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Boulder Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Boulder, Colorado?

Arrest records are public documents in Boulder, 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 law enforcement agencies and courts within the state. The Boulder Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records as part of their official duties and make these records available to the public in accordance with state law.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various official channels, including in-person requests at the Boulder Police Department Records Unit or through online portals maintained by Boulder County. The public availability of these records serves the legislative intent of promoting transparency in government operations and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.

It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or in accordance with court orders. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to different rules regarding public access under Colorado Revised Statutes § 19-1-304.

How to Look Up Boulder Arrest Records in 2025

The Boulder Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff's Office provide multiple methods for accessing arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Unit at the Boulder Police Department headquarters to submit requests for arrest records. Staff members are available to assist with completing the necessary forms and identifying the specific records needed.

Boulder Police Department Records Unit
1805 33rd Street
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: 303-441-3300
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Online Access: The Boulder County Sheriff's Office maintains a daily booking and listing report that provides information about recent arrests and individuals currently in custody at the Boulder County Jail.

Boulder County Sheriff's Office
5600 Flatiron Parkway
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: 303-441-4444
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Written Requests: Pursuant to CORA and CCJRA, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records via mail, email, or fax to the appropriate agency. Requests must include sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, including the full name of the arrestee, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, arrest information may be available through the Boulder Municipal Court or the Boulder County Combined Courts, depending on the jurisdiction handling the case.

Boulder Municipal Court
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-441-3030
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees for record searches and copies as established by Colorado law § 24-72-306. Current fee schedules are available on the respective agency websites or by contacting the records units directly.

Contents of a Boulder Arrest Record

Boulder arrest records contain standardized information as required by Colorado law and local agency policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrestee, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and other identifying characteristics.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including citation to the relevant Boulder Municipal Code, Colorado Revised Statutes, or other applicable law.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprints, and booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots").
Custody Status: Information regarding whether the individual was released on bond, citation, or remains in custody.
Case Disposition: If available, information about the resolution of the case, including court dates, plea information, or case dismissal.
Narrative Reports: In some instances, arrest records may include narrative descriptions written by law enforcement officers detailing the circumstances leading to the arrest.

Pursuant to § 24-72-305, C.R.S., certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including but not limited to: social security numbers, driver's license numbers, victim information in sexual assault cases, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.

The Boulder Police Department maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats, with retention schedules governed by state archival requirements and departmental policies.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Boulder

Under Colorado law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records sealed or expunged, effectively removing them from public access. The process for expungement in Boulder follows state statutes and involves formal petition to the courts.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-702 through § 24-72-709, the following situations may qualify for record sealing or expungement:

Cases resulting in complete dismissal of all charges
Arrests that did not result in charges being filed within the statute of limitations
Cases where the individual was acquitted at trial
Certain completed deferred judgments and sentences
Specific drug offenses after applicable waiting periods
Juvenile records, subject to special provisions under § 19-1-306, C.R.S.

Application Process

The expungement process requires the following steps:

Filing a petition with the court that had jurisdiction over the case
Payment of filing fees (fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
Notification to the District Attorney's Office and relevant law enforcement agencies
Attendance at a court hearing if required by the judge
Issuance of a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records

Boulder County Combined Courts
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-441-3750
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an arrest record is successfully sealed or expunged in Boulder:

The record is removed from public access and will not appear in standard background checks
The individual may lawfully state they were not arrested in response to questions on employment applications
Law enforcement agencies retain limited access to sealed records for specific purposes authorized by statute
The records remain accessible to certain government agencies and for certain licensing purposes as specified in § 24-72-702(4), C.R.S.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Boulder Municipal Court provides informational materials regarding record sealing, but does not offer legal advice regarding eligibility or procedure.