Denver County Downtown Detention Center (DDC)

County Jail

Last Updated: August 29, 2024
Address
490 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Beds
240
County
Denver
Phone
720-337-0400
Email
dsddowntown@denvergov.org
Mailing Address
PO Box 1108, Denver, CO 80201

Denver DDC is for County Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for County - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Securus Tech®, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is AccessCorrections There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of Denver County Downtown Detention Center (DDC)

You can support your loved ones at Denver DDC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 720-337-0400.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Denver DDC is a detention center located at 490 W Colfax Ave Denver, CO which is operated locally by the Denver County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Denver County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Denver Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Colorado here.

The Denver DDC, sometimes referred to as the Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, serves as the primary intake facility for the City and County of Denver, where prisoners are processed, booked, fingerprinted, and temporarily housed. This center plays a crucial role in determining the next steps for individuals in custody, depending on their ability to post bond or the outcomes of their initial court advisements.

Prisoners who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge, who will inform them of the charges and set the bond amount. This appearance may take place in person or via telephone. If not released, inmates are either kept at the Denver DDC or transferred to the Denver County Jail to serve their sentences.

Within the facility, all necessities such as meals, phone calls, programs, showers, and video visitation are accessible within the housing units. After the intake process—which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking—inmates are assigned to housing based on the severity of their charges, with felony charges typically warranting stricter classifications than misdemeanors. Adherence to jail rules can lead to a lower classification and additional privileges, whereas violations may result in higher classifications and reduced privileges.

Inmates may also participate as trustees, engaging in tasks like cooking, laundry, and managing the commissary. These responsibilities can offer minimal compensation or a reduction in sentence, providing an incentive for cooperation and good behavior within the jail environment.

The 19-page Guide for Family and Friends of Those Incarcerated, also known as the Handbook for Family and Friends provides essential information to support loved ones navigating the corrections system. This guide is available in multiple languages to accommodate diverse communities, including Spanish(PDF), Chinese(PDF), Vietnamese(PDF), and Russian(PDF). These resources offer guidance on visitation policies, communication options, inmate services, and other relevant topics, ensuring that families and friends have access to important information in their preferred language.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Colorado. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Denver County Downtown Detention Center (DDC).

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

Onsite Video Visitation Location & Hours:
Onsite visits take place at 490 W. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80204. They may last up to 30 minutes, not to exceed two visits a week at one visit per day, and may occur within these timeframes:

  • 7:00 am - 10:00 am
  • 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  • 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Remote Video Visitation Hours:
Remote 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:

  • 7:00 am - 10:00 am
  • 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
  • 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Ask The Inmate

Connect directly with former inmates and get your questions answered for free. Gain valuable insights from individuals with firsthand experience in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and GEO and CoreCivic-run private prisons. Whether you're seeking advice, clarification, or just curious about life behind bars, this unique opportunity allows you to ask questions or explore answers to previous inquiries from the InmateAid community. Engage in meaningful discussions and get informed perspectives from those who truly understand the system.