Search Arapahoe County Arrest Records and Criminal Records

Criminal Records in Arapahoe County

Criminal records in Arapahoe County come from several agencies. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Tyler Brown, books arrested individuals into the detention facility and generates booking records that include charges, bond information, and identifying data. Municipal police departments in Aurora, Centennial, Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan create their own arrest records for offenses within their city limits. State and local court clerks then produce the case files once charges are formally filed. Each system is separate. A Sheriff booking record exists even if charges are never filed in court, and a court record is created only when the District Attorney or city attorney files charges.

The 18th Judicial District is now made up of Arapahoe County alone, after Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties moved to the newly formed 23rd Judicial District. That means all felony cases within Arapahoe County are handled by the Arapahoe County District Court at the Justice Center, 7325 S. Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112. Misdemeanor cases, traffic infractions, and small-dollar civil matters go through Arapahoe County Court, which also sits at the Justice Center and at the Littleton courthouse, 1790 West Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120. Both courts are overseen by the Colorado Judicial Branch.

An arrest record reflects what the officer or booking system recorded at the time of custody. That is not the same as a conviction. The case may still be pending, may have been dismissed, or may have ended in acquittal. Only a final court disposition tells you whether a conviction was entered. Understanding that distinction matters when you search Arapahoe County criminal records for employment screening, background research, or legal purposes.

How to Search Arapahoe County Criminal Records

Colorado does not offer a free, comprehensive online criminal-record search through the Judicial Branch website. The official Colorado Judicial Branch Access Guide states that limited online access to court records is available through authorized vendors and that access is not available directly from the Judicial Branch site. That means you have to choose the right path depending on what you need.

1. Free docket schedule search: Go to the Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search. Select the 18th Judicial District and Arapahoe County. Add a party name, case number, courthouse, or attorney as a second filter -- the system requires at least one filter beyond the date range. This returns scheduled docket events, not full case files or document copies.
2. Vendor case-register search: The Judicial Branch access guide lists authorized vendors, including LexisNexis CoCourts (cocourts.com), for register-of-actions searches covering civil, felony, misdemeanor, domestic, and traffic cases. Vendors charge fees. Document copies are not available from vendor sites and must be requested directly from the court.
3. Court records request: To get a copy of a charging document, disposition, order, or other case document, email 18records@judicial.state.co.us or mail a written request to Arapahoe Court, Attn: Records Requests, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112. The Records Team responds within three business days. Phone: 303-645-3814.
4. Sheriff Records: For booking records or records maintained by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, call the ACSO Records line at 720-874-3875 or the main Sheriff number at 720-874-3600. ACSO headquarters is at 13101 E. Broncos Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112.
5. Statewide criminal history: For a background check that covers all of Colorado, use the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Internet Criminal History Check at cbirecordscheck.com. This is a paid service that searches the CBI statewide criminal history database.

None of these paths gives you a single page that shows everything. A booking record at the Sheriff may exist while the docket search shows no charges yet. A vendor case register may show case status but no document text. The CBI check covers state criminal history but not necessarily all local arrests. For the most complete picture, check more than one source or request a certified records search from the court.

Arrest Records vs. Criminal Court Records in Arapahoe County

An arrest record is created when someone is taken into custody and booked at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility, 7375 South Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112, or at a police department holding facility. The booking process records the person's name, identifying information, the charge or charges that led to the arrest, and the bond set or conditions of release. None of that means a formal criminal case exists yet. The District Attorney's office reviews the file and decides whether to file charges, reduce them, divert the case, or decline to prosecute.

A criminal court record does not exist until the DA or city attorney files a charging document. In district court felony cases, that document is usually a criminal complaint, information, or indictment. In county court misdemeanor matters, it may be a complaint or summons. Once filed, the court clerk assigns a case number and the case enters the public docket system. From that point, most case events -- hearings, motions, plea entries, continuances, sentencing orders -- are recorded in the register of actions and are accessible through official channels.

