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DRAFT Background Checks

Get Started:

Criminal Fingerprint Background Checks (CBI/FBI)  

Please see this step-by-step “How-To” guide.  

  • Every applicant must complete the Privacy Act notification form; it must be retained in the employee file.
  • If you are a CDEC licensed child care facility, a Qualified Exempt Family Child Care home provider, or a licensed Guest Child Care facility schedule an appointment with IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting.
  • Access the Photo ID Waiver for Minors

Child Abuse and Neglect Requests (Trails)

Please see this step-by-step “How-To” guide. 

  • If you work at a CDEC-licensed child care facility, please complete the Facility Child Abuse and Neglect (TRAILS) Request and provide it to your employer. They must submit the request online using the Provider Hub.
  • If you are a Qualified Exempt Family Child Care home provider, please contact your county department of human/social services.
  • If you work at a Guest Ski Resort facility, you may submit the request online using the Provider Hub.
  • After submitting the online request, there are two online payment options: credit card or e-check. A mail-in check or money order option is also available. The fee is $30 per applicant.
  • Make all checks payable to the Colorado Department of Early Childhood BIU or CDEC BIU.
    • Our mailing address is: 
      Colorado Department of Early Childhood
      Division of Early Learning Licensing Administration
      Attn: Background Investigation Unit (BIU)
      710 S. Ash Street 
      Denver, CO 80246
State-based Background Checks (Out-of-state background checks)

This section is only required for the following license types: Childcare Centers, School-Age Childcare Centers, Substitute Placement Agencies, Family Childcare Homes, and Qualified Exempt Childcare Homes. 

Please see this step-by-step “How-To” guide. 

  • Who must complete the State-based Background Check Checklist (English or Espanol)?
    • Any applicant in the past five years who has resided in another state outside of Colorado (including the U.S. Territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa)
  • The applicant must request the following background checks for each state of residence outside of Colorado within the past five years:
    • State Criminal History Check
      • This is not required for states participating in the National Fingerprint File (NFF) program.
    • State Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check
      • This is required regardless of the state's NFF participation.  

This Interstate Child Care Background Check Contact List resource will assist you in finding criminal and child abuse and neglect background check contact information for other states. It will also identify which states or territories participate in the National Fingerprint File (NFF) program.

If you need assistance locating the correct information for each state, please contact us at cdec_cbc_biu@state.co.us.

How to submit the State-based Background Check to CDEC BIU     

Prior to submitting any state-based background check materials to the CDEC BIU, the applicant must have completed the FBI and CBI fingerprint-based background checks under the license number associated with the applicant’s employment.

Documents required to be submitted to the BIU:

  • Completed checklist with signature and date (This can be found in the “How-To” guide)
  • State criminal history *proof of submission and/or results (all correspondence).
  • State child abuse and neglect registry check *proof of submission and/or results (all correspondence).
  • Missing or incomplete state-based background checks will result in a delay in processing the request.
  • Please send the completed documents to:
    • Email: cdec_cbc_biu@state.co.us (preferred)
      or by mail to: 
      Colorado Department of Early Childhood
      Attn: Criminal Background Check (CBC)
      710 South Ash Street
      Denver, CO 80246
Important Information
  • All applicants must have CBI/FBI fingerprints or a portability request completed under the facility license before submitting documents to the Background Investigation Unit (BIU).
  • The applicant must request the required background checks from each state of residence.
  • There are some states that require the CDEC BIU to submit the signed request on behalf of the applicant. *See Exceptions
  • Each state has up to 45 days to issue results.
  • Proof of submission must be sent immediately to the BIU with the State-based background check checklist to initiate a 45-day grace period.
  • The BIU will review all submitted materials, which may take up to 45 days from receipt.
  • Results will be emailed to the facility’s primary email address on file.
  • Providers are encouraged to maintain a complete copy of this checklist and all responses/requests. Providers are required to keep a copy of the State-based background check eligibility letter issued by the CDEC BIU on-site at the employment location. 
What is considered proof of submission?
  • If a request must be mailed: a copy of shipping/tracking information, a copy of notarized forms, a copy of payment/receipt and a copy of the request; must show the applicant's name.
  • If a request must be submitted online through a portal system: a copy of final electronic submission (confirmation), a copy of payment/receipt; must show applicant name.
  • If a request must be emailed: a copy of all email correspondence with a specific state agency; must show applicant name.
  • Copy of notarized application/request form with proof of mailing, emailing, or fax.
  • Copy of fingerprint cards (if required) with a copy of the application/request form with proof of mailing.
  • Copy of all correspondence to and from each state agency.
Closed States
  • The current known closed states are: California (criminal history and child abuse and neglect).
  • Some states have laws and policies that limit the sharing of state criminal data with other states.
  • Some states may only be closed for specific background checks.
  • A records request to a closed state is not necessary; however, the State-based Background Check Checklist must still be submitted to BIU for processing.

