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Juvenile Record Expungement in Colorado – How to Do It


In Colorado, juvenile record expungement is the process of designating juvenile delinquency records as having never existed. The public will not be able to see the expunged records, and you may lawfully deny the expunged arrest, charge, adjudication, conviction, or sentence.

Many lower-level juvenile records should be expunged automatically within 42 days after:

  • the case is dismissed, or
  • you are found not guilty, or
  • you complete an eligible sentence or alternative to sentencing.

If the record is not automatically expunged, or if your case falls into a category requiring notice to the prosecutor and victim, you may need to file a petition.

Graphic that shows benefits of Colorado juvenile record expungements, such as employment opportunities

In this article, our Denver criminal defense lawyers will address the following key issues regarding Colorado juvenile record expungements:

1. Overview

Expungement is not always the physical destruction of records. Under Colorado law, expungement means juvenile delinquency records are deemed never to have existed. The records are either physically sealed or marked in a way showing they have been designated as expunged.1

After an order of expungement, the public cannot see the record. You may also lawfully deny that you were ever:

  • Arrested,
  • Charged,
  • Adjudicated,
  • Convicted, or
  • Sentenced for the expunged matter.2

This can give you a fresh start after a juvenile case. However, expunged records are not invisible to everyone. Basic identifying information and a list of agencies that had contact with you may still be available to:

Expunged records may also be available to a judge and probation department for use in future juvenile or adult sentencing hearings. For repeat or mandatory juvenile offenders, expunged records may also be available for later investigations, prosecutions, adjudications, probation, or parole supervision.4

2. Automatic vs. Petition Expungements

Colorado law requires automatic expungement within 42 days in several lower-level situations, including certain dismissals, not-guilty findings, and successful completions of eligible low-level sentences or alternatives to sentencing.5

However, not every juvenile case disappears automatically. Some eligible cases require a petition, notice to the prosecutor, and possible notice to the victim.

If there is an objection, the court must hold a hearing before deciding whether to grant the expungement.6

3. Where to File

If your case requires a petition, file it in the court that has jurisdiction over the case.

If your case was transferred from one county to another, the petition should be filed in the county that currently has the case.

If records exist in more than one county, file paperwork in each county where a case exists so that all records are addressed.7

4. Eligibility

You are not eligible to petition for juvenile expungement if you were adjudicated for:

  • A felony offense involving unlawful sexual behavior under C.R.S. 16-22-102(9);
  • Being an aggravated juvenile offender under C.R.S. 19-2.5-1125(4);
  • Being a violent juvenile offender under C.R.S. 19-2.5-1125(3);
  • A homicide or related offense under Title 18, Article 3, Part 1; or
  • Any Title 42 traffic offense or traffic infraction.8

You are also not eligible while a felony, misdemeanor, or delinquency action is pending against you.9

Paper that says "criminal background check," which do not show expunged delinquency cases in Colorado.
A record expungement offers people with troubled childhoods in Colorado a fresh start.

5. Timing

Eligible juvenile records can be expunged within 42 days, after one year, or after three years, depending on your case.

Automatic Expungement within 42 Days

You may qualify for automatic expungement within 42 days if:

For this automatic category, the offense must not involve unlawful sexual behavior, domestic violence, or a victim-rights crime under C.R.S. 24-4.1-302(1), and you must have been under 18 when the offense was committed.10

Petition for Expungement after 1 Year

You may petition the court immediately after completing one of the following, but note the court must give notice and allow objections:

  • A juvenile diversion program, deferred adjudication, or informal adjustment that does not fall into the automatic category above;
  • A sentence for a class 1 misdemeanor;
  • A sentence for a petty offense or misdemeanor that is not eligible for automatic expungement; or
  • A sentence for a felony or felony drug offense if:

You also may petition one year after:

  • A law enforcement contact, ticket, or arrest where no further action was taken; or
  • The court denied expungement in an objection/hearing category, if you have new information the court did not previously consider.12

Petition for Expungement after 3 Years

You may petition three years after unconditional release from your juvenile sentence if you were adjudicated as a mandatory sentence offender or repeat offender, and you have no pending felony, misdemeanor, or delinquency action.13

6. Benefits

A Colorado juvenile expungement keeps the public from seeing the record. This can help with:

  • Future employment,
  • College or university applications,
  • Housing applications, and
  • Applications for special licenses or clearances.

In short, expungement can help prevent a juvenile mistake from following you into adulthood.

