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Denver Contract Detention Facility (ICE)

US Immigration & Customs Enforcement-ICE

Last Updated: May 08, 2026
Address
3130 N Oakland St, Aurora, CO 80010
County
Arapahoe
Phone
303-361-6612 
Email
wcassel@geogroup.com
Mailing Address
11901 East 30th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80010

Denver CDF is for US Immigration & Customs Enforcement-ICE offenders have not been sentenced yet and are detained here until their case is heard.

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If your loved one is at Denver CDF, InmateAid can help you stay connected. Call the facility directly at 303-361-6612  with any immediate questions.

The Denver Contract Detention Facility (ICE) is a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility located at 3130 N Oakland St in Aurora, CO in Arapahoe County. This medium-security facility is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and functions as a holding center for immigration detainees awaiting trial, deportation, or serving sentences following conviction.

To find an ICE inmate, please use the Detainee Locator System with the A-Number search being the most efficient method. The A-number must be exactly nine digits; if shorter, zeros should be added at the beginning. When searching by name, the first and last names must be entered as an exact match, and the detainee's correct country of birth must be selected. Please note that records of individuals under 18 cannot be searched.

Detainees at this facility are assigned to housing based on their custody level, determined by various factors including sentence length and criminal history. The detention center provides a wide range of educational and vocational training programs. Additionally, the facility is equipped to meet most detainee needs, including dietary, health, fitness, education, religious practices, and entertainment. As a privately operated facility, it undergoes frequent inspections to ensure it remains in top condition, maintaining a clean record to secure ongoing government contracts.

Questions About This Facility

The Denver Contract Detention Facility, commonly referred to as the Aurora ICE Processing Center, is a major federal immigration detention facility located in Aurora, Colorado, just outside Denver. Operated by GEO Group under contract with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the facility houses adult ICE detainees awaiting immigration hearings, asylum proceedings, deportation actions, or transfer within the federal detention system. Public ICE detention records identify the facility as having an operational capacity of approximately 1,532 detainee beds, making it one of the largest immigration detention centers in the Rocky Mountain region. The facility is currently overseen by Facility Administrator Art Cordova, who manages operations alongside GEO staff and ICE oversight personnel.

The detention center plays a central role in immigration enforcement operations throughout Colorado and neighboring western states. Detainees housed at the Aurora facility include individuals arrested during ICE enforcement operations, asylum seekers awaiting immigration court proceedings, and detainees transferred from county jails or border processing centers. The facility contains secure housing units, medical and mental health clinics, intake and booking areas, legal visitation rooms, recreation spaces, food service operations, transportation staging areas, and administrative offices. GEO personnel provide security, detainee supervision, healthcare coordination, food preparation, transportation services, laundry operations, and facility maintenance under federal detention standards established by DHS and ICE. Immigration Detainee Locator

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

ICE Detainee Information

This facility holds immigration detainees under an active contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in addition to its regular population. ICE detainees are civil immigration detainees, not criminal defendants, and are held while their immigration cases are processed. The rules, rights, and services that apply to ICE detainees differ from those that apply to the general jail population.

To locate an ICE detainee at this facility, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov. You will need the detainee's A-Number, a nine-digit Alien Registration Number that appears on any immigration document they have received. If the A-Number has fewer than nine digits, add zeros at the beginning. If you do not have the A-Number, you can search using the detainee's full legal name, country of birth, and date of birth. Names must be an exact match; try variations if the first search returns no results.

Immigration bond works differently from criminal bail. Not all detainees are eligible for bond; those with certain criminal convictions or prior deportation orders may be subject to mandatory detention. For those who are eligible, bond is set by an immigration judge and typically ranges from $1,500 to over $10,000. Bond must be paid in full before release. An immigration attorney can request a bond hearing and argue for a lower amount based on the detainee's circumstances.

Unlike criminal defendants, ICE detainees do not have the right to a government-appointed attorney. They must hire a private immigration attorney or find free legal help through a nonprofit organization. RAICES provides legal services and bond assistance at raicestexas.org. The National Immigrant Justice Center offers free legal representation at immigrantjustice.org. Many immigration courts also maintain a list of free and low-cost legal service providers available to detainees upon request.

ICE transfers detainees between facilities frequently and with little advance notice, sometimes to locations far from family and legal counsel. If you cannot locate your family member through this page, search the ICE Online Detainee Locator again at locator.ice.gov with their A-Number. If they have an attorney, notify the attorney immediately as transfers affect court appearances and case timelines.

Over the years, the Denver Contract Detention Facility has become one of the most publicly scrutinized ICE detention centers in the western United States. Immigration advocacy groups, detainee attorneys, civil rights organizations, and local political leaders have repeatedly raised concerns involving detainee healthcare, prolonged detention, sanitation conditions, use of solitary confinement, and access to legal services. Federal inspections and ICE compliance reviews continue monitoring facility operations, while protests and demonstrations outside the Aurora facility have become common during periods of heightened national immigration enforcement activity. Despite ongoing controversy surrounding private immigration detention, the Aurora detention center remains a major component of the DHS detention network and continues housing hundreds of ICE detainees moving through the federal immigration court and enforcement system.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Colorado. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Denver Contract Detention Facility (ICE).

