Thornton Police Records
Thornton police records are available through the Records Unit at Thornton Police Department. The city sits in Adams County, Colorado. Over 146,000 people call Thornton home. The Records Unit handles all requests for crash reports, incident reports, and other police documents. Requests follow the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.
Thornton Police Department Contact Info
The Thornton Police Department sits at 9551 Civic Center Drive. This is in Thornton, Colorado 80229. The building houses the Records Unit on the main floor. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday. The office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM.
The Records Unit phone is (720) 977-5125. Call this number with questions about records. The Police Records Supervisor can be reached at (720) 977-5130. For city records not related to police, contact the City Clerk at 303-538-7230. Email the City Clerk at Clerk@ThorntonCO.gov.
| Department | Thornton Police Department Records Unit |
|---|---|
| Address | 9551 Civic Center Dr Thornton, CO 80229 |
| Records Phone | (720) 977-5125 |
| Supervisor | (720) 977-5130 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | thorntonco.gov |
The Thornton Police Department serves a large area. It covers parts of Adams and Weld counties. The city is one of the larger suburbs in the Denver metro area. Records requests must go through the proper channels. Make sure you contact the right agency for your needs.
How to Request Thornton Police Reports
Getting Thornton police records starts with a simple request. You can submit online or visit in person. The process follows Colorado law. Not all records are open to the public. Some files have redactions or may be denied.
The city uses an online form for criminal justice records. This form is on the Thornton website. You can find it at the police records page. The form asks for your name and contact info. You must describe the records you want. Be specific about dates and case numbers if you have them.
For traffic accidents, you have two options. Request them through Thornton Police directly. Or use BuyCrash, a third-party service. BuyCrash handles many Colorado accident reports. This may be faster for some users. Check both options to see which works best for you.
Public records requests go through a different form. The City Clerk handles these. Use this for non-police city records. This includes code violations and permits. The Clerk's office has its own request process.
When you submit a request, watch your email. You should get a confirmation message. Check your spam folder if you do not see it. Do not send a second request right away. Wait for the first response. The staff works through requests in order.
Thornton Police Records Fees
Fees for Thornton police records follow state law. The first hour of work is free. This includes research and retrieval time. If your request takes longer, you pay an hourly rate. The rate matches the CORA maximum fee.
Large requests need a deposit. If work will take more than five hours, you pay first. The deposit is half of the estimated cost. It is not refundable. Work does not start until the city gets your deposit. Plan for this if you need many records.
You can pay in several ways. In person, they take cash and money orders. Credit cards work too. They do not take American Express. Online payments go through PayPal. This gives you options based on what works for you.
Note: Fees can change. Call the Records Unit to confirm current rates.
Types of Thornton Police Records Available
The Thornton Police Department keeps many types of records. Each has its own rules for release. Some are open to anyone. Others have limits. Know what you can get before you ask.
Traffic accident reports are common requests. These show details of crashes. They include driver info and damage estimates. Insurance companies often need these. Victims need them too. You can get these online or in person.
Incident reports cover many events. These include theft reports and property damage. They also cover disturbances and other calls. Not all details may be released. Active cases have limits. Closed cases are easier to get.
Other records types include:
- Police photos from incidents
- 911 call recordings
- Body camera footage
- Arrest records and booking photos
- Clearance letters for individuals
Each type has different fees and wait times. Some need extra review. Body camera footage often takes longer. It may need redaction. This protects privacy. Ask the Records Unit about timing for your specific request.
Colorado Laws for Thornton Police Records
Thornton follows state laws for records. The main law is the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. This is CCJRA for short. It covers police and sheriff records. It is different from the Open Records Act. That law covers other city records.
When you request records, you must sign a form. This form has important legal text. It states you will not use records for money gain. This is required by C.R.S. 24-72-305.5. You cannot use records to solicit business. You also cannot post booking photos for profit. Breaking this rule has penalties.
The city must respond in three days. This is the law under CORA. They can extend this to ten days. But they must explain why. Extenuating circumstances allow this. Complex requests may need more time. The city will tell you if this happens.
Some records are not public. Juvenile records have special protection. Active investigation files stay closed. Records that threaten safety may be withheld. The Records Unit knows these rules. They will explain if your request is denied.
Other Agencies for Thornton Records
Sometimes you need records from other agencies. Thornton works with several partners. Each has its own records system. Know which agency handles your case. This saves time and effort.
The Adams County Sheriff covers areas near Thornton. They handle calls outside city limits. If your incident was in the county, call them. Their number is (303) 655-3215. They are at 4430 S Adams County Parkway in Brighton.
Colorado State Patrol handles state highways. This includes parts of I-25 and I-76. Accidents on these roads go to State Patrol. Their records are in Lakewood. Call (303) 239-4180 for help. Or visit csp.colorado.gov.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has state records. They keep criminal history files. These are fingerprint-based. For a statewide check, contact CBI. Their website is cbi.colorado.gov. They offer online checks too.
Learn more about Colorado open records at sos.state.co.us. This site explains your rights. It also explains the process. It is a good resource for anyone seeking records in Colorado.
Tips for Getting Thornton Police Records Fast
Speed up your request with good planning. Give all details up front. Include date and location. Add case numbers if you have them. The more you provide, the faster the search goes. Vague requests take longer.
Check your email often. Staff may have questions. Quick answers keep things moving. Also watch for spam folders. Replies sometimes go there by mistake. Add the city domain to your safe list.
For accidents, try BuyCrash first. It may have your report ready. This is faster than waiting for manual processing. Not all reports go there. But many do. It is worth checking.
Visit in person for urgent needs. The office is on Civic Center Drive. Bring ID and payment. Staff can help you fill out forms. This avoids email delays. It is the best choice when time matters.
Note: Be patient with large or complex requests. These take time to process properly.
Adams County Police Records
Thornton is in Adams County. The county sheriff serves areas outside city limits. They also assist with some city operations. For county-level records, contact the Adams County Sheriff. They handle unincorporated areas. They also manage the county jail records.