Boulder Background Check Guide
Boulder is located in Boulder County, Colorado, and has a population of roughly 105,000 residents. Background checks in Boulder are processed through the Boulder County Sheriff's Office records division. The sheriff handles criminal history searches, mugshot requests, and related record lookups for individuals and organizations in the Boulder area. For statewide searches, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers an online portal. Boulder Police no longer provides public fingerprinting services. This guide covers how to request a background check in Boulder, what fees apply, and where to go for fingerprint-based record searches.
Boulder Background Check Quick Facts
Boulder County Sheriff Records Office
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office is the main local agency for background check requests in Boulder. The records division is at 5600 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301. You can call them at 303-441-3600. Office hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Walk-in requests are accepted during those hours. Staff can run a name-based criminal history search while you wait.
A background check through the Boulder County Sheriff costs $5 per search report. Each report covers up to 10 pages. If the report goes beyond 10 pages, you pay $0.25 for each extra page. Mugshot copies are $5 per request for persons over 18 years old. These fees apply to all background check requests processed at the Boulder County Sheriff records office. Credit card payments carry a $0.75 base fee plus 2.25% of the total charge.
| Office | Boulder County Sheriff Records Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 5600 Flatiron Parkway Boulder, CO 80301 |
| Phone | 303-441-3600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | bouldercounty.gov/safety/sheriff/records |
Background check fees are waived for crime victims in Boulder County. If you are a victim requesting records related to your own case, bring documentation showing your victim status. The sheriff's staff can explain what qualifies. This waiver applies to the $5 search fee and the mugshot fee at the Boulder County records office.
Boulder Fingerprinting for Background Checks
Boulder Police stopped offering public fingerprinting in October 2018. This means you cannot walk into the Boulder Police Department for a fingerprint-based background check. The change affects anyone who needs prints taken for licensing, certifications, or personal record checks in Boulder. You must use other providers for this service.
Court-ordered fingerprints are handled separately. If a judge orders you to be fingerprinted in Boulder, call 303-441-3300 to set up an appointment. You will need to bring the signed court order and a valid photo ID. This service is only for people with a court order and is not open to the general public in Boulder. Learn more about Boulder fingerprinting options at bouldercolorado.gov/services/fingerprinting.
Boulder Police also cannot process felony fingerprints. Only the Boulder County Jail handles felony fingerprinting. If you need felony-level prints taken, contact the jail directly. This is a common point of confusion for Boulder residents. The police department will refer you to the county jail for any felony fingerprint request.
Note: Since Boulder Police ended public fingerprinting, most residents use CBI-approved vendors or the IdentoGO network for print-based background checks.
CBI Online Background Check in Boulder
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation runs the state's official background check system. Boulder residents can use the CBI Internet Criminal History Check, known as the ICHC. This is a name-based search of the CBI criminal database. It costs $6.75 and returns results quickly. You do not need to visit any office in Boulder. The entire process is online at cbirecordscheck.com.
The CBI ICHC searches Colorado criminal records only. It does not cover federal records or records from other states. For a Boulder background check that covers only Colorado offenses, the ICHC is a good starting point. Results come back fast. You get a report that shows any matches found in the CBI database for the name you searched.
The CBI records check portal is the fastest way for Boulder residents to run a state-level background check from home.
The CBI ICHC portal accepts all major credit and debit cards. Results are displayed on screen and can be printed or saved as a PDF for your records.
For more details on CBI fees, forms, and record types, visit the CBI records and background checks page. The CBI website has forms for both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks available to Boulder residents and all Colorado residents statewide.
Boulder Fingerprint-Based Record Checks
Fingerprint-based background checks are more thorough than name-based searches. They match prints against the CBI and FBI databases. Boulder residents who need this type of check have several options. Since Boulder Police no longer offers public fingerprinting, you must use an approved vendor.
IdentoGO by IDEMIA is a major provider of fingerprint-based background checks. They have locations near Boulder where you can schedule an appointment. Visit uenroll.identogo.com to find a site and book a time. IdentoGO handles prints for state licensing boards, volunteer organizations, and other groups that require fingerprint background checks in the Boulder area.
The CBI fees and forms page lists all current costs for fingerprint-based background checks available to Boulder residents.
Review the CBI fee schedule before submitting your background check request. Fees vary based on the type of search and whether FBI records are included.
Colorado Fingerprinting is another CBI-approved vendor that serves Boulder and surrounding communities. Their website at coloradofingerprinting.com/cabs has scheduling tools and pricing. They handle both CBI and FBI fingerprint background checks. Appointments are typically available within a few days for Boulder residents who need quick turnaround on their record check.
Boulder Background Check Fees
Fees for a background check in Boulder depend on the type of search and the agency you use. The Boulder County Sheriff has one fee structure. The CBI has another. Third-party vendors set their own prices. Below is a summary of the most common fees for background checks in Boulder.
- Sheriff criminal history search: $5.00 per report (up to 10 pages)
- Additional pages beyond 10: $0.25 per page
- Mugshot copy (persons over 18): $5.00
- CBI ICHC online name search: $6.75
- Credit card surcharge at sheriff: $0.75 base plus 2.25%
Background check fees at the Boulder County Sheriff are waived for victims of crime. You must provide documentation of your victim status. The CBI does not offer fee waivers for its online background check portal. Third-party vendors near Boulder each set their own fees, which typically range from $10 to $75 depending on the scope of the background check.
Cash and credit cards are accepted at the Boulder County Sheriff records office. For credit card payments, keep in mind the $0.75 base surcharge plus 2.25% of the total. If you want to avoid the surcharge, pay with cash when visiting the Boulder office in person.
Boulder Court Record Searches
Court records are a separate but related part of a background check in Boulder. Criminal cases filed in Boulder County go through the 20th Judicial District Court. Civil matters, traffic offenses, and other filings are also on file there. You can search Colorado court dockets online through the state judiciary website.
The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a free docket search at courts.state.co.us/dockets. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range. This covers Boulder County courts and all other Colorado courts. The docket search shows case type, filing date, charges, and disposition. It is a useful tool for anyone running a background check on a person with Boulder ties.
Court records and sheriff records serve different purposes in a Boulder background check. Sheriff records show arrest history and booking data. Court records show charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. A complete background check in Boulder may require searching both sources. The sheriff's office and the court system operate independently, so you may need to make separate requests.
Note: Colorado court docket searches are free and open to the public. You do not need to create an account or pay a fee to search Boulder County court records online.
How to Run a Background Check in Boulder
Running a background check in Boulder starts with deciding what type of search you need. A name-based search is faster and cheaper. A fingerprint-based search is more accurate and covers a wider database. Your choice depends on why you need the background check and what the requesting party requires.
For a quick name-based background check in Boulder, the CBI ICHC is the simplest option. Go to cbirecordscheck.com, enter the person's name and date of birth, pay the $6.75 fee, and get results online. This searches Colorado records only. If you need local Boulder County arrest records, visit the sheriff's office at 5600 Flatiron Parkway and pay the $5 search fee.
For a fingerprint-based background check in Boulder, schedule an appointment with IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment. Your prints will be submitted electronically to the CBI and, if requested, the FBI. Results are sent to the agency or organization that required the background check. Processing times vary but are typically 3 to 5 business days for Boulder area submissions.
Boulder County Background Check Records
Boulder is the county seat of Boulder County. The county government manages most criminal record archives, jail booking data, and sheriff reports for all cities within its borders. For a broader look at background check resources across the county, including other cities and unincorporated areas, visit the full Boulder County background check page.