Colorado Arrest Records Search | Criminal Records 2026

Colorado statewide guide · Arrests, criminal histories, courts, jails and corrections

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.

An arrest is not a conviction. A criminal-history entry, jail booking, mugshot or pending charge does not prove guilt. Confirm the person with multiple identifiers and read the final court disposition before describing the outcome.
CBI online fee

$6 for each downloaded search result.

Search coverage

Colorado-only name-based criminal history.

Live jail data

Maintained by individual counties.

Warrant records

Confirm with the issuing agency or court.

Official review

State sources checked July 25, 2026.

Record router

Choose the Colorado record that answers your question

1
Statewide arrest history

Use the CBI Internet Criminal History Check for public Colorado-only Criminal History Record Information.

2
Current jail custody

Use the sheriff or detention centre search for the Colorado county where the person was arrested or held.

3
Court events and outcome

Use the Judicial Branch docket search, then request the register of actions or disposition from the filing court.

4
State prison or parole

Use Colorado Department of Corrections information after a person receives a state sentence or enters CDOC custody.

Best complete workflow: Run the CBI search, identify the arresting county and agency, check the county booking, locate the court case, and obtain the final disposition when accuracy matters.

Choose the task you need to complete

The page is organised around answers and procedures rather than a directory of outside links.

What CBI includes

What a Colorado CBI report can and cannot show

Colorado CBI public-search coverage
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.
CBI is a repository, not the creator of every underlying event. Local law-enforcement agencies submit arrests, and courts or agencies provide disposition updates. A delay or omission may require correction at the source.
Report decoder

How to interpret a Colorado criminal-history result

Common CBI criminal-history fields explained
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.
Do not equate the arrest charge with the final charge. Prosecutors may decline filing, file a different offence, dismiss counts or resolve the case through a plea or trial.
Identity verification

How to avoid paying for or using the wrong person’s record

Full legal first and last name
Middle name or middle initial
Date of birth
Aliases, former names or maiden names
Known Colorado county or city
Approximate arrest or case date
Arresting law-enforcement agency
Court case or docket number
Common name returns several matches Use the birth date and middle name. Do not download every record without checking the identifiers.
Name matches but birth date differs Treat the result as another person unless an official record correction proves otherwise.
Record uses an unfamiliar alias Compare the arrest agency, fingerprints through an authorised process, case number and other biographical details.
No result appears for a known arrest The event may be sealed, juvenile, not submitted, recorded under another identity or located outside Colorado.
Two-identifier rule: Never publish an accusation, reject an applicant, contact relatives or send money based only on a matching name.
Current county custody

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.

Identify where the arrest occurred Use the city, county, arresting police department, highway patrol troop or known court location.
Identify the booking facility A city police department may temporarily hold a person before transfer to the county detention centre.
Search the county sheriff’s official inmate page Start with the surname and add the first name or birth date only when needed.
Open each possible booking Compare the booking date, age, charge, agency, booking number and bond information.
Check every charge and hold One payable bond may not release the person when another warrant, immigration matter, probation hold or county case remains.
Call before paying or travelling Housing, bond and release status can change after court, transfer or completion of intake.

Why a recent arrest may not appear

Intake is incomplete

Identification, medical screening, fingerprints and data entry may still be underway.

The person remains in city custody

Transfer to the county detention facility may not yet have occurred.

The person was released quickly

A citation, bond, summons or short detention may end before the public roster updates.

The name is different

The jail may use a legal name, alias, former surname or different spelling.

Another county has custody

The arrest location and booking county may differ because of a warrant or transfer.

State or federal custody applies

The person may be held by CDOC, the U.S. Marshals Service or another jurisdiction.

County jail call script “I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date], was booked after an arrest on [date] by [agency]. Can you confirm the booking number, current custody location, release status or whether the person was transferred?”
Colorado court records

How to find the case filed after an arrest

What the free Judicial Branch docket search does: It allows searches using county, judicial district, courthouse, court type, division, date, case number, party name or attorney. At least one filter in addition to the date is required.
Choose the county or judicial district Use the place where the criminal case was filed, which may differ from the person’s residence.
Search by case number when known Enter the four-digit year, case class and sequence exactly as displayed in the source record.
Search by party when the number is unknown Enter the person’s first and last name and narrow the location or date range.
Review the event details The docket may show the hearing date, hearing type, county, courtroom, appearance type and case number.
Contact the filing court for the complete case The docket calendar is not the complete register of actions and does not contain every filed document.
Request the exact document needed Common criminal requests include the complaint or information, register of actions, protection order, disposition or sentence order.
Order certification when required A screenshot or docket calendar may not satisfy employment, licensing, immigration or another court.
Which court record should you request?
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.
Docket scam warning: Colorado courts have warned about fraudulent court-appearance text messages. Verify dates through the official docket or the clerk, not through an unsolicited payment link.
Police and sheriff reports

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

Records of official action

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.

