Colorado Warrant Search

A warrant is an order issued for a person's arrest or the search and seizure of property. A Colorado warrant search entails looking up copies of publicly available warrants in the custody of law enforcement or judicial officers in the state.

Interested persons may conduct a warrant search to find active and executed warrants. Generally, searchers can expect to find information about the type of warrant, the reason for its issuance, as well as details about the subject of interest.

Local law enforcement departments, county sheriff offices, and courthouses are typically the starting points when finding Colorado warrants. One can also obtain statewide criminal history records from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation or query independent public record providers.

What is a Warrant in Colorado?

A Colorado warrant is a written document authorizing the arrest or search of a named individual or described possession. It permits law enforcement officials in the state to bring the individual on the warrant into custody. The order may also sanction the law enforcement search and seizure of property, actions that would have been unconstitutional otherwise.

Colorado warrants are issued and signed by competent judicial officers—usually judges or magistrates of courts. Before issuing a warrant, a judicial official must conclude that there is probable cause and substantial evidence to conclude a crime was committed (Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-3-108). This requirement helps prevent the infringement of Colorado residents’ constitutional rights.

Generally, the types of warrants handed out in Colorado include search warrants, no-knock search warrants, arrest warrants, bench warrants, governor's warrants, recall warrants, and fugitive warrants.

Are Warrants Public Records in Colorado?

Yes. Per the Colorado Open Records Act (C.R.S. § 24-72-201 to 206), warrants are public records unless otherwise stipulated by other state laws or court proclamations. As a result, members of the public may request a Colorado warrant search from the appropriate record custodian, usually the agency that issued or executed the warrant.

Despite this statutory provision, certain circumstances require warrant information to be sealed from public access. For example, this includes warrant information about an unfinished investigation, warrants containing details that may disrupt public peace and safety, or warrant information deemed confidential by a court order. Similarly, warrants involving juveniles and sex offenders are not publicly available.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in Colorado?

Warrants issued and executed in Colorado can be retrieved from independent third-party aggregate websites. These service providers facilitate easy and borderless access to warrant records across various counties and states. However, because these service providers are not affiliated with the government, the quality of information may differ from what is available on government databases. Hence, searchers cannot use the information obtained for official purposes like employment background checks.

To lookup Colorado warrants, requestors must provide the record subject’s name and the subject’s general location. Although it is possible to obtain warrant information for free, searchers who wish to obtain detailed information may need to pay per search or on a subscription basis. One may be able to search for warrants for free or pay a nominal fee as low as $1, depending on the record provider. Some aggregate sites have options for monthly or yearly subscription payments and free trial periods.

What is a Search Warrant in Colorado?

A Colorado search warrant is a written decree that grants a peace officer or any law enforcement agent the right to move into a property or site without prior notice to the proprietor to confiscate property or retrieve evidence of an illegal act. C.R.S. § 16-3-304 contains the provisions for the issue and execution of a search warrant.

Are Search Warrants Public Records in Colorado?

Yes. The Colorado Public Records Act (CORA) regards search warrants as public records. However, search warrants can only be supposed to be public records in Colorado when such a warrant has been implemented. Invalid search warrants, and those that are revoked or ongoing may not be publicly available.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Search Warrant in Colorado?

It depends. Law enforcement must provide evidence that establishes probable cause before the court issues a warrant. Then, the judge or magistrate must examine this cause. There is no stipulation on how long this process may take. As such, the process of ascertaining reasonable grounds for a warrant may influence the length of time needed to issue one. Hence, a warrant may take a few minutes to several weeks to issue, depending on how long it takes criminal justice officials to meet all legal requirements.

How Long Does a Search Warrant Last?

14 days. Search warrants sent out in Colorado are valid for 14 days from the date of issuance, regardless of whether the warrant has been executed or not. Additionally, search warrants issued or executed outside legal boundaries can lose their validity without necessarily satisfying the 14-day execution time frame.

What is a Bench Warrant in Colorado?

A bench warrant is an order issued by a judge for law enforcement to take a person into custody after they disobey a court order. Generally, situations where courts issue bench warrants include failure to appear in a court hearing, negligence in payment of child support, probation infringement, and refusal to pay court-ordered fines and restitution.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Colorado?

An arrest warrant in Colorado is an order that authorizes an enforcement officer to apprehend a named subject and arraign them before a presiding magistrate upon the establishment of probable cause. An arrest warrant can be issued following a criminal investigation or violation of court rules.

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in Colorado

Interested persons can check if they have an active warrant in Colorado by querying the state or municipal courts in the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued. They may visit the courthouses in person or contact the court clerk via mail or telephone to inquire about active warrants. Alternatively, searchers can visit the warrants division of a county sheriff's office or a county police department to make in-person searches or send mail requests. Note, however, that if there is an active arrest warrant on the inquirer, they will be taken into custody immediately.

To retrieve warrant information from a criminal justice agency via mail, physical visits, or telephone, the inquirer must provide the subject’s name and other identifying information, like the issuance date and location of the warrant or the issuing official's name. In-person researchers are to note that they may be required to produce a valid government ID card and may be at risk of arrest if an active warrant is found. Hence, it may be necessary to employ the services of a legal professional before doing an in-person check.

Can You Check Warrants Online in Colorado?

Yes. One can perform a statewide warrant search online via the state judiciary search portal. Similarly, most county courts, like the Denver County Court and Aurora County Court, have warrant search features on their official websites through which members of the public can obtain warrant information.

Likewise, most local sheriff departments let the public use online warrant search options on their official websites. For instance, Weld County, Pueblo County, and Adams County sheriff's offices provide online searches for residents to verify warrant information. Generally, to check Colorado warrants online, the requestor must enter the subject's first and last name, date of birth, or offense type to begin the warrant search.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

Colorado residents and other researchers may find out if they have a warrant for free by performing in-person, mail, or phone inquiries at a court or law enforcement agency in the location where the warrant was issued. They may also utilize the online search tools provided by the state government justice agencies.

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free in Colorado

To find out if someone has a warrant online at no cost, an individual may use the search portals maintained by the state judiciary, the county courts, or those provided by the local sheriff's offices. One can typically find these search features on the agency's official website and will be required to input the subject’s name or general location—county or city.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Colorado?

It depends. An arrest warrant issued in Colorado will typically remain active until the subject has been brought into custody or the issuing judicial officer recalls the warrant. Search warrants, however, have a 14-day validity period. The search warrant becomes invalid after this period. That said, under special circumstances, a judge may consider it necessary to recall an issued warrant, especially in cases of false sworn statements or insufficient evidence.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

The United States Marshals Service under the U.S. Department of Justice serves as the central repository for court documents, internal case records, and other vital information related to federal warrants. These records are held in the Warrant Information System, a unified database for federal records.

However, this centralized online repository is not available for access to members of the public. Hence, unauthorized persons cannot conduct warrant searches on it. Consequently, one may not learn about a warrant until federal officers stop by their houses or business places to bring them into custody. Nevertheless, a person who suspects they have a federal warrant for their arrest may enlist the services of a criminal defense attorney to find information about active warrants.