How to Search Colorado Criminal Records (Start Here)
Colorado criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Colorado state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Statewide criminal-history agency
Public name-based search
Fingerprint-based screening
Sex offender registry
Open records statute
Number of counties
64 counties
Population
5,957,493
Households
2,331,517
Median Income
$92,911
Median Home Value
$502,200
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Colorado repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
Colorado Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
ICHC delivers Colorado-only CHRI instantly via cbirecordscheck.com.
$5 online
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Internet Criminal Histor
Primary method
How to submit
Colorado Bureau of Inves
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
C.R.S. §24-72-301
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.
What Changed in 2026 — Colorado Criminal Records
2026
Colorado state-only check active
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to process state criminal history checks via cbi.colorado.gov.
2026
Colorado background check fee structure
Current fee for a Colorado state-only check: $5 online. Method: Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) — instant online name-based.
2026
Colorado statutory framework
Colorado criminal history records are governed by C.R.S. §24-72-301 and disseminated through Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Colorado, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.
The 4-Step Colorado Criminal Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a Colorado state-only check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) — instant online name-based. Current fee: $5 online.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at cbi.colorado.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Colorado Criminal Records
❌ Myth: "Colorado background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) check covers ONLY Colorado arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only cbi.colorado.gov (the official Colorado repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Colorado law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Colorado public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Colorado state check shows Colorado-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- cbi.colorado.gov — Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) — Official Colorado criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
📍 Other Colorado records:
- Colorado Court Records →
- Colorado Property Records →
- Colorado Vital Records →
- Colorado Voter Records →
- Colorado Wants & Warrants →
- Colorado Licenses →
- Colorado Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 Criminal Records in other states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Criminal Records hub →
Related Public Records
More Colorado records: Court records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Criminal Records Databases
23 official Colorado criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
Docket Search | Colorado Judicial Branch
Official Free
Use any of the following fields to find a list of dockets · At least one filter in addition to date is required to perform this search
Detentions Service Bureau
Official Free
According to the Colorado Revised Statutes, the sheriff is the custodian of the jail and is responsible for housing inmates, transporting prisoners, executing writs and attending to the courts. The Detention Services Bureau, commanded by Bureau Chief Scott Luedtke, fulfills those obligations, with Captain Chris Gulli managing detention administration and Captain Meagan Danitz managing detention operations. The Arapahoe County ...
Services | Avon, CO - Official Website
Official Free
The Avon Police Department will provide a clearance letter that provides information on whether an individual has ever been criminally contacted in the Town of Avon. This letter does not include information from any of our neighboring jurisdictions, the State of Colorado or FBI.
🌐 avon.org
Daily Booking and Listing Reports - Boulder County
Official Free
The Daily Booking Report and the Daily Listings Report show individuals who have been booked or lodged at the Boulder County Jail.
Docket Search | Colorado Judicial Branch
Official Free
Docket Search · E-Filing for Attorneys · E-Filing for Non-Attorneys · Find Webex Virtual Courtrooms · Information for Attorneys · On The Board Report · Sealed Case Search · Jury · Jury · Jury Commissioners by County · Colorado Jury Service Video · Jury FAQs · Summons Sent to Old Address ·
Access Guide to Public Records | Colorado Judicial Branch
Official Free
If you seek Denver County Court data, you may contact that court directly at: coradatarequests@denvercountycourt.org · Limited access to court records is available online through the third-party vendors linked below. Access to court records is not available directly through the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
Inmate Funds, Property and Mail | Mesa County
Official Free
The designated person must have a valid government-issued photo ID to receive an inmate's property. Property releases will not occur on any County-observed holidays. Mesa County Detention Facility Inmate's Full Name and Booking Number P.O.
County Jail | San Miguel County, CO - Official Website
Official Free
The Sheriff is responsible for maintaining the San Miguel County Jail. Responsibilities include taking in inmates for arrests made by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the County. This includes the towns of Telluride, Norwood, Mountain Village and Colorado State Patrol.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation - CBI: Sex Offender Registry
Official Free
This information is being provided to the public, pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 16-22-111. Any action taken by you towards a registered sex offender, including vandalism of property, verbal or written threats of harm or physical assault against this person, his or her family or employer ...
