Introduction

The Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Survey (COFIPS) was administered for the first time in May 2023. This survey will be administered each year. The survey was designed by the Injury and Violence Prevention Center (IVPC) on behalf of the Colorado Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) within the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. The Injury & Violence Prevention Center is a collaborative initiative of the Colorado School of Public Health and the University of Colorado School of Medicine.


The goals of the survey are to:
    1. Monitor trends over time on Coloradans’:
        a. perceptions of firearm injury and violence burden and causes
        b. beliefs on policies and practices aimed at reducing harm of firearm injury and violence
        c. beliefs and behaviors of those who access firearms
    2. Inform the ongoing focus of firearm injury prevention strategies in Colorado
    3. Advance understanding of firearm-related topics as they pertain to Colorado

How To Use The Data

This report is designed to give a broad overview of the questions asked in COFIPS. The survey responses are weighted to be representative of four Colorado Regions (see Sample and Weighting for more details). Each question is separated by Colorado region to allow comparison between regions. We hope these might provide more localized data to understand regional needs and contexts related to firearms. The geographic regions and a table representing the estimated percentage of the Colorado population in each region are as follows:

Region % of Colorado Population
Metro 57.1%
Northcentral/Northeast 13.1%
Pike’s Peak 16.4%
All others 13.3%


Questions asked of all respondents are also separated by the presence of firearms in the household to allow comparison between households with firearms and those without. We included this separation because access to firearms is known to increase risk of firearm-related injuries and deaths so it is important to understand differences between those who can access firearms in their homes and those who cannot. The estimated percentage of the Colorado population with firearms in the household are as follows:

Firearms in Household % of Colorado Population
Yes 44.0%
No 53.5%
I don’t know 2.5%


Due to sample weighting, all percentages represent population estimates. In other words, the findings can be interpreted as being representative of Coloradans’ perspectives.


In most tables columns will sum to 100% which allows comparison across columns and along rows. However, in some cases table columns will not sum to 100%. For some of these items, respondents were allowed to select multiple options. For other items, we assigned each response to one of two groups, representing two opposing viewpoints. For example: ‘Strongly Agree’ and ‘Agree’ would go in one group, and ‘Disagree’ and ‘Strongly Disagree’ would go into another group. We can then compare the two groups and determine what proportion of Coloradans ‘Agreed or Strongly Agreed’ versus those that ‘Disagreed or Strongly Disagreed’. In the following tables, we generally show only the proportion that ‘Agreed or Strongly Agreed’. To find the proportion of those who ‘Disagreed or Strongly Disagreed’, the reader can subtract the provided value from 100%.

For many questions, regional and household firearm ownership tables show different percentages in the Total column. This is because respondents were able to select ‘I don’t know’ to the question “Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?”, but this response was not available for Colorado region. Those that answered ‘I don’t know’ have been excluded from the calculations for this question, whereas no responses were excluded for the regional calculations. Since there is a slight variation in the total number of responses for each of these, the total proportions for each response may be different.


Example interpretation statements have been provided at the beginning of each section.

Survey Outline

This survey contains five domains:
1. Firearms Culture- Five questions were asked to ascertain participants’ familiarity and exposure to firearms.
2. Perceptions- Nine questions were asked to ascertain participants’ perceptions about firearm injury and violence within their communities.
3. Policy- Seven questions were asked to ascertain participants’ awareness of and support for firearm-related policies and violence prevention strategies.
4. Firearms Ownership- Twelve questions were asked to ascertain participants’ firearm ownership, motivations for owning firearms, and how their household interacts with their firearms. Most questions in this domain were asked only to those with firearm in the home.
5. Firearm Storage- Ten questions were asked to ascertain participants’ firearm storage habits and motivations, as well as their familiarity with temporary secure storage. Most questions in this domain were asked only to those with firearms in the home.

Contact info

For further information about this dataset or for data and analysis requests, please contact .

Sample and Weighting

The survey was administered by IPSOS in both English and Spanish. Survey results are weighted to be representative of the Colorado adult population (18 years and older) across 4 regions: Metro, North Central / Northeast, Pike’s Peak, and All Others (Southeast, Southwest, West Central, Northwest). For a list of counties in each region and more detail in sample weighting, please see the Technical Appendix.

Data Management and Analysis

The original data file received from Ipsos was delivered to IVPC as a fully formatted SPSS dataset containing the survey and demographic data with the appropriate variable and value labels. The dataset contains a total of 238 raw variables. This analysis was conducted in RStudio 2023.06.2+561 for windows. All data is stored on password-protected servers. Weighted values were computed using the R survey and srvyr packages.

Section 1: Firearms Culture


This section outlines respondent perspectives about firearms and firearm ownership. Respondents were asked about their experience with firearms, including growing up with firearms in the home and education on firearms safety. Respondents were also asked about how many of their friends and family own firearms, feelings regarding ownership of firearms within the community, and their feelings on whether keeping a firearm in the home makes it a safer or more dangerous place to be.

Example interpretation: An estimated 50.1% of Coloradans grew up in a household with firearms. An estimated 48.5% of Metro Region residents grew up in a household with firearms compared to 61.0% of residents in the ‘All Other’ Region.


1.1 Did you grow up in a household with firearms?

Did you grow up in a household with firearms?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 50.1% 48.5% 46.9% 49.0% 61.0%
No 49.9% 51.5% 53.1% 51.0% 39.0%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Did you grow up in a household with firearms?’



Did you grow up in a household with firearms?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Yes 49.9% 69.4% 34.1%
No 50.1% 30.6% 65.9%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
b ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Did you grow up in a household with firearms?’




1.2 Have you ever taken a training or class about firearm safety?

Have you ever taken a training or class about firearm safety?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 45.7% 42.3% 36.6% 48.2% 65.9%
No 54.3% 57.7% 63.4% 51.8% 34.1%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Have you ever taken a training or class about firearm safety?’



Have you ever taken a training or class about firearm safety?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Yes 45.2% 63.3% 30.3%
No 54.8% 36.7% 69.7%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
b ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Have you ever taken a training or class about firearm safety?’




1.3 How many of your family and friends do you think own firearms?

How many of your family and friends do you think own firearms?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
All 3.2% 1.6% 3.3% 5.1% 7.4%
Most 28.7% 23.7% 34.4% 34.6% 37.0%
Some 52.3% 56.6% 49.2% 45.4% 45.0%
None 6.7% 7.6% 8.1% 6.0% 2.3%
I don’t know 9.2% 10.5% 5.0% 8.9% 8.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%



How many of your family and friends do you think own firearms?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No I don’t know
All 3.2% 5.6% 0.6% 16.5%
Most 28.6% 50.1% 11.9% 11.1%
Some 52.4% 40.0% 63.9% 26.2%
None 6.7% 1.2% 10.9% 14.3%
I don’t know 9.0% 3.1% 12.7% 32.0%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%




1.4 How do you feel about people in your local community owning firearms?

How do you feel about people in your local community owning firearms?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Very negative 5.0% 6.3% 7.0% 2.9% 0.2%
Negative 14.4% 17.3% 12.4% 11.0% 8.0%
Neither positive nor negative 42.1% 45.0% 40.0% 42.0% 31.6%
Positive 22.4% 20.0% 23.6% 23.8% 29.6%
Very positive 16.2% 11.4% 17.0% 20.3% 30.7%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%



How do you feel about people in your local community owning firearms?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Very negative 5.1% 1.2% 8.3%
Negative 14.7% 4.9% 22.7%
Neither positive nor negative 42.4% 34.8% 48.7%
Positive 21.7% 30.2% 14.7%
Very positive 16.0% 28.8% 5.6%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




