Chaffee County Jail Roster

Chaffee County jail roster is maintained by the Sheriff's Office at the Detention Center in Salida. This small county jail serves the central mountain region of Colorado.

Chaffee County Detention Center

The Chaffee County Detention Center is at 148 Crestone Ave in Salida, the county seat. This small jail serves a county with about 20,000 residents spread across mountain communities. The Sheriff's Office runs the detention center and handles all bookings for arrests in Chaffee County. Staff are available 24 hours a day for emergencies, but administrative hours are limited during the week.

Because this is a small county facility, online resources are minimal. The jail does not have a searchable inmate database on its website. Most people need to call the jail directly to find out if someone is in custody. The phone number is (719) 539-7150. Staff can check the roster and tell you if someone is there. They can also provide bail amounts and booking details over the phone.

Chaffee County is in the central mountains of Colorado, which makes it less accessible than jails in urban areas. The drive to Salida can take hours from Denver or Colorado Springs, especially in winter. Families who want to visit or handle bail in person should plan ahead and check weather conditions before making the trip to Chaffee County.

How to Search Chaffee County Jail Roster

No online inmate search is available for Chaffee County. Call the detention center at (719) 539-7150 to ask about someone in custody. Have the person's full name ready when you call. Staff can run a search by name and tell you if the person is at the jail. They can also provide charges, booking dates, and bail amounts. This is a small office, so the person who answers may handle multiple tasks. Be patient if they need time to look up information.

The state VINE system at vinelink.com tracks inmates across Colorado. VINE shows whether someone is in custody, released, or transferred. It does not list charges or bail amounts, but it gives you a location. Sign up for alerts to get updates when the person moves or gets out. VINE works for small rural jails like Chaffee County, though it may take longer for records to update.

Court dockets are available online through the Colorado Judicial Department at coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. You can search for cases by name or case number. Dockets show upcoming hearings, past cases, and case outcomes for Chaffee County. This helps if you need to know about court dates or case status in addition to jail information.

Chaffee County Jail Details and Services

The jail in Salida is small, with limited space for inmates. Most people booked there are held for short periods before posting bail or going to court. Serious offenders who cannot bond out may be transferred to larger facilities in nearby counties if space is tight. Chaffee County has agreements with other jails to handle overflow when needed.

Services at the jail are basic. Inmates can make phone calls to family and lawyers. All calls are recorded except those with attorneys. Do not say anything incriminating during calls, as prosecutors can use recordings as evidence in court. Phone rates depend on the provider the jail uses, and inmates pay for calls using funds in their accounts.

Mail is accepted for inmates at the detention center. All letters are opened and inspected for contraband before delivery. Do not send cash, photos with nudity, or prohibited items. Only letters and approved photos are allowed. Mail is delivered once a day when staff have time. Outgoing mail from inmates is also inspected before it leaves the facility in Chaffee County.

A small commissary operates at the jail, letting inmates buy toiletries and snacks. You can deposit money into an inmate's account by calling the jail or visiting in person. Cash and money orders are accepted. Personal checks are not. Deposits usually post within a day, though it may take longer on weekends.

Bail Procedures in Chaffee County

Bail is set by a judge or according to a bond schedule. You can pay cash bail in full, and you get the money back after the case ends, minus any fines or fees the court imposes. If you cannot pay the full amount, a bondsman will post bail for a fee. That fee is usually 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount. The bondsman keeps that fee even if the person goes to all their court dates.

Call (719) 539-7150 to ask about a specific bail amount. Staff can tell you what is owed and how to pay it. Cash, certified checks, and money orders are accepted. Personal checks are not. Bondsmen may not have an office in Salida, so you may need to find one in a nearby town. They can still post bail at the Chaffee County jail once you hire them.

Not everyone gets bail. Serious charges or a history of failing to appear in court can lead a judge to deny bail. Repeat offenders may face higher bail amounts. The court looks at many factors when deciding bail, including the nature of the crime and the person's ties to the community. A lawyer can ask the judge to reduce bail if it is too high in Chaffee County.

Colorado Jail Records Law

Colorado law requires sheriffs to keep accurate jail records. C.R.S. § 17-26-118 sets the rules for what must be recorded and who can access it. Sheriffs must log all inmates, including names, booking dates, charges, and release dates. These records are public, which means anyone can request access to them in Chaffee County.

You do not need a reason to request jail records. Walk into the Sheriff's Office or submit a written request. Some records may be withheld if releasing them would harm an ongoing investigation or violate privacy rights. But most booking information is open to the public. Fees may apply for copies, especially if the request covers many pages.

Inmates have rights under Colorado law as well. They must be given access to medical care, legal counsel, and a process to challenge their detention. Colorado Revised Statutes protect these rights, and inmates can file complaints if the jail violates them. Advocacy groups monitor conditions in rural jails like Chaffee County to make sure rules are followed.

Court and Legal Resources in Chaffee County

The Chaffee County Court handles criminal cases for people arrested in the county. Court is held in Salida at the county courthouse. You can check court dockets online through the Colorado Judicial Department at coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. The docket system shows upcoming hearings, past cases, and case outcomes for Chaffee County.

Legal aid may be available for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Public defenders handle cases for defendants who qualify based on income. You must apply for a public defender through the court. Not everyone qualifies, and the process takes time. Private lawyers also work in the area, though you may need to find one in a nearby county if Chaffee County has limited options.

The Colorado Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. Call them to find a lawyer who handles criminal cases in Chaffee County. Many lawyers offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. That lets you discuss your case and decide if you want to hire them. Do not wait until the last minute to find a lawyer, as court dates can come up quickly in mountain counties like Chaffee.

Geographic Considerations for Chaffee County

Chaffee County sits in the central mountains of Colorado. The drive to Salida from Denver takes about three hours in good weather. In winter, snow and ice can make the trip longer and more dangerous. Highway 285 is the main route to Chaffee County, and it can close during severe storms. Check road conditions before making the trip, especially between November and April.

The jail serves mountain communities like Salida, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, and Nathrop. All arrests in these areas lead to bookings at the detention center in Salida. The Sheriff handles custody for everyone in Chaffee County, no matter where they were arrested. If you are not sure which county handles a case, check the arrest location to find the right jail.

Services in rural mountain counties are often more limited than in urban areas. The jail may not have all the programs or resources available at larger facilities. Medical care for serious conditions may require a transfer to a hospital in a nearby city. Families should be prepared for these challenges when dealing with the Chaffee County jail.

Cities in Chaffee County

Chaffee County includes the towns of Salida, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, and Nathrop. All arrests in these areas lead to bookings at the detention center in Salida. The Sheriff handles custody for everyone in Chaffee County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chaffee County. If you are searching for someone, check these jails as well.