Colorado Expeal Guide

Note: The links and statutes were last checked on March 2, 2026. If you're looking at this after that date, please check yourself to make sure everything is still accurate.

Colorado automatically cleans certain misdemeanor and felony arrest records; where a person has a record that doesn't qualify for the automated process or where they have certain misdemeanor or felony convictions, Colorado allows for the use of a petition and the potential need for a hearing.

Aspects of the process that are unique to the state include:

Colorado passed a Clean Slate bill that automates the sealing of most records as soon as they qualify.
Colorado requires a one-year waiting period before refiling a petition that is originally denied.

Expeal Ranking

Colorado's Expeal ranking is 10 out of 15, or a B-.

This is based on the average of the following scores:

Metric	Misdemeanor - Arrest	Misdemeanor - Conviction	Felony - Arrest	Felony - Conviction
Clean Slate	3	0	3	0
Expeal	2	2	2	2
Tasks	3	1	3	1
Wait	3	2	3	2
Cost	3	1	3	1
Total	14	6	14	6

The metrics are defined as follows:

Clean Slate: 3 if implemented; 2 if proposed or in the process of being implemented; 1 if being discussed; 0 if nothing
Expeal: 3 if records are erased or destroyed; 2 if records are hidden but still exist; 1 if records are given a notation or some other form of reduction; 0 if nothing or if it requires a pardon or something similar before becoming available
Tasks: 3 if application alone or automatic; 2 if straightforward court or administrative engagement required; 1 if administrative engagement required before straightforward court; 0 if convincing required
Wait: 3 if immediate to 1 year; 2 if 1 to 3 years; 1 if 3 years to 5 years; 0 if > 5 years or intermediate step before tolling
Cost: 3 if < $50; 2 if $50.01 to $250; 1 if $250.01 to $500; 0 if > $500.01

Steps

Below are the five phases that take you through the Expeal process in Colorado if you don't qualify for the automatic process. Remember: If you have to mail anything, remember to keep a copy of whatever you send and to use a method with a tracking number like the $10.30 USPS Flat Rate Envelope.

Phase 1: Verifying you Qualify

Step 1: Get Fingerprinted. Visit your local police or sheriff's station and have your fingerprints taken. Cost: Typically $57.00, depending on the provider.
Step 2: Request your Record. Complete and submit your application to request an official copy of your criminal history record. Cost: There is a fingerprint-based background check fee of $16.50.
Step 3: Review your Record. Confirm there is no disqualifying information in your history. If there is something incorrect, follow the process to challenge the issue. If everything is accurate, make a copy for your file and keep the original somewhere safe.

Phase 2: Collecting your Documents

Step 4: Request Certified Documents. Collect certified copies of relevant documents. This include a copy of the disposition of the case from the clerk of court that handled the original case and the arrest record from the arresting agency. If you had probation or parole, had to take classes, had to pay fees, or had any other obligations, you need to get a certified copy of whatever proves you completed the requirements as well. Cost: Varies based on agency, but a good baseline is the fees from the clerk of court, which charges $20.00 to certify a document and up to $0.50 for every page that needs to be photocopied.
Step 5: Verify the Final Documents. This may seem obvious, but there have been enough instances of wrong information, missing signatures, or other issues that it is absolutely worth spending the time to review each document you've received and making sure it is both certified and clearly shows you have completed whatever you were required to do. Make sure you make copies of each original file.

Phase 3: Completing the Petition

Step 6: Prepare your Petition. Complete the petition based on the type of charge and outcome you are seeking. Among other requirements, there are timing restrictions to note: certain arrest records require that there is no longer an active investigation while others require the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Step 7: Finalize your Petition. Take the completed petition from Step 6, the documents collected in Step 4, and the background check from Step 2, and put them together in a complete package. Double-check every file in the package is the original and ensure you have a copy of the complete package for your personal file.

Phase 4: Final Steps

Step 8: File your Expeal Request. File the petition with the court that handled the case. Cost: The petition has a filing fee of $224.00.
Step 9: Work with the Court. After confirming the files have been received by the court, wait to hear how they want to proceed in terms of a hearing or otherwise.

Phase 5: Celebrate!

Step 10: Enjoy your Second Chance! Begin the next chapter in your life with the legal ability to say you were never even arrested for the charges you just cleared! While we understand you won't want to tell people you used Expeal, we do hope you'll recommend us when you hear about someone who could use the service. Best of luck with everything!

Statutes

The following statutes govern the Expeal process in Colorado:

Official Government Links

Agencies

The following pages are important for you to be familiar with as you go through the Expeal process:

Colorado State Public Defender's official page on sealing records.

Forms required for the Expeal process:

Colorado Judicial Branch's official page on sealing records with links to forms and guides.