sports use. The issue that a knife is a hunting or fishing knife must be raised as an affirmative defense.
In simpler terms, you can openly carry most knives, but if you want to keep them hidden, there are some size and type restrictions. And remember to be aware of state and local laws when traveling. For example, Colorado Springs knife laws in 2023 are different from Denver, Boulder, Aurora, & Lakewood, it’s important for residents and visitors to familiarize themselves with local regulations.
Still have some questions on Colorado knife laws? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions received by Colorado criminal defense lawyers.
Can I openly carry knives in Colorado?
Yes, in most cases you are permitted to openly carry knives, even big ones like machetes. "Open carry" means carrying knives where others can see them, for example:
- Holding in your hand or under your arm
- Wearing them on the outside of your waistband or on a belt
- Carrying them on a necklace
- Having them in a clip attached to the outside of a bag
Can I carry a concealed knife?
In Colorado, you're allowed to keep knives concealed if the blade is 3.5 inches or smaller. This includes knives with fixed blades. Here are some examples of concealed carry knives:
- Tucking it into your waistband, with clothes covering it;
- Keeping it in a purse or backpack;
- Having it in your pocket.
It's against the law to conceal carry any knife with a blade measuring longer than 3.5 inches. Here are some examples:
- Cooking knives and cleavers;
- Special ceremonial knives;
- Certain pocket knives and folding knives;
- Bowie knives.
There are exceptions to the concealed carrying of knives, where it's okay to conceal carry knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches, but this is only permitted in certain places:
- You can conceal carry a knife at your home, on your property, or at your place of business.
- You may also conceal carry knives in a private automobile (or other private transportation) for lawful protection purposes.
- Law enforcement officers have special permission to carry concealed knives.
CCW (carrying a concealed weapon) permits are usually not necessary to carry concealed knives in Colorado. If you’re unsure, check with your county sheriff to make sure you’re in compliance.
What types of knives are illegal in Colorado?
Ballistic knives are always illegal to carry in Colorado, under state law a “ballistic knife” means any knife that has a blade which is forcefully projected from the handle by means of a spring-loaded device or explosive charge.
Colorado law defines them as “dangerous weapons.” Blackjacks are also illegal in Colorado. “Blackjacks” includes any billy, sand club, sandbag, or other hand-operated striking weapon consisting, at the striking end, of an encased piece of lead or other heavy substance and, at the handle end, a strap or springy shaft which increases the force of impact.
Switchblades and gravity knives are now legal under Colorado state law. Switchblade knives are “automatic knives” that open automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in its handle.
Gravity knives open by the force of gravity.
Butterfly knives - or balisong knives - exist in a legal gray area in Colorado. Arguably, they are a gravity knife and as such, not an illegally classified weapon. However, no case precedence exists showing that the repeal of the gravity knife ban applies to butterfly knives.
Switchblades and gravity knives remain illegal in certain municipalities and cities, including:
- Denver
- Aurora
- Boulder
- Lakewood
And remember, it is illegal anywhere in the state of Colorado to conceal carry any of these knives if the blade length exceeds 3.5 inches.
Do some places prohibit knives?
Yes, it is always illegal to carry a knife - whether open or concealed - on school grounds, including:
- Pre-schools;
- Kindergarten through 12th grade (secondary school); and
- Post-graduate (college, technical school, etc., even though the students are adults and not minors)
There are some exceptions to this rule, it is legal to carry a knife on school grounds if:
- The knife remains in a vehicle while at a public or private college, university, or seminary. Excluding all lower grades such as pre-K, lower school, middle school, or high school;
- You are in a private automobile (or other private transportation), and you are carrying a knife for self-defense;
- You are a school resource officer; or
- You possess the weapon for an approved educational program
Am I permitted to carry a hunting or fishing knife?
Yes, you're allowed to carry hunting and fishing knives in Colorado for sporting use.
These types of knives are special because they don't fall under Colorado's legal definition of a regular "knife." This means you can carry them openly or hide them, and it doesn't matter how long the blade is. If someone gets in trouble for carrying these knives, they can say they were using them for hunting or fishing, and that's a valid defense.
What are the penalties for unlawfully carrying a knife in Colorado?
Depending on the specific offense, violating knife laws in Colorado can result in misdemeanor or felony charges:
Carrying concealed with a blade exceeding 3.5″ (18-12-105 C.R.S.)
- Class 1 misdemeanor:
- Up to 364 days; and/or
- Up to $1,000
Carrying a ballistic knife (18-12-102 C.R.S.)
- First offense
- Class 5 felony:
- 1 – 3 years in Colorado State Prison; and/or
- $1,000 – $100,000
- Second offense
- Class 4 felony:
- 2 – 6 years in prison; and/or
- $2,000 – $500,000
Carrying a knife at a school (18-12-105.5 C.R.S.)
- Class 6 felony:
- 1 year to 18 years in prison; and/or
- $1,000 – $100,000
Can my case records be kept private or sealed?
If you were convicted of a Class 1 misdemeanor, you can request to seal your records three years after your case is closed. For Class 2 misdemeanors, it's a two-year wait, and for Class 4, 5, and 6 felonies, it takes three years.
However, if your charges were dismissed, you can apply to seal your records immediately.
What happens if you're not a U.S. citizen and you get caught with a knife or bring one to school?
Carrying a ballistic knife or deadly weapon to a school may be a deportable offense to non-citizens.
If you are not a United States citizen and you're facing charges for having these types of weapons, whether concealed or not, it's important to consult a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
An experienced attorney might be able to convince the people in charge to lessen the severity of the charges, or even drop them altogether to prevent you from being deported.
Common Criminal Defenses to Knife Charges in Colorado
Here are five common arguments that can be used as defenses against knife charges:
- The object in question doesn't meet the legal definition of a "knife;"
- The blade of the knife was 3.5 inches or shorter;
- The knife was not concealed;
- You were not aware that you were carrying the knife - meaning someone could’ve planted it on you without your knowledge);
- The knife was intended for hunting or fishing purposes.
- The police conducted an unlawful search;
- The knife was on your property;
- You were not on school grounds;
- You had no intention of using the knife as a weapon;
- You were falsely accused.
Another potential criminal defense is called state preemption. This is what happens when state law overrides a local, municipal law. Preemption typically applies when you are traveling in a private vehicle.
Prior to August 9, 2017, switchblades were not permitted throughout the entire State of Colorado. A new law took effect in August of 2017 which removed switchblades from the statewide category of illegal weapons. However, in certain cities, like Denver and Boulder, there are local laws prohibiting carrying of switchblades.
In many criminal cases, people often reach agreements or plea deals to settle the matter. If the case ends up going to trial, it's the job of the District Attorney (D.A.) to prove that the person accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony for carrying a knife in the state of Colorado, an experienced criminal defense attorney can advocate on your behalf to get the charges reduced or dismissed.
