Criminal Investigator III (Colorado Springs) Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement Division
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Criminal Investigator III (Colorado Springs) Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement Division
Salary
$73,380.00 - $80,904.00 Annually
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
TAA-03836-01.2026
Department
Department of Revenue
Division
Enforcement - Liquor/Tobacco
Opening Date
01/20/2026
Closing Date
2/6/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
2447 N. Union Blvd. Colorado Springs Co 80909
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Abigail Quinones abigail.quinones@state.co.us
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
The mission of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) is to become a trusted partner to every Coloradan to help them navigate the complexities of government so they can thrive. We are driven by our values of service, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect.
The vision of the department is to empower businesses and individuals through quality customer service, innovation, and collaboration. We celebrate diversity and support an equitable and inclusive culture. We embrace our differences because we believe this brings innovation to our work. For more exciting information about the Department of Revenue, please enjoy this brief video !
Helpful tips for applying:
Applying for a Job with the State of Colorado .
What Happens After You Apply. (https://youtu.be/Bevm6F3LfBM)
Description of Job
The Liquor Enforcement Division's mission is to promote public safety, support economic growth, and ensure the responsible sale and consumption of liquor and tobacco products through he fair, transparent, and consistent administration of Colorado's liquor, tobacco, and nicotine laws.
What we do:
The professional in this position is a certified Peace Officer - Peace Officer Standards and Training, (P.O.S.T.), who fulfills statutory responsibility to administer and enforce Colorado's alcohol beverage and tobacco laws in a consistent and common-sense manner. It serves and protects the Colorado public and fosters a clean, healthy, three-tier industry within the state for the manufacture, distribution and sale of alcohol beverages.
Job Duties:
The Criminal Investigator III is located in the Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement Division and is responsible for conducting investigations of licensed liquor and tobacco businesses to ensure compliance with Colorado laws and regulations. Duties will include performing inspections, compliance checks, and undercover operations, preparing investigative reports and testifying in administrative or criminal proceedings. The Criminal Investigator III will gather evidence through interviews, surveillance and database research, and may issue summonses or make arrest as needed.
Liquor, Tobacco, and Criminal Code Investigations
Upon assignment or self-initiated activity conducts inspections, compliance checks and plans investigations and/or undercover investigations of alleged violations of Colorado Liquor and Tobacco Statutes, Criminal Statutes, and Regulations to determine if a violation has occurred and takes appropriate action, such as issuing a criminal summons or completing a charging document of proposed allegations and violations for review by management and the appointing authority.
Conduct interviews in response to active administrative and criminal investigations. Interview witnesses, suspects, complainants, applicants, licensees, and the general public to detect, discover, and obtain additional information or evidence related to the investigation.
Understand and utilize Public Service Record (PSR) CSP evidence tracking system, Callyo and any other databases to support administrative and criminal investigations.
Make physical arrests when necessary for violations of law during liquor and tobacco investigations, consistent with Department policy.
Conduct covert operations and/or surveillance of a Colorado Liquor or Tobacco license to produce evidence for an alleged administrative action or criminal prosecution. These operations shall be approved by an Agent in Charge before participating in these activities, the appointing authority shall be notified prior to participation for determination of deconfliction efforts or drafting of an operation plan with coordinated activities with other agencies.
Statutory Enforcement
Responds to complaints and proactively visits/inspects Colorado liquor and tobacco licensed businesses, as an armed peace officer to prevent and discourage the prohibited possession, sale, and consumption on or off the licensed premises.
Applies standard fact-finding analysis uses problem-solving, specialized investigative techniques, and available technological tools to conduct investigations. Utilizes professional judgment to assess compliance and arrive at sound conclusions. Develops intervention strategies designed to achieve immediate onsite correction and long-term compliance.
Conducts interviews of complainants, applicants and licensees for approval or denial of a license or administrative proceedings involving liquor and tobacco regulations, Conducts interviews of victims, witnesses, and suspects and issues criminal summonses which involve liquor and tobacco.
Provides clear, concise, accurate, and factual summaries of investigations, both orally and in writing, for criminal and administrative prosecution. These documented findings identify alleged violations for criminal prosecution or administrative action.
