How to Clear Your Criminal Record in Colorado

What You Need to Know First

Colorado's Clean Slate Act is now fully in effect. Automatic sealing of misdemeanors and petty offenses began July 1, 2024. Automatic sealing of eligible felonies began July 1, 2025. Over 100,000 records were sealed in the first year. Your record may already be sealed — or it will be sealed automatically once the waiting period passes. No action needed for automatic sealing.

Colorado uses "sealing" not "expungement" for adults. Sealed records are hidden from public view — most background checks cannot see them — but the records are not destroyed. True expungement (destruction of records) is only available for juvenile records and certain underage DUI convictions. For most adults, sealing provides the same practical protection.

Colorado has two main pathways for clearing a criminal record. You can wait for automatic sealing or file a petition to seal sooner.

Automatic Sealing — Clean Slate Act

NO ACTION NEEDED

The State Court Administrator compiles eligible records quarterly and processes automatic sealing without any action from you. Misdemeanors after 7 years, felonies after 10 years. Your record may already be sealed. Check your CBI criminal history to verify.

Petition-Based Sealing

FILE SOONER — SHORTER WAIT

File a petition to seal your record sooner than automatic sealing allows. Waiting periods are shorter — misdemeanors after 2-3 years, felonies after 3-5 years. $65 filing fee (waivable). File in the court where your case was heard. Hearings can be conducted remotely.

What Can — and Can't — Be Sealed

ELIGIBLE FOR SEALING

Arrests where no charges were filed — automatic after 1 year
Dismissed charges and acquittals — immediate sealing available
Completed deferred judgments and diversion agreements — automatic
Civil infractions and petty offenses — after 1 year (petition) / 4 years (auto)
Class 2 and 3 misdemeanors — after 2 years (petition) / 7 years (auto)
Class 1 misdemeanors and drug misdemeanors — after 3 years (petition) / 7 years (auto)
Class 4, 5, 6 felonies — after 3-5 years (petition) / 10 years (auto)
Drug felonies (lower level) — after 3-5 years (petition)
Conduct no longer illegal — e.g. natural medicine possession
Pardoned convictions — petition immediately after pardon

NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SEALING

DUI and DWAI convictions — permanently ineligible
Class 1, 2, 3 felonies
Violent crimes
Sexual offenses
Domestic violence convictions (narrow exception with DA consent)
Child abuse convictions
Level 1 drug felonies
New conviction during the waiting period
Unpaid restitution owed to victims

DUI exception: A DUI charge that was dismissed or resulted in acquittal can be sealed. Only DUI and DWAI convictions are permanently ineligible. Underage DUI (BAC .02–.05%) convictions can be sealed after the person turns 21.

Waiting Periods — Petition vs. Automatic

Petition-based sealing has shorter waiting periods than automatic sealing. The clock starts from the later of: end of all criminal proceedings or release from supervision. Unpaid fines and court costs are no longer a barrier — only unpaid restitution to victims blocks sealing.

Dismissed / acquitted — petition

Immediately

Civil infraction / petty offense — petition

1 year

Class 2/3 misdemeanor — petition

2 years

Class 1 misdemeanor / drug misdemeanor — petition

3 years

Misdemeanor — automatic (Clean Slate)

7 years

Class 4/5/6 felony — petition

3–5 years

Eligible felony — automatic (Clean Slate)

10 years

How to File a Petition — Step by Step

1

Check If Your Record Was Already Sealed

Request your Colorado criminal history from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at cbi.colorado.gov (about $12.50). If your eligible record has already been automatically sealed under the Clean Slate Act it won't appear. If it still shows, you can petition to seal it sooner.

2

Get the Right JDF Form

Colorado uses specific JDF forms depending on your situation. Download from the Colorado Judicial Branch at coloradojudicial.gov: JDF 612 for a single conviction, JDF 641 for multiple convictions, JDF 417 for arrest records, JDF 611 for instructions. Use the correct form — using the wrong one causes delays.

3

Attach Your CBI Criminal History Report

Your petition must include a recent Colorado Bureau of Investigation criminal history report obtained within the last 90 days. This costs approximately $12.50. It confirms your conviction details and shows the court your complete criminal history.

4

File with the Court and Serve the DA

File your petition in the court where your case was heard. Pay the $65 filing fee or request a waiver using JDF 205 if you qualify as indigent. Serve a copy on the District Attorney's office. The DA has 35 days to object.

5

Attend Your Hearing (If Required)

If the DA objects or the court requires a hearing, you will be notified of a hearing date. Since 2024, hearings can be conducted remotely. The judge considers your rehabilitation, time elapsed, and public safety. For non-conviction records, a hearing is often not required.

6

After Sealing Is Granted

The court notifies the CBI and all agencies holding your records. Sealed records are removed from public background checks. The process typically takes 2 to 6 months from filing. Keep a certified copy of your sealing order — some private background check databases may lag in updating.

