Colorado · County jail bookings, police reports, court outcomes, CBI history and record sealing
Find a Colorado Arrest Without Confusing Jail Custody, Court Cases and CBI History
Colorado does not use one statewide live county-jail roster. Start with the county that booked the person, save the official identifiers and then verify the arrest through the filing court.
This guide also covers police reports, bonds, visits, inmate mail, public defenders, victim notifications, Colorado DOC custody, CBI checks, corrections and record sealing.
COLORADO RECORD ROUTER
VERIFYING
COURT DISPOSITION
OUTCOME FOUND
IDENTITY + CASE VERIFIED
An arrest is not a conviction. A jail charge, mugshot or CBI arrest entry records an accusation or custody event. Always check whether charges were filed and how every count ended.
Live jail custodySearch the county sheriff or participating VINE facility.
Statewide historyUse Colorado CBI for Colorado-only criminal history.
Online CBI feeThe current ICHC fee is $6 per viewed result.
Court documentsRequest them from the court where the case was filed.
CBI sealing feeCBI no longer charges to process a sealing order.
Record router
Choose the record that answers your question
COUNTY JAIL
Is the person held now?Find current custody, booking date, facility, charges, bond entries and upcoming court information.
Use the county where the person was physically booked.
ARRESTING AGENCY
What did officers report?Request the arrest report, incident narrative, probable-cause document and releasable supplements.
CBI does not hold every agency’s police report.
COLORADO COURT
What happened to the charge?Check the complaint, amended counts, warrants, dismissal, plea, judgment and sentence.
The disposition controls the final outcome.
COLORADO CBI
What appears statewide?Search Colorado fingerprint-supported arrest information reported to the state repository.
The public search is Colorado-only.
COLORADO DOC
Is the person in state prison?Find a person in Colorado Department of Corrections custody after a state sentence or transfer.
DOC is separate from county jail custody.
County jail finder
Start with the Colorado county that booked the person
Colorado county jails use separate databases. Search the arrest location or booking county—not the person’s home address.
Direct official jail and booking searches for major Colorado counties
| County |
Official search |
What it can help confirm |
Important limitation |
| Denver |
Denver inmate search |
Current Denver Sheriff custody, facility and booking information. |
Released or older records may require a records request. |
| El Paso |
El Paso inmate search |
Name or booking-number matches in El Paso County Jail. |
Confirm before official action at 719-390-2151. |
| Adams |
Adams inmate and warrant search |
County inmate and warrant information. |
Check the newest court event before relying on a warrant. |
| Arapahoe |
Arapahoe inmate, charge and bond page |
Charges, bonds, visits, mail and inmate-account services. |
Payment of one bond may not clear another hold. |
| Jefferson |
Jefferson County inmate lookup |
Booking, charges, bond, court date and housing information. |
Data changes quickly and identity requires verification. |
| Larimer |
Larimer inmate search |
Current inmates, booking details, charges, bonds and court dates. |
Booking information is not the final court disposition. |
| Weld |
Weld Daily Arrest Report |
Weld jail bookings from February 14, 2006 through yesterday. |
Custody status must be checked separately. |
| Douglas |
Douglas County inmate services |
Inmate inquiry, bonds, visits, mail, funds and jail records. |
Use the official inquiry inside the Sheriff page. |
County not listed? Search Colorado VINE across participating county facilities, then confirm the result with the sheriff operating that jail.
Booking lookup
How to search a Colorado county jail record
Identify the booking county
Use the arrest location, arresting agency or courthouse—not the person’s residence.
Open the official sheriff or detention page
Avoid private mugshot and people-search websites.
Start with the surname
Search broadly when the middle name, suffix, alias or spelling is uncertain.
Open every plausible match
Do not assume the first matching name is the correct person.
Match the date of birth
Use birth information with booking date, arresting agency and official identifiers.
Save the jail identifier
Record the booking number, inmate number, jail ID or county identification number.
Read every charge separately
One booking may include new charges, warrants, probation matters and outside holds.
Record the court and docket number
Separate county, district, municipal, federal and outside-county cases.
Confirm bond and custody by telephone
Call the jail before sending money, visiting or posting bond.
