Foundations Track • Colorado Initial CHP Course

Colorado CHP Foundations

A complete Colorado Initial CHP training course for newer or less experienced handgun users who want additional hands-on coaching while completing the same Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) training requirement. This is not a prep class for a later CHP course, and it is not a shortcut.

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Who this track is for.

Colorado CHP Foundations is designed for students with limited handgun experience or anyone who wants a more deliberate, hands-on approach.

FOUNDATIONS TRACK

Colorado CHP Foundations

Complete Colorado Initial CHP Course — beginner-friendly

Designed for students with limited handgun experience or anyone who wants a more deliberate, hands-on approach. This complete Colorado initial CHP course covers all required safety, firearm, legal, defensive-decision and live-fire subjects, with additional coaching in handgun operation, safe handling, loading and unloading, grip, sights, trigger control, range procedures and shooting fundamentals.

Best for: New shooters • New handgun owners • Occasional shooters • Anyone wanting additional hands-on coaching
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Common core required in both tracks.

Both Colorado CHP Foundations and Colorado CHP Experienced Shooter include the same Colorado Initial CHP statutory core. The tracks differ in emphasis, not in legal standard.

  • Knowledge and safe handling of firearms and ammunition
  • Safe storage and child safety
  • Safe shooting fundamentals
  • Applicable federal and Colorado firearm laws
  • Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)
  • Lost/stolen-firearm reporting
  • Secure-storage law
  • Recent applicable Colorado firearm laws
  • Colorado deadly-force and self-defense law
  • Safe interaction with law enforcement responding to an emergency
  • Avoiding criminal attacks
  • Managing violent confrontations
  • Conflict resolution
  • Judgmental use of lethal force
  • Open-book written competency exam
  • Live-fire qualification

Certificate and permit result.

Students who successfully complete all course requirements—including the written competency exam and live-fire qualification—receive a training certificate for use with an initial Colorado CHP application.

Course completion does not guarantee permit issuance. Eligibility and issuance are determined by the appropriate Colorado county sheriff.

Want the more supported track?

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