If I'm not making much sense...
ZackL, you made perfect sense.
Rabbit, the others are correct. By not contacting you, your county's sheriff
broke the law. There is no "may" in the CRS:
(1) Within ninety days after the date of receipt of the items specified in section 18-12-205, a sheriff shall:
(a) Approve the permit application and issue the permit; or
(b) Deny the permit application based solely on the ground that the applicant fails to qualify under the criteria listed in section 18-12-203 (1) or that the applicant would be a danger as described in section 18-12-203 (2). If the sheriff denies the permit application, he or she shall notify the applicant in writing, stating the grounds for denial and informing the applicant of the right to seek a second review of the application by the sheriff, to submit additional information for the record, and to seek judicial review pursuant to section 18-12-207.
I would recommend that after (that's after, not before) you receive your permit, simply send all correspondance you received from the Sheriff's office, along with a short and sweet cover letter noting their decision not to contact you at all, to the Colorado Attorney General's office. You might simply ask: "Why did the sheriff's office fail to approve or deny within 90 days commensurate with C.R.S. 18-12-206(1)? Furthermore, why are they insisting it's a privilage, when C.R.S. 18-12-201(1)(e) specifically affirms that "...the issuance of a concealed handgun permit is based on a person's constitutional right of self-protection and there is a prevailing state interest in ensuring that no citizen is arbitrarily denied a concealed handgun permit..."?"
Put simply, your county sheriff's office goofed! They broke the law, and they're apparently unaware of the law regarding concealed handgun permits.
The AG has the authority and the will to help correct unlawful attitudes,
provided you give them the ammo! So, after you get your permit, give the AG's office the ammo so they can do their job helping to enforce the law.
I've open carried every day since I've been here with only one minor issue, and will continue to do so with or without a CHP but cold weather at 8000ft is coming fast and it would be nice to wear heavier clothing!
Nothing like having your hand freeze to cold steel, eh? Lol! At least it aids retention... If you still want to OC in the winter, I'd recommend a side holster that sits a little lower, preferrably one with a leg strap. Mine's made of tactical nylon, fits and sits great, and cost all of $15. All my heaviest winter jackets sit just above the gun's butt, so I retain quick access. Only my rain jacket sits lower, which is ok, as it covers the butt and keeps my firearm dry.