Continue to the filing court
Verify what prosecutors filed and how each count ended.
Result decoder
Understand the fields in a Colorado booking result
What each jail field means—and what it does not prove
| Field |
What it identifies |
What it does not prove |
Next action |
| Booking or jail ID |
A person or custody event in one county jail. |
The final court outcome. |
Use it for jail services and records requests. |
| Booking date |
When county intake was recorded. |
When the alleged conduct occurred. |
Compare it with the arrest and filing dates. |
| Arresting agency |
The department responsible for the arrest. |
The jail created the incident report. |
Request the report from that agency. |
| Charge |
An allegation or hold entered during booking. |
The prosecutor filed that exact offense. |
Read the complaint or information. |
| Docket or case number |
A court matter linked to a charge. |
Every charge uses the same case. |
Search each number independently. |
| Bond amount |
A release amount linked to one matter. |
Payment clears all holds. |
Confirm every charge and detainer. |
| PR bond |
Release on personal recognizance under stated conditions. |
The case is dismissed. |
Obtain the release conditions and next court date. |
| No bond or hold |
Release may require court or another agency’s action. |
Permanent detention. |
Read the latest judicial order. |
| Release |
The county custody event ended. |
Dismissal or acquittal. |
Check the final court disposition. |
| Booking photo |
An image taken during processing. |
Identity alone, prosecution or guilt. |
Match stronger official identifiers. |
Identity check
Confirm the correct person before using the record
Full legal name matches
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth or age matches
Booking date matches the event
Arresting agency matches the location
Booking or case number matches another source
Court case follows the same arrest
Current custody is confirmed directly
Minimum rule: Match at least two independent identifiers before sending money, publishing an allegation, contacting an employer or treating a record as belonging to a specific person.
No-result troubleshooting
No Colorado arrest or jail result found?
Booking is still underway
Identification, fingerprints, medical screening and data entry can delay publication.
The wrong county was searched
Search where the person was physically booked, not where the person lives.
The person was released quickly
A citation, summons, PR release or short booking may disappear from current custody.
The name is entered differently
Try aliases, former names, hyphens, suffixes and alternate spellings.
The jail has no public search
Call the booking desk or use Colorado VINE when the facility participates.
The arrest was federal
Federal custody and federal court records are separate from Colorado county systems.
The person entered state prison
Search Colorado DOC after sentencing or transfer.
The record is protected
Juvenile, sealed, medical, victim and confidential information may not appear.
Missing-booking call script
I am trying to confirm the booking or custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is still being processed, currently held, released, transferred or listed under another spelling or identifier?
Record lifecycle
What happens from a Colorado arrest to final disposition?
Investigation or arrest
The arresting agency creates incident, arrest, evidence and probable-cause records.
County jail intake
The jail records identity, property, charges, warrants, holds and preliminary bond information.
First appearance
A judge advises the person of charges and considers counsel, bond and release conditions.
Prosecutor review
The district attorney decides what charges to file, amend, reduce or decline.
Court filing
A county, district or municipal court case is opened when charges are filed.
Case proceedings
The case can include warrants, discovery, motions, plea discussions, trial and sentencing.
Disposition
Each count can end through dismissal, acquittal, plea, conviction or another order.
CBI update
The disposition should be reported to CBI; missing or unknown outcomes may require correction.
Sealing or expungement
Qualifying adult records may be sealed; qualifying juvenile records may be expunged.
Police and sheriff reports
Request a Colorado arrest report from the creating agency
CBI does not maintain arrest reports created by every Colorado law-enforcement agency. Contact the agency shown in the booking record.
Identify the arresting agency
Determine whether it was a sheriff, city police department, Colorado State Patrol or another agency.
Find the agency’s records unit
Look for “Records,” “CCJRA,” “Criminal Justice Records” or “Public Records.”
Name the exact record
Request the arrest report, incident report, probable-cause affidavit or specified supplement.
Include the agency case number
The police or sheriff report number is more useful than a name-only request.
Add the date and location
Provide the occurrence date, arrest date and complete location.
Add jail and court identifiers
Include the booking number and court case number when known.
Request electronic delivery
Digital delivery can reduce printing and mailing costs.
