Free Expungement Help in Colorado
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Colorado is one of the more accessible states for record sealing — the law is well-organized, the forms are free and available on the state courts website, and legal aid is reasonably available in Denver and the Front Range. The Clean Slate Act means many people's older drug and petty offense records may already be sealed without them knowing. The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition is an excellent first contact — they'll tell you immediately whether you qualify and what form to use.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Colorado
In Colorado, free expungement help may be available through nonprofit legal aid, local clinics, court fee waivers, and Clean Slate automatic sealing programs. Start with the verified organizations below, then confirm whether your court costs or filing fees can be waived.
✅ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing
Yes — Colorado's Clean Slate Act (SB 22-099) took effect January 1, 2023. Qualifying petty offenses and misdemeanor drug convictions are sealed automatically after waiting periods. Arrests without conviction are also automatically sealed. The courts process these in batches with no action required from you.
How to get a fee waiver in Colorado
Petition to Seal records (JDF 626) — file the Motion to Waive Filing Fee (JDF 205) with it. Colorado courts typically waive fees for petitioners below 125% of federal poverty guidelines. The Clean Slate automatic sealing has no fee.
Fee waivers (also called Affidavit of Indigency or In Forma Pauperis petition) are typically available if your household income is at or below 125–200% of the federal poverty level, or if you currently receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or veterans benefits based on need.
Who should start with free legal aid?
Start here if money is the barrier
Legal aid is usually the best first step if filing fees, attorney fees, or document costs would stop you from pursuing expungement or sealing. Most programs screen by income, household size, case type, and county.
Use clinics for screening
Expungement clinics are especially useful when you are not sure whether the record qualifies. Bring your case number and disposition so a clinic can tell you whether to file, wait, or use another remedy.
Use fee waivers for court costs
A fee waiver does not guarantee expungement, but it can remove the court filing cost. Ask the clerk or legal aid intake whether your state uses an indigency affidavit, in forma pauperis form, or fee waiver.
Use an attorney for complex records
If you have multiple counties, felonies, pending charges, immigration concerns, licensing issues, or a denied petition, ask legal aid whether you need full representation instead of brief advice.
Documents to gather before calling legal aid
- Government ID and current contact information.
- Case number, arrest date, charge, county, and court name.
- Certified disposition or docket sheet showing how the case ended.
- Proof that probation, parole, fines, fees, or restitution are complete, if applicable.
- Recent proof of income or public benefits if the organization screens by income.
- A short explanation of why you need the record cleared: work, housing, licensing, school, immigration, or family stability.
Verified free legal aid organizations in Colorado
Every organization below is a nonprofit, government-affiliated, law-school, court, or bar-backed resource. Resource links were browser-checked on May 28, 2026, but clinic schedules and eligibility rules change. Always confirm details directly with the organization before relying on a date, income limit, or service area.
- Colorado Legal Services
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Colorado Legal Services
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (immigration + records)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Denver Bar Association
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Colorado
Free expungement resources vary significantly by metro area. Here's what's available in the largest cities, including local legal aid offices, clinics, bar-backed programs, and reentry resources.
Denver / Denver County
Denver has the most robust legal aid ecosystem in Colorado. CCJRC runs regular record sealing workshops, typically free and open to the public. Colorado Legal Services handles income-qualifying cases. Check the Denver District Court self-help center for clinic schedules — they post them quarterly.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Colorado Springs / El Paso County
Colorado Springs is served by the Colorado Legal Services Colorado Springs office. Pro bono resources are more limited than Denver; apply early. The El Paso County courts self-help center can assist with forms.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Colorado free expungement — frequently asked questions
What types of records can be sealed in Colorado?
Colorado allows sealing of most criminal records including arrests, municipal violations, petty offenses, misdemeanors, drug felonies, and some class 4–6 felonies — after applicable waiting periods. Class 1–3 felonies, crimes of violence, and sex offenses are generally not sealable. The waiting period ranges from 1 year (petty offense) to 10 years (non-drug class 4–6 felony).
Does the Colorado Clean Slate Act erase my record or just seal it?
Sealing in Colorado means the record is hidden from public view and most employer background checks but is not physically destroyed. Law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing boards can still access sealed records. For most private employment purposes, a sealed record does not need to be disclosed.
What if you do not qualify for free help?
If legal aid cannot take your case, you may still have options: file on your own, request a fee waiver, wait for automatic Clean Slate sealing, or consult a licensed attorney for a paid eligibility review. ExpungeReady does not have verified Colorado attorney listings yet, so start with the guides below.
- Complete Colorado expungement guide → — eligibility, process, statutes, and timelines
- How much does expungement cost? (state-by-state)
- What shows up on a background check after expungement?
- ← All states: free expungement help directory