Search Colorado Criminal Records Without Confusing Arrests, Bookings and Court Outcomes
Colorado does not place every arrest-related record in one database. CBI maintains statewide criminal-history information, county sheriffs maintain most live jail bookings, courts maintain case documents and dockets, and the Department of Corrections maintains state-prison records.
This guide explains what each system contains, what it excludes, how much the search costs, how to verify identity, how to request reports, how to correct missing dispositions and how Colorado record sealing works.
$6 for each downloaded search result.
Colorado-only name-based criminal history.
Maintained by individual counties.
Confirm with the issuing agency or court.
State sources checked July 25, 2026.
Choose the Colorado record that answers your question
Use the CBI Internet Criminal History Check for public Colorado-only Criminal History Record Information.
Use the sheriff or detention centre search for the Colorado county where the person was arrested or held.
Use the Judicial Branch docket search, then request the register of actions or disposition from the filing court.
Use Colorado Department of Corrections information after a person receives a state sentence or enters CDOC custody.
How to run a Colorado CBI criminal history check
What a Colorado CBI report can and cannot show
| Record type | Public CBI treatment | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Colorado arrests submitted to CBI | Generally available unless sealed or otherwise restricted. | Verify the arresting agency, charge and disposition. |
| Colorado court disposition | May appear when supplied electronically or submitted to CBI. | Obtain the official court disposition when the field is missing or unclear. |
| Juvenile arrest, age 17 or younger | Excluded from public results unless the person was adjudicated as an adult. | Do not assume no juvenile record exists merely because it is absent publicly. |
| Traffic arrest, age 15 or younger | Excluded from the public CBI search. | Follow the legally authorised juvenile-record process when applicable. |
| Court-sealed arrest | Excluded from public CBI results. | Law-enforcement access may remain broader than public access. |
| Sex-offender information | Only currently registered sex offenders are noted on the CHRI. | Use the official Colorado sex-offender registry for the live registration search. |
| County jail housing | Not a live statewide jail-roster function. | Search the relevant county sheriff or detention centre. |
| Active warrant status | CBI does not release arrest-warrant information through this service. | Confirm with the issuing law-enforcement agency or court. |
| Federal or another state’s history | Not included in the Colorado-only public search. | Use an authorised FBI, fingerprint or other-state process. |
How to interpret a Colorado criminal-history result
| Field | Meaning | Practical interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest date | The date connected with the law-enforcement arrest event. | Use it to distinguish different incidents involving the same person. |
| Arresting agency | The police department, sheriff or state agency that submitted the arrest. | Request the incident or arrest report from this agency. |
| Arrest charge | The allegation associated with the arrest record. | It may differ from the charge later filed by the prosecutor. |
| Docket or court filing | A court case number connected with the arrest or prosecution. | Use it to obtain the register of actions and disposition from the court. |
| Disposition | The final reported outcome of a charge. | Read each count separately; one case can have different outcomes for different charges. |
| Disposition unknown | CBI does not have a complete final outcome for the entry. | Obtain the official disposition from the appropriate court and submit it to CBI. |
| Court filing on docket | A court number was assigned and information was received from the Judicial Department or another official source. | Search the court case rather than relying solely on the arrest charge. |
| DOC sentence | A sentence involving the Colorado Department of Corrections was reported. | Use CDOC information for current state-prison or parole status. |
| Sealed | Public access has been restricted under a qualifying order or automatic process. | The record may still exist for authorised criminal-justice access. |
How to avoid paying for or using the wrong person’s record
How to find someone in a Colorado county jail
Colorado county jails are operated locally. A statewide CBI criminal-history result is not a live county-jail locator.
Why a recent arrest may not appear
Identification, medical screening, fingerprints and data entry may still be underway.
Transfer to the county detention facility may not yet have occurred.
A citation, bond, summons or short detention may end before the public roster updates.
The jail may use a legal name, alias, former surname or different spelling.
The arrest location and booking county may differ because of a warrant or transfer.
The person may be held by CDOC, the U.S. Marshals Service or another jurisdiction.
How to find the case filed after an arrest
| Question | Document or record | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| What charge was formally filed? | Complaint, information or ticket | The allegation placed before the court. |
| What happened throughout the case? | Register of Actions | A chronological case summary containing filings, hearings and minute entries. |
| What was the final outcome? | Disposition or sentence order | The court’s reported resolution and sentence, when applicable. |
| Is a protection order active? | Protection order and later modification or dismissal | The terms, parties and status shown by the court documents. |
| What is the next court date? | Judicial Branch docket search | The currently listed event, location and hearing type. |
How to request a Colorado arrest or incident report
The agency that created the report normally controls access. CBI’s statewide criminal history does not replace the arresting agency’s incident narrative, body-camera record, photographs or supplemental reports.
