Colorado Springs Expungement Lawyers — Record Sealing in El Paso County
A criminal record limits opportunities in ways that many people don’t fully anticipate — rejected job applications, denied housing, blocked professional licenses, and failed background checks that keep coming back. In Colorado Springs, a criminal record can also affect security clearance eligibility and military career advancement in ways that compound the civilian consequences significantly. Colorado’s expanded record sealing statutes offer more relief than many people realize, and Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs record sealing attorneys help clients in El Paso County evaluate their eligibility and navigate the petition process to get the clean slate the law allows.
Meet our Colorado Springs criminal defense team below — attorneys experienced in Colorado record sealing and expungement petitions throughout El Paso County.
Jeremy Wooten, is a seasoned trial attorney who specializes in criminal defense and family law, leveraging a wealth of experience honed over five years at the Colorado State Public Defenders’ Office. Rising to Senior Deputy Public Defender, he successfully managed a diverse caseload, including serious charges like first-degree homicide, drug distribution, and economic crimes, always maintaining an unwavering commitment to client advocacy. Licensed in both Texas and Colorado, Jeremy's legal expertise is defined by strategic planning—meticulously crafting and executing well-thought-out trial strategies—and remarkable resourcefulness in finding innovative solutions to complex legal challenges in both the criminal and family law arenas. His practice is characterized by agile, client-centered advocacy, which relies on adaptability, active listening, and quick thinking essential for effective trial work. Jeremy prioritizes thoroughly understanding his clients' objectives and adapting his strategies dynamically to the evolving nature of trials. His resilience and strategic agility allow him to confidently navigate unexpected developments in the courtroom, ensuring each case is expertly...
Julian Rosielle has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 2006. Julian is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law, where he was on the Dean’s List and an associate editor of the University of Colorado Law Review. Julian practiced exclusively in the area of criminal law for the first thirteen years of his career and has several notable case outcomes to include not guilty verdicts on charges of homicide and assault. Julian has extensive trial experience, ranging from Death Penalty cases to misdemeanor domestic violence to driving under the influence. Beginning in 2019, Julian’s practice has expanded to include domestic relations litigation and civil protection orders. Julian has lived in Colorado since 2004 and when not in Court enjoys hiking with his family and dogs.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Miguel C. Mondragon is a tenacious and dedicated attorney who is fiercely committed to his clients and their legal outcomes. Recognizing that clients facing divorce or criminal charges are often in their most vulnerable state, Miguel acts as a passionate advocate, ensuring they have a voice within the legal system. Growing up in southern Colorado, Miguel developed a strong work ethic by working in construction, lumber, and brickyards while attending college. Before becoming an attorney, his interest in law was sparked by his work within the Larimer County Corrections system. While attending the University of South Dakota School of Law, he gained valuable experience working with East River Legal Services, the Colorado State Public Defenders Office, and Samuelson Law. Upon graduation, Miguel honed his skills first as a solo practitioner, then at Weaver & Associates, P.C., before founding Mondragon Law, where he specialized in criminal defense and family law. He brings this deep experience and tenacity to his current role...
Record Sealing in Colorado
Colorado uses “record sealing” rather than “expungement” for most adult criminal records. A sealed record is not destroyed — it is hidden from public view and does not appear in standard background checks that most employers, landlords, and licensing agencies rely on. Law enforcement, courts, and certain government agencies retain access to sealed records. True expungement (record destruction) is available in Colorado primarily for juvenile records and certain civil infractions. For adult criminal records, sealing is the available relief — and it is significant relief.
Colorado’s record sealing statutes were substantially expanded by House Bill 19-1275 and subsequent legislation, making more offenses and more people eligible than ever before. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the case disposition, and the time elapsed since completion of the sentence. Arrests that did not result in conviction can be sealed immediately. Dismissed charges and acquittals can be sealed immediately. Successfully completed diversion agreements can be sealed after applicable waiting periods. Convictions — depending on the offense — can be sealed after waiting periods ranging from one to ten years.
In Colorado Springs, record sealing has particular significance for military personnel, veterans, and defense contractor employees. While sealed records remain accessible to federal background check processes — including those required for security clearances — clearing a record of civilian convictions for many purposes can reduce the overall footprint of a criminal history and support rehabilitation narratives in clearance adjudication proceedings. Understanding exactly what sealing accomplishes — and what it does not — in the military and defense contractor context is important for Colorado Springs clients.
What Our Colorado Springs Record Sealing Attorneys Handle
Arrests without conviction: If you were arrested but not charged, or charged but the case was dismissed or you were acquitted, you are generally eligible to seal the record immediately. These petitions are often the most impactful — arrest records without conviction can still appear in background checks and affect employment and housing.
Diversion and deferred judgment records: Successfully completed diversion agreements and deferred judgments can typically be sealed after applicable waiting periods. We handle the petition process and ensure compliance with all timing and procedural requirements.
Conviction records: Many Colorado misdemeanor and felony convictions are now sealable after waiting periods following completion of the sentence. We evaluate specific convictions against current Colorado law, identify what is sealable, and handle the full petition process in El Paso County.
