Public Arrest Records Colorado: How to Find Them (Every Method Explained)

Is Colorado an Open Records State?

Yes - and that matters a lot when you're trying to look someone up. Colorado operates under two key statutes that govern public access to criminal records: the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA). Together, these laws make it possible for any member of the public to request and view arrest records in the state.

That said, open records doesn't mean unlimited records. There are specific categories of information that remain off-limits to the general public - and knowing where those boundaries are will save you time and frustration before you start searching.

What's Actually in a Colorado Arrest Record?

A Colorado arrest record typically includes the subject's full name, date of birth, the nature of the alleged offense, the arresting agency, booking date, and in many cases, a mugshot. It's important to understand the distinction between an arrest record and a criminal record: an arrest means someone was taken into custody and is a suspect - it does not imply guilt or conviction. Criminal records, by contrast, contain information about cases that resulted in a conviction.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the central repository for criminal history arrest records in the state. Its computerized criminal history database contains detailed arrest information based on fingerprints submitted by Colorado law enforcement agencies statewide.

What Records Are NOT Public in Colorado?

Before you search, know the exceptions. The following categories are not accessible to the general public under Colorado law:

• Juvenile arrests - Records for individuals 17 years old or younger are not public unless the juvenile was adjudicated as an adult.
• Sealed records - Individuals in Colorado can petition a court to have certain arrest or criminal records sealed. Once sealed, those records are inaccessible to the public.
• Out-of-state arrests - The CBI only holds Colorado-based records. Arrests that occurred in other states won't appear in a CBI search.

Also worth noting: only currently registered sex offenders appear on a CBI criminal history report. If someone was previously on the registry but is no longer registered, they won't show up in that field.

Method 1: The CBI Internet Criminal History Check

The most direct official route is through the CBI's Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) system. This is an online tool that allows the public to instantly obtain Colorado-only Criminal History Record Information using a name-based search, accessible from any device.

Here's how the process works:

• Visit the CBI's ICHC portal operated by Logikco LLC on behalf of the CBI.
• Create an account before you can run any search.
• Enter the exact spelling of the person's first and last name, along with their correct date of birth. Entering anything incorrectly will return no results - the system won't fuzzy-match names.
• Each search result you download costs $5.00. If the name is common, multiple matches may appear, and each downloaded result incurs a separate fee.
• Results are instant and delivered digitally, but they cannot be notarized.

If you'd rather not use a credit card online, you can mail a paper form directly to the CBI's Biometric Identification and Records Unit in Lakewood, CO. The mail-in fee is $13.00, paid by money order or certified check made out to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Expect results in three days plus mailing time.

One important legal note: under Colorado law, you must affirm that the records you're requesting will not be used for the direct solicitation of business for financial gain. The CBI won't process your request without this signed statement.

Method 2: Colorado Court Records

Arrest records and court records are two different things maintained by two different systems. If you want to see what happened after an arrest - charges filed, plea deals, convictions, or dismissals - you need to search Colorado court records.

Court records in Colorado are accessible through third-party commercial vendors linked from the Colorado Judicial Branch's public records page. These vendors give you access to a real-time register of actions from state county and district courts, searchable by name or case number.

The register of actions available through these commercial sites includes civil, domestic, felony, misdemeanor, small claims, and traffic cases. However, copies of actual filed documents cannot be obtained from the commercial sites - for those, you'll need to contact the court directly or submit an online records request.

Denver is a special case: Denver County Court is administered separately from the state court system. If you're looking for Denver County Court records specifically, you'll need to contact them directly through their official channels.

Method 3: Local Police Departments and Sheriff's Offices

For recent arrest activity - the kind that might not yet be reflected in statewide databases - your best source is often local law enforcement. Many police departments and sheriff's offices in Colorado publish public arrest logs and blotters online. The Colorado Springs Police Department, for example, maintains an online Police Blotter that lists date, time, and alleged offense for recent arrests.

