Senate approves bill allowing firearms dealers to request serial-number checks during 3-day waiting period

Senate Bill 205, which creates a standardized procedure allowing licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) to request law-enforcement serial-number checks during Colorado’s three-day waiting period for firearm transfers, passed the Senate on April 7, 2025.

Sponsor Senator Henriksen said the idea came from dealerships in the district that wanted a clearer, consistent way to confirm whether a used or trade-in firearm had been reported stolen or missing. "Sometimes the response is, 'all of our deputies in the field are really busy,'" Henriksen said, describing how inconsistent responsiveness can leave dealers exposed to loss.

The Senate adopted a committee report and then considered several floor amendments. Most proposed amendments from senators concerned timing, sheriff capacity and whether a sheriff could be allowed discretion in reporting deadlines; several were offered and lost (L005, L006, L007, L008). One amendment (L009) that would have eliminated the ability for law enforcement to charge dealers for checks failed. Floor debate addressed rural sheriff staffing limits and the bill’s permissive fee language. The chair announced final passage: "That bill is adopted." The transcript shows the final passage was approved by voice vote with no numeric roll call recorded in the provided segment.

Ending: SB205 passed the Senate as amended and will continue in the legislative process. Supporters said it gives dealers a practical option to reduce the risk of unknowingly taking in stolen firearms; opponents flagged potential unfunded burdens on local law enforcement.