1.5 Does (or would) keeping a firearm in your home make it a safer place or more dangerous place to be?

Does (or would) keeping a firearm in your home make it a safer place or more dangerous place to be?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Safer 34.9% 30.9% 33.3% 41.5% 45.7%
More dangerous 19.4% 23.9% 14.7% 15.3% 9.7%
It depends 37.4% 37.6% 40.8% 35.0% 36.6%
Unsure/No opinion 8.3% 7.7% 11.2% 8.2% 8.0%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%



Does (or would) keeping a firearm in your home make it a safer place or more dangerous place to be?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Safer 34.3% 53.8% 18.3%
More dangerous 19.9% 6.4% 31.1%
It depends 37.7% 35.6% 39.4%
Unsure/No opinion 8.1% 4.2% 11.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




Section 2: Perceptions


This section outlines respondent knowledge and opinions on community safety and firearm access within the community. Respondents were asked about perceptions of safety regarding firearm storage, concern regarding firearm incidents affecting self, family, and community, and protective actions undertaken to reduce firearm-related risk. Respondents were also asked about personal experience with firearm-related injury and death and about how easy or difficult it is to access firearms in Colorado.

Example interpretation: An estimated 32.6% of Coloradans responded incorrectly that homicide is the most common cause of death involving firearms. An estimated 35.6% of Metro Region residents think homicide is the most common cause of death involving firearms compared to 25.8% of residents in the ‘All Others’ Region.

2.1 To the best of your knowledge, what is the most common cause of death involving firearms in Colorado?


In order to inform public awareness campaigns, respondents were asked about their awareness of the most common firearm death intent. The intents of firearm deaths in Colorado from 2017 to 2021 are as follows:
• 76% were suicides.
• 17.5% were homicides.
• 3.8% were undetermined intent.
• 2.3% were from legal intervention.
• 0.4% were accidental shootings.

Source: Colorado Violent Death Reporting System | Department of Public Health & Environment. Accessed June 19, 2023.

To the best of your knowledge, what is the most common cause of death involving firearms in Colorado?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Homicide 32.6% 35.6% 29.0% 30.5% 25.8%
Suicide 26.2% 25.4% 35.8% 18.9% 29.1%
Accidental shootings 17.5% 16.8% 16.3% 19.0% 20.0%
I don’t know 23.7% 22.2% 19.0% 31.5% 25.1%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%



To the best of your knowledge, what is the most common cause of death involving firearms in Colorado?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No I don’t know
Homicide 32.7% 31.8% 33.7% 26.6%
Suicide 26.1% 26.5% 25.1% 41.9%
Accidental shootings 17.6% 17.2% 18.3% 11.2%
I don’t know 23.6% 24.5% 22.9% 20.4%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%




2.2 To what extent do you disagree or agree with the following statements?


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

To what extent do you disagree or agree with the following statements? (‘Agree or Strongly Agree’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Access to a firearm increases the risk of injury and death involving a firearm. 58.1% 62.5% 60.7% 52.1% 44.3%
Securely storing firearms can reduce the risk of firearm injury and death. 87.5% 88.7% 91.3% 85.3% 81.3%
Temporarily removing firearms from the home if someone is in crisis decreases the risk of injury and death involving a firearm. 70.6% 73.5% 70.7% 71.7% 56.3%
Many suicides can be prevented. 57.0% 59.4% 60.2% 55.5% 45.7%
Violence can be prevented. 58.1% 62.2% 56.7% 52.4% 48.6%



To what extent do you disagree or agree with the following statements? (‘Agree or Strongly Agree’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Access to a firearm increases the risk of injury and death involving a firearm. 59.3% 49.7% 67.2%
Securely storing firearms can reduce the risk of firearm injury and death. 88.4% 91.0% 86.3%
Temporarily removing firearms from the home if someone is in crisis decreases the risk of injury and death involving a firearm. 71.7% 67.4% 75.3%
Many suicides can be prevented. 58.3% 52.6% 63.0%
Violence can be prevented. 58.9% 49.9% 66.4%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




2.3 Overall, how safe or unsafe do you think your local community is?

Overall, how safe or unsafe do you think your local community is?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Very unsafe 3.0% 2.6% 2.8% 4.9% 2.3%
Unsafe 11.9% 13.2% 7.0% 14.7% 7.7%
Neither unsafe nor safe 21.0% 21.6% 18.3% 21.3% 20.6%
Safe 53.8% 53.3% 57.2% 51.4% 55.6%
Very safe 10.4% 9.4% 14.7% 7.7% 13.8%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%



Overall, how safe or unsafe do you think your local community is?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Very unsafe 3.0% 3.1% 2.8%
Unsafe 11.9% 9.4% 14.0%
Neither unsafe nor safe 21.0% 16.1% 25.0%
Safe 53.5% 58.0% 49.8%
Very safe 10.6% 13.4% 8.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




2.4 In general, how concerned are you about each of these issues in your local community?


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

In general, how concerned are you about each of these issues in your local community? (‘Moderately or Very Concerned’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Homicide among adults 30.8% 34.2% 19.4% 39.0% 17.1%
Homicide among youth 39.8% 44.7% 23.7% 44.6% 28.7%
Suicide among adults 40.3% 41.1% 40.1% 44.8% 31.4%
Suicide among youth 56.5% 55.9% 61.0% 57.9% 53.1%
Mass shootings 53.4% 60.1% 47.1% 51.7% 33.0%
School shootings 58.0% 62.5% 54.5% 62.9% 35.7%
Police-involved shootings 43.4% 48.4% 39.2% 42.8% 26.7%
Accidental shootings among adults 30.8% 34.5% 26.3% 28.0% 22.6%
Accidental shootings among youth 46.8% 50.0% 47.8% 46.6% 32.8%
Gang violence 41.1% 42.7% 33.9% 52.7% 27.1%
Spouse or partner violence 35.8% 38.5% 35.5% 35.8% 24.9%



In general, how concerned are you about each of these issues in your local community? (‘Moderately or Very Concerned’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Homicide among adults 30.8% 26.0% 34.7%
Homicide among youth 39.7% 36.7% 42.2%
Suicide among adults 40.8% 36.2% 44.7%
Suicide among youth 56.7% 53.5% 59.2%
Mass shootings 53.4% 47.2% 58.5%
School shootings 57.9% 51.2% 63.5%
Police-involved shootings 43.7% 34.7% 51.2%
Accidental shootings among adults 31.5% 24.1% 37.5%
Accidental shootings among youth 47.1% 38.1% 54.5%
Gang violence 41.3% 36.5% 45.2%
Spouse or partner violence 36.2% 31.6% 40.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




2.5 In general, how concerned are you about each of the following violent events happening to you or your family?


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

In general, how concerned are you about each of the following violent events happening to you or your family? (‘Moderately or Very Concerned’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Homicide among adults 20.1% 23.3% 14.0% 20.6% 11.3%
Homicide among youth 23.5% 27.0% 17.3% 23.2% 14.7%
Suicide among adults 20.5% 22.7% 15.9% 24.1% 10.8%
Suicide among youth 27.6% 28.4% 26.2% 30.9% 21.5%
Mass shootings 36.6% 40.9% 29.0% 34.0% 29.0%
School shootings 37.5% 41.4% 35.9% 36.6% 23.6%
Police-involved shootings 26.2% 29.6% 20.5% 27.0% 16.5%
Accidental shootings among adults 19.9% 22.5% 15.3% 19.5% 14.1%
Accidental shootings among youth 25.8% 29.0% 19.1% 26.0% 18.1%
Gang violence 24.8% 27.6% 12.1% 27.8% 21.4%
Spouse or partner violence 18.1% 20.9% 13.0% 16.7% 12.9%