You can also contact any county sheriff's office or city police department directly to request an arrest report. Keep in mind that the CBI only holds records for arrests processed within its system - if you need the full report from the arresting agency itself, you must contact that agency directly.

When submitting a records request under the CCJRA, your written request should include:

• Your name and contact information
• A detailed, specific description of the records you're requesting
• A signed statement affirming you won't use records for business solicitation

Copy fees max out at $0.25 per page for most local agencies.

Method 4: Federal Records via PACER

If the matter you're researching involves federal charges - think federal drug offenses, wire fraud, or crimes prosecuted in US District Court - you'll need a different system entirely. The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service provides electronic access to case records throughout the federal court system. Once registered, you can search records in a single federal court or across a nationwide index. PACER charges $0.10 per page, though fees under $30 per quarter are automatically waived.

When You Need More Than Just Colorado Records

Here's a practical limitation that trips people up: the CBI's system only covers Colorado arrests. If the person you're researching has lived in multiple states, moved around, or has out-of-state charges, a Colorado-only search will give you an incomplete picture.

This is exactly the scenario where a broader tool adds real value. Galadon's free Criminal Records Search tool lets you search sex offender registries, corrections records, arrest records, and court records nationwide - not just within Colorado. Instead of piecing together searches across multiple state databases, you can run a single consolidated search that pulls from records across the country.

It's particularly useful for:

• Landlords screening prospective tenants who relocated from other states
• Hiring managers verifying candidates who have lived in multiple states
• Sales professionals doing due diligence on new business partners
• Individuals who want to see what their own national record looks like

The search is free to run and doesn't require creating a CBI account, paying per result, or navigating multiple government portals.

How Colorado Arrest Records Relate to Background Checks

If you're doing professional due diligence - whether for hiring, partnerships, or tenant screening - a criminal history check is often just one piece of the puzzle. A more complete picture typically includes identity verification, address history, and a broader look at someone's background.

Galadon's Background Checker tool goes beyond arrest records to generate comprehensive background reports with trust scores, helping you assess risk holistically rather than just scanning for convictions. Pair it with the Criminal Records Search and you've covered both the structured conviction data and the broader background context.

Can You Seal or Expunge an Arrest Record in Colorado?

Yes. In Colorado, individuals can petition the court to have certain arrest or criminal records sealed, making them inaccessible to the public. Once a judge grants the sealing order, the CBI must receive the signed court order to update its records. Sealed records are restricted from public access while remaining available to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

If you're checking your own record and believe it contains errors - such as a charge listed as a felony that was actually reduced to a misdemeanor at conviction - you can challenge it by contacting the CBI Identification Unit directly. You'll need to submit specific documentation of the error along with your fingerprints.

Quick Reference: Colorado Arrest Records by Source

• CBI ICHC (online): $5 per search, name and date of birth required, Colorado only, instant results
• CBI mail-in: $13 per search, money order only, results in approximately three days plus transit time
• Colorado court records: Free via third-party vendors, covers case outcomes after arrest
• Local police and sheriff: Free, best for recent arrests and full police reports
• PACER: $0.10 per page with fees under $30 per quarter waived, federal cases only
• Galadon Criminal Records Search: Free, nationwide coverage including sex offender registries, corrections, and court records

Bottom Line

Colorado's open records framework gives the public genuine access to arrest and criminal history data - but using it efficiently means knowing which database covers what. For Colorado-only searches where you have an exact name and date of birth, the CBI's system is the authoritative source. For court outcomes, use the Colorado Judicial Branch's vendor portals. For anything multi-state or nationwide, skip the patchwork approach and use a tool built for that purpose.

Galadon's free Criminal Records Search is a fast starting point for anyone who needs to cast a wider net - no account setup, no per-search fees, and no state-by-state clicking required. Whether you're vetting a contractor, screening a tenant, or simply doing your homework on someone new in your world, it's the most practical tool to start with.