COUNTY PROFILE UNITED STATES
Official Free
Punishments for inmates were the · “Dark Cell” for misbehavior and ball-and-chain for those who ... Isabel near the mouth of the Colorado River. There, supplies were loaded and taken up the Colorado via river · steamers to Yuma. From here, freight was shipped further · upriver on steamers and by land with mule drawn freight ... Yuma County...
Wholesale / Colorado Court Records
Official Free
Home | CARE Login · (800) 433-6010 · Our Companies BIS ChemScreen Wholesale · Client Access CARE Login Online Order Login ChemScreen Login · Screening Solutions Employment and Volunteer Drug, Alcohol & Health Residential Global Self · Integrations Partners & Associations Announcements ...
🌐 bisi.com
Access Guide to Public Records | Colorado Judicial Branch
Official Free
The Criminal Justice Records Act (§ 24-72-301 et.seq., C.R.S.) addresses court records in criminal proceedings. Two sections of note in the CJRA are: § 24-72-304 C.R.S - the custodian’s authority to make rules and regulations for inspection of records. § 24-72-305 C.R.S. - the custodian’s authority to deny inspection if prohibited by law, Colorado Supreme Court rule, existing court order, or if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.
State of Colorado Criminal History Check
Official Free
The State of Colorado is an open records state by Colorado Revised State Statute which allows anyone to obtain Colorado arrest information . Sealed records are not releasable and generally juvenile records are not accessible to the public. To inquire about a person and to obtain his or her record, ...
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office – Honesty . Loyalty . Unity
Official Free
Read More » ... This week, law enforcement agencies from the Pikes Peak region and across the United States are participating in National Police Week. On May 1, 2026, Read More » ... In accordance with Colorado law, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has been notified Steven John Long will ...
Current Inmates - Garfield County Sheriff Colorado
Official Free
For up to date information regarding current inmates, please contact the Garfield County Jail at (970) 945-0453 . ... If you notice a problem with the link, or an outdated report, please contact us at [email protected]. ... Bonds can be posted in person at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office ...
Archive Center • Current Arrests and Law Incidents Summary R
Official Free
Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more · Current Arrests and Law Incidents Summary Reports All Archives
Records | Sheridan, CO - Official Website
Official Free
Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more · The Records Bureau receives, reviews, and files reports prepared by members of the Police Department. They are also responsible for reviewing reports for administrative purposes.
Home | Colorado Department of Corrections
Official Free
The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) is transitioning to a new electronic deposit service provider to ensure secure and efficient financial management for incarcerated individuals. Each individual in CDOC custody maintains an inmate account used for purchasing canteen items, including ...
Home | Colorado Department of Corrections
Official Free
The Colorado State Board of Parole (links to an external website) is a separate entity from the Colorado Department of Corrections and is given the sole authority to grant or deny discretionary parole to incarcerated persons in Colorado Department of Corrections custody.
VINE is not working right now - VINELink
Official Free
ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY USERS OF THIS SITE WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL BE USED ONLY FOR VINE SERVICES, INCLUDING NOTIFICATION PURPOSES. The VINE service representatives may contact you from time to time to ask about your experience with the VINELink site and our VINE services.
PACER: Login
Official Paid
This site is maintained by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the Federal Judiciary. PACER Service Center (800) 676-6856 pacer@psc.uscourts.gov
Colorado Counties
64 Colorado counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official Colorado background check?▼
Colorado's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Begin the request at cbi.colorado.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Colorado statute.
Are Colorado criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Colorado is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) explains who can request what at cbi.colorado.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Colorado?▼
A state check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) (cbi.colorado.gov) covers only criminal activity within Colorado. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Colorado criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) documentation at cbi.colorado.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Colorado criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Colorado criminal history, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at cbi.colorado.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.