Arrest records are public documents in Arapahoe County, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) § 24-72-301 et seq. and the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) § 24-72-201 et seq. These statutes establish the framework for public access to criminal justice records maintained by state and local agencies. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, as the custodian of arrest records within the county, is required by law to make these records available for public inspection, with certain statutory exceptions.
Members of the public may access arrest records for purposes including background checks, personal information verification, and general public interest. The Colorado Open Records Act specifically designates criminal justice records, including arrest records, as public documents subject to disclosure unless their release would be contrary to state or federal law or would interfere with ongoing investigations.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or in accordance with court orders. Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Colorado Revised Statutes § 19-1-304.
Arapahoe County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate information system that allows the public to search for current and recent arrest information. This system is updated regularly to reflect the most current detention status of individuals processed through the county jail.
The Arapahoe County Inmate Lookup system provides basic arrest information including:
• Names of arrested individuals • Booking dates • Charges filed • Bond information • Court dates
For more comprehensive criminal history information, the Colorado Judicial Branch maintains electronic court records that include arrest-related case information. The public may access these records through the state's online docket search system, though some records may require in-person requests at the courthouse.
Pursuant to § 24-72-305.5, C.R.S., records custodians are required to remove from public access any records of official actions and criminal justice records unless the record is a record of conviction of adult felony or domestic violence.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Arapahoe County. The method of access depends on the type of information sought and its age. The following procedures are established for public access to these records:
For recent arrests and current inmate information:
• Visit the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office online inmate lookup system • Enter the individual's name in the search fields provided • Review the results for booking information, charges, and custody status
For court case information related to arrests:
• Access the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search • Enter the relevant search criteria (name, case number) • Review available case information, including scheduled court appearances
For in-person requests of arrest records:
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Records Section
13101 East Broncos Parkway
Centennial, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 795-4780
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Arapahoe County Justice Center
7325 S. Potomac Street
Centennial, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 645-6600
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Requests for arrest records must be submitted in writing using the designated request form. Pursuant to § 24-72-306, C.R.S., records custodians may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and duplication of records. Current fees are $5.00 for record searches and $0.25 per page for photocopies.
Arrest records maintained by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office contain standardized information as required by Colorado law. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:
• Full legal name of the arrested individual • Any known aliases or alternative names • Date of birth and demographic information • Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks • Date, time, and location of the arrest • Statutory charges and their classification (felony, misdemeanor, etc.) • Arresting agency and officer information • Booking photographs (mugshots) • Fingerprint information • Property inventory taken at booking • Initial bond amount and conditions • Detention facility assignment
The Arapahoe County District Court maintains additional records related to arrests, including formal charging documents, court appearances, and case dispositions. These records become part of the official court file and are maintained separately from the Sheriff's Office arrest records.
It should be noted that pursuant to § 24-72-305, C.R.S., certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:
• Information that would identify confidential informants • Details that would jeopardize ongoing investigations • Information prohibited from release by court order • Social security numbers and other personal identifying information • Medical and psychological information
Colorado law provides mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by multiple statutes, including § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, C.R.S., which establish eligibility criteria and procedures.
Individuals may petition for record sealing in the following circumstances:
• Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal • Arrests that did not result in charges being filed • Completed diversion agreements • Certain drug offenses after specified waiting periods • Juvenile records meeting statutory criteria • Certain conviction records after completion of sentence and waiting periods
The petition process requires filing with the Arapahoe District Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must:
• Complete the appropriate petition forms • Pay filing fees (currently $65 for most petitions) • Provide certified court records documenting case disposition • Submit fingerprints for verification purposes • Serve copies of the petition on all relevant agencies
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. The District Attorney's Office and other agencies have the right to object to the sealing. If the court grants the petition, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest will be ordered to seal those records from public view.
Sealed records remain available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in certain circumstances, including subsequent criminal proceedings. Complete expungement (physical destruction of records) is generally limited to juvenile records meeting specific statutory criteria.