View Frequently Asked Questions for 5-Year Previous State of Residence Background Checks here. 

CDEC licensed facilities disqualifying crimes

CDEC provides the results of the criminal background checks in a statement that indicates whether the child care employee is eligible or ineligible for employment within a licensed child care facility without revealing specific disqualifying information. If the employee is ineligible, the department will provide the employee with information about each disqualifying crime. 

Per C.R.S. 26.5-5-309, “Convicted” means a conviction by a jury or by a court and shall also include a deferred judgment and sentence agreement, a deferred prosecution agreement, a deferred adjudication agreement, an adjudication, and a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.

Results and next steps

Eligibility letters will be delivered to the primary email address listed under that facility, and another copy will be mailed directly to the facility.

Inconclusive results will contain detailed information and further instructions which will be delivered to the applicant’s attention by mail ONLY.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not make employment decisions.

  1. How do I obtain a court disposition? 
    The applicant will need to contact the court in which the case was heard and ask for a certified copy of the disposition. You will need to give the court clerk the case number of the specific court case or provide your name, Social Security number, and date of birth. If the court no longer has the record, you must obtain a records check using your name, date of birth, and social security number. You must obtain written documentation from the court stating that the record no longer exists or is not found.
    The BIU will not accept police records, attorney statements, or personal statements as dispositions. 
     
  2. How do I appeal my fingerprint arrest record? 
    Please refer to the Notice to Applicants for further instructions. 
     
  3. How long do I have to obtain court records? 
    We ask that you respond to the BIU within 30 days. Failure to respond within 30 days will result in additional communication from our department.
     
  4. What do I do if my criminal case is still pending? 
    Please provide the BIU with any court reassignments, including the date(s) of hearings for the charges.
     
  5. My employer received an inconclusive letter. What are the next steps? 
    The assigned facility licensing specialist will review the information received within 30 days and contact the employee or employer with the appropriate recommendations. 
     
  6. How do I appeal a child abuse and neglect (Trails) finding? 
    Please contact the Child and Adult Mistreatment Dispute Review Section (CAMDRS) at https://cdhs.colorado.gov/child-and-adult-mistreatment-dispute-review-section or 303-866-5700.
     

Get Started:

Criminal Fingerprint Background Checks (CBI/FBI)  
Please see this step-by-step “How-To” guide.  

Child Abuse and Neglect Requests (Trails)
Please see this step-by-step “How-To” guide. 

