Routt County Recent Bookings
Routt County booking records and recent arrests are maintained by the sheriff's office in Steamboat Springs. When someone gets arrested in Routt County, they go to the county detention facility for processing. The jail keeps detailed records of all people in custody. You can search for recent bookings or check if someone is currently held at the facility. Colorado law requires county jails to maintain a public log of inmates. This log must be available for public inspection at reasonable times. Anyone can request information about recent arrests or current inmates in Routt County.
Routt County Sheriff Detention Center
The Routt County Sheriff operates the detention center in Steamboat Springs. All arrests in Routt County go through this facility. The jail runs 24 hours a day. Staff process bookings around the clock as arrests occur. The facility serves Steamboat Springs and the rest of Routt County.
When someone gets booked into jail, staff collect their personal information. They record name, date of birth, and physical description. They note the charges and which agency made the arrest. This information becomes part of the booking record. Colorado law at C.R.S. 17-26-118 requires jails to keep a daily log of all inmates. The log must be open to the public.
You can contact the Routt County Sheriff's Office to check on inmate status. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can provide basic information over the phone like booking date and charges. For detailed records or copies of documents, you may need to visit the office in person or submit a written records request.
Routt County has a population over 25,000. The detention center handles arrests from across the county including the popular ski resort area of Steamboat Springs. Arrest activity increases during peak tourist season when more people visit the area.
For people who have been convicted and sent to state prison, use the Colorado Department of Corrections search. County jails hold people awaiting trial or serving sentences under one year. State prison houses people with longer sentences. The CDOC has a separate search tool that does not include county jail inmates.
Access to Booking Records
The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act governs public access to arrest and booking records. This law is at C.R.S. 24-72-301. Booking records count as official action records that must be released when requested. The law ensures transparency in the criminal justice system.
Routt County must respond to records requests within three working days. This requirement comes from the Colorado Open Records Act. If the county needs more time to locate or review records, they can take up to seven additional days. They must notify you in writing if they need extra time and explain why.
Basic booking information is usually free or low cost. If you want copies of reports or documents, 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 limits these fees to actual costs.
If you request booking photos, you must sign a pecuniary gain statement. The law is at C.R.S. 24-72-305.5. This statement says you will not use the photos for profit or post them on websites that charge money to remove them. This protects people from commercial exploitation. The sheriff's office will provide the required form.
Note: Some records related to active investigations may be withheld if releasing them would harm the investigation.
Routt County Court System
People arrested in Routt County appear in the Routt County Combined Court in Steamboat Springs. First appearances happen within 48 hours of arrest in most cases. The judge sets bond at this initial hearing. Court proceedings are generally open to the public.
You can search Routt County court cases through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The docket search is free and available online any time. You can look up cases by name or case number. Results show charges, court dates, and case status. Court records provide more detail than booking records alone.
The court clerk maintains case files at the courthouse. Files include charging documents, police affidavits, motions, and court orders. Some documents may be sealed by court order. The clerk can tell you what records are available for each case. You can request copies at the clerk's office. Standard copying fees apply.
If a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the court appoints a public defender. Routt County residents have access to the Colorado State Public Defender office. The public defender provides free legal representation to people who meet income requirements.
Colorado Statewide 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 Colorado counties. You can request a criminal history check through the CBI website. The check costs $6.00 per result downloaded.
A CBI check shows arrests from across the state, not just Routt 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 notes currently registered sex offenders.
This is useful if you need to see someone's complete criminal history. A Routt County booking record only shows local arrests. The CBI report gives you a full picture of arrests throughout Colorado.
Nearby County Bookings
If you do not find the person in Routt County, try nearby counties. Moffat County is north of Routt County. Jackson County sits to the east. Grand County borders Routt County to the south. Rio Blanco County lies to the southwest. Each county operates its own jail and maintains separate booking records.