Bent County Criminal Arrest Records

Bent County arrest records come through the Bent County Sheriff's Office in Las Animas, Colorado. This small county along the Arkansas River handles a modest number of arrests each year, but every booking creates a record that stays on file. Bent County is also home to several state correctional facilities, which adds a unique layer to the criminal records picture. If you need arrest data from Bent County, you can go through the local sheriff or use statewide search tools run by the CBI and other agencies. This page explains all the options.

Bent County Sheriff's Office

The Bent County Sheriff's Office is at 725 Bent Avenue, Las Animas, CO 81054. Phone: (719) 456-1363. The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer for Bent County. All arrests made by the sheriff's deputies create booking records that are stored at this office. The sheriff also runs the county jail where inmates are held after arrest.

To check on an arrest in Bent County, call the sheriff's main number. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and share basic booking details like charges and bond amount. Bent County arrest records are public under Colorado law, with some exceptions for sealed or juvenile cases. The sheriff's office processes records requests during regular business hours. Fees vary depending on what you need.

Bent County has a small staff, so response times may vary. Call first to confirm hours.

How to Search Bent County Arrest Records

There is no online inmate roster for Bent County. The county is too small to support a public-facing database. Your options for finding Bent County arrest records include calling the sheriff's office directly, using state databases, or checking court records online.

The CBI criminal records check is the best online tool for Bent County searches. For $6.00, you get a name-based search of the entire state criminal history database. Bent County arrests where the person was fingerprinted show up in the CBI system. This is faster than calling the sheriff if you need a quick answer. Mail-in requests to the CBI cost $13.00.

The VINE notification system lets you track inmates in Colorado jails, including those held in Bent County.

Colorado VINE sends alerts by phone, email, or text when an inmate's status changes.

State Correctional Facilities in Bent County

Bent County is home to the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility and other state prison operations. These are run by the Colorado Department of Corrections, not the county sheriff. Inmates at these facilities were sentenced from courts all over Colorado. Their records are in the CDOC system, not the Bent County sheriff's system.

If you are looking for someone in a state prison located in Bent County, use the CDOC offender search. It is free and shows current inmates, their facility, sentence details, and release dates. Do not confuse CDOC inmates with people arrested by the Bent County Sheriff. They are two separate record systems. Local Bent County arrest records stay with the sheriff. State prison records go through the CDOC.

This is an important distinction for anyone searching Bent County criminal records.

Bent County Court Records

Criminal cases from Bent County arrests go through the 16th Judicial District. The courthouse is at 725 Bent Avenue, Las Animas, CO 81054. The clerk of court handles case files, documents, and certified copies. Call (719) 456-1353 for court record requests.

You can also search Bent County court records online through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The search covers all state courts. Enter a name or case number to find criminal filings related to Bent County arrests. This tool shows charges, hearing dates, and case status at no cost.

The Colorado Courts search portal provides free access to case records from all counties, including Bent.

Court records give you the outcome of an arrest, not just the booking information.

Colorado Records Access Laws

Bent County arrest records fall under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. The CCJRA makes records of official action public. Arrests, charges, and booking data are considered official action. The Bent County Sheriff must let people inspect these records when asked.

Records that are sealed by court order or that involve juveniles are not public. Active investigation files may also be withheld. The Colorado Department of Public Safety outlines the rules for open records requests. If the sheriff denies a request for Bent County arrest records, the CCJRA provides a process to appeal that decision. Keep in mind that an arrest does not mean a conviction. It simply means someone was booked into jail in Bent County.

Requesting Bent County Arrest Records

Call the Bent County Sheriff at (719) 456-1363 to start a records request. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready. The office can check their system and tell you what is available. Fees may apply for formal copies. In-person requests are handled at the Las Animas office during business hours.

For a check that goes beyond Bent County, the CBI provides statewide searches. The $6.00 online check is the fastest route. It pulls arrest data from all 64 Colorado counties. If you need a fingerprint-based check, the CBI site has a list of approved vendors where you can get printed. That option costs more but is the most accurate form of criminal history search available in Colorado.

Nearby Counties

Bent County borders these southeast Colorado counties. Each maintains separate arrest records.