  • If you are employed at a CDHS-licensed facility, please complete this request and provide it to your employer. They can submit this request online on your behalf by using the Public Child Abuse and Neglect link.
  • If you are working with a CDHS-licensed facility for adoption/foster care, the applicant (person being checked) can submit the request using the Public Child Abuse and Neglect link.
  • After submitting the online request, there are two online payment options: credit card or e-check. A mail-in check or money order option is also available. The fee is $30 per applicant.
  • Make all checks payable to the Colorado Department of Early Childhood BIU or CDEC BIU.
    • Our mailing address is: 
      Colorado Department of Early Childhood
      Division of Early Learning Licensing Administration
      Attn: Trails Background Investigation Unit (BIU)
      710 South Ash Street 
      Denver, CO 80246

Disqualifying Crimes
CDEC provides the results of the background checks in a statement that indicates whether the child care employee is eligible or ineligible for employment within a licensed child care facility without revealing specific disqualifying information. If the employee is ineligible, the department will provide the employee with information about each disqualifying crime. 

  • View disqualification criteria under Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 26-6-905 and 26-6-914
    • View the Code of Colorado Regulations 12 CCR 2509-8 (7.701.33) for the definition of a pattern of misdemeanor convictions. 

Per C.R.S. 26-6-905(8)(a)(II), “Convicted” means a conviction by a jury or by a court and also includes a deferred judgment and sentence agreement, a deferred prosecution agreement, a deferred adjudication agreement, an adjudication, and a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.

Results and next steps

Eligibility letters will be delivered to the primary email address listed under that facility, and another copy will be mailed directly to the facility.

Inconclusive results will contain detailed information and further instructions which will be delivered to the applicant’s attention by mail ONLY.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not make employment decisions.

  1. How do I obtain a court disposition? 
    The applicant will need to contact the court in which the case was heard and ask for a certified copy of the disposition. You will need to give the court clerk the case number of the specific court case or provide your name, Social Security number, and date of birth. If the court no longer has the record, you must obtain a records check using your name, dob and social security number and obtain written documentation from the court stating that the record no longer exists or is not found.
    The BIU will not accept police records, attorney statements, or personal statements.
     
  2. How do I appeal my fingerprint arrest record? 
    Please refer to the Notice to Applicants for further instructions.
     
  3. How long do I have to obtain court records? 
    We ask that you respond to the BIU within 30 days. Failure to respond within 30 days will result in additional communication from our department.
     
  4. What do I do if my criminal case is still pending? 
    Please provide the BIU with any court reassignments, including the date(s) of hearings for the charges.
     
  5. My employer received an inconclusive letter. What are the next steps? 
    The assigned facility licensing specialist will review the information received within 30 days and will contact the employee or employer with the appropriate recommendations. 
     

  6. How do I appeal a child abuse and neglect (Trails) finding? 
    Please contact the Child and Adult Mistreatment Dispute Review Section (CAMDRS) at https://cdhs.colorado.gov/child-and-adult-mistreatment-dispute-review-section or 303-866-5700.

     

Other Applicants are: 
  • Out-of-state licensed child care providers.
  • Out-of-state foster care or adoptions.
  • Private or step-parent adoptions.
  • Previous residents of Colorado for employment or volunteer purposes whose position includes having unsupervised access to children.
  • Any other child care providers not licensed by the state of Colorado.
  • *If you are working with a Colorado-licensed facility, please refer to the other sections for the correct process. 

Get Started: 
Child Abuse and Neglect Requests (Trails)

Please see this step-by-step “How-To” guide. 

  • The applicant (person being checked) must submit the request using the Public Child Abuse and Neglect link.
  • After submitting the online request, there are two online payment options: credit card or e-check. A mail-in check or money order option is also available. The fee is $30 per applicant.
  • Make all checks payable to the Colorado Department of Early Childhood BIU or CDEC BIU.
  • Our mailing address is: 
    Colorado Department of Early Childhood
    Division of Early Learning Licensing Administration
    Attn: Trails Background Investigation Unit (BIU)
    710 South Ash Street 
    Denver, CO 80246

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not process criminal background checks for individuals not working in a Colorado-licensed facility. Please contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at https://cbi.colorado.gov/ or 303-239-4208. 

Questions

Contact the Background Investigation Unit:

Background Investigation Unit