Denver Criminal Records Lookup
Denver County sits at the heart of Colorado as both the capital city and its most populous county. Criminal records in Denver County span many types of documents. The Denver Sheriff's Department maintains inmate records. The Police Department holds arrest reports. The District Attorney keeps case files. Each office follows its own rules for public access under Colorado law.
The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) controls how police records are released in Denver County. This law is found in C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) in C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq. governs other public documents. Some records cannot be released by law. Staff must redact certain facts before giving out copies. The process takes time. Each request is reviewed with care.
Denver County Inmate Search
The Denver Sheriff's Department runs the inmate locator for Denver County. This tool shows current inmates in custody. You can search by name or booking number. The system updates often. Results show charges, bond amounts, and court dates.
Denver County houses inmates at the Van Cise-Simonet Downtown Detention Center. This facility sits at 490 West Colfax Avenue. The sheriff's office manages all bookings and releases. Their inmate search portal is free to use. Visit the Denver Inmate Search page to look up current inmates. You will need the person's full name to start. Results show booking photos, charge details, and next court dates. The system only shows inmates currently in custody. Released inmates drop off the search after a short time.
For questions about inmates, call the Denver Sheriff's Department at 720-913-3600. Staff can help with visiting hours, mail rules, and account deposits. The jail operates 24 hours a day. Bond payments can be made at the facility or through approved online services.
Denver Police Department Records
Police records in Denver County are released under CCJRA rules. Not all reports can be given out. Some cases stay sealed by law. Others need redactions before release. The Denver Police Department reviews each request with care.
You can request police records from Denver in three ways. The online portal at Denver Police Records Online is the fastest method. You may also visit the Records Unit in person or mail your request. Email and phone requests are not accepted. Each method requires specific case details. Include date, time, location, and involved parties when known.
Reports may be redacted as required by law. Personal data gets removed. Victim information is protected. Juvenile records face extra limits. The police may decline to release reports for active cases. Call 720-913-6010 for general questions about Denver Police records.
Denver District Attorney Records
The Denver District Attorney maintains criminal case files for felonies filed in Denver County. This office handles serious charges that carry prison time. Their records span from intake through final case outcome. The DA is bound by transparency laws. They strive to balance public access with victim privacy and case integrity.
Records requests go through the DA's office at 370 17th Street, Suite 5300, Denver, Colorado 80202. You can submit requests in person, through their online portal, or by mail. Email and phone requests are not accepted. Send discovery questions to discovery@denverda.org. Discovery is different from public records requests. Rule 16 discovery applies only to parties in a case.
Fees apply for DA records in Denver County. Photocopies and staff time are charged to the requester. If a request needs more than one hour of work, you get an estimate first. You can accept or decline after seeing the cost. Complex cases take longer to process. The DA must redact certain information by law. This includes identifying details for sex assault victims, child victims, and child witnesses under C.R.S. § 24-72-304(4)(a) and § 24-72-304(4.5).
CCJRA requests have no set deadline by statute. Staff work through each request as fast as they can. Most cases are not released until they close. Active cases stay confidential. This protects the rights of all parties. The DA generally will not release records for pending matters.
Records Not Released by the Denver DA
Certain materials never leave the Denver DA's office. These items are shielded by law or court rules. The list of exempt records is long. It covers work product and sensitive data.
Records the Denver DA will not release include:
- Attorney work-product and internal strategy notes
- Victim advocate communications and case notes
- Criminal history reports from other agencies
- Autopsy photographs and graphic images
- Unredacted DMV records and mugshots
- Social Security numbers and NCIC or FBI numbers
- VIN numbers, credit card data, and bank account details
These limits protect privacy and safety. They also guard the integrity of investigations. The DA reviews each request against these rules. Redacted versions may be offered when full copies cannot be given.
Denver County Court Records
Denver County has two court levels for criminal cases. The District Court handles felonies. These are marked with "CR" case numbers. The County Court handles misdemeanors. These carry "M" case numbers. Juvenile cases use "JD" numbers. City Attorney cases have different prefixes like "GV," "GS," or "D."
The Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse serves as the main court hub in Denver County. It stands at 520 West Colfax Avenue. District Court criminal matters are heard in Room 135. You can reach them at 720-865-8301. County Court criminal cases are in Room 160. Their number is 720-337-0410.
Denver County offers an online case search at Denver County Court Search. This portal lets you look up case status and hearing dates. Not all details are public. Some records are sealed by court order. Others involve protected parties. Visit the courthouse in person for certified copies of court orders or judgments.
Denver County Criminal Justice Contacts
Many agencies touch criminal records in Denver County. Each has a specific role. Knowing who to call saves time. Here are the key contacts for Denver County criminal records.
| District Court (CR cases) | 720-865-8301 Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, Room 135 |
|---|---|
| County Court (M cases) | 720-337-0410 Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, Room 160 |
| Criminal Background Checks (CBI) | 303-239-4208 |
| Denver Sheriff's Department | 720-913-3600 |
| Denver Police Department | 720-913-6010 |
| District Court Probation | 303-607-7000 303 W. Colfax Ave., 5th floor |
| Juvenile Probation | 720-913-4200 303 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 1401 |
| Warrants | 720-865-8301, Option 8 |
| District Attorney | 370 17th Street, Suite 5300 Denver, Colorado 80202 |
Colorado State Criminal Records Resources
State agencies offer tools that cover Denver County and all of Colorado. These resources add to local records. They help with background checks and offender tracking.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) handles statewide background checks. Their system covers convictions from all counties. You can request a personal record review or check another person with consent. Call 303-239-4208 for CBI records help.
Colorado also runs a Sex Offender Registry. This public database lists convicted sex offenders. You can search by name, address, or city. The registry covers Denver County offenders and those statewide. It is updated regularly. Note that not all offenders are listed based on their risk level and conviction date.
The CBI also maintains court docket search tools. Visit Colorado Court Dockets to search for case information across judicial districts. This can help track cases that move between counties or involve state-level charges.
Denver Sheriff Public Records
The Denver Sheriff's Department accepts public records requests beyond inmate lookups. You can ask for booking logs, incident reports, and administrative records. These requests follow CCJRA and CORA rules.
Submit sheriff records requests through their online portal. You may also mail or deliver requests to sheriff headquarters. Include specific dates and details. Broad requests take longer to fill. Fees may apply for copies and staff time.
The sheriff operates the downtown jail at 490 West Colfax Avenue. This facility holds pre-trial detainees and short-term inmates. Records about jail operations, policies, and statistics are available through formal request. Call 720-913-3600 with questions about the records process.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Denver County. Records for incidents near county lines may be held by these agencies instead. Check the correct jurisdiction when searching for criminal records.