Charges vs. Convictions in Arapahoe County Cases

A charge is an accusation. The DA files it based on probable cause that a crime occurred and that the named person committed it. Being charged does not mean the person is guilty. The charge appears in the public case register as soon as it is filed, which means it is part of the public record even before trial. Arapahoe County District Court handles felony charges; County Court handles class 1 and class 2 misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and petty offenses. A conviction is reached only through a jury verdict of guilty, a bench trial finding of guilt, or a guilty plea accepted by the judge.

Colorado's Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq., governs what criminal justice agencies must make public and what they may withhold. Under the CCJRA, records of official actions -- arrests, charges, case dispositions -- are generally open to inspection. But the Act also gives custodians discretion to deny access if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest or if another law restricts it.

Note: A dismissal without prejudice allows the DA to refile the charge within the statute of limitations. A dismissal with prejudice bars refiling. Neither is a conviction, but both appear in the case register and may show on a CBI criminal history until the record is sealed.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Check

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history database and provides paid background checks through the CBI Internet Criminal History Check portal. A CBI check covers convictions and other criminal justice records statewide, not just Arapahoe County. Employers, landlords, and individuals use it for background screening. The CBI also processes fingerprint-based background checks for licensing and employment purposes.

For criminal justice records requests governed by the CCJRA, the CBI also has a dedicated request pathway. The official CBI CCJRA/CORA request page explains the distinction between CORA (the general open records law) and the CCJRA (which applies specifically to criminal justice records). Requests for a specific agency's records -- for example, records held by a law-enforcement agency rather than the court -- may go through the custodian agency or through the CBI depending on the type of record sought.

The CBI Internet Criminal History Check is the tool most people use for a name-based Arapahoe County background check. It is a paid service. The result reflects what is in the state database at the time of the search. Records that have been sealed will not appear. The CBI check is not a substitute for a court records request if you need a certified copy of a specific document.

The CBI check searches statewide records, not just Arapahoe County. If you are looking specifically for an Arapahoe felony or misdemeanor case, a vendor case-register search or direct court records request may give you more detail on case-by-case filings and dispositions.

The official CBI Internet Criminal History Check portal (cbirecordscheck.com) provides statewide criminal history background checks in Colorado, including records from Arapahoe County cases processed through the state's criminal justice system.

The name-based CBI check covers convictions statewide and reflects the most current sealed or open status of the record at the time of the search.

How to Request a CBI Background Check for Arapahoe County

A name-based CBI criminal history check is the fastest way to get a statewide Colorado background check that covers Arapahoe County cases. The steps below cover the name-based Internet Criminal History Check. Fingerprint checks for licensing or employment follow a different process through the submitting agency.

1. Go to cbirecordscheck.com.
2. Select the type of check. For most public searches, choose the Internet Criminal History Check option.
3. Enter the subject's first name, last name, and date of birth. Providing an accurate date of birth reduces the chance of mismatches on common names.
4. Review the fee and complete payment. The CBI collects the fee before returning results. Fees are set by state statute; verify the current amount on the CBI site before submitting.
5. Review the result. The report shows criminal history on file with the CBI. Records that are sealed under C.R.S. § 24-72-706 et seq. will not appear in the public result.
6. If you need a document copy from a specific case, submit a records request to the Arapahoe Court at 18records@judicial.state.co.us or call 303-645-3814. A CBI check does not provide copies of court filings.

Name-based searches can return false positives if the subject has a common name. If the result shows a record that may not belong to the correct person, check the date of birth, middle name, and case county carefully before acting on the result.

The official CBI CCJRA page explains the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act framework and how to submit criminal records requests to the CBI directly when the record at issue is held by a law-enforcement agency rather than a court.

The CBI CCJRA page outlines how criminal justice records requests differ from standard CORA requests and which custodian agency to contact for specific record types.

