Fort Collins Background Check
Fort Collins is the fourth-largest city in Colorado and the county seat of Larimer County. Residents who need a background check in Fort Collins use the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The CBI manages all criminal history records for the state through its Background Investigation Records Unit. Fort Collins does not operate its own criminal records database. Instead, the CBI serves as the central repository. Online name-based checks, fingerprint submissions, and court record searches all route through state-level systems that cover Fort Collins and every other Colorado city. This guide explains each option available to Fort Collins residents.
Fort Collins Quick Facts
Fort Collins CBI Online Background Check
The fastest way to run a background check in Fort Collins is the CBI Internet Criminal History Check. This is a name-based search of Colorado criminal records. It costs $6.00 and returns results almost instantly. Fort Collins residents can access it from any computer or phone with an internet connection. The search covers Colorado arrests, charges, and dispositions stored in the CBI database.
To start a Fort Collins background check online, visit cbirecordscheck.com. You will need the full legal name and date of birth of the person you are searching. The system accepts credit card payments. Results show Colorado criminal history records only. This check does not include records from other states or federal databases. For many purposes in Fort Collins, a Colorado-only check is enough.
The CBI Internet Criminal History Check pulls records from the Background Investigation Records Unit. BIRU maintains criminal history data submitted by law enforcement agencies across Colorado, including the Fort Collins Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff. Records in the system include arrests, charges, court dispositions, and sentences. The database is updated as agencies submit new data.
Note: The $6.00 online check is name-based and may miss records filed under aliases or alternate spellings.
Fort Collins Criminal Record Search Portal
Fort Collins residents begin their background check at the CBI records check portal below. This is the official state system for online criminal history searches at cbirecordscheck.com.
The portal is available around the clock. Fort Collins residents can run a background check at any time without visiting an office. Payment is processed online, and results appear on screen once the search completes. You can print or save the results for your records. The system is the same one used by all Colorado residents, but it covers Fort Collins criminal history data just like any other city in the state.
Fort Collins Fingerprint Background Checks
Fingerprint-based background checks are more thorough than name-based searches. They use unique biometric data to match records. Fort Collins residents who need a fingerprint check submit their prints through a CBI-approved vendor. The two approved vendors serving Fort Collins are IdentoGO and Colorado Fingerprinting.
IdentoGO operates fingerprinting locations across Colorado. Fort Collins residents can schedule an appointment by calling 844-539-5539 or visiting uenroll.identogo.com. Colorado Fingerprinting is another approved vendor. Reach them at 833-224-2227 or through coloradofingerprinting.com. Both vendors capture digital fingerprints and submit them directly to the CBI for processing.
The CBI offers two levels of fingerprint background checks for Fort Collins residents:
- Colorado-only fingerprint check: $16.50 to $17.50
- Colorado plus FBI fingerprint check: $39.50
The Colorado-only fingerprint check searches state records maintained by BIRU. The combined Colorado and FBI check adds a search of the national criminal database. Many licensing boards and volunteer organizations in Fort Collins require the combined check. Processing times vary. The CBI aims to return fingerprint results within a few business days, though delays can occur during high-volume periods. Fort Collins residents should plan ahead if they need results by a specific date.
CBI Records and Background Check Services
The CBI main records page at cbi.colorado.gov is the starting point for Fort Collins residents who want to learn about all available background check options.
This page links to the online check portal, fingerprint vendor information, fee schedules, and required forms. Fort Collins residents can find everything they need from this single hub. The CBI updates fees and procedures on this page, so checking it before starting a background check is a good practice.
Fort Collins Name-Based Mail Check
Fort Collins residents who prefer not to use the online system can request a name-based background check by mail. The fee for a mail-in name check is $13.00. This costs more than the $6.00 online option because it requires manual processing by CBI staff. You send your request to the CBI headquarters at 690 Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80215.
To submit a mail request from Fort Collins, you need a completed request form and a check or money order for $13.00 payable to the CBI. Forms and instructions are available at cbi.colorado.gov. Mail-in checks take longer than online searches. Allow several weeks for processing and return mail to Fort Collins. The CBI processes requests in the order received.
