Records and Background Checks
About the Biometric Identification and Records Unit (BIRU)
The Biometric Identification and Records Unit (BIRU) at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) supports both law enforcement agencies and the public. The unit is responsible for maintaining and updating records in the Multimodal Biometric Identification System (MBIS), which is used to identify fingerprints, as well as the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC), which stores all fingerprint-based Colorado Criminal History Record Information (CHRI).
About the Colorado Applicant Background Services Program
Created through 2017 legislation, the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program expands access to fingerprinting for the more than 70 professions in the state that require licensing. Two vendors—IdentoGO and Colorado Fingerprinting—operate fixed and mobile sites statewide where citizens can be fingerprinted for background checks. Prints are submitted directly to the CBI for processing, with results securely delivered to licensing agencies through the CBI’s Secure Document Delivery System (SDDS).
While some law enforcement agencies continue to offer fingerprinting, many have transitioned this service to the CABS vendors. Each year, the CBI processes nearly 200,000 fingerprint-based background checks for professions such as teachers, Realtors, and daycare providers. Colorado is one of several states now using third-party vendors to provide convenient fingerprinting services for professional licensing.
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More About Records and Background Checks
Employment and Background Checks and Fingerprinting
The CBI offers fingerprint-based background checks for employment, licensing, and other non-criminal justice needs through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. Approved vendors provide fingerprinting at statewide and mobile locations, with results sent directly to CBI for secure delivery to the requesting agency. Applicants can schedule appointments online or by phone, and fees apply for both vendor services and background checks.
Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC)
The Internet Criminal History Check is an online tool that allows the public to instantly obtain Colorado-only Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) using a name-based search. While some records—such as juvenile arrests, traffic arrests under age 16, and sealed cases—are excluded, law enforcement agencies have access to the full record. Each search result requires a fee, and results cannot be notarized.
Disposition Update of an Arrest Record
A disposition is the final outcome of charges filed in court, and it is an important part of a criminal history record. If disposition details are missing or marked “unknown” on a Colorado Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) report, individuals must provide official documentation from the courts or agencies involved. Once obtained, this information can be submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to update the CHRI and ensure records are accurate.
Court Order Sealing of Arrests
In Colorado, individuals may petition the court to have certain arrest or criminal records sealed, making them inaccessible to the public. Once a judge grants an order to seal, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must receive the signed order to update its records. The sealing process helps ensure that qualifying records are restricted, while maintaining secure access for law enforcement and criminal justice purposes.
Vendor Management
The Vendor Management Program ensures that organizations providing services to criminal justice agencies comply with the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy. Companies or government entities with staff who have unescorted physical or logical access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI) may qualify for enrollment. Vendors are classified as Access Vendors, who intentionally work with CJIS data, or Support Vendors, who have unescorted access to secure areas without directly handling CJI.