Set a cost ceiling
Ask for written approval before charges exceed a stated amount.
Expect lawful redactions
Active investigations, victims, witnesses, juveniles, medical information and tactics may be restricted.
Copy-ready Colorado records request
Under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, I request an electronic copy of the releasable arrest report, incident report, probable-cause narrative and identified supplements concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date], for the incident on [date] at [location]. Known identifiers are agency report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount], and identify the legal basis for material withheld or redacted.
A police report explains the agency’s investigation. It is not the official court disposition and does not prove guilt.
Colorado court verification
Find the filed charge and official court outcome
Colorado Judicial Branch does not provide complete trial-court case documents directly through a free statewide name-search portal. Official copies come from the filing court.
Identify the filing county
Use the jail record, summons, bond paperwork or first-appearance information.
Identify the court type
District court generally handles felonies; county court generally handles misdemeanors and traffic matters; municipal court handles city-code cases.
Request the complaint or information
This shows the charge formally filed by the prosecutor.
Request the register of actions
It summarizes charges, minute orders, settings and case activity.
Request the disposition or sentence order
This is the strongest proof of how the case ended.
Ask for certification only when required
Employment, licensing, immigration and legal matters may require a certified copy.
Denver County Court is administered separately from the Colorado state court system. Request Denver County Court records directly from that court.
Court-copy costs
Published Colorado Judicial Branch record fees
Current estimated court-record charges
| Service |
Published charge |
Practical use |
| Ordinary copy |
$0.25 per page |
Use when certification is unnecessary. |
| Party or attorney copy maximum |
Up to $15 |
Applies to parties and their attorneys when eligible. |
| Certified or exemplified copy |
$20 per document |
Use for official proof when requested. |
| Name search |
$5 |
Helpful when the case number is unknown. |
| Transcript of judgment |
$25 |
Used for a formal judgment transcript. |
| Certificate of satisfaction |
$20 |
Confirms satisfaction of a judgment when applicable. |
| Research or redaction |
$30 per hour after the first hour |
Charged in 15-minute increments when applicable. |
| Off-site retrieval |
Actual retrieval cost |
Can apply to archived case files. |
Warrant verification
Check a Colorado warrant without relying on an old entry
Identify the county and court
Warrants are maintained by the issuing court and responsible law-enforcement agency.
Search the court docket
Look for warrant issued, served, recalled, cancelled or quashed.
Use an official county warrant search when available
Some sheriff offices, including Adams County, provide a public warrant tool.
Read the newest event
An older warrant line may have been resolved by a later court order.
Confirm directly
Contact the issuing court, sheriff, police department or a defense lawyer.
Do not confront or detain anyone. Similar names, recalled warrants and delayed updates can create serious mistakes.
Payment scam warning: Courts and sheriffs do not require gift cards, cryptocurrency or payment through an unsolicited text link.
Bond and release
Confirm every charge and hold before posting money
PR bondRelease on a promise to appear, subject to stated court conditions.
Cash bondThe full required amount is posted through the jail or authorized court process.
Surety bondA licensed bond agent may post the bond under a written contract.
No bond or holdRelease may require a hearing or another agency’s authorization.
Colorado jail bond notices explain that only the money-bond amount is required to secure release. Booking fees and other debts cannot be required as a condition of release.
Confirm current custody
Call the jail before relying on an older online entry.
List every active charge
Record the bond type and amount for each case.
Identify all holds
Ask about probation, parole, outside-county, federal and immigration holds.
Read the newest judicial order
Bond can change after first appearance or a later hearing.
Ask for the official payment location
Pay the holding county or authorized court—not the incarcerated person.
Request the bond paperwork
The person posting money has a right to paperwork showing the next court date.
Verify a bond agent
Obtain premium, collateral and refund terms in writing.
Ask about release timing
Colorado law limits delay after qualifying PR or cash-bond conditions are met, subject to extraordinary circumstances and electronic-monitoring preparation.
Bond-verification script
I am calling about [full legal name], booking number [number]. Please confirm every active charge, the current bond type and amount for each case, all outside holds, the approved payment location and whether electronic monitoring or another condition will delay release.
