Denver Busted Mugshots

Denver busted mugshots and arrest records come from the Denver Sheriff Department, which runs both jail facilities in the city. Denver is a consolidated city and county, so the sheriff handles all local bookings. You can search for current inmates through the city's online inmate search tool. This page covers how to find Denver mugshots, look up booking records, and get arrest data from the Denver Sheriff. With over 715,000 people, Denver processes one of the highest volumes of bookings in Colorado each year.

Denver County Handles All Bookings

Denver is a consolidated city-county. There is no separate county sheriff office. The Denver County page has more detail on the county-level structure, but in short, the Denver Sheriff Department runs both jail facilities and processes all bookings within city limits. Every arrest made by Denver Police goes through the sheriff for intake. This setup is different from most Colorado cities, where a county sheriff handles jail duties for multiple towns. In Denver, one agency does it all.

The Denver Sheriff Department operates two detention facilities. The Downtown Detention Center sits at 490 W. Colfax Ave in the heart of the city. This is where most new bookings take place. The Denver County Jail at 10500 E. Smith Rd holds inmates who are serving sentences or waiting for court. Between the two locations, the department manages thousands of inmates each year. Both facilities run around the clock.

Denver Mugshot Inmate Search

The Denver Sheriff runs an online inmate search tool that lets you look up people who are currently in custody. You can search by name. The results show booking details, charges, and facility location. This tool only covers people who are held right now. If someone was released, their name will not show up in the search. For older Denver busted mugshots, you need to file a records request with the sheriff.

The search tool updates throughout the day. New bookings show up once the intake process is done. That can take a few hours after an arrest. If you do not find someone right away, check back later. The Denver inmate search is free to use and does not need an account. You just type in a name and hit search. It is the fastest way to find out if someone is in a Denver jail right now.

Note: The Denver inmate search only shows current inmates, not past bookings.

Denver Sheriff Department Records

The Denver Sheriff Department is the main source for Denver busted mugshots and booking data. The department falls under the city government and is separate from Denver Police. Police make the arrests. The sheriff handles jail operations, inmate transport, and court security. All booking records sit with the sheriff.

The Denver Sheriff homepage has links to inmate services, records requests, and facility details.

To get a copy of a Denver arrest record, you can submit a request under the Colorado Open Records Act. CORA gives the public a right to access most government records. The Denver Sheriff must respond within three business days. The first hour of staff time is free. After that, the city can charge for research time and copies. Be specific in your request. Include the full name and date of arrest if you have it. Send requests to the sheriff's records unit or use the city's CORA portal.

The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act also applies to Denver busted mugshots. Under CCJRA, records of official action are open to the public. That includes arrest records, charges, and court dispositions. The sheriff cannot deny access to these records unless they fall under a specific exception, such as ongoing investigations. Most booking records are straightforward and get released without issues.

Denver Jail Visitation Info

If you need to visit someone held in a Denver facility, the sheriff's website has a visitation page with current rules and hours. Visits happen both in person and through video. Each facility has its own schedule. The Downtown Detention Center and Denver County Jail run on different visit calendars, so check which one holds the person you want to see.

This page shows how to find and visit someone in Denver Sheriff custody at either facility.

In-person visits are free. Video visits may cost a small fee per minute. You need to bring a valid ID. There are dress code rules. Children under a certain age must be with an adult. The jail can deny visits for security reasons. If you are not sure about the rules, call the facility ahead of time. The Downtown Detention Center number is (720) 337-0100. For the Denver County Jail, call (720) 337-0200.

Sealing Denver Arrest Records

Colorado lets people seal certain arrest records. This applies to Denver busted mugshots as well. Under C.R.S. 24-72-703, you can petition the court to seal your criminal record if you meet the requirements. The filing fee is $224, but a fee waiver is available for people with low income. Once sealed, the record will not show up in public searches. Law enforcement can still see it, but the general public cannot.

Some Denver records may qualify for automatic sealing. If you were arrested in Denver but charges were never filed, CBI can seal those records after one year for arrests that happened on or after January 1, 2022. Drug convictions may also be eligible under C.R.S. 24-72-704. The rules changed in recent years to make sealing easier for certain offense types. If you think your Denver arrest records should be sealed, talk to a lawyer or contact the Denver County Court. Legal aid groups in Denver can help with the process at low or no cost.

Denver Background Checks Through CBI

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation handles statewide criminal history checks. If you need a formal background check on someone in Denver, CBI is the way to go. The fee is $6 for a name-based check. You can submit requests online through the CBI records check portal. Results come back within a few days in most cases. This check pulls data from all Colorado counties, not just Denver.

CBI checks show arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences from across the state. They do not include sealed records. For Denver-specific booking data, the sheriff's inmate search is faster and free. But CBI gives you the full picture for all of Colorado. Many people use both tools when searching for Denver busted mugshots and criminal history information.

Note: CBI background checks cost $6 and cover all Colorado counties, not just Denver.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Denver. Each has its own arrest records and booking info through their county sheriff. Select a city below for local mugshot search details.