Record Sealing & Expungement
By Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr., former Colorado Deputy District Attorney. Clear the record that follows you — Colorado’s Clean Slate Act and case-by-case sealing, in plain English.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney ~ 20+ Years in Private Practice · Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
An old case shouldn’t cost you the next job
Colorado’s Clean Slate Act (C.R.S. § 24-72-701) now automatically seals many eligible records — but automation is slow and incomplete, and the biggest cases still need a petition. Sealing means that on most job and housing applications you can lawfully answer that it never happened.
Ready when you are — talk it through with Attorney Liken.
Your choice: no-charge 20-minute phone call OR in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.
Eligibility is a moving target — check yours
The Clean Slate rules and waiting periods change, and one ineligible charge on a case can block the whole thing. A quick review tells you what can come off, and when.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between sealing and expungement in Colorado?
In Colorado adult criminal records are sealed, meaning hidden from the public and most background checks, while expungement is generally reserved for juvenile records and a few specific situations. In everyday terms both mean the case stops showing up — the right tool depends on your age at the time and the offense.
Does Colorado automatically seal old records?
For many eligible cases, yes. The Clean Slate Act (C.R.S. § 24-72-701) directs the state to automatically seal many eligible convictions and dismissed cases on a rolling basis. But automation is slow and misses cases, and the most valuable records often still need a petition — so it is worth confirming whether yours qualified and actually got sealed.
How long do I have to wait to seal a conviction?
It depends on the level of offense. After your offense-free waiting period runs — roughly one to five or more years depending on the conviction — you can petition to seal under C.R.S. § 24-72-706. Cases that ended in dismissal or acquittal can often be sealed on a faster track.
What can I say once my record is sealed?
Once a record is sealed you can generally answer job and housing questions as though the arrest or conviction never occurred, and most background checks will not show it. The firm tells you exactly what you can lawfully say afterward.
Take the first step. We'll take it from there.
No-charge 20-minute phone consultation, or an in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.