Sealed vs. Expunged Records in Colorado

Colorado uses sealing as the primary mechanism to limit public access to criminal records. True "expungement" -- where the record is destroyed and treated as if it never existed -- is largely reserved for juvenile records and a narrow set of adult cases. For most adult criminal records, the correct term is sealing, governed by C.R.S. § 24-72-706 et seq. Colorado's 2019 reform expanded the categories of convictions eligible for sealing after a waiting period, making the process more accessible than it was before. The Arapahoe County District Court handles sealing petitions for cases filed in the 18th Judicial District.

When a record is sealed, it is removed from public view. Courts, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and entities required by law to run checks may still access it. The CBI will not return the sealed record in a public name-based check. The person may legally state that no such record exists in most non-criminal-justice contexts. Denial grounds for sealing petitions include an ineligible offense type, insufficient waiting period since the case closed, pending criminal charges, unpaid restitution where relevant, incomplete service on required parties, or a prosecutorial objection supported by a public-interest finding.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides sealing packets with current forms and filing instructions at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms. The Arapahoe County self-help resources page at coloradojudicial.gov links to sealing forms and related resources. Do not rely on third-party summaries for current fees or eligible offense lists -- use the official Judicial Branch sealing packet, which is updated when the statute changes.

Mugshots and Booking Photos in Arapahoe County

Booking photos are taken by the Sheriff at the time of arrest and booking at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility. These photos are part of the arrest record held by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. Under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq., criminal justice records of official actions -- which include arrest and booking records -- are generally open to inspection, subject to the custodian's discretion and statutory exceptions.

The Sheriff's Office does not appear to maintain a public mugshot gallery on its official website based on official sources reviewed. To request a specific booking photo, contact ACSO Records at 720-874-3875 or the Sheriff's main line at 720-874-3600. The custodian may deny access if disclosure is contrary to the public interest, if an investigation is ongoing, or if another law restricts it. If the underlying case has been sealed, the booking photo may also be restricted.

Third-party mugshot websites often collect and republish booking photos. These sites are not affiliated with Arapahoe County or any government agency. If a photo has been sealed under court order, third-party sites may not reflect that change promptly or at all. For an official response to an inquiry about a specific booking photo, go directly to ACSO Records.

District Attorney and Public Defender in Arapahoe County

The charging decision in any Arapahoe County criminal case belongs to the District Attorney. DA Amy Padden was sworn in as Arapahoe County District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District on January 14, 2025. Her term runs through January 2029. The DA's office reviews arrest reports from the Arapahoe County Sheriff and other law-enforcement agencies, decides whether to file charges, and handles prosecutions in District Court and County Court. The official DA profile page lists the office at 6450 S Revere Pkwy, Centennial, CO 80111, phone 720-874-8500.

DA Padden's stated priorities include community safety, alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, juvenile justice reform, justice and equity, and better approaches to mental health and substance-abuse issues in the criminal justice system. That context matters because charging decisions and diversion offers affect what, if anything, ends up in a person's criminal court record. A case that is diverted to a program rather than prosecuted may still generate a court file but may resolve without a conviction, which then affects sealing eligibility.

The official DA page for the 18th Judicial District shows District Attorney Amy Padden's background and the priorities for the Arapahoe County DA's office.

DA Padden's office prosecutes all felony cases in Arapahoe County District Court and misdemeanor cases in Arapahoe County Court, and makes the charging decisions that determine whether an arrest becomes a criminal case on the public record.

For defendants who cannot afford an attorney, the Colorado State Public Defender maintains an office in Arapahoe County. The Colorado State Public Defender Arapahoe office is at 13356 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial, CO 80112. Phone: 303-799-9001. Email: Arapahoe@coloradodefenders.us. Office head: David Kaplan. The Public Defender represents Arapahoe County cases only; the statewide main number is 303-764-1400.

The official Colorado State Public Defender Arapahoe office page confirms the address, contact information, and the office's focus on criminal defense in Arapahoe County cases.

