Douglas County, Colorado Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Douglas County, Colorado?
Arrest records are public documents in Douglas County, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government-held records, including arrest records, to ensure transparency in governmental operations. The statute specifically designates criminal justice records as public documents, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and cases where privacy interests outweigh public disclosure benefits.
Members of the public may access these records through designated custodians at various county agencies. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office maintains the primary repository of arrest records for unincorporated areas of the county, while municipal police departments maintain records for arrests within their jurisdictions. Requestors should note that while the records are public, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and duplication services as permitted under C.R.S. § 24-72-306.
The Douglas County open records portal provides comprehensive information regarding the process for submitting CORA requests for various county departments.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Douglas County?
Douglas County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office provides a public-facing inmate search function that displays current detention status and basic arrest information. This digital access system was implemented as part of the county's commitment to governmental transparency and efficient public service delivery.
Online access to arrest records is governed by the same statutory provisions that regulate physical access, including privacy protections established under C.R.S. § 24-72-305. Digital platforms typically display only basic information about arrests, while more detailed records may require formal requests through the appropriate records custodian.
The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains an online case lookup system where members of the public may search for court cases associated with arrests in Douglas County. This system provides docket information, hearing schedules, and case status updates, though certain documents may be available only through in-person requests at the courthouse.
How to Look Up Douglas County Arrest Records in 2025
Douglas County provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025. Each method has specific procedures and requirements established pursuant to Colorado law:
- Sheriff's Office Records Request: The Douglas County Sheriff's Office serves as the custodian of records for arrests made by deputies in unincorporated areas. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the online portal.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office
4000 Justice Way
Castle Rock, CO 80109
(303) 660-7505
Douglas County Sheriff's Office Records
- Municipal Police Departments: For arrests made within city limits, the respective municipal police department maintains the records.
Castle Rock Police Department
100 Perry Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
(303) 663-6100
Castle Rock Police Records
Parker Police Department
18600 Lincoln Meadows Parkway
Parker, CO 80134
(303) 841-9800
Parker Police Records
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The CBI maintains a statewide database of arrest records and provides criminal history reports for a fee. Requestors must submit fingerprints and proper identification as required by C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5.
CBI Identification Unit
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Denver, CO 80215
(303) 239-4208
- Douglas County Court Records: The Douglas County Court maintains records of all criminal cases filed within its jurisdiction, including those resulting from arrests.
Douglas County Justice Center
4000 Justice Way
Castle Rock, CO 80109
(720) 437-6200
Contents of a Douglas County Arrest Record
Douglas County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Colorado law and criminal justice information system requirements. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address at time of arrest (may be redacted in public versions)
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including citation of relevant Colorado Revised Statutes
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
- Custody status and bail information
- Preliminary court appearance information
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Additionally, records pertaining to sexual assault victims contain heightened privacy protections under Colorado law.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state-mandated retention schedules established by the Colorado State Archives.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Douglas County
Under Colorado law, certain individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained in Douglas County. The legal framework for record sealing is established in C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through 709, which provides specific eligibility criteria and procedures.
Eligibility for expungement or sealing generally includes:
- Arrests that did not result in charges being filed
- Cases dismissed by the prosecution or court
- Acquittals following trial
- Certain non-violent offenses after completion of sentence and waiting periods
- Juvenile records, subject to specific statutory provisions
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Douglas County District Court, where a judge will determine if the statutory requirements have been met. If granted, the order directs all custodians of records to seal the specified records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Petitioners should be aware that expungement in Colorado is technically a sealing process rather than complete destruction of records. Sealed records are removed from public access but maintained in restricted government databases pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-703.
The Douglas County District Attorney's Office may object to petitions for sealing in cases where public safety concerns outweigh the petitioner's privacy interests, as permitted under state statute.
Search Arrest Records in Douglas County
