Execute a Free Denver Warrant Search: Identify Wanted Individuals

Conduct a free Denver warrant search today to see if you or someone else is wanted locally.

Warrant searches are a great resource, and citizens can access this information thanks to the Colorado Open Records Act. Anyone can use the search options outlined in this article to see if they have any active warrants. You can also search for warrant information for someone you know or even a stranger.

Looking up this warrant information involves certain nuances, and each government agency may provide its own type of access; the guidance throughout this resource will help you understand these nuances and walk you through the process seamlessly.

This resource was written by Attorney Robert Bailey Jr, who holds a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

Perform a Free Denver Warrant Search (An Overview)

To track down free warrant information in Denver County, you must understand these types of records, who maintains them, and the information you need to provide the record custodian to gain access to them. This section will provide the background information you need to ensure a successful warrant search.

Citizens can access public government records, such as warrant information, through the Colorado Open Records Act.¹ This law also provides certain restrictions it deems necessary – such as not releasing confidential information. A prominent exception you need to be aware of is the restriction of records that, if released, could negatively impact a current law enforcement investigation.

There are many types of warrants (more will be discussed later), and some (e.g., those for searching for criminal evidence) are more likely to be restricted than others (e.g., arrest of a person). When searching for these various warrants, you’ll have multiple options.

For some, you’ll be able to access them through online databases or by looking for records in person. Some warrant information may be accessed by submitting a request by mail or email or inquiring over the phone.

Make sure to confirm that you have the correct county so that you’re not searching for warrant information with the wrong government agency. Certain forms and online databases may have unique fields. However, you should generally have the full name of the person you want to search and the county where they live.

In certain situations (e.g., you have an incomplete name), you may need to provide additional information about the person you are searching for. Helpful information could be the person’s age or certain physical characteristics. Anything you know about the warrant – such as when it was issued and the associated charges – could also be helpful.

The record custodian may vary from one county to the next. Some counties may have more than one record custodian for warrant information. Denver County’s primary record custodians are the County Court and the 2nd Judicial District Court.²

In Denver County, you can also look up warrant information at the city level. Multiple Denver County cities have municipal courts that issue and maintain warrant information.

In the next section, you’ll learn how to conduct a warrant search at both the county and city level.

Verify if You or Someone Else Has an Active Warrant in Denver County Colorado

Now that you have a general understanding of warrant information, you’re ready to conduct a search in Denver County. The Denver County Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, while the 2nd Judicial District Court handles more serious criminal cases (such as felonies).

You can perform a docket search with the 2nd Judicial District Court. This tool can be used to gather some basic information on current criminal cases.

You can search for case information by either a person’s name or case number. You can then use this information to conduct a more detailed search for warrant information.

For the Denver County District Court, you have the option of requesting warrant information by submitting a Record Request Form to [email protected], or you can mail or bring this form in person to the address below:³

Denver District Court Records Department
Attn: Records Department
1437 Bannock Street, Rm. 256
Denver, Colorado 80202

You can use the information found during your docket search to submit this request. For additional questions about warrant information with the District Court, you can contact them at 303-606-2300.

You can also perform a warrant search with the Denver County Court.⁴ To use this tool, you’ll need to know the person’s full name and date of birth.

You can also perform a criminal case search for warrant information online.⁵ However, this option only allows you to search by a case number.

If you want to perform a different type of search or need to contact the Denver County Court for additional warrant information, you can call them at 720-865-7800. You can also talk to someone in person or conduct a search by going to the address below:

Denver County Court
Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse
520 West Colfax Ave., Rm. 160
Denver, Colorado 80204

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Warrant information can also be found at the city level. For instance, requesters can access warrant information from the Aurora Municipal Court in Denver County.⁶

For warrants in Aurora, you can conduct an online search.⁷ You can use this tool to conduct a name search for anyone with an active warrant in Aurora. This tool is somewhat restrictive as you must also include the person’s date of birth.

