Colorado Arrest Records
Colorado arrest records are kept by law enforcement agencies at the county and state level. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation runs a statewide criminal history database that holds arrest data from all 64 counties. County sheriff offices also keep their own booking records, jail rosters, and warrant lists. You can search many of these Colorado arrest records through free online tools or by sending a paid request to the CBI. This page covers each way to look up arrest records in Colorado, from the state criminal history check to local sheriff databases and court case searches.
Colorado Arrest Records Quick Facts
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Arrest Records
The CBI is the main state agency for arrest records in Colorado. It runs the computerized criminal history database, which holds arrest data from law enforcement agencies across all 64 counties. Every time a person gets arrested and fingerprinted in Colorado, that arrest goes into the CBI system. The database tracks charges, court outcomes, and sentences tied to each arrest. Anyone can search this system because Colorado is an open records state. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has been running this service since 1967 and now serves more than 330 staff members who manage records, forensics, and criminal case data for the whole state.
You can look up Colorado arrest records through the CBI in two ways. The fastest option is the Internet Criminal History Check, which gives you results right away for $6.00 per search. The other way is a mail request that costs $13.00 and takes three to five business days. Both methods pull from the same statewide arrest records database in Colorado.
The CBI provides arrest records from across Colorado, but there are some limits on what shows up in a public search. Juvenile arrests for people 17 and younger do not appear unless the person was charged as an adult. Traffic arrests for anyone under 16 are also left out. Any arrest records that a court has sealed will not show up either. Only people who are currently on the sex offender list get a note on their Colorado criminal history report.
The CBI main office sits at 690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000, Lakewood, CO 80215. You can call them at 303-239-4201 for general questions or 303-239-4208 for help with background checks on Colorado arrest records.
Search Colorado Arrest Records Online
The Internet Criminal History Check is the quickest way to search Colorado arrest records from home. The ICHC lets you pull up a Colorado-only criminal history report in seconds. You need the exact spelling of the person's name and the right date of birth to run a search. Each search costs $6.00, paid by credit or debit card. Results come back right away on your screen.
A common name and date of birth might pull up more than one match. When that happens, you will see a list of possible records. Each result you download costs a separate $6.00 fee. The system only holds arrest records that were supported by fingerprints from Colorado law enforcement. If an arrest did not include fingerprinting, it will not be in this database. That said, most arrests in Colorado do involve fingerprinting, so the ICHC covers the bulk of cases.
Visit cbirecordscheck.com to start a search of Colorado arrest records. The site is run by LogiKco, LLC on behalf of the CBI. You can reach them at (844) 662-4146 if you have trouble with the portal. One thing to keep in mind is that you cannot get a notarized copy of your arrest record through the online search. If you need a notarized copy, you will have to go in person or use the mail request form from the CBI.
Note: It is a myth that arrest records or convictions get sealed in Colorado after seven years.
Colorado Criminal History Check Portal
The CBI Records Check portal is where you run the actual search for Colorado arrest records. The site states that Colorado is an open records state by Colorado Revised Statute, which means anyone can get Colorado arrest data. Sealed records and most juvenile records are the main exceptions. The computerized criminal history database holds detailed arrest information based on fingerprints from law enforcement agencies across Colorado.
To use the portal, you enter a first name, last name, and date of birth. The system then searches the statewide database of Colorado arrest records. If there is a match, you can download the full criminal history report for $6.00. The report shows each arrest, the charges filed, and the outcome of the case if one has been recorded. Court docket numbers also appear so you can look up more details through the Colorado court system.
Colorado Arrest Records Fees
Fees for Colorado arrest records depend on the type of search you need. The CBI sets its own fee schedule for criminal history checks. The CBI fees and forms page lists all current costs. The online ICHC search costs $6.00 per record. A name-based criminal history request by mail costs $13.00. Fingerprint-based checks run higher, from $16.50 to $39.50 depending on whether you need a state-only or a combined state and FBI check.
You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express for online Colorado arrest record searches. Mail payments must be a pre-printed business check made out to "Colorado Bureau of Investigation" or "CBI." Cash works for in-person visits, but only in bills of $20 or less. Credit card payments over the phone are not accepted. Send mail requests to the Biometric Identification and Records Unit at 690 Kipling St., Ste. 4000, Lakewood, CO 80215.
County sheriff offices in Colorado charge their own fees for local arrest records. These fees vary by county. Some provide free online jail roster searches while charging for formal records requests. El Paso County, for instance, charges $6 for the first 10 pages of a case report and $3 for a jail booking report. Jefferson County handles all records requests through an online platform called NextRequest.
Colorado Arrest Records FAQ
The CBI FAQ page answers common questions about Colorado arrest records. One key point is that the CBI does not release arrest warrant information. If you need to check for warrants, contact the law enforcement agency that issued the warrant or check the Colorado Judicial Department website. Arrest warrant data and arrest records are two different things in Colorado.
