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Denver Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Denver, Colorado?

Arrest records are public in Denver, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) and the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). These statutes establish that criminal justice records, including arrest records, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Denver Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-301 through § 24-72-309, which govern the release of criminal justice information. Public access to these records promotes transparency in the criminal justice system while balancing privacy concerns and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

The Denver Police Department serves as the custodian of arrest records within city limits. Records may be withheld or redacted if their release would be contrary to the public interest, would interfere with ongoing investigations, or would violate privacy protections established by state or federal law. Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Colorado law.

How to Look Up Denver Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Denver have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information. The Denver Police Records Section serves as the primary repository for arrest records within the city and county of Denver. Requests may be submitted through the following methods:

Online Portal: The Denver Records Portal provides 24-hour access for submitting records requests. Users must create an account and provide specific information about the record being requested, including the case number if available, date of incident, and location.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Section located at:

Denver Police Department Records Section
1331 Cherokee Street
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (720) 913-6755
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI): For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Denver, individuals may contact:

Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Denver, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4208
Denver County Court: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through:

Denver County Court Records
1437 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (720) 865-7800

Pursuant to Denver Revised Municipal Code § 42-1, a search fee applies to all records requests. Current fees are $10 for each name searched, with additional charges for copies of reports. Payment must be made at the time of request.

Contents of a Denver Arrest Record

Denver arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by the Denver Police Department Operations Manual and in compliance with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). A complete arrest record typically includes:

Demographic Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); and circumstances leading to the arrest.
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including citation of applicable statutes or municipal codes; classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or municipal violation); and weapon information if applicable.
Processing Data: Booking number, fingerprint identification number, photograph (mugshot), property inventory, and detention facility information.
Case Disposition: Court case number, arraignment date, bail or bond information, and preliminary hearing dates if applicable.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions may be included if relevant to the current case.

The Denver Police Department maintains these records in accordance with the General Records Retention Schedule, which specifies that arrest records must be retained permanently for felony cases and for a minimum of seven years for misdemeanor cases.

Legal Uses of Denver Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained through official channels in Denver may be utilized for several legitimate purposes as authorized under Colorado law. The City Attorney's Office provides guidance on the proper use of such records. Authorized uses include:

Employment Background Checks: Employers may review arrest records when evaluating candidates for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or work with vulnerable populations. However, pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-5-101, employers may not use arrests that did not result in conviction as the sole basis for denying employment.
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may review criminal history, including arrest records, when evaluating rental applications, subject to fair housing laws.
Professional Licensing: State licensing boards may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for professional licenses in fields such as healthcare, education, and financial services.
Immigration Proceedings: Federal immigration authorities may utilize arrest records in deportation or removal proceedings.
Research and Statistical Analysis: Government agencies and academic institutions may use anonymized arrest data for crime trend analysis and policy development, as evidenced in the Denver Crime Information resources.

Unauthorized uses of arrest records may constitute violations of privacy laws and could result in civil liability. The dissemination of arrest information for purposes of harassment or discrimination is prohibited under Colorado law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Denver

The expungement or sealing of arrest records in Denver is governed by Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709. Individuals may petition for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances:

Cases resulting in no charges being filed may be sealed after one year from the date of arrest.
Cases dismissed by the court or resulting in acquittal may be sealed immediately upon disposition.
Cases resulting in diversion or deferred judgment may be sealed upon successful completion of all court-ordered conditions.
Certain conviction records may be sealed after specified waiting periods, depending on the offense classification.

The petition process requires filing with the Denver District Court:

Denver District Court
1437 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (720) 865-8301

Filing fees apply and vary based on the type of case. Petitioners must provide certified court documents, fingerprints, and verification of the completion of all sentencing requirements. The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that the public disclosure of the record is not necessary for public safety and that the privacy interest outweighs the public interest in maintaining access to the record.

If granted, an order to seal will direct all custodians of the records, including the Denver Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and court clerks, to seal the specified records. Sealed records are not destroyed but are removed from public access and will not appear in standard background checks.

Differences Between Arrest Records and Criminal Convictions

The Denver criminal justice system distinguishes between arrest records and conviction records, with significant legal implications for each. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through a court proceeding.

Key distinctions include:

Presumption of Innocence: An arrest alone does not constitute proof of guilt. The Denver City Attorney's Prosecution Division adheres to the constitutional principle that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Evidentiary Standards: Arrests require only probable cause, whereas convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, a substantially higher standard of evidence.
Legal Consequences: Convictions may result in incarceration, probation, fines, and collateral consequences such as loss of voting rights or professional licenses. Arrests without subsequent conviction generally do not carry these penalties.
Record Accessibility: While both arrest and conviction records are generally public, Colorado law provides more pathways for the sealing or expungement of arrest records that did not result in conviction.
Reporting Requirements: Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Colorado law, consumer reporting agencies are restricted in how they may report arrest records, particularly those not resulting in conviction, while conviction information may be reported with fewer limitations.

The Denver Police Department and Denver County Court maintain separate record systems that track both arrests and case dispositions, allowing for the complete criminal history of an individual to be documented and appropriately accessed according to applicable laws.