Note: Mail-in results are sent to the return address on the request. Fort Collins residents should include a current mailing address to avoid delays.
Fort Collins Court Records Search
Court records are another way to research someone's criminal history in Fort Collins. The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains an online docket search at courts.state.co.us/dockets. Fort Collins cases are heard in the 8th Judicial District, which covers Larimer County. You can search by name, case number, or date range.
The docket search shows case filings, hearing dates, and dispositions for cases in Larimer County courts. This includes criminal cases, traffic offenses, and civil matters filed in Fort Collins. The system is free to use and does not require an account. It provides basic case information but may not include the full detail found in a CBI background check.
Fort Collins residents can also visit the Larimer County courthouse to request court records in person. Under C.R.S. 24-72-304, criminal justice records in Colorado may be open for public inspection. This statute applies to records held by courts, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies in Fort Collins and across the state. Some records are restricted, but many are available upon request.
Fort Collins Background Check Fees
Background check fees for Fort Collins residents are set by the CBI and apply statewide. The costs depend on which type of check you need. Here is a summary of current fees.
| Check Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online Name Check (ICHC) | $6.00 |
| Mail-In Name Check | $13.00 |
| Colorado Fingerprint Check | $16.50 - $17.50 |
| Colorado + FBI Fingerprint Check | $39.50 |
These fees cover the CBI processing cost. Fingerprint vendors in the Fort Collins area may charge an additional service fee for capturing prints. Ask about the total cost when you schedule your appointment. The CBI posts its current fee schedule at cbi.colorado.gov. Fees can change, so Fort Collins residents should verify amounts before submitting payment.
The CBI headquarters handles all background check processing. Their address is 690 Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80215. Phone inquiries can be directed to (303) 239-4208. Fort Collins residents with questions about a pending background check or fee can call during business hours.
Fort Collins Criminal Record Access Laws
Colorado law governs how criminal records are handled in Fort Collins. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act defines which records are open and which are sealed. Under C.R.S. 24-72-304, criminal justice records may be open for public inspection unless a specific exception applies. Fort Collins law enforcement and courts follow this statute when responding to records requests.
Some records in Fort Collins are not available through a standard background check. Sealed and expunged records will not appear in CBI searches. Juvenile records are generally closed. Cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal may also be eligible for sealing under Colorado law. Fort Collins residents who believe their record qualifies for sealing can petition the court in Larimer County.
The Fort Collins Police Department submits arrest and charge data to the CBI. This data feeds into the background check system. Dispositions from Larimer County courts are also reported. The accuracy of a Fort Collins background check depends on timely reporting by all agencies involved. Delays in reporting can mean recent events do not appear right away.
Note: A background check from the CBI reflects records as reported by agencies. It is not a guarantee of completeness for Fort Collins or any other jurisdiction.
Larimer County Records for Fort Collins
Fort Collins sits within Larimer County, which is home to over 360,000 residents. The Larimer County Sheriff maintains its own records, and those feed into the CBI system. Fort Collins residents who need county-level records can contact the Larimer County Clerk or visit the courthouse. County records can supplement a CBI background check with local case details.
The 8th Judicial District Court in Larimer County handles felony and misdemeanor cases from Fort Collins. Case records from this court appear in the state docket search. For civil background research, Larimer County also maintains property records, liens, and judgments. These are separate from criminal background checks but can be relevant in some situations.
Fort Collins is the largest city in Larimer County. Other nearby cities include Loveland, Estes Park, and Wellington. All share the same CBI background check process. A search of CBI records covers criminal history from anywhere in Colorado, not just Fort Collins or Larimer County. This means a single check can reveal records from other parts of the state as well.
Larimer County Background Check Resources
Fort Collins is located in Larimer County. All criminal cases filed in Fort Collins go through the Larimer County court system in the 8th Judicial District. The CBI background check process applies countywide. For more about records access, court locations, and related resources in Larimer County, visit the county page.