IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This guide provides general information about employment opportunities in the state or jurisdiction covered by this guide. While we strive for accuracy, hiring policies change frequently. Always verify current hiring practices directly with employers. Individual results vary based on offense type, time since conviction, and specific job requirements. This is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Felon Friendly Jobs in Denver, CO
2026 Employers, Free Reentry Help and Record Clearing
November 3, 2026
Looking for felon friendly jobs in Denver? Denver County is Colorado's largest job center, with about 551,000 jobs in early 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Healthcare, financial services, IT, energy, telecom and aerospace are major industries, and Denver International Airport supports more than 244,000 jobs statewide, according to an airport economic impact study. Hiring decisions are made case by case, so always check the current job posting for the role and location you want. Last reviewed November 2026.
Employers hiring in the Denver area
Denver International Airport is one of the region's biggest economic engines, and the metro area is home to corporate headquarters such as Newmont and Arrow Electronics. The national employers below hire across the metro; start with our guides, then search each careers site for openings near you.
Browse all 370+ employer guides
Free job and reentry help in Denver
Denver Workforce Centers: Free help with resumes, mock interviews, job fairs and one-on-one support, plus access to the ConnectingColorado job-matching database.
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Denver: Employment services exclusively for people recently released from incarceration, helping participants build workplace skills and find jobs.
Second Chance Center: Aurora-based nonprofit helping formerly incarcerated people with job training, employment help, housing and behavioral health services, starting with pre-release planning.
Goodwill of Colorado: Career development services for people with barriers to employment, plus Goodwill Staffing, ReHire Colorado transitional jobs and free digital skills training.
Expunge Colorado: Free pro bono record sealing legal services and an annual no-cost record sealing clinic for the Denver metro area.
Colorado Legal Services: Statewide legal aid that holds Record Sealing 101 workshops and takes applications for help online. Call 303-837-1313.
Clearing your record in Colorado
Colorado's main tool is record sealing. Sealing hides a record from the public but doesn't erase the conviction, and criminal justice agencies can still see it.
Automatic sealing (Colorado's Clean Slate law, SB 22-099): eligible records are sealed with no petition after 4 years for civil infractions, 7 years for petty offenses and misdemeanors, and 10 years for eligible low- to mid-level felonies, as long as you have no newer conviction and owe no restitution.
Faster sealing by motion for a single conviction: 1 year for petty offenses; 2 years for class 2–3 and drug misdemeanors; 3 years for class 1 misdemeanors, class 4–6 felonies and level 2–4 drug felonies; 5 years for other eligible offenses. The filing fee is $65, and you can ask for a waiver.
Not eligible for single-conviction sealing: class 1–3 felonies and level 1 drug felonies, crimes of violence, offenses with a domestic violence factual basis, sex offenses, child abuse, DUI/DWAI and traffic cases, among others.
For free help, contact Colorado Legal Services (303-837-1313) or Expunge Colorado.
Your rights when applying in Denver
Colorado's Chance to Compete Act (C.R.S. 8-2-130) covers all private employers as of September 1, 2021. They can't say people with records need not apply, and can't ask about criminal history on the initial application.
Employers may still get a publicly available background report, and the law doesn't apply to jobs where a law bars people with certain records or requires a background check. Complaints go to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) within 12 months.
Federal Bonding Program: CDLE's State Bonding Coordinator offers employers free bonds, which CDLE says can cover $25,000 for six months.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit: this federal tax credit for employers lapsed for people hired after December 31, 2025, so check with CDLE for its current status.
Next steps
Sources
This page is for general information and is not legal advice. Employer policies and laws change; confirm details with the employer or a legal aid organization before you rely on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Denver employer ask about my record on a job application?
No. Under Colorado's Chance to Compete Act, employers can't ask about criminal history on the initial application. They can still run a background check, and some jobs are exempt where a law requires a check or bars certain records.
Does the Chance to Compete Act cover small businesses?
Yes. Since September 1, 2021, it applies to all private employers in Colorado, whatever their size.
What can I do if a job ad says people with records can't apply?
That kind of statement is generally prohibited in Colorado. You can file a complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment within 12 months.
Will my record be sealed automatically in Colorado?
Possibly. Under Colorado's Clean Slate law, eligible records are sealed automatically after 4 years (civil infractions), 7 years (petty offenses and misdemeanors) or 10 years (eligible felonies), if you have no newer conviction and owe no restitution.
Can I seal my record sooner than that?
Often, yes. For a single conviction you can file a motion after 1 to 5 years depending on the offense level. The filing fee is $65, and you can ask for a waiver.
What records can't be sealed in Colorado?
Class 1–3 felonies, crimes of violence, offenses involving domestic violence, sex offenses, child abuse, DUI/DWAI and traffic offenses, among others, generally can't be sealed. A lawyer or legal aid group can check your case.
Where can I get free help sealing my record in Denver?
Expunge Colorado offers free pro bono sealing help and an annual free clinic, and Colorado Legal Services (303-837-1313) provides legal aid and record sealing workshops.
Where can I find job search help in Denver?
Denver Workforce Centers offer free resume help, mock interviews and job fairs. CEO Denver and the Second Chance Center also offer reentry-focused job support.
What is the Federal Bonding Program in Colorado?
It's free fidelity bond insurance for employers who hire people with records, run by CDLE's State Bonding Coordinator. It can make some employers more comfortable hiring.
Can employers still get a tax credit for hiring me?
The federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit lapsed for people hired after December 31, 2025, and had not been renewed as of fall 2026. Check with CDLE for the latest status.