In general, how concerned are you about each of the following violent events happening to you or your family? (‘Moderately or Very Concerned’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Homicide among adults 19.9% 16.3% 22.8%
Homicide among youth 23.3% 20.2% 25.8%
Suicide among adults 20.4% 16.8% 23.4%
Suicide among youth 27.4% 25.0% 29.5%
Mass shootings 36.7% 32.1% 40.6%
School shootings 38.0% 33.5% 41.6%
Police-involved shootings 26.6% 20.1% 31.9%
Accidental shootings among adults 20.1% 14.8% 24.5%
Accidental shootings among youth 25.8% 21.6% 29.3%
Gang violence 24.8% 21.5% 27.4%
Spouse or partner violence 18.1% 14.9% 20.8%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




2.7 Have you or anyone in your close social circle (family or close friends) ever been injured by or died from any of these events?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

Have you or anyone in your close social circle (family or close friends) ever been injured by or died from any of these events?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Homicide 11.2% 12.5% 4.1% 12.7% 10.6%
Suicide 29.7% 26.2% 35.8% 32.3% 35.5%
Mass shooting 2.4% 2.8% 1.9% 2.1% 1.7%
School shooting 3.4% 5.0% 0.3% 2.1% 1.4%
Police-involved shooting 4.4% 5.2% 4.9% 4.0% 1.2%
Accidental shooting 5.6% 4.8% 3.3% 7.7% 8.4%
Gang violence 6.7% 7.9% 4.1% 6.5% 4.3%
Spouse or partner violence 8.8% 9.2% 7.7% 8.6% 8.2%
None of these 58.1% 59.5% 56.9% 57.6% 54.3%
Note:
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’None of these’ could not be selected with other responses.



Have you or anyone in your close social circle (family or close friends) ever been injured by or died from any of these events?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Homicide 11.1% 10.7% 11.4%
Suicide 29.6% 28.1% 30.9%
Mass shooting 2.4% 3.0% 2.0%
School shooting 3.4% 3.2% 3.6%
Police-involved shooting 4.1% 4.2% 4.1%
Accidental shooting 5.6% 7.3% 4.3%
Gang violence 6.5% 6.7% 6.4%
Spouse or partner violence 9.0% 9.7% 8.4%
None of these 58.7% 58.9% 58.6%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
Note:
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’None of these’ could not be selected with other responses.




2.8 How difficult do you think it is for an adult in Colorado to get a firearm?

How difficult do you think it is for an adult in Colorado to get a firearm?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Not at all difficult 61.6% 64.2% 56.3% 62.9% 53.6%
Somewhat difficult 29.7% 26.9% 36.5% 29.9% 34.7%
Moderately difficult 7.1% 7.0% 5.9% 6.0% 10.1%
Very difficult 1.7% 1.9% 1.3% 1.2% 1.5%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%



How difficult do you think it is for an adult in Colorado to get a firearm?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Not at all difficult 62.1% 57.2% 66.1%
Somewhat difficult 29.8% 33.4% 26.9%
Moderately difficult 6.7% 8.1% 5.5%
Very difficult 1.4% 1.3% 1.4%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




2.9 How likely do you think it is that youth (under 18) in your community could get a firearm in the following ways?


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.
How likely do you think it is that youth (under 18) in your community could get a firearm in the following ways? (‘Likely or Very Likely’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Steal or take it from a family or friend’s home 82.2% 83.4% 85.5% 76.9% 80.0%
Steal it from a stranger 48.9% 47.5% 38.6% 54.8% 58.1%
Borrow or buy it from a friend or family member 78.3% 78.1% 81.6% 73.3% 83.1%
Have a friend or family member buy it for them 69.2% 71.3% 69.4% 58.9% 72.4%
Purchase it from a licensed dealer 39.4% 41.8% 34.3% 39.8% 33.5%
Purchase it from an unlicensed dealer 66.0% 70.8% 56.7% 63.5% 56.8%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘How likely do you think it is that youth (under 18) in your community could get a firearm in the following ways?’



How likely do you think it is that youth (under 18) in your community could get a firearm in the following ways? (‘Likely or Very Likely’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Steal or take it from a family or friend’s home 82.1% 79.5% 84.4%
Steal it from a stranger 48.4% 47.9% 48.9%
Borrow or buy it from a friend or family member 78.5% 76.4% 80.3%
Have a friend or family member buy it for them 69.7% 66.6% 72.4%
Purchase it from a licensed dealer 39.5% 33.6% 44.7%
Purchase it from an unlicensed dealer 65.9% 59.2% 71.8%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
b ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘How likely do you think it is that youth (under 18) in your community could get a firearm in the following ways?’




Section 3: Policy


This section outlines awareness of and opinions about policies and prevention strategies to reduce firearm-related injury and violence in Colorado. Respondents were asked about current policies, support or opposition to firearm-related policies, whether laws should be stronger or less strong, and the appropriateness of parental and healthcare provider inquiry regarding firearm storage in the home. Further, respondents were asked about support or opposition to potential investment of public resources in a variety of upstream firearm prevention strategies, which address underlying environmental, economic, educational, health, or cultural/social issues that may contribute to increased risk of firearm injury or violence.

Example interpretation: An estimated 83.5% of Coloradans responded correctly that Colorado has a law that punishes or leads to consequences for firearm owners whose firearms could be or are accessed by unsupervised children or unauthorized users. An estimated 79.9% of Metro Region residents knew that Colorado does have this law compared to 93.5% of residents in the Northcentral/ Northeast Region.


3.1 To the best of your knowledge, does Colorado have a law…

To ascertain public awareness of current Colorado firearm laws, respondents reported the laws they believed to be in place. Several laws were included, some of which are in place in CO and some of which are not. Correct responses are included in the following table, with laws not in place annotated and described below:

    1In Colorado, background checks are required for most firearm transfers, though not all. Some exceptions include transfers between immediate family members, temporary transfers that are necessary to prevent the death or injury of the owner, or transfers to businesses that repair and maintain firearms.
    2In Colorado, not only is there no state registry of firearm ownership, but also local governments are prohibited from keeping a registry.


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, incorrect responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

To the best of your knowledge, does Colorado have a law… (‘Correct’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
… that punishes or leads to consequences for firearm owners whose firearms could be or are accessed by unsupervised children or unauthorized users? 83.5% 79.9% 93.5% 86.8% 84.7%
… requiring a background check prior to all firearm purchases/transfers?¹ 9.3% 11.4% 6.3% 6.4% 6.8%
… requiring firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms to the police? 90.4% 90.2% 90.0% 94.5% 86.5%
… requiring a background check prior to transferring a firearm to an immediate family member (e.g., adult child, sibling)?¹ 39.6% 41.5% 40.5% 32.9% 39.0%
… requiring individuals to be added to a registry when they purchase a firearm?² 40.7% 39.9% 41.2% 36.1% 48.3%
… allowing certain individuals (like law enforcement or family members) to ask a judge to sign an order that makes it illegal for someone to have or buy firearms if that person is believed to be an immediate danger to themselves or others? 84.5% 85.8% 86.9% 85.5% 75.7%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘To the best of your knowledge, does Colorado have a law…’



