Commerce City Background Check Guide
Commerce City is located in Adams County, just north of Denver. The city has a population of about 62,000. It borders the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge to the east and sits along the I-270 and I-76 corridors. A background check in Commerce City uses state and county data sources. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation manages all criminal history checks at the state level. Adams County handles local records through its Sheriff's Office and court system. This guide covers how to run a background check in Commerce City from start to finish.
Commerce City Quick Facts
CBI Online Check for Commerce City
The fastest way to run a background check in Commerce City is through the CBI Internet Criminal History Check. This is a name-based search of the state criminal database. It costs $6 per result. The search pulls arrest and conviction records from all 64 Colorado counties, including Adams County. Commerce City residents can complete the entire check online without leaving home.
To begin, visit cbirecordscheck.com and enter the full name and date of birth of the person you want to check.
The CBI portal processes most name-based background checks for Commerce City within minutes.
A name-based check works well as a first step. It is quick and inexpensive. However, it relies on name and date of birth for matching. Common names can produce false hits. If the person has used aliases, results may be incomplete. For Commerce City residents who need verified results tied to identity, a fingerprint-based check is more reliable. The CBI online check remains the best starting point for most people in Commerce City who need a fast criminal record search.
Note: The CBI online check returns Colorado records only. It does not cover federal or out-of-state records.
Commerce City Fingerprint Checks
Fingerprint-based background checks provide the highest accuracy. Prints are unique to one person. There is no risk of a false match. Commerce City residents can use two CBI-approved vendors to get prints taken and submitted for processing.
IdentoGO operates fingerprint collection sites across the Denver metro area. You can schedule online or call 844-539-5539. Commerce City residents typically use locations along the I-76 and I-25 corridors in the north metro area. Walk-in availability depends on the site. IdentoGO handles both Colorado-only and Colorado-plus-FBI checks.
Colorado Fingerprinting is the second CBI-approved vendor. Reach them at 833-224-2227. They offer scheduled and mobile sessions. Both vendors take prints electronically and submit them to the CBI at 690 Kipling St in Lakewood. You can call the CBI at (303) 239-4208 with questions about fingerprint processing for a Commerce City background check.
A Colorado-only fingerprint check costs $16.50 to $17.50. A combined Colorado and FBI check costs $39.50. The CBI sets these fees. Vendor fees may add to the total. Processing takes one to three weeks. Commerce City residents should plan ahead if results are needed by a certain date.
Adams County Records
Commerce City sits entirely within Adams County. The Adams County Sheriff's Office handles local criminal records for the area. Arrest records, booking data, and incident reports from Commerce City flow through the Sheriff's Office before reaching the CBI state database. Adams County government offices are in Brighton, about 15 miles northeast of Commerce City.
The Adams County Sheriff maintains records for unincorporated areas and assists local agencies. Within Commerce City limits, the Commerce City Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency. Both agencies submit records to the CBI. A statewide CBI background check captures data from both sources in a single search.
Commerce City has grown rapidly. The development around the Dick's Sporting Goods Park area and the expansion north toward Brighton have brought new residents and businesses. That growth means more record activity flowing through Adams County systems. For Commerce City residents, the CBI statewide check is the simplest way to access the combined data.
Commerce City Court Records
Court records add depth to a background check. They show charges, pleas, and sentences. The Colorado Courts docket search lets you look up cases by name or case number. It covers all state courts, including Adams County courts that handle Commerce City cases. The tool is free.
A CBI background check shows arrests. Court records show outcomes. Was the charge dismissed? Did the person plead guilty? Was there a sentence? These facts only appear in court records. For a full picture of criminal history in Commerce City, you need both the CBI check and a court docket search.
The CBI records and background checks page has details on how state records and court records work together.
The CBI website is the central resource for understanding how criminal records are collected and shared across Adams County and the rest of Colorado.
Court records in Colorado are public in most cases. Sealed cases will not appear. Juvenile records are closed. Cases dismissed or resolved with a not guilty verdict may still show in the docket until sealed by court order. Commerce City residents should be aware that visible records do not always mean a conviction occurred.
Record Access Laws in Commerce City
Colorado law governs criminal record access. Under C.R.S. 24-72-304, criminal justice records may be open for inspection by any person. This applies to arrest data, conviction records, and case facts. The law covers records held by the Commerce City Police, the Adams County Sheriff, and the CBI.
Some records are restricted. Sealed records do not appear in any standard search. Colorado allows petitions to seal certain records after a waiting period. Drug offenses, petty offenses, and dismissed cases may qualify. Once sealed by an Adams County court, the record drops out of CBI background checks and local searches. Commerce City residents who think a record may be sealable should review the Colorado courts self-help site for forms and instructions.
- Arrest records are public under state law
- Conviction data shows in CBI checks
- Sealed records are hidden from all searches
- Dismissed cases may remain visible until sealed
- Juvenile records are not part of adult checks
Steps for a Commerce City Check
Running a background check in Commerce City follows a clear process. Start by deciding which type of search you need. A name-based CBI check is the fastest and cheapest. A fingerprint check is more thorough and covers both state and federal databases.
For a name-based check, go to cbirecordscheck.com. Enter the full name and date of birth. Pay the $6 fee. Results come back quickly for most searches. This check covers all of Colorado and picks up records from Adams County and every other county in the state. It is the standard tool for a Commerce City background check.
For a fingerprint check, visit IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting to book a session near Commerce City. Bring a valid photo ID. Pay at the vendor. The CBI processes the prints. A Colorado-only check costs $16.50 to $17.50. A combined Colorado and FBI check costs $39.50. Results come by mail in one to three weeks.
For court records, use the free Colorado Courts docket search. Search by name or case number. This covers Adams County courts that process Commerce City cases. Court records show outcomes that do not appear in CBI checks. The CBI fees and forms page has the full schedule of costs before you begin.
Note: No single source gives you every record. A full Commerce City background check may need data from the CBI, Adams County, and the court system.
Commerce City Local Record Resources
Commerce City has a distinct identity in the north Denver metro area. The city grew from an industrial hub into a mixed residential and commercial community. It is home to the Colorado Rapids soccer stadium and borders the Rocky Mountain Arsenal refuge. That blend of industry, housing, and open space sets it apart from neighboring cities in Adams County.
The Commerce City Police Department serves the city directly. Their records feed into the CBI database alongside data from the Adams County Sheriff. Between these two agencies, most criminal activity in Commerce City gets captured in the statewide system. A CBI background check is the simplest way to access that combined data from home.
Commerce City sits just minutes from downtown Denver. The CBI office in Lakewood is about a 25-minute drive west on I-70. Most background check needs can be handled online. For fingerprinting, vendors in the north metro area serve Commerce City residents without a long commute.
Adams County Background Checks
Commerce City is in Adams County. The county manages criminal record archives, court filings, and sheriff reports for all cities within its borders. For a broader look at background check resources across the county, including Thornton, Brighton, and Northglenn, visit the Adams County background check page.