Official Forms

Colorado Judicial Branch — Record Sealing Forms

Official JDF forms for record sealing — including JDF 612, JDF 641, JDF 417, and instructions

Get forms at coloradojudicial.gov →

Colorado Bureau of Investigation — Criminal History

Request your CBI criminal history report — required for petition filing

Visit cbi.colorado.gov →

Fee Waiver — JDF 205

Request a waiver of the $65 filing fee if you qualify as indigent

Get form at coloradojudicial.gov →

Colorado Clean Slate Act — Official Info

Official information on Colorado's automatic sealing program under the Clean Slate Act

Visit coloradojudicial.gov →

Helpful Resources

FREE LEGAL HELP

Colorado Legal Services

Free civil legal help for low-income Coloradans — including record sealing assistance and clinics statewide

coloradolegalservices.org →

FREE LEGAL HELP

Colorado Legal Help

Free legal information and self-help tools for Coloradans — including step-by-step sealing guides

coloradolegalhelp.org →

HOUSING, FOOD & BENEFITS

findhelp.org

Search thousands of free and reduced-cost programs for housing, food, work, and more in your area

findhelp.org →

JOB SEARCH HELP

American Job Centers

Free job search assistance, resume help, and training — including resources for people with records

careeronestop.org →

CLEAN SLATE INFO

Colorado Judicial Branch

Official forms, guides, and Clean Slate Act information from the Colorado Judicial Branch

coloradojudicial.gov →

COURT LOCATIONS

Colorado Courts

Find your county district court to file your sealing petition

coloradojudicial.gov →

Frequently Asked Questions

Was my record automatically sealed under the Clean Slate Act? +

It depends on your offense and when it occurred. Automatic sealing for misdemeanors and petty offenses began July 1, 2024 — after 7 years from the end of your case. Automatic sealing for eligible felonies began July 1, 2025 — after 10 years. Check your criminal history through the CBI at cbi.colorado.gov to see if your record has been sealed. If it hasn't been sealed yet and the waiting period has passed, contact Colorado Legal Services for help.

Can a DUI be sealed in Colorado? +

No — DUI and DWAI convictions are permanently ineligible for sealing in Colorado. This is one of the strictest rules in the state. However a DUI charge that was dismissed or resulted in an acquittal can be sealed. The only exception for DUI convictions is underage DUI (BAC .02–.05%) — those can be sealed after the person turns 21.

Should I petition to seal or wait for automatic sealing? +

Petition-based sealing has significantly shorter waiting periods — misdemeanors after 2-3 years vs. 7 years for automatic. If you need your record cleared sooner — for a job, housing, or licensing application — file a petition. If you're past the automatic sealing threshold and your record hasn't been sealed yet, check your CBI report. Many people also file petitions simply to ensure their records are sealed on a specific schedule rather than waiting for the quarterly automatic process.

Can I legally deny the conviction after sealing? +

Yes — after sealing in Colorado, your record is not available to the public and you can legally say you were not arrested or convicted of that offense on most job and housing applications. Sealed records cannot appear in CBI background checks provided to employers and landlords. Law enforcement, courts, and certain government agencies retain access to sealed records.

Do unpaid fines affect my eligibility? +

No — since 2022, unpaid fines, court costs, and fees are no longer a barrier to sealing in Colorado. Only unpaid restitution owed directly to victims can block sealing. This was a major change that removed one of the most common barriers people faced. If restitution was your only obstacle, check your eligibility again.

Do I need an attorney? +

Not required — Colorado's judicial branch provides detailed JDF forms and instructions at coloradojudicial.gov, and the process is designed to be accessible without an attorney. Colorado Legal Services and nonprofit clinics offer free sealing help for those who qualify. For felony sealing or cases where the DA is likely to object, working with an attorney improves your chances.

After Your Record Is Sealed

After sealing in Colorado, your record is removed from CBI public background checks. You can legally say you were not arrested or convicted of that offense on most job, housing, and licensing applications.

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Employment

Sealed records do not appear on CBI background checks used by most employers. You can legally deny the conviction on most private job applications. Colorado's ban-the-box law restricts when employers can ask about criminal history. Law enforcement employers and certain regulated positions retain access to sealed records.

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Gun Rights

Sealing a record in Colorado does not restore federal or state firearms rights lost due to a felony conviction. If you lost gun rights due to a conviction, sealing alone does not restore them — that requires a separate process. Consult a licensed Colorado attorney before purchasing or possessing a firearm if you have any felony history.

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Professional Licensing

Most Colorado licensing boards cannot use sealed convictions against applicants. However certain regulated professions — healthcare, law, education, childcare — may still have access. Contact the specific licensing board before applying to understand their access level and disclosure requirements.

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Background Check Databases

Private background check companies may lag in updating their databases after sealing. Keep a certified copy of your sealing order and dispute any records that still appear. The CBI notifies all agencies holding your records when sealing is ordered — but private databases sourced from court records may update more slowly.

For general information about what changes after expungement — including housing, employment resources, and more — visit our After Expungement page.