Colorado Shotgun Rounds Law

The state of Colorado has rules and regulations regarding ammunition capacities while hunting with shotguns. The Colorado Division of Wildlife regulates and publishes these standards.

  1. Small Game and Birds

    • Shotgun capacities are limited for migratory birds.

      According to Chapter 5, Article I, #502 of Colorado hunting regulations, the following can be used to take small game and migratory birds: "(a)ny shotgun not larger than 10 gauge, not firing single slugs and incapable of holding more than three (3) shells in the magazine and chamber combined and fired from the shoulder."

      The regulation further states that "(s)hotguns of any description originally capable of holding more than three (3) shells total capacity shall have the magazine so cut off, altered or plugged with a one-piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so as to reduce the total gun capacity to hold no more than three (3) shells in the magazine and chamber combined."

    Big Game

    • Moose in soggy bottom

      Permitted for hunting big game, Chapter 2, Article I, #203 states, are "(s)hotguns, no smaller than twenty (20) gauge and firing a single slug." Section #203 also states sabots are not permitted.

    Defense

    • Defense-style shotgun with less-than-lethal ammunition

      There is no cartridge limit or maximum magazine capacity for defense or other non-hunting shotgun sports.