Criminal Investigator III - Western Colorado

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

2d • Remote

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division (LED) administers and enforces Colorado alcohol beverage and tobacco laws through compliance work, education, inspections, and criminal and administrative investigations. The Criminal Investigator III is a certified peace officer responsible for investigating licensed liquor and tobacco businesses across Colorado’s Western Region. The role includes field inspections, compliance checks, investigations of alleged violations, evidence gathering and analysis, interviews, and preparation of investigative documentation. The investigator also conducts undercover and surveillance operations and coordinates with local law enforcement and licensing authorities.

This position is designated as remote, with work primarily performed in the field rather than through telework. Daily travel throughout the assigned Western Region territory is required, along with occasional travel to State or alternate locations and attendance at required meetings and training. The employee must maintain Colorado residency and reside within 65 miles of the assigned field office at 202 Grand Ave., Grand Junction, throughout employment. The employee must be willing to work nights, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays, and remain on call while off duty for emergency response.

The position requires an active Colorado POST certification in good standing, successful pre-employment background, physical, and psychological evaluations, and proficiency with assigned firearms and defensive equipment. The employee must maintain arrest-control certification and be able to perform heavy lifting, carrying, or moving objects, occasionally up to 100 pounds. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and legally eligible to work in the United States.

Requirements

• Six years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment; or a bachelor’s degree in a listed or closely related field and two years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment.
• A valid Colorado POST certification that is active, in good standing, and free of restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of application.
• Six years of relevant experience may substitute for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.
• Colorado residency when submitting the application and throughout employment.
• Residence within 65 miles of the assigned field office in Grand Junction at appointment and throughout employment.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Western Region and report to headquarters or other designated locations for required activities.
• Willingness to work nights, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays, and maintain on-call status while off duty for emergency response.
• Ability to pass pre-employment background, physical, and psychological evaluations.
• Ability to maintain proficiency and qualification with assigned firearms and defensive equipment and maintain arrest-control certification.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting, carrying, or moving objects, occasionally up to 100 pounds.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Legal eligibility to work in the United States.
• Compliance with State of Colorado tax obligations and successful completion of the required tax-record evaluation, background investigation, and reference check.
• Maintain a valid driver license and safe driving record when required to operate a State-owned vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Colorado rules and regulations related to liquor and tobacco.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication.
• Experience with administrative investigations in a regulated environment.
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to plan and organize.
• Ability to prepare thorough, accurate, and concise reports.
• Experience with rulemaking processes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections, compliance checks, and criminal, administrative, and regulatory investigations involving alleged violations of Colorado liquor and tobacco laws, criminal statutes, and regulations.
• Respond to complaints and proactively inspect licensed liquor and tobacco businesses to identify violations, assess compliance, and take appropriate enforcement action.
• Interview witnesses, suspects, complainants, applicants, licensees, victims, and members of the public to gather information and evidence.
• Gather, analyze, and document evidence using surveillance, undercover operations, database research, public records, and other available technological resources.
• Conduct covert operations and surveillance of liquor and tobacco licensees, including underage-sale compliance operations, and coordinate investigative activities with other agencies as appropriate.
• Apply investigative techniques, problem-solving, professional judgment, and applicable laws and regulations to assess compliance, identify violations, and reach investigative conclusions.
• Prepare investigative reports, affidavits, summonses, warrants, charging documents, and other documentation for criminal prosecution or administrative action.
• Exercise statutory peace officer authority when appropriate, including issuing criminal summonses, making arrests, and assisting local law enforcement agencies with liquor and tobacco investigations.
• Collaborate with local licensing authorities, law enforcement agencies, licensees, and other stakeholders on investigations and compliance activities, and provide education about liquor and tobacco requirements.
• Testify in civil and criminal court and administrative hearings and communicate investigative findings and evidence.
• Travel daily throughout the assigned Western Region territory and attend required meetings, training, and other business activities at designated locations.
• Maintain proficiency and qualification with assigned firearms and defensive equipment, and maintain certification in arrest-control techniques.
• Complete required Department of Revenue compliance training modules.

Benefits

• PERA retirement benefits, including the PERA Defined Benefit Plan and PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Automatic short-term and optional long-term disability coverage.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
• Family and Medical Leave Act job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave.
• 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave.
• Discounts on services and products through the State of Colorado Work-Life Employment Discount Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior