Denver Co Jail in Denver, CO is a county detention facility operated by the Denver County Sheriff's Office. Most people here are awaiting trial or sentencing - this is not a prison, and most stays are measured in days or months, not years. If someone you care about was just booked here, you have questions. Start with the one that matters most right now.
If you are not certain they are there, the fastest way to confirm is the Denver County inmate search or InmateAid's inmate locator, which searches across Colorado facilities by name.
Booking takes time - sometimes several hours after arrest. If the search comes back empty, wait a few hours and try again before assuming they have been transferred somewhere else. You can also pull their arrest record and booking details to confirm the charges and facility assignment. For the most direct answer, call Denver Co Jail at 720-913-3642.
Most people booked at Denver Co Jail appear before a judge within 24 to 48 hours. At that first appearance the judge sets the bail amount - or denies bail - based on the charges, the person's history, and whether they are considered a flight risk.
If bail is set, your family member can be released by paying the full amount or by using a bail bondsman, who typically charges 10 percent of the total as a non-refundable fee. If bail is denied or the amount is unaffordable, they remain at Denver Co Jail until the case resolves. InmateAid's bail and bond guide walks through every option including what to do if you cannot afford a bondsman.
Right after arrest, your family member goes through intake at Denver Co Jail - identity verification, medical screening, property inventory, and classification. Classification places them in a housing unit based on the charges, prior record, and intake behavior. It is not a punishment. It is how the facility manages a population that ranges from people picked up on minor warrants to individuals facing serious charges.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, phone access and visitation are typically unavailable while booking completes. Once they are assigned to a housing unit, those channels open up. InmateAid's what happens in jail guide covers the full intake process step by step so you know what to expect.
Your family member calls you - you cannot call them. Calls from Denver Co Jail go through Securus Tech® and all calls are recorded except attorney calls. Set up a Securus Tech® account before the first call so the connection goes through without delay.
Phone contact is more important than most people realize going into this. A regular call - even a short one - makes a measurable difference in how someone holds up inside. Do not let the setup friction stop you. Visit InmateAid's jail calls page for step-by-step account setup, current rate information, and tips for keeping funds available.
Visitation hours at Denver Co Jail are set by the facility and can change without much notice. Before making the trip, call 720-913-3642 to confirm current hours, any advance registration requirements, and what you are allowed to bring.
The most common mistake families make is showing up without confirming first - and that results in a wasted trip and a missed visit for your family member. General rules across most Colorado county jails: dress conservatively, avoid colors that resemble inmate uniforms, leave your phone in your car, and bring valid government-issued ID. Children may be permitted with specific requirements depending on the facility. InmateAid's visitation guide has a full checklist you can run through before you go.
Video Visitation (Onsite & Remote) Hours:
Video visits may last up to 30 minutes, not to exceed two visits a week at one visit per day, and may occur within these timeframes:
Onsite video visits (10500 E. Smith Rd., Denver, CO 80239):
- Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
- 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Remote video visits:
- 7:00 am - 10:00 am
- 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
- 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
In-Person Visitation Hours:
In-person visits take place at 10500 E. Smith Rd., Denver, CO 80239. They may last up to 30 minutes, not to exceed two visits a week at one visit per day, and may occur within this timeframe:
- Fridays and Saturdays
- 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
At the Denver County Jail (COJL), in-person visits are available, whereas the Denver Detention Center (DDC) does not offer in-person visitation options. To schedule video visits for either facility, visitors should refer to the “Video Visits” section.
Step 1: Prepare for Your Visit - Identification Requirements: Visitors must present a valid, current ID at check-in, such as a U.S. driver’s license, state-issued identification card, passport, military ID, or consulate ID.
Punctuality - Visitors should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time to check-in. Visits cannot be rescheduled once booked; late arrivals will result in the cancellation of the visit. Missed visits without prior cancellation will count against the inmate’s weekly allotment of two visits.
Important Considerations - Visitors should be aware that warrant checks may be conducted, and any criminal actions, including property damage, will be prosecuted. Disciplinary actions can result in the termination of visitation privileges. The visitation system monitors and records all visits, and visitors must comply with the Visitation Rules and Dress Code.
Step 2: Visitation Rules - General Conduct - Visitors are expected to leave the facility grounds promptly when required; refusal to do so may lead to arrest and charges. Visitors must not appear under the influence of drugs or alcohol and should refrain from offensive or disruptive behavior. All children must be supervised by an adult, and bare feet are not permitted.
Dress Code - Visitors are prohibited from wearing clothing that resembles inmate attire, or contains adornments that could be used as weapons. Clothing that is see-through, provocative, or overly tight, as well as garments displaying gang symbols or offensive messages, are not allowed. Shirts must have sleeves and fully cover the chest and shoulders, while shorts should be mid-thigh length or longer. Hats are not allowed unless for religious purposes, and sports jerseys may be worn only if they completely cover the shoulders.
Step 3: Fill Out the Eligibility Form - Visitors must complete the In-Person Eligibility Form to determine whether the individual they wish to visit is eligible for in-person visitation. If the inmate is not eligible, the visitor will be notified during the form submission process. In-person Eligibility Form
These guidelines ensure a secure and orderly visitation process, maintaining safety and respect for all involved.
Money on the books - also called the commissary or trust account - gives your family member access to hygiene items, snacks, phone time, and postage. It is one of the most practical things you can do and it has a direct effect on their daily comfort.
Denver Co Jail accepts deposits through approved channels that typically include online deposit, phone deposit, or a kiosk at the facility. Use your family member's full legal name and booking number exactly as they appear in the jail's system - any error in the name or number will delay or reject the deposit. InmateAid's send money page lists the specific deposit methods accepted at Denver Co Jail and walks through the process.
A letter or a printed photo costs almost nothing to send and means far more than most people outside appreciate. Denver Co Jail accepts incoming mail addressed to your family member at 10500 E Smith Rd. Put their full legal name and booking number on every piece of mail.
Standard rules at most Colorado county jails: plain white paper only, no staples, no glitter, no stickers, no colored ink. Photos should be standard print size with nothing written on the back. Mail that does not meet the facility's standards will be rejected - and the facility may not notify you that it was. Keep it simple.
InmateAid's send mail service lets you write and send directly from your phone or computer. We print on approved stock and mail it for you, so rejection for formatting is not a risk.
Books and magazines must come new, ordered directly from the publisher or through an online retailer - not shipped from your home address. Facilities require this to prevent contraband. Order through Amazon or directly from the publisher. Anything shipped from a personal address will be turned away.
County jail procedures, visitation rules, phone rates, inmate search tools, bail processes, and what happens at release all vary by state. Colorado has its own rules and its own agencies, and what applies in one state does not always apply here.
InmateAid's Colorado prison resources hub covers all of it - written specifically for families navigating the Colorado system. Start there when you need answers that go beyond what this facility page covers.
County jail time is hard in a way that is different from anything else. The uncertainty - not knowing how long, not knowing what comes next - wears on everyone. What you can control is the connection. Calls, letters, visits, money on the books. Every one of those things tells your family member that someone out here is paying attention and is not going anywhere.
InmateAid was built for exactly this. Use us.