7. Process

If your record was not automatically expunged, the Colorado Judicial Branch provides instructions for expunging juvenile records manually. There is no filing fee, though other costs such as record-search, copy, or certification fees may apply.14

The main forms are:

If you are requesting expungement of multiple cases, you generally must file a separate petition for each case. A petition may be filed only once during a 12-month period unless C.R.S. 19-1-306 provides otherwise.15

If your petition falls into the notice-and-objection category, the court will notify the prosecuting attorney. If neither the prosecutor nor the victim objects within 35 days after notice, the court will order the records expunged. If an objection is filed, the court must set a hearing.16

At a hearing, the court may grant expungement if there are no pending criminal or delinquency actions, you have rehabilitated to the court’s satisfaction, and expungement is in your best interest and the community’s best interest.17

Note that if you were charged by direct filing in district court but sentenced as a juvenile, the petition may be filed in the district court criminal case. Also note that there are separate instructions and forms for expunging an underage drinking and driving case.

8. Hiring an Attorney

An attorney is not required, especially if your case qualifies for automatic expungement. However, a criminal defense attorney can be helpful if you need to file a petition, if multiple counties or agencies have records, if the prosecutor or victim objects, or if you are unsure whether your case is eligible.

A male juvenile offender in handcuffs. He may be eligible for a record expungement after the case ends.
Record expungement of delinquencies may be vital for getting into college.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can employers see expunged juvenile records in Colorado?

No. Expunged juvenile records generally do not appear on employment background checks available to private employers. Once a record is expunged, Colorado law treats it as though it never existed. However, limited information may still be available to certain courts, prosecutors, and government agencies as authorized by law.

Can juvenile felony records be expunged in Colorado?

Many juvenile felony adjudications can be expunged, but not all of them. Generally, records involving homicide, certain felony sex offenses, aggravated juvenile offenders, and violent juvenile offenders are not eligible. Eligibility depends on the specific offense, your criminal history, and whether you have completed all court requirements.

How long does juvenile expungement take in Colorado?

The timeline varies. Some juvenile records are expunged automatically within about 42 days after a dismissal, acquittal, or successful completion of an eligible sentence. Cases requiring a petition may take several months, especially if the prosecutor or victim objects and the court schedules a hearing.

Do I have to tell colleges about an expunged juvenile record?

Usually no. Once a juvenile record has been expunged, Colorado law generally allows you to deny that the arrest, charge, or adjudication ever occurred. Most colleges and universities will not see expunged juvenile records through ordinary background checks.

Can a victim object to a juvenile expungement?

Yes. In some cases, Colorado law requires the court to notify the prosecutor and any victim before granting an expungement. If an objection is filed, the court will hold a hearing and decide whether expungement is in the best interests of both the petitioner and the community.

What is the difference between juvenile expungement and adult record sealing?

Juvenile records are generally expunged, while adult criminal records are usually sealed. Expungement provides broader relief because the law treats the juvenile record as though it never existed. A sealed adult record still exists but is hidden from most public view.

What happens if my juvenile expungement petition is denied?

A denial does not always mean you have lost your chance forever. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file another petition later. In some situations, Colorado law permits a new petition after one year if there is information that the court did not previously consider.

Will an expunged juvenile record show up on a background check in Colorado?

Generally no. Expunged juvenile records do not appear on routine background checks used by employers, landlords, schools, or private screening companies.

However, certain courts, law enforcement agencies, and government entities may still have limited access to expungement information as permitted by Colorado law.

Can I own a firearm after my juvenile record is expunged?

Usually yes, though firearm rights depend on the underlying offense and whether any separate state or federal firearm restrictions apply. Expungement can improve your opportunities, but it does not automatically restore firearm rights that were lost for reasons unrelated to the juvenile record itself.

Do I need a lawyer to expunge a juvenile record in Colorado?

No. Many juvenile records are expunged automatically, and individuals may file their own petitions when necessary. However, an attorney can be helpful if your case involves felony adjudications, multiple agencies, objections from the prosecutor or victim, or questions about eligibility.

Additional Resources

See also our related article, Expunge vs. Seal criminal records in Colorado – What’s the difference?

Legal References:

  1. Colorado Revised Statute § 19-1-103(63); C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(g). HB17-1204.
  2. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(1)(a); Colorado Judicial Branch, JDF 301, “How to Expunge a Juvenile Delinquency Record.”
  3. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(i); JDF 301. See, for example, People v. Chronis (Colo. App. 2025) 578 P.3d 76.
  4. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(i); JDF 301.
  5. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(a); JDF 301.
  6. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(b); JDF 301.
  7. JDF 301.
  8. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(i); JDF 301.
  9. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(a)-(c); JDF 301.
  10. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(a); JDF 301.
  11. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(b); JDF 301.
  12. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(6)(c); JDF 301.
  13. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(6)(d); C.R.S. § 19-2.5-1125(1), (2); JDF 301.
  14. JDF 301. See also, In re Petition of C.B. (Colo. App. 2005) 122 P.3d 1065.
  15. C.R.S. § 19-1-306; JDF 301.
  16. C.R.S. § 19-1-306(2)(b); JDF 301.
  17. C.R.S. § 19-1-306; JDF 301.

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