Colorado Sex Offender Registry Search
Finding Colorado sex offender records is an important step for community awareness. The state provides public access to registered offender information through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. You can search the CBI database online or contact local law enforcement for detailed records. This guide shows you how to access these public safety resources across all sixty-four counties in Colorado.
Colorado Sex Offender Registry Quick Facts
Where to Find Colorado Sex Offender Records
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains the official state sex offender registry. This online database contains information about adults convicted of qualifying sex offenses. You can search by name, city, or county to find offenders living in your area. The CBI updates this registry regularly to provide current information to Colorado residents.
SOTAR, which stands for Sex Offender Tracking and Registration, is another key resource. This system at sotar.us lets you sign up for email alerts. You can get notified when an offender moves into your neighborhood. Many Colorado law enforcement agencies participate in this program.
Local sheriff offices also maintain sex offender records for their counties. Some post complete lists online. Others require you to visit in person or call for information. Each county in Colorado handles their registry a bit differently.
The CBI registry shows only certain offenders. Under Colorado law, not all convicted sex offenders appear on the public website. Those convicted of misdemeanor sex crimes may not be listed. Juvenile offenders are also excluded from public view.
The CBI registry at apps.colorado.gov/apps/dps/sor provides statewide sex offender search capabilities for Colorado residents.
How to Search Sex Offender Records in Colorado
Searching Colorado sex offender records starts with the CBI website. You must agree to the terms before viewing any data. This agreement explains how you may use the information. It also warns against harassment of listed individuals.
You can search the CBI registry in several ways. The name search finds a specific person. The city search shows all offenders in one town. The county search gives a broader view of your area. Each method helps you find different types of information.
SOTAR offers more features than the basic CBI search. You can create a free account on their website. This lets you set up email notifications. You pick an address and a radius around it. The system emails you when offenders move into that area.
SOTAR at sotar.us offers email alert services to notify Colorado residents when offenders move nearby.
For information not found online, contact local law enforcement. County sheriff offices can help with non-web eligible offender data. They also assist with questions about specific cases. Some police departments have their own online tools too.
Understanding Colorado Sex Offender Designations
Colorado uses several labels for sex offenders in the registry. Each tells you something about the offender's status. Knowing these terms helps you understand what you see when searching records.
SVP means Sexually Violent Predator. This is the highest risk category. SVPs must register every three months for life. Law enforcement must actively notify the community when an SVP moves to an area. You will see community meetings and notices for these offenders.
The label "In custody" means the offender is currently held by law enforcement. They may be in jail or prison. These individuals do not pose an immediate community risk while incarcerated.
"Wanted" offenders have failed to register as required by C.R.S. 18-3-412.5. This is a serious violation. Law enforcement actively seeks these individuals.
"Transient" offenders have no fixed address. They may stay in shelters or move between locations. These individuals are harder to track but must still register.
The CBI information page explains the different offender classifications used in the Colorado registry.
Sex Offender Registration Requirements in Colorado
The Colorado Sex Offender Registration Act sets the rules for who must register. This law covers convictions from July 1, 1991 onward. Out-of-state convictions may also require registration if the crime is similar to a Colorado offense.
Registration must happen within five business days of release from custody. Offenders must visit their local law enforcement agency. They provide personal information, fingerprints, and a photo. This process repeats at set intervals depending on the offense level.
The length of registration varies by crime type. Class 1, 2, or 3 felonies require twenty years of registration. Class 4, 5, or 6 felonies need ten years. Some misdemeanors require five to ten years. SVPs must register quarterly for life.
Many Colorado counties charge fees for registration. Denver requires seventy-five dollars yearly and thirty dollars quarterly. Arapahoe County charges seventy-five dollars on the offender's birthday plus twenty-five dollars on off quarters. Some counties like Boulder and Adams charge no fees.
Note: Failure to register as required is a crime under Colorado law and can result in additional felony charges.
Convictions Requiring Sex Offender Registration
Colorado law lists specific crimes that trigger registration requirements. C.R.S. 16-22-102 through 16-22-115 cover these offenses in detail. The list includes both felonies and misdemeanors.
Sexual assault under C.R.S. 18-3-402 always requires registration. This applies to various degrees of the offense. Unlawful sexual contact under C.R.S. 18-3-404 also triggers the requirement.
Crimes against children bring registration duties. Sexual assault on a child is covered under C.R.S. 18-3-405. Internet sexual exploitation of a child falls under C.R.S. 18-3-405.4. Enticement of a child requires registration per C.R.S. 18-3-305.
Other qualifying offenses include incest, aggravated incest, and sexual exploitation of children. Indecent exposure may require registration depending on circumstances. The full list appears in the Colorado Revised Statutes.
The CBI provides access to Colorado Revised Statutes governing sex offender registration at apps.colorado.gov/apps/dps/sor/info-statutes.jsf.
Local Colorado Sex Offender Resources
Each Colorado county handles sex offender registration locally. Major counties often have dedicated staff. Smaller counties may share resources with neighboring areas. Knowing your local contacts helps you get accurate information.
Jefferson County provides online registration appointments through their booking system. They charge fifty dollars for first-time registration and twenty-five dollars for updates. Their website lists current registered offenders in the county.
El Paso County offers a searchable database on their sheriff's website. You can find offender locations and conviction details. The site also provides registration forms for download.
Weld County allows residents to request a complete offender list in writing. They do not currently charge for this service. The sheriff's office handles registration Monday through Thursday during specific hours.
Denver Police manage registration for the city and county of Denver. Their fees differ from surrounding counties. Yearly registration costs seventy-five dollars. Quarterly updates cost thirty dollars each.
Note: Contact your local sheriff or police department for the most current fee schedule and registration procedures in your area.
Safety Tips and Community Resources
The CBI provides important warnings about using sex offender registry data. This information serves community safety purposes. However, it should not be your only safety measure.
Not every sex offender appears in the public registry. Some are exempt by law. Others may have been convicted before registration requirements began. The registry does not list every person who has committed a sex offense.
Crime statistics show that many sex offenses are committed by people not in registries. Family members, acquaintances, and trusted adults may pose risks. The registry is one tool among many for staying informed.
Using registry information to harass or intimidate anyone is illegal. Colorado law protects listed individuals from such behavior. Violators face arrest and prosecution. Use the data responsibly for safety awareness only.
SOTAR provides answers to common questions about sex offender registration and notification at sotar.us.
Several national resources offer help to victims and families. The FBI Sex Offender Registry provides federal information. The National Sex Offender Public Website covers all states. RAINN operates a twenty-four-hour hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE for crisis support.
Browse Colorado Sex Offender Records by County
Each of Colorado's sixty-four counties maintains local sex offender registration records. Select a county below to find specific resources and contact information for that area.
Sex Offender Records in Major Colorado Cities
Colorado cities work with county sheriff offices on sex offender registration. Larger cities often have their own police departments handling local registration. Select a city to learn about resources in that area.