Plans and performs regular underage sale compliance checks of liquor and tobacco businesses that may result in criminal enforcement.
Prepares sworn affidavits for judicial review for warrants related to liquor and tobacco criminal violations.
Testifies in civil and criminal court and administrative hearings.
Assist local police agencies by providing law enforcement support in relation to liquor and tobacco investigations.
Conducts physical arrests when appropriate in relation to liquor and tobacco investigations.
Drafts Operational Plans to outline operational staffing, objectives, necessary equipment and other operational awareness intelligence for review by supervisory staff and management.
Position coordinates operations with the underage operative to address operation logistics to ensure a sufficient number of operations are conducted annually. The Criminal Investigator III while on operations with the underage operative, will ensure accurate time is reflected on the timecard being submitted to an Agent in Charge for review.
Upon request from a law enforcement agency, the Criminal Investigator III conducts investigations of liquor licenses for potential over-service of alcohol or other violations that may have contributed to serious or fatal motor vehicle accidents as supplementary investigations for motor vehicle fatalities.
Regulatory Compliance
Responds to and investigates complaints of alleged violations of Colorado Liquor and Tobacco codes from licensees, law enforcement, local licensing authorities, and the general public.
Plans, coordinates, and executes effective investigations into alleged violations of Colorado Liquor and Tobacco Regulations.
Collaborate with local licensing authorities and law enforcement in conducting compliance checks of tobacco licensees to ensure all Synar checks and statutory requirements pertaining to tobacco checks are completed in the area of responsibility. Determines compliance upon thorough investigation and review of licensee practices and documentation.
Delivers clear, concise, accurate, and factual summaries of the results of investigations both orally and in writing for criminal prosecution and administrative action. These documented findings identify alleged. violations for criminal prosecution or administrative action.
The Criminal Investigator III conducts assigned investigations of alleged Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) violations. This requires communication with licensees and site visits. Notifications are sent to licensees outlining violations that require correction.
Administrative
Accurately document all work time and leave in the Department time-tracking database, Ultimate Workforce Development (UKG). Submits approvals for all overtime requests to the supervisor.
Maintains Google calendar schedule to include daily activities, locations, and other supervisor expectations. Maintains communication and transparency with team members and supervisory staff. Is available for contact from management, supervisor(s), co-workers, and stakeholders.
Attends all Department training, both in person and online, and reviews all appropriate resources as it pertains to job duties and assignments. Maintains required certifications to include but not limited to arrest control/defensive tactics, firearms, CCIC, and other certifications and training as mandated by the Department of Revenue and POST.
Prepares comprehensive investigative reports for criminal and administrative case files consistent with Division policy within the minimum timeframe guidelines established.
Prepares Demand for Records, summonses, arrest warrants, and search warrants as necessary. Drafts charging documents for cases referred for administrative action.
Maintains spreadsheets as assigned to accurately reflect duties performed for Division statistical purposes, keeping supervisory staff apprised of activities and accomplishments.
Provides training to local authorities, law enforcement, industry stakeholders, and the general public in an effort to ensure comprehension and compliance with liquor and tobacco requirements.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
A2A4XXCRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR III (https://dhr.colorado.gov/class-description-and-minimum-qualifications-for-a2a-criminal-investigators)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Must meet the following or any combination of experience/education to meet the minimum (MQ) qualifications:
Experience:
Six (6) years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment.
AND
Must possess a valid Colorado POST certification that is active, in good standing, and free of any restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of applying.
OR
Education/Experience
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.
A b achelor's degree from an accredited institution in accounting, business administration, public administration, criminology, criminal justice, criminalistics, political science, police science, law enforcement, law, psychology, sociology or a closely related field as determined by the Department.
AND
Must possess a valid Colorado POST certification that is active, in good standing, and free of any restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of applying.
Necessary Qualifications:
Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation and a tax check prior to appointment to positions in the Liquor & Tobacco Division.
Must possess a valid Colorado POST certification that is active, in good standing, and free of any restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of applying.
Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check.
Must pass a pre-employment Physical and Psychological evaluation.
Applicants must be willing to work nights, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and maintain on-call status while off-duty for emergency and supervisory response.
