Colorado

Colorado bill restricting sale of certain semiautomatic guns clears first House committee after notable tweaks

Published

1 year ago

March 12, 2025

Colorado bill restricting sale of certain semiautomatic guns clears first House committee after notable tweaks

A bill that would ban the manufacture and restrict the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms in Colorado cleared its first committee Tuesday in the state House after being tweaked.

Senate Bill 3 was amended to ease the vetting process for buyers seeking to purchase semiautomatic rifles, shotguns and pistols that can accept detachable ammunition magazines that would otherwise be outlawed by the measure.

County sheriffs would still be responsible for the vetting, but buyers would no longer have to get fingerprinted as part of an additional background check that would be required to purchase a weapon targeted by the measure. Instead, they would have to fill out an application, provide a photo ID and submit the results of a name-based state and national background check.

Another change would give sheriffs broad power under Senate Bill 3 to deny an application if they have a “reasonable belief that documented previous behavior by the applicant makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to themself or others.” A sheriff’s office could also revoke purchasing permissions under the same standard.

Would-be buyers, should they pass the vetting, would then have to go through four or 12 hours of training, depending on whether they already have a hunter safety certification, and pass a test to get a five-year pass to purchase a banned firearm. They would have to renew their training after five years if they wanted to buy more banned weapons.

An AR-15 with a detachable magazine at Bristlecone Shooting, Training and Retail Center in Lakewood, Colorado, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. The Colorado legislature is considering a bill that would ban the manufacture, purchase and sale of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns that are capable of accepting detachable ammunition magazines, as well as some semiautomatic pistols and handguns. (Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun)

Colorado Parks and Wildlife would come up with the application, set the course requirements and determine the applicant fees for the process.

Senate Bill 3 was approved by a party-line vote of 7-4 by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday after 12-plus hours of testimony. It next heads to the House Finance Committee before reaching the House floor, where Republicans are likely to battle against the legislation for hours — if not days.

The Democratic sponsors of the legislation originally planned Tuesday to move the vetting process under the umbrella of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, but they opted against that change when the state’s sheriff’s association said they wouldn’t drop their opposition to the legislation even if that change happened.

“(Sheriffs) currently do a process that is very similar in relation to concealed carry,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a Fort Collins Democrat and lead sponsor of Senate Bill 3. “And so we do feel like they actually have the expertise and experience necessary to do this.”

Republicans on the Judiciary Committee complained that sheriffs would be burdened by the vetting.

“These small departments barely have enough budget to hire officers to do everyday patrol work,” said Rep. Ty Winter, R-Trinidad.

The measure would let sheriffs impose fees for the vetting to cover their costs.

The statehouse GOP is uniformly opposed to Senate Bill 3, but Republican state lawmakers can only delay passage of the legislation in the Democratic-controlled Capitol. They are mostly powerless to stop the measure, which is on track to reach the governor’s desk.

The measure was significantly watered down last month in the Senate from its introduced version. At first, the bill would have banned outright the manufacture and sale of semiautomatic rifles, shotguns and some pistols that can accept detachable ammunition magazines.

The paring back of the bill was done to appease Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat who has signaled he will now sign the measure.

Senate Bill 3, even in its weaker form, would still represent one of the biggest changes to Colorado gun policy in state history. It would affect AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, as well as their long list of popular variants. It would also affect tactical shotguns and a small portion of handguns.

The bill, which would go into effect in September, wouldn’t affect possession of the targeted weapons.

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Colorado

Colorado teen who survived shark attack walks runway at Avalanche charity event

Published

10 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Colorado teen who survived shark attack walks runway at Avalanche charity event

DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado teenager who lost her leg in a shark attack isn’t just walking again; she’s sharing the spotlight with one of her favorite hockey players.

Seventeen-year-old Annabelle Carlson took the runway Sunday at the Colorado Avalanche’s annual charity brunch, an event that raises money for community programs supported by Kroenke Sports Charities. The fundraiser, now in its third decade, is considered one of the team’s most impactful events of the year.

Carlson walked arm-in-arm with Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, drawing applause from a crowd of more than 450 attendees.

Standing tall again has been a long journey for the Colorado high school student. Carlson lost her leg after surviving a shark attack during a family trip to Belize in 2024. Since then, she has undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.

“I think being negative about things like this — it takes such a toll on how you view yourself and how you get through things,” Carlson said. “But I’d rather see everything like, not everything you lose is a loss.”

Carlson has now returned to skiing and hopes to pick back up with playing her favorite sport, lacrosse. But it took a lot of guts and resilience to get to where she is now.

“In my eyes, she’s extraordinary,” Landeskog said. “What she’s gone through at that age, it’s not easy to do.”

The charity event highlights children who have overcome serious medical challenges, pairing them with Avalanche players for a runway walk to spotlight their strength. Players also served brunch and helped auction off team gear and game tickets.

“It was really cool to meet him,” Carlson said of Landeskog. “It’s definitely a flex. Not everyone gets to meet the Avalanche. I’m super lucky and super excited to be here.”

Having gone through some injuries of his own, including damage to his knee, which took him out of play for several seasons, Landeskog said Carlson’s attitude is remarkable.

“She’s young, she’s brave,” he said. “I feel like she’s got a better head on her shoulders than I do, so I feel like I can learn a lot from her as well.”

The team said many players stay in touch with the children and their families long after the event ends, adding that the annual brunch is a day the whole team looks forward to each year.

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Colorado

++[LIVESTREAMS]TV!! New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Live 𝖲𝗍𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗆

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22 hours ago

March 29, 2026

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New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC live: New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC look to seize control of thrilling New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC . Every team in the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will host New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Park Stadium with the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC a single point ahead of New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the standings and just one behind leaders New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC .

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Colorado

+)WAY TO WATCH Ｆｒｅｅ New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC LIVE

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC LIVE GAME: New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC look to seize control of thrilling New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Every team in the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will host New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Park Stadium with the New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC a single point ahead of New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the standings and just one behind leaders New Mexico United vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

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