Colorado public defender
Request legal representation after an arrest
A person held on a Colorado state criminal charge must be brought before a judge within 48 hours and will have a public defender or other appointed counsel at the first appearance.
Person remains in jail
- Ask for a lawyer before questioning.
- Do not discuss facts on recorded family calls.
- Meet appointed counsel before first appearance when possible.
- Ask counsel to argue for the least restrictive bond.
- Confirm the assigned office and future contact process.
Person was released
- Complete the state-paid professional application.
- Collect pay stubs, tax returns or benefit letters.
- Find the public defender office serving the filing county.
- Submit the application promptly.
- Attend every court date while the application is pending.
Colorado State Public Defender main number:
303-764-1400
Published office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Colorado State Public Defender represents qualifying people in Colorado state court. Municipal and federal cases use separate appointment systems.
Victim notification
Register for Colorado county-jail custody alerts
Confirm the person is in a participating county jail
VINE covers participating county facilities, not every type of Colorado custody.
Collect the offender’s name
Have the full first and last name or jail identifier.
Choose notification methods
Select phone, email, text or supported accessibility options.
Create a private PIN for telephone alerts
Use the PIN to acknowledge the notification.
Re-register after a new arrest when necessary
A release and later re-arrest may require a new registration.
Contact the district attorney’s victim advocate
Request court-stage, bond, plea, sentencing and post-conviction notifications.
Colorado VINE:
888-263-8463
Free custody information and notifications are available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.
VINE is a notification service, not a safety guarantee. Call 911 when there is an immediate threat.
County jail visitation
Prepare for a Colorado county jail visit
Visitation is controlled by the individual county jail. Do not reuse rules from another Colorado county.
Confirm current custody and housing
Release, transfer or classification can change the visit location.
Open the sheriff’s visitation page
Use the provider linked directly by the jail.
Create the visitor account
Enter the legal name, birth date, address and identification information accurately.
Complete approval or background review
Registration alone does not guarantee visitation approval.
Select onsite or remote video
Check duration, charges, equipment and cancellation rules.
Add minors correctly
Confirm guardian, relationship and documentation requirements.
Save the appointment confirmation
Record the facility, date, time and confirmation number.
Recheck before traveling
Lockdowns, court movement and transfers can cancel visits.
Bring original photo identification
The name and address should match the visitor application when required.
Visitor screening
Avoid a denied or terminated visit
Identification
- Current driver’s license or state photo ID.
- Passport or military ID when accepted.
- Correct address and legal name.
- Required documents for minors.
Clothing
- No transparent or revealing clothing.
- No gang, drug, weapon or obscene graphics.
- No clothing resembling inmate or staff uniforms.
- Bring an alternate outfit when traveling far.
Property and conduct
- No phones, cameras or recording devices.
- No weapons, alcohol, drugs or contraband.
- No threats, nudity or criminal communication.
- Follow all searches and staff instructions.
Visitors, vehicles and property can be searched under facility rules. Refusing required screening can result in denied entry.
County jail mail
Verify the mailing address before sending anything
Confirm current custody
Do not mail to a person who was released or transferred.
Obtain the exact booking name and ID
Include the identifier required by that facility.
Check whether mail is scanned offsite
Many jails use a mail-processing address outside Colorado.
Separate personal and legal mail
Attorney mail usually follows a different confidential route.
Use a full return address
Include the sender’s legal name and address.
Send only permitted content
Keep paper, photographs and publications within the jail’s current rules.
Do not mail cash
Do not mail personal checks
Do not send food or medication
Do not add glitter, glue or perfume
Do not send original identity documents
Do not send prohibited sexual or violent material
Do not send escape or contraband instructions
Do not assume books can come from any seller
Calls and electronic messages
Protect privacy when communicating with someone in jail
Telephone calls
- People in custody usually initiate outgoing calls.
- Ordinary incoming calls are not connected.
- Calls may be monitored and recorded.
- Do not discuss evidence or defenses.
Messages and tablets
- Use the county-approved provider.
- Select the correct facility and inmate.
- Review message and media charges.
- Ordinary messages are not privileged.
Blocked calls
- Confirm the provider account has funds.
