Free Online Colorado Criminal Records

Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors unfortunately got in trouble with the law. And records were kept from arrests through court cases to prison documents. Now, more and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and are being made available online.

Types of Records

• Criminal court proceedings
• Police reports
• Prison and jail admission registers
• Arrest records
• Mug books
• Pardon and discharge information
• Hospital record books
• Workhouse records

Types of Information

• Name
• Age
• Birth date
• Height
• Weight
• Complexion
• Eye color
• Hair color
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Education
• Habits (alcohol use)
• Relations (parents living)
• Date incarcerated
• Court where charged
• Recommitments
• How and when discharged

Note: Some of the links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage, please make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.

Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the district; the first list is for multi-state collections:

(Updated March 2023)

Colorado Criminal Records

United States

• Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
• Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
• Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages

Colorado

• Archuleta County Court Records Index of names 1885 – 1925
• Colorado Corrections Records
• Colorado State Penitentiary Index 1871 – 1973
• Colorado State Penitentiary Prisoner Index, 1871–1973
• Colorado State Penitentiary, 1930 Index of Prisoners, Surnames A – L
• Colorado State Penitentiary, 1930 Index of Prisoners, Surnames L – Z
• Colorado State Reformatory Prison Records, 1887-1939
• Colorado State Reformatory, 1930 Index of Prisoners
• Colorado, Colorado State penitentiary Prisoner Index 1871 – 1973
• Colorado, Colorado State Penitentiary, 1930 Index of Prisoners Surnames A – L
• Colorado, Colorado State Penitentiary, 1930 Index of Prisoners Surnames Surnames L – Z
• Colorado, Colorado State Reformatory 1930 Index of Prisoners
• Colorado, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration cards, Prisoners, Insane, In Hospitals, 1917-1918
• Executions in Colorado
• Kit Carson County, Colorado State Penitentiary Index 1871 – 1973
• Pueblo County Jail, 1930 Index of Prisoners