Other criminal-justice records

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

Full legal name of the arrested person
Date of birth when known
Incident or arrest date
Exact or approximate location
Arresting agency
Report or incident number
Court case number
Specific documents or recordings requested
Copy-ready CCJRA request
Under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, I request inspection or an electronic copy of the releasable records of official action and the following related records concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident or arrest on or about [date] at [location]: arrest report, probable-cause statement, incident report and releasable supplemental reports. Known identifiers are [report number], [booking number] and [court case number]. Please provide a written estimate before processing if the cost will exceed $[amount].

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.
Colorado request routing: Criminal-justice records are generally handled under the CCJRA rather than ordinary CORA rules. Send the request to the police department, sheriff, State Patrol unit or other agency that created the record.
Warrant verification

How to check a possible Colorado arrest warrant safely

CBI does not release arrest-warrant information. Check with the law-enforcement agency that issued the warrant and the court connected with the case.
Identify the likely county and agency Use the alleged case location, court, police department or sheriff.
Search the issuing agency’s official warrant page Not every Colorado agency publishes a public warrant list.
Search the court docket Look for an appearance on arrest warrant, warrant-related hearing or case event.
Compare more than the name Confirm the date of birth, case number, charge, county and issuing court.
Call the agency for current status A warrant may have been served, recalled, quashed or modified after an online update.
Use a safe resolution process A person checking their own status should contact a Colorado criminal-defence lawyer, the court or the issuing agency.
Do not confront or detain anyone. Report the information to law enforcement. Similar names and delayed status updates can create dangerous mistakes.
State prison records

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.

County jail versus Colorado DOC
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

Offender’s full name
DOC number or date of birth
Facility name when known
Detailed question or concern
Your full contact information
Relevant dates or prior correspondence
CDOC Constituent Services: The Department asks users to include the offender’s name, DOC number or date of birth, facility, detailed concern and requester contact information. The published constituent-services phone is 719-226-4569.
Fingerprint checks

Colorado name-based versus fingerprint-based background checks

Choosing the correct Colorado background-check method
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

Identify the exact reason for fingerprinting Employment and licensing checks require the correct statutory category, agency code and recipient.
Obtain the OCA or CONCJ number when required The hiring, licensing or requesting agency must provide the correct number. Do not guess.
Pre-enrol with an approved CABS vendor Colorado uses approved vendors for statewide and mobile fingerprint services.
Schedule the fingerprint appointment Bring an accepted primary identity document and any agency instructions.
Verify the recipient before submission Many regulated results go directly to the licensing agency or employer and are not returned to the applicant.
Keep the transaction receipt Save the vendor confirmation, appointment details and transaction control information.
Vendor charge: The fingerprinting vendor’s service charge is separate from or incorporated alongside the CBI fee depending on the selected programme. Review the total before confirming the appointment.
Responsible record use

Using Colorado arrest records for employment or housing

A public CBI search may not satisfy the required screening process. Regulated professions, schools, healthcare, childcare, licensing and other roles may require fingerprints, an FBI component and direct delivery to the authorised agency.
Confirm the legal screening method

Ask the regulator or requesting organisation whether it requires CBI name-based, CBI fingerprint, CBI/FBI or another check.

Separate arrest from conviction

Review the court disposition instead of making a decision from an arrest entry or mugshot.

Follow consumer-reporting rules

Third-party employment screening can trigger federal and state notice, accuracy and dispute requirements.

Give the person a chance to correct errors

CBI records can contain incomplete dispositions, identity errors or delayed updates.

Use job-related criteria

Consider the nature of the conduct, time elapsed, disposition and relevance rather than applying a blanket rule.

Do not request sealed information improperly

Publicly sealed records are restricted even though authorised criminal-justice access may remain.

Missing case outcome

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.

Identify the court connected with the arrest Use the docket number, county, charge and arresting agency shown on the CBI report.
Request the official disposition Ask the court for the disposition, sentence order, register of actions or other official document showing the final outcome.
Check every charge A case can contain several counts with different outcomes. Make sure the document covers the entire arrest entry.
Submit the official record to CBI Include enough identifying information for the Biometric Identification and Records Unit to match the document to the correct arrest.
Run a later CBI check Confirm that the disposition was added correctly after processing.

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.

Letter from the arresting agency
Letter from the municipal court of the arresting agency
Letter from the appropriate district court
Each letter on official letterhead or bearing an official seal
Signature and date from an agency representative
All names, aliases and birth dates shown on the CBI report
Date-range requirement: When an agency’s letter specifies a search range, CBI states that it should extend from at least five years before the arrest through the present. If no range is specified, the letter should explain how far back the agency’s records go and whether records were purged.
Disposition email

cdps_cbi_dispos@state.co.us

Fax: 303-239-4405, Attn: Dispos

Disposition mailing address
Biometric Identification and Records Unit
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215
DRP limitation: “Disposition Record Purged” may not satisfy every firearms, employment, licensing or approval process. Ask the receiving organisation what documentation it accepts.
Wrong person or wrong information

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.

