Sealing a Criminal Record in Colorado
Colorado allows sealing of many criminal records (C.R.S. § 24-72-701 et seq.), including petition-based sealing of conviction records under § 24-72-706. Recent reforms (SB22-099) added automatic sealing of many eligible records on a phased schedule, alongside the petition process. Eligibility lists, waiting periods, and the automatic-sealing rollout are detailed and amendment-prone.
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
This is general information, not legal advice, and Colorado’s sealing eligibility and waiting periods are detailed and frequently amended — confirm the current rules against the statute and talk to a Colorado attorney.
A sealed record is generally hidden from most background checks, which can matter for jobs, housing, and more. Colorado allows sealing of many criminal records (C.R.S. § 24-72-701 et seq.), through two main paths.
Petition-based sealing
You can petition the court to seal many records, including conviction records under C.R.S. § 24-72-706. Whether a particular record qualifies — and how long you must wait — depends on the offense and your history.
Automatic sealing
Recent reforms — SB22-099 — created automatic sealing of many eligible records on a phased schedule, in addition to the petition-based process. This means some records may be sealed without you filing anything, though the rollout is staged over time.
Confirm what applies to you
The eligibility lists, waiting periods, and the automatic-sealing rollout are detailed and amendment-prone, so confirm the current rules against the statute and with an attorney before relying on any timeline.
For background on how charges are classified, see the criminal process, or return to the criminal-defense hub. To get matched with a local Colorado attorney, connect with a lawyer.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Can I get a criminal record sealed in Colorado?
- Often, yes. Colorado allows sealing of many criminal records (C.R.S. § 24-72-701 et seq.), including petition-based sealing of conviction records under § 24-72-706. Eligibility and waiting periods vary — confirm the current rules.
- What is automatic sealing?
- Recent reforms (SB22-099) created automatic sealing of many eligible records on a phased schedule, in addition to the petition-based process. The rollout details are amendment-prone, so confirm what currently applies to your situation.
- Is every record eligible to be sealed?
- No. Eligibility lists, waiting periods, and the automatic-sealing rollout are detailed and frequently change. Confirm the current rules against the statute and with a Colorado attorney.
Sources
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