Access Dolores County Jail Roster
Dolores County jail roster information is available through the county sheriff office. This small rural county in southwest Colorado serves the Dove Creek area.
Dolores County Quick Facts
Dolores County Sheriff Office
The Dolores County Sheriff Office handles law work for this very small rural county in southwest Colorado. Dolores County is one of the least populated counties in the state. The county seat is Dove Creek, a small town near the Utah border. The sheriff office serves the whole county from this location. Because the county has so few people, the jail is very small and may not hold many inmates at once.
If you need to find information about someone who may be in custody in Dolores County, contact the sheriff office directly. This is a very small operation, so you will need to call and speak with staff. They can check their records and tell you if someone is in custody. Have the person's full name ready when you call. A date of birth or other details can help if the name is common. The staff will provide information about bond amounts and court dates if that information is available and public.
Dolores County may work with nearby counties to manage inmates. Very small jails sometimes send inmates to larger facilities if they need special care or if space runs out. Montezuma County and San Miguel County are nearby and may take inmates from Dolores County. If you cannot find someone in Dolores County, ask the staff if the person was transferred to another facility. They can tell you where to search next.
| Location |
Dolores County Sheriff Office Dove Creek, CO |
|---|---|
| Contact | Call the sheriff office directly for inmate information |
| Hours | Call for current hours |
Finding Inmates in Dolores County
Dolores County does not have an online inmate search tool. To find out if someone is in jail, call the sheriff office. The staff will check their records and tell you if the person is there. Have at least a last name ready when you call. A first name or date of birth can help narrow down the search if the last name is common. The jail can also tell you about bond and court dates if that information is public.
Jail records in Colorado are public under state law. Anyone can ask about inmates as long as they follow the right process. For Dolores County, this means calling or visiting the sheriff office in person. The staff cannot release private information like medical records or sealed case details, but they can confirm whether someone is in custody and provide basic booking information. This is standard practice for very small rural jails across Colorado.
If you prefer to visit in person, go to the sheriff office in Dove Creek. Bring a valid photo ID with you. In-person visits let you talk to staff directly, which can be helpful if you have many questions or need to check on someone urgently. The office may have limited hours for public inquiries, so calling ahead is a good idea. This can save you a long drive if staff are not available when you arrive. Dolores County is remote and far from major cities, so plan your trip carefully.
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. County jails only hold people who are waiting for trial or serving short sentences for less serious crimes.
About Dolores County Jail
Dolores County has a very small jail that holds people arrested in the county. Most inmates are waiting for court hearings or serving time for minor crimes. The jail can house both men and women, though the total capacity is very limited. Because the county is so small and rural, the jail does not book many people. This means the jail often has space available and can sometimes take inmates from other counties that need extra room.
When someone is arrested in Dolores County, they are brought to the jail for booking. Staff collect information, take fingerprints, and log the charges. The person may post bond and be released, or they may stay in custody until their court date. The jail works with the local court system to schedule hearings and manage people who are waiting for trial. This process is standard across Colorado, but each county handles it based on the number of cases and available resources.
Inmates at the Dolores County jail have access to basic services such as meals, medical care, and phone calls. The jail may have very limited programs or activities due to its tiny size, but staff work to meet the needs of people in custody. If an inmate needs special medical care or other services that the jail cannot provide, they will be transferred to a larger facility in a nearby county. The staff can tell you if someone was moved and where they are now.
Because Dolores County is so remote and has such a small population, the jail system is one of the smallest in Colorado. The county relies on cooperation with larger nearby counties to handle complex cases or inmates who need specialized care. This is common practice in rural parts of the state where counties work together to provide services.
Visiting Inmates in Dolores County
If you want to visit someone in Dolores County custody, call the sheriff office ahead of time to learn the rules. Very small jails often have strict visiting hours and may limit how many people can visit at once. You will need a valid photo ID to enter the jail. The staff will check your ID and may ask about your relationship to the inmate. Some jails require visitors to be on an approved list before they can see the inmate.
Visits may happen in person at the jail. In-person visits usually take place in a secure room where you can talk through a window or screen. Very small jails like the one in Dolores County may not have video visiting systems. Ask the staff what is available when you call. Because the county is so remote, most visits will need to be in person, so plan your trip carefully.
There are strict rules about what you can bring into a jail. Do not bring weapons, drugs, or any items that could be used to harm someone or help an inmate escape. You may need to leave your phone and other personal items with staff or in your car. The staff will explain what is allowed before you enter the facility. If you violate the rules, you could be banned from visiting in the future.
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 Dolores 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.
You do not need a special reason to request jail records. As long as you follow the county's process, you can get the information. In Dolores County, this usually means calling the sheriff office or visiting in person. If the jail refuses to give you public information, you can file a complaint or seek help from a lawyer who understands public records law in Colorado.
Cities in Dolores County
Dolores County has no cities with populations over 25,000. The county seat is Dove Creek, which is a very small town. Rico is another small community in the county. All residents of Dolores County are served by the sheriff office in Dove Creek. If you are arrested anywhere in the county, you will be booked at the county facility.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Dolores County. If you cannot find someone in Dolores County custody, they may be held in one of these nearby facilities. Each county runs its own jail system.