Elbert County Arrest Records

Elbert County busted mugshots and arrest records are handled by the Elbert County Sheriff's Office in Kiowa, Colorado. This is a rural county on the eastern plains, and the sheriff is the main law enforcement agency for the area. Booking records and mugshots from Elbert County are public under Colorado law. This page covers how to search for Elbert County arrest records, where to find booking data, and what state tools are available to look up criminal history from this part of Colorado.

Elbert County Mugshot Records

The Elbert County Sheriff's Office is the primary source for busted mugshots and booking records in the county. Elbert County is small and rural. It does not have the large online inmate search tools that bigger Colorado counties offer. To find out if someone is in Elbert County custody or to get a copy of a booking record, you typically need to contact the sheriff's office directly. The main number is (303) 621-2027. Their office is at 751 Ute Avenue in Kiowa, CO 80117.

When someone gets arrested in Elbert County, the booking takes place at the county jail. The process captures their name, charges, personal information, and a booking photo. That mugshot is a public record. Elbert County does not see the same volume of arrests as Denver or El Paso County, but every booking follows the same legal rules. The records are public under the CCJRA. Anyone can request them. You do not need to give a reason.

If you want a specific Elbert County mugshot or arrest record, put your request in writing. Be clear about the person's name and include the date of the arrest if you know it. Send it to the Elbert County Sheriff's Office at the Kiowa address. You can also try calling during business hours to ask about recent bookings. Staff can tell you if someone is currently held at the Elbert County jail or if they have been released.

Arrest Records Access in Elbert County

The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act governs access to Elbert County arrest records. The CCJRA requires law enforcement agencies to make records of official action available to the public. Arrests, charges, and case dispositions are all records of official action. The Elbert County Sheriff must respond to your request within three business days. The first hour of research time is free. After that, the county can charge a reasonable rate for staff time. Copies run $0.25 per page. These rules apply to every law enforcement agency in Elbert County, including municipal police departments if any are operating in the area.

Colorado's Open Records Act, known as CORA, provides a broader path to records from Elbert County government agencies. If what you need falls outside the CCJRA, CORA may cover it. The process is similar. Submit a written request. The agency has three business days to respond. The Attorney General's CORA page explains the process in detail.

Note: Elbert County is a small agency, so response times may vary depending on staff availability.

Colorado State Records for Elbert County

Since Elbert County does not have a big online booking search, state-level tools are especially useful here. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation runs a statewide criminal background check that covers all 64 counties. A CBI check costs $6.85 and pulls up any criminal history tied to a person's name and date of birth. This includes arrests in Elbert County as well as every other county in Colorado.

Run a CBI background check at the CBI records check portal. The results come from the state's criminal history database. If someone was arrested in Elbert County and the arrest was reported to CBI, it will show up. Most arrests get reported. The process is fast and you can do it from home.

The CBI records page at cbi.colorado.gov explains all the background check options available for Elbert County and the rest of Colorado.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also maintains court records for Elbert County cases. Elbert County is part of the 18th Judicial District, which also covers Arapahoe, Douglas, and Lincoln counties. If someone arrested in Elbert County goes to court, those records become available through the state court system. The Colorado Judicial records access guide shows how to search for case filings and outcomes.

Elbert County Jail Information

The Elbert County jail is a small facility in Kiowa. It holds people who are waiting for court appearances and those serving short sentences. The jail does not have the capacity of larger Colorado county jails. Some inmates may be transferred to other facilities if the Elbert County jail is full or if their charges require a higher security level. When someone is moved, the booking record stays with Elbert County but the person's physical location changes.

Visitation rules at the Elbert County jail may differ from bigger facilities. Call ahead at (303) 621-2027 to check the current visiting schedule before you go. The jail is at the same address as the sheriff's office at 751 Ute Avenue in Kiowa. Bring a valid ID. Follow all posted rules. Video visitation may also be available. Ask the staff when you call.

You can track someone in Elbert County custody through VINE. This free service sends alerts when an inmate's status changes. It covers releases, transfers, and other custody events. VINE works for Elbert County and every other county in Colorado. Sign up by name or offender ID. Choose to get alerts by phone, email, or text.

Note: VINE is free to use and covers all Colorado jails, including Elbert County.

Sealing Elbert County Mugshots

People with Elbert County arrest records may be able to get them sealed under Colorado law. C.R.S. 24-72-703 allows petitions to seal criminal records. The filing fee is $224. If you have low income, the court can waive the fee. Once sealed, an Elbert County mugshot or arrest record will not show up in public searches. A CBI background check will not return it. Only law enforcement and prosecutors keep access.

Some Elbert County records may qualify for automatic sealing. If charges were never filed after an arrest, CBI may seal the record on its own after one year. This rule applies to arrests on or after January 1, 2022. Drug convictions can also be eligible under C.R.S. 24-72-710, depending on the charge and how long ago the case closed. If you think your Elbert County arrest record should be sealed, consult a lawyer or reach out to the 18th Judicial District Court. Sealing removes the record from public view. It does not erase it entirely.

Statewide Search Tools for Elbert County

The Colorado State Patrol's Central Records Unit is another resource for finding records tied to Elbert County. The CSP handles records requests for state-level law enforcement actions. If a state trooper made an arrest on I-70 or Highway 86 in Elbert County, the record might be with the CSP rather than the sheriff. The CSP Central Records Unit page explains how to submit a request.

Contact the CSP Central Records Unit for arrests made by state troopers in Elbert County.

Between the Elbert County Sheriff, CBI, and the CSP, most arrest records from the area can be tracked down. Start with the sheriff's office for local bookings. Use CBI for a statewide history check. And reach out to the CSP if the arrest involved a state trooper on a highway running through Elbert County. Each agency has its own process, but they all follow the same CCJRA rules about public access to records of official action.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Elbert County. If you are not sure where a booking took place, check the location on the arrest record.