If you’ve got a felony on your record and you’re job hunting in Colorado right now, I want to start by telling you something most guides won’t: the odds are genuinely better here than in a lot of other states. I’ve spent a long time digging into Colorado’s hiring laws, talking to people who’ve gone through the reentry process, and tracking which employers actually follow through on “fair chance” hiring versus which ones just say it for PR. This guide is the result of that not a recycled list, but a real breakdown of where the opportunities are in 2026, what the law actually allows, and how to use both to your advantage.
Colorado has some of the strongest fair chance hiring protections in the country, a fast-moving record-sealing law, and a labor market that’s still hungry for workers in trades, logistics, and manufacturing. That combination matters more than most job boards let on. Let’s get into it.
Why Colorado Is Actually a Good State to Job Search in With a Felony
Before listing companies, it’s worth understanding why Colorado works in your favor, because this context will help you negotiate, apply, and advocate for yourself more effectively.
Colorado’s Chance to Compete Act (the state’s “ban the box” law) prohibits private employers from asking about your criminal history on the initial job application, and it bars them from advertising that people with records “need not apply.” Employers also cannot mandate that applicants disclose criminal history on an initial job application, ask about it on that initial application, or state in a job ad that people with criminal records aren’t allowed to apply. That means you get judged on your skills and experience first your record doesn’t automatically knock you out of the running before a human even looks at your resume.
Denver takes it a step further. Denver’s ban-the-box ordinance adds requirements beyond state law, including individualized assessment documentation and extra notice obligations for employers. Denver employers have to give applicants a copy of their individualized assessment before making a final adverse decision meaning if a Denver employer is leaning toward rejecting you because of your record, they’re legally required to show their reasoning and give you a chance to respond before it’s final. That’s a real procedural protection, not just a feel-good policy.
There’s also Colorado’s automatic record-sealing law, which has been revised multiple times in recent years to make it more accessible. A 2024 revision (HB1133) was the third major overhaul of the state’s sealing laws in five years, simplifying procedures and expanding what qualifies. If part of your record is eligible for sealing, getting that done can open doors that stay closed to people who haven’t looked into it.
What Jobs Can a Felon Get in Colorado?
This is the question I get asked the most, and the honest answer is: more than most people assume. Felony convictions can complicate certain licensed or highly regulated roles, but the vast majority of jobs in Colorado’s economy are open to people with records, especially once you’ve completed your sentence and can show stability.
Here’s a categorized breakdown of where felons are realistically getting hired across the state in 2026.
Warehouse, Logistics, and Distribution Jobs
Colorado’s warehouse and distribution sector has exploded over the last several years, driven by e-commerce growth along the I-25 corridor from Fort Collins down through Denver to Colorado Springs and Pueblo. These jobs tend to prioritize reliability and physical capability over a clean background check.
- Warehouse Associate
- Forklift Operator
- Order Picker/Packer
- Inventory Control Specialist
- Shipping and Receiving Clerk
- Material Handler
- Loader/Unloader
- Warehouse Shift Supervisor
- Pallet Jack Operator
- Freight Handler
Amazon operates multiple fulfillment centers in Colorado (Aurora, Thornton, Colorado Springs) and has historically run a fairly open hiring process for warehouse roles, with background checks evaluated on a case-by-case basis rather than an automatic disqualifier list. UPS and FedEx also run sizable distribution operations in the Denver metro and frequently hire package handlers and sorters with minimal experience requirements UPS in particular has a long-standing reputation for promoting from within, so a part-time package handler role can turn into a full-time driver or supervisor position over time.
CDL and Driving Jobs
If you can get or already hold a Commercial Driver’s License, this is one of the highest-paying paths available, and Colorado’s trucking and delivery industry needs drivers badly enough that many companies will work with applicants who have older or non-violent felony convictions.
- Local CDL Truck Driver
- Regional/OTR Truck Driver
- Delivery Driver (non-CDL)
- Dump Truck Driver
- Tow Truck Operator
- Box Truck Driver
- Courier
- Bus Driver (subject to additional screening)
- Moving Company Driver/Helper
- Construction Equipment Transport Driver
A felony doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting a CDL in Colorado, though certain offenses particularly those involving controlled substances or use of a vehicle in the commission of a crime can affect eligibility or require a longer waiting period. If you’re serious about this path, it’s worth contacting the Colorado DMV directly to find out exactly where you stand before investing time and money into CDL school.
Construction and Skilled Trades
Construction has long been one of the most consistently felon-friendly industries, partly because the work is physically demanding and turnover is high, and partly because many tradespeople have been through the same legal system you have.
