Aurora Arrest Records

Aurora police officers make arrests when they have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, when carrying out a judge-issued warrant, or when they witness an on-view misdemeanor taking place. The Aurora Police Department is the primary agency responsible for these apprehensions. It handles initial booking at the Aurora Detention Center, a short-term facility where suspects are fingerprinted, photographed, and processed. If someone cannot pay bail or is charged with a serious crime, they are moved to the Arapahoe County Detention Facility to stay longer. While they are there, the Aurora Police Department puts all the important details—like the papers explaining the charges, their booking information, and whether they are still in custody—into their computer system. That information is then shared with other places, such as the jail's list of inmates, the court's case files, and Arapahoe County Arrest Records database so everyone involved can see what happened.

Are Aurora Arrests Public Record?

Yes, Aurora arrest records in Arapahoe County are generally public under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-203 et seq., which makes most criminal justice records, including arrest logs, open to inspection by any member of the public. But there are some exceptions. For example, records that have information about kids under 18, details about active police investigations, names of victims (especially in sensitive cases), or someone's private medical information are usually hidden or blacked out. Even when a record is mostly public, the police can keep parts secret if sharing them would hurt an investigation or invade someone's privacy. If anyone wants to see certain sensitive records, like sealed files or anything about juveniles, one must have a direct and tangible reason to get them, such as being the person named in the record or their lawyer.

Aurora Crime Rate

The Aurora Police Department crime statistics show that FBI Part I index offenses fell from roughly 17,900 incidents in 2023 to about 15,400 in 2024, marking a 14 percent decrease. Anyone can explore monthly breakdowns by visiting the Aurora Police Department Transparency & Accountability Portal, selecting "Crime Statistics", choosing the year and crime categories of interest, and then viewing interactive charts—no login required. If Aurora's targeted patrols, community-policing efforts, and crime-prevention partnerships continue, analysts expect this modest downward trend to persist through 2025, with only occasional summer increases in property and vehicle-related offenses.

Find Aurora Arrest Records

Those seeking Aurora arrest records can use the Aurora Police Department's NextRequest portal or visit the Records Unit at:

15001
East Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO 80012

to request arrest reports, booking information, and incident summaries; they can then look up related court filings in the Arapahoe County Combined Court docket search on the Colorado Judicial Branch website by entering a name, case number, or date range. If the individual was sentenced to state prison following an Aurora arrest, they can locate custody details using the Colorado Department of Corrections Offender Search with a name or DOC number. For federal matters arising from Aurora arrests, they can access filings and indictments via PACER. Having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or booking number will make each search more precise, and those who need certified copies or prefer in-person help may visit the Aurora Police records counter or the Arapahoe County Clerk of Court.

Free Arrest Record Search in Aurora

Residents can use the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup tool to search the jail roster by name or booking number at no cost. They can review the Aurora Police Department's daily arrest logs and incident summaries on the APD News page of the official city website. Free public-access terminals are available statewide through the Colorado Courts Public Access Terminal (accessible in the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center and at all county courthouses) for docket searches by name, case number, or date range. Third-party aggregators may provide broader interfaces, but users should note these sites often run several days behind official sources and may charge for enhanced detail.

Criminal Background Check in Aurora

An individual in Aurora seeking a criminal background check may use the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC), where they enter a full name, date of birth (and optionally an SSN), pay a $6 nonrefundable fee per record viewed, and receive state-held arrest and conviction history. When an employer or landlord needs a complete "rap sheet", they must register as a CBI Account User, obtain CBI approval, and collect a signed Authorization for Release of Criminal History Record Information form from the subject in accordance with Colorado Public Records Act. For fingerprint-based checks, often required for licensing, certain jobs, or housing, applicants submit prints through the Colorado Applicant Background Services program via vendors, pay a $10 vendor fee plus state and FBI processing fees (typically $24 to $58), and sign a fingerprint submission authorization that includes the federal Privacy Act Statement. While any individual may self-screen using the name-based system, entities such as employers, licensing boards, and landlords generally must rely on fingerprint-based checks to access the complete criminal history.

Aurora Inmate Search

Individuals can find information on Aurora residents serving state prison sentences by using the Colorado Department of Corrections Offender Search, where they enter the inmate's DOC number or full name and gender, complete the simple captcha, and view current facility, custody status, sentence length, projected release date, and parole eligibility. For certified records or additional assistance, they may contact the CDOC Central Records Office via the phone number or email address provided on the Offender Search page.

Aurora Police Record Lookup

Citizens can request incident reports, arrest affidavits, or computer-aided dispatch (CAD) call logs from the Aurora Police Department's Records Unit via the NextRequest online portal; or in person at the Records Unit front desk. Requests are processed in the order received and simple requests are often fulfilled within seven to ten business days, while arrest-only record requests are mailed within three working days of receipt. Individuals should note that Aurora no longer processes mail-in requests.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Aurora?

Arrest records entered into Colorado's electronic case-management systems remain permanently on file and "should not be purged" unless a court orders sealing or expungement. If someone does not get a court order to seal their record, the arrest stays on the official record forever. Even after the case is over, third-party mugshot sites and commercial background-check services can copy those records and show them online, and they often charge a fee to remove or update the information.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Aurora?

Under C.R.S. § 24-72-705, Aurora residents whose charges were dismissed, acquitted, diverted, or placed on deferred judgment may have their non-conviction records sealed at no cost by filing JDF 477 in the 18th Judicial District court; first-time misdemeanor convictions become eligible under C.R.S. § 24-72-706 with JDF 683. They can file these motions themselves and attach JDF 205 (fee-waiver affidavit) to avoid all court fees. Free procedural guidance is available at the 18th Judicial District Self-Help Center at the Arapahoe County Justice Center or at monthly legal-aid clinics in Aurora. Courts typically issue sealing orders within one to three months of filing.

Aurora Warrant Search

Aurora Municipal Court distinguishes arrest warrants (to take someone into custody on charges) from bench warrants (for missed court appearances). Citizens can check for active warrants on the Aurora Municipal Court website via the online warrant lookup (enter the first letters of the name and DOB), by calling the Court Clerk at (303) 739-6455 or (303) 739-6444, or by visiting the Clerk's Office with a photo ID—bearing in mind that an in-person visit may lead to immediate arrest if the warrant is active.

Do Aurora Warrants Expire?

No. Under 20th Judicial District Administrative Order 01-104, any warrant bearing a set expiration date "lapses automatically at midnight" on that date, and the Clerk of Court closes the case; warrants without expiration dates stay active until they are served, formally quashed by court order, or recalled by the issuing judge. If a non-expiring warrant remains outstanding for eight years, the Clerk must notify the District Attorney, who has 30 days to object or the warrant is quashed. Colorado's statute of limitations (C.R.S. § 16-5-401) bars prosecuting petty offenses after six months and misdemeanors after eighteen months, so warrants for those offenses cannot be issued once those deadlines pass. A warrant also becomes void if the prosecutor dismisses the underlying charges, the court issues a recall order, or the defendant dies.