If you find an error on your Colorado arrest record, you can challenge it. First, get a copy of your criminal history report from the CBI. Then visit the CBI office in person with the report and a government-issued photo ID. Staff will take your fingerprints and compare them in the Multimodal Biometric Identification System to verify your identity before making any changes to the arrest record.
Juvenile arrest records in Colorado follow strict rules under C.R.S. 19-1-301. Law enforcement records on juveniles cannot be shared with the public. The exceptions are when a juvenile was charged as an adult, or for DUI and traffic cases if the person was 16 or older at the time. Felony charges for violent crimes involving juveniles ages 12 to 18 may also be public under C.R.S. 19-1-304.
Colorado Prison Inmate Search
The Colorado Department of Corrections runs the state prison system. Their online search tool lets you look up current inmates in Colorado state prisons. This is separate from county jail rosters. The CDOC only covers people serving state prison sentences in Colorado. It does not include county jail inmates, federal prisoners, or people in community corrections programs.
You can search the CDOC Offender Search by name or inmate ID number. Results show the person's name, age, gender, ethnicity, and current location within the Colorado prison system. The data updates within 24 hours when an inmate gets transferred. Once someone finishes their sentence and leaves the system, they will no longer appear in the search results for Colorado arrest records.
The CDOC headquarters is at 1250 Academy Park Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Phone: 719-579-9580. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. For county jail inmates in Colorado, you need to contact the sheriff's office in the county where the person is held.
Colorado Court Records and Arrest Cases
The Colorado Judicial Branch gives public access to court records tied to arrest cases. Court records show what happened after an arrest in Colorado. They include charges filed, hearing dates, plea entries, trial outcomes, and sentencing details. While arrest records tell you someone was arrested, court records tell you how the case ended.
You can search Colorado court records online or contact the court where the case was filed. Not all case types show up in online searches, and the data may have errors or gaps. For detailed case information, the Colorado courts suggest contacting the specific court directly or using a commercial records search service. The State Court Administrator's Office is at 1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203. Their phone number is 720-625-5000.
The public records access guide from the Colorado courts explains what records are available and how to request them. Denver County Court handles its own data requests separately from the rest of the state court system. For Denver court data, email coradatarequests@denvercountycourt.org. For all other Colorado courts, contact courtdatarequests@judicial.state.co.us.
Colorado Sex Offender Registry
The Colorado Sex Offender Registry is run by the CBI. It lists certain convicted sex offenders living in Colorado. The registry updates every hour, but it does not list every sex offender in the state. People convicted of only misdemeanor sex offenses are not posted. Juveniles who were found guilty of sex crimes are also left off the public list.
The registry does post information on Sexually Violent Predators, which are the highest-risk offenders. It also shows people who have failed to register and those with two or more felony convictions for sexual offenses. For a complete list of registered sex offenders in your area of Colorado, contact your local police department, county sheriff, or call the CBI Program Support Unit at (303) 239-4222.
Colorado VINE Victim Notification
Colorado VINE is a notification system that sends alerts when an offender's custody status changes. If someone you know was arrested in Colorado, you can sign up for VINE to get notified about their release, transfer, or escape from custody. The service is free and runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It works in both English and Spanish.
Not all county jails in Colorado participate in the VINE system. The Colorado Department of Corrections has not been added to VINE either, so state prison inmates are not covered. For counties that do take part, you can register by calling 1-888-263-8463 or visiting the VINE website. You will need the person's first and last name to register for alerts on their Colorado custody status.
Colorado Arrest Records Laws
Two main laws control access to arrest records in Colorado. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, found at C.R.S. 24-72-301 through 24-72-309, governs the release of records from law enforcement agencies. It splits records into two groups. Records of official action, which include arrests, charges, and case outcomes, must be open to the public. Other criminal justice records may be released at the discretion of the agency holding them.
The definition of "official action" under C.R.S. 24-72-302(7) is broad. It covers an arrest, an indictment, charging by information, any disposition, pretrial or post-trial release, and decisions about probation or parole. The Colorado Supreme Court has said that agencies have no choice about releasing these records. They must be open for public viewing. The court also said that redactions should be rare and minimal to support the law's preference for disclosure of Colorado arrest records.
The Colorado Open Records Act covers public records from non-criminal-justice agencies. CORA requires that all public records be open for inspection at reasonable times. Agencies generally must respond within three working days, with a possible extension of seven more days. The first hour of staff research time is free, with a maximum charge of $41.37 per hour after that. Standard page copies cost $0.25 each.
Colorado also has laws for sealing arrest records. Under C.R.S. 24-72-704, the CBI automatically seals arrest records when no charges are filed within a year of the arrest date. This applies to arrests that happened on or after January 1, 2022. Filing fees for sealing petitions range from $65 to $224 depending on the case type. Low-income petitioners can apply for a fee waiver using court forms JDF 205 and 206.
Browse Colorado Arrest Records by County
Each of the 64 counties in Colorado has a sheriff's office that keeps local arrest records. Pick a county below to find booking searches, jail rosters, and records request details for that area.
Arrest Records in Major Colorado Cities
People in Colorado cities file records requests through their county sheriff's office. Pick a city below to find local arrest record resources.