When a juvenile is arrested in Colorado, the child may be released to a parent or responsible adult, referred for detention screening, or held for a prompt detention hearing. If the child remains in custody, the hearing generally must occur within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The district attorney then decides whether to file a delinquency petition, offer diversion, or decline to prosecute formally. Decisions made during
Criminal records can create significant barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities for individuals in Denver and across Colorado. The Clean Slate Act has simplified record sealing by automatically clearing eligible charges without requiring court petitions. This transformative law, effective July 1, 2024, marks the most significant change to Colorado’s expungement system in decades.
Knowing which records qualify for automatic sealing empowers individuals to understand if past convictions or non-convictions
