Montezuma County Jail Inmate Lookup
Montezuma County maintains jail records at the detention facility in Cortez. Contact the sheriff's office to locate inmates.
Montezuma County Quick Facts
Montezuma County Sheriff's Office
The Montezuma County Sheriff operates the jail in Cortez, located in the Four Corners region of southwest Colorado. This area is known for Mesa Verde National Park and its proximity to Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The jail holds people arrested throughout Montezuma County and those awaiting trial or serving sentences. To find an inmate, you must contact the sheriff's office directly by phone since no online search is available.
| County Seat | Cortez, CO |
|---|---|
| Contact | Montezuma County Sheriff's Office |
| Search Method | Call the Sheriff's Office directly |
| Region | Four Corners area |
When calling the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office, have the inmate's full name and date of birth if possible. This helps staff locate the right person quickly. They will tell you if the person is in custody, what charges they face, and the bond amount. Staff can also explain visiting procedures and how to send money to an inmate's account. Business hours are typically Monday through Friday during the day.
How to Find Inmates in Montezuma County
Montezuma County does not have an online jail roster. You must call the sheriff's office to search for inmates. This is typical for counties with smaller populations. Arrests in Montezuma County often involve state charges like DUI, drug offenses, theft, domestic violence, and assault. The jail also holds people on warrants from other jurisdictions.
When you call the sheriff's office, staff will search their records by name. They can tell you if someone is currently in custody and provide basic information about their case. If the person is not in the system, they may have been released or never booked into the jail. Ask when booking is expected to be complete if you are looking for someone who was recently arrested. Processing can take several hours, especially on busy days.
Montezuma County is home to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, which has its own law enforcement. If someone was arrested on tribal land, they may be held in a tribal detention facility rather than the county jail. Check with both the Montezuma County Sheriff and the tribal police if you are not sure where the arrest occurred. Each jurisdiction maintains its own jail and records.
For bond information, the sheriff's office will tell you how much bail is set and what types of payment are accepted. Some charges do not allow bond, which means the person must stay in jail until their court hearing. The staff will explain your options. You can usually post bail at the jail during business hours, and some counties allow after-hours bonding through special arrangements.
Montezuma County Detention Facility Overview
The Montezuma County Jail in Cortez serves the entire county. It holds pre-trial detainees who are waiting for their court dates and sentenced inmates serving short terms. Most inmates are local residents, but the jail may also house people arrested by the Colorado State Patrol or other agencies operating in the area. The facility provides basic services including meals, medical care, and access to phones for approved calls.
Like many rural jails, Montezuma County may transfer inmates to larger facilities if the jail reaches capacity or if an inmate has special needs. Inmates with serious medical conditions, mental health issues, or who require protective custody might be moved to a county with more resources. If you cannot locate someone at the Montezuma County Jail, ask the sheriff's office if they were transferred. They will provide contact information for the receiving facility.
Visiting Inmates in Montezuma County
Montezuma County Jail allows visitation for inmates. Call the sheriff's office to find out the visiting schedule and rules. You may need to schedule visits in advance. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID card. All visitors must be at least 18 years old unless they are immediate family of the inmate and are accompanied by an adult.
Follow the jail's dress code. Do not wear revealing clothes, gang colors, or anything that looks like jail uniforms. Leave all personal items in your car, including phones, bags, and wallets. If you bring prohibited items, you will not be allowed to visit. Visits typically last 15 to 30 minutes and are monitored by staff. All conversations may be recorded except for visits with attorneys.
Colorado Jail Records Statute
Under C.R.S. § 17-26-118, all Colorado jails must keep daily records of inmates. These records must include the inmate's name, date of entrance, date of birth, race, ethnicity, gender, charges, jurisdiction, bond amount, sentence term if sentenced, and release date. The law requires that this information be available to the public at all reasonable hours.
Even without an online search system, Montezuma County must provide jail records to anyone who requests them. This is your right under Colorado law. If the sheriff's office refuses to give you public records, you can file a complaint under the Colorado Open Records Act. Public access to jail rosters helps ensure transparency and allows families to locate their loved ones in the criminal justice system.
Cities in Montezuma County
Montezuma County has several towns in the Four Corners region. Cortez is the county seat and the main population center. All arrests in Montezuma County are processed at the jail in Cortez.
Cities and towns in Montezuma County include Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores. None of these towns have populations over 25,000. Everyone arrested in Montezuma County is booked into the county jail in Cortez.
Nearby Counties
Montezuma County is in the Four Corners region and borders several other Colorado counties as well as Utah and New Mexico. If someone was arrested near a county line, check these nearby jails.