Investigator - Horse Racing (Criminal Investigator IV)

The mission of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) is to become a trusted partner to every Coloradan, helping them navigate the complexities of government so they can thrive. Our core values of service, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect drive us 

The Department’s vision 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.

As part of the State of Colorado, DOR offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• 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

The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Racing Events is seeking a highly skilled, integrity-driven law enforcement professional to serve as a Criminal Investigator IV.

In this role, you will serve as both a division subject matter expert (SME) and operational work leader, driving the integrity, safety, and regulation of Colorado’s racing industry. The Division of Racing Events is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of human and equine athletes, preventing criminal activity, and fostering public confidence in pari-mutuel wagering through fair, proactive, and consistent statutory enforcement.

As a lead investigator, you will direct complex financial background investigations, conduct regulatory inspections at licensed facilities and Off-Track Betting (OTB) sites, enforce Colorado Racing Commission rules and state criminal statutes, and mentor entry-level and lateral compliance personnel.

As a Criminal Investigator IV you will: 

• Lead & Mentor Investigative Staff: Serve as a subject matter expert, training officer, and work leader guiding entry-level and lateral compliance investigators in daily operations and professional development.

• Execute Licensing Investigations: Perform complex financial background checks and detailed reviews of high-risk licensing applications, renewals, and ownership changes.

• Inspect Racing Facilities: Conduct regulatory field inspections and enforcement actions at racetracks, barns, and Off-Track Betting (OTB) facilities.

• Investigate Industry Violations: Examine complaints and reported violations involving Colorado Division of Racing Regulations, Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), and local laws.

• Provide Law Enforcement Presence: Maintain an on-site security presence at racing-related venues and intervene with direct law enforcement action when needed to ensure public safety.

• Manage Emergency Calls & Incidents: Respond to calls for assistance, manage dynamic on-site situations, and investigate suspected criminal behavior.

• Deliver Legal Testimony: Provide formal testimony in both criminal and administrative legal proceedings.

• Foster Industry Compliance: Educate and assist licensees and racing businesses to promote voluntary adherence to regulatory and statutory requirements.

• Perform Pre-Employment Screenings: Conduct thorough background investigations for prospective full-time and temporary Division personnel.

• Maintain Credentials & Agency Standards: Fulfill required law enforcement certifications, update standard operating procedures (SOPs), and support specialized Division projects.

Residency Requirement:

 This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete.

If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado at their own expense.  The time frame for relocation is based on DOR needs and is typically between 30 and 60 days after an offer has been accepted.

For information about living in Colorado visit the Choose Colorado Website:https://choosecolorado.com/living/cost-of-living/

Class Code & Classification Description:

A2A5XX Criminal Investigator IV

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Eight (8) years of experience of conducting complex criminal or regulatory investigations within law enforcement or an investigative agency.

* Required valid/active Colorado POST certification at time of application, OR willing and able to transfer out of state certification, OR capable of receiving a Provisional Colorado POST certification by anticipated start date. 

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in business administration, public administration, criminology, criminal justice, criminalistics, political science, police science, law enforcement, law, psychology, sociology and/or relevant experience of conducting complex criminal or regulatory investigations within law enforcement or an investigative agency equal to eight (8) years.

*Required valid/active Colorado POST certification at time of application, OR willing and able to transfer out of state certification, OR capable of receiving a Provisional Colorado POST certification by anticipated start date. 

For information about transferring out of state certifications and requirements for a Colorado POST certification, please visit: https://post.colorado.gov/certification/certification-types/basic-certification

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.

Special Qualifications:

• Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation and a tax check prior to appointment to positions in the Division of Racing.

• Valid Driver's License; able to obtain a Colorado Driver's License upon becoming a resident of Colorado. 

• Applicants must successfully pass a Psychological Evaluation prior to being appointed to a position in the Division of Racing.

• Applicants must be willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, and maintain on-call status while off-duty for emergency response.

• Applicants must be currently certified as a Peace Officer in the State of Colorado, able to transfer an out of state certification by anticipated start date or capable of receiving a Provisional Colorado POST certification by anticipated start date.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Knowledge of Colorado rules and regulations related to Division of Racing.

• Prior regulatory experience in horse racing.

• Outstanding candidates will have recent experience with: investigations interpreting and applying statutes and researching databases.

• Additional years of experience in professional investigative and/or compliance experience in a regulatory environment.

• Problem solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Demonstrate the ability to plan and organize.

• Ability to complete reports in a thorough, accurate and concise manner.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proven ability to work independently and accept supervision.

• Proven success organizing and tracking workload.

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Proficiency in Google-Workspace.

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, 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

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. DOR uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees. DOR does not provide sponsorship for employment-based visas. 

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. 

• 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 "[email protected]" 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:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

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, [email protected].

We are committed to building work environments that are inclusive and reflect our communities and the diverse talents of all people.  We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds and abilities to apply.

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. 

Step Pay Program:

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.