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Grand Junction Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Grand Junction, Colorado?

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.

How to Look Up Grand Junction Arrest Records in 2025

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.

Contents of a Grand Junction Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Grand Junction Police Department typically contain the following information as prescribed by Colorado law and departmental policy:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
Date, time, and location of arrest
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint information
Enumeration of charges filed
Case/incident number
Arresting officer information
Booking agency details
Custody status
Bond information, if applicable

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Victim information in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence
Information related to juveniles (governed by separate confidentiality provisions)
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations

The Grand Junction Police Department maintains these records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Colorado State Archives and municipal record-keeping requirements.

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access

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:

The privacy interests of individuals named in the records
The agency's interest in maintaining confidentiality
The public purpose to be served by allowing inspection
Any applicable statutory provisions limiting disclosure

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.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Grand Junction

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:

Cases resulting in no charges being filed (may be sealed after completion of statute of limitations)
Cases dismissed by the court or resulting in acquittal
Completed deferred judgments and sentences
Certain drug offenses after specified waiting periods
Arrests resulting from mistaken identity

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:

Petitioner's full name and date of birth
Case number and date of arrest
Law enforcement agency that effected the arrest
Charges filed, if any
Disposition of the case
Statutory basis for sealing

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.

Limitations on Arrest Record Use

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:

Employers may not inquire about sealed or expunged arrests
Under C.R.S. § 24-5-101, licensing agencies and public employers may not use arrests that did not result in conviction as the sole basis for denying employment
Consumer reporting agencies are prohibited from reporting arrests older than seven years unless certain exceptions apply
Housing providers receiving federal funding face restrictions on using arrest records without conviction when screening applicants

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