The Colorado Community College System (“CCCS”) and the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education authorize the nursing programs to conduct a background investigation of all student applicants. The clinical sites used in the nursing programs require background checks of all potential interns. The purpose is to maintain a safe and productive educational and clinical environment. New students who refuse to comply with the background investigation will not be allowed to enter a CCCS Nursing Program.

An Applicant will be disqualified from a CCCS nursing program based on the following guidelines:

  • Any violent felony convictions of homicide. (No time limit)
  • Crimes of violence (assault, sexual offenses, arson, kidnapping, any crime against an at-risk adult or juvenile, etc.) as defined in section 18-1.3-406 C.R.S. in the 10 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any offense involving unlawful sexual behavior in the 10 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any crime, the underlying basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any crime of child abuse, as defined in section 18-6-401 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any crime related to the sale, possession, distribution or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any felony theft crimes in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any misdemeanor theft crimes in the 5 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any offense of sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, as defined in section 18-3-405.5 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Crimes of moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.) in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Registered Sex Offenders. ( No time limit)
  • Any offense in another state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the above offenses.
  • More than one (1) D.U.I. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
If the investigation reveals information that could be relevant to the application, the designated individual responsible for background checks may request additional information from the applicant. The offense shall be reviewed on a case by case basis. Students who have successfully completed the terms of a deferred adjudication agreement will not be disqualified.

If any applicant feels the criminal background check is inaccurate, they may appeal the decision and request a review with the specific community college applied at. It is the applicant’s burden to produce substantial evidence that proves the crimes charged are incorrect.

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