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Colorado Springs Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Colorado Springs, Colorado?

Arrest records are public in Colorado Springs, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. This legislation establishes that criminal justice records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public with certain exceptions. The CCJRA operates in conjunction with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) to ensure transparency in governmental operations while balancing privacy concerns and ongoing investigations.

Members of the public may access arrest records through designated channels established by the Colorado Springs Police Department and El Paso County law enforcement agencies. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

Promoting accountability in law enforcement operations
Enabling background checks for employment and housing
Facilitating research and statistical analysis of crime patterns
Supporting journalistic reporting on public safety matters

It should be noted that certain arrest records may be subject to redaction or withholding under specific provisions of the CCJRA, particularly those involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.

How to Look Up Colorado Springs Arrest Records in 2025

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) maintains several methods through which members of the public may obtain arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

In-Person Requests

Citizens may submit requests in person at the CSPD Records Unit:

Colorado Springs Police Department Records Unit
705 S. Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 444-7000
Official Police Records Request Portal

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.

When submitting an in-person request, requestors must:

Present valid government-issued photo identification
Complete the designated records request form
Pay applicable fees as established by departmental policy
Provide specific information to identify the desired records

Online Requests

The CSPD offers a digital portal through which criminal justice records requests may be submitted. This system allows for:

24/7 submission capability
Electronic payment of associated fees
Status tracking of submitted requests
Secure delivery of approved documents

El Paso County Sheriff's Office Records

For arrests processed by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office:

El Paso County Sheriff's Office Records Section
27 E. Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 520-7100
Sheriff's Office Records

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Contents of a Colorado Springs Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Colorado Springs Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. Pursuant to departmental policy and state regulations, these records typically include:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative identities
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of processing

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory violations cited as basis for detention
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest
Booking number and facility information

Case Documentation

Incident report number and cross-references
Preliminary charges filed by law enforcement
Formal charges filed by the District Attorney's Office
Court case number when applicable
Disposition of charges if resolved

Identification Records

Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Booking photographs ("mugshots") from multiple angles
DNA collection status when applicable under C.R.S. § 16-23-103

All arrest records are maintained in accordance with the CSPD's records retention schedule and the Colorado Municipal Records Retention Schedule as approved by the State Archivist.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Colorado Springs

Under Colorado law, certain individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained by the Colorado Springs Police Department and other criminal justice agencies. The legal framework for this process is established under C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for expungement or sealing of arrest records in Colorado Springs is determined by several factors:

Cases resulting in no charges being filed may be sealed after completion of the statute of limitations
Arrests resulting in dismissal of all charges may be eligible for sealing
Completed deferred judgments where charges were ultimately dismissed
Certain conviction records after specified waiting periods based on offense classification
Juvenile records subject to special provisions under C.R.S. § 19-1-306

Application Process

The process for sealing or expunging arrest records requires:

Filing a petition with the El Paso County District Court or Colorado Springs Municipal Court, depending on jurisdiction
Payment of filing fees (currently $65 for district court filings)
Notification to the District Attorney's Office and affected agencies
Judicial review and potential hearing
Court order directing all relevant agencies to seal records if granted

El Paso County Combined Courts
270 S. Tejon Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 452-5000
Colorado Judicial Branch

Colorado Springs Municipal Court
224 E. Kiowa Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 385-5922
Municipal Court Information

Legal Effects of Expungement

When an arrest record is sealed pursuant to court order:

The arrest is deemed not to have occurred for most purposes
Sealed records are not accessible through standard background checks
The individual may lawfully deny the arrest occurred in most circumstances
Law enforcement agencies retain limited access for specified purposes
Certain licensing boards and government agencies maintain statutory access rights

Individuals with questions regarding eligibility should consult with legal counsel, as the determination is highly fact-specific and subject to judicial discretion.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Colorado Springs, several statutory and regulatory restrictions limit access in specific circumstances. These limitations are designed to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations.

The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act establishes that custodians of criminal justice records may restrict access when disclosure would be contrary to the public interest. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305, the following categories of arrest records may be subject to restricted access:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Records involving sexual assault victims
Juvenile arrest records (subject to C.R.S. § 19-1-304)
Records sealed by court order
Information that would compromise confidential sources
Intelligence information compiled for law enforcement purposes

The Colorado Springs Police Department evaluates each records request individually to determine whether any statutory exemptions apply. When records are withheld or redacted, the department provides written notification citing the specific legal authority for the denial.