What Can Private Investigators Legally Do in Colorado?

If you’re considering hiring a private investigator in Colorado, you probably have questions about what they can and cannot legally do. Movies and TV shows often portray investigators breaking into buildings, hacking computers, or impersonating police officers—but the reality is far different.

Understanding the legal authority and limitations of Colorado private investigators is essential before hiring one. This guide explains exactly what licensed PIs can do, what they cannot do, and how they operate within Colorado law to help you with your case.

Colorado Private Investigator Licensing Requirements

Before diving into what private investigators can do, it’s important to understand that in Colorado, all private investigators must be licensed by the state to legally operate. The licensing process ensures that investigators are qualified, ethical, and understand the law.

Requirements to Become a Licensed PI in Colorado

Age requirement: Must be at least 21 years old
Experience: Minimum years of investigative experience or law enforcement background
Education: Completion of required investigative training courses
Examination: Pass the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam covering state laws and regulations
Background check: Clean criminal record with no disqualifying offenses
Insurance: Maintain professional liability insurance
Registration: Register with the Colorado Attorney General’s office

At Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye, all our investigators are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, with extensive backgrounds in law enforcement and investigations.

What Private Investigators CAN Legally Do in Colorado

Licensed private investigators in Colorado have significant authority to gather information and conduct investigations—always within the boundaries of the law. Here’s what they can legally do:

1. Conduct Surveillance Operations

Private investigators can perform legal surveillance on individuals in public spaces. This includes:

Following subjects in public areas (streets, parking lots, parks, public businesses)
Photographing or videotaping individuals in public where there’s no expectation of privacy
Documenting activities, movements, and associations
Using GPS tracking on vehicles they own or have permission to track
Observing from public vantage points
Recording license plates, addresses, and other publicly visible information

Important limitation: Surveillance must not violate privacy laws. Investigators cannot enter private property without permission, peer into windows of private residences, or use illegal tracking devices.

2. Access Public Records

Private investigators have the same access to public records as any citizen, but they know exactly where to look and how to interpret the information. They can legally access:

Court records: Civil, criminal, divorce, bankruptcy filings
Property records: Ownership, tax assessments, deed transfers
Business records: Corporations, LLCs, DBAs, professional licenses
Vital records: Birth, death, marriage certificates (when legally allowed)
Motor vehicle records: Registrations, ownership (with permissible purpose)
Voter registration: Addresses and voting history

Professional investigators know how to efficiently navigate county clerks, recorder’s offices, and state databases to find information quickly.

3. Conduct Background Checks

Licensed PIs can perform comprehensive background investigations for various purposes:

Employment screening: Criminal records, employment history, education verification
Tenant screening: Eviction history, creditworthiness, rental references
Pre-marital investigations: Verify identity, marital history, financial status
Business partner due diligence: Criminal background, litigation history, financial stability
Nanny and caregiver checks: Credential verification, reference checks, criminal history

When conducting employment-related background checks, licensed investigators must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and obtain proper consent.

4. Interview Witnesses and Gather Statements

Private investigators can interview people who are willing to speak with them:

Conduct witness interviews for legal cases
Take recorded or written statements
Verify alibis and timelines
Gather information from neighbors, colleagues, or associates
Re-interview witnesses who previously spoke with police

Important note: People are never legally required to speak with a private investigator. Investigators cannot compel testimony or force anyone to answer questions.

5. Digital and Computer Forensics

Licensed investigators with specialized training can perform digital forensics on devices they have legal authority to examine:

Recover deleted files, emails, and messages from computers and phones
Analyze hard drives, USB devices, and cloud storage (with proper authorization)
Examine social media activity and digital footprints
Investigate cybercrime and online fraud
Preserve digital evidence using proper chain of custody
Provide expert testimony about digital evidence

Critical requirement: Investigators can only examine devices they own, have written permission to access, or have legal authority to search (such as in corporate investigations where the company owns the devices).

6. Serve Legal Documents

Many private investigators offer process service to deliver legal documents:

Summons and complaints
Subpoenas
Divorce papers
Eviction notices
Protection orders
Small claims court documents

After serving documents, investigators file affidavits of service (JDF-98 in Colorado) with the court as proof of delivery.

7. Undercover Operations

In certain situations, private investigators can work undercover to gather information:

Workplace investigations (with employer authorization)
Shopping for evidence of fraud or misconduct
Posing as customers to observe business practices
Gathering information in public settings without revealing their identity

Legal boundaries: Investigators cannot impersonate law enforcement, government officials, or use false credentials. They must identify themselves truthfully if directly asked.

8. Asset Searches and Skip Tracing

Private investigators can locate people and assets through legal means:

Skip tracing: Finding missing persons, debtors, or estranged family members
Asset searches: Locating bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and other property
Business ownership tracing: Uncovering hidden business interests
Heir location: Finding beneficiaries for estates

Investigators use databases, public records, and investigative techniques to track down people and assets legally.

What Private Investigators CANNOT Do in Colorado

Understanding the legal limitations is just as important as knowing what PIs can do. Licensed investigators must operate within strict legal and ethical boundaries.

