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