The state mandated requirements for becoming a bail bonding agent and serving as a bounty hunter in Colorado include:
 | Learn about Professional Qualifications in Colorado |
 | Complete Training and Education in Colorado |
 | Pass the Colorado Bail Bonding Agent Examination |
 | Apply for a Colorado License |
 | Find Employment in Colorado |
The State of Colorado Division of Insurance is the licensing and regulatory body for bail bonding agents. There is a lengthy training process that prospective bounty hunters must complete prior to employment, so you should closely examine the state mandated requirements.
Although bail recovery agents, or bounty hunters, are not licensed per se by the Division of Insurance, bail bond agents who very often perform bail recovery duties in Colorado are licensed. In this state bail bondsmen are licensed as insurance producers with the casualty line of authority.
Step 1: Learn about Professional Qualifications in Colorado
Colorado has a long list of requirements prior to licensing bail bonding agents. These include
- Provide fingerprints and a passport sized photograph
- Pass a background check performed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
- Have no felony convictions
- Complete all educational requirements
- Pass the bail bonding agent examination
Step 2: Complete Training and Education in Colorado
You must complete the following educational and training programs prior to licensure:
- Bail recovery classes- 16 hours
- Introduction to Bail recovery – three hours
- Principals of Criminal Culpability – three hours
- Colorado Criminal Code – three hours
- Firearms and Weapons – three hours
- Seizure & Entry – two hours
- Bail recovery classes- 16 hours
- Bail bonds – eight hours
- Criminal court system – two hours
- Bail Bond Industry Ethics – two hours
- Bail Bond Laws – four hours
- Bail bonds – eight hours
- Casualty prelicensing education – 50 hours
These courses are offered by accredited post-secondary schools as well as state certified training academies found throughout the state. Upon completion of the course, you must provide a Certification of Completion Form for both Bail Recovery and Bail Bonds to the Division of Insurance to obtain licensure. You must also retain proof of completion for at least five years.
Step 3: Take the Colorado Bail Bonding Agent Exam
You must take the casualty insurance examination and pass it to become licensed as a bail bonding agent. The exam is offered through Pearson VUE and the examination fee is $73. The results of this exam are good for one year. The exam will include questions on topics covered in bail bonds, bail recovery and casualty prelicensing education. You may apply to take the examination through the Division of Insurance.
Step 4: Apply for a Colorado State License
You must complete the following process to apply for a Colorado bail bonding agent license:
- Submit a signed, completed application
- Provide a $71 licensing fee payable to the Colorado Division of Insurance
- Provide Certification of Completion forms for all required training courses
- Provide a score report from the casualty insurance examination
- Submit fingerprints and photo for a comprehensive background check
Colorado bail bondsmen must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to qualify for license renewal.
Step 5: Pursue Employment in Colorado
If you are just starting out as a bounty hunter in Colorado, you may wish to contact these companies to obtain employment.
- All Day All Night Bail Bonds
- All Pro Bail Bonds
- Express Bail Bonds
- Accelerated Bail Bonds
Prior to providing you with a bail recovery assignment, any prospective bail bond company employer must first submit your fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to ensure that you have not committed any felonies. You must also provide copies of certification that you have completed the required bail recovery classes.
If you would like to contact members of the Colorado bail enforcement professional community, you may wish to visit the following sites:
Source: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDPS-CBIMain/CBON/1251622129739