- Check whether the number is blocked.
- Disable prohibited forwarding services.
- Save support and transaction numbers.
Trust and commissary funds
Deposit money without choosing the wrong account
Confirm the person is still held
Do not pay after release or transfer.
Match the legal name and jail ID
A same-name result is not enough.
Open the provider from the sheriff’s page
Avoid sponsored payment links and unsolicited messages.
Select the correct account type
Commissary, phone, tablet and bond payments are different.
Review all fees
Check the deposit amount, service charge and refund policy.
Keep the receipt
Save the inmate ID, amount and transaction number.
Never send money because an unsolicited caller claims an inmate needs payment for early release, monitoring equipment or a special jail fee. Confirm directly with the county jail.
Colorado state prison
Use Colorado DOC only for state correctional custody
Use DOC search for
- A person in Colorado state-prison custody.
- The DOC number and assigned facility.
- Post-sentence custody and location.
- Facility-specific visitation and mail instructions.
Do not use DOC alone for
- A recent county jail arrest.
- Every prior county booking.
- The prosecutor’s filed charges.
- The certified judgment or sentence.
Search the DOC number when known
A correctional identifier is safer than a common name.
Otherwise use the complete legal name
Compare age and available identity information.
Record the assigned facility
The facility controls visitation, mail and money services.
Colorado DOC visitor preparation
Submit the visitor application
Wait for approval before scheduling
Bring valid picture identification
Ensure the ID address matches the application
Consent to facility security searches
Leave phones, cameras and prohibited property outside
Bring only approved infant supplies
Recheck facility restrictions before travel
Colorado criminal history
Choose the correct Colorado CBI background check
Internet Criminal History Check
- Current fee: $6 per viewed search result.
- Colorado-only name-based search.
- Immediate web access.
- Cannot be notarized.
- Common names may produce several paid results.
Staff-processed CHRI
- Current fee: $13.
- Name and date-of-birth request.
- Can be notarized upon request.
- Submitted using the current CHRI form.
- Useful when a notarized result is required.
Fingerprint public request
- Current CBI fee: $16.50.
- Positive fingerprint matching.
- CABS vendor charges are additional.
- Colorado-only public-history response.
- Safer for identity-sensitive decisions.
What CBI does not replace
- Current county-jail custody.
- Police or sheriff incident reports.
- Complete federal and out-of-state history.
- Certified court dispositions.
- Municipal records not reported to CBI.
Records excluded from the public ICHC search
Juvenile arrests unless adjudicated as an adult
Traffic arrests involving people age 15 or younger
Arrests sealed by court order
Records not reported to or held by CBI
Choose name-based or fingerprint-based
Use fingerprints when positive identity is important.
Use the complete legal name
Add the date of birth and known aliases.
Review possible matches before paying for several reports
Common names can produce multiple results.
Save the downloaded report
The online result cannot be notarized later.
Check every disposition
Look for missing, unknown or outdated case outcomes.
Request the court document when needed
A court disposition is stronger than an unresolved arrest entry.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Background Checks:
303-239-4208
Main:
303-239-4201
Record correction
Correct an inaccurate Colorado arrest or disposition
Obtain your CBI criminal history
Use the online, manual or fingerprint-supported method.
Mark each disputed entry
Identify the arrest, charge, date, agency or disposition that is wrong.
Compare the county jail record
Check whether the error originated during booking.
Obtain the official court disposition
Request a certified dismissal, judgment or sentence order when necessary.
Correct the originating agency first
Police, sheriff and court records may need separate correction.
Start the CBI record challenge
Pre-enroll with a CABS fingerprint vendor and obtain the required fingerprint card.
Complete the Record Challenge Information Form
Explain the disputed information and attach proof.
Mail the complete challenge packet
Include the fingerprint card, CBI report and challenge form.
Recheck all connected systems
A CBI correction may not instantly update county or private databases.
CBI Record Challenge Mailing Address
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Biometric Identification and Records Unit
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Correction versus sealing: Correct the record when information is inaccurate. Seek sealing when the information is accurate but legally eligible for restricted public access.