- General Laborer
- Roofer
- Framer
- Concrete Finisher
- Drywall Installer
- Painter
- Electrician’s Apprentice
- Plumber’s Apprentice
- HVAC Technician Apprentice
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Welder
- Carpenter
- Insulation Installer
- Demolition Crew Member
- Scaffold Builder
Several of Colorado’s building trades unions run apprenticeship programs that don’t disqualify applicants based on a felony record alone they care more about whether you show up, work hard, and pass the required safety training. Union jobs are also worth pursuing specifically because they tend to come with better wages, healthcare, and retirement benefits than non-union construction work.
Manufacturing and Production
- Production Line Worker
- Machine Operator
- Quality Control Inspector
- Assembly Technician
- CNC Operator
- Packaging Specialist
- Forklift Certified Production Associate
- Maintenance Technician
- Shift Lead
- Industrial Sewing Machine Operator
Colorado’s manufacturing base aerospace components, food processing, beverage production, and consumer goods has steady demand for production workers, particularly in the Denver metro, Greeley, and along the I-25/I-76 corridors.
Restaurant, Food Service, and Hospitality
- Line Cook
- Dishwasher
- Prep Cook
- Server (in establishments without alcohol-service restrictions)
- Host/Hostess
- Kitchen Manager
- Fast Food Crew Member
- Catering Staff
- Hotel Housekeeper
- Banquet Server
Food service has always been one of the more accessible entry points for people with records because the barrier to entry is low and demand for staff is constant. Many independent restaurants and regional chains in Colorado will hire based on the interview and trial shift rather than leaning heavily on the background check.
Customer Service and Call Center Roles
- Customer Service Representative
- Call Center Agent
- Technical Support Representative
- Retail Sales Associate
- Cashier
- Collections Representative (varies by company policy)
- Help Desk Associate
Landscaping, Groundskeeping, and Outdoor Labor
- Landscaper
- Groundskeeper
- Lawn Care Technician
- Irrigation Technician
- Snow Removal Crew Member
- Tree Trimmer
- Golf Course Maintenance Worker
- Parks Maintenance Worker
Colorado’s seasonal landscaping and snow removal industries hire heavily and often start people the same week they apply, since the work is physically demanding and many companies struggle to keep crews fully staffed.
Reentry-Friendly Retail and Donation Centers
- Goodwill Retail Associate
- Goodwill Donation Attendant
- Thrift Store Sorter
- Stock Associate
- Loss Prevention Associate (varies, often excludes certain theft-related convictions)
Goodwill of Colorado has a long track record of hiring people with criminal records and, in many locations, runs job training and placement programs specifically aimed at reentry populations.
Cannabis Industry Jobs
- Cannabis Trimmer
- Budtender (licensing requirements apply see note below)
- Cultivation Technician
- Packaging and Processing Associate
- Cannabis Delivery Driver
- Extraction Technician
Colorado’s legal cannabis industry is one of the more unique reentry opportunities in the state, but it comes with a caveat: most cannabis-facing roles require an Occupational License from the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), and certain felony convictions especially those within the last several years, or anything involving the unlawful sale or distribution of controlled substances to minors can affect license eligibility. It’s not an automatic disqualifier the way it is in some states, but you’ll want to check current MED licensing rules for your specific conviction before betting on this path.
Skilled and Technical Roles Worth Pursuing
- IT Support Technician
- Web Developer (freelance/remote-friendly, fewer background check barriers)
- Welding Inspector
- Diesel Mechanic
- Auto Body Technician
- Small Engine Repair Technician
- HVAC Installer
- Solar Panel Installer
- Wind Turbine Technician
Colorado’s renewable energy sector especially wind and solar has grown fast enough that training programs and apprenticeships are actively recruiting, and many of these employers care far more about your willingness to complete certification than your record.
Staffing Agencies That Specialize in Fair Chance Placement
- Labor Finders Colorado branches
- Adecco (select branches run fair-chance placement programs)
- PeopleReady
- Express Employment Professionals
- Colorado Workforce Center partnered staffing programs
Staffing agencies are an underused resource. Many of them have existing relationships with employers who’ve already agreed to consider candidates with records, which means the agency does some of the advocacy work for you before you even walk in the door.
Government, Nonprofit, and Reentry-Specific Employment Programs
- Colorado Department of Corrections reentry employment partners
- Community Corrections work-release job placements
- Goodwill of Colorado job training programs
- STRIVE Colorado job readiness and placement program
- Servicios de la Raza employment services (Denver)
- The Center for Work Education and Employment (Denver)
- Colorado Workforce Centers (statewide, free job placement and training assistance)
- Mi Casa Resource Center workforce programs
These last several aren’t just job listings they’re organizations built specifically to help people with records find work, often pairing you with employers who’ve pre-committed to fair chance hiring and offering resume help, interview coaching, and sometimes transportation or work-clothing assistance to remove practical barriers.