Colorado criminal-justice record access
Colorado’s Criminal Justice Records Act describes official actions such as arrest, charging, disposition, release, probation, parole and correctional decisions. Records of official action must be open for inspection.
Access to reports, recordings, evidence and investigative material may depend on the custodian’s discretion, legal restrictions, the public interest, active investigations and required redaction.
Prepare these details before requesting a report
Why information may be withheld or redacted
- The investigation is active or disclosure could interfere with enforcement.
- The record contains victim, juvenile, medical, witness or protected identifying information.
- A court order, statute or rule restricts public access.
- Disclosure would be contrary to the public interest under the applicable legal standard.
- Video or audio requires extensive review and redaction.
- The requester contacted an agency that does not maintain the requested record.
How to check a possible Colorado arrest warrant safely
When to use Colorado Department of Corrections information
CDOC information is relevant after a person enters Colorado state-prison custody, parole or another Department of Corrections status. It is not a substitute for a county jail booking immediately after arrest.
| Situation | Correct system | Useful identifiers |
|---|---|---|
| Recently arrested and awaiting first appearance | County sheriff or detention centre | Name, birth date, booking number and arrest date. |
| Serving a county jail sentence | County jail | Booking or inmate number. |
| Sentenced to Colorado state prison | Colorado Department of Corrections | Full name and DOC number. |
| On Colorado parole | Colorado Department of Corrections or parole information | DOC number, date of birth and supervising status. |
| Wanted after absconding from supervision | CDOC fugitive or absconder information and law enforcement | Name, DOC number and fugitive entry. |
Information to prepare before contacting CDOC
Colorado name-based versus fingerprint-based background checks
| Method | Published CBI fee | Best use | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Criminal History Check | $6 per downloaded result | Fast Colorado-only public name search. | Cannot be notarised and can produce multiple possible matches. |
| Staff-processed CHRI name request | $13 | Colorado-only name search processed by CBI staff. | Not fingerprint-confirmed; notarisation may be requested. |
| Public Colorado fingerprint check | $16.50 CBI fee plus vendor charge | Identity-specific Colorado public criminal-history request. | Does not automatically include an FBI nationwide search. |
| Statutorily authorised CBI and FBI check | Commonly $38.50–$39.50 plus applicable vendor arrangements | Specified employment, licensing, adoption or regulated purposes. | Only available when law or an authorised programme permits the FBI component. |
Colorado Applicant Background Services process
Using Colorado arrest records for employment or housing
Ask the regulator or requesting organisation whether it requires CBI name-based, CBI fingerprint, CBI/FBI or another check.
Review the court disposition instead of making a decision from an arrest entry or mugshot.
Third-party employment screening can trigger federal and state notice, accuracy and dispute requirements.
CBI records can contain incomplete dispositions, identity errors or delayed updates.
Consider the nature of the conduct, time elapsed, disposition and relevance rather than applying a blanket rule.
Publicly sealed records are restricted even though authorised criminal-justice access may remain.
How to update “disposition unknown” on a Colorado record
A disposition is the final result of the charges filed in court. When the CBI report omits the result or displays “disposition unknown,” the record should be supported with official court or agency documentation.
When the court or agency says the record was purged
CBI retains criminal-history information in the Colorado Crime Information Center even when a local court or agency has purged its own older record. CBI can sometimes update the entry to “Disposition Record Purged,” but official documentation is required.
Fax: 303-239-4405, Attn: Dispos
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Colorado CBI record challenge and misidentification process
A person who disputes the accuracy or completeness of their Colorado criminal history may challenge the record through the arresting agency or CBI.
Biometric Identification and Records Unit
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215
How Colorado arrest and criminal record sealing works
Common sealing paths
| Record situation | Possible route | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest with no criminal charges filed | Automatic CBI sealing may apply after the statutory period. | For arrests on or after January 1, 2022, CBI generally seals eligible records after one year without charges. |
| Case ended without conviction | Judicial non-conviction sealing forms may apply. | Use the Colorado Judicial Branch non-conviction instructions and forms. |
| Eligible criminal conviction | Petition or automatic sealing may apply depending on the offence and waiting period. | Eligibility varies substantially by charge, sentence completion and later history. |
| Juvenile delinquency record | Juvenile expungement procedure. | Juvenile expungement uses different statutes and forms from adult sealing. |
| Court already signed an order to seal | Send the signed order to CBI. | The court seal alone may not complete the CBI criminal-history update until CBI receives the order. |
Automatic sealing when no charges are filed
Eligible CBI arrest records are generally sealed after one year passes without criminal charges being filed.
