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15 Definitive Ways to Find Jobs for Felons in Denver in 2023

By Last update September 19, 2022
Denver Colorado cityscape

At any point after release, you might be finding it difficult to find work. If this is you, read on to see why you will find many career opportunities and jobs for felons in Denver, a stable and industry-strong city. With close to 80,000 firms locally and a population of 730,000, Denver County has a variety of industries and job opportunities. But don’t worry, we have all the resources you need to find your next career here! 

We’ve reached out to over 1,000 companies directly to get information on their hiring practices for former offenders. Our team dove deeper than that, though — we also looked into the local hiring environment in Denver. Hiring process, type of work, benefits, and opportunities for advancement have all been considered for each of these companies. We’ve also looked into what Colorado says about working with people who have criminal records and what programs are in place to help you overcome employment barriers.

As if that didn’t give you enough confidence in our advice, did you know the staff at Relaunch Pad have been where you are, criminal records in hand, trying to find a job? We know what works and will help you out!

Jobs that hire felons in Denver

Denver Colorado skyline

For individuals with a record, there are certain job characteristics you want to look for. Entry-level positions with lower requirements or companies that have hired felons in the past are two of the best to consider. To help you find jobs that hire felons in Denver, you can use our job search tool to search job openings by industry, job title, company, and other filters.

Top companies that hire felons in Denver

Navigating the employment landscape in Denver doesn’t have to be hard, but it will be unless you know what you’re doing. You may want to consider starting with entry-level jobs. These positions often have a lot of turnover, so companies tend to be more flexible when hiring. Entry-level positions require little skill and are relatively easy to get. Often, they don’t even ask for a background check. These starter positions give you the chance to show how reliable and responsible at a job you can be, which is very important to hiring companies!

Look no further for the top companies that hire felons in Denver. When searching for companies, we took into account the size of the company, quick-hire roles, and the company’s hiring policy. Click on one of the companies below to jump to its section, or read on for some more tips on landing a job with a criminal record!

Comcast

Casa Bonita

United Parcel Serivce (UPS)

Xcel Energy

King Soopers

Extra Building Materials Inc.

Burton

Arrow Electronics

Mortenson Construction

JBS USA

After you’ve found a few companies you’d like to apply to, you’ll have to prepare a quality resume to submit. For help building a powerful resume, take a look at our resume guide. Check out the options below and tailor your resume to your submissions.

Comcast

Comcast is one of the largest telecommunications companies with branches all over the country. Since a lot of their work is related to customer service and sales, there are many opportunities for entry-level work. The tech and communication industries provide trainig for their new hires, but you’ll have a leg up on the competition if you have any relevant skills.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Customer Service Representative
  • Sales Support
  • Customer Account Manager
  • Retail Service Associate

Casa Bonita

Casa Bonita is a well-known local restaurant and family entertainment destination. As one of the nation’s top ten roadside attractions, everyone in Denver knows about Casa Bonita! If you are looking for a fun restaurant and arcade spot that’s locally owned and kid-friendly, Casa Bonita is the spot for you.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Server
  • Line Cook
  • Cleaner
  • Host

United Parcel Service (UPS)

Having operations in every state and around the world, UPS is also one of the largest employers in Denver. UPS has employment opportunities in both their warehouses and customer centers.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Package Handlers
  • Drivers
  • Seasonal Positions
  • Supply Chain Positions
  • Technicians

Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy is a local energy and natural gas company. This could be your chance to contribute to providing an essential resource the the entire city! Everyone in Denver relies on Xcel Energy. Whether you have skills in the trades, labor or with customer service, there is a job for you here.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Electrical Line Worker
  • Fleet Mechanic
  • Plant Specialist
  • Customer Care

King Soopers

Grocery stores provide communities with jobs as well as food! Check out King Soopers if you’re looking for immediate employment and a way to give back to your community. They have a solid local presence and are willing to train new hires.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Stocker
  • Cashier
  • Grocery Clerk
  • Maintenance
  • Deli Clerk

Extra Building Materials Inc.

