Hinsdale County Arrest Records Search
Hinsdale County arrest records are held by the Hinsdale County Sheriff's Office in Lake City, Colorado. This is the least populated county in the state, with fewer than 900 full-time residents. Arrest records here are rare compared to urban areas, but they still exist and follow the same Colorado laws as every other county. The sheriff handles all law enforcement in Hinsdale County, and any booking goes through their small jail facility. This guide explains how to find arrest records, criminal history, and court cases in Hinsdale County.
Hinsdale County Quick Facts
Hinsdale County Sheriff and Criminal Records
The Hinsdale County Sheriff's Office is the sole law enforcement agency for the entire county. The office is at 311 North Henson Street in Lake City, CO 81235. Call (970) 944-2291 to reach the sheriff. With such a small population, the office runs a lean operation. A few deputies cover all of Hinsdale County, which spans over 1,100 square miles of mountain terrain.
Arrest records in Hinsdale County are not posted online. There is no jail roster or inmate search on the sheriff's website. If you need to check on a booking or look up an arrest, you must call the office directly. The staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They handle records requests on a case-by-case basis. Written requests can be sent to the office address in Lake City.
Most arrests in Hinsdale County relate to outdoor recreation issues. DUI on mountain roads, trespassing on forest land, and wildlife violations are common. The summer months bring more arrests as visitors flood into the area for camping, fishing, and off-road driving.
How to Search Hinsdale County Arrest Records
Since Hinsdale County does not offer online arrest record searches, your best options are phone requests and statewide databases. Calling (970) 944-2291 gets you the sheriff's office, where staff can look up records for you. You will need the full name and date of birth of the person you are searching for.
The CBI criminal history check is the easiest online option. It costs $6.85 per search and covers all 64 Colorado counties, including Hinsdale. Any fingerprint-based arrest record from Hinsdale County will show up in the CBI system. This search gives you arrest dates, charges, and outcomes. It is the most reliable way to check criminal records for Hinsdale County from home.
The CBI background check fee schedule is shown below. The $6.85 name search is the most common option for Hinsdale County arrest record lookups.
Fingerprint-based checks cost more but are considered the gold standard for criminal history verification.
Hinsdale County Court Records
Criminal cases from Hinsdale County arrests are handled by the 7th Judicial District. This large district also serves Gunnison, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties. The Hinsdale County courthouse is in Lake City. Given the low population, the court docket is small compared to other counties.
You can search Hinsdale County court records for free through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. Enter a name or case number to find filings. The system shows criminal charges, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing details. Even though Hinsdale County has few cases, they are all in this database alongside records from every other Colorado county.
Court records provide more detail than a simple arrest record. You can see what happened after the arrest, including whether charges were dropped, if the person took a plea deal, or if they went to trial. This is helpful context that raw arrest data does not give you.
Records Access Laws for Hinsdale County
The CCJRA governs arrest records in Hinsdale County just like everywhere else in Colorado. Records of official action are public. The sheriff must provide booking data, arrest reports, and charge information when you ask. You can inspect these records at the sheriff's office or request copies by mail.
Private records, such as juvenile arrest files and sealed cases, stay confidential. Active investigation records can also be withheld. But once an arrest happens and charges are filed, that information is public under the CCJRA. Hinsdale County follows these same state rules, regardless of its small size.
State Databases for Hinsdale County Criminal Records
Beyond the CBI, other state tools include Hinsdale County data. The Colorado DOC inmate search covers anyone from Hinsdale County sentenced to state prison. The sex offender registry shows registered offenders in the county. Given the small population, there may be very few entries for Hinsdale County in these databases, but they are still worth checking.
Colorado VINE lets you sign up for custody alerts. If someone arrested in Hinsdale County is released from jail, VINE sends you a notification. This free service works for any Colorado county, including Hinsdale.
Hinsdale County Arrest Record Fees
Call the sheriff at (970) 944-2291 for current copy fees. The CBI online search is $6.85 per name. Court copies from the 7th Judicial District cost $0.75 per page. The Colorado Judicial Branch website is free to search. Fingerprint-based background checks run about $39.50 and must be done at an approved site.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Hinsdale County. Each maintains its own arrest records through a separate sheriff's office.