To the best of your knowledge, does Colorado have a law… (‘Correct’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
… that punishes or leads to consequences for firearm owners whose firearms could be or are accessed by unsupervised children or unauthorized users? 83.8% 85.8% 81.7%
… requiring a background check prior to all firearm purchases/transfers?¹ 8.8% 5.9% 11.7%
… requiring firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms to the police? 90.7% 90.3% 91.0%
… requiring a background check prior to transferring a firearm to an immediate family member (e.g., adult child, sibling)?¹ 39.8% 41.5% 37.8%
… requiring individuals to be added to a registry when they purchase a firearm?² 39.5% 44.8% 33.6%
… allowing certain individuals (like law enforcement or family members) to ask a judge to sign an order that makes it illegal for someone to have or buy firearms if that person is believed to be an immediate danger to themselves or others? 85.3% 83.7% 87.1%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
b ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘To the best of your knowledge, does Colorado have a law…’




3.2 Please indicate your level of support or opposition for the following policies:



Laws that are not in place in Colorado are annotated and described below:

    1Colorado does not have a law preventing persons with severe/debilitating mental illness from owning a firearm, though an ERPO may be issued if they are a danger to themselves or others.
    2Colorado does not require a permit to purchase a firearm.
    3No background check is specifically required to obtain a concealed carry permit.
    4A firearm safety course is not required for the purchase of a firearm.
    5Legal firearm owners do not need a permit to open carry a handgun in Colorado.


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

Please indicate your level of support or opposition for the following policies: (‘Support or Strongly Support’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Preventing persons with severe/debilitating mental illness from owning firearms¹ 83.8% 85.1% 83.1% 80.0% 84.0%
Prohibiting a person with a domestic violence restraining order from having a firearm for the duration of the order 88.5% 89.6% 83.6% 87.8% 89.3%
Universal background checks, including for private sales and at gun shows 83.9% 87.1% 84.0% 78.9% 76.4%
Prohibiting firearm possession by people believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others 80.2% 84.9% 74.5% 77.5% 69.1%
Requiring that persons obtain a permit to purchase a firearm² 71.4% 78.0% 64.7% 66.7% 55.9%
Prohibiting the purchase of magazines that hold 10 or more rounds of ammunition 56.0% 59.9% 53.2% 58.0% 39.6%
Requiring by law that a person take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to their firearms 78.4% 83.0% 77.7% 76.5% 62.0%
Requiring background checks before a person can obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm³ 87.3% 89.7% 89.2% 81.6% 81.8%
Requiring a firearm safety course before the purchase of a firearm⁴ 77.1% 80.1% 78.7% 77.2% 62.6%
Requiring legal firearm owners to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun 79.8% 83.0% 79.3% 76.4% 70.7%
Requiring legal firearm owners to obtain a permit to carry an unconcealed handgun (open carry)⁵ 69.7% 76.5% 62.9% 63.9% 54.3%



Please indicate your level of support or opposition for the following policies: (‘Support or Strongly Support’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Preventing persons with severe/debilitating mental illness from owning firearms¹ 84.7% 83.0% 86.0%
Prohibiting a person with a domestic violence restraining order from having a firearm for the duration of the order 88.6% 85.5% 91.2%
Universal background checks, including for private sales and at gun shows 84.1% 78.6% 88.7%
Prohibiting firearm possession by people believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others 81.1% 74.7% 86.4%
Requiring that persons obtain a permit to purchase a firearm² 72.6% 63.5% 80.1%
Prohibiting the purchase of magazines that hold 10 or more rounds of ammunition 56.7% 44.0% 67.2%
Requiring by law that a person take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to their firearms 79.1% 70.6% 86.2%
Requiring background checks before a person can obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm³ 87.3% 83.8% 90.3%
Requiring a firearm safety course before the purchase of a firearm⁴ 78.0% 66.4% 87.5%
Requiring legal firearm owners to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun 80.8% 75.1% 85.4%
Requiring legal firearm owners to obtain a permit to carry an unconcealed handgun (open carry)⁵ 70.5% 58.3% 80.7%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




3.3 In general, do you think it would be appropriate for an ERPO to be issued in the following scenarios?


Colorado law allows for the issuance of “Extreme Risk Protection Orders”, or ERPOs. These are also sometimes called “red flag” laws. If someone is threatening to hurt themselves and/or others, an ERPO can be used to temporarily prevent that person from having or buying a firearm. The person’s household members, roommates, someone who they share a child with, law enforcement, licensed medical care providers, licensed mental health-care providers, licensed educators, or district attorneys can petition a judge for an ERPO in Colorado. In an emergency, the judge can issue an immediate order that lasts for up to 2 weeks. After a court hearing, the judge can issue an order that lasts for up to 364 days.

All of these response options are legally viable options (depending on individual circumstances) for an ERPO to be issued in Colorado.

For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

In general, do you think it would be appropriate for an ERPO to be issued in the following scenarios? (‘Usually or Always Appropriate’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
The person is experiencing a severe emotional crisis 64.6% 69.3% 61.7% 59.0% 52.9%
The person has dementia or other cognitive impairment 73.8% 77.4% 68.1% 73.4% 63.9%
The person has threatened to physically hurt themselves 79.2% 81.9% 81.1% 79.1% 65.3%
The person has threatened to physically hurt you or someone else 82.3% 84.3% 81.2% 84.3% 72.5%
The person has threatened to physically hurt a group of people 84.2% 86.0% 81.5% 86.4% 75.7%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘In general, do you think it would be appropriate for an ERPO to be issued in the following scenarios?’



In general, do you think it would be appropriate for an ERPO to be issued in the following scenarios? (‘Usually or Always Appropriate’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
The person is experiencing a severe emotional crisis 64.9% 57.7% 70.9%
The person has dementia or other cognitive impairment 74.5% 70.3% 77.9%
The person has threatened to physically hurt themselves 80.1% 75.4% 84.0%
The person has threatened to physically hurt you or someone else 83.1% 79.3% 86.2%
The person has threatened to physically hurt a group of people 84.2% 81.5% 86.4%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
b ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘In general, do you think it would be appropriate for an ERPO to be issued in the following scenarios?’




3.4 In your opinion, should firearm laws in Colorado be stronger, less strong, or are they about right?

In your opinion, should firearm laws in Colorado be stronger, less strong, or are they about right?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
They should be less strong 11.2% 7.1% 12.0% 18.2% 19.1%
They are about right 26.7% 24.4% 29.1% 22.7% 39.5%
They should be stronger 50.6% 58.5% 45.1% 45.5% 28.4%
I don’t know 11.5% 10.0% 13.8% 13.6% 13.0%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%



In your opinion, should firearm laws in Colorado be stronger, less strong, or are they about right?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No I don’t know
They should be less strong 11.0% 18.1% 4.8% 19.1%
They are about right 26.8% 36.6% 18.5% 32.0%
They should be stronger 50.8% 36.6% 64.3% 4.8%
I don’t know 11.4% 8.7% 12.4% 44.0%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%




3.5 In general, how often is it appropriate for parents/guardians to ask if there are unlocked firearms in a home where their children go to play?

In general, how often is it appropriate for parents/guardians to ask if there are unlocked firearms in a home where their children go to play?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Never or Sometimes Appropriate 22.0% 19.4% 26.4% 19.2% 32.5%
Usually or Always Appropriate 78.0% 80.6% 73.6% 80.8% 67.5%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘In general, how often is it appropriate for parents/guardians to ask if there are unlocked firearms in a home where their children go to play?’



In general, how often is it appropriate for parents/guardians to ask if there are unlocked firearms in a home where their children go to play?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Never or Sometimes Appropriate 21.4% 30.0% 14.1%
Usually or Always Appropriate 78.6% 70.0% 85.9%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
b ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘In general, how often is it appropriate for parents/guardians to ask if there are unlocked firearms in a home where their children go to play?’




