Legal note: This page is a CJRB educational summary, not legal advice. Colorado knife law can change, and local, federal, school, courthouse, airport, workplace, event, public-property, private-property, and transit rules may add restrictions. Use the source links below as a starting point and consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.
Last checked: July 24, 2026 · Primary sources: CRS 18-12-101 plus related official/local sources listed below
Colorado Knife Law Snapshot
Short version: Colorado defines knife for weapons-law purposes around blades over 3.5 inches, with a hunting/fishing sports-use carveout. Concealed carry and school/campus locations are the main EDC concerns; Denver has local restrictions.
Shorter ordinary knives are lower risk unless used or intended as weapons.
Concealed carry of a statutory knife is restricted.
Sports-use context can matter.
Denver has local knife and weapon restrictions.
Can You Carry a Knife in Colorado?
| Situation | Plain-English summary | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knife blade 3.5 inches or less | Generally lower risk under Colorado's article 12 knife definition, unless facts show weapon use or intent. | Lower risk | CRS 18-12-101 |
| Concealed knife blade over 3.5 inches | Colorado restricts unlawfully carrying a concealed knife on or about the person. | Restricted concealed | CRS 18-12-105 |
| Hunting or fishing knife carried for sports use | Colorado's knife definition excludes a hunting or fishing knife carried for sports use, with sports-use treated as an affirmative issue. | Sports-use caution | CRS 18-12-101 |
| School, college, university grounds | Colorado restricts deadly weapons on school and campus grounds, with narrow authorized-activity and employee-duty exceptions. | Avoid | CRS 18-12-105.5 |
| Denver | Denver defines weapon to include illegal knives and knives with blades greater than 3.5 inches, and has local possession/carry restrictions. | Local caution | Denver Code sections 38-93, 38-117, 38-118 |
Knife Type Notes
Use this section as a practical EDC check. A knife can be legal to own but still risky to carry because of concealment, location, age, conduct, or local rules.
| Knife type | State summary | Carry risk |
|---|---|---|
| Pocket knives under 3.5 inches | Lower risk unless carried or used as weapons. | Low |
| Larger folders/fixed blades | Concealed carry risk if over 3.5 inches. | Medium |
| Switchblades / gravity knives | Colorado legalized possession in 2017, but concealed length and local rules still matter. | Medium |
| Balisongs | Apply blade length, concealment, and local rules. | Medium |
Denver Rules
Local and place-based rules are often where EDC users get surprised. Check the exact city, campus, venue, transit system, workplace, and private-property rules before carrying.
| Rule area | What to know | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver weapon definition | Denver includes knives with blades greater than 3.5 inches and illegal knives in its weapon framework. | Caution | Denver Code 38-93 |
| Possession and carry | Denver restricts possession and concealed/open carry of weapons subject to local exceptions. | Caution | Denver Code 38-117, 38-118 |
Practical EDC Checklist
-
01Start with the knife type: Confirm whether the knife is ordinary utility carry or a listed/restricted weapon category.
-
02Check concealment: Some states treat open and concealed carry differently, and some cities add local concealed-carry limits.
-
03Check the place: Schools, court facilities, government buildings, parks, public transit, airports, and private venues often have stricter rules.
-
04Avoid threatening conduct: Displaying, drawing, or carrying a knife as a weapon can change the legal analysis quickly.
-
05Verify local law: State law is only the first layer unless the state has strong knife preemption.
Relevant Legal Sources
| Source | Why it matters | Status | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRS 18-12-101 | Knife definition and sports-use carveout. | Source | CRS 18-12-101 |
| CRS 18-12-105 | Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon. | Source | CRS 18-12-105 |
| CRS 18-12-105.5 | School, college, and university grounds. | Source | CRS 18-12-105.5 |
| Colorado SB17-008 | Switchblade and gravity knife legalization background. | Source | Colorado SB17-008 |
| Denver Code chapter 38 | Denver local weapon definitions and carry restrictions. | Source | Denver Code chapter 38 |
Get the 50-State Knife Law Cheatsheet
Enter your email and CJRB will send the EDC knife law checklist with state notes, status labels, and source links.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.