Colorado Expands Red Flag Law to Allow More People to Seek Gun Removals

Governor Polis signs bill granting more Coloradans the ability to petition courts to temporarily take away firearms from those deemed dangerous.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:45am

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A dimly lit, cinematic government office space with a lone desk and chair, the room bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the quiet, bureaucratic process of enacting new gun legislation.Colorado's expanded red flag law aims to make it easier for community members to petition the courts to temporarily remove firearms from those deemed dangerous.Denver Today

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed into law an expansion of the state's red flag law, allowing a broader range of individuals beyond just law enforcement to petition the courts to temporarily remove firearms from those deemed to pose a significant risk to themselves or others. The new legislation, Senate Bill 4, marks a significant broadening of the state's existing red flag statute.

Why it matters

Red flag laws have become an increasingly common tool for addressing gun violence, with over 19 states and the District of Columbia having enacted such measures. However, the scope and implementation of these laws have varied, with some states limiting petitions to law enforcement only. Colorado's expansion aims to empower more community members to take action when they believe someone may be a threat.

The details

Senate Bill 4 allows a wider range of individuals, including family members, household members, and certain health professionals, to petition the courts for an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). This order would allow law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from a person deemed dangerous, with due process protections in place. The new law also extends the duration of ERPOs from the previous 364-day limit to up to one year.

  • Governor Polis signed the bill into law on April 7, 2026.

The players

Jared Polis

The current Governor of Colorado, who signed the red flag law expansion.

Senate Bill 4

The legislation that expanded Colorado's red flag law to allow more people to petition for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.

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What they’re saying

“This law will save lives by making it easier for families and others to intervene when someone is in crisis and poses a serious risk of harm.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado

What’s next

The expanded red flag law will go into effect on July 1, 2026, allowing the new petitioning process to be utilized across the state.

The takeaway

Colorado's red flag law expansion represents a significant step in empowering more community members to take action against potential gun violence. By broadening the pool of those who can initiate the ERPO process, the state aims to identify and intervene with individuals who may pose a serious threat before tragedy occurs.