Colorado Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in Colorado

Warrants are public record in Colorado pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq. This legislation establishes that most government records, including judicial records such as warrants, shall be available for public inspection. The Colorado Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that court records, including warrants that have been executed or are no longer sealed, fall within the scope of public records accessible to citizens.

The public nature of warrant records serves several important governmental functions:

Promotes transparency in the judicial system
Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
Provides citizens with information about potential legal actions that may affect them
Supports the constitutional right to due process
Facilitates research and statistical analysis of law enforcement activities

Certain exceptions exist under C.R.S. § 24-72-204 for warrants that are under seal by court order, typically in cases where disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger individuals involved. Such warrants remain confidential until the seal is lifted by judicial order. Additionally, warrants related to juvenile cases may have restricted access in accordance with C.R.S. § 19-1-304, which governs the confidentiality of juvenile records.

Members of the public seeking warrant information may access these records through the Colorado Judicial Branch or local law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

What Is Contained in Warrant Records in Colorado

Warrant records in Colorado contain specific information as mandated by Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure 41 and relevant statutes. Standard components of warrant records include:

Subject identification: Full legal name of the individual, date of birth, physical description, and last known address
Case information: Case number, filing date, and issuing court jurisdiction
Warrant details: Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search), date of issuance, and expiration date if applicable
Alleged offense: Description of the criminal charges or reason for the warrant, including statutory citations
Bond information: Amount of bail set, if applicable, and conditions of release
Issuing authority: Name of the judge or magistrate who signed the warrant
Service status: Whether the warrant has been executed, is outstanding, or has been recalled

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains a centralized database of warrant information that is shared with law enforcement agencies statewide through the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC) system. This system facilitates the efficient tracking and service of warrants across jurisdictional boundaries within the state.

How to Check For Warrants in Colorado For Free

Colorado residents may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by state and local authorities:

County Sheriff's Offices: Most sheriff's departments maintain public access terminals where individuals can search for warrant information during regular business hours.
District Court Clerk's Offices: Court clerks can provide information about warrants issued within their jurisdiction.
Online Resources: Several counties offer free online warrant search tools through their official websites.

Denver County Sheriff's Office
490 W. Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (720) 913-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

El Paso County Sheriff's Office
27 E. Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 520-7100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

When conducting a warrant search, individuals should be prepared to provide:

Full legal name (including possible aliases)
Date of birth
Social Security Number (for more accurate results)
Photo identification when appearing in person

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, individuals may request their own criminal history information, which would include active warrants, from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for a nominal fee.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Colorado in 2025

As of 2025, Colorado has implemented enhanced digital systems for warrant verification. Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant may utilize the following official channels:

Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System (CICJIS): This statewide portal allows for secure online verification of warrant status through multi-factor authentication.
County Sheriff's Department Websites: Most counties maintain current warrant databases that can be searched by name and date of birth.
Colorado Courts E-Filing System: Registered users can access case information, including warrant status, through the Colorado Judicial Branch online portal.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Denver, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Adams County Justice Center
1100 Judicial Center Drive
Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: (303) 659-1161
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

When checking for warrants, individuals should be aware that:

Information is updated in real-time across most systems
Verification requires proper identification
Results are provided in compliance with privacy laws under C.R.S. § 24-72-204

For the most accurate information, direct contact with the issuing court or law enforcement agency is recommended, as they maintain the official records of all warrants within their jurisdiction.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Colorado

Colorado residents seeking information about outstanding warrants may access this information through several authorized channels. The process for checking outstanding warrants involves:

County Sheriff's Warrant Division: Each county sheriff maintains a warrant division responsible for executing warrants within their jurisdiction.
Municipal Court Records: City courts maintain records of local warrants issued for municipal code violations and misdemeanors.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation: The CBI provides statewide warrant information through their identification unit.

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
13101 E. Broncos Parkway
Centennial, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 795-4711
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
200 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: (303) 271-5500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

When checking for outstanding warrants, individuals should note:

Warrants do not expire unless recalled by the issuing court
Interstate warrants may require additional verification through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Extraditable warrants may be enforced across state lines

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 16-3-108, law enforcement officers may execute arrest warrants at any time of day or night, making it advisable for individuals with suspected warrants to resolve these matters promptly through proper legal channels.

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants differ from state warrants in both scope and jurisdiction. To conduct a federal warrant search in Colorado, individuals must contact federal law enforcement agencies or the federal court system directly. The process involves:

U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado: The court maintains records of federal warrants issued within its jurisdiction.
U.S. Marshals Service: As the primary agency responsible for executing federal warrants, they maintain comprehensive records of outstanding federal warrants.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI Denver Field Office can provide information about federal warrants related to their investigations.

U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse
901 19th Street
Denver, CO 80294
Phone: (303) 844-3433
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

U.S. Marshals Service - District of Colorado
901 19th Street, Suite 1600
Denver, CO 80294
Phone: (303) 335-3400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Federal warrants are issued pursuant to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4 for arrest warrants and Rule 41 for search warrants. These warrants may be executed anywhere in the United States and, in some cases, internationally through cooperation with foreign governments.

Individuals seeking information about federal warrants should be prepared to provide:

Complete legal name
Date of birth
Social Security Number
Case number (if known)
Photo identification

Federal warrant information may be subject to restrictions under 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(7), which exempts certain law enforcement records from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.