For applicable felonies with a three-year limitation period, sealing may occur after three years without charges.
Applicable records with an 18-month limitation period or shorter may be sealed after 18 months without charges.
Court-ordered sealing workflow
Colorado criminal-record fee summary
| Service | Published amount | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Internet Criminal History Check | $6 | Charged for each downloaded result; cannot be notarised. |
| Staff-processed CHRI name search | $13 | Processed by BIRU staff and may be notarised upon request. |
| Colorado public fingerprint search | $16.50 CBI fee | Approved-vendor service charges also apply. |
| Common CBI/FBI authorised fingerprint check | $38.50–$39.50 | Only for eligible statutory or programme categories; vendor arrangements vary. |
CBI payment rules
Colorado Bureau of Investigation records contacts
Lakewood, CO 80215
Main phone: 303-239-4201
Phone: 303-239-4208
Fax: 303-239-5858
Fax: 303-239-4405, Attn: Dispos
cdps_cbi_ident_seal@state.co.us
Send the signed court order using current CBI instructions.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation records office
The CBI Biometric Identification and Records Unit is located at 690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000, Lakewood, Colorado 80215.
What should you do with the record you found?
Use the county jail or CDOC system rather than relying on the CBI arrest history.
Request the disposition or register of actions from the court that handled the case.
Submit a targeted CCJRA request to the arresting police department, sheriff or State Patrol.
Confirm whether the requesting organisation requires CBI, fingerprints, FBI results or direct agency delivery.
Obtain the CBI report, supporting documents and fingerprints, then start the record challenge.
Determine whether automatic sealing or a court petition applies and send any signed order to CBI.
How this Colorado guide was researched
The procedures and figures in this guide were extracted from Colorado Bureau of Investigation criminal-history, fee, disposition, record-challenge and sealing materials; Colorado Judicial Branch docket, record-request and sealing guidance; Colorado criminal-justice-record access information; and Colorado Department of Corrections offender and constituent-services instructions.
Search coverage, exclusions, fees, identity checks, report requests, court-document choices, disposition correction and sealing steps are explained above.
Outside portals are used only when the user must run a live search, submit a request, schedule fingerprints or download current forms.
Custody, warrants, hearing dates, agency fees, vendor availability and sealing forms should be confirmed at the final action step.
Colorado arrest and criminal record questions answered
How do I run a statewide Colorado arrest-record search?
Use the CBI Internet Criminal History Check. Enter the legal name and date of birth, compare possible matches and pay $6 for each downloaded result.
Does the CBI search include every criminal record in America?
No. It is a Colorado-only name-based search. Federal cases, another state’s records and many nationwide employment checks require separate procedures.
Why does the CBI search show several people?
Common names and shared dates of birth can create multiple possible matches. Compare middle names, aliases, locations, agencies and arrest dates before downloading a result.
Can I search all Colorado county jails in one place?
No single state-operated live roster covers every county jail. Search the sheriff or detention centre for the county where the person was arrested or booked.
How do I find the final outcome of a Colorado charge?
Use the case number to contact the filing court and request the disposition, sentence order or register of actions. Do not rely only on the original arrest charge.
Where do I check Colorado warrants?
CBI does not release arrest-warrant information. Check the issuing law-enforcement agency and the court connected with the warrant.
How do I obtain a notarised Colorado criminal history?
The $6 Internet Criminal History Check cannot be notarised. Submit a $13 staff-processed CHRI name request and request notarisation through the CBI Biometric Identification and Records Unit.
How do I correct “disposition unknown”?
Obtain the official final disposition from the court and submit it to CBI. When records were purged, CBI may require official letters from the arresting agency, municipal court and district court.
What if a Colorado arrest record belongs to someone else?
Obtain your CBI report, mark the incorrect entry, complete the record-challenge form and submit fingerprints and supporting material to CBI. The issue may involve misidentification or identity theft.
Does sealing completely erase a Colorado record?
No. Sealing restricts public access, but CBI states that criminal records are retained and authorised criminal-justice access may continue. Send a signed sealing order to CBI so the state record can be updated.