Weld County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Weld County
Arrest records in Weld County are considered public information under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (§ 24-72-301). This statute establishes that criminal justice records, including arrest records, are generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions. The Colorado Open Records Act further supports public access to government records, though with specific limitations regarding criminal justice information.
Members of the public should note the important distinction between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement but does not indicate guilt. Conviction records, by contrast, document that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through legal proceedings. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains the state's official criminal history repository and provides guidance on records access.
Law enforcement agencies in Weld County maintain discretion regarding the release of certain records under investigation. According to § 24-72-305, agencies may withhold records if disclosure would be "contrary to the public interest." This discretionary authority allows agencies to protect ongoing investigations while still maintaining the presumption of public access.
What's in Weld County Arrest Records
Arrest records in Weld County typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained by the Weld County Sheriff's Office and may include:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Fingerprints
- Photograph (mugshot)
- Address at time of arrest
- Social security number (partially redacted in public records)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Use of force documentation (if applicable)
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute citations for alleged violations
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, petty offense)
- Charge severity level
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date of issuance
- Warrant type (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking number
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount
- Bond type
- Bond conditions
- Payment status
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Court disposition (if resolved)
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Known associates
- Vehicle information
- Probation/parole status
- Protective orders
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Weld County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Weld County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The Weld County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records for the county.
To request arrest records in person:
- Visit the Weld County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours.
- Complete a records request form, providing specific information about the record being sought.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying.
Weld County Sheriff's Office
1950 O Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 356-4015
Weld County Sheriff's Office
To request arrest records by mail:
- Download and complete the records request form from the Weld County Sheriff's Office website.
- Include a copy of valid government-issued photo identification.
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order).
- Mail the completed package to the Weld County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
For arrest records related to specific municipalities within Weld County, requestors may need to contact the respective police department. For example:
Greeley Police Department
2875 W. 10th Street
Greeley, CO 80634
(970) 350-9605
Greeley Police Department
Pursuant to § 24-72-306, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fees are established by each agency and are subject to change.
How To Find Weld County Arrest Records Online
Weld County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. The Weld County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search system that allows members of the public to view current custody information.
To access the online inmate search:
- Navigate to the Weld County Sheriff's Office website.
- Locate the "Inmate Search" or "Detention Center" section.
- Enter the required search criteria (name, booking number, or other identifier).
- Review the results, which typically include basic arrest and custody information.
For more comprehensive arrest record searches, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) maintains the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC), which provides criminal history information for a fee. To access this system:
- Visit the CBI Records Check website.
- Create an account or log in.
- Select the appropriate search type.
- Enter the required information about the subject.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Review the results.
Additionally, the Colorado State Judicial Branch provides access to court records through its Colorado Courts Records Search system. While this system does not provide arrest records directly, it contains information about criminal cases that result from arrests.
How To Search Weld County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing Weld County arrest records without payment, though these methods may provide limited information compared to official record requests.
The Weld County Sheriff's Office maintains a free online inmate search tool that provides basic information about individuals currently in custody. This resource includes:
- Inmate name
- Booking date
- Charges
- Bond information
- Next court date
Local newspapers and media outlets often publish recent arrest information, particularly for significant cases. The Greeley Tribune and other local publications frequently report on arrests and may maintain searchable online archives.
The Weld County Clerk of Court provides public access terminals at the courthouse where members of the public may search court records related to arrests without charge. These terminals are available during regular business hours at:
Weld County Combined Courts
901 9th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 475-2400
Weld County Courts
Public libraries in Weld County often provide free access to computers with internet connections, allowing patrons to access the online resources mentioned previously. Library staff may also assist with navigating public records resources.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Weld County
Under Colorado law, individuals may petition for sealing or expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. It is important to understand the distinction between these two processes:
Sealing restricts public access to records but does not destroy them. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records.
Expungement involves the physical destruction or permanent deletion of records, making them inaccessible to all parties.
In Colorado, complete expungement of adult arrest records is rare. However, § 24-72-702 provides for sealing records in cases where:
- The arrest did not result in charges being filed
- Charges were dismissed
- The person was acquitted at trial
- The case was resolved through a diversion program or deferred judgment that was successfully completed
To petition for sealing arrest records in Weld County:
- Determine eligibility under Colorado law.
- Obtain and complete the appropriate petition forms from the Colorado Judicial Branch website or the Weld County Court Clerk's office.
