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Steamboat Springs Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Steamboat Springs, Colorado?

Arrest records are public documents in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) and the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). These statutes establish the framework for public access to criminal justice records maintained by law enforcement agencies within the state. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq., records of official actions, including arrests, are presumptively open to public inspection.

The Steamboat Springs Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records serve multiple public interest functions:

Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
Facilitating research and statistical analysis of crime patterns
Supporting the constitutional right to information about governmental activities

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or other statutory exemptions as provided in C.R.S. § 24-72-305. The custodian of records may withhold certain information if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest as defined by statute.

How to Look Up Steamboat Springs Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Steamboat Springs. The following methods are authorized pursuant to Colorado law:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies

The Steamboat Springs Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records. Individuals may submit records requests during regular business hours.

Steamboat Springs Police Department
2027 Shield Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Phone: (970) 879-4344
Steamboat Springs Police Department

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Records Request Fee: $5.00 per record (subject to change)

Routt County Sheriff's Office

For arrests made by county deputies within Steamboat Springs city limits:

Routt County Sheriff's Office
2025 Shield Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Phone: (970) 879-1090

Judicial Records Access

Court records related to arrests may be accessed through:

Routt County Combined Court
1955 Shield Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Phone: (970) 879-5020

Online Access Options

The Colorado State Judicial Branch maintains a searchable database of court records, including those stemming from arrests in Steamboat Springs. Pursuant to Colorado Judicial Department Public Access Policy, certain case information is available through:

Colorado Courts Records Search (requires registration)
Background check services authorized by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record location, including the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.

Contents of a Steamboat Springs Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Steamboat Springs Police Department and accessible to the public typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by C.R.S. § 24-72-303:

Identifying Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity (as recorded by arresting officer)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest within Steamboat Springs jurisdiction
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory charges filed at time of booking
Case/incident number
Booking number
Warrant information (if applicable)

Processing Information

Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Property inventory
Initial appearance information
Bail or bond amount set
Detention status

Case Disposition

Court of jurisdiction
Case number
Preliminary hearing information
Current status of charges

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

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Victim identifying information
Information related to juveniles
Medical or mental health information
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations

Expungement of Arrest Records in Steamboat Springs

The State of Colorado provides legal mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Steamboat Springs, these procedures are governed by C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, which establish eligibility criteria and processes.

Eligibility Criteria for Expungement

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in no charges being filed (after statute of limitations expires)
Cases dismissed by the prosecution or court
Cases resulting in acquittal at trial
Arrests resulting from mistaken identity
Certain completed deferred judgments and sentences
Specific conviction types after designated waiting periods

Petition Process

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the court of jurisdiction:

Petitioners must file in the Routt County Combined Court if the arrest occurred in Steamboat Springs
Filing fees apply (approximately $65-$224 depending on case type)
Proper notice must be provided to the District Attorney's Office
A hearing may be scheduled at the court's discretion

Effect of Expungement

When an expungement order is granted by the court:

The arrest record is sealed from public view
Law enforcement agencies must limit access to the record
The individual may legally state they have not been arrested regarding the sealed record
The record remains accessible to criminal justice agencies for limited purposes

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process requires strict adherence to statutory requirements. The Steamboat Springs Municipal Court can provide information regarding municipal violations, while the Routt County Combined Court handles state-level offenses.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Use

Colorado law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be utilized, particularly in employment contexts. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-5-101, employers are prohibited from inquiring about sealed or expunged arrests on employment applications. Additionally, the Colorado Chance to Compete Act (C.R.S. § 8-2-130) restricts when employers may inquire about criminal history during the hiring process.

The Steamboat Springs municipal government adheres to these regulations in its own hiring practices and encourages local businesses to comply with state law regarding the use of arrest information. Violations of these provisions may result in administrative penalties through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are accessible, the mere fact of an arrest does not constitute proof of guilt. All arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.