He began his professional career with a training stint with Motherwell FC in July 2005. He then trained for five months with Scottish club, Partick Thistle FC, from July to November 2005. He had trouble obtaining a work permit in Scotland so he left in November 2005 and returned to the U.S. Later on, he also had a training stint with French club Troyes AC.

Burns returned to Europe in August 2006 to sign a one-year contract with FC Olimpia Bălţi in the Divizia Naţională, the top league in Moldova. He was named the first choice goalkeeper shortly after arriving in Balti. Colin made his professional debut against FC Dacia Chişinău in Stadionul Republican on September 9, 2006. Olimpia lost 1–0 in his debut but Burns was named man of the match for his efforts in the game.

Because of Colin’s form, Sepsi was getting interest from many clubs around Finland wanting to buy him for the remainder of the season. Burns was sold to Kokkolan Palloveikot (KPV) in the ykkonen in August 2007.

His transfer was about to collapse because of a dispute with the Swedish Football Association over his registration. This is due to Burns having played for two clubs in the period from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, under previous FIFA guidelines, he was not eligible to play for a third club during that period. FIFA changed their rules in December 2007 so that the period from July 1 to June 30 was no longer relevant. Under new regulations, the period is defined as the first game of the season to the last game of the season making Burns eligible to play for LSK. The Swedish Football Association had not adopted the new FIFA regulations and so they initially blocked his transfer. Legal action and pressure from the Swedish media, encouraged the Swedish FA to change their rules to comply with FIFA. This rule change has come to be known as the ‘Burns Rule’ by Swedish media.

Burns made his starting debut in the next match against 2007 Allsvenskan Champions, IFK Gothenburg on April 25. Ljungskile went on to win the match 2–1 in front of a record home crowd of 7,100 people thereby ending Gothenburg’s stretch of nineteen unbeaten games started in the 2007 season. Burns was voted as one of the top three players of the match for his efforts in the game.

Burns signed a two-year contract with Allsvenskan side Ljungskile SK (LSK) in February 2008.

Burns made his Allsvenskan debut on April 21, 2008, in a 2–1 win over Trelleborgs FF. He came on in the 90th minute for red-carded goalkeeper Michal Slawuta. He went on to play the final seven minutes in added time, making one save, and gaining his first league shutout.

Burns signed a two-year contract with Sarpsborg 08 FF in October 2009.

Burns signed a one-year contract with Sandefjord Fotball in January 2011.