Colorado permits many common knives, but its concealed-carry rules are more specific than a simple “most knives are legal” summary. The state’s statutory definition, blade length, carry method, use, location, and local law can all matter.
Colorado generally permits manual folders, fixed blades, automatic knives, gravity knives, and balisongs. A ballistic knife remains an illegal weapon. State law prohibits carrying a statutory “knife” concealed on or about the person, and a concealed-handgun permit does not generally authorize concealed knife carry.
How does Colorado define a knife?
For article 12 of the Colorado Criminal Code, “knife” means a dagger, dirk, knife, or stiletto with a blade over three and one-half inches, or another dangerous instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds. A hunting or fishing knife carried for sports use is excluded, but the statute treats that issue as an affirmative defense. [1]
This definition is why 3.5 inches is important, but it should not be treated as a universal guarantee. A smaller item can still be analyzed as another dangerous instrument depending on its design and the circumstances, and threatening or criminal use can trigger other statutes.
Are automatic and gravity knives legal?
Colorado removed switchblade and gravity knives from its illegal-weapon provisions in 2017. Senate Bill 17-008 repealed the special definitions and removed those two knife types from the illegal-weapon list. [2]
Ordinary automatic-opening knives and gravity knives are therefore not prohibited statewide merely because of their opening mechanism. Balisongs are not specifically prohibited by the current statewide list.
Ballistic knives are different. Colorado defines a ballistic knife as a knife whose blade is forcefully projected from the handle by a spring-loaded device or explosive charge. Section 18-12-102 classifies a ballistic knife as an illegal weapon, and knowingly possessing one is a class 1 misdemeanor unless an affirmative defense applies. [1]
Can you openly carry a knife?
Colorado state law does not impose a general ban on openly carrying an ordinary lawful knife. Open carry can still be restricted by a local ordinance, a school or facility rule, private-property policy, or another statute based on conduct and location.
Do not rely only on a visible pocket clip. Whether an item is concealed is a fact-specific question. If the carry method matters, use a clearly visible and restrained sheath or choose a smaller everyday folder that falls outside the article 12 length clause.
What are Colorado’s concealed-carry rules?
Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-12-105 makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly and unlawfully carry a statutory knife concealed on or about the person. The statute includes exceptions for a person in the person’s own dwelling, place of business, or property under the person’s control, and for certain private-vehicle travel. [3]
The current permit exception is written for a handgun permit when the weapon involved is a handgun. A Colorado concealed-handgun permit should not be presented as a general permit to conceal a knife. That claim in some older guides is incorrect.
Practical takeaway: for ordinary everyday pocket carry, a manual folder with a blade no longer than 3.5 inches presents the clearest state-law category. Larger blades and purpose-built daggers, dirks, or stilettos require more caution, especially if concealed.
How does vehicle transport work?
Section 18-12-105 provides an exception for a person in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance who carries a weapon for lawful protection of the person or another person or property while traveling. Section 18-12-105.6 also prevents local governments from restricting that form of vehicle travel for hunting or lawful protection. [4]
This is not a universal exception for criminal use, prohibited weapons, school violations, or every storage situation. Keep a knife closed or sheathed and secured against movement. Do not invent a locked-glove-box or trunk requirement that the general knife statute does not state.
What restrictions apply at schools, colleges, and universities?
Section 18-12-105.5 prohibits knowingly and unlawfully possessing a non-firearm “deadly weapon,” as defined by § 18-1-901(3)(e), on the real estate and improvements of covered public and private schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries, subject to stated exceptions. [5]
For this section, a knife becomes a deadly weapon when, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, it is capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. The statute includes exceptions for authorized demonstrations, required employee duties, authorized extracurricular activities, certain vehicle situations, and approved educational programs.
Do not assume a small pocketknife is acceptable under a campus handbook. School policies may be broader than the criminal statute, and the intended-use analysis can be fact-specific.
Are minors generally prohibited from possessing knives?
No statewide statute reviewed for this update creates the broad “under 18 cannot possess knives” rule stated in some older summaries. Colorado’s specific juvenile-possession statute, § 18-12-108.5, concerns handguns, not ordinary knives. [6]
Minors are still subject to the same concealed-knife, illegal-weapon, school, criminal-use, and local rules, along with parental, retailer, activity, and institution policies. A parent should supervise use and verify the exact location and activity.
Do local Colorado knife ordinances matter?
Yes. Colorado’s statewide rule in § 18-12-105.6 is limited to weapon travel in private vehicles for hunting or lawful protection. It is not a broad knife-preemption statute covering all ownership and carry. Local ordinances may therefore matter outside that protected vehicle context. [4]
Check the current municipal code where you plan to carry, as well as rules for government property, parks, transit, events, and secured buildings. Do not assume that rules in Denver, Colorado Springs, or a mountain community are identical.
What federal and private-property rules still apply?
Federal facilities and air travel follow federal rules independently of Colorado law. The Transportation Security Administration prohibits knives in carry-on baggage except for plastic or round-bladed butter knives; checked-baggage and airline requirements still apply. [7]
Private property owners, employers, schools, universities, and event operators may impose access or conduct policies. Refusing to comply can lead to removal, trespass issues, discipline, or employment consequences.
What should you verify before carrying?
- The measured blade length and whether the item fits Colorado’s article 12 definition of a knife.
- Whether the item is concealed on or about the person.
- Whether it is an ordinary automatic knife or a prohibited ballistic knife.
- Whether the destination is a school, college, university, federal facility, secured building, workplace, or private venue.
- The current municipal code outside the protected private-vehicle context.
Conclusion
Colorado allows most ordinary knife types, including automatic and gravity knives, but the state still prohibits ballistic knives and regulates concealed carry through a definition tied to blade length and dangerous design. A concealed-handgun permit is not a general knife permit, and schools and local rules require separate review.
Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Knife laws and their interpretation can change and may depend on blade measurement, knife design, age, carry method, location, use, and local rules. Verify current law through official sources or consult a qualified Colorado attorney about a specific situation.
Sources & References
- [1] Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18 — §§ 18-12-101 and 18-12-102. Current definitions of knife and ballistic knife, and the illegal-weapon rule.
- [2] Colorado General Assembly — Senate Bill 17-008, Chapter 74. Repealed the switchblade and gravity-knife classifications in 2017.
- [3] Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18 — § 18-12-105. Concealed-knife offense and statutory exceptions.
- [4] Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18 — § 18-12-105.6. Private-vehicle rule and its limited local-preemption effect.
- [5] Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18 — §§ 18-1-901(3)(e) and 18-12-105.5. Deadly-weapon definition and school, college, and university restrictions.
- [6] Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18 — § 18-12-108.5. Juvenile handgun-possession statute.
- [7] Transportation Security Administration — Knives. Federal carry-on and checked-baggage guidance.
