Durango Colorado Criminal Records Guide
Durango is the county seat of La Plata County. It sits in the southwest corner of Colorado. The city is home to Fort Lewis College. It is a gateway to the San Juan Mountains. Durango serves as the hub for the Four Corners region. Criminal records are maintained by several agencies. The Durango Police Department serves the city. The La Plata County Sheriff serves the county. State agencies provide broader coverage.
Durango Quick Facts
Durango Police Department Records
The Durango Police Department provides law enforcement for the city. They patrol streets. They respond to calls. They investigate crimes. The department creates detailed reports. These become public records. Citizens can request copies.
The department is on East Second Avenue. It is in the heart of downtown. Staff process records requests during business hours. Bring identification when visiting. Be specific about what you need. Include dates and names. This helps staff locate files quickly. Response times vary by request complexity.
Police records include incident reports. They include arrest reports. They include accident documentation. Insurance companies need these. Attorneys use them for cases. Victims keep them for their records. The Durango PD follows Colorado law. They balance public access with privacy protections.
| Department | Durango Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 990 E. 2nd Ave., Durango, CO 81301 |
| Phone | (970) 375-5600 |
| Records | (970) 375-5600 |
La Plata County Sheriff's Office Records
The La Plata County Sheriff's Office serves Durango. They operate the county jail. They process all arrests. They maintain comprehensive records. The Sheriff's Office is on Turner Drive. It serves all of La Plata County. This includes the city and rural areas.
The Sheriff's Office provides various records services. You can request incident reports. You can request arrest records. You can request jail information. Some records are online. Others need in-person visits. Call ahead to confirm. Staff can explain the process.
Jail records show current inmates. They show booking dates. They show charges and bond amounts. Families use this to track loved ones. Attorneys use it for cases. The Sheriff updates these records regularly. Accuracy is important. They work to keep information current.
The Records Division handles public requests. They follow Colorado law. Most criminal justice records are public. Some may be restricted. This includes ongoing investigations. It includes sensitive personal information. Staff can explain what is available. They can guide you through the request process.
| Agency | La Plata County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 742 Turner Dr., Durango, CO 81303 |
| Phone | (970) 382-7045 |
| Jail Phone | (970) 247-5331 |
| Website | co.laplata.co.us/sheriff |
Colorado State Criminal Records Resources
State resources cover all of Colorado. They include Durango records. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is the main state agency. They collect data from every county. This includes La Plata County. State searches are comprehensive. They save time.
The CBI offers Internet Criminal History Checks. This is a paid online service. It costs six dollars per search. Results are instant. The system shows convictions. It shows arrests leading to charges. It excludes sealed records. Visit the CBI website to use this tool.
The CBI office is in Lakewood. The address is 690 Kipling Street. The phone is 303-239-4208. They offer fingerprint checks too. These are more thorough. They cost more. But they find more records. Consider this for complete background checks.
The Colorado Sex Offender Registry is free. Search by name. Search by location. Find registered offenders. See photos and addresses. View conviction details. This helps community safety. The registry is updated regularly.
Court records are available statewide. Use the Colorado Court Dockets system. Find case numbers. See hearing schedules. Track case outcomes. La Plata County is in the 6th Judicial District. The courthouse is in Durango.
The Department of Corrections has an inmate locator. It finds state prison inmates. It is free. Search by name or number. Find location and sentence details. State prisons house inmates with longer sentences. County jails hold shorter-term inmates.
Colorado Laws on Criminal Records Access
Two main laws govern records in Durango. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act is one. The Colorado Open Records Act is the other. These laws apply to all agencies. This includes Durango PD and La Plata County Sheriff. They balance access with privacy.
The CCJRA is at C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. It covers police and jail records. Most records are public. Some may be withheld. This includes witness information. It includes personal data. Agencies can charge fees. They can charge for copies. They can charge for research. They cannot charge just to view records.
CORA is at C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1 et seq. It covers government records broadly. Agencies must respond in three business days. They can extend with good reason. Denials must cite specific laws. You can appeal denials. Appeal to the district attorney. Or go to court.
How to Request Criminal Records in Durango
Requesting records in Durango is simple. First, identify your needs. Police reports come from Durango PD. Arrest records come from La Plata Sheriff. Court records come from the courthouse. State history comes from CBI. Each source is different.
- Contact Durango PD for police reports and city incidents
- Call La Plata County Sheriff for jail and arrest records
- Use CBI ICHC for statewide criminal history
- Search court dockets for case information
- File formal written requests if needed
Online searches are fastest. They work all day. They are often free. But they have limits. Old records may need formal requests. Complex cases need written applications. Be specific in requests. Include names, dates, and case numbers. This speeds processing.
Bring ID for in-person visits. Agencies must verify identity. Some records need notarized requests. Fees vary by agency. Inspection is usually free. Copies cost money. Research time may have fees. Ask about costs first. This avoids surprises.
Nearby Cities and Communities
La Plata County includes several communities. Durango is the largest. Others are smaller. All fall under county jurisdiction. The Sheriff serves all areas. Here are nearby places.
Cortez is in Montezuma County. It is nearby. It has its own records system. The rest use La Plata County services.
La Plata County Criminal Records
Durango is the seat of La Plata County. The county extends beyond the city. It includes rural areas. It includes small towns. The La Plata County Sheriff serves all of them. Their records cover the whole county. For more information, visit the county page.