Recently, there has been a wave of news regarding registered sex offenders in Colorado, as well as throughout the United States, and numerous residents have inquired about how to obtain more information.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI), maintains a web site which lists high-risk registered sex offenders who are classified as a Sexually Violent Predator, have multiple offenses, or who have failed to register. The web site contains the sex offender’s photograph, physical description, last known address, and conviction information.
The CBI website does not list all sex offenders that are registered in Colorado, but a complete list of registered sex offenders is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. Any resident may obtain a copy of Douglas County’s registered sex offender list by visiting the Douglas County Sheriff’s office at the Justice Center, located at 4000 Justice Way, in Castle Rock. You must provide proof of residency using your Colorado driver’s license or identification card. A copy of the list costs $1.
According the Douglas County Sheriff’s office, there are currently 90 people living in the County who are registered sex offenders. “Painting everyone on the list with the same broad brush and saying they are all ‘predators’ is unfair and inaccurate,” said Douglas County Sheriff Mike Acree. “Many of these individuals wound up on the list because of offenses that were non-violent or the result of poor judgment.”
So what should people do with information from registered sex offender lists? The Sheriff’s web site, www.dcsheriff.net/main/site_pages/faq.htm#q9, has detailed advice for residents.
about Douglas County’s registered sex offender list, call the Sheriff’s office at 303-660-7505, e-mail DCSO@Douglas.co.us, or visit the Sheriff’s website page on this topic at:www.dcsheriff.net/main/divisions/investigations/sex_off.htm#inst.
Colorado law prohibits public display of Douglas County’s registered sex offender list. The Colorado Legislature is currently considering a Bill that would expand public access to information regarding registered sex offenders. The Bill eliminates the current “need-to-know” restrictions that limit the CBI and local law enforcement agencies’ ability to release registered sex offender information. Information on House Bill 05-1035 is available at: www.leg.state.co.us.