- File the petition with the Weld County District Court.
- Pay the required filing fee (fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners).
- Attend the scheduled hearing if required.
- If granted, ensure the order is distributed to all agencies holding the records.
Juvenile arrest records have different sealing and expungement provisions under § 19-1-306, generally providing broader eligibility for record sealing.
Individuals seeking to seal or expunge records may benefit from consulting with an attorney familiar with Colorado criminal record sealing procedures, as the process can be complex and eligibility requirements are specific.
What Happens After Arrest in Weld County?
Following an arrest in Weld County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process with several key stages:
Booking Process: After physical arrest, the individual is transported to a detention facility, typically the Weld County Jail, where they undergo:
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Background check
- Initial custody classification
Advisement Hearing: Within 48-72 hours of arrest, the arrestee appears before a judge who:
- Informs the individual of charges
- Advises of constitutional rights
- Makes initial bail/bond determination
- Appoints counsel if the defendant qualifies
Charging Decision: The Weld County District Attorney's Office reviews the case and determines whether to:
- File formal charges
- Modify the charges from the initial arrest
- Decline to prosecute
Arraignment: If charges are filed, the defendant appears for arraignment where they:
- Hear formal charges
- Enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Receive trial date if pleading not guilty
Pre-Trial Proceedings: Before trial, several proceedings may occur:
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Motion hearings
- Plea negotiations
- Pre-trial conferences
Trial: If the case proceeds to trial, it may be:
- A jury trial (guaranteed for most misdemeanors and all felonies)
- A bench trial (judge decides without jury)
Sentencing: Following conviction (either by plea or trial verdict):
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements may be presented
- Judge imposes sentence according to Colorado sentencing guidelines
Post-Conviction: After sentencing, the individual may:
- Begin serving the imposed sentence
- File appeals if legal grounds exist
- Apply for sentence reconsideration in some circumstances
Throughout this process, individuals have constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, and the right to due process under the law.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Weld County?
Arrest records in Weld County are maintained according to the Colorado State Archives records retention schedule and applicable state laws. Under § 24-72-304, criminal justice records must be maintained for specific periods depending on the record type and case outcome.
For adult arrest records, the standard retention periods include:
- Arrest records resulting in conviction: Permanent retention
- Arrest records with no charges filed: Minimum 5-year retention
- Arrest records resulting in dismissal or acquittal: Minimum 5-year retention, eligible for sealing under certain circumstances
Juvenile arrest records have different retention requirements under § 19-1-304, generally with shorter retention periods and broader sealing eligibility.
Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:
- Law enforcement agencies (arrest reports, booking information)
- Detention facilities (custody records)
- Courts (case files, disposition information)
- District Attorney's Office (prosecution records)
The Colorado State Archives establishes the official records retention schedules for government agencies, including those in the criminal justice system. These schedules ensure proper documentation of law enforcement activities while balancing individual privacy concerns.
Digital records systems have extended the practical retention of many records beyond the minimum required periods, as electronic storage has reduced the physical constraints that previously limited record retention.
How to Find Mugshots in Weld County
What Mugshots Are Mugshots are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images typically show the front and side view of an arrestee's face and upper body. Law enforcement agencies use mugshots for identification purposes within the criminal justice system.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Weld County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:
- Weld County Sheriff's Office
- Municipal police departments within the county
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation (for state-level records)
Finding Mugshots To obtain mugshots from Weld County law enforcement agencies, individuals may:
- Submit a records request to the arresting agency
- Provide specific identifying information about the subject
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and reproduction
- Demonstrate legitimate purpose for access in some cases
Can They Be Found Online Some mugshots may be available online through:
- The Weld County Sheriff's Office inmate search function (for current inmates)
- Third-party websites that aggregate public records (though these may contain outdated or inaccurate information)
- Media outlets that publish mugshots for newsworthy arrests
Obtaining Mugshots Officially For official copies of mugshots, contact:
Weld County Sheriff's Office Records Division
1950 O Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 356-4015
Weld County Sheriff's Office
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Access to mugshots may be restricted under certain circumstances:
- Juvenile arrestees' mugshots are generally not public records
- Ongoing investigations may limit release of certain mugshots
- Records that have been sealed by court order are not accessible
- Colorado law § 24-72-305.5 places restrictions on the commercial use of mugshots
Members of the public should be aware that mugshots document only that an arrest occurred and do not indicate guilt. Many individuals whose mugshots exist were never convicted of a crime.