Seal or expunge
Choose the correct Colorado record-clearing path
No charges filedUse the arrest-record sealing guide and petition forms.
Non-convictionUse the simplified non-conviction sealing process.
Adult convictionUse the county or district court conviction-sealing forms when eligible.
Juvenile recordJuvenile delinquency records use expungement forms rather than adult sealing forms.
Main Colorado Judicial Branch sealing and expungement form groups
| Situation |
Guide or main form |
Where filed |
Important point |
| Arrest with no charges filed |
JDF 416 guide and JDF 417 petition |
Court connected to the arrest record |
Use when no criminal case was filed. |
| Non-conviction |
JDF 491 guide and JDF 477 motion |
Court that handled the case |
Used for eligible cases ending without conviction. |
| County or district conviction |
JDF 611 guide and JDF 612 motion |
Existing county or district court case |
Eligibility and waiting periods depend on the offense. |
| Municipal conviction |
JDF 682 guide and JDF 683 petition |
Municipal court that heard the case |
Do not file municipal relief in state district court without authority. |
| Multiple convictions in one district |
JDF 640 guide and JDF 641 motion |
Judicial district covering the cases |
Use the multiple-case route when it applies. |
| Juvenile delinquency record |
JDF 301 guide and JDF 302 petition |
Juvenile court |
Juvenile relief is called expungement. |
Run your own CBI check
Identify every arrest and case appearing in the state repository.
Collect all case numbers
Include county, district and municipal matters.
Obtain every disposition
Confirm dismissal, acquittal, conviction, sentence and completion dates.
Choose the correct form group
No-charge, non-conviction, conviction, municipal and juvenile cases use different forms.
Check statutory eligibility
Offense type, waiting period and later criminal history can affect relief.
File in the correct court
Use the court where the arrest or criminal record is filed.
Provide notice when required
The prosecutor and criminal-justice agencies may need formal notice.
Attend the hearing when ordered
Bring dispositions, completion proof and supporting documents.
Keep certified copies of the signed order
Use them to verify updates with the court, agency and CBI.
Send the order to CBI when needed
CBI must receive the signed order to update the state history.
Recheck the record
Confirm the CBI and public court systems reflect the order.
Effective July 1, 2024, CBI stopped charging its former fee for processing court orders to seal. Court filing, service, copy and certification fees can still apply.
Practical details included
What this Colorado arrest-record guide solves on-page
County custodyDirect major-county jail links, VINE fallback, booking steps, identity tests and no-result troubleshooting.
Police reportsCorrect-agency routing, required identifiers, focused CCJRA wording and redaction expectations.
Court outcomesDocket search, official document requests, copy fees, certified dispositions and Denver court warning.
Jail helpBond checks, visitor preparation, mail safeguards, phone privacy and deposit verification.
Statewide historyCBI scope, exclusions, fees, fingerprint options, missing dispositions and record challenges.
Record clearingNo-charge, non-conviction, conviction, municipal, multiple-case and juvenile form routes.
Title-related questions
Colorado arrest-record questions answered
How do I search Colorado arrest records?
Search the county jail for live custody, use CBI for Colorado-only criminal history and request the final disposition from the filing court.
Is there one statewide county-jail database?
No. County sheriffs maintain separate systems. Colorado VINE can search participating county facilities.
How much is the online CBI check?
CBI currently lists the Internet Criminal History Check at $6 per viewed result.
Does CBI include current jail housing?
No. Current custody and housing should be checked through the county jail or participating VINE facility.
Where do I obtain a police arrest report?
Request it from the sheriff, police department, state patrol or other agency that made the arrest.
How do I obtain the final case outcome?
Request the complaint, register of actions and disposition or sentence order from the court where the case was filed.
How do I correct a missing disposition?
Obtain the official court order and submit it through the CBI disposition-update or record-challenge process.
Can an arrest with no charges be sealed?
Eligible arrest records with no filed charges use the JDF 416 guide and JDF 417 petition process.
Does CBI charge to process a sealing order?
No. CBI stopped charging its former sealing-processing fee on July 1, 2024, although court-related fees may remain.
Does a mugshot prove a conviction?
No. It only documents booking or processing and does not establish guilt or the final court result.