Las Animas County, Colorado Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Las Animas County, Colorado?
Arrest records are public documents in Las Animas County, Colorado, 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 that criminal justice records, including arrest records, are generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions for privacy, ongoing investigations, and public safety concerns. The Las Animas County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are public, access may be subject to administrative procedures and nominal fees as permitted under Colorado law. The custodian of records may require proper identification and completion of a formal request form to process record requests in accordance with § 24-72-305, C.R.S.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Las Animas County?
Las Animas County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Las Animas County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to recent booking information and inmate status through their official website. Additionally, the Colorado Judicial Branch maintains a searchable database of court records that may contain information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Pursuant to § 24-72-303, C.R.S., certain arrest record information may be restricted from online access depending on the nature of the case, the status of proceedings, or if the record has been sealed by court order. Users of online systems should note that:
- Records available online may not be comprehensive
- Some sensitive information may be redacted from public view
- Historical records may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency
- Online access may require creation of user accounts and payment of statutory fees
How to Look Up Las Animas County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Las Animas County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-304:
Submit a records request directly to the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, located at 2309 E. Main Street, Trinidad, CO 81082. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Records requests may be submitted in person during these hours.
Access the Las Animas County Combined Court records at 200 E. First Street, Room 304, Trinidad, CO 81082. Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Utilize the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for statewide criminal history checks, which include arrest data from Las Animas County. CBI records requests can be submitted online or by mail to 690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000, Denver, CO 80215.
Search the Colorado Judicial Branch online docket system which provides case information for arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Fees for record searches are established pursuant to § 24-72-306, C.R.S., and may vary based on the scope and complexity of the request.
Contents of a Las Animas County Arrest Record
Las Animas County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Colorado law and maintained in accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) guidelines. Pursuant to § 24-72-303, C.R.S., these records typically include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including citation of applicable Colorado Revised Statutes
- Arresting agency and officer identification information
- Booking information, including assigned identification numbers and processing details
- Custody status and bail/bond information if applicable
- Fingerprint classification and identification data
- Photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process
- Disposition information if available, including case numbers for associated court proceedings
The Las Animas County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in both physical and digital formats. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with § 24-72-305.5, C.R.S., particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Las Animas County
The expungement or sealing of arrest records in Las Animas County is governed by Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709. Individuals may petition for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances, including:
- Cases resulting in no charges being filed within one year of the arrest
- Cases where all charges were dismissed or the defendant was acquitted at trial
- Cases involving completed deferred judgments where all conditions were satisfied
- Certain conviction records after applicable waiting periods have elapsed
The petition process requires filing with the Las Animas County District Court, located at 200 E. First Street, Trinidad, CO 81082. Petitioners must comply with statutory requirements including notification to the District Attorney's Office and any law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest.
Upon court approval of a petition to seal records, the arrest information becomes inaccessible to the general public, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain licensing purposes as specified in § 24-72-703, C.R.S. The legal effect of sealing is that the person may state that no such arrest or criminal record occurred with respect to standard background checks.
Juvenile arrest records in Las Animas County are subject to different expungement provisions under § 19-1-306, C.R.S., which generally provides broader eligibility for record sealing than adult arrests.
Search Arrest Records in Las Animas County
