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Colorado Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Schaefer Retires After 30 Years of Service
Description: Retiring CBI Director Chris Schaefer. Courtesy Photo.
Chris Schaefer Retires as CBI Director
May 2, 2025 – CBI – Lakewood, CO – Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Chris Schaefer retires from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation today after a 30-year career in law enforcement.
Schaefer's entire career has been spent with the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), first joining the Colorado State Patrol in 1995, then to the CBI in 2004. Schaefer served in a number of leadership roles for the CBI during his 21 years at the bureau. Before he was selected as the 10th Director in CBI history in 2022, he served as the Deputy Director overseeing the CBI's Investigations section. Schaefer also served as Agent in Charge of the CBI's Support Services Section, coordinating the Biometrics Identification and Records Unit. He was first hired at CBI to be an Agent in the investigations section. He continues to serve as the President of the International Outlaw Motorcycles Gang Investigators Association.
"It was an absolute privilege to serve as the Director of an organization that was my home for most of my career," said Director Chris Schaefer. "It's bittersweet to say goodbye to this chapter in my life, but I am so grateful for the relationships I made and I leave knowing the CBI will continue to do outstanding work helping provide for the safety of all Coloradans."
"I am honored to call Chris Schaefer not only a colleague, but also a friend," said Executive Director Stan Hilkey. "I have trusted his opinion as his integrity and commitment to doing the right thing are paramount to his career. Upon his retirement from law enforcement, we celebrate a remarkable career filled with outstanding accomplishments. Chris is a leader committed to enhancing the law enforcement profession, and he will be greatly missed."
Before he retired, Director Schaefer was able to keep a promise to the family of a young mom murdered in 2007. Jessica Bejarano was killed in front of her two small kids inside her Frederick home. Schaefer was the original case agent and vowed he would not retire until an arrest was made. That finally happened in March of 2025 when now Director Schaefer went along with the CBI Cold Case team to confront their suspect in Nebraska. One day after 72-year old Darrell Burklund was booked with second degree murder, Schaefer was able to personally tell Bejarano’s family he had been able to honor his long-time promise.
Building relationships was one of Schaefer's greatest strengths. His ability to work with members of the public safety community, especially in times of crisis, played a pivotal role in the success of the CBI. In addition, Schaefer was a proven leader committed to innovation, best practices in law enforcement and most important, providing Colorado law enforcement with the resources it needed.
The CDPS launched a nationwide search to find the next leader of the CBI. In the meantime, Executive Director Hilkey has appointed Rebecca Spiess to serve as the CBI Interim Director during the transition. Spiess is the former CDPS Deputy Executive Director and a former Mesa County Undersheriff.
The CBI was founded on July 1, 1967, to support and assist local, county and state criminal justice agencies. More than 300 CBI dedicated members strive to deliver excellence in criminal investigations, forensic/laboratory services, and comprehensive criminal justice data management for stakeholders.
