Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Forensic Services - 2027 Summer Internship

We welcome applications from students currently enrolled at any accredited college, university, or community college. 

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values - Unity, Honor, Service

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 dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. 

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace. 

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career. 

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

About the Work Unit

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Forensic Services mission is to pursue justice and ensure a safer Colorado by providing impartial, high-quality, and timely forensic science services to criminal justice agencies throughout the state. Operating state-of-the-art laboratories across Colorado — including facilities in Denver, Grand Junction, Greeley, and Pueblo — CBI Forensic Services supports the investigation and prosecution of crimes by adhering to the highest standards of scientific integrity, accreditation, and quality assurance. 

The CBI Forensic Services Unit encompasses multiple scientific disciplines — including Chemistry, Digital Media, Biology (DNA & Serology), Firearms, Footwear/Tire Tracks, Latent Prints, Quality, Toxicology, and Trace — delivering reliable analytical results and expert testimony to ensure justice and public safety for all Colorado communities.

About the 2027 Summer Internship Program

This unpaid internship offers a supportive, hands-on learning environment where students can apply their academic scientific knowledge to real-world forensic casework and laboratory quality operations. Interns will gain practical experience in an accredited forensic laboratory setting, expand their professional networks, participate in professional development, and develop a portfolio of experience that supports future careers in forensic science and the criminal justice system. While internships begin in the summer, there may be a potential for extension into the fall depending on intern availability, the particular project on which they're working, and CBI Forensic Services organizational needs. We do not offer winter or spring internships. 

Work Environment

• Location: Internship opportunities may be available at one or more of our laboratory facilities within the state, which are located in Denver/Arvada, Grand Junction, Greeley, and Pueblo.

• Format: 100% on-site attendance at a CBI laboratory facility.

• Timeframe: Early June start date with a minimum of 7 weeks, and an intern’s last day dependent upon their availability and return to school.

• Commitment: Between 8 and 40 hours per week (or as required by academic institution/program guidelines). The schedule is relatively flexible, but must be within CBI Forensic Services core hours. 

• Core Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

• Expenses: This internship is unpaid. Students are responsible for all travel and housing accommodations and expenses incurred during the selection and background process as well as the internship.

• Expectations: Interns are expected to maintain confidentiality, follow appropriate safety protocols and CBI procedures, work with integrity and professionalism, communicate appropriately, and collaborate with others. Interns must maintain thorough documentation of research conducted, and present their findings to CBI Forensic Services personnel at the conclusion of their internship.

Internship Opportunities

• Laboratory Disciplines: Interns will gain practical laboratory skills and professional experience by supporting forensic scientists and analysts with preliminary screening, instrument maintenance, and general laboratory support tasks across various scientific disciplines, without directly handling evidentiary items.

• Quality Assurance & Administration: Interns may assist with document control and record-keeping, audit preparation, proficiency test tracking, and quality management tasks to support accreditation standards.

• Special Projects: Interns will work on assigned projects, conduct laboratory research, and participate in activities tailored to forensic science and laboratory operations.

• Professional Development: Interns will be given various professional development and networking opportunities when available, such as training courses, participation in laboratory and discipline meetings, court testimony and mock court observations, etc.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on laboratory experience working in an accredited operational forensic science laboratory.

• Exposure to professional career pathways and different disciplines within forensic science.

• Training related to safety, quality assurance, ethics, bias, evidence management and document control systems, job skills, court procedures, and more.

• Mentorship and collaboration with experienced forensic scientists, technicians, and our Quality Unit team.

• Professional development and skill-building opportunities tailored to forensic science.

We encourage current science students eager to build real-world laboratory experience, develop professional skills, and explore careers in forensic science to apply! 

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills

Current enrollment in an accredited college, university, or community college, pursuing a degree in a hard science, such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, forensic science or a closely related field*. *Note: Other degrees/concentrations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

No prior professional experience is required, although laboratory experience is preferred. Candidates should be eager to learn in a fast-paced environment, be proactive and demonstrate initiative, and possess a strong desire to understand our work. We value integrity, reliability, flexibility, trainability, professionalism, and collaborative work as part of a team.

Conditions of Internship

• Active enrollment and in good standing with a college/university, at the time of application, during the internship program and for at least one term following the end of the internship.

• All internships must be taken for college/university credit. 

• Submission of all required documentation by the application deadline.

• Commitment of 8 to 40 hours on-site per week, for a minimum of 7 weeks.

• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, Personnel Evaluation Profile (PEP) exam, drug test, a fingerprint-based criminal history search, and reference check. Candidates are responsible for their own travel and accommodations to complete these steps. They cannot be completed at the start of the internship, so those living outside of the Denver Metro area must make a separate trip to complete these requirements. 

• Interns must provide a DNA buccal swab at the start of their internship, for addition into our internal staff database.

• This posting is open to residents and non-residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

Applicants must attach the following documents, in order to be considered for this internship:

• Cover Letter (include interest, education, relevant experience, and goals)

• Resume or CV

• Unofficial copy of transcript(s) reflecting your current enrollment

• Recommendation Letter: This letter must be from an academic or professional reference, such as a professor, department head, program advisor, supervisor, superior officer, etc. To reduce the likelihood of bias, we do not accept recommendation letters from personal references, such as family or friends.  (At least one required; additional letters accepted)

Disability Accommodation  

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at: [email protected].

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.

Colorado Department of Public Safety 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. 

Recruitment Timeline Information and Important Notices

• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. 

• Closing Date: All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Conditions of Internship in this announcement. Candidates who meet the Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Conditions of Internship may proceed to the next step.

• Supplemental Question: Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your education, internships, accomplishments, and views about organizational values and approaches, and how they relate specifically to this internship and requirements as you understand them. Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.  

• Transcripts: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process. 

• Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video.  

• Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the internship selection process.

• Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application.  Include your current working email address on your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email 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.

• Comparative Analysis Steps may include (dates are tentative and subject to change): 

  • Structured application review by a panel of SMEs - January/February 2027

  • Spark Hire Virtual Interview - February 2027 (Tentative)

  • Oral Board Virtual Interview - March 2027 (Tentative)

  • Anticipated start date: First week of June 2027