Arrested in Denver
While Visiting

Last reviewed: October 21, 2026 by William Bacharach · Colorado Bar #59714

Where your case will be heard

• Downtown Denver, a Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche or Rockies game, or Denver International Airport: the City and County of Denver, with cases heard at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 W. Colfax Ave.
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Jefferson County, with cases heard at the Jefferson Combined Court, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden.
• Anywhere else: the county where the arrest happened. See the Denver-metro courthouse and jail guide for every metro county's courthouse, jail and bond details.

Getting out: bond

Depending on the charge and the bond schedule, you may be released quickly or held to see a judge. A person held in custody gets an individualized bond hearing within 48 hours of arriving at the jail, with the right to a lawyer (§§ 16-4-102(2)(a), 16-4-104). Bond can be personal recognizance, cash, surety through a bail bond agent, or property (§ 16-4-104). Release must generally happen within six hours after a personal recognizance bond is set, or after a cash bond is set and someone is ready to post it (§ 16-4-102).

Personal recognizance bonds are restricted for people with certain recent records, such as a felony within five years or a willful failure to appear in the past five years, unless the DA consents or the court adds conditions (§ 16-4-104(2)).

Going home and coming back

• Read your bond conditions. Every bond requires appearing at every court date and committing no felony while released. A felony bond also requires a waiver of extradition (§ 16-4-105). Courts can add travel limits, supervision or no-contact terms.
• Plan for court dates. Some appearances can be handled through counsel or remotely with the court's permission; others require you in person. A lawyer can tell you which, and ask for permission where it's available.
• Never just skip a date. A missed court date usually leads to a warrant, and a warrant can follow you home.

Charges visitors commonly face

DUI and DWAI

Colorado's DUI law applies to anyone driving here. DUI covers impairment to the point of being substantially incapable of driving safely, DUI per se covers a BAC of 0.08 or more, and DWAI covers impairment to the slightest degree (§ 42-4-1301). A blood THC level of 5 nanograms per milliliter or more allows an inference of impairment by drugs. The deadline to request a Colorado DMV hearing is short, generally seven days. See Colorado DUI penalties and Denver DUI defense.

Domestic violence on a trip

Colorado's mandatory-arrest rule applies to visitors too. If an officer finds probable cause of a domestic violence offense, the officer must arrest (§ 18-6-803.6(1)). At the first appearance, the court issues a mandatory protection order (§ 18-1-1001), which can complicate travel if you came with the protected person. See Denver domestic violence defense.

Assault, disorderly conduct and theft

Crowds, bars and big events produce assault, disorderly conduct and shoplifting cases. See assault, disorderly conduct and theft.

Consequences back home

A Colorado case can affect a license to drive in your home state, a professional license, security clearances or immigration status. Tell your Colorado lawyer about anything like that early, because it can shape which resolutions make sense.

What to do right now

1. Keep your bond paperwork and any protection order, and note every court date.
2. Don't discuss the facts of the case with police, on jail phones or on social media.
3. If you were arrested for DUI, note the DMV deadline on your paperwork.
4. Call a Colorado criminal defense lawyer before you leave the state if you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go home to another state after being arrested in Denver?

It depends on your bond conditions. Every bond requires appearing at every court date, and a felony bond also requires a waiver of extradition (C.R.S. § 16-4-105). Courts can add conditions that limit travel. Read your bond paperwork closely, and ask a lawyer before you leave Colorado.

Do I have to come back to Colorado for court?

You must appear at every court date unless the court allows otherwise. Some appearances can be handled through counsel or remotely with the court's permission, and others require you in person, depending on the court, the charge and the hearing. A missed court date usually leads to a warrant.

Where will my case be heard?

Arrests in the City and County of Denver, including Denver International Airport, are heard at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 W. Colfax Ave. Red Rocks is in Jefferson County, so arrests there are heard at the Jefferson Combined Court in Golden. Arrests elsewhere are heard in the county where they happened.

I was arrested for DUI while visiting. What about my license?

Colorado DUI law applies to anyone driving in Colorado (§ 42-4-1301), and so does the deadline to request a hearing with the Colorado DMV, which is short: generally seven days. Your home state may also take action on its own license. A Colorado DUI case and the DMV case are separate, and both need attention quickly.

How fast will I see a judge?

If you are held in custody, you must get an individualized bond hearing within 48 hours of arriving at the jail (§ 16-4-102(2)(a)), with the right to a lawyer at that hearing (§ 16-4-104).

This page is general information about Colorado law, not legal advice for your situation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.