Highest Paying Felon Friendly Jobs in Colorado
If you’re trying to maximize income rather than just get your foot in the door, these are the categories worth aiming for once you’ve built a little work history:
- CDL truck driving (regional and OTR routes often pay more than local)
- Welding (especially with specialty certifications like pipe welding)
- Heavy equipment operation
- Electrician and HVAC apprenticeships (pay increases significantly as you advance through licensing levels)
- Wind turbine and solar installation
- Union construction trades
- Diesel mechanics
The pattern here isn’t a coincidence: these are all roles where physical skill and certification matter more than a clean background check, and where labor shortages give employers a strong incentive to look past a record.
Entry Level and No-Experience Felon Friendly Jobs in Colorado
If you’re starting from zero no recent work history, no certifications these are realistic starting points:
- Warehouse associate and order picker roles
- General labor on construction crews
- Landscaping and groundskeeping crews
- Dishwasher and prep cook positions
- Goodwill retail and donation center roles
- Staffing agency day-labor and short-term placements
- Cannabis trimming and packaging (entry-level cultivation work)
A lot of these positions exist specifically because turnover is high and training time is short, which works in your favor when you don’t have much to put on a resume yet.
Part-Time Felon Friendly Jobs in Colorado
If you need flexibility maybe you’re balancing parole check-ins, court dates, or a second job part-time work is widely available in:
- Retail and grocery stores
- Restaurant and fast-food positions
- Seasonal landscaping and snow removal
- Warehouse roles during peak shipping seasons (especially Q4)
- Staffing agency assignments, which are often structured as flexible or part-time by design
Felon Friendly Jobs in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, and Beyond
Denver
Denver’s Office of Economic Development and the city’s enhanced ban-the-box ordinance make it one of the more structurally supportive cities in the state for job seekers with records. Combine that with a dense concentration of warehouses, hospitality businesses, and government reentry programs, and Denver remains the strongest single market in Colorado for this kind of job search.
Lakewood
Just west of Denver, Lakewood has a strong mix of retail, light industrial, and healthcare-adjacent support roles. Its proximity to the Denver metro means many staffing agencies and warehouse operations that serve Denver also pull from the Lakewood labor pool, so you can often access the same opportunities without needing to commute deep into the city.
Aurora
Aurora has become one of the biggest logistics hubs in the state, partly due to its location near Denver International Airport. Amazon, UPS, and a wide range of smaller distribution and trucking companies operate out of Aurora, making it one of the best cities in Colorado specifically for warehouse, CDL, and logistics-focused job searches.
Colorado Springs
Home to a large military and defense-contractor presence, Colorado Springs also has a strong construction and skilled trades market tied to its ongoing population growth. Reentry support organizations operate locally as well, often in partnership with the El Paso County justice system.
Fort Collins and Pueblo
Fort Collins leans more toward manufacturing, brewing, and light industrial work, while Pueblo’s economy is anchored more in manufacturing and steel-industry-adjacent trades both cities have smaller job markets than Denver but correspondingly less competition for the felon-friendly openings that do exist.
How Far Back Can an Employer Go on a Background Check in Colorado?
This question matters more than people realize, because it affects how you talk about your record or whether you need to bring it up at all.
For most consumer background checks, federal law under the Fair Credit Reporting Act generally limits reporting of criminal convictions, though there’s an important nuance: there is no time limit on reporting information about criminal convictions, while a standard seven-year period applies to most other reportable information. In practice, this means a felony conviction itself can often still show up on a background check regardless of how old it is, unless it’s been sealed or expunged.
That’s exactly why Colorado’s record-sealing reforms matter so much. If your conviction is eligible and you go through the sealing process, sealed cases generally won’t appear on Colorado state-level background checks, though they may still surface in FBI national fingerprint-based checks depending on the type of position and screening method an employer uses. This is a nuanced area, and if you’re unsure whether your record qualifies for sealing or how it would affect a specific job application, it’s worth a conversation with a Colorado reentry legal aid organization or an attorney rather than guessing.
One more thing worth knowing: Colorado employers are legally free to run a criminal background check at any point during the hiring process they’re not required to wait until you’re a finalist or have received a conditional offer. The ban-the-box protection is specifically about the application itself, not about when in the process a background check can happen. Knowing this helps you understand that the protection you have is about getting a fair first look, not about avoiding the background check altogether.
Can Felons Get Their Gun Rights Back in Colorado?
This is a complicated one, and I want to be straight with you rather than give you a falsely simple answer, because the sources on this topic genuinely conflict depending on the type of offense and whether state or federal law is doing the restricting.