For any questions or further warrant information, you can speak to someone at the Aurora Municipal Court by calling them at 303-739-6444 or by going to the courthouse, which is located at the address below:

Aurora Municipal Court
14999 East Alameda Pkwy.
Aurora, Colorado 80012

Next, we’ll discuss the type of warrant information you can access throughout the state of Colorado.

Look Up Statewide Warrant Details in Colorado

After searching in Denver County, you may have a reason or desire to expand your search throughout the entire state. If you’re looking for active warrant information, you may be able to find limited information by using the Colorado Judicial Branch’s Court Docket Search Tool.⁸

This search tool is limited in that it only searches the current docket, not past cases. In addition, while the tool allows you to search throughout the state, you need to specify a particular location to search with this tool.

You can search by district, county, location, court and case number. Alternatively, you could set a date range to narrow down your search results.

Once you conduct a search, you will see a summary of the current case information. Under the “Hearing Type” section, you may locate if there’s anything pending in connection to a warrant.

If you need additional information beyond that you can view their FAQ page or contact the Colorado Judicial Branch.⁹ You can also contact the County or District Court that is handling the warrant.

Types of Warrants, What They Mean & Their Significance

Warrants are used for a variety of reasons. There are several different warrants in Denver County, and they serve different purposes and are triggered based on various actions.

Understanding warrants in Denver County serves a two-fold purpose. First, it allows you to target your warrant search. Second, this information will help you better understand what you’re looking at after you conduct a search.

Here’s a brief description of some of the warrants you could encounter while conducting a search in Denver County.

Arrest Warrant: This is issued by a judge once they determine that law enforcement has provided probable cause that a crime has occurred by a particular person. This warrant allows law enforcement to take someone into custody without delay.

Bench Warrant: This is issued by a judge solely at their discretion when a person violates a court order. This is typically seen when a defendant fails to show up for a criminal hearing. This type of warrant also allows law enforcement to immediately take someone into custody.

Probation & Parole Warrant: This type of warrant allows law enforcement to arrest a person upon probable cause that they have violated the terms of their probation or parole.

Fugitive (“Governor’s) Warrant: This warrant is issued to apprehend a fugitive who has committed a crime and then fled the jurisdiction.

Child Support Warrant: A warrant may be issued if a person is found in contempt for failing to pay child support and properly address the matter with the court.

Capias Pro Fine Warrant: A judge can issue this warrant if a judgment was entered against a person and they failed to pay the required restitution.

Search Warrant: This is issued for obtaining potential criminal evidence from a specific location. Like an arrest warrant, law enforcement will first need to provide probable cause.

Any of these warrants can be considered “active.” When you see an “active” warrant, it means that it has not been fully resolved yet.

How To Handle Outstanding Warrants in Denver County Colorado

You have completed some searches and may have found some unexpected information. Maybe you found out that someone you know has an active warrant.

Even scarier, you may have discovered you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest. It’s vitally important to know what next steps you should take.

If you have a warrant, do not ignore it, hoping it will go away. You must take action immediately, and what you do depends on the type and severity of the warrant.

For some, you might be able to resolve the matter without turning yourself in. In situations like that, you may have the option to quash a warrant by simply paying a fine you’d forgotten about or rescheduling a hearing that slipped your mind.

If the warrant is for something serious, it’s advisable to contact a licensed criminal attorney right away; they’ll be able to answer your questions and guide you through the process with more expertise and knowledge of how to go about resolving a warrant. You can also get a hold of a bail bondsman if you think you’ll have the option to post bond once you’re processed.

Letting someone in your family know (especially those you live with) is a good idea too, so they’ll know where you are.

If you find a warrant for someone else, you can let them know or pass the information through a third party. If the warrant involves a serious or violent matter, you should report what you know to law enforcement.¹⁰ These types of situations can be very unpredictable, and you don’t want to take matters into your own hands.

You’re now ready to begin your Denver warrant search; use the tools and tips provided in this article to ensure you find the warrant information you’re looking for.