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please get in touch with us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

For the fastest and most comprehensive inmate search, use the Arrest Record Search tool. Records are updated frequently and include booking data, charges, and current custody status across thousands of facilities nationwide.

Visitation Information

Visitation Information - Denver Contract Detention Facility (Aurora)

Facility Contacts

ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer: 303-361-6612 ext. 133 Virtual attorney visit phone: 303-361-6612 ext. 178 Virtual attorney visit email: auroravav@geogroup.com Legal fax: 303-739-8740

Visiting Hours

Visiting days and hours can change on short notice based on classification changes and housing movements. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled visit so you can register. No visitors are admitted at or after 9:30 p.m.

The minimum visit length is 60 minutes. If you or the detainee leaves the visiting room without permission at any point, the visit is terminated.

The facility uses a split campus, Aurora North and Aurora South, with separate schedules for each.

Aurora North Schedule

  • A/B/C Units (low and medium-low males): Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • A Units (medium-high and high males): Monday, Thursday, and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • D Unit (males) follows whichever schedule above matches the detainee's classification level.
  • D1 Unit (females) follows the female schedule for the matching classification.
  • E2 Special Management Unit (males): Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • E2 Special Management Unit (females): Monday and Wednesday: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Aurora South Schedule

  • A, B, C, D, E Dormitories (low and medium-low males): Tuesday: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • F and G Units (medium-high and high males): Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • L, M, N, X, Y, and Z Dormitories (females and special classifications): Monday, Thursday, and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • X Units: Scheduled as needed through a Case Manager based on classification.
  • South Female Special Management Unit: Monday and Wednesday: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Who Can Visit

Visitors must show a government-issued ID. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A maximum of two adults may visit at one time. Children must be kept under control.

Visiting Rules

All friend and family visits are non-contact.

Visitors cannot carry items into the visiting area, with one exception: one diaper and baby wipes can be brought in a clear Ziploc bag. You cannot pass anything to the detainee during the visit.

No firearms or weapons of any kind. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios) in secure areas. Detainees are searched both entering and leaving the visitation area.

Every visitor is subject to a pat-down, bag inspection, and metal scan. Refusing a search means you will not be admitted. If you appear under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will be turned away. If contraband (drugs, alcohol, weapons) is found on you, you may be prosecuted.

Attorney Visits

In-person attorney visits run seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., including holidays.

A list of pro bono legal organizations is posted in every housing unit and updated quarterly. Detainees are responsible for contacting these organizations to schedule appointments.

Virtual Attorney Visits and Legal Calls

Aurora offers a Virtual Attorney Visitation (VAV) program as an alternative to in-person meetings, not a replacement for them.

Attorneys can request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls by emailing auroravav@geogroup.com or calling 303-361-6612 ext. 178. A facility officer will reply with a confirmed date and time.

Appointments must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. Sessions run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 30 to 60-minute blocks. There is no cap on how many VTC appointments an attorney can request, but no attorney can have more than one 60-minute meeting with the same detainee in a single day.

The email request must include: the attorney's full name and contact info (phone, email, Skype ID if applicable), the detainee's name and A-number, several proposed dates and times, a scan of the attorney's government ID, proof of legal status (bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar), and a scan of the eFiled G-28 unless this is a pre-representational visit. If a legal assistant is joining alone, attach a letter of authorization on firm letterhead and a scan of the assistant's ID.

Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters are allowed on these calls. No family, no friends. The attorney can use outside interpretation services during the session. Calls are confidential; an officer stays within sight but out of earshot and will knock 5 minutes before the cutoff.

Recording any virtual or on-site visit, by audio or video, is prohibited. Violations can result in suspension or permanent loss of VAV privileges.

Legal Mail by Fax

Attorneys can fax legal correspondence to 303-739-8740.

The cover letter must include the detainee's full name, A-number, sender's return fax number, and total page count.

The fax is delivered to the detainee in a sealed envelope marked with the detainee's name and A-number. Documents are inspected for contraband but not read. All legal faxes are treated as confidential and logged by the court officer. Processing happens during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. The transmission verification is filed by court room staff, and a copy is given to the detainee.

Consular Visits

Consular officials can meet with their nationals at any time. Call the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer at 303-361-6612 ext. 133 to make arrangements when possible, and bring credentials.

Clergy Visits

Clergy can visit at any time but must arrange the visit ahead of time through the Chaplain's Office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Contract Detention Facility (ICE)

  1. What is an immigration detention center?
      An immigration detention center is a facility operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or contracted private companies to hold individuals who are awaiting immigration hearings, deportation, or asylum processing. Detainees may include undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, and individuals facing removal proceedings.

