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Wheat Ridge Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wheat Ridge, Colorado?

Arrest records are public documents in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, accessible to all members of the public. This accessibility is governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq., which classifies arrest records as criminal justice records available for public inspection. The law establishes that these records must be made available to maintain transparency in governmental operations and ensure accountability within the criminal justice system. Residents and non-residents alike may request and obtain these records for various legitimate purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information gathering.

The Wheat Ridge Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and departmental policies. While most information contained in arrest records is available to the public, certain sensitive details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or individual privacy rights as permitted under § 24-72-305, C.R.S.

How to Look Up Wheat Ridge Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Wheat Ridge arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing these public documents:

In-Person Requests at the Wheat Ridge Police Department: Individuals may visit the Records Division during regular business hours to submit a request form and receive records.

Wheat Ridge Police Department
7500 W. 29th Avenue
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
(303) 235-2913
Wheat Ridge Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office maintains records for arrests made within its jurisdiction, including Wheat Ridge.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
200 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 271-5555
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Jefferson County Combined Courts: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained at the county courthouse.

Jefferson County Combined Courts
100 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 271-6145
Jefferson County Courts Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The state agency maintains a comprehensive database of arrest records throughout Colorado.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Denver, CO 80215
(303) 239-4208
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Written Requests: Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-306, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records by mail, accompanied by the required identification and processing fees.

Contents of a Wheat Ridge Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Wheat Ridge law enforcement agencies contain specific information as mandated by Colorado state law. These records typically include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, and any known aliases or identifiers
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Offense Information: Nature and statutory citation of the alleged criminal violation(s)
Case Identification: Unique booking number, case number, and other administrative identifiers
Arresting Agency Information: Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s), department jurisdiction, and agency case number
Booking Data: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and personal property inventory
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release conditions, or bail/bond amounts as determined at initial appearance
Court Information: Scheduled court dates, assigned courtroom, and docket number
Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including the names of sexual assault victims, information related to confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Legal Framework for Accessing Arrest Records

The legal foundation for public access to arrest records in Wheat Ridge is established through multiple statutory provisions. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) serves as the primary legal framework governing the availability of these documents.

Under C.R.S. § 24-72-303, official custodians of criminal justice records are required to allow inspection of records by any person at reasonable times, except as otherwise provided by law. The statute establishes that:

Records custodians may establish reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying services
Fees must not exceed the actual costs of providing the requested records
Records may be withheld if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest as defined in § 24-72-305
Certain records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily restricted
Sealed or expunged records are not available for public inspection

The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq., provides additional legal support for public access to government records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings. This comprehensive legal framework ensures that citizens have appropriate access to information while balancing privacy concerns and law enforcement needs.

Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Wheat Ridge, certain limitations and restrictions apply to their accessibility. These restrictions serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and sensitive information:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-702, records that have been sealed by court order are not available to the general public
Juvenile Records: Under C.R.S. § 19-1-304, arrest records for individuals under 18 years of age are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions
Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would compromise law enforcement activities
Privacy Protections: Information regarding victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse may be redacted to protect victim privacy
National Security: Records related to terrorism investigations or matters of national security may be subject to federal restrictions

Requestors seeking arrest records should be aware that these limitations may affect the completeness of the information provided. Records custodians are legally obligated to review documents and apply appropriate redactions before release.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wheat Ridge

The expungement process in Wheat Ridge allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Colorado law. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, individuals may petition for record sealing if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.

The following conditions generally apply to expungement eligibility:

Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may qualify for immediate sealing under C.R.S. § 24-72-702
Arrests that did not result in charges being filed may be sealed after specific waiting periods
Certain conviction records may be sealed after completion of all terms of the sentence and applicable waiting periods
Petitioners must not have subsequent arrests or charges during the waiting period
Some offenses, particularly violent crimes, sexual offenses, and DUI convictions, are statutorily ineligible for sealing

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. The Jefferson County District Court reviews these petitions and may schedule hearings where the District Attorney's Office has the opportunity to object. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies to seal the records, effectively removing them from public access.

Jefferson County District Court
100 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 271-6145
Jefferson County Courts Official Website