Mineral County Sheriff Records

Mineral County police records are available through the Sheriff's Office in Creede. This rural mountain county sits in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The Sheriff's Office serves the town of Creede and surrounding areas. Records include incident reports, arrest logs, and jail booking information. Citizens can request these records under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office Contact

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office maintains all local police records. Sheriff Terry Wetherill leads the department. The office handles law enforcement for the entire county. This includes the town of Creede and unincorporated areas. Records staff process requests for incident reports and arrest records.

Note: Call ahead to confirm records staff availability before visiting the Mineral County Sheriff's Office.

Mineral County Police Records Available

The Sheriff's Office keeps several types of police records. Each record type serves a different purpose. Some records are open to the public. Others have limits on access. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act governs what records you can get.

Incident reports document calls for service. Deputies write these reports after responding to events. Reports include the date, time, and location. They also list the people involved and what happened. Most incident reports are public records in Mineral County.

Arrest records show who was taken into custody. These include booking photos and charges. Arrest logs are typically public information. The Sheriff's Office may post daily arrest logs. You can also request them in person or by phone.

Crash reports are available for traffic accidents. The Sheriff's Office investigates crashes on county roads. You can get a copy of your accident report. These records help with insurance claims. They also show who was at fault in the crash.

How to Request Mineral County Police Records

You can request police records from the Mineral County Sheriff's Office in several ways. The easiest way is to visit in person. You can also call or send a written request. Each method has its own steps to follow.

To request records in person, go to the Sheriff's Office at 1201 N Main St in Creede. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will help you fill out a request form. You need to provide details about the record you want. Include the date, location, and names of people involved. The more details you give, the faster they can find the record.

Phone requests work for simple inquiries. Call (719) 658-2600 during business hours. Ask for the records department. Staff can tell you if a record exists. They can also explain how to get a copy. Some records may be available by email or mail.

For written requests, send a letter to the Sheriff's Office. Include your contact information and a description of the records you want. Be specific about dates and names. The Sheriff's Office will respond within three business days. They may need more time for large requests. You will get an estimate of any costs before they process your request.

Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act in Mineral County

The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) controls access to police records. This law applies to all law enforcement agencies in Colorado. It includes the Mineral County Sheriff's Office. The CCJRA balances public access with privacy rights.

Under the CCJRA, some records are open to all. These include basic incident reports and arrest logs. Other records are restricted. Files from active cases are not public. Records about juveniles are also protected. The Sheriff's Office must follow these rules.

You can read more about the CCJRA at the Colorado Secretary of State website. The site explains your rights as a citizen. It also describes what agencies can and cannot release.

Note: The Sheriff's Office has three business days to respond to most records requests under Colorado law.

State Police Records Resources

Some police records are held by state agencies. These can supplement local records from Mineral County. The Colorado State Patrol handles crashes on state highways. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation keeps criminal history records.

The Colorado State Patrol maintains crash reports for state roads. This includes Highway 149 near Creede. You can request these reports online. The State Patrol has a records portal on their website. You will need the date and location of the crash.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) provides criminal history checks. These show arrests and convictions statewide. You can request a check through the CBI website. There is a fee for this service. CBI records cover all of Colorado including Mineral County.

What to Expect When Requesting Records

The records request process takes time. Mineral County is a small rural community. The Sheriff's Office has limited staff. They handle all law enforcement and records duties. Be patient when waiting for your request.

Most simple requests take a few days. Complex requests may take longer. The Sheriff's Office will tell you if they need more time. They must give you a reason for any delay. Colorado law allows up to seven extra days in some cases.

There may be fees for copies. The first hour of research is free. After that, you may pay an hourly rate. Copy fees are usually per page. The Sheriff's Office will give you a cost estimate. You can decide whether to proceed after seeing the estimate.

Some records may be redacted. This means parts will be blacked out. Personal information like Social Security numbers is protected. Information about victims may also be hidden. The Sheriff's Office follows state laws on what to redact.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mineral County. You may need records from these areas if an incident crossed county lines. Each county has its own Sheriff's Office with separate records.