Among hundreds of Colorado's unsolved mysteries, its knife laws rank as the most puzzling. The laws are tricky, confusing, ever-evolving, and laid down in cryptic messages. We're going to decode these statutes and put them down in plain English - so you know which knives you can legally own and carry.
The Centennial State presents itself in a diverse landscape and there are plenty of reasons one may want to carry a knife. The 26 scenic byways of the state connect the historic monuments with acres of wild, majestic scenery that cover the red rock canyons, towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the sun-kissed prairies. Colorado provides a dream summer destination for survival enthusiasts with unparalleled experience in hiking, camping, and mountain biking. The wilderness and lifestyle demand survival tools and tactical knives are in high demand.
At a glance, it seems like the knife laws in Colorado are quite friendly, but wait till you come to the finer print. It's not all kittens and rainbows as it seems at first.
Legal Knives In Colorado
Legal knives in the Centennial State fall in 2 pigeonholes. There are knives with blades below 3.5 inches in length, and knives with bigger blades measuring over 3.5 inches. These are then further subdivided into automatic knives, folding knives, and fixed blade knives. For the average man, it's important to note the blade length - this is all important when carrying a knife, whether open or concealed.
Knives You Can Legally Own
For knife enthusiasts, Colorado is a haven. The state permits you to own almost any knife you want as long as it stays within your property. Knives that you can legally own here are:
- Daggers, push knives, dirks, and stilettos are legal.
- Disguised knives such as pen knives, belt knives, and cane knives, are legal.
- Bowie and all large fixed blade knives are legal.
- Automatic knives or switchblades and gravity knives are legal
Balisong knives are in a legal gray area and you should check with your local authorities.
Prohibited Knives:
It is unlawful (class 5 felony) to knowingly possess a “ballistic knife.”
Colorado Open Carry Knife Laws
Colorado has relaxed knife laws when openly carrying non-ballistic knives. As long as your knife is visible on you, and you're not trying to hide it, you can carry any knife that's classified as legal. That means you can openly carry switchblades, folding knives, and all fixed blade knives. It's unlawful to openly carry any kind of ballistic knife.
Colorado Concealed Carry Knife Laws
There are more restrictions around concealed carry. The laws gravitate around the blade length. The law states that one cannot conceal carry any knife with a blade of 3.5 inches or over. The restriction applies to all knives including automatic knives or switchblades, folding blades, and fixed blade knives.
It's important to note that this law applies not only to knives but any sharp item that can cut, stab, or tear wounds. There are exceptions to this law and servicemen like plumbers, carpenters, and electricians can carry sharp tools. Check with your local authorities about carrying long sharp tools, and objects.
