Search Denver Jail Roster
Jail roster records for Denver show who is in custody at the Downtown Denver Detention Center and Denver County Jail. Denver is both a city and county, so all local arrests go through Denver County facilities.
Denver Quick Facts
Denver County Detention System
Denver runs its own jail system because it is a combined city and county. The Denver Sheriff Department operates two main facilities. The Downtown Denver Detention Center sits in the heart of the city at 490 W. Colfax Avenue. It holds inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The Denver County Jail is at 10500 E. Smith Road. Both facilities work together to house all inmates arrested in Denver.
Denver processes over 35,000 bookings each year. Most people book in at the Downtown Detention Center first. Deputies decide where each inmate stays based on the charge, bond status, and space. If you need to find someone in custody, check both facilities. The online search tool covers all Denver jails and updates every hour.
| Facility | Downtown Denver Detention Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 490 W. Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80204 |
| Phone | 303-295-2001 |
| Inmate Search | www.denvergov.org/InmateSearch |
The Denver Sheriff website has full info on both jails. You can look up visiting rules, call rates, and mail policies. Each facility follows the same basic rules, but visit times change based on location. Call ahead if you plan to visit an inmate in Denver.
How to Search the Denver Jail Roster
The Denver jail roster is online at www.denvergov.org/InmateSearch. You can search by name or booking number. Enter a last name and first name to start. The system shows all matching records. Each result gives the booking date, charge, bond amount, and which jail holds the person. The roster updates every hour, so new bookings appear fast.
When you search the Denver jail roster, you see basic info like name, age, and arrest date. Click on a record to see more. You get the full charge list and case numbers. Bond info tells you if the person can post bail or must see a judge first. Some inmates have holds from other places. These holds keep them in Denver even if they post bond on the local charge.
To search the Denver jail roster, you need:
- Last name of the inmate
- First name helps narrow results
- Booking number if you have it
- Date of birth for common names
If the online search does not work, call 303-295-2001 during business hours. Staff can look up inmates by phone. Have the person's full name ready. They may ask for a date of birth to find the right person. You can also visit the Downtown Detention Center lobby and use the public kiosk to search the Denver jail roster in person.
Denver Arrest and Booking Process
Police take arrested people to the Downtown Detention Center for booking. The process takes a few hours. Deputies record the arrest info, take prints, and take a photo. They check for warrants from other places. If there are no holds, they set bond based on the charge. Most people appear on the Denver jail roster within two to four hours of arrest.
Denver follows Colorado law for all bookings. Under C.R.S. § 16-4-101, bond is set at first appearance or by a bond schedule. Many charges have a set bond amount, so inmates can post bail right away. More serious charges require a court hearing before bond is set. First appearance happens within 48 hours if the person does not post bond. This rule comes from C.R.S. § 16-5-105, which sets time limits for court hearings after arrest.
When someone is booked into Denver County Jail, the system creates a record. That record goes on the public jail roster. You can see the charge, bond amount, and booking date. The roster also shows if the person made bond and was released. If they stay in custody, it tells you which facility holds them. This info helps families and lawyers find people fast.
Note: Weekend arrests may take longer to process since court hearings do not happen until Monday.
How Inmates Are Released in Denver
Inmates leave Denver jails in a few ways. Most post bond and get out within hours. Others stay until their case ends. If found not guilty, they walk out the same day. If sentenced to time served, they go free after the judge signs the order. People sentenced to more jail time stay in Denver or move to state prison if the term is over a year.
To post bond in Denver, go to the Downtown Detention Center at 490 W. Colfax Avenue. The bond window is open every day. You can pay with cash, card, or a bond company. Full bond must be paid before release. Some people use a bail bond agent who charges a fee but covers the full amount. Once bond posts, release takes one to three hours. Staff must finish paperwork and check for other holds before the person walks out.
Denver jails also release inmates on their own recognizance, which means no bond is required. This happens for minor charges or people with strong ties to the area. The court can order release with conditions like check-ins or GPS monitoring. All release types show on the jail roster once processed. If you check the roster and see a person is no longer in custody, they were either released or moved to another facility.
Visiting, Calls, and Commissary in Denver
Inmates at Denver jails can have visitors, make calls, and buy items from commissary. Each service has rules you must follow. Visit times depend on which facility holds the inmate. The Downtown Detention Center and Denver County Jail have different schedules. Check the Denver Sheriff website for current visit hours before you go.
Visits in Denver jails are by video only. You do not go inside the jail. Remote video visits let you see and talk to the inmate from home. You must sign up online and schedule a time. There is a small fee per visit. In-person video visits happen at kiosks in the jail lobby. These are free but must be booked ahead. Each visit lasts 20 minutes.
Inmates can make phone calls from the jail. Calls are collect or prepaid through the phone vendor. Securus handles calls for Denver jails. You can set up a prepaid account at securustech.net so the inmate can call without charging you each time. All calls are recorded except calls to lawyers. Inmates get a list of approved numbers and can call during set hours each day.
Commissary is the jail store where inmates buy snacks, hygiene items, and stamps. Inmates use money from their account to shop. You can put money on an inmate account online or at a kiosk in the jail lobby. Commissary orders go out once or twice a week. Items cost more than in regular stores, but inmates have no other way to get these things while in custody in Denver.
Colorado Laws on Jail Records
Jail rosters are public records in Colorado. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-202, most arrest and booking records must be open to the public. This law says government agencies must share records unless a law blocks release. Jail rosters fall under this rule because they show who is in custody and why. Anyone can search the Denver jail roster without giving a reason.
C.R.S. § 17-26-118 sets rules for county jails in Colorado. It says sheriffs must keep records of all inmates. These records include name, charge, booking date, and release date. The law requires jails to let the public see these records. That is why Denver posts its jail roster online. Some info stays private, like medical records or details that could risk safety. But basic booking info is always public in Colorado.
Denver follows state law when posting its jail roster. The online system gives names, charges, and bond amounts for all inmates. You do not need to ask permission or show ID to search. This openness helps families find loved ones and lets the public see who is in custody. It also keeps the justice system transparent. Critics say public rosters can harm people who are later found not guilty, but Colorado law sides with openness over privacy for jail records.
Nearby Colorado Cities
Several other major Colorado cities are near Denver and have their own jail systems. If you cannot find someone on the Denver jail roster, check nearby counties.
- Aurora (Adams and Arapahoe Counties)
- Lakewood (Jefferson County)
- Thornton (Adams and Weld Counties)
- Arvada (Jefferson County)
- Westminster (Adams and Jefferson Counties)
Denver County Jail Roster
Denver is both a city and a county, so all jail records are handled by the Denver County Sheriff. For more on Denver County detention facilities, inmate rights, and related records, visit the Denver County jail roster page.