Durango Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Durango, Colorado?
Arrest records in Durango, Colorado are considered public records pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. The CCJRA governs the disclosure of criminal justice records, including arrest records, to the public. Under this statute, records of official actions such as arrests are generally accessible to members of the public, though certain restrictions may apply in specific circumstances.
The Durango Police Department maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities. The public accessibility of these records serves multiple purposes, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Providing accountability for governmental actions
- Allowing citizens to be informed about criminal activity in their community
- Supporting public safety through information sharing
Records custodians at the Durango Police Department may exercise discretion regarding the release of certain investigative records, but records of official actions such as arrests are presumptively open to public inspection under Colorado law.
How to Look Up Durango Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Durango have several official channels through which they may obtain this information. The Durango Police Department Records Division serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within city limits. Individuals may access these records through the following methods:
- In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Durango Police Department Records Division to submit a formal request for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may be assessed for document reproduction.
Durango Police Department
990 East 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 385-2900
Durango Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- La Plata County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county law enforcement outside city limits, records may be requested from the Sheriff's Office.
La Plata County Sheriff's Office
742 Turner Drive
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-1157
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- La Plata County Combined Courts: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the judicial system.
La Plata County Combined Courts
1060 East 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-2304
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Online Access: Limited arrest information may be available through the Durango Police Department's online portal. Users must register and may be subject to verification procedures.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305, requestors may be required to pay reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The current fee schedule is established by the Durango City Council and is subject to periodic revision.
Contents of a Durango Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Durango Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records are standardized in accordance with Colorado Bureau of Investigation reporting requirements and generally include the following elements:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Statutory violations cited (Colorado Revised Statutes references)
- Municipal code violations, if applicable
- Narrative description of the circumstances leading to arrest
- Names and badge numbers of arresting officers
Case Processing Information:
- Booking number and facility
- Custody status
- Bond amount and conditions, if applicable
- Court docket number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Disposition of charges
Agency Information:
- Originating agency identifier (ORI)
- Case number
- Incident report references
The completeness of publicly available arrest records may be subject to redactions pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, which protects certain personal identifying information and details that might compromise ongoing investigations or public safety.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Durango
Under Colorado law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records sealed or expunged, effectively removing them from public access. The process is governed by several statutes, including C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, which establish the legal framework for record sealing in Colorado.
Eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing of arrest records in Durango include:
Cases Resulting in No Charges: Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-704, if an arrest did not result in charges being filed, the record may be eligible for sealing after specific waiting periods.
Dismissed Cases: Under C.R.S. § 24-72-705, if criminal charges were dismissed or the defendant was acquitted, the arrest record may be sealed following statutory procedures.
Completed Deferred Judgments: When a defendant successfully completes a deferred judgment and sentence, C.R.S. § 24-72-705 provides a pathway for sealing the associated records.
Conviction Records: Certain conviction records may be sealed under C.R.S. § 24-72-706, subject to offense classification, waiting periods, and absence of subsequent criminal activity.
The petition for record sealing must be filed in the La Plata County Combined Courts. The court filing fee is currently $65.00, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. The District Attorney's Office receives notification of all petitions and may object within statutory timeframes.
La Plata County District Attorney's Office
1060 East 2nd Avenue, Suite 110
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-8850
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Petitioners should be aware that certain records, particularly those involving violent offenses, sexual crimes, or offenses against children, are statutorily ineligible for sealing under Colorado law. Additionally, even sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings.
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