3.6 In general, how often is it appropriate for doctors and health professionals to talk to their patients (or their patients’ parents/guardians) about how firearms are stored?

In general, how often is it appropriate for doctors and health professionals to talk to their patients (or their patients’ parents/guardians) about how firearms are stored?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Never or Sometimes Appropriate 45.1% 40.2% 44.5% 53.9% 56.4%
Usually or Always Appropriate 54.9% 59.8% 55.5% 46.1% 43.6%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘In general, how often is it appropriate for doctors and health professionals to talk to their patients (or their patients’ parents/guardians) about how firearms are stored?’



In general, how often is it appropriate for doctors and health professionals to talk to their patients (or their patients’ parents/guardians) about how firearms are stored?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Never or Sometimes Appropriate 44.0% 55.5% 34.2%
Usually or Always Appropriate 56.0% 44.5% 65.8%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
b ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘In general, how often is it appropriate for doctors and health professionals to talk to their patients (or their patients’ parents/guardians) about how firearms are stored?’




3.7 Please indicate your level of support or opposition for investing public resources in the following violence prevention strategies:


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

Please indicate your level of support or opposition for investing public resources in the following violence prevention strategies: (‘Support or Strongly Support’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Affordable housing 66.5% 66.9% 66.8% 69.7% 60.5%
Access to transportation 69.6% 73.1% 65.8% 70.7% 57.2%
Access to quality education 83.8% 86.8% 83.4% 82.1% 73.1%
Employment opportunities 79.2% 80.7% 78.1% 79.8% 72.7%
Enhancing economic stability 71.0% 73.0% 70.1% 69.4% 65.2%
Access to quality health care (including mental/behavioral health) 82.8% 84.8% 81.4% 85.2% 73.0%
Access to parks and open spaces 76.8% 79.3% 75.5% 75.9% 68.6%
Access to sidewalks and bicycle/walking paths 74.7% 76.1% 78.0% 73.1% 67.4%
Enhancing the environment (tree coverage, clean air or water) 74.9% 77.3% 75.8% 73.7% 64.9%
Community service/volunteering 71.5% 74.8% 69.2% 64.2% 68.3%



Please indicate your level of support or opposition for investing public resources in the following violence prevention strategies: (‘Support or Strongly Support’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Affordable housing 66.5% 60.7% 71.2%
Access to transportation 69.5% 64.0% 73.9%
Access to quality education 84.3% 83.4% 84.9%
Employment opportunities 79.9% 77.5% 81.9%
Enhancing economic stability 71.5% 67.4% 74.9%
Access to quality health care (including mental/behavioral health) 83.2% 80.0% 85.9%
Access to parks and open spaces 77.2% 75.3% 78.9%
Access to sidewalks and bicycle/walking paths 75.2% 72.3% 77.6%
Enhancing the environment (tree coverage, clean air or water) 75.4% 71.0% 79.0%
Community service/volunteering 71.5% 69.5% 73.2%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




Section 4: Firearm Ownership


This section outlines ownership of firearms, who can access them, and how they are used. Respondents were asked about firearm presence in the home and personal firearm ownership. For respondents who were firearm owners, further questions were asked regarding quantity and type, rationale for ownership, purpose and frequency of use, and storage practices/access. Respondents were also asked about ages of children/minors in the home, and frequency of visit if not their primary residence. For respondents who reported children/minors in the home, further questions were asked regarding engagement of children/minors with firearm handling and safety practices.

Example interpretation: An estimated 45.1% of Coloradans have firearms in their home. An estimated 38.6% of Metro Region residents have firearms in the home compared to 62.6% of residents in the ‘All Others’ Region.

4.1 Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?


Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 45.1% 38.6% 47.8% 51.7% 62.6%
No 54.9% 61.4% 52.2% 48.3% 37.4%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’




4.2 Do you personally own any of the firearm(s) in your home?

Do you personally own any of the firearm(s) in your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 69.9% 69.4% 56.6% 75.8% 75.7%
No 30.1% 30.6% 43.4% 24.2% 24.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.




4.3 Do you have children or minors (under 18) living, visiting, or staying in your home?

Do you have children or minors (under 18) living, visiting, or staying in your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 37.5% 38.3% 36.7% 39.5% 32.2%
No 62.5% 61.7% 63.3% 60.5% 67.8%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%




4.4 Are there any children or minors (under 18) living, visiting, or staying in your home in each of these age ranges?


For this question, column sums should not equal 100%, negative responses can be inferred by subtracting each cell value from 100%.

Are there any children or minors (under 18) living, visiting, or staying in your home in each of these age ranges? (‘One or more children’ responses shown)
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
0-5 years old 42.7% 42.7% 40.6% 48.8% 36.0%
6-12 years old 56.9% 55.4% 59.9% 62.0% 53.6%
13-17 years old 42.3% 40.2% 46.1% 41.0% 50.3%
Note:
Original question text reads : ‘How many children or minors (under 18) are living, visiting, or staying in your home in each of these age ranges?’. This question text has been modified to represent those with no children and those with any children in each age range.



Are there any children or minors (under 18) living, visiting, or staying in your home in each of these age ranges? (‘One or more children’ responses shown)
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
0-5 years old 42.5% 45.2% 40.3%
6-12 years old 57.3% 54.2% 59.9%
13-17 years old 42.3% 42.7% 42.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
Note:
Original question text reads : ‘How many children or minors (under 18) are living, visiting, or staying in your home in each of these age ranges?’. This question text has been modified to represent those with no children and those with any children in each age range.




4.5 On average, how often are there children/minors (under 18) in your home (either living, visiting, or staying) in a 30-day period?

On average, how often are there children/minors (under 18) in your home (either living, visiting, or staying) in a 30-day period?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Every day 76.0% 74.7% 84.8% 76.2% 72.2%
2-3 times per week 9.7% 11.0% 6.8% 9.1% 7.6%
Once per week 3.5% 4.0% 1.7% 4.8% 0.9%
Once every two weeks 2.6% 3.5% 2.0% 1.9% 0.0%
Once per month 4.3% 3.9% 3.3% 3.4% 8.6%
I typically do not have children in my home in an average 30-day period 3.8% 2.9% 1.3% 4.4% 10.6%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with children in the home



On average, how often are there children/minors (under 18) in your home (either living, visiting, or staying) in a 30-day period?
Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?
Total Yes No
Every day 75.6% 78.4% 73.2%
2-3 times per week 9.9% 9.5% 10.3%
Once per week 3.5% 1.7% 5.0%
Once every two weeks 2.7% 1.9% 3.3%
Once per month 4.4% 3.1% 5.5%
I typically do not have children in my home in an average 30-day period 3.9% 5.4% 2.6%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Are there any firearms in your home currently, whether or not you own them?’
Note:
This question was only asked to those with children in the home




4.6 Which of the following statements best describes how child(ren) access and use firearms in or around your home?

Which of the following statements best describes how child(ren) access and use firearms in or around your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Child(ren) in my home can access/use firearm(s) on their own 0.5% 0.3% 2.5% 0.0% 0.0%
Child(ren) in my home can only access/use firearm(s) under an adult’s direct supervision 15.6% 10.3% 22.2% 13.5% 28.0%
Child(ren) in my home can access/use firearm(s) if needed for defense of our home/family 1.6% 2.3% 1.9% 0.0% 0.8%
Child(ren) in my home are not allowed to access/use firearm(s) 76.3% 81.2% 63.1% 85.5% 63.3%
None of the above 6.0% 5.9% 10.3% 1.0% 7.9%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms and children in the home.




