CBI Background Checks: What to Expect
Short answer: every firearm purchase in Colorado — whether it's a retail sale or a private transfer — requires an instant background check run through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's Instacheck system. Most checks clear in minutes. If yours doesn't, here's why that happens and what you can do about it.
How Long Does a Background Check Take?
Most Instacheck results come back within minutes of submission. Colorado also imposes a separate three-day waiting period before you can take possession of the firearm, regardless of how fast the background check itself clears — see our full Colorado gun law guide for details on the waiting period.
Common Reasons a Background Check Gets Denied
| Reason | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Felony record | A prior felony conviction generally disqualifies a buyer under both state and federal law. |
| Active protective/restraining order | An order currently in effect against the buyer can result in denial. |
| Outstanding warrant | An active warrant for arrest will typically trigger a denial. |
| Domestic violence conviction | Disqualifying under federal law regardless of felony/misdemeanor classification. |
| Mistaken identity / data error | Buyer is confused in the system with another person of similar name/date of birth — the most common reason for an erroneous denial. |
What to Do If You're Denied by Mistake
If you believe your denial was a data error or a case of mistaken identity, you have the right to appeal. You must submit your intent to appeal within 30 days of the denial, either through CBI's online appeals portal or by mail. CBI provides a process to request the specific reason for your denial and to challenge it with supporting documentation. Acme Pawn staff can give you the denial reference number from your transaction, which you'll need to start that process.
Start here: CBI Appeals Information or go straight to the InstaCheck Appeals online portal. Questions: 303-813-5700, option 3.
What Is ATF Form 4473?
Before the background check is even submitted, you'll fill out ATF Form 4473 — the Firearms Transaction Record — at the counter. It's a federal form every licensed dealer uses for every firearm sale or transfer, and it's how we certify your identity and eligibility before running the CBI Instacheck. You'll need a valid government-issued photo ID that matches the information on the form.
Want to see it before you come in? Download the current official form directly from ATF:
- ATF Form 4473 — Firearms Transaction Record (official PDF, atf.gov)
- Form 4473 Continuation Sheet (ATF 5300.9A)
- ATF's Form 4473 revisions page — always check here for the latest version
Official Resources
Everything above is summarized from these official state and federal sources — go straight to them for the most current rules:
- CBI Firearms InstaCheck Unit — the Colorado agency that runs every gun background check in the state
- CBI Firearms FAQs — wait times, delays, and process questions
- CBI Appeals Information — how to challenge a denial (30-day deadline)
- FBI NICS — the federal system CBI checks against
- ATF Firearms Forms — Form 4473 and all other federal firearms paperwork
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a gun background check take in Colorado?
Most Instacheck results return within minutes, though some are delayed for further research. A separate three-day waiting period applies before you can take the firearm home.
Does a private sale need a background check too?
Yes — see our private gun sale laws page for how that works at Acme Pawn.
Can I appeal a denied background check?
Yes, if you believe the denial was a mistaken-identity or data error, CBI has an appeal process — ask Acme staff for your denial reference number to get started.
Is a "delayed" result the same as a denial?
No. A delay means CBI needs more time to verify your record; it isn't a denial.
Ready to Buy or Transfer a Firearm?
Stop by any Acme Pawn location with valid ID — our staff will walk you through the 4473 and the CBI check in person. No hidden fees — here's exactly what a transfer costs:
FFL Transfer to Acme Pawn
Bought a gun online or out of state? Have it shipped to us — we handle the paperwork and run your CBI Instacheck when you pick up.
See FFL Transfer DetailsPrivate Sale (Person-to-Person)
Selling to or buying from another individual? Colorado requires the transfer to go through an FFL. Colorado caps the transfer fee itself at $10. The $50 covers secure vault storage, tagging and custody for the mandatory three-day (72-hour) hold, since we must keep the firearm until the wait ends and CBI approves the buyer.
See Private Sale Details