Criminal Investigator-V (Lakewood) Liquor & Tobacco Enforcement Division

We are driven by our values of service, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect. Our vision is to empower businesses and individuals through quality customer service, innovation, and collaboration. We celebrate diversity and support an equitable and inclusive culture.

About the role

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 the fair, transparent, and consistent administration of Colorado's liquor, tobacco, and nicotine laws.

This position leads and oversees a team of certified peace officers responsible for enforcing Colorado's liquor, tobacco, and criminal statutes through criminal, administrative, and regulatory investigations. The role provides operational leadership, directs investigative priorities, ensures compliance with applicable laws and policies, develops investigative staff, and serves as the Division's representative with law enforcement agencies, licensing authorities, prosecutors, and industry stakeholders to promote public safety and regulatory compliance throughout the State of Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision, leadership, and coaching to a team of Criminal Investigators.
• Assigns, prioritizes, and monitors investigative caseloads to ensure timely, accurate, and effective case completion.
• Evaluates employee performance, provides feedback, and administers corrective or disciplinary actions when appropriate.
• Reviews investigative reports, charging documents, and legal filings for quality, completeness, and compliance with laws and division standards.
• Manages staffing, leave requests, overtime, and resource allocation to support statewide enforcement operations.
• Directs and conducts complex criminal and administrative investigations involving liquor, tobacco, and related criminal code violations.
• Reviews evidence, investigative findings, and legal documents to determine appropriate enforcement or administrative action.
• Oversees compliance inspections, undercover operations, surveillance activities, and criminal investigations involving licensed establishments.
• Coordinates investigations with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and regulatory partners.
• Prepares, reviews, and approves investigative reports, affidavits, warrants, summonses, charging documents, and hearing materials.
• Develops, mentors, and coaches investigators to ensure professional growth and operational readiness.
• Ensures investigations maintain POST certification and complete all required Division training and firearms qualifications.
• Oversees Field Training Officer (FTO) activities, onboarding, and mentoring of newly hired investigators.
• Monitors training records, certifications, and compliance with mandatory continuing education requirements.
• Promotes consistent application of investigative techniques, legal standards, evidence handling, and Division policies through ongoing instruction and quality assurance.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, licensing authorities, and industry partners.
• Represents the Division during administrative hearings, court proceedings, training events, and public outreach initiatives.
• Provides guidance and education to licensees regarding liquor and tobacco laws, regulations, and compliance expectations.
• Coordinates with community partners and government agencies to support statewide enforcement and public safety initiatives.
• Serves as a subject matter expert by communicating legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to investigators, licensees, and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, one (1) of which must have been at the level of a work leader, staff authority, unit supervisor, or equivalent.
• 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 a resident of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
• Must successfully pass a background investigation and a tax check prior to appointment.
• Must pass a pre-employment Physical and Psychological evaluation.
• 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 Steamboat Springs to the Kansas border (west-east) and Wyoming border to Denver (north-south).
• Maintains proficiency and qualification with firearms and other defensive equipment assigned and as required by Colorado P.O.S.T.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen.
• Must be willing to travel on a regular basis throughout the assigned region.
• Must file all necessary Colorado Individual Income Tax (CIIT) returns and pay tax obligations.
• Must undergo a pre-employment evaluation of tax records/accounts to ensure compliance.
• Must complete a successful background investigation and reference check prior to appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six (10) years of full-time professional investigative experience in a regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of Colorado rules and regulations 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.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience with Colorado Liquor laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of the PSR System and CCIC database.
• Attention to detail and proven success organizing and tracking workload.
• Strong ability to multi-task and complete reports in a thorough, accurate, and concise manner.
• Experience conducting due diligence investigations in a regulatory environment on companies and/or people to determine suitability for licensure.
• Experience interpreting and applying statutes and regulations.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite/Google suites.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage.
• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage.
• Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave.
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program.

Schedule

This is a remote position primarily conducted via telework/work-from-home arrangements. Occasional travel to a State or alternate location may be required based on business needs. The selected candidate must maintain Colorado residency throughout their employment and comply with all applicable State of Colorado and department remote work policies, procedures, and requirements. Employees are responsible for providing and maintaining a home office or other suitable remote work location as well as Internet and a secure Wi-Fi connection.