  2. How can I find out where an ICE detainee is held?
      You can locate a detainee using the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, available on the ICE website. To search, you will need either the A-Number (Alien Registration Number) and country of birth or the detainee’s full name, country of birth, and date of birth. If the detainee is recently transferred or booked, their information may not appear immediately. Families and legal representatives can also contact ICE field offices or the detention center directly for updated information.

  3. Who operates immigration detention centers?
    ICE manages these facilities, but many are run through private prison companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group or in collaboration with county jails and local law enforcement agencies. Some detention centers are standalone facilities, while others are dedicated sections within jails or prisons.

  4. How long do people stay in immigration detention?
      Detention times vary. Some detainees are held for a few days or weeks, while others may remain in custody for months or even years due to delays in immigration court proceedings, asylum claims, or deportation appeals. The average detention period is about 55 days, but it can be significantly longer for complex cases.

  5. Can detainees bond out of immigration detention?
      Some detainees may be eligible for an immigration bond, allowing them to be released while their case is pending. Bond amounts are determined by ICE or an immigration judge and can range from $1,500 to over $10,000, depending on the person’s immigration history, flight risk, and criminal record.

  6. Do immigration detainees have legal representation?
      Unlike in criminal cases, detainees do not automatically receive a government-appointed attorney. They must hire their own lawyer or seek help from nonprofit organizations such as the American Immigration Council, RAICES, or the National Immigrant Justice Center, which provide pro bono legal services.

  7. What are the conditions like inside immigration detention centers?
      Conditions vary, but many facilities have been criticized for overcrowding, inadequate medical care, poor hygiene, and lack of access to legal resources. Some centers provide basic medical services, outdoor recreation, and educational programs, but others operate under strict confinement policies similar to jails.

  8. Can immigration detainees receive visitors?
      Yes, but visitation policies vary by facility. Some detention centers allow in-person, no-contact, or video visits, while others impose restrictions due to security concerns. Visitors must be pre-approved and may be subject to background checks and strict dress codes.

  9. Are immigration detainees allowed to make phone calls?
      Yes, detainees can make collect or prepaid calls, but phone rates can be expensive. Calls are monitored except for legal calls, and some facilities have contracts with GTL (ViaPath), Securus, or Talton Communications, which provide calling services at high per-minute costs.

  10. Do detainees have access to medical care?
      Yes, ICE is required to provide basic medical care, but reports indicate long wait times, inadequate treatment, and lack of specialized care. Some detainees with chronic conditions have struggled to receive consistent medication or emergency treatment.

  11. Are families with children held in immigration detention centers?
      Yes, family detention centers exist, such as the South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley, TX) and Berks Family Residential Center (PA). However, many immigrant children are separated from their families and housed in youth shelters or foster care, particularly if their parents are deported or detained separately.

  12. What rights do detainees have while in ICE custody?
      Detainees have the right to:

  • Access legal counsel (but not a free lawyer)
  • Request bond hearings
  • Practice their religion
  • Receive medical care
  • Access telephones and communicate with family
    However, these rights are often restricted or inconsistently enforced, depending on facility policies.
  1. Can ICE transfer detainees to different locations?
      Yes, ICE frequently transfers detainees between facilities, sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles away from their families and lawyers. This can make it harder for detainees to prepare their legal cases and maintain family connections.

  2. What happens if an immigrant wins their case?
      If a detainee wins their asylum or cancellation of removal case, they are released and may apply for a work permit or permanent residency, depending on their situation. Some may still be monitored through ICE check-ins, electronic ankle monitors, or supervised release programs.

  3. What happens if an immigrant loses their case?
      If a detainee loses their case, they are typically deported to their home country unless they appeal the decision or receive protection through humanitarian relief programs. ICE arranges removal flights, often sending detainees to their country’s government for processing.

  4. Do detainees get access to outdoor recreation?
      Most ICE facilities provide limited outdoor access, but some restrict movement to indoor areas. Many detainees spend the majority of their time inside their cells or communal living spaces due to facility security policies.

  5. What happens when a detainee is released?
      Upon release, ICE may:

  • Grant parole or asylum
  • Place the individual on supervised release (e.g., ankle monitors, mandatory check-ins)
  • Transfer them to another government agency (for further processing)
    Released detainees often rely on immigrant support organizations for housing, job placement, and legal guidance.
  1. Can detainees file complaints about mistreatment?
      Yes, detainees can file grievances within the facility, report mistreatment to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights, or seek legal assistance from human rights organizations. However, many complaints go unresolved, and detainees fear retaliation for speaking out.

  2. What organizations help detainees and their families?
      Several organizations provide legal support, advocacy, and financial aid for detainees, including:

  • RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
  • National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project
  • Freedom for Immigrants (formerly CIVIC)
  1. What are alternatives to immigration detention?
      ICE operates alternative-to-detention (ATD) programs, which allow eligible immigrants to:
  • Be released on bond or parole
  • Participate in supervision programs like check-ins, house arrest, or electronic monitoring
  • Stay in community shelters while awaiting court hearings
    These programs help reduce detention costs and overcrowding while allowing immigrants to remain with their families.

Ask The Inmate

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