How to Get a Denver Car Accident Report (Step-by-Step)

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle collision in the Mile High City, knowing how to get car accident report is one of the most critical steps you can take. Whether you were navigating stop-and-go traffic on Interstate 25 or were involved in a left-turn accident, this document serves as the foundational pillar for your insurance claim or personal injury case.

An official collision report contains unbiased, third-party observations from the responding officer, including vehicle damage diagrams, witness statements, and any traffic citations issued at the scene.

At Matlin Injury Law, our Denver car accident lawyer team knows that dealing with city bureaucracy while recovering from injuries can be frustrating. To help you protect your rights, we have put together this simple, step-by-step guide on exactly how to obtain your Denver car accident report.

Step 1: Identify Which Law Enforcement Agency Responded

Before you can request your report, you must confirm which police agency handled your accident. Different jurisdictions manage records through entirely separate portals:

• Denver Police Department (DPD): If your crash occurred within Denver city limits or on local streets (such as Colfax Avenue, Federal Boulevard, or Broadway) and a city officer arrived, your records are held by the DPD Records Unit.
• Colorado State Patrol (CSP): If your accident happened on a major state highway or interstate (like I-25 or I-70) outside municipal boundaries, the state patrol may have handled the dispatch.
• Self-Reported (Counter Report): If the police did not respond to the scene because there were no injuries and the vehicles could be safely moved, you likely had to file a self-report through the Colorado Department of Revenue (DMV).

Look at the paper receipt or information slip given to you by the officer at the scene—it will list the responding agency and your case or report number.

Step 2: Choose Your Method of Requesting the DPD Report

If the Denver Police Department filed your report, you can request it through three primary channels:

Option A: Online via the DenverGov Portal (Fastest Method)

The most efficient way to access your report is through Denver’s online record system.

1. Go to the official City and County of Denver website and navigate to the DPD Report Request Portal.
2. Create a secure account or log in as a guest.
3. Select “Traffic Accident Report” or “Investigation Report”.
4. Enter the required search criteria, pay the processing fee with a credit card, and download your document once approved.

Option B: Request via US Mail

If you prefer a physical copy or want to pay via check, you can submit a written request:

1. Print out the DPD Records Request Form or write a letter containing your accident details.
2. Include a check or money order made payable to the Denver Police Department.
3. Mail the request and payment to:
   Denver Police Department
   Records Unit, Room 420
   1331 Cherokee Street
   Denver, CO 80204

Option C: In-Person at DPD Headquarters

If you need the report immediately and want to speak to a records clerk, you can visit the DPD Records Unit in person at the Cherokee Street address listed above. Be sure to check their current public operation hours before making the trip.

Step 3: Provide the Required Information and Pay the Fee

To pull your report from the database, the records clerk or online system will require specific details:

• Your full name, contact details, and relationship to the crash.
• The Report Number / Case Number (e.g., GO-YYYY-XXXXXX).
• The exact date, approximate time, and specific location of the collision.
• The names of any other drivers or passengers involved.

Expected Costs:

• A standard DPD Traffic Accident Report carries a baseline fee of $10.00.
• If your accident involved a criminal charge (such as a DUI or reckless driving), it may be classified as an Investigation Report, which costs $15.00 for the first 10 pages and $0.25 for each additional page.

Step 4: What to Do if the Police Did Not Attend the Scene

During severe winter storms or periods of high emergency call volumes, Denver may implement an “Accident Alert” status. In these situations, officers will not respond to minor accidents unless there are injuries, hit-and-runs, or impaired driving suspected.

If you were instructed to self-report, you must file a Counter Report through the Colorado DMV website.

• You have up to 60 days from the crash date to submit this data online.
• Once submitted, you must download and print the confirmation page immediately, as the state treats this self-report as your official record.
• Note: A counter report is kept for administrative purposes and is generally not investigated by law enforcement officers.

How Your Crash Report Affects Your Injury Claim

Once you receive your report, review it carefully. Insurance adjusters rely heavily on this document to determine how fault is determined in a car accident.

If the officer notes that the other driver ran a red light or violated a 4 way stop right-of-way law, you have massive leverage in your claim. However, if the report contains errors—such as incorrect statements or missing witness details—it can severely damage your ability to recover compensation under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a Denver police report to become available?

Typically, it takes 3 to 5 business days for an officer to complete, review, and upload a standard traffic accident report into the DPD system. For complex accidents involving severe physical trauma or fatal injuries, the full investigation report may take weeks or even months to finalize.

Can I get a copy of my Denver car accident report for free?

Yes, you might be able to save yourself the fee. You can contact your car insurance claims adjuster and ask if they have already purchased the report for their internal investigation. If they have, they will usually provide a copy to you upon request.

What if there is a mistake in my police report?

Amending a police report is difficult but possible. If the error is factual (e.g., an incorrect date or misspelled name), you can contact the reporting officer to request a correction. If you disagree with the officer’s opinion on who caused the crash, you cannot force them to change it, but a lawyer can help you submit a supplemental statement or medical records to challenge their findings.

Let Matlin Injury Law Handle the Paperwork

If you are dealing with severe pain, medical appointments, and missed work, tracking down police records is the last thing you want to worry about.

At Matlin Injury Law, we take the legal burden completely off your shoulders. When you hire our team, we will order your accident report, analyze the evidence, handle all communications with the insurance adjusters, and build a powerful case to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Call our team today at (303) 487-8911 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.