Military discharge and veteran record issues: Veterans with criminal records sometimes have additional options for addressing their records through state and federal processes. We evaluate the full range of available relief for veteran clients and coordinate civilian record sealing with any military-specific processes that may apply.
Multi-record comprehensive evaluations: Many clients have multiple record entries — arrests, dismissals, and convictions from different incidents and different courts. We evaluate the complete record, identify every entry that is sealable under current law, and pursue a comprehensive strategy.
How Record Sealing Works in El Paso County
Record sealing petitions for El Paso County cases are filed in El Paso County District Court. The petition must identify the specific case, the legal basis for eligibility, and include the certifications required by Colorado’s sealing statutes. Once filed, the prosecution has an opportunity to object. For arrests without conviction and older less serious convictions, the El Paso County DA’s office typically does not object, and the court grants the petition without a hearing.
When the DA does object — which is more common for more recent convictions, more serious offense types, or cases with specific victim considerations — a hearing is scheduled. Both sides present argument, and the court applies the interest of justice balancing test: weighing the petitioner’s interest in having the record sealed against any public interest in maintaining accessibility. The quality of the petitioner’s presentation — their compliance history, rehabilitation evidence, and the specific impact the record is having — significantly affects the court’s decision.
After a sealing order is entered, notification must be sent to all relevant record repositories — the court, the arresting agency, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and any other entities that may have the record. We follow through on all required notifications to ensure the record is actually sealed across all relevant systems, not just in the court’s database.
Why Burnham Law for Record Sealing in Colorado Springs
Current Colorado sealing law. Colorado’s record sealing statutes have changed significantly and continue to evolve. We stay current on exactly what the law allows for specific offense types and case dispositions, and we know which offenses that were previously unsealable are now eligible.
Military and clearance context awareness. Colorado Springs clients often need to understand not just whether a record can be sealed, but what sealing accomplishes in the military employment and security clearance context. We provide that specific guidance as part of the record sealing evaluation.
El Paso County petition experience. We file petitions in El Paso County District Court regularly and understand how the local DA’s office approaches sealing objections and how judges in this jurisdiction evaluate the interest of justice analysis.
Complete follow-through. Getting the court order is only the first step. We follow through on all required notifications to ensure the record is actually sealed across all relevant systems.
Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado Springs Expungement and Record Sealing
Does sealing a record help with security clearance in Colorado Springs?
Sealing a Colorado criminal record does not remove it from federal background check databases used in security clearance adjudications — federal investigators have access to records that are sealed under state law. However, sealing can reduce the record’s footprint for non-federal purposes (employment, housing, state licensing) and can support a rehabilitation narrative in clearance adjudication. It also prevents the record from appearing in commercial background checks that contractors and some defense employers use for general hiring decisions. Understanding both what sealing does and does not accomplish in the clearance context is important for Colorado Springs clients.
Can a DUI be sealed in Colorado?
No. DUI and DWAI convictions are not sealable under current Colorado law, regardless of age or circumstances. This is one of the most significant limitations of Colorado’s record sealing framework and one of the strongest reasons to fight a DUI charge at the time of arrest rather than accepting a plea. Once a DUI conviction is on your Colorado record, it remains there permanently — accessible to employers, landlords, licensing agencies, and law enforcement indefinitely.
How long are the waiting periods for sealing convictions in Colorado?
Waiting periods run from completion of the sentence — including the end of probation, parole, or supervision. Petty offenses: 1 year. Class 2 and 3 misdemeanors: 2 years. Class 1 misdemeanors: 3 years. Level 4 drug felonies and certain other felonies: 3 years. Higher felony classes: waiting periods of up to 10 years, with some felonies not sealable at all. The specific waiting period for a particular conviction requires analysis of the offense classification and current statutory eligibility.
Can a juvenile record be expunged in Colorado?
Yes — juvenile records in Colorado are subject to expungement (actual destruction) rather than just sealing. Most juvenile adjudications can be expunged after the juvenile reaches age 18 and after a waiting period that depends on the nature of the offense. Some serious juvenile offenses — those transferred to adult court, certain sex offenses — have different expungement eligibility. Juvenile expungement is generally broader and more favorable than adult record sealing.
Do I need a lawyer to seal my record in Colorado?
You are not legally required to have an attorney, but the sealing process involves identifying the correct statutory basis for eligibility, filing in the correct court, serving the correct parties, and following through on all notification requirements. Errors in any step can result in rejection of the petition. For clients with multiple records, any complexity in their history, or specific military or licensing concerns, having experienced counsel ensures the process is done correctly and completely — and that every eligible record entry is addressed in a comprehensive strategy.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Record Sealing Lawyer
If a criminal record is affecting your employment, housing, professional opportunities, or security clearance considerations, Colorado’s expanded sealing statutes may offer more relief than you expect. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs attorneys will evaluate your full record under current law and tell you exactly what can be sealed.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We handle record sealing petitions throughout El Paso County and Colorado.
