How to file to clear a record in Colorado
How to ask a Colorado court to clear your record, what it costs and which forms to use.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
File a Petition to Seal Arrest Records (JDF 417) in the district court where the records are. If the court finds it sufficient it sets a hearing at least 35 days out; if no one objects 7 days before, the court seals without a hearing.
- Main remedy
- Sealing of arrest records when no charges were filed (C.R.S. 24-72-704)
- Cost
- No fees or costs.
- Forms
- 7
How to file in Colorado
Sealing of arrest records when no charges were filed (C.R.S. 24-72-704)
File a Petition to Seal Arrest Records (JDF 417) in the district court where the records are. If the court finds it sufficient it sets a hearing at least 35 days out; if no one objects 7 days before, the court seals without a hearing.
Sealing of non-conviction records (C.R.S. 24-72-705)
Automatic at disposition. If it did not happen, file Motion to Seal Non-Conviction Records (JDF 477) in the criminal case. There are no fees or costs for this motion.
- Cost
- No fees or costs.
Law: C.R.S. 24-72-705(2)
Sealing of conviction records (C.R.S. 24-72-706)
File the Motion to Seal Criminal Conviction Records (JDF 612) in the court where you were convicted, with a verified CBI criminal history no older than 20 days, and give notice to the District Attorney. Petty offenses are sealed if your record is clean; for misdemeanors and felonies the DA may object and the court may hold a hearing and weigh your privacy against the public interest. Municipal cases use JDF 683; several cases use JDF 641.
- Cost
- $65 processing fee; CBI no longer charges a sealing fee since July 1, 2024 (CBI).
- If you can't pay
- The court waives the $65 fee if you are indigent or the record should have been sealed automatically; file JDF 205 Motion to Waive Fees.
Law: C.R.S. 24-72-706(1)(h)
Court self-help
Who cannot use these remedies in Colorado
- Sealing of arrest records when no charges were filed (C.R.S. 24-72-704): Automatic CBI sealing does not apply to felonies with a statute of limitations over 3 years or no statute of limitations
- Sealing of non-conviction records (C.R.S. 24-72-705): Charges dismissed because you were found incompetent to proceed cannot be sealed this way.
- Sealing of conviction records (C.R.S. 24-72-706): Class 1 and 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses and class A/B traffic infractions; DUI/DWAI (42-4-1301(1),(2)); offenses involving unlawful sexual behavior; child abuse (18-6-401); domestic violence; crimes of violence; class 1, 2 or 3 felonies and level 1 drug felonies (with narrow old-drug-law exceptions); felony victim-rights crimes; and other offenses listed in 24-72-706(2)(a). An excluded misdemeanor or petty offense can still be sealed if the DA consents or the court makes special findings.
Law: C.R.S. § 24-72-704; C.R.S. § 24-72-705; C.R.S. §§ 24-72-706, 24-72-708, 24-72-709
What you can say afterwards
After sealing you may reply that no public criminal records exist and may say you have not been criminally convicted; employers, landlords, government agencies and others may not require you to disclose sealed records in applications or interviews, and may not deny an application only because you refuse to disclose them. Exceptions: courts, police, prosecutors and agencies required by law to run criminal history checks can still see and use sealed records; the bar examiners and the Department of Education (for educators) have special rights to ask. Sealing does not vacate the conviction.
Law: C.R.S. 24-72-703(2)(b), (2)(d)
Get your own record in Colorado
Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Biometric Identification and Records Unit · (303) 239-4201
Run a name-based check on yourself online through the Internet Criminal History Check, or request a notarized record from CBI. To see your own sealed records, send CBI a written request with fingerprints and a $16.50 fee.
Law: $6.00 per result listed by CBI; $13.00
Letter: ask the state records office for a copy of your record
In nearby states
- Wyoming: No filing fee (W.S. 7-13-1401(e)).
- New Mexico: District court civil filing fee; e.g. $132 in the Second Judicial District Court, Bernalillo County (court instructions, rev.
- Utah: BCI application fee $65 (non-refundable). No BCI certificate issuance fee for dismissals, acquittals or declined cases (except dismissals after a plea in abeyance or diversion).
Steps to file in Colorado
Gather your papers
You need your case numbers, court papers and proof you finished your sentence. Checklist: what to gather before you file.
Fill out the forms
The court's self-help pages explain each form: Colorado Judicial Branch: Seal My Case and Colorado Judicial Branch: Sealed Case Search.
Turn in the petition
The clerk takes the petition; the court may set a hearing.
Talk to legal aid
Legal aid can help for free: Colorado Legal Services.
Free help in Colorado
Questions about filing in Colorado
When can I ask to clear my record in Colorado?
Arrest, no charges filed (court petition): You can petition once the statute of limitations has run or police are no longer investigating, or after completing diversion with no charges filed, counted from when the statute of limitations has run or you are no longer under investigation; Arrest on or after January 1, 2022, no charges (automatic at CBI): 1 year, counted from date of arrest; Dismissed, acquitted, diversion or deferred judgment completed: No waiting period, counted from dismissal or acquittal; Civil infraction, petty offense or drug petty offense: 1 year, counted from final disposition of all proceedings or release from supervision, whichever is later.
How much does it cost to clear a record in Colorado?
Sealing of non-conviction records: No fees or costs. Sealing of conviction records: $65 processing fee; CBI no longer charges a sealing fee since July 1, 2024 (CBI).
How do I get a copy of my criminal record in Colorado?
Run a name-based check on yourself online through the Internet Criminal History Check, or request a notarized record from CBI. To see your own sealed records, send CBI a written request with fingerprints and a $16.50 fee.