Dolores Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dolores, Colorado?
Arrest records are public documents in Dolores, Colorado, accessible to all members of the public. This accessibility is governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq., which establishes guidelines for the release of criminal justice records. The CCJRA operates in conjunction with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), which broadly mandates transparency in government operations. Under these statutes, law enforcement agencies maintain discretion regarding the release of certain records, but arrest records generally remain available for public inspection.
The Montezuma County Sheriff's Office, which serves Dolores, maintains these records as part of their statutory obligations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit formal requests to the records custodian. While some information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-305, the fundamental arrest data remains accessible to promote governmental transparency and public safety awareness.
Requestors should note that while arrest records are public, they document only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Pursuant to legal principles established in Colorado jurisprudence, all arrested individuals maintain the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
How to Look Up Dolores Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Dolores, Colorado. The following procedures comply with Colorado Revised Statutes and local administrative protocols:
Montezuma County Sheriff's Office 109 W Main Street, Suite 102 Cortez, CO 81321 Phone: (970) 565-8452 Official Website: Montezuma County Sheriff's Office
Individuals may submit records requests in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). The Sheriff's Office requires completion of a standardized Criminal Justice Records Request form and payment of applicable fees as authorized under C.R.S. § 24-72-306. Current fee schedules are posted at the facility and on the official website.
Dolores Town Marshal's Office 420 Central Avenue Dolores, CO 81323 Phone: (970) 882-7211 Official Website: Town of Dolores
The Marshal's Office maintains records specific to arrests within town limits. Requestors must provide the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Identification is required when submitting requests in person.
22nd Judicial District Court 109 West Main Street, Suite 210 Cortez, CO 81321 Phone: (970) 565-1111 Official Website: Colorado Judicial Branch
Court records, including those related to arrests, may be accessed through the courthouse during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). The court maintains public access terminals for electronic record searches. Pursuant to Chief Justice Directive 05-01, certain court records may be restricted based on case type or statutory provisions.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) 690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000 Denver, CO 80215 Phone: (303) 239-4208 Official Website: Colorado Bureau of Investigation
The CBI maintains a statewide criminal history database accessible to the public. Requests require submission of the subject's full name and date of birth, along with payment of statutory fees. Results typically include arrest data from all Colorado jurisdictions, including Dolores.
Contents of a Dolores Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Dolores, Colorado contain standardized information as prescribed by Colorado law and administrative regulations. These records typically include the following components:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color), gender, and last known address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting agency; badge numbers of arresting officers; and the statutory authority under which the arrest was executed.
Offense Information: Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including citation of relevant Colorado Revised Statutes allegedly violated; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies; and preliminary case numbers assigned.
Booking Data: Fingerprint records, booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), and unique identifiers assigned within the criminal justice system.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determinations, bond amounts, and detention facility location if the individual was remanded to custody.
Case Disposition: When available, the outcome of the case, including dismissals, plea agreements, trial results, or diversion program participation.
Agency Annotations: Administrative notes regarding the arrest processing, property inventories, and medical screening results as required by detention protocols.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including the names of sexual assault victims, information regarding confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under C.R.S. § 19-1-304.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dolores
Colorado law provides mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. These provisions are codified in C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, with procedures applicable to arrests occurring in Dolores and throughout Colorado.
Individuals may petition for record sealing in the following circumstances:
- Arrests that did not result in charges being filed, pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-704
- Cases dismissed by prosecutors or resulting in acquittal at trial, as provided in C.R.S. § 24-72-705
- Certain completed deferred judgments and sentences, as outlined in C.R.S. § 24-72-705
- Specific conviction records after statutory waiting periods, subject to eligibility requirements in C.R.S. § 24-72-706
The petition process requires filing with the 22nd Judicial District Court, which serves Montezuma County including Dolores. Filing fees apply unless waived by the court upon demonstration of financial hardship. The District Attorney's Office receives notification of all petitions and may object within statutory timeframes.
Successful sealing of records restricts public access but does not eliminate the records entirely. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records for specified purposes, including subsequent criminal investigations and prosecutions. Additionally, certain licensing boards and government agencies maintain statutory authority to access sealed records for employment and certification purposes.
Petitioners should note that expungement differs from sealing. True expungement, which involves complete destruction of records, is generally limited to juvenile records under specific circumstances outlined in C.R.S. § 19-1-306.
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