La Plata County, Colorado Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in La Plata County, Colorado?
Arrest records in La Plata County, Colorado are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 the legal framework governing public access to criminal justice records maintained by state and local agencies. The La Plata County Sheriff's Office, as the custodian of arrest records within the county, is required by law to provide reasonable access to these documents, subject to certain statutory limitations and exceptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, privacy interests, and public safety.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while most information is accessible, certain details may be redacted in accordance with § 24-72-305, C.R.S., which permits the custodian to withhold records if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest. Additionally, the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act distinguishes between records of "official actions," which must be made available for inspection, and other criminal justice records, for which disclosure is discretionary.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in La Plata County?
La Plata County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official government portals. The La Plata County Online Records system serves as the primary gateway for electronic access to public records, including those related to arrests and incarcerations. The Inmate Search function allows members of the public to verify the custody status of individuals currently detained at the La Plata County Detention Facility.
Digital access is provided in accordance with § 24-72-303, C.R.S., which requires criminal justice agencies to maintain records in a manner that facilitates public inspection. However, requestors should note that comprehensive arrest histories may not be available online due to technical limitations and privacy considerations. The Sheriff's Office Detentions Division, which operates the largest detention facility in Southwest Colorado, maintains additional records that may require in-person requests.
For court records related to arrests, the La Plata County Docket Search through the Colorado Judicial Branch provides case information, including scheduled hearings and case dispositions. This resource complements the arrest record information available through the Sheriff's Office.
How to Look Up La Plata County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in La Plata County, each with specific procedures and requirements:
In-person requests may be submitted at the La Plata County Sheriff's Office:
La Plata County Sheriff's Office
742 Turner Drive
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-1157
La Plata County Sheriff
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWritten requests for Records Requests may be submitted via mail or email, accompanied by a $10 processing fee for local records checks. Pursuant to § 24-72-306, C.R.S., agencies may charge reasonable fees for search and retrieval services.
Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests must be submitted using the county's official form. These requests are processed in accordance with statutory timelines, typically requiring a response within three working days, though complex requests may be extended by an additional seven working days as permitted under § 24-72-203(3)(b), C.R.S.
Court records related to arrests may be accessed through:
La Plata County Combined Courts
1060 East 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-2304
La Plata County Court Information
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMThe Colorado Judicial Branch maintains additional resources for accessing court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval.
Contents of a La Plata County Arrest Record
La Plata County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Colorado law and departmental policies. These records typically include:
- Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
- Arrest details, including date, time, location, and arresting agency
- Statutory charges filed at the time of booking, with reference to specific Colorado Revised Statutes allegedly violated
- Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint information collected during processing
- Case numbers and identifiers used for tracking within the criminal justice system
- Custody status information, including bond amounts if applicable
- Arresting officer information and incident report numbers
- Prior arrest history within La Plata County jurisdiction
Pursuant to § 24-72-305.5, C.R.S., certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including the names of sexual assault victims, information related to confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under § 19-1-304, C.R.S., and may not be publicly accessible except under limited circumstances.
The La Plata County Court Records system maintains case progression information that complements the initial arrest data, including arraignment details, plea information, and case dispositions.
Expungement of Arrest Records in La Plata County
Colorado law provides mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, C.R.S., which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals may petition for record sealing in La Plata County if:
- The arrest did not result in charges being filed within the statute of limitations
- Charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted at trial
- The case was completed through a diversion program or deferred judgment and the terms were successfully fulfilled
- The conviction is eligible for sealing under statutory provisions based on offense classification and time elapsed
The petition process requires filing with the La Plata County Combined Courts and providing notice to the District Attorney's Office. A filing fee of $65 applies to most petitions, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date unless the District Attorney stipulates to the sealing.
If granted, an order to seal records directs all custodial agencies, including the La Plata County Sheriff's Office, to seal the specified records, effectively removing them from public access. However, sealed records remain available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings or for certain employment purposes as specified in § 24-72-702(1)(f), C.R.S.
Juvenile records are subject to different expungement provisions under § 19-1-306, C.R.S., which generally provides broader eligibility for record sealing than adult arrest records.
Search Arrest Records in La Plata County
