To get a police report in Denver after a car crash, request it from the agency that responded: the Denver Police Department through its online records page, or the Colorado State Patrol through its online accident report request. If no officer came to the scene, you may need to report the crash yourself.
| Responding agency | Official request link | Information to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Police Department | Denver Police Records | Your crash report case number, available from the Denver Police Records Section |
| Colorado State Patrol | CSP Online Accident Report Request | Crash details for the request form, which you can submit online or by mail or fax |
| No officer responded | Colorado DMV online crash report | Details of the crash and the other driver |
How to go about getting a police report after a crash in Denver depends on several factors, including which branch of law enforcement came to the crash, if any. Getting records from the Denver Police is a slightly different process than getting a report from the Colorado State Patrol, and if no law enforcement comes to the crash, you may have to file a police report yourself.
How Do I Get a Copy of a Police Report From the Denver Police?
To get a copy of a crash report from Denver Police, you can go to their online records page. You will need your crash report case number. The records page lists how to request it, along with current hours and contact information. In some cases, a fee may be charged to obtain records.
How Do I Get a Copy of a Police Report From the Colorado State Patrol?
To access a crash report from the Colorado State Patrol, visit their Online Accident Report Request page and either fill out the request form online or download it, print it, fill it out, and mail or fax it in. It is important to note that the report will only be the basic crash report and will not contain any witness statements, digital media, or other elements of a crash investigation. Again, there may be a fee for receiving the crash report.
When Am I Required to Report a Crash?
Colorado law requires that you file a crash report for any crash that causes injury or damage to property, including even the most minor crashes. Most people do this verbally, over the phone, from the scene of the crash, but it is also possible to go online to the Colorado DMV website to report a crash.
What if No Officer Prepared a Report?
Police most often will not file a report unless there are injuries or there is $1000 or more in property damage. Colorado law requires you to report a crash to police right away. Failure to report a crash when required can be charged as a class 2 misdemeanor and may carry penalties of 10 to 90 days in jail time, and/or $150 to $300 in fines.
If there is no police report, see Car Insurance Claims Without a Police Report in Colorado.
Can I Use a Crash Report in Court in Colorado?
Colorado law does not allow the crash reports that drivers file themselves to be used as evidence at trial. A police officer’s report is a public record, but whether any of it can be used at trial depends on the rules of evidence. You should expect to testify in person, and you can call a police officer or officers to testify in person, as well. This allows both parties to cross-examine anyone making statements about the crash. However, it still may be important to obtain a copy of the crash report to prepare yourself for anything that might come up in court.
Related Reading
- Car Insurance Claims Without a Police Report in Colorado
- What to Do After a Car Crash in Colorado: 9 Steps
- How Is Fault Determined After a Colorado Car Crash?
Talk to Greer Law Group After a Denver Crash
If you were seriously or permanently injured in a crash in Denver and need help getting records or making a claim, contact Greer Law Group online or call 303-331-6460.
