Colorado House Bill 24-1348 changes how firearms must be stored in unattended vehicles starting January 1, 2026.
If you leave a firearm inside your vehicle in Colorado, the law now requires secure storage that is locked and kept out of plain view.
Read the Colorado HB 24-1348 official bill text or review the Colorado Bureau of Investigation firearms resources .
What HB 24-1348 Requires
Under Colorado HB 24-1348, a handgun left in an unattended vehicle must be:
- Stored in a locked container
- Kept out of plain view
- Stored in a hard-sided container for handguns
The law raises the standard above traditional soft pistol cases, backpacks, or glove compartment storage.
Why “Hard-Sided” Matters
Colorado lawmakers focused heavily on vehicle theft trends when drafting HB 24-1348.
A soft pistol case can be cut open quickly. A hard-sided steel container creates more time, more noise, and more resistance for a thief trying to steal valuables or personal protection devices from the vehicle.
The goal is not to claim a safe is impossible to break into. The goal is theft deterrence, delayed access, and secure discrete storage.
Out Of Plain View Means More Than Hidden
Colorado's law also requires the firearm container to remain out of plain view from outside the vehicle.
- Under rear seats
- Covered cargo floors
- Low-profile rear seat installs
- Concealed anchored storage
A visible lockbox on the rear seat or floorboard may still create legal and theft concerns even if the container itself is locked.
Why ISOFIX Anchoring Matters
One of the biggest differences between ordinary portable lockboxes and a dedicated vehicle safe is anchoring.
BoostedSafe products use ISOFIX/LATCH anchor points already installed in modern passenger vehicles. These are the same steel anchors used for child safety seats.
The result is a hard-sided vehicle safe that is physically attached to the vehicle instead of sitting loose inside the cabin.
Learn more about the hard-sided vehicle gun safe or compare this law with California's similar 2026 law .
Common Colorado Questions
Does HB 24-1348 apply to non-residents?
Yes. Colorado law applies to firearms stored in unattended vehicles while inside Colorado regardless of the owner’s home state.
Does this apply to hunters and trailhead parking?
Yes. Parking at a trailhead, campground, or hunting access area still counts as an unattended vehicle situation under the law.
Does a glovebox count?
A dedicated locked container is the safer interpretation under HB 24-1348. A purpose-built vehicle safe is a much stronger compliance approach than relying on a standard glovebox.
Can I install a vehicle safe myself?
Yes. Most ISOFIX-mounted BoostedSafe installs take around 15 minutes with no drilling required.
Secure Storage For Colorado Drivers
BoostedSafe products are designed for secure discrete storage in modern passenger vehicles using factory ISOFIX/LATCH anchor points.
They disguise as a booster seat, stay hidden under the rear seat area, and provide theft-deterrent storage for valuables and personal protection devices.
Shop BoostedSafe Elite
The Bottom Line
Colorado HB 24-1348 changes the baseline for vehicle firearm storage in unattended vehicles.
Locked. Hard-sided. Out of plain view.
A properly anchored vehicle safe helps address all three at once while keeping valuables secured and accessible when needed.