4.7 How often do you check the location(s) where you keep your firearm(s) to see if anything is missing?

How often do you check the location(s) where you keep your firearm(s) to see if anything is missing?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Daily 32.1% 28.6% 26.6% 43.1% 32.5%
Weekly 27.9% 30.6% 23.7% 19.5% 32.3%
Monthly 12.7% 13.6% 12.2% 5.0% 18.8%
Every few months 13.5% 11.6% 24.4% 14.3% 11.1%
Once per year 3.1% 1.8% 11.1% 3.8% 0.8%
Never 10.7% 13.9% 1.9% 14.2% 4.5%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those who personally own firearms.




4.8 Please indicate the reason(s) you own firearms.


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

Please indicate the reason(s) you own firearms.
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
I own firearms for my own protection 70.4% 68.8% 59.1% 74.2% 77.3%
I own firearms to protect my family 61.6% 64.7% 50.1% 60.6% 61.7%
I own firearms to protect my community 26.0% 24.8% 11.4% 23.8% 39.7%
I own firearms to protect my property 55.8% 58.0% 31.5% 59.1% 61.4%
I own firearms to exercise my Constitutional rights 47.9% 44.1% 26.4% 51.4% 66.3%
I own firearms because I collect them 17.6% 19.6% 11.1% 7.5% 27.0%
I own firearms because it is a tradition in my family 23.4% 20.6% 26.0% 17.1% 35.3%
I own firearms because I inherited them/they are a family heirloom 37.5% 36.9% 42.6% 34.1% 39.5%
I own firearms for hunting 39.1% 35.0% 35.3% 29.0% 62.3%
I own firearms for sport or competition 26.6% 25.9% 31.1% 20.9% 31.8%
I own firearms because I use them for my job 2.4% 1.5% 3.8% 4.5% 1.8%
I own firearms to manage wildlife/pests on my property 11.0% 7.2% 14.9% 11.7% 17.1%
None of these 2.1% 2.2% 0.5% 4.0% 0.9%
Note:
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’None of these’ could not be selected with other responses.
This question was only asked to those who personally own firearms.




4.9 How many firearms do you personally own of each type below?

How many firearms do you personally own of each type below? - Handguns
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
None (0) 13.9% 12.5% 22.1% 11.3% 15.5%
1-2 62.6% 65.2% 58.0% 62.0% 59.5%
3-4 12.5% 12.4% 10.0% 15.2% 11.5%
5 or more 10.9% 10.0% 10.0% 11.4% 13.5%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
Those that responded ‘None’ own only long guns.
This question was only asked to those who personally own firearms.
How many firearms do you personally own of each type below? - Long guns
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
None (0) 26.3% 29.8% 24.5% 37.6% 7.0%
1-2 43.9% 41.5% 45.5% 39.4% 53.3%
3-4 13.0% 13.1% 18.0% 12.5% 10.2%
5 or more 16.8% 15.6% 11.9% 10.4% 29.5%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
Those that responded ‘None’ own only long guns.
This question was only asked to those who personally own firearms.




4.10 How many people in your close social circle are aware that you have a firearm(s)?

How many people in your close social circle are aware that you have a firearm(s)?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
All 30.2% 28.7% 21.8% 34.2% 34.9%
Most 29.7% 29.9% 26.7% 26.5% 34.4%
Some 28.2% 26.4% 37.6% 32.3% 22.8%
None 11.9% 15.0% 13.9% 7.1% 7.9%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those who personally own firearms.




4.11 Which of these things, if any, have you done with the child(ren)/minor(s) in your home?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

Which of these things, if any, have you done with the child(ren)/minor(s) in your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Talked about rules of safe firearm handling 66.6% 60.7% 71.7% 76.3% 69.7%
Personally taught the child/minor how to use a firearm 32.5% 28.1% 37.0% 26.7% 48.0%
Arranged for the child/minor to take a firearm handling course/training 23.5% 23.3% 26.5% 19.6% 25.8%
Provided opportunities to participate in shooting activities 24.9% 19.7% 30.8% 31.7% 28.5%
None of these 32.7% 38.3% 27.2% 23.3% 30.3%
Note:
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’None of these’ could not be selected with other responses.
This question was only asked to those with firearms and children in the home.




4.12 If you were not there, who in your household could access one of the firearms in your home (and load it if it is not loaded already) if they needed to?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

If you were not there, who in your household could access one of the firearms in your home (and load it if it is not loaded already) if they needed to?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Spouse or partner 56.0% 49.8% 62.9% 56.3% 67.0%
Child(ren) (12 and under) 0.8% 1.0% 1.8% 0.0% 0.0%
Child(ren) (13-17) 2.5% 1.5% 7.7% 2.9% 0.8%
Other adults (18 and over) 22.5% 26.3% 16.9% 23.3% 15.9%
No one/none of the above 28.2% 31.5% 24.6% 28.1% 22.5%
Note:
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’None of these’ could not be selected with other responses.
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.




4.13 For the firearm(s) in or around your home, approximately how often in the past 12 months have you fired any of them?

For the firearm(s) in or around your home, approximately how often in the past 12 months have you fired any of them?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Daily 0.6% 0.5% 0.4% 0.2% 1.3%
Weekly 2.1% 2.7% 0.2% 2.4% 1.6%
Monthly 10.9% 12.1% 2.1% 12.9% 12.5%
Every few months 17.8% 13.6% 16.9% 18.8% 28.4%
Once per year 9.8% 8.0% 12.1% 12.3% 10.2%
I have not fired any of them in the last 12 months 58.9% 63.1% 68.3% 53.3% 46.1%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.




4.14 Approximately how often in the past 30 days have you carried a firearm in public settings (either openly or concealed)?

Approximately how often in the past 30 days have you carried a firearm in public settings (either openly or concealed)?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Every day 7.3% 5.2% 2.5% 14.0% 9.9%
2-3 times per week 2.8% 4.4% 0.3% 2.1% 1.1%
Once per week 2.0% 1.1% 0.0% 4.1% 3.9%
Once every two weeks 0.6% 1.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0%
Once in the last 30 days 1.6% 1.6% 0.9% 2.8% 0.7%
I have not carried a firearm in public in the last 30 days  85.7% 86.5% 96.3% 76.8% 84.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.




Section 5: Firearm Storage


This section outlines respondent storage habits, motivations, and preferences for those with firearms in the home. Respondents were asked about the firearm storage and staging methods they currently use in the home, their reasoning for using chosen storage methods, and circumstances that would influence a change to current storage practices. Additionally, respondents were asked whether they had temporarily stored someone else’s firearm, who they have heard promote secure firearm storage, and the changes they made as a result of information shared regarding storage methods.

Example interpretation: An estimated 33.6% of Coloradans keep any of their handguns unlocked and hidden. An estimated 33.5% of Metro Region residents keep any of their handguns unlocked and hidden compared to 35.9% of residents in the ‘All Others’ Region.