Working in a warehouse doesn’t necessarily mean just working on the forklift. Here in Denver, Extra Building Materials has jobs for people who prefer to curate stock or do the sales, as well as those typical back end jobs. From cabinets to flooring, you’ll learn lots about the building and construction industries.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Cashier
  • Stocker
  • Delivery Driver
  • Forklift Operator
  • Administrator

Burton

Is it really a complete job list for Denver if we don’t include a snowboard shop? Buron has their flagship store right here in town and are known for their flexible hiring policies. While you need to be a hard worker and preferably knowledgeable about snowboarding and the local outdoor offerings, Burton will train you for most positions.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Front Desk Coordinator
  • Product Service Claims
  • Customer Service
  • Sales Associate
  • Gear Guide

Arrow Electronics

A large corporation just outside of Denver, Arrow Electronics offers plenty of job opportunities. The company distributes electronics and computer products. Work in their office in customer service or sales, or you can start in their warehouse/distribution center.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Customer Support Coordinator
  • Inside Sales Representative
  • Warehouse Associate
  • Quality Inspector

Mortenson Company

You’ve likely noticed that there is always construction going on in and around Denver. Mortenson Company is a big part of that and are known for hiring former offenders who are willing to put in a full day’s work with a good attitude. Construction is one of the best ways to get yourself a regular paycheck when you’re getting back on your feet.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • General Labor
  • Framer
  • Finisher
  • Installer
  • HVAC Technician

JBS USA

JBS USA is a leading global foods company with operations all over the world. Focused on meat production, JBS is the #1 global producer of beef and poultry and #2 in pork. Start in their production or warehouse facilities or as a documentation coordinator if you have more computer experience.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Production Operator
  • Warehouse Forklift Operator
  • Warehouse Shipping Clerk
  • International Documentation Coordinator

Trucking jobs for felons in Denver

Trucking is a major industry throughout the country that is well-established and stable, yet flexible as a career. It is also a great option and known career path for people with criminal records. The trucking company is often willing to train you on the job even if you are just starting out. Benefits of a career in trucking include travel, independence and self-reliance.

Here are some of the top trucking jobs for felons in Denver:

  • HVH Transportation
  • D.G. Coleman, Inc
  • CAST Transportation
  • Mile HI Express
  • Link Auto Transportation

Warehouse jobs for felons in Denver

Working in a warehouse gives you many different possible career paths. A warehouse is a large operation and requires many different workers and skill sets. This could be a great place to begin your next career if you are looking for opportunities to advance or move to different types of work. In a warehouse, you can expect roles like lift operators, skilled trades, and administrative positions.

Here are some top warehouse jobs for felons in Denver:

Temp agency jobs for felons in Denver

If you haven’t had luck with more permanent positions or want to start with something more short-term, a temporary position may be your best starting point. There are a variety of employment agency jobs for felons in Denver and staffing agencies are willing to work with former offenders in finding their next position. When you successfully complete a temporary position, this experience can lay a great foundation to landing a more permanent position. 

Here are some top temp agency jobs for felons in Denver that can help you find your next job:

  • Adecco
  • The Employment Firm
  • Xclusive Staffing
  • Colorado Network Staffing (CNS)
  • Aerotek

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Denver

In 2019, Denver passed Ban the Box legislation that prevents employers and business owners from asking about an applicant’s criminal conviction history before offering them an interview. Employers also cannot unfairly dismiss an applicant because of a positive criminal background check. This is a protected status.

Ban the Box laws have made a difference for former offenders in the workforce, but there are also second chance and job training programs for felons in Denver that help former felons looking for work. Housing, financial aid and education are just some of the resources these programs offer to help individuals with a criminal record get back on their feet.

Here are some resources for former felons in Denver:

  • Independence House
    • Mission: The Independence House mission is to monitor and manage offenders in both residential and non-residential environments, aligning them with treatment and vocational resources to best equip them for eventual community release. The safety of the public at large is paramount. Independence House is committed to taking the time and effort to best ensure this trusted responsibility.
    • Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Legal, Medical, Mental Health
  • The Empowerment Program
    • Mission: To provide behavioral health services that empower women to overcome issues of substance abuse, trauma, mental health, homelessness, involvement in the criminal justice system, and unemployment.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment, Housing, Medical, Mental Health
  • Community Educational Outreach
    • Mission: Our mission is to provide educational services to adults with barriers to reach their employment potential.
    • Services offered: Education, Housing
  • CommunityWorks
    • Mission: CommunityWorks empowers the unemployed and those with barriers to employment to become self-supporting through job preparation and placement. Our vision is to see all job seekers in our community employed and fulfilling their God-given design.
    • Services Offered: Employment
  • Restoring Connections
    • Mission: Restoring Connections unites diverse people for spiritual transformation and social justice.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment

Adam Sanders has worked as a reentry advisor, program leader, and teacher at San Quentin State prison in San Quentin California for several years. He co-founded San Quentin's financial literacy program and is passionate about helping former offenders successfully re-enter society and find personal and financial success. Adam also has nearly a decade of experience working in Marketing and Finance for large software companies and an MBA from Northwestern University.