Denver County Background Check Records

Denver County is both a city and a county in Colorado. It is the state capital and the most populated county. A background check in Denver County may involve records from the Denver Police Department, the Denver Sheriff Department, or the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Each agency holds different types of records. The Denver Police Department manages arrest records for crimes that took place within city and county lines. The Sheriff Department runs the jail system and responds to public records requests. Understanding which office to contact is the first step in any Denver County background check.

Denver Police Department Background Checks

The Denver Police Department once provided fingerprint-based background checks. That changed on September 24, 2018. DPD no longer offers fingerprinting at its offices. People who need a fingerprint check must now go through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation or an approved vendor. This shift moved most Denver County background check requests to the state level. Still, DPD keeps its own arrest records for crimes in the City and County of Denver.

You can view details about this change on the DPD Background Checks page on the Denver city website.

The page confirms that fingerprint services are no longer available through DPD. It directs users to third-party vendors and the CBI for Denver County background check needs.

For arrests that did not take place in Denver, the DPD cannot help. Those records belong to the agency that made the arrest. If you are not sure where an arrest took place, the CBI is a good place to start. Visit cbirecordscheck.com to run a statewide check. This search covers all of Colorado, not just Denver County.

Note: DPD arrest records are limited to arrests made within the City and County of Denver only.

Denver County Arrest Record Requests

You can still request your own arrest record from the Denver Police Department. The DPD Identification Section handles these requests. The fee is $15.00. You must pay by check or money order. Make it out to Manager of Revenue. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. Mail it or drop it off in person at the DPD office.

The DPD Identification Section is at 1331 Cherokee St, Room 416, Denver, CO 80204. An arrest records form is available from this office. Fill out the form with your full name and date of birth. Only arrests made in Denver County show up in this search. Other agencies handle their own arrest records. If you need records from outside Denver County, reach out to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at cbi.colorado.gov for a broader search.

The police records division also handles other types of requests. You can learn more about what is available through the Denver Police Records portal.

This page lists the types of records you can request from DPD, along with instructions for each type of Denver County record.

Denver Sheriff Records and Public Access

The Denver Sheriff Department is the largest in Colorado. It runs the city jail and the county jail. The department also handles courthouse security and inmate transport. Because of its size, the Sheriff Department holds a large volume of records. These include booking records, jail logs, and inmate data. Many of these are public under Colorado law.

Public records requests go through the Sheriff Department's online portal. You can submit a request at the Denver Sheriff Public Records Request page. The portal lets you describe what records you need. Staff will review the request and get back to you. Some records may be free. Others may have a copy fee. Response times vary based on the scope of what you ask for in your Denver County background check.

The Sheriff portal is the best way to request jail and booking records tied to a Denver County background check.

Note: The Denver Sheriff Department is separate from the Denver Police Department, and each holds different record types.

Criminal Records Law in Denver County

The release of police records in Denver County is governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. This state law sets the rules for what records are public and what can be held back. Under C.R.S. 24-72-304, criminal justice agencies must allow inspection of official action records. That includes arrests, charges, and case outcomes. However, some records may be denied if release would cause harm or if they are part of an active case.

Denver County agencies follow these rules closely. When you request a background check record, the agency reviews the request under this law. They look at what you asked for and decide if it can be released. Most basic arrest data is public. Detailed investigative files may not be. If your request is denied, the agency must tell you the reason in writing. You have the right to appeal a denial in court.

Sealed or expunged records do not show up in a Denver County background check. Colorado allows people to seal certain criminal records after a set period of time. If a record is sealed, it will not appear in searches from DPD, the Sheriff, or the CBI. This is an important point for anyone reviewing their own Denver County background check results.

Denver County Court Record Searches

Court records add another layer to a Denver County background check. The Denver County Court and Denver District Court both handle criminal cases. County court covers misdemeanors and minor offenses. District court handles felonies and serious crimes. Both courts are in the 2nd Judicial District.

You can search court dockets online through the Colorado Judicial Branch. Visit courts.state.co.us/dockets to look up cases by name or case number. This free tool covers all Colorado courts. It shows case type, filing date, charges, and disposition. It is a useful starting point for any Denver County background check that involves court records.

Court records show the full story of a case. They include:

• Charges filed by the district attorney
• Plea entered by the defendant
• Trial dates and hearing outcomes
• Sentencing details and probation terms
• Case status and final disposition

These records are public in most cases. Some cases may be sealed by court order. Juvenile cases in Denver County are not open to the public. For adult criminal cases, you can view docket entries and some documents through the online system at no charge.

Statewide Background Checks Through CBI

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation runs the state's criminal record database. A CBI background check covers all of Colorado, not just Denver County. This is the best option when you need a broad search. The CBI website at cbirecordscheck.com allows online name-based searches. Results come back fast. The fee varies based on the type of check you need.

CBI also handles fingerprint-based checks. Since Denver Police no longer offers fingerprinting, most Denver County residents use CBI or a CBI-approved vendor for this service. A fingerprint check is more thorough than a name-based search. It ties records to a specific person rather than just a name match. This reduces errors and false hits in a Denver County background check.

The steps to run a CBI check are straightforward:

• Go to cbirecordscheck.com and create an account
• Select the type of search you need
• Enter the required personal details
• Pay the fee online
• Wait for results by email or mail

More details on the types of checks CBI offers are at cbi.colorado.gov. This page breaks down each option and its cost. For Denver County residents, CBI is often the primary source for a complete background check.

Cities in Denver County

Denver is a consolidated city-county. The city and the county share the same borders. There are no other cities within Denver County. All background check records for this area come from Denver city and county agencies.

Nearby Counties

Several counties surround Denver County. If an arrest or court case took place outside Denver, you may need to check records in one of these nearby counties. Each county keeps its own criminal records and court files.