You cannot seal criminal records for serious crimes, including felonies, sexual offenses, domestic violence, or driving under the influence (DUI). You also cannot seal records for certain traffic violations or if you owe the court money.

It depends on the severity of the crime. For less serious offenses, you can request your criminal record sealed sooner. Qualifying defendants can use the 2019 Increased Eligibility for Criminal Record Sealing Act to seal their records automatically. 

You can usually file a separate civil action to seal your records after completing supervision or final disposition. However, you can petition for sealing without a separate civil action for certain convictions. This includes petty offenses, misdemeanors, and certain felonies.

Note that the court may not grant your request if you have a history of other crimes or if a victim or district attorney objects to the motion.

Even with recent law changes aiming to expedite the process, it can take several months to seal a criminal record in Colorado. The exact timeline depends on the type of crime and whether an objection hearing is scheduled. It's advisable to consult a skilled criminal defense attorney for guidance on the process.