How to Get a Police Report in Denver, Colorado

The fastest way to get a Denver police report is through the City and County of Denver's online records request system. Visit denvergov.org and navigate to the Police Department records page, or go directly to the online records portal. You will need to provide identifying information about the report — your name, the date of the incident, the approximate location, and any case number or report number you have.

When requesting online, you will need to pay the $10 report fee electronically. The City and County of Denver applies a 2.5% credit card processing fee for online transactions. After submitting your request, expect 5 to 10 business days for processing. The report will be mailed to you or made available for electronic download depending on the type of request.

Not all reports are available through the online system. If your report involves an ongoing investigation, a juvenile, a sexual assault, or certain other sensitive matters, it may be restricted. The Records Unit will notify you if a report cannot be released and explain the applicable exemption under CORA.

To request a Denver police report by mail, send a written request to: Denver Police Department, Records Unit, 1331 Cherokee Street, Room 420, Denver, CO 80204. Include your full name, the date and location of the incident, the names of parties involved, and any case or report number you have. Be as specific as possible — vague requests may delay processing.

Include payment of $10 per report by check or money order made payable to the City and County of Denver. Do not send cash. Allow 10 to 15 business days for processing and mailing. If you are the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to one free copy of the report under Colorado's Victims' Rights Act (C.R.S. 24-4.1-302.5).

You can request a police report in person at the Denver Police Department Records Unit, 1331 Cherokee Street, Room 420, Denver, CO 80204. The Records Unit is open Monday through Friday. Call (720) 913-6755 to confirm current hours before visiting.

Bring a valid photo ID and any information you have about the incident — date, location, case number, or names of parties involved. Payment of $10 per report is required; check or money order is preferred. In-person requests for reports that are already in the system may be fulfilled the same day. More recent incidents may require additional processing time.

The Records Unit is located in the Police Administration Building, which is a short walk from the Civic Center area. Metered street parking is available, or take RTD light rail to the Civic Center Station.

If your accident happened on a state highway, interstate, or unincorporated area in the Denver metro region, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) may have investigated and filed the report rather than the Denver Police Department. CSP accident reports are requested through the Colorado Department of Revenue, not the Denver PD.

Request CSP reports online through the Colorado State Patrol's records portal or by contacting the CSP Records Unit at (303) 239-4500. You will need the date, location, and parties involved in the accident. CSP reports may have different fees and processing times than Denver PD reports.

If you are unsure which agency responded to your accident, check any paperwork the officer gave you at the scene. The responding agency's name and case number should be on the exchange-of-information sheet. You can also call Denver PD dispatch at (720) 913-2000 to ask which agency handled a specific incident.

Denver police accident reports follow the Colorado DR 2447 format (State of Colorado Traffic Accident Report). The report contains several sections that are important for your personal injury claim: the accident description and diagram, driver and vehicle information for all parties, witness names and contact information, road and weather conditions, and the investigating officer's narrative.

Pay close attention to the officer's narrative section. This is where the officer records their observations about the accident, including any statements from drivers and witnesses, physical evidence at the scene, and their assessment of contributing factors. While the officer's narrative is not binding in court, it carries significant weight with insurance adjusters and can influence settlement negotiations.

If you believe the report contains errors — wrong date, incorrect vehicle information, inaccurate description of the accident — you can request a correction or supplemental report. Contact the Records Unit at (720) 913-6755 and ask about the process for disputing or supplementing a report. You may need to provide supporting documentation such as photos, witness statements, or medical records.

Colorado law does not require police to investigate or file a report for accidents where property damage to any one person does not appear to exceed $1,000 and no injuries are reported (C.R.S. 42-4-1606). If police did not respond to your accident or did not file a report, you still have options.

You can file a late report with the Denver Police Department by visiting the Records Unit or calling the non-emergency line at (720) 913-2000. You can also file a citizen's report online for certain types of incidents. While a late report may not carry the same weight as an on-scene report, it creates an official record of the incident.

Even without a police report, your personal injury claim is not dead. Medical records, photos from the scene, witness statements, surveillance camera footage, and your own detailed written account of what happened can all serve as evidence. However, the lack of a police report makes building your case more challenging. Take our free assessment to understand your options.

The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA, C.R.S. 24-72-200.1 et seq.) gives you the right to access public records held by state and local government agencies, including police reports. Under CORA, the Denver Police Department must respond to your records request within 3 business days. If the department needs more time, it must provide a written explanation and an estimated response date, not to exceed 7 additional business days.

The first hour of research and retrieval time is free. After that, agencies may charge a reasonable fee for staff time spent searching for and retrieving records, plus $0.25 per page for physical copies. If the Denver PD denies your request, they must provide a written explanation citing the specific CORA exemption that applies. You have the right to appeal a denial to the Denver District Court.

Certain records are exempt from CORA disclosure — ongoing criminal investigations, juvenile records, sexual assault victim information, and records that would endanger the life or safety of any person. If your request is denied based on an exemption, consult an attorney to determine whether the denial is legally justified.

Getting your police report is one of the first steps after an accident in Denver. If you have been injured and are trying to understand your options, take our free 2-minute assessment. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report covering Colorado's filing deadlines for your specific claim, the strength of your case based on the evidence you have, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense.

Your police report is a key piece of evidence — but it is just one part of the picture. Our assessment helps you understand the full picture and make an informed decision about what comes next.