Colorado Springs Arrest Records

In Colorado Springs, police officers may make custodial arrests when they have probable cause to believe a crime has been, is being, or is about to be committed (C.R.S. § 16-3-102). This includes arrests based on warrants, on-view misdemeanors, and felonies. Arrests may be carried out by the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, or a joint state-federal task force. Arrestees in Colorado Springs are booked into the El Paso County Jail.

During booking, officers collect biometric data (e.g., fingerprints, mugshots), personal information, arrest details (e.g., alleged offense, date, time, and circumstances), and charges. Under the Uniform Criminal Records Accuracy Act, this information must be submitted to the state's central criminal history repository with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) within 5 days of collection. The CBI then files and maintains the records. In addition to the statewide CBI database, the data also feeds into the El Paso County jail roster, prosecutor dockets, and El Paso County arrest records.

Are Colorado Springs Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Arrest records in Colorado Springs are public under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA). However, records or information exempt from disclosure under the law are withheld or redacted. These include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Medical information
• Identities of sexual assault victims
• Records related to ongoing investigations
• Arrests sealed or expunged by court order
• Identities of witnesses and confidential informants.

If an arrest record contains both public and restricted information, agencies must provide a redacted copy. To access restricted records under the CCJRA, one must be the record subject or present a court order if not and/or a signed affidavit stating the records won't be used for solicitation or financial gain (C.R.S. § 24-72-304(1)).

Colorado Springs Crime Rate

Colorado Springs has one of the highest crime rates in the U.S., with 44 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime is a major issue, with 3,135 incidents, 643 per 100,000 people, nearly 74% above the national average. Property crime is also high, with 16,583 cases (3,400 per 100,000), and auto theft is especially concerning, with a 1 in 122 chance of a vehicle being stolen. Crime is most concentrated in the southwest and west, while areas like Briargate and Northwest Colorado Springs are generally safer.

In 2023, overall crime rose 9%, though homicides dropped from 49 in 2022 to 24. Since 2010, crime has declined by 9.3%, despite a 17.4% increase in population. Police spending has grown nearly 73%. Still, violent crime is up 28% in recent years.

Find Colorado Springs Arrest Records

To obtain arrest records in Colorado Springs, contact the CSPD Records & Identification Section through its request portal. Fees start at $10 and may increase based on record size and processing time. Alternatively, arrest records from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office can be requested through its Records Unit for arrests made in Colorado Springs or countywide. Submit a completed "Application for the Release of Records" in person, by mail, or by email.

El Paso County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Records Unit
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 520-7177
Fax: (719) 520-7171
Email: shrrecordsrelease@elpasoco.com

There's an $8.00 fee for reports up to 10 pages, plus $0.25 per additional page. Accepted payments include cash, business checks, cashier's checks, money orders, and debit/credit cards. Checks should be made payable to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's "Inmate Search" tool also provides information on Colorado Springs arrestees held in the county jail.

Free Arrest Record Search in Colorado Springs

The public can search free arrest records in Colorado Springs using the following tools:

• Police Blotter: Provided by the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) with daily summaries of arrests and incidents, including date, time, location, and a brief description.
• El Paso County Inmate Search: A product of the Sheriff's Office for El Paso County jail inmate searches by full name or booking number.
• Third-Party Sites: Aggregator sites that offer free access to public arrest records sourced from official sources. In most cases, access to arrest information is free on these sites. However, some may demand fees to provide detailed and complete records.

Criminal Background Check in Colorado

In Colorado, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) handles criminal background checks. The state offers two types: name-based and fingerprint-based.

• Name-Based Criminal History Check

The name-based check is the most accessible way to obtain a criminal history record in Colorado. It is conducted online via the CBI's Internet Criminal History Check System (ICHC) for $6.00 or by mail using a "Public Request for Criminal History Record Information" form for $13.00.

• Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Checks

The fingerprint-based background check is used for employment, licensing, or personal use. It is handled through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. Applicants register online with a CBI-approved vendor (IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting), schedule an appointment, and pay the fee (about $39.50 for state-only or $57.50 with FBI). The vendor submits the fingerprints to the CBI or the FBI, and the results are sent to the requesting agency or employer.

Colorado Springs Inmate Search

Offenders sentenced to more than 12 months are housed in state prisons, with records managed by the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). To search for an inmate, visit the CDOC Offender Search portal and use the full name, DOC number (if known), and gender.

Colorado Springs Police Record Lookup

Individuals can request police records (e.g., incident reports, arrest affidavits, CAD logs) from the Colorado Springs Police Department's Records Request Unit. Requests can be submitted online via the CSPD records portal or in person at the Police Operations Centre, 705 S. Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. For help, call the Records Unit at (719) 444-7463.

Per CSPD, records are released under the CCJRA. As such, some may be withheld or redacted. The base fee is $10. However, this amount may increase based on record size and processing time. Full fee details are listed in CSPD's schedule of fees.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Colorado Springs?

Arrests will stay on a person's criminal history indefinitely unless sealed or expunged under Colorado law (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-701, et seq). They are not automatically removed or erased. As long as an arrest event persists on record with the CBI, it will appear in background checks by employers, landlords, and licensing agencies.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Colorado Springs?

In Colorado, expungement (erasure) is limited to juvenile arrests and arrests due to mistaken identity. Such arrests are erased from records following a petition by the arresting agency. Others can be sealed instead. The criteria include:

• Charges were dismissed, no charges filed, or the person was acquitted
• Completion of a diversion program
• Arrest with no charges after the investigation closed
• First-time petty offense or misdemeanor with all sentencing completed and a 1–3 year waiting period, depending on the offense

Individuals can file without an attorney to avoid legal fees by completing the appropriate petition form (e.g., no charges filed, non-conviction) and submitting it to the El Paso County District Court with a fee waiver request. The court may grant or deny the petition with or without a hearing. If granted, an order is issued to seal the records. The process typically takes 30 to 90 days. Note: Expunge Colorado offers free record-sealing clinics and pro bono legal support.

Colorado Springs Warrant Search

An arrest warrant authorizes the apprehension and detention of a person for a crime, while a bench warrant is issued for failing to appear in court or for contempt. Warrants originate from the Colorado Springs Municipal Court, El Paso County Court, or District Court. They are executed by the Colorado Springs Police Department or the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Contact the Colorado Springs Municipal Court Warrant Office or call the El Paso County Sheriff's Office warrant info desk at (719) 452-5000 (option 6) to check warrant status.

Do Colorado Springs Warrants Expire?

No. Colorado Springs felony and misdemeanor warrants remain active until executed, recalled by the issuing judge, or voided by the suspect's death. However, warrants for offenses with expired statutes of limitations can become invalid, although courts often still need to formally recall them.