Search Pitkin County Recent Bookings
Pitkin County recent bookings and arrest records are managed by the sheriff's office in Aspen. When someone gets arrested in Pitkin County, they go to the county jail for booking. The jail keeps detailed records of all people in custody. You can search for recent arrests or check if someone is currently held at the detention facility. Colorado law requires jails to maintain a public log of inmates. Anyone can request access to these booking records through the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
Pitkin County Jail Records
The Pitkin County Sheriff runs the detention facility in Aspen. All arrests in the county go through this jail. The facility operates around the clock. Staff process bookings at any time of day or night. When someone gets arrested, they record the person's name, birth date, and charges. This creates a booking record.
Colorado law requires county jails to keep a daily log of inmates. The law is at C.R.S. 17-26-118. The log must show each person's name, booking date, charges, and bond amount. The statute says this log must be available to the public at reasonable times. Pitkin County follows this law by providing access to booking records through the sheriff's office.
You can contact the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office to ask about current inmates. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and provide basic information. This includes booking date, charges, and bond amount. For detailed records or copies of reports, you may need to visit the office in person or submit a written records request.
Pitkin County also provides information to the Colorado Judicial Branch for court docket searches. You can look up Pitkin County court cases on the judicial branch website. The docket shows when someone has court dates and what charges they face. This gives you more information than just the booking record.
Colorado Records Access Laws
The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act governs how agencies release arrest records. This law is in C.R.S. 24-72-301. Booking records count as official action records under the law. Official action records must be released when requested. They cannot be withheld from the public.
Pitkin County must respond to records requests within three working days. This requirement comes from the Colorado Open Records Act. If the records are hard to locate or need review, the county can take up to seven more days. They must notify you in writing if they need extra time and explain why.
Fees for records vary by what you request. Basic information about whether someone is in custody is usually free. If you want copies of booking reports, the county can charge 25 cents per page after the first 25 pages. If staff must spend more than an hour searching for records, they can charge for their time. State law sets the maximum hourly rate.
If you request booking photos, Colorado law requires a signed statement. The law is at C.R.S. 24-72-305.5. You must state that you will not use the photos for commercial gain. You cannot post them on a website that charges people to remove their booking pictures. This protects people from exploitation. The sheriff's office will provide the required form.
Note: Juvenile arrest records are generally not available to the public under Colorado law.
Pitkin County Court Proceedings
People arrested in Pitkin County appear in the Pitkin County Combined Court in Aspen. The first appearance happens within 48 hours of arrest in most cases. A judge sets bond at this hearing. Court hearings are open to the public unless the judge orders them closed.
Court files contain more detail than booking records. The file includes charging documents, police affidavits, and court orders. Some documents may be sealed. The court clerk can tell you what records are available. You can request copies of court documents at the clerk's office. Fees apply for copies.
If someone cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint a public defender. Pitkin County residents have access to the Colorado State Public Defender office. The public defender provides legal representation at no cost to people who meet income requirements. Legal aid organizations may also help with certain types of cases.
Statewide Criminal Record Searches
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains the state's central repository of criminal records. The CBI database includes fingerprint-based arrest records from all 64 counties. You can request a criminal history check through the CBI website. The check costs $6.00 per result downloaded.
A CBI criminal history check shows arrests from across Colorado, not just Pitkin County. The report includes convictions and court dispositions. Only arrests where fingerprints were taken appear in the database. Warrant information and sealed records do not show up on CBI reports. The check only shows currently registered sex offenders.
For people in state prison, use the Colorado Department of Corrections search tool. County jails like Pitkin County only hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. People with sentences over one year go to state prison. The CDOC database does not include county jail inmates. It only shows people in the state prison system.
Nearby Counties to Search
If you do not find the person in Pitkin County, try nearby counties. Eagle County is north of Pitkin County. Garfield County sits to the northwest. Gunnison County borders Pitkin to the south. Each county runs its own jail and keeps separate booking records.