1. Cannot Trespass on Private Property

Private investigators cannot:

Enter private property without permission
Break into homes, offices, or vehicles
Place cameras or recording devices on private property
Climb fences or bypass security systems
Use drones to surveil private property where there’s an expectation of privacy

Trespassing is illegal and any evidence obtained through trespassing is inadmissible in court and could result in criminal charges.

2. Cannot Hack or Access Data Illegally

Despite what movies show, private investigators absolutely cannot:

Hack into email accounts, social media, or online banking
Install spyware or keyloggers on devices they don’t own
Access password-protected accounts without authorization
Intercept phone calls or text messages
Use illegal wiretaps or recording devices

These actions violate federal wiretapping laws and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and can result in serious criminal penalties.

3. Cannot Impersonate Law Enforcement or Government Officials

It is a serious crime for private investigators to:

Claim to be police officers, FBI agents, or any law enforcement
Display fake badges or credentials
Use vehicles that resemble police cars
Wear uniforms that could be confused with law enforcement
Threaten arrest or criminal charges

Impersonating a peace officer is a felony in Colorado that can result in imprisonment and loss of investigator license.

4. Cannot Make Arrests

Private investigators do not have arrest powers. They cannot:

Detain or arrest suspects
Use force to restrain individuals
Issue warrants or citations
Conduct searches and seizures

If an investigator witnesses a crime, they can call police and provide information, but they have no more authority than any other citizen.

5. Cannot Obtain Financial Records Without Authorization

Private investigators cannot access:

Bank account statements or balances
Credit card transactions
Tax returns or IRS records
Brokerage account information

These records are protected by federal privacy laws. Investigators can only access financial information through legal subpoena, court order, or with written consent from the account holder.

6. Cannot Obtain Phone Records or Call Logs

The practice of “pretexting” to obtain phone records is illegal under federal law. Private investigators cannot:

Obtain someone’s phone records without authorization
Use deception to get phone companies to release call logs
Access text message content from carriers

Phone records are private and protected by law.

7. Cannot Guarantee Results

Ethical private investigators cannot and will not:

Promise specific outcomes or results
Guarantee they will find evidence of wrongdoing
Claim they can obtain information that’s legally protected
Offer to fabricate or plant evidence

Warning sign: If an investigator guarantees results or offers to obtain information through questionable means, this is a major red flag that they may be willing to break the law.

How Colorado Private Investigators Work Within the Law

Professional investigators use legal methods to gather comprehensive information:

Creative research: Finding information through legal public sources and databases
Skilled interviewing: Getting people to voluntarily share information
Observation: Documenting what subjects do in public spaces
Technology: Using legal surveillance equipment and forensic tools
Experience: Knowing where to look and what patterns to identify
Persistence: Following legal leads until they find answers

At Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye, our investigators are former law enforcement professionals who understand the law and operate with the highest ethical standards. We know how to gather compelling evidence that will hold up in court—without crossing legal boundaries.

When Should You Hire a Private Investigator?

Now that you understand what private investigators can legally do, here are situations where hiring a PI makes sense:

Suspected infidelity: Documenting a spouse’s activities and associations
Child custody cases: Gathering evidence of parental fitness or misconduct
Insurance fraud: Verifying the legitimacy of injury or disability claims
Employee misconduct: Investigating theft, fraud, or policy violations
Background verification: Checking credentials of potential employees, tenants, or partners
Missing persons: Locating individuals who have disappeared or are avoiding contact
Litigation support: Gathering evidence for civil or criminal cases
Due diligence: Investigating business opportunities or investments

Learn more about how to hire a private investigator in Colorado and what to look for when choosing the right professional for your case.

Colorado-Specific PI Regulations

Colorado has specific regulations governing private investigators:

Licensure oversight: The Colorado Attorney General regulates all PI licenses
Continuing education: Licensed investigators must complete ongoing training
Insurance requirements: PIs must maintain liability insurance to protect clients
Complaint process: Clients can file complaints with the state for unethical behavior
Unlicensed investigators: It’s illegal to perform PI work without a license

Always verify that any investigator you hire is properly licensed in Colorado. You can request to see their license and verify it with the Colorado Attorney General’s office.

Why Choose Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye?

When you need professional investigative services that operate fully within Colorado law, Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye provides:

• Fully licensed Colorado investigators registered with the Attorney General
• Former law enforcement professionals with 10+ years of experience
• Legal, ethical investigations that produce court-admissible evidence
• Advanced technology for surveillance and digital forensics
• Transparent practices – we explain exactly what we can and cannot do
• Professional documentation suitable for legal proceedings
• Free consultations to discuss your case confidentially

Get Expert Investigation Services in Colorado

If you need professional investigative services conducted legally and ethically, contact Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye today. Our licensed investigators will explain exactly what we can do for your specific situation and provide a clear plan of action.

Contact us for a free consultation:

📞 Phone: 303-381-4585
📧 Email: Info@RockyMountainEagleEye.com
📍 Office: 18475 W Colfax Ave Ste 132, Golden, CO 80401
🌐 Schedule Online: Request Free Consultation