If you have an active criminal case in Arapahoe County and cannot afford a private attorney, the Public Defender office handles applications for appointed counsel at the Centennial location.

Arapahoe Sheriff Records and Arrest Information

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office operates under Sheriff Tyler Brown from headquarters at 13101 E. Broncos Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112, main line 720-874-3600. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the City of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County. It also oversees the Detention Facility on South Potomac Street, which operates 24 hours a day. The ACSO Records line handles records requests at 720-874-3875. The Civil and Warrants Unit handles warrant service and civil process at 720-874-3845, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When someone is arrested and booked, the booking record is created at the Detention Facility, 7375 South Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112. The Sheriff is required under the CCJRA to maintain records of official actions open to inspection, subject to the CCJRA's discretion and denial provisions. That means arrest records and booking information are generally available on request. The Records Unit is the right contact for official copies and formal record requests.

The ACSO annual reports document that the Civil and Warrants Unit entered 6,663 warrants into the computer in 2015 and processed 8,751 civil papers in that same year, showing the scale of the office's record-keeping. Arrest and booking volumes have grown as Arapahoe County's population has increased, with the ACSO serving over 644,000 people across nearly 900 square miles.

For current Arapahoe County inmate records, use the official inmate lookup through the Sheriff's inmate information page or call Detentions at 720-874-3500. For released inmate information, call the same number and press 7 for victim notification, or use VINELink. For warrant records, contact the Civil and Warrants Unit directly at 720-874-3845 -- no official public active-warrant search portal was found in official sources for Arapahoe County.

Restricted Criminal Records in Arapahoe County

Not all Arapahoe County criminal records are public. The Colorado Judicial Branch Access Guide identifies several categories that are restricted under state law, court rule, or court order. Juvenile delinquency, dependency and neglect, and adoption records are primarily controlled by C.R.S. § 19-1-301 et seq. (the Children's Code) and Chief Justice Directive 05-01. As a general rule, juvenile records are not open to the public and may only be accessed by parties, counsel, specific agencies, or court-authorized persons.

Sealed criminal records are restricted under C.R.S. §§ 24-72-703 through 24-72-711. Once sealed, the record is removed from public-facing systems including the CBI public check. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts retain access. Mental health proceedings contain protected medical information, and access is limited by statute and court order. Grand jury proceedings are secret unless and until an indictment is returned or the court authorizes disclosure. Victim and witness information may be redacted or withheld to protect safety. Records sealed by individual court order require a motion to unseal and judicial approval to become public again.

• Juvenile delinquency, dependency, and adoption records -- generally confidential
• Sealed adult criminal records -- removed from public access; courts/law enforcement retain access
• Mental health proceedings -- statutory and medical privacy protections apply
• Grand jury proceedings -- secret until indictment or court order
• Victim/witness identifying information -- may be redacted from public copies
• Ongoing investigation files -- custodian discretion to deny if public interest requires it

If you request a record and are told it does not exist or access is denied, it may be sealed, confidential by statute, or restricted by court order rather than simply absent. The CCJRA at C.R.S. § 24-72-305 allows custodians to deny inspection when disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.

Related Arapahoe County Searches

Criminal records often connect to several other record types held by different agencies. Active warrants issued by Arapahoe County courts are handled by the Sheriff's Civil and Warrants Unit; see Arapahoe County warrant records for what is known about official warrant information. To find out if someone is currently in the Arapahoe County Detention Facility, use Arapahoe County inmate records. For recently released inmates, call the Detentions line at 720-874-3500 or use VINELink. For the full case file of a pending or closed criminal matter -- including charging documents, plea entries, and sentencing orders -- see Arapahoe County court records. Traffic offenses handled in County Court, including DUI cases that begin in traffic court before being elevated to criminal proceedings, are covered under Arapahoe County traffic court records. Common questions about Arapahoe County court and criminal records are answered on the FAQ page.