Ability to travel extensively on a daily basis through the designated territory, spanning Pagosa Springs to the Kansas border (west-east) and Centennial to Trinidad (north-south).
Maintains proficiency and qualification with firearms and other defensive equipment assigned and as required by Colorado P.O.S.T.
Attends all DOR compliance training modules.
Certify and maintain certification in arrest control techniques.
Applicants must be willing and able to perform heavy lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving objects, occasionally up to 100 pounds
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
Knowledge of Colorado rules and regulation related to Liquor & Tobacco.
Demonstrated experience in communication and interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Experience supervising administrative investigations in a regulated environment.
Problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
Demonstrate the ability to plan and organize.
Ability to complete reports in a thorough, accurate and concise manner.
Experience with rule making processes.
NOTE: If submitting a transcript, certification or other relevant materials, candidates may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment:
Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license (at the time of application.)
Must be 21 years of age or older for this position.
Must be able to pass a background check.
Candidate may be required to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Screen.
Must be willing to travel on a regular basis throughout the assigned region (Pagosa Springs to Kansas border (west-east) and Centennial to Trinidad (north-south).
Conditions of Employment with the CDOR:
Employees are in a position of public trust in the performance of their job duties and must operate in a manner that maintains the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and public confidence.
As a condition of employment with the CDOR, all personnel must file all necessary Colorado Individual Income Tax (CIIT) returns and pay tax obligations, therefore all employees must undergo a pre-employment evaluation of their tax records/accounts to ensure compliance with this policy. Final candidates must also complete a successful background investigation and reference check prior to appointment. Certain positions based on duties may require scheduled background investigations.
Pursuant to the Universal Driving Standards Policy (https://osc.colorado.gov/sites/osc/files/documents/Universal%20Policy%20Driving%20Standards.pdf) , any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle.
To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:
Have an assigned State fleet vehicle
Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position
Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle
Minimum Qualification Screening
A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application, to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Only complete applications submitted before the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.
Cover letters and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
Recommended attachments: Resume, Cover letter
List your employment history starting with the most recent job, including part-time, temporary, and volunteer jobs. If more than one job was held with a given organization, list each job held as a separate period of employment.
Information must be accurate, including dates of employment. If it is found that information provided is falsified, you will not be considered for a job with the State of Colorado and/or may be removed from a job after hire.
The eligible list established from this posting may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Email Address:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
APPEAL RIGHTS
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Compliance
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
The Colorado Department of Revenue is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA inbox,dor_ohr@state.co.us.
If not applying online, submit application to:
If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application (https://careers.colorado.gov/sites/careers/files/documents/Colorado-Paper-Application-202011-enabled.pdf) (Download PDF reader). Paper applications must be received via email to DOR_talentacquisition@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
Methods of Appointment:
Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created. However, at the discretion of the appointing authority, the position(s) may be filled by another method of appointment for a valid articulated business reason.
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
CDOR - The salary range for this position is $73,380.00 - $80,904.00. Are you still interested in this position? Marking "no" will result in removal from consideration. As a reminder, per the requirements of the Step Pay Program, any former or current State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification's pay range based on completed years in their current class series.
Yes
No
02
This position requires travel throughout South Eastern Colorado on a daily basis, generally covering an area from Pagosa Springs to the Kansas border (west to east) and from Centennial to Trinidad (North to South). Are you willing and able to travel regularly within these regions as part of your job duties? Marking no, may result in disqualification from the selection process.
Yes
No
03
Do you currently have a valid Colorado Peace Officer Certification - P.O.S.T. that is active, in good standing, and free of any restrictions, suspensions, or revocations at the time of applying. (required for this position)
Yes
No
04
Please provide your valid P.O.S.T. Certified PID number. Marking N/A or leaving this question blank will result in disqualification from the selection process.
05
CDOR - Are you aware of anyone with whom you have a personal relationship (including, but not limited to, any family members or those you or a family member have an intimate relationship with) currently employed with DOR? If yes, please provide the name of the employee and the Division they work in. Per DOR Policy OHR-006, family includes spouse, partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin, including those related by marriage, civil union, common law, blood, adoption or foster care.
06
Please explain in detail your investigative experience as it is related to the position.
Required Question
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