Arrest records are public documents in Parker, 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 that records maintained by criminal justice agencies, including the Parker Police Department, are generally accessible to the public. The Town of Parker adheres to these transparency requirements to ensure governmental accountability and to maintain public trust in law enforcement operations.
Members of the public may request access to arrest records for various legitimate purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information needs. However, certain restrictions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or privacy concerns as outlined in § 24-72-305, C.R.S. The custodian of records may exercise discretion in determining whether disclosure would be contrary to the public interest in specific circumstances.
The Parker Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established procedures that balance transparency with privacy and security considerations.
The Town of Parker provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information should follow established procedures to ensure proper handling of their requests:
Submit a formal records request through the Open Records Request portal maintained by the Town of Parker. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Visit the Parker Police Department in person to submit a records request: Parker Police Department 18600 Lincoln Meadows Parkway Parker, CO 80134 303-841-9800 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Parker Police Department website
Access the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for records related to county-level arrests: Douglas County Sheriff's Office 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 303-660-7505 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Check the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for statewide criminal history information: Colorado Bureau of Investigation 690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000 Denver, CO 80215 303-239-4208 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pursuant to § 24-72-306, C.R.S., criminal justice agencies may assess reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and copying of records. The current fee schedule established by the Town of Parker includes a $30 research fee per hour (first hour free) and $0.25 per page for copies of documents.
Arrest records maintained by the Parker Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:
The Parker Municipal Court maintains related judicial records for cases within its jurisdiction, as prescribed by Municipal Code Chapter 2.08. These records may include arraignment information, plea entries, and case dispositions for arrests resulting in municipal charges.
It should be noted that pursuant to § 24-72-305.5, C.R.S., certain information may be redacted from arrest records prior to public release, including the names of sexual assault victims, confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
The public's right to access arrest records in Parker is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances transparency with privacy and security considerations. The primary statutes governing this access include:
Under § 24-72-304, C.R.S., the official custodian of criminal justice records may exercise discretion in determining whether disclosure of certain records would be contrary to the public interest. Factors considered in this determination include:
The Town of Parker has established Administrative Policy 2023-05 to ensure consistent handling of records requests in compliance with state law. This policy outlines specific procedures for requesting, reviewing, and releasing arrest records to members of the public.
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 Parker follows state statutes and requires judicial approval. Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process typically involves:
Douglas County District Court 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 720-437-6200 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Parker Municipal Court 20120 E. Mainstreet Parker, CO 80138 303-805-3195 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Municipal Court information
Once an expungement order is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes as outlined in § 24-72-702(4), C.R.S.
The Town of Parker and the State of Colorado impose certain restrictions on how arrest records may be used by members of the public. These limitations are designed to protect individuals from improper discrimination while still maintaining appropriate public access to information. Key restrictions include:
The Parker Police Department includes notice of these restrictions when providing arrest records to requestors. Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties or private causes of action for affected individuals.