A felony conviction doesn’t fall off your record on its own. But depending on what class of felony you were convicted of, you may be able to petition a court to seal it, and the wait is shorter than most people expect.
Colorado ranks felonies from Class 1, the most serious, down to Class 6, the least serious. Class 1 felonies, first-degree murder, arson that results in a death, carry life sentences. If you’re convicted of one, sealing isn’t on the table. You’re serving a life sentence.
Everything below that has a path forward, and the timeline depends on where your conviction falls.
For Class 4, 5, and 6 felonies, certain convictions become eligible for sealing three years after you finish your sentence and complete everything else the court ordered, such as probation or restitution. For Class 2 and Class 3 felonies, the wait is five years after you finish your sentence, and you need to stay conviction-free in the meantime.
Meeting the waiting period doesn’t seal your record automatically. It qualifies you to apply. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it.
None of this applies if you were never convicted. Colorado law seals dismissed charges and acquittals automatically, or moves them through a faster process than any felony conviction ever qualifies for.
The class of your felony, the terms of your sentence, and any subsequent convictions all affect your eligibility and timeline. If you’re not sure where your case stands, Krizman Law can review your conviction and tell you exactly when, and whether, you qualify to have it sealed.
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