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🏛 State Directory

Prisons and Jails in Colorado.

Colorado Department of Corrections manages the Colorado state correctional system. CDOC's offender search allows searches by DOC number or name. Colorado has reduced its prison population significantly over the past decade through se
Search a specific facility
19
State facilities
55
County jails
4
Federal facilities
2
ICE detention centers
14K+
State inmates

Colorado State Prisons

19 facilities

Federal Facilities in Colorado

4 facilities

Colorado County Jails

55 facilities

ICE Detention Centers

2 facilities

Colorado Department of Corrections

CDOC's offender search allows searches by DOC number or name. Colorado has reduced its prison population significantly over the past decade through sentencing reform and expanded parole.

The official inmate search is available at doc.colorado.gov/offender-search. ADX Florence - the federal Supermax - is in Colorado and houses the most dangerous federal inmates in the US.

Visitation in Colorado Facilities

CDOC visitor approval is processed online through CDOC's visitor registration system. Processing takes 2 - 4 weeks. Background check required for adult visitors. No clothing matching inmate uniforms (khaki, orange). Children under 18 must be on the visitor list and accompanied by an approved adult.

Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Colorado prison directory.

Sending Mail to Colorado Inmates

Colorado CDOC mail requires the inmate's DOC number. Photos must be 4x6 prints. Cañon City is home to many CDOC facilities - confirm which specific facility your inmate is at before mailing.

InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Colorado facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.

Sending Money to Colorado Inmates

Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Colorado:

  • JPay (primary for CDOC)
  • Keefe Commissary (some facilities)
  • Money orders mailed to facility trust fund

See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.

Reentry Resources in Colorado

Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Colorado:

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Prisons

Are phone calls free at Colorado state prisons?

Yes - Colorado eliminated phone call fees for Colorado DOC state inmates in 2023, making it one of only a handful of states to have done so. Calls from CDOC state prison facilities are free and unlimited - neither the inmate nor the person receiving the call is charged per minute or per call. Video calls are also available at no cost through the CDOC tablet program. Colorado's free call policy was the result of sustained advocacy by families and reform organizations who documented the financial and relational harm that phone costs imposed on incarcerated families and their children. The policy applies only to CDOC state facilities - Colorado county jails have their own phone contracts and most still charge per call. If your family member is in a county jail, free calls do not apply to their situation.

What is ADX Florence?

The Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado - known as ADX Florence or the federal Supermax - is the most secure federal prison in the United States, operated by the Bureau of Prisons. It houses inmates deemed too dangerous, disruptive, or escape-prone for any other BOP facility, including convicted terrorists, organized crime figures, and individuals convicted of attacking prison staff. Inmates at ADX spend the vast majority of their time in single-cell confinement with extremely limited programming and severely restricted visiting. ADX is a federal facility - not operated by Colorado DOC. If your family member is at ADX, you are navigating BOP policies and BOP contacts, not Colorado state corrections. The BOP contact number for ADX Florence is 719-784-9464. Visits require advance scheduling through the BOP visitor registration system and are non-contact.

How do I find an inmate at one of the Cañon City facilities?

Cañon City in Fremont County is home to a dense cluster of Colorado DOC facilities - Colorado State Penitentiary, Fremont Correctional Facility, Colorado Women's Correctional Facility, Centennial Correctional Facility, and others - all within a few miles of each other. Saying your inmate is 'in Cañon City' is not enough information to send mail or plan a visit. Use the CDOC offender search at doc.colorado.gov to find exactly which facility and unit your inmate is assigned to - the search returns the specific facility name, mailing address, and current status. Each Cañon City facility has its own mailing address, visiting schedule, and phone contact. If you arrive at the wrong facility, you'll be redirected - confirm before you make the drive, especially if you're coming from Denver or further.

Does Colorado have video visitation?

Yes - Colorado DOC offers video visitation through the tablet program at most of its state facilities, and it is free under Colorado's no-cost communication policy. Video visits are scheduled through the CDOC system and conducted on tablets at the facility. This is particularly valuable for families at significant distance from their inmate's facility - Colorado has prisons from the eastern plains to the western mountains, and driving times between facilities and major population centers can be substantial. To schedule a video visit, register through the CDOC visitor system and ensure you are on your inmate's approved contact list. Contact the specific facility for current scheduling procedures and available time slots - demand for video visit slots can be high, particularly at larger facilities.

What is the DOC number in Colorado?

The DOC number is the unique identification number assigned to every person sentenced to Colorado state prison. It must appear on all mail sent to CDOC facilities - envelopes without the DOC number are routinely delayed or returned. Find it through the CDOC offender search at doc.colorado.gov, or ask your inmate to give it to you during your first contact. It appears on all CDOC paperwork and court commitment documents. Keep it written down somewhere accessible - you will use it every time you send mail, make a JPay deposit, or contact facility staff or CDOC's central office. The DOC number stays with your inmate through their entire sentence regardless of how many facilities they transfer through.

How does Colorado's approach to incarceration differ?

Colorado has been one of the more active states in bipartisan criminal justice reform over the past decade. Notable changes include eliminating phone and video call fees for state inmates, reducing mandatory minimums for some nonviolent offenses, expanding parole eligibility, and investing in reentry programming. The state has closed facilities as its prison population declined from peak levels. Colorado models some of its correctional philosophy on Scandinavian approaches - emphasizing programming, rehabilitation, and family contact as tools for reducing recidivism. This does not mean Colorado prisons are comfortable - CDOC still operates maximum-security facilities with significant restrictions - but the stated philosophy and some measurable outcomes suggest a genuine investment in approaches that go beyond pure incapacitation.

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