Criminal records in Boulder County, Colorado, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. BoulderCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Boulder County. Additional access points include the Colorado Judicial Branch court portal, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, and the Boulder County Combined Court Clerk's Office, each of which maintains records falling under its authority.
How to Search Criminal Records in Boulder
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Boulder County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Through BoulderCourt.us
Start at BoulderCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information tied to Boulder County criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.
Online — State and County Tools
- Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search — The statewide docket search lets you look up case schedules and docket entries for Boulder County. Select "Boulder County" from the court filter. You'll need at least one search criterion beyond the date, such as a party name or case number.
- Colorado Courts Records Search — The Courts Records Search portal provides another way to look up case information across Colorado courts, including Boulder County Combined Court.
- Daily Booking and Listing Reports — The Boulder County Sheriff's Office publishes daily booking and listing reports showing individuals currently booked or lodged at the Boulder County Jail. The enhanced page also allows you to search for current inmates by name.
In Person
Visit the Boulder County Combined Court Clerk's Office at 1777 6th Street in Boulder. You can request to view court files at the clerk's window or use any available public access terminals. You may also drop off records request forms at the Longmont location. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Mail requests to the Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 4249, Boulder, CO 80306. You can also use the Record/Document Request Form from the Colorado Judicial Branch.
- Sheriff's Office records: Submit a records request form to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office Records Section. For questions, call 303-441-3600 or email SheriffRecords@bouldercounty.gov.
- State criminal history: For a comprehensive criminal history check, submit a request through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which maintains the statewide criminal history repository.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known — this is the fastest search method)
Search Boulder Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, you can pull up records directly without needing to filter through name-based results. Colorado case numbers follow a standard format:
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., "24" for 2024)
- Case type code — A letter or letter combination indicating the type of case:
- CR — Criminal (felony-level cases filed in District Court)
- M — Misdemeanor (filed in County Court)
- T — Traffic
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned in the order the case was filed
For example, a case number like 2024CR000123 refers to a felony criminal case filed in 2024. A case number like 2024M000456 refers to a misdemeanor. Enter the full case number into the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search or courts records search to retrieve docket entries, hearing dates, and case status.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Boulder
Criminal case records in Boulder County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) section the defendant is charged under (e.g., C.R.S. § 18-4-401 for theft) |
| Severity | Felony (classes 1–6), misdemeanor (classes 1–3), petty offense, or traffic infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be added, reduced, or amended by the prosecution as the case progresses through plea negotiations or new evidence |
Boulder County's County Court Division handles misdemeanor and traffic cases. Felony cases are prosecuted in District Court.
Case Status
- Pending — Case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, trial set)
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All court obligations are complete, including any sentence, probation, or fines
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — First court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing — Felony cases only; the judge determines if there is probable cause to proceed
- Pre-trial conference — Scheduling and negotiation hearing before trial
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court |
| Deferred judgment | Defendant pleads guilty but the conviction may be withdrawn upon successful completion of conditions (common in Colorado) |
| Acquitted | Found not guilty after trial — functionally the same as "not guilty" |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Boulder
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. Here is where and how to request them:
Boulder County Combined Court — Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court at Boulder County Combined Court handles certified copies of court case documents, including criminal case records.
- Online/Email: Email your request to the court. Visit the Boulder County court page for the current email address and instructions.
- By mail: Send your request to Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 4249, Boulder, CO 80306. Include the case number, document(s) requested, and payment.
- In person: Visit the Clerk's Office window at the courthouse.
- Form: Use the Colorado Judicial Branch Record/Document Request Form.
- ID required: Government-issued photo ID for in-person requests.
Boulder County Sheriff's Office — Records Section
For arrest reports, case reports, mugshots, or body-worn camera footage, submit a request through the Sheriff's Office Records Section.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
For a statewide criminal history record check, submit a request through the CBI. This is typically used for background checks related to employment, licensing, or personal review. Fingerprint-based checks provide the most complete results.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Boulder
Fees for criminal record copies in Colorado are set by statute and court policy. The following table reflects standard fees based on Colorado Chief Justice Directive 98-01 and CBI published fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy of court document | $0.75 per page | Colorado Chief Justice Directive 98-01 |
| Certified copy of court document | $20.00 per document | Colorado Chief Justice Directive 98-01 |
| CBI name-based criminal history check | $6.85 | CBI fee schedule (subject to change) |
| CBI fingerprint-based criminal history check | $39.50 | CBI fee schedule (includes FBI check; subject to change) |
| Sheriff's Office records request | Varies | Fees depend on the type and volume of records; contact the Records Section at 303-441-3600 |
Processing Times
- Court document copies: In-person requests are often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days. Mail requests typically take 5–10 business days.
- Sheriff's Office records: Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the request. The office processes requests under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), which requires a response within three business days, though production of records may take longer.
- CBI background checks: Name-based checks are generally returned within a few business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks.
Payment methods vary by office. Check with the specific agency before submitting your request. The Clerk of Court typically accepts cash, checks, and money orders. CBI accepts online payment for electronic submissions.