Arrest records are public in Grand Junction, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. This legislation establishes that criminal justice records, including arrest records, are generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions. The Grand Junction Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations while balancing privacy considerations as required by statute.
Members of the public may access arrest information through official channels, though some information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-305. The custodian of records may exercise discretion in determining whether disclosure of certain records would be contrary to the public interest, as permitted under state law.
The Grand Junction Police Department maintains several official methods for accessing arrest records. Pursuant to Colorado law, individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following procedures:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests at the Grand Junction Police Department Records Division.
Grand Junction Police Department
555 Ute Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-549-5000
Criminal Justice Records and Police Reports
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Online Record Requests: The department offers an electronic request form for obtaining arrest records, police reports, and related documents.
Mesa County Combined Courts: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through:
Mesa County Justice Center
125 N. Spruce Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-257-3640
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Daily Police Blotter: The department publishes a daily resume of arrests and significant reported crimes from the preceding 24 hours via the Police Blotter.
Requestors must provide proper identification and may be required to pay applicable fees as established by C.R.S. § 24-72-306. Standard processing time for record requests is 3-7 business days, though complex requests may require additional time in accordance with statutory provisions.
Arrest records maintained by the Grand Junction Police Department typically contain the following information as prescribed by Colorado law and departmental policy:
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:
The Grand Junction Police Department maintains these records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Colorado State Archives and municipal record-keeping requirements.
The disclosure of arrest records in Grand Junction is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public access with privacy protections. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), codified at C.R.S. § 24-72-301 through § 24-72-309, establishes the foundational rules for record access.
Under C.R.S. § 24-72-303, records of official actions, including arrests, are generally available for inspection by any person at reasonable times. However, the law grants records custodians discretion regarding the disclosure of criminal justice records that are not records of official actions.
The Grand Junction Police Department must consider several factors when determining whether to release arrest records:
Colorado courts have established through case law (e.g., Freedom Colorado Information v. El Paso County Sheriff, 196 P.3d 892) that agencies must balance these interests rather than automatically withholding or releasing records.
Additionally, federal regulations, including those under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), may restrict the release of medical information that might be contained in arrest records.
Under Colorado law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records sealed or expunged. The process is governed primarily by C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, which provides mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing of arrest records include:
The petition process requires filing with the district court in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred. For Grand Junction arrests, petitions must be filed with:
Mesa County District Court
125 N. Spruce Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-257-3640
The petition must include:
Upon successful sealing or expungement, pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-702(5), the person may legally state that the arrest did not occur and the record does not exist with regard to public entities. However, certain government agencies, including law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, may retain access to sealed records for specific purposes authorized by statute.
The use of arrest records obtained from Grand Junction authorities is subject to significant legal restrictions. Pursuant to the Colorado Consumer Credit Reporting Act (C.R.S. § 12-14.3-101 et seq.) and federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), employers, landlords, and other entities face limitations when using arrest information for decision-making purposes.
Key restrictions include:
The Grand Junction Municipal Code § 9.05.050 further prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on arrest records that did not result in conviction.
Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties, including potential liability under Colorado anti-discrimination laws and municipal ordinances. Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly used may file complaints with:
Colorado Civil Rights Division
1560 Broadway, Suite 1050
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-2997