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FAQs

What is Donna's Law / The Colorado Voluntary Firearm Waiver Program?
  • Donna's Law (The Colorado Voluntary Firearm Waiver program) is a proactive way to prevent yourself from purchasing a firearm in the future. You choose to sign up for yourself, and the waiver remains in place unless you later choose to deactivate it.
Why sign up?
  • This waiver program is kind of self-defense strategy for safety. You may choose to sign up because you know:

    • Have experienced thoughts of suicide or self-harm,

    • Know that they may be at elevated risk during stressful times, 

    • Have a personal commitment to nonviolence, or

    • Desire additional safety in place before they ever need it

Can someone else sign me up?
  • No. The choice is yours. This program is completely self-initiated & will involve an identity verification process.
    • You can name a trusted contact when you sign up, but that person cannot enroll you on your behalf.
What is a "trusted contact"?

When you sign up, you can choose to name one or more trusted contacts.​​​​​

  • ​They will be notified when the waiver is accepted, if there is a potential transaction while the waiver is active, or if you decide to revoke it.​

Choosing a trusted contact is optional.

How soon will the waiver take effect?
  • Once the enrollment information has been verified, a waiver will be added to the firearm background check system & activated within 24 hours.
 
  • *Note: There may be additional processing times over weekends & federal holidays.
Can I still own any firearms that I may already have?
  • Yes. This program prevents you from making a future firearm purchase while the waiver is active + does not apply to anything you already own.
What happens if I move?
  • Because the program is a part of a national system, the waiver will stay active until you request to have your name removed — wherever you live.
What if I change my mind? How do I reverse it?
  • A waiver can be revoked through the same online portal system used to sign up — fully deactivating after a 30-day waiting period. 
    • This is designed to provide time for someone to access care & support, while ensuring that the stressful period has passed.
For more info on ERPO's in Colorado:

How is this different from Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO)?

  • Colorado's Voluntary Firearm Waiver Program is a choice that someone makes for themself. It is a self-directed way to plan ahead & keep oneself safe if a person knows that they struggle with thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
​An ERPO is different. It is a court-ordered safety measure that an eligible person can request when there is a imminent concern that someone may harm themselves or others.

Donna’s Law is self-initiated & preventative.
ERPO's are a separate court process.

*More FAQs coming soon via the program's website portal

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