Under Colorado’s weapons statute, possessing a firearm as a previous felony offender is its own separate crime referred to as Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender (POWPO) and it’s treated seriously. Some legal resources indicate that certain non-violent felony convictions may see firearm rights restored automatically once a sentence (including parole) is fully completed, while others emphasize that a full restoration in Colorado typically requires a Governor’s Pardon, generally available only after roughly ten years post-sentence-completion with a demonstrated record of good conduct. There’s also a separate, narrower legislative pathway that allowed certain people convicted of nonviolent felonies to petition a district court for restoration of the right to carry, subject to a waiting period and a judicial finding that restoration wouldn’t pose a public safety risk.
Because the rules differ significantly based on the nature of your specific conviction, whether it was a state or federal case, and how much time has passed, this isn’t an area where a general guide can give you a reliable yes-or-no answer. If gun rights restoration matters to you, your best move is speaking directly with a Colorado criminal defense attorney who handles restoration of rights cases the consultation is usually far less expensive than guessing wrong.
Can Felons Rent in Colorado?
Yes, and Colorado actually has meaningful legal protections here that many other states don’t offer.
Under the state’s Rental Application Fairness Act, landlords are limited to considering rental and credit history from no more than seven years before the application, and conviction records from no more than five years before the application. In other words, if your felony conviction is more than five years old, many landlords legally cannot use it against you at all with some important exceptions. That five-year lookback limit doesn’t apply to certain methamphetamine-related offenses, homicide, felony or misdemeanor assault, menacing, aggravated extortion, reckless endangerment, kidnapping, human trafficking, stalking, and various sex offenses.
Beyond the lookback period, Colorado landlords are barred from asking about or denying applicants based on sealed, expunged, or non-conviction records, and rejected applicants have the right to access whatever records were used in the decision. If you’re denied housing, the law requires landlords to send a written adverse action notice within 20 days that explains the reason for the denial and includes copies of any reports they relied on which means you’re entitled to know exactly why you were turned down, and you have a real opportunity to dispute inaccurate information or push back if the denial doesn’t hold up under the law.
Which Companies Will Hire a Convicted Felon?
While hiring policies shift over time and ultimately come down to individual store or facility managers, these companies have a consistent pattern of fair chance hiring practices across their Colorado locations:
- Amazon fulfillment center and delivery roles, individualized review process
- UPS package handler and driver roles, strong internal promotion track
- FedEx ground and freight operations
- Goodwill of Colorado retail and reentry-focused job training programs
- PeopleReady, Labor Finders, and Express Employment Professionals staffing agencies with established fair-chance employer relationships
- Many independent restaurants and regional restaurant groups case-by-case hiring, often weighted toward interview performance
- Local construction contractors and trade unions
- Colorado-based landscaping and snow removal companies
- Cannabis cultivation and processing facilities (subject to MED licensing rules)
A practical tip: rather than only applying online, ask to speak with a hiring manager directly when possible, especially for smaller and mid-sized employers. A felony on paper often reads very differently than a person standing in front of someone explaining their growth, work ethic, and what they’ve done since.
Can a Felon Be a Firefighter in Colorado?
This is harder than most other paths on this list, but it’s not automatically impossible, and the details matter quite a bit.
Fire departments across Colorado generally require candidates to obtain and maintain EMT or paramedic certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), and several department job postings explicitly state that candidates must not have been convicted of a crime that would affect their ability to certify with the NREMT. The NREMT’s own criminal history policy evaluates applications individually, but felony convictions particularly anything violent or involving controlled substances can be disqualifying for certification regardless of how a specific fire department feels about your candidacy.
That said, not every department treats a felony as an automatic dead end. North Metro Fire Rescue District, for example, states that candidates who have ever been convicted of a felony are subject to an individualized evaluation as to whether the criminal activity should disqualify them meaning the door isn’t closed outright, but you should expect a more rigorous, case-by-case review than you’d face for most other public-facing jobs on this list. If this is your goal, a good first step is contacting your local NREMT-affiliated training program and asking directly how your specific conviction would be evaluated before investing time and money into the certification process.
A Few Practical Tips From Watching This Process Play Out
A few things consistently make a difference for people in your position, regardless of which path on this list you pursue:
Be upfront once you’re past the application stage, but don’t lead with your record as the headline of who you are. Employers respond far better to “here’s what I learned and how I’ve grown” than to over-explaining or over-apologizing.
Look into whether any part of your record qualifies for sealing under Colorado’s current law before you start applying widely. It’s a relatively fast process for many lower-level felonies now, and it can quietly remove a barrier before it ever comes up.
Lean on the reentry-specific organizations listed above rather than treating this as a solo project. They exist because the system recognizes this process is genuinely harder for you, and using free resources isn’t a sign of weakness it’s a strategic shortcut.
Finally, remember that Colorado’s labor market right now genuinely needs workers in trades, logistics, and skilled labor. That demand is real leverage, even if it doesn’t always feel that way during a string of rejections. Keep applying, keep showing up, and let your work ethic do the talking once you get in the door.
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