5.1 What storing/staging methods do you currently use for any of the handguns in or around your home?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

What storing/staging methods do you currently use for any of the handguns in or around your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Unlocked, hidden 33.6% 33.5% 31.8% 33.1% 35.9%
Unlocked, not hidden 5.1% 4.5% 4.2% 2.5% 10.0%
Locking device with a key, number PIN or dial 25.9% 23.5% 22.2% 29.1% 32.2%
Biometric locking device (e.g., fingerprint) 5.4% 6.8% 2.9% 2.8% 6.4%
Cable lock 8.9% 8.3% 7.5% 7.3% 13.5%
In-vehicle lock 2.7% 2.6% 0.3% 2.9% 4.6%
Trigger lock 12.9% 12.8% 9.9% 12.4% 15.8%
Clamshell/“life jacket” 1.3% 2.2% 0.7% 0.8% 0.0%
Gun safe 39.0% 40.9% 33.9% 29.2% 48.1%
Gun cabinet 10.2% 11.1% 6.6% 10.5% 10.2%
Lock-box/hard case 18.1% 17.5% 18.7% 13.8% 23.4%
Some other locking device 2.8% 1.8% 6.8% 0.6% 4.9%
Stored away from the home 0.3% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.6%
None of these methods 1.1% 0.6% 0.9% 2.8% 1.0%
There are no handguns in the home 6.8% 6.1% 7.3% 9.8% 5.4%
I don’t know 2.2% 1.3% 4.9% 4.0% 0.6%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ‘None of these’, ‘There are no handguns in the home’, and ‘I don’t know’ could not be selected with other responses.




5.2 What storing/staging methods do you currently use for any of the long guns in or around your home?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

What storing/staging methods do you currently use for any of the long guns in or around your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Unlocked, hidden 21.6% 20.6% 30.1% 17.7% 21.7%
Unlocked, not hidden 5.2% 2.9% 0.5% 7.2% 12.8%
Locking device with a key, number PIN or dial 13.7% 9.9% 10.3% 14.9% 25.3%
Biometric locking device (e.g., fingerprint) 2.0% 3.1% 1.8% 0.8% 0.6%
Cable lock 5.2% 8.1% 5.6% 2.1% 0.5%
In-vehicle lock 1.5% 2.8% 0.4% 0.0% 0.4%
Trigger lock 9.7% 9.3% 6.3% 7.3% 15.8%
Clamshell/“life jacket” 1.9% 2.7% 0.6% 1.1% 1.4%
Gun safe 34.1% 30.5% 32.4% 24.4% 55.0%
Gun cabinet 9.4% 9.5% 6.4% 12.8% 7.8%
Lock-box/hard case 6.5% 8.6% 2.4% 4.3% 6.2%
Some other locking device 2.7% 1.5% 8.2% 1.7% 2.7%
Stored away from the home 1.0% 1.6% 0.0% 0.1% 1.2%
None of these methods 0.5% 0.5% 1.3% 0.0% 0.0%
There are no long guns in the home 24.0% 28.0% 18.6% 37.5% 3.3%
I don’t know 1.3% 1.5% 1.7% 1.4% 0.4%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ‘None of these’, ‘There are no long guns in the home’, and ‘I don’t know’ could not be selected with other responses.




5.3 To the best of your knowledge, please indicate how the ammunition in your home is stored.


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

To the best of your knowledge, please indicate how the ammunition in your home is stored.
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Locked away from firearms (for example, in an ammunition box or cabinet) 27.0% 24.0% 30.8% 22.3% 36.9%
Locked in the same location as the firearms (for example, in a safe) 32.9% 36.7% 22.2% 29.9% 33.9%
Not locked, but in a separate location from firearms 27.1% 27.1% 30.7% 26.0% 25.5%
Not locked, and in the same location as firearms 13.1% 15.5% 10.3% 15.2% 6.8%
None of these 5.8% 5.9% 7.3% 7.2% 2.9%
I don’t know 5.6% 4.1% 10.9% 6.2% 4.7%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’None of these’ and ‘I don’t know’ could not be selected with other responses.




5.4 To the best of your knowledge, is there at least one firearm in your home kept loaded and outside of a locked container or mechanism?

To the best of your knowledge, is there at least one firearm in your home kept loaded and outside of a locked container or mechanism?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 28.7% 31.4% 14.8% 26.5% 35.5%
No 71.3% 68.6% 85.2% 73.5% 64.5%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘To the best of your knowledge, is there at least one firearm in your home kept loaded and outside of a locked container or mechanism?’
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.




5.5 What are the reasons why you currently use firearm locking devices, cabinets/safes, or store your firearm(s) away from your home?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

What are the reasons why you currently use firearm locking devices, cabinets/safes, or store your firearm(s) away from your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Prevent theft 42.1% 41.2% 36.0% 39.5% 51.7%
Prevent unauthorized access by an adult household member (18+) 21.2% 17.9% 24.7% 19.9% 28.5%
Prevent unauthorized access by a teenager (13-17) 25.3% 24.3% 21.9% 20.2% 35.8%
Prevent unauthorized access by a child (0-12) 33.3% 31.2% 22.2% 31.6% 49.4%
Prevent accidental injury or death 39.6% 42.8% 29.2% 34.4% 44.5%
It is important to keep firearms stored securely 59.3% 60.5% 48.2% 60.1% 64.0%
Keep firearm in good condition 28.2% 25.2% 40.0% 26.8% 28.3%
I do not use locking devices, cabinets/safes, or store my firearm(s) away from my home 23.8% 21.5% 35.8% 24.6% 20.2%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’I do not use locking devices, cabinets/safes, or store my firearm(s) away from my home’ could not be selected with other responses.




5.6 For currently unlocked firearms, are there any circumstances where you would consider using a locking device or storing your firearm(s) away from your home?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

For currently unlocked firearms, are there any circumstances where you would consider using a locking device or storing your firearm(s) away from your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Prevent theft 35.8% 35.4% 51.5% 27.4% 33.6%
Prevent unauthorized access by an adult household member (18+) 17.4% 14.0% 28.8% 13.5% 21.2%
Prevent unauthorized access by a teenager (13-17) 27.1% 26.9% 38.0% 21.6% 25.0%
Prevent access by a child(ren) (0-12) 32.6% 28.4% 39.7% 30.7% 39.6%
Keep firearm in good condition 14.0% 12.4% 22.2% 8.7% 17.3%
I would not consider using a locking device or storing firearm(s) away from the home 40.0% 41.5% 25.7% 46.6% 40.1%
Note:
This question was only asked to respondents with firearms in the home who indicated that they store at last one firearm unlocked in questions 5.1, 5.2, or 5.4
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’I would not consider using a locking device or storing firearm(s) away from the home’ could not be selected with other responses.




5.7 Does your household have a plan to temporarily store firearm(s) outside the home in the event that a household member becomes a threat to themselves or others?

Does your household have a plan to temporarily store firearm(s) outside the home in the event that a household member becomes a threat to themselves or others?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 24.8% 21.3% 23.1% 28.1% 32.3%
No 61.3% 62.7% 68.4% 62.5% 50.6%
I don’t know 10.1% 12.7% 7.6% 5.3% 9.8%
Prefer not to respond 3.8% 3.3% 0.9% 4.1% 7.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.




5.8 Have you ever temporarily stored someone else’s firearm(s) at a time when they were thinking about harming themselves or others?

Have you ever temporarily stored someone else’s firearm(s) at a time when they were thinking about harming themselves or others?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Yes 6.9% 7.4% 4.4% 5.4% 8.9%
No 93.1% 92.6% 95.6% 94.6% 91.1%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
a ‘I don’t know’ responses have been excluded in the calculations for the question ‘Have you ever temporarily stored someone else’s firearm(s) at a time when they were thinking about harming themselves or others?’
Note:
This question was asked to all respondents regardless of firearm ownership.




