Colorado Clean Slate Law: Automatic Sealing (2026)

Automatic conviction sealing, C.R.S. § 13-3-117. HB 21-1214 created it for drug convictions; SB 22-099 (Colorado's Clean Slate law) expanded it to civil infractions, petty offenses, misdemeanors, and eligible felonies; HB 24-1133 amended it.

Last updated: 2026-10-12 (official sources checked)Operating

Quick Answer

Colorado's courts automatically seal eligible convictions from lists compiled every quarter: civil infractions 4 years after final disposition, petty offenses and misdemeanors after 7 years, drug felonies after 10 years, and — since July 1, 2025 — eligible non-drug felonies 10 years after the later of disposition or release from supervision. An intervening conviction blocks it, and the district attorney can object.

DUI/DWAI, domestic-violence offenses, unlawful sexual behavior, class 1–3 felonies and Victim Rights Act crimes are not sealed automatically; some can still be sealed by petition. Sealing hides the record from the public but not from courts, police or agencies required to run background checks. Use the Judicial Branch's Sealed Case Search to confirm your case.

Is it operating yet?

In operation. By statute, the initial list was due by Feb. 1, 2024, and courts had to seal those records by July 1, 2024. Lists of drug, misdemeanor, and petty-offense convictions have been compiled quarterly since July 1, 2024, and eligible non-drug felonies were added starting July 1, 2025. Courts must enter sealing orders within 14 days of receiving the final list. The Judicial Branch runs a Sealed Case Search tool that confirms automatic sealing under § 13-3-117 and publishes DA objection and defendant hearing-request forms. No official count of records sealed could be verified.

Sources: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(c); § 13-3-117(1)(d); § 13-3-117(3)(b)(I)); Colorado Judicial Branch - Sealed Case Search (Sealed Case Search (intro)); Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 2361 - Objection to Automatic Sealing (C.R.S. 13-3-117) (JDF 2361); Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 2363 - Request for a Hearing (automatic conviction sealing) (JDF 2363 ¶ 1)

The law

HB 21-1214 added § 13-3-117 (effective Sept. 7, 2021) for drug convictions. SB 22-099 (effective Aug. 10, 2022) added civil infractions, petty offenses, misdemeanors, and eligible felonies. HB 24-1133 (effective July 1, 2025) added a rule that sealing orders are not mailed to the defendant and a one-time sweep of pre-August-2022 non-conviction records.

Sources: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117 source note; § 13-3-117(3)(b)(II) (version effective July 1, 2025); § 13-3-117(5)(a)); C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-701 source note)

What automatic sealing does

Sealing, not expungement or vacatur. The court enters a sealing order and the records are hidden from the public, but courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and agencies required by law to run criminal history checks keep access. The conviction is not vacated, and a new conviction leads to unsealing.

Sources: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a); § 13-3-117(1)(a.5)); C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-703(1))

Records covered and waiting periods

Civil infractions

Waiting period: 4 years after final disposition
Conditions: Eligible under §§ 24-72-703 and 24-72-706; no intervening judgment during the 4 years; not a Victim Rights Act crime.

Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a.5); § 13-3-117(1)(a.5)(II)(A))

Petty offenses and misdemeanors

Waiting period: 7 years after final disposition
Conditions: Eligible under §§ 24-72-703 and 24-72-706; no intervening conviction during the 7 years; final disposition on all charges; not a Victim Rights Act crime.

Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a.5); § 13-3-117(1)(a.5)(II)(B); § 13-3-117(1)(b))

Eligible felonies (non-drug; included starting July 1, 2025)

Waiting period: 10 years after the later of final disposition or release from supervision
Conditions: Must be a felony eligible under § 24-72-706 (generally class 4–6). No intervening conviction. Not a Victim Rights Act crime. The DA may also object on public-interest/public-safety grounds.

Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a.5)(II)(C); § 13-3-117(1)(d); § 13-3-117(3)(a)(II); § 13-3-117(1)(b))

Drug convictions (C.R.S. Title 18, Article 18)

Waiting period: 7 years after disposition (petty offense or misdemeanor); 10 years (felony)
Conditions: Must be eligible for sealing under §§ 24-72-703 and 24-72-706 (level 1 drug felonies are not); no intervening conviction.

Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a); § 13-3-117(1)(a)(II)(A); § 13-3-117(1)(a)(II)(B); § 13-3-117(1)(b))

Older non-conviction records (completed deferred judgments, acquittals, diversion) with dispositions before August 2022

Waiting period: One-time list due by July 1, 2025
Conditions: Covers § 24-72-705(1)(a) cases decided before August 2022.

Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(5)(a))

Not cleared automatically

Crimes listed in the Victim Rights Act (C.R.S. § 24-4.1-302(1)) are excluded from the general automatic-sealing list.
Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a.5))
Convictions that are not eligible for sealing under §§ 24-72-703 and 24-72-706 (for example DUI/DWAI, domestic-violence-based offenses, unlawful sexual behavior, class 1–3 felonies, level 1 drug felonies, crimes of violence).
Sources: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a.5)); C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-706(2)(a)(III)-(V); § 24-72-706(2)(a)(VI)(E); § 24-72-706(2)(a)(VI)(J); § 24-72-706(2)(a)(VI)(G)-(H))
Cases without a final disposition on all charges, and convictions with an intervening conviction during the waiting period.
Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(b))
Cases the DA objects to within 45 days because the plea required no sealing, there is a pending charge or intervening conviction, or the conviction is ineligible. For non-drug felonies the DA may also object on public-safety grounds.
Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(3)(a)(I); § 13-3-117(3)(a)(II))

How to check whether your record was cleared

Use the Colorado Judicial Branch Sealed Case Search to confirm whether a specific conviction was automatically sealed under § 13-3-117. Only the defendant may use it, one case at a time, and others can file a research request form. Sealing orders under § 13-3-117 are not mailed to the defendant, so checking is necessary.
Sources: Colorado Judicial Branch - Sealed Case Search (Sealed Case Search (intro)); C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(3)(c); § 13-3-117(3)(b)(II) (version effective July 1, 2025))
A defendant may obtain a copy of the sealing order and serve it on record holders, and may get the information in a sealed record from the CBI without a court order.
Sources: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(3)(b)(IV)); C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-703(2)(a)(VII))

Who can still see a cleared record

Courts, law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, prosecutors, and government agencies required by law to run criminal history checks can still access sealed records, and sealed records can be used in later prosecutions.
Source: C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-703(2)(a)(I); § 24-72-703(1))
The Colorado bar's character committee may inquire into a conviction it learns of by other means, and licensed educators must tell the Department of Education about a pending petition to seal.
Source: C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-703(2)(d)(II); § 24-72-703(2)(d)(III))
A sealed conviction is unsealed if the person is convicted of a new criminal offense.
Source: C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-703(2)(a)(V))

If automatic relief does not cover your record

If a conviction was not sealed automatically, the person can file a motion to seal under § 24-72-706 (JDF 612). The form asks whether the court should have sealed the case automatically, and the $65 processing fee must be waived if the records should have been sealed automatically. If a DA objects to automatic sealing of a non-drug felony on public-safety grounds, the court must notify the defendant, who may request a hearing (JDF 2363) that proceeds under § 24-72-706.

Sources: C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-706(1)(h)(II)); C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(3)(a)(IV)); Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 2363 - Request for a Hearing (automatic conviction sealing) (JDF 2363 ¶ 1)

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Official links

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to apply to get a conviction sealed automatically?

No. The State Court Administrator compiles lists of eligible convictions, district attorneys have 45 days to object, and courts then enter sealing orders. If an eligible conviction was missed, you can file a motion to seal, and the $65 fee must be waived when the record should have been sealed automatically.

Sources: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a.5); § 13-3-117(3)(a)(I); § 13-3-117(3)(b)(I)); C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-706(1)(h)(II))

How long do I have to wait for automatic sealing?

4 years for civil infractions, 7 years for petty offenses and misdemeanors (including drug misdemeanors), and 10 years for eligible felonies, with no new conviction during that time. For non-drug felonies the 10 years run from the later of final disposition or release from supervision.

Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(1)(a.5)(II)(A); § 13-3-117(1)(a.5)(II)(B); § 13-3-117(1)(a.5)(II)(C); § 13-3-117(1)(a)(II)(B); +1 more)

How do I find out whether my case was automatically sealed?

The court does not mail you the sealing order. Use the Judicial Branch's Sealed Case Search, which confirms whether a conviction was sealed under § 13-3-117. You can also get a copy of the sealing order.

Sources: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(3)(b)(II) (version effective July 1, 2025); § 13-3-117(3)(b)(IV)); Colorado Judicial Branch - Sealed Case Search (Sealed Case Search (intro))

Can the district attorney stop automatic sealing?

Yes, within 45 days, if the plea required that the record not be sealed, there is a pending charge or intervening conviction, or the conviction is ineligible. For non-drug felonies the DA can also object on public-safety grounds. You are then notified and can ask for a hearing.

Source: C.R.S. Title 13 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 13-3-117(3)(a)(I); § 13-3-117(3)(a)(II); § 13-3-117(3)(a)(IV))

What can I say on a job or housing application about a sealed record?

Employers, landlords, and government agencies may not require you to disclose sealed records, and you may state that you have not been criminally convicted. Agencies required by law to run criminal history checks can still see sealed records.

Source: C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-703(2)(d)(I); § 24-72-703(2)(b); § 24-72-703(2)(a)(I))

Is a sealed conviction erased?

No. Sealing does not vacate the conviction or destroy the records, and the records are unsealed if you are convicted of a new offense.

Source: C.R.S. Title 24 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, official OLLS printout) (§ 24-72-703(2)(a)(II); § 24-72-703(4); § 24-72-703(2)(a)(V))

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This is informational only, not legal advice. Whether a particular record qualifies depends on the exact offense, sentence, dates and later cases. Confirm with the court, the state records agency or a legal aid office before relying on a record being cleared.