Denver County Jail Roster

Denver County jail roster records are available through the Denver Sheriff Department. The city and county of Denver operates two major detention facilities that hold inmates.

Denver Sheriff Department and Jail Facilities

The Denver Sheriff Department runs two major detention facilities. The Downtown Denver Detention Center sits at 490 W. Colfax Ave in downtown Denver. The Denver County Jail is at 10500 E. Smith Rd in the Montbello area. These two facilities handle all bookings for the city and county of Denver, which operates as a combined government. The sheriff department manages both locations and provides services to people in custody.

The Downtown Denver Detention Center is the main intake facility for people arrested in Denver. This is where most people are first booked when they are arrested by Denver Police or other agencies operating in the city. The facility is close to the courts, which makes it easier to transport inmates to hearings. The Denver County Jail on E. Smith Rd is a larger facility that holds inmates who are serving sentences or waiting for trial. Both locations are run by the same agency, so staff can move inmates between facilities as needed.

Denver is the largest city in Colorado and the state capital. The jail system here is much bigger than in rural counties. The sheriff department employs hundreds of staff to manage inmates, provide security, and run programs. Because Denver has a high population and sees thousands of arrests each year, the jail facilities are busy every day. The system processes bookings, releases, and court transports around the clock.

How to Search Denver County Jail Roster

Denver has an online inmate search tool at denvergov.org/InmateSearch. This system covers both the Downtown Denver Detention Center and the Denver County Jail. You can search by last name at a minimum. Adding a first name, date of birth, or booking number helps narrow down results. The search is free and available to the public 24 hours a day. You do not need to create an account to use the system.

When you search for an inmate, the system shows basic information about people in custody. This includes the person's name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and next court date. The system also shows which facility holds the inmate. If someone is not in custody, they will not appear in the search. The database updates frequently, so check back if you do not see recent information. This system is the fastest way to find someone in Denver County custody.

If you cannot find someone using the online search, call 303-295-2001 for help. Staff can check the system and tell you if the person is in custody. Have the full name and date of birth ready when you call. The phone line is available during business hours. If you need to visit in person, bring a valid ID to either detention facility. In-person visits may have wait times, so calling ahead can save you time.

For inmates who have been sentenced to state prison, use the Colorado Department of Corrections online search at doc.state.co.us/oss. That system tracks people in state facilities. Denver County jails only hold people who are waiting for trial or serving short sentences for less serious crimes.

About Denver County Jail System

The Denver jail system holds thousands of inmates at any given time. Most people in custody are waiting for court hearings. Some are serving sentences for misdemeanor crimes, which carry jail time of up to one year. Felony cases may keep inmates in county jail for months while the case moves through the court system. After a felony conviction, inmates are transferred to state prison. The jail handles both pretrial detention and short-term sentencing.

When someone is arrested in Denver, they are brought to the Downtown Denver Detention Center for booking. Staff collect information, take fingerprints and photos, and log the charges. The person may post bond and be released, or they may stay in custody until their court date. If an inmate is held for a longer period, they may be moved to the Denver County Jail on E. Smith Rd. That facility has more space and programs for inmates who are in custody for weeks or months.

Inmates at Denver jails have access to many services. This includes meals, medical care, mental health services, and substance abuse programs. The sheriff department offers educational classes, job training, and reentry programs to help inmates prepare for release. Legal services are available through the public defender office and other legal aid groups. Inmates can make phone calls and receive visits from approved family and friends. The jail also provides religious services and recreation time.

The Denver jail system works closely with Denver courts, the district attorney, and public defenders. Because Denver is a combined city and county, the court system is also part of the city government. This integration can make case processing faster than in counties where the jail and courts are separate entities. The jail coordinates with courts to transport inmates to hearings and make sure they appear for scheduled dates.

Visiting Inmates in Denver County

Denver County jails allow visits on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. You must bring a valid photo ID to visit. The staff will check your ID and may search you before you enter the visiting area. Some inmates may have restrictions on who can visit, so check the inmate's status before you go to the jail. You may need to be on an approved visitor list for some inmates.

Visits happen in person at the detention facilities. You will talk to the inmate through glass using a phone. Physical contact is not allowed during visits. The visit may be limited to a certain amount of time, especially if many people are waiting to visit. Follow all rules during your visit. Do not try to pass items to the inmate or discuss things that could harm the case. Staff monitor visits and can end them if rules are broken.

There are strict rules about what you can bring into the jail. Do not bring weapons, drugs, phones, or any items that could be used to harm someone. You will need to leave most personal items in a locker or in your car. Bring only your ID and maybe a small amount of cash for the locker. The staff will explain what is allowed when you arrive. If you violate the rules, you could be banned from visiting in the future.

For more information about visiting, check the Denver Sheriff Department website at denvergov.org. The site has details about visiting hours, rules, and how to get to each facility. You can also call 303-295-2001 to ask questions about visiting someone in custody.

Public Access to Jail Records in Colorado

Jail rosters in Colorado are public records. Under C.R.S. § 17-26-118, anyone can ask to see who is in a county jail. This applies to all jails in the state, including Denver County. The jail must share basic information about inmates such as their name, booking date, and the charges they face. Some details may be withheld if releasing them would harm an ongoing investigation or violate privacy laws, but most information is open to the public.

The law requires jails to keep accurate records of all bookings and releases. Every time someone is booked into the jail, staff must log the person's name, the time they arrived, and the reason for their arrest. When someone is released, the jail updates the record to show the release date and time. These records create a history of who has been in custody and for how long. You can ask for this information at any time, and the jail must provide it as long as you follow the proper steps.

Denver makes this information available through the online inmate search system. This is faster and easier than calling or visiting the jail. You do not need a special reason to search for inmates. The information is public and anyone can access it. If the online system does not work or you have questions, call the sheriff department for help.

Cities in Denver County

Denver County and the City of Denver are the same. This is a consolidated city-county government. All residents of Denver are served by the Denver Sheriff Department and the two detention facilities.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Denver County. If you cannot find someone at a Denver jail, they may be held in one of these nearby facilities. Each county runs its own jail system.