La Plata County, Colorado Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in La Plata County, Colorado?
Warrant records in La Plata County, Colorado are considered public records pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records to promote transparency in governmental operations. Under CORA, judicial records including warrants issued by La Plata County courts are generally accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq., further governs the disclosure of criminal justice records, including warrants. The CCJRA provides that records of official actions, such as the issuance of arrest warrants that have been executed and returned, shall be open for inspection by any person. However, certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by court order during ongoing investigations.
Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental interests, including maintaining accountability of law enforcement agencies and ensuring transparency in judicial proceedings. Citizens of La Plata County may utilize this access to verify the existence of legal actions that may affect themselves or others within the community.
What Is Contained in Warrant Records in La Plata County?
Warrant records maintained by La Plata County typically contain specific information as required by Colorado law. Standard elements included in these official documents are:
- Full legal name and identifying information of the subject
- Date of warrant issuance
- Case or docket number associated with the warrant
- Classification of warrant (arrest, bench, search, etc.)
- Description of alleged offense(s) and statutory citations
- Bond amount, if applicable
- Name of issuing judge or magistrate
- Court of issuance (District Court or County Court)
- Special conditions or instructions for execution
- Return information documenting service or execution
Pursuant to Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure 4(b)(1), arrest warrants must particularly describe the person to be arrested and the offense charged. Similarly, search warrants must specify the property to be searched for and seized in accordance with the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
How to Check For Warrants in La Plata County For Free
Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in La Plata County may utilize several no-cost methods established by county authorities. The following options are available without charge:
- In-person inquiries at the La Plata County Sheriff's Office located at 742 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303
- Telephone verification through the Sheriff's Records Division at (970) 382-7015 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Public access terminals available at the La Plata County Combined Courts, 1060 E. 2nd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301
- Online resources through the La Plata County online public records portal
Individuals conducting warrant searches should be prepared to provide identifying information including full legal name and date of birth. Per departmental policy, the La Plata County Sheriff's Office will confirm the existence of active warrants but may not disclose certain details of pending investigations.
La Plata County Sheriff Warrants
The La Plata County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the unincorporated areas of La Plata County. Sheriff warrants are issued under the authority of the La Plata County Courts and are executed according to procedures established in the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Sheriff's deputies are authorized to serve various types of warrants including:
- Arrest warrants for criminal offenses
- Bench warrants issued for failure to appear in court
- Search warrants authorizing examination of specified locations
- Civil warrants related to court orders in non-criminal matters
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrants Division that coordinates the service of active warrants throughout the county. This division works in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants across jurisdictional boundaries.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 16-3-102, peace officers may execute arrest warrants at any time of day or night, and shall inform the person being arrested of the officer's authority and the cause of arrest. The Sheriff's Office prioritizes warrant service based on severity of the alleged offense and public safety considerations.
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in La Plata County in 2025
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in La Plata County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established by county authorities. The verification process has been modernized to include digital access options while maintaining traditional inquiry methods.
Citizens may verify warrant status through the following official channels:
- Direct contact with the La Plata County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 742 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303, or by calling (970) 382-7015
- In-person inquiry at the La Plata County Combined Courts, 1060 E. 2nd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301, during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Electronic verification through the county's online records system
- Utilization of the inmate search function to determine if a warrant has resulted in detention
Pursuant to departmental policy, individuals inquiring about their own warrant status must provide proper identification. The Sheriff's Office recommends that persons who discover they have an active warrant consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to resolve the matter.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in La Plata County
La Plata County maintains multiple systems for verifying outstanding warrant information. Members of the public seeking to check warrant status may access this information through established governmental channels.
The verification process for outstanding warrants includes:
- Submitting a records request to the La Plata County Sheriff's Office, which provides local records checks for a statutory fee of $10
- Visiting the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office headquarters (742 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303) during regular business hours
- Contacting the La Plata County Combined Courts at (970) 247-2304 for information on court-issued warrants
- Utilizing public access terminals at the courthouse (1060 E. 2nd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301)
For comprehensive background checks that include warrant information, individuals may need to contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for statewide records. The CBI maintains the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC) database which contains warrant information from all Colorado jurisdictions.
Employers and licensing agencies should note that pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-5-101, certain limitations exist regarding the use of arrest and criminal records for employment purposes. Organizations conducting background checks that include warrant information should consult applicable state laws regarding permissible use of such information.
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