If you have never hired a private investigator before, the process can feel overwhelming. You are already dealing with a stressful situation — a cheating spouse, a custody dispute, a missing person, a legal case — and now you need to find someone you can trust to handle it professionally and discreetly.
This guide walks you through exactly what to look for when hiring a PI in Colorado, what questions to ask, and what red flags to avoid.
Make Sure They Are Licensed in Colorado
Colorado requires private investigators to be licensed through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Before hiring anyone, verify their license is current and in good standing. An unlicensed investigator cannot testify in court, and any evidence they gather may be inadmissible — which can sink your case at the worst possible moment.
You can verify a Colorado PI license at the DORA website. Do not skip this step.
Look for Specialized Credentials
A state license is the floor, not the ceiling. The best investigators carry additional credentials that demonstrate a higher level of professional commitment.
The Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) designation, awarded by the National Association of Legal Investigators, is one of the most rigorous credentials in the field. Fewer than 62 people worldwide currently hold it. BrightStar Investigations’ lead investigator Craig Smith is CLI-certified — meaning he has passed comprehensive written and practical examinations and met strict experience requirements that most investigators never pursue.
Ask About Their Background
The best PIs bring real-world experience to the job. Look for investigators with backgrounds in law enforcement, military intelligence, or legal investigation. Craig Smith served in the United States Army, deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and worked with CENTCOM and the Iraqi Directorate of Intelligence. He holds a BA in Intelligence Studies from Mercyhurst University’s Institute for Intelligence Studies — one of the country’s premier intelligence education programs.
That kind of background translates directly into investigative skill: surveillance discipline, source development, report writing, and the ability to work under pressure.
Ask What They Specialize In
Not every PI does every type of work well. Ask specifically whether they have handled cases like yours before. At BrightStar, we specialize in:
Surveillance investigations — following subjects, documenting activity, and producing court-ready video evidence.
Infidelity investigations — confirming or ruling out suspected cheating in a discreet, legal manner.
Child custody investigations — gathering evidence of neglect, abuse, or unfit living conditions for family court.
Criminal defense investigations — working alongside defense attorneys to independently investigate the facts of a criminal case.
Skip tracing — locating missing persons, witnesses, and hard-to-find individuals.
Background investigations — deep-dive research on individuals for personal or business purposes.
Ask How They Handle Confidentiality
A legitimate PI will take your confidentiality seriously from the first phone call. They will not ask you to put sensitive details in an email before you have established a working relationship, and they will explain clearly how they protect your information.
Get a Clear Fee Structure Upfront
Reputable investigators are transparent about how they charge — typically an hourly rate plus expenses, with an upfront retainer. Be wary of anyone who guarantees results or quotes unusually low rates. Investigation work takes real time and expertise. If the price sounds too good to be true, the work probably will be too.
Talk to Them Before You Hire
BrightStar offers a free consultation. That call is your chance to assess whether the investigator understands your situation, communicates clearly, and gives you confidence they can handle it. Trust your instincts — you are hiring someone to work in sensitive, personal territory.
If you are in Colorado Springs or Denver and need answers, call BrightStar Investigations today.
Colorado Springs: 719-578-3317
Denver: 303-219-6312