Obtain your CBI criminal history Use the online ICHC or request a manual CBI search.
Mark each disputed entry Identify the incorrect arrest, identity detail, charge, court number or disposition.
Pre-enrol for fingerprinting Use an approved Colorado Applicant Background Services vendor for the record-challenge fingerprint process.
Complete the Record Challenge Information Form Explain the discrepancy and attach supporting official documents.
Assemble the physical package Include the fingerprint card, physical CBI report and completed challenge form.
Mail the package to CBI Use the Biometric Identification and Records Unit address in Lakewood.
Keep a full copy Retain the report, fingerprints receipt, challenge form, supporting documents and delivery tracking.
Confirm the corrected result Run a new report after CBI completes the challenge.
Possible identity theft: When a record belongs to another person or you have never been arrested, tell CBI that the issue may involve criminal impersonation or misidentification rather than a simple missing disposition.
Record challenge mailing address
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Biometric Identification and Records Unit
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Record sealing

How Colorado arrest and criminal record sealing works

Sealing is not deletion. CBI states that it retains criminal records indefinitely. A qualifying seal restricts public access, while authorised law-enforcement or criminal-justice access may continue.

Common sealing paths

Colorado record-sealing routes
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

Arrests on or after January 1, 2022

Eligible CBI arrest records are generally sealed after one year passes without criminal charges being filed.

Older felony arrests

For applicable felonies with a three-year limitation period, sealing may occur after three years without charges.

Older misdemeanour or petty arrests

Applicable records with an 18-month limitation period or shorter may be sealed after 18 months without charges.

Not every unfiled felony qualifies automatically. Felonies with a limitation period longer than three years or no limitation period are not covered by the same automatic rule.

Court-ordered sealing workflow

Obtain the CBI report and court case information Identify every arrest, charge, docket and agency that the requested sealing should cover.
Determine the correct sealing category Use the Judicial Branch form set for non-convictions, convictions, juvenile records or another qualifying category.
Complete and file the required forms File in the court with jurisdiction and pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver when legally available.
Provide notice where required The prosecutor, arresting agency, CBI or another entity may have an opportunity to respond.
Attend a hearing when scheduled The judge decides whether the statutory requirements and applicable balancing test are met.
Obtain the signed Order to Seal Keep a certified or file-stamped copy for your records.
Send the order to CBI Email the signed order to cdps_cbi_ident_seal@state.co.us or follow CBI’s current delivery instructions.
Confirm the public record changed Recheck the CBI report and relevant court access after agencies process the order.
Legal advice may be valuable. Waiting periods, offence exclusions, multiple cases, deferred judgments, municipal cases and later convictions can affect eligibility.
Costs and methods

Colorado criminal-record fee summary

Published statewide CBI fees
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

Credit-card transactions are not accepted by telephone
Signed pre-printed business checks are generally accepted within six months of issue
Cash is accepted for eligible in-person payments
Cash denominations larger than $20 are not accepted
Certified funds may be required for mailed CHRI requests
Vendor fingerprint charges are separate from applicable CBI fees
Verify before paying: Employment and licensing fingerprint fees vary by statutory category. Use the exact occupation or programme listed by the requesting agency.
Colorado contacts

Colorado Bureau of Investigation records contacts

Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215

Main phone: 303-239-4201

Records and Background Checks

Phone: 303-239-4208

Fax: 303-239-5858

Disposition updates

cdps_cbi_dispos@state.co.us

Fax: 303-239-4405, Attn: Dispos

Orders to seal

cdps_cbi_ident_seal@state.co.us

Send the signed court order using current CBI instructions.

Public hours: CBI publishes public hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Map and directions

Colorado Bureau of Investigation records office

The CBI Biometric Identification and Records Unit is located at 690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000, Lakewood, Colorado 80215.

Confirm before visiting: Some background checks, fingerprint appointments, record challenges and document submissions require online enrolment, vendor processing or mailed forms rather than an unscheduled office visit.
Final decision guide

What should you do with the record you found?

01
Need current custody?

Use the county jail or CDOC system rather than relying on the CBI arrest history.

02
Need the case outcome?

Request the disposition or register of actions from the court that handled the case.

03
Need a police narrative?

Submit a targeted CCJRA request to the arresting police department, sheriff or State Patrol.

04
Need an employment check?

Confirm whether the requesting organisation requires CBI, fingerprints, FBI results or direct agency delivery.

05
Found an error?

Obtain the CBI report, supporting documents and fingerprints, then start the record challenge.

06
Need public access restricted?

Determine whether automatic sealing or a court petition applies and send any signed order to CBI.

Official-source standard

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.

Information kept in-page

Search coverage, exclusions, fees, identity checks, report requests, court-document choices, disposition correction and sealing steps are explained above.

Links kept for live actions

Outside portals are used only when the user must run a live search, submit a request, schedule fingerprints or download current forms.

Update-sensitive details

Custody, warrants, hearing dates, agency fees, vendor availability and sealing forms should be confirmed at the final action step.

Frequently asked questions

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.

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