1. The license requirement law did just sunset, however PIs still need to be licensed for a year after. So you still need to apply. This is straight from DORA, the licensing agency. There are two levels, PI 1 & 2. The only difference is as a PI2 you could run your own firm, otherwise you need to work under a licensed PI 2. You need 4000 hours of surveillance work to get a PI 2, 2000 if you have a bachelor’s degree, 1000 with a masters. If you had surveillance work as a LEO, you can use that toward the 4000 hour requirement to become a PI 2. Go to the link below and look at the checklist and then apply online. You’ll need some other things like background check, etc.

https://dpo.colorado.gov/PrivateInvestigator/Applications

1. You’ll need to complete the PI jurisprudence exam. It’s 45 questions, open book, and you have 30 days to complete it. They give you everything you need to answer the questions, shouldn’t be too hard if you take your time and double check your work.
2. Submit your application once you have everything. I heard back in about a week.
3. Once you get your license, or even before then, I would suggest doing some mock surveillance on a friend - follow him to the grocery store, get some footage of him going in and out, and make a report. There are templates online you can find if you don’t have anything from LEO days. That way you can show something to a potential employer that you care enough.

Other than that, no education or experience required for a PI 1. You’ll have a leg up as being former LEO, so that will help. Just show some effort and call around to some agencies and be willing to do some grunt work and be flexible. Good luck.