Denver Police Records Access

Denver is the capital of Colorado and the largest city in the state. The Denver Police Department serves a growing population of over 715,000 residents across the city. The department keeps records of all police activity. These records help residents, lawyers, and insurance companies get facts about incidents. The DPD Records Unit handles all requests for police reports and related documents.

Denver Police Records Contact Information

The Denver Police Department Records Unit is the place to start for all police records requests in Denver. They keep files on every incident reported to police in the city. The unit follows Colorado state law when releasing records. The office is in downtown Denver near the courthouse.

The Civil Liability Section handles some complex requests. You can email them at DPD-CLB@denvergov.org. This is useful for cases involving juveniles or sensitive matters. The records team responds to most requests within five to ten business days. Some complex cases may take longer depending on the amount of material to review.

Note: The first 50 electronic pages are included in the base research fee for most requests.

Types of Denver Police Records Available

The Denver Police Department offers many types of records to the public. Each record type has its own purpose and fee. You should know which type you need before you submit your request. This will save time and ensure you get the right documents.

Arrest records show basic facts about a booking. They include the person's name, date of arrest, and charges filed. Arrest photos are also available if the person was processed at the Denver detention center. These records are often needed for court cases or personal records.

Crash reports are six-page documents used for insurance claims. They take five to seven days to become available after the crash is reported. You can request these online or in person. The report shows what happened, who was involved, and officer notes about the scene.

Offense reports cover most incidents reported to a DPD officer. These include theft, vandalism, assault, and other crimes. CAD reports give a typed summary of 911 calls. Premise history reports show all calls for service at a specific address going back up to three years.

Body-worn camera video can be requested through the audio and video option. DUI room video is available for up to 27 days after capture. HALO and traffic camera video is saved for 15 to 30 days before it is deleted. Request these quickly if you need footage from city cameras.

How to Request Denver Police Records

The Denver Police Department has an online system for records requests. This is the fastest way to get most police records. You can submit your request any time of day. The system will guide you through what information is needed.

Most reports start with a base fee of $20. This covers the search and first 50 pages. 911 recordings cost $30. CAD reports and premise history reports are $20 each. If your request needs more research, there is an hourly fee of $41.37 after the first hour of free research time.

Civil liability requests need a $20 non-refundable research fee. This applies to all requests that go through the Civil Liability Section. The fee pays for the time needed to find and review records. You must pay this before the search begins.

You can pay online with a credit or debit card. Some requests may allow payment by check or money order if submitted by mail. The records unit will contact you if additional fees apply. They will not process the request until you approve extra charges.

To check on your request, call the Records Unit at (720) 913-6755. Have your request number ready. You can also email the Civil Liability Section if your case was routed there. Response times vary based on how complex the request is and how busy the records staff are.

Note: Reports tied to active court cases may not be released until the case closes.

Colorado Laws Governing Denver Police Records

Denver Police Department records fall under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. This is different from the Colorado Open Records Act. The CCJRA has special rules for police records. It allows agencies to withhold some information to protect public safety and privacy.

The CCJRA is found in Colorado Revised Statute 24-72-301 and following sections. It gives police departments discretion to deny access if release would be contrary to the public interest. This means not all records are available. Some may have redactions before release.

C.R.S. 24-72-305.5 prohibits using police records for business gain. When you request records, you must sign a statement saying you will not use them to solicit business. This law protects people from having their arrest photos and records used for commercial purposes.

The Children's Code Records Act protects juvenile records. If a crash or incident involves a juvenile, special rules apply. These records often need a court order for release. The Civil Liability Section handles these sensitive cases in Denver.

Denver also follows CORA for general city records. The Secretary of State website has more details on CORA. The Colorado State Patrol at csp.colorado.gov and the CBI at cbi.colorado.gov also follow these state laws.

Tips for Denver Police Records Requests

Plan ahead when requesting Denver police records. Some records take time to find and review. Know what you need before you start. This will help you get the right documents faster.

For crash reports, wait at least five days after the incident. Reports need time to be filed and processed. If you filed your own crash report online through the state system, DPD will not have it. You must get those from the Colorado Online Crash Reporting system.

If you need video from HALO cameras or traffic cameras, act fast. This video is only saved for 15 to 30 days. After that, it is gone. Submit your request as soon as possible after the incident.

Have key details ready when you request records. Include the case number if you have it. Give the date, time, and location of the incident. Include names of people involved. The more details you provide, the faster the records staff can find your file.

News and documentary media companies should email DPDPIO@denvergov.org. Do not use the online system for media requests. The Public Information Office handles these special cases.

Note: Victims of certain crimes may get free copies of their reports. Ask about this when you submit your request.

Denver Police Records for Media

Journalists and media outlets have special procedures for Denver police records. The DPD Public Information Office handles these requests. They work with news organizations to provide timely access to records.

Media requests should go to DPDPIO@denvergov.org. Include your deadline and the nature of your story. The PIO staff will work to get you the records you need. They understand the time-sensitive nature of news reporting.

Body-worn camera footage is often requested by media. This requires special handling. The department reviews video for privacy and safety concerns before release. This process takes time. Submit media requests for video as early as possible.

The department may redact certain information from media releases. This includes juvenile names, medical information, and details that could harm an investigation. These redactions follow state law and department policy.

Denver County Police Records

Denver operates as a combined city and county government. The Denver Police Department serves the entire county. For records related to the Denver Sheriff Department or jail, contact them directly. The city and county share many services but have separate records systems.

View Denver County Records