Routt County Arrest Records

A Routt County arrest record is an official document created by law enforcement following an arrest. This record only contains the specifics of the apprehension. It does not include details regarding any charges brought by the prosecution, any ensuing convictions, and any sentencing. An arrest becomes necessary when a peace officer has reason to believe a crime was committed. Offenders are typically held at the Routt County Detention Center pending arraignment or release on bail.

The Routt County Sheriff's Office is primarily responsible for generating and managing the county's arrest records. However, other government agencies may also maintain arrest records. For instance, details regarding an arrest record may be found in the Routt County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Routt County?

Yes. The Colorado Open Records Act permits citizens to access and view public records held by state and local government organizations. Furthermore, according to the Criminal Justice Records Act, criminal justice organizations are required to keep records of official actions, which are thereafter available for public inspection except as otherwise provided by law. However, some records are exempt from public inspection such as:

• The name and any other information that would identify any victim of sexual assault
• The name and any other information that would identify any child victim of offenses
• Records whose disclosure would be contrary to the public interest
• Records whose inspection would be contrary to any state statute
• Records whose inspection is prohibited by rules promulgated by the Supreme Court or by the order of any court.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following information may be found in a Router County arrest record:

• Arrestee's name, age, race, and sex
• Physical description (eye and hair colors, weight and height)
• Arresting agency
• Date and time of arrest
• Place of arrest
• Offense(s) alleged against the accused
• Booking number
• Bail amount.

Routt County Arrest Statistics

The Office of Research and Statistics (ORS) of the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) publishes statewide arrest data. Following the arrest data provided by the agency's Crime and Justice Statistics Dashboard, in the year 2024, 381 arrests were carried out, with 165 arrests made for driving under the influence. 141 arrests were made for drug offenses, as well as with property crimes (37), violent crimes (31), and weapon-related offenses (7).

Find Routt County Arrest Records

All law enforcement organizations in Routt County, including municipal police departments, have their main holding facility at the Routt County Detention Center. Inmates and pre-trial detainees who have been committed to the sheriff's care are housed in the facility. The Routt County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of criminal justice records generated within the county. Interested persons who wish to obtain an arrest record may print out the Record Request Form and submit it to the office via email at rcsorecords@co.routt.co.us or via mail. The request form may also be submitted in person during operating hours at:

Routt County Sheriff's Office
2027 Shield Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Phone: (970) 879-1090

One may also lookup booking information by contacting other local law enforcement agencies operating within the county. Furthermore, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation provides the general public with an Internet Criminal History Check database. These records contain information regarding arrests obtained from criminal justice agencies around the state. Searches require a fee of $4. Requesters may also send a records request by mail to the CBI office along with a fee of $13.

Alternatively, interested persons may utilize the Federal Inmate Locator to find individuals who have been arrested by the FBI.

Free Arrest Record Search in Routt County

One may search a Routt County arrest record for free by utilizing the Offender Search online portal maintained by the Colorado Department of Corrections. To search, input the DOC number or the first and last name of the subject.

Free online arrest records retrieval services are available on a large number of third-party aggregator websites. Anyone looking for Routt County arrest records online through a third-party search service may need to enter the record subject's name, date of birth, or arrest date into the appropriate fields. Some third-party search services provide free information, while others may require a subscription or one-time payment.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

It depends. Some arrest records are automatically sealed or generally retained for a default period of three years. Per C.R.S. §24-72-704(2), for instance, the state law allows for the automatic sealing of specific arrest records under the CBI's custody and control. However certain state or local laws or regulations may extend this period; records that are expunged or sealed are kept until they are destroyed following the retention schedule. Some types of records, such as arrest records for sexual assault, may have longer retention periods; and records of juvenile offenders are kept until the offender turns 19.

Expunge Routt County Arrest Records

The state of Colorado only permits the expungement of juvenile records. This means the record will be considered to have never existed, and the public will not be able to inspect it. Under §19-1-306, C.R.S., only certain juvenile records may be expunged upon request.

Adult offenders may choose to seal their arrest records. Under C.R.S. §24-72-704 the sealing of adult arrest records can be done by filing with the Routt County District Court where the arrest was carried out. Anyone applying to seal an arrest record must qualify under C.R.S. §24-72-703. Requesters must meet the following requirements:

• The subject who was acquitted
• If the case was dismissed
• If a diversion agreement under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-101 was completed
• The subject has an arrest record but was not charged in court.

Applicants must also ensure they do not owe restitution, fines, court costs, late fees, or other fees ordered by the court. Along with a filing fee of $224, the subject is required to fill out and submit the following forms:

• JDF 417 - A Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records (to be completed entirely).
• JDF 418 - An Order to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records, JDF 419 - An Order and Notice of Hearing (Sealing of Arrest and Criminal Records), and JDF 435 - An Order Denying Petition to Seal Arrest & Criminal Records (only captions should be completed).

After filling out and filing the sealing paperwork in court, a judge will review the subject's case and decide whether or not to grant the sealing of the case. If the judge grants the sealing of the case, the subject's record will be sealed by the court, and the subject will receive an Order to Seal signed by the judge. The subject will then need to send the Order to Seal to the CBI to complete the sealing process.

Routt County Arrest Warrants

Routt County arrest warrants are court documents that permit or mandate law enforcement agents to arrest an individual when there is probable cause to believe that the person has committed a crime or violated a court order. A court or magistrate who receives evidence from a prosecutor or law enforcement official, usually in the form of a written affidavit, and considers it to ascertain whether probable cause exists issues an arrest warrant.

A warrant is issued by the judge or magistrate, allowing law enforcement to arrest if probable cause is established. A Routt County arrest warrant contains the following information:

• The full name of the subject or a name/physical description through which the subject may be identified
• The description of the alleged offense
• The date and place where the arrest warrant was issued
• The warrant's execution time and place
• The bail amount
• The name, title, and signature of the issuing judge.

Do Routt County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Routt County, warrants for arrest generally do not expire. They remain active and enforceable until they are executed (i.e., arrest made). However, an arrest warrant may be canceled or recalled by the court.