Jurisdictional, Licensing, and Regulation Concerns
Colorado
A state license is MANDATORY for Private Investigators in Colorado. Requirements include an exam, fingerprinting and background check, as well as a $10,000 surety bond.
Reference Website:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Private_InvestigatorContact Information:Website:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Private_InvestigatorEmail:
dora_privateinvestigators@state.co.us Office of Private Investigator Licensure, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80202
Phone: 303-894-7800
Fax: 303-894-2310
Associations:Professional Private Investigators Association of ColoradoCitation Statute: The registration and regulation of Private Investigators is found in Title 12 ("Professions and
Occupations"), Article 58.5 ("Private Investigators") of the Colorado Revised Statutes. These rules are
promulgated pursuant to C.R.S. §§ 12-58.5-106(1)(b)(II), 107, 108(2)(a), and 109(2).
Website:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-K5DhxXxJZbaDdZUzkwOFVVR0U/view?pref=2&pli=1Qualifications Requirement: Directly from Colorado's DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES, Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Private Investigator Licensing, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR LICENSURE RULES AND REGULATIONS:
"An applicant for a Level I Private Investigator License shall meet the following requirements:
1. Apply in a manner determined by the Director, submitting the appropriate fee
2. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
3. Be lawfully present in the United States;
4. Take and pass a jurisprudence examination developed and approved by the
determined by the Director;
5. Undergo a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history record check
6. Attest that the applicant will post and maintain, or be covered by, a surety bond
B. An applicant for a Level II Private Investigator License shall meet the following
requirements:
1. Apply in a manner determined by the Director, submitting the appropriate fee
determined by the Director;
2. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
3. Be lawfully present in the United States;
4. Take and pass a jurisprudence examination developed and approved by the
Director to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the laws and rules
affecting the ethics and activities of private investigators;
5. Undergo a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history record check
utilizing records of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation. The applicant, at his or her own expense, shall have his or her
fingerprints taken by a local law enforcement agency for submission to the
Colorado Bureau of Investigation;
6. Attest that the applicant will post and maintain, or be covered by, a surety bond
as described in Rule 4; and
7. Attest, in a manner approved by the Director, of at least 4,000 hours of applicable
experience in any of the following:
a. As a private investigator or private detective.
b. Conducting investigations with a local, state, or federal law enforcement
agency.
c. Any degree conferred by a college or university counts for experience in
the following manner:
i. A two-year degree will satisfy 1,000 hours of the 4,000 hour
ii. A baccalaureate degree will satisfy 2,000 hours of the 4,000 hour
iii. A master’s or juris doctorate degree will satisfy 3,000 hours of
d. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-34-102(8.5), investigative experience gained in
military education, training, or service.
e. Upon selection for a compliance audit with this Rule 3, it is the
applicant's responsibility to provide timely and complete evidence for the
Director's review and consideration. The applicant must submit
documentation supporting the assertion that the applicant meets the
applicable licensing requirements attested to within 30 days of
notice. Failure to do so is grounds for discipline.
experience requirement.
experience requirement.
the 4,000 hour experience requirement.
All Level I and Level II Private Investigators may not engage in private investigation
activities unless the licensee posts and maintains, or is covered by, a surety bond in the
amount of at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000)."
Testing: Take and pass a jurisprudence examination developed and approved by the Director to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the affecting the ethics and activities of private investigators.
Fees: Surety Bond: $10,000
$330 license application fee
Renewal Information: Directly from Colorado's DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES, Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Private Investigator Licensing, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR LICENSURE RULES AND REGULATIONS:
"A. Renewal: Licensees shall renew their license as determined by the Director.
1. A licensee shall have a sixty (60) day grace period after license expiration to
renew such license without the imposition of a disciplinary sanction for practicing
on an expired license. During this grace period, a delinquency fee shall be charged for late renewal.
2. A licensee or registrant who does not renew such license or registration within
renew such license without the imposition of a disciplinary sanction for practicing
on an expired license. During this grace period, a delinquency fee shall be
charged for late renewal.the sixty (60) day grace period shall be deemed as having an expired license and shall be ineligible to practice until such license is reinstated. If the licensee practices with an expired license, the Director may impose discipline.
B. A Private Investigator applying for reinstatement of an expired license shall complete a reinstatement application and pay a reinstatement fee in the manner approved by the Director.
C. If the license has been expired for more than two (2) years from the date of receipt of the reinstatement application, an applicant shall:
1. Establish competency to practice as follows:
i. Verification of license in good standing from another state along with
proof of active practice in that state for the year receipt of the reinstatement application;
ii. Retaking and achieving a passing score on the Private Investigator jurisprudence examination; or
iii. By any other means approved by the Director.
2. Undergo a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history record check utilizing records of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The applicant, at his or her own expense, shall have his or her fingerprints taken by a local law enforcement agency for submission to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
D. An applicant for reinstatement who has actively practiced in Colorado with an expired license in violation of C.R.S. § 12-58.5-104(1)(a) and C.R.S. § 12-58.5-104(1)(b) is subject to denial of application, disciplinary with C.R.S. § 24-34-102 et seq.
Forms: Exam, fingerprinting and background check, surety bond. reinstate expired license.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Private_Investigator_Applications 303-894-7800
Advertising Restrictions: According to Colorado's DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES, Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Private Investigator Licensing, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR LICENSURE RULES AND REGULATIONS, Section E. Advertising:
"1. No licensee shall publish or cause to be published any advertisement, letterhead,
2. Any vehicle used by the licensee that is marked in any manner by the use of
3. A licensee shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of his or her academic or
4. In the course of business as a private investigator, a licensee shall not wear, use,
circular, statement, or phrase of any sort which suggests that the licensee is an
official law enforcement or investigative agency.
painted signs, decals, or other means shall not be of a design so similar to those
of local, state, federal, or military authorities as to create confusion.
professional qualifications. He or she shall not misrepresent or exaggerate his or
her degree of responsibility in or for the subject matter of prior assignments.
or display a badge, shield, or star that substantially resembles a badge, shield, or
star used by a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency.
5. A licensee must not use false, misleading, or deceptive advertising."
Colorado Private Investigator Licensing
ALERT!!!
A state license is MANDATORY for Private Investigators in Colorado.
It is important to find an agency that you can trust. We have been providing professional services since 1967. We have professional CO Private Investigators available whom have handled high-profile cases, and we maintain a respectable client list.