5.9 Which of these individuals/groups have you heard promote secure firearms storage or temporary removal of firearms from your home?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

Which of these individuals/groups have you heard promote secure firearms storage or temporary removal of firearms from your home?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
Law enforcement 48.2% 51.5% 46.3% 45.0% 43.8%
Healthcare provider 14.0% 13.5% 15.9% 13.8% 13.9%
Teacher/School employee 8.3% 8.5% 9.9% 5.7% 9.3%
Social worker 7.9% 9.2% 8.3% 5.0% 7.1%
Employer 3.1% 3.8% 4.9% 2.6% 0.6%
Firearms instructor 27.4% 31.4% 24.1% 27.4% 18.9%
Firearm range or retail location employee 16.5% 19.3% 17.1% 16.8% 8.3%
Friend 16.7% 20.3% 9.4% 16.6% 12.9%
Family member 22.8% 27.3% 18.9% 18.9% 17.5%
Parents of my child’s friends 1.3% 1.9% 0.0% 1.6% 0.3%
Social worker 7.9% 9.2% 8.3% 5.0% 7.1%
None of these 34.4% 31.3% 29.1% 42.8% 38.3%
Note:
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home.
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’None of these’ could not be selected with other responses.




5.10 Which change(s) did you make as a result of these conversations or communications?


For this question, column sums may not equal 100% due to weighting and possible multiple response selection.

Which change(s) did you make as a result of these conversations or communications?
Colorado region
Total Metro Northcentral/Northeast Pike’s Peak All others
I sought additional information about secure storage or temporary removal 5.8% 6.4% 9.5% 3.3% 2.9%
I talked with someone about secure storage or temporary removal 7.4% 12.3% 1.3% 4.2% 1.0%
I stored my firearms securely in my home 26.1% 26.1% 18.4% 31.1% 28.3%
I temporarily removed firearms from my home 2.3% 3.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.0%
I permanently removed firearms from my home 0.2% 0.0% 1.0% 0.3% 0.0%
I did not make any changes 65.9% 61.8% 77.9% 64.8% 68.8%
Note:
The conversations or communications referenced in this question refers to those that have promoted secure firearm storage or temporary removal of a firearm (5.9)
This question was only asked to those with firearms in the home who selected at least one individual/ group in 5.9.
Respondents could select all pertinent responses, but ’I did not make any changes’ could not be selected with other responses




Technical Appendix





Sample Selection


The sample is comprised of 627 participants randomly selected from the Ipsos Knowledge Panel (924 were fielded, response rate = 70.3%) and 893 opt-in (non-random) participants. For more details on Ipsos Knowledge Panel, please see the Technical appendix.
The respondents were raked to the following geodemographic distributions of the 18 and older Colorado population with some finer demographic adjustments within the four Colorado regions.
• Age by Gender by Colorado Region
• Race/Hispanic ethnicity by Colorado Region
• Education by Colorado Region
• Household Income by Colorado Region
• Daily Television Viewing
• Weekly Personal Internet Usage
• Interest in Expressing Political/Community Opinions Online
• Interest in Trying New Products

The resulting weights were trimmed by Colorado region:
• Metro (1.36%, 98.64%)
• North Central/Northeast (1.41%, 98.59%)
• Pikes Peak (1.81%, 98.19%)
• Southeast/Southwest/West Central/Northwest (1.8%, 98.2%)

Response Rates

The survey was conducted on KnowledgePanel®, the largest online panel in the United States that relies on probability-based sampling methods for recruitment to provide a representative sampling frame for adults in the U.S. The target population was comprised of non-institutionalized adults ages 18 and older residing in the state of Colorado.

Using the KnowledgePanel, Ipsos sampled general population Colorado adults ages 18 and older. Panel members received an email invitation to complete the survey and were asked to do so at their earliest convenience. Respondents were re-screened in-field to ensure they were still Colorado residents. Those who did not satisfy this criterion were not allowed to complete the survey. Respondents who reported current Colorado residency were able to continue the survey, resulting in 627 completed interviews.

Ipsos obtained an additional 893 interviews from opt-in sample sources. Like KnowledgePanel respondents, qualified respondents confirmed their Colorado residency before completing the survey.

The final total of qualified completed interviews for the study was 1,520. The survey was administered in both English and Spanish, and the sample release happened in three stages: a small soft launch of KnowledgePanel sample, followed by a full launch of KnowledgePanel sample and then a launch of opt-in sample.Survey administration began on May 9, 2023 and was completed by June 6, 2023.

The median completion time of the main survey was 16 minutes.



Regional County Designations

Metro Northcentral/ Northeast Pike’s Peak All Others
ADAMS , ARAPAHOE , BOULDER , BROOMFIELD , CLEAR CREEK, DENVER , DOUGLAS , GILPIN , JEFFERSON CHEYENNE , KIT CARSON, LARIMER , LINCOLN , LOGAN , MORGAN , PHILLIPS , SEDGWICK , WASHINGTON, WELD , YUMA CUSTER , EL PASO, ELBERT , FREMONT, PUEBLO , TELLER ALAMOSA , ARCHULETA , BACA , BENT , CHAFFEE , CONEJOS , COSTILLA , CROWLEY , DELTA , DOLORES , EAGLE , GARFIELD , GRAND , GUNNISON , HINSDALE , HUERFANO , JACKSON , KIOWA , LA PLATA , LAKE , LAS ANIMAS, MESA , MINERAL , MOFFAT , MONTEZUMA , MONTROSE , OTERO , OURAY , PARK , PITKIN , PROWERS , RIO BLANCO, RIO GRANDE, ROUTT , SAGUACHE , SAN JUAN , SAN MIGUEL, SUMMIT




Weight Distributions

Weights were scaled to sum to the total unweighted sample size of respondents (n=1,520). This is variable weight. Design Effect and Margin Of Error: Margin of error is inclusive of the design effect.
Technically a margin of sampling error (MOSE) is survey- and estimate-specific. It is affected by the survey estimate (point estimate, proportion, mean, etc.), the number of cases, and the unequal weighting effect (often called a design effect). Here we provide the MOSE at the 95% confidence level for a point estimate equal to 50% (when the MOSE is at its widest) and when all respondents are accounted for.

weight: 2.01666 design effect, 3.2% MOSE (95% level)

Weight Distribution
N Min Max Mean Median CoeffVar 1st Percentile 99th Percentile Sum
1520 0.081 5.101 1 0.649 100.828 0.098 4.957 1519.999




Sample Representation

Age 7 Categories
Unweighted Weighted
18-24 5.26% 6.26%
25-34 16.84% 23.58%
35-44 18.75% 18.67%
45-54 14.93% 16.11%
55-64 18.55% 16.40%
65-74 17.89% 13.47%
75+ 7.76% 5.52%
Gender
Unweighted Weighted
Male 38.55% 49.30%
Female 60.86% 50.09%
Prefer to self-describe (please specify): 0.59% 0.61%
Race
Unweighted Weighted
White 86.90% 86.85%
Black or African American 3.88% 4.22%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1.45% 1.35%
Asian 1.45% 1.16%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0.07% 0.02%
Other race 3.82% 3.71%
2+ races 2.44% 2.68%
Education (Highest Degree Received)
Unweighted Weighted
No high school diploma or GED 2.04% 2.05%
High school graduate (high school diploma or the equivalent GED) 13.55% 15.16%
Some college or Associate degree 32.96% 41.31%
Bachelor’s degree 32.50% 25.86%
Master’s degree or above 18.95% 15.62%
Urbanicity
Unweighted Weighted
Urban 45.20% 41.79%
Rural 13.49% 14.06%
Suburban 41.32% 44.15%




**Sampling and weighting information has been modified from the Ipsos Project Report.

Data Requests


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