Visiting an inmate in Colorado

Visiting Application and Rules for Visiting a Colorado Inmate

One of the most beneficial sources for an inmates success in prison is having visitors.  Visitors help the inmate maintain a connection with the outside world and often the people they most care about.  It is vital to an inmate's mental health to have periodic visits from their friends and family members.  But how do you go about visiting an inmate?  Here are some of the most important things you'll need to know before you visit an inmate in Colorado:

  • Before you visit an inmate you must fill out a Colorado Inmate Visitors Application, and it must be approved.
  • If you are bringing a minor (someone under the age of 18) you must fill out a Minor Child Visitors Application.  In addition, you must list the child on your adult visitors application.
  • If you are a one-time visitor, or only visit once per year, you should not fill out the normal visitors application, instead you should fill out a Special Visitation Application.
  • Once you have filled out the visitors application you should mail it to the facility you are going to visit.  If it is a private prison it must be mailed to:
    • Private Prisons Monitoring Unit
      2862 South Circle Drive
      Colorado Springs, CO 80906
  • If you are visiting Cheyenne Mountain Re-Entry the visitors application must be sent to:
    • Cheyenne Mountain Re-Entry
      2925 E. Las Vegas Street
      Colorado Springs, CO 80906
  • Inmates are allowed up to 12 visitors on their approved list, children are not counted.
  • If the inmate is transferred to a new facility the application must be filled out again for the new facility.
  • If you do not visit your inmate for one year, you are placed on inactive status and you will need to resubmit a visitors application to visit again.
  • All visitors must provide valid photo ID, this includes Drivers License, State ID, Passport, or Military ID.
  • Anyone entering into visitation will be searched, any vehicles on penitentiary property will also be searched.

Here is some additional information you should know when visiting your inmate in Colorado:

  • When you first enter the facility you will need to register and complete a consent to search form which allows the facility to search you.  If you do not fill this out you will be denied visitation.
  • Visitors may not bring any items other then a car key, ID and small bills, quarters for the vending machines.
  • Cell phones, pagers, cameras, credit cards, prescriptions, books, cosmetics are all prohibited from being brought into the facility.
  • If you have a wheelchair, cane or other device you may be required to exchange it temporarily for a prison issued device for the duration of your visit.
  • You may not bring tobacco, or any tobacco related product to visitation. 
  • If you have a bandaged injury, cast etc, it will be searched.
  • If you are visiting an inmate and have outstanding warrants you may be detained or denied visitation.
  • If the visiting room becomes overcrowded or the line to enter visitation becomes long the staff will terminate visits in the order in which they started.
  • Visits are a minimum of two hours.

Reasons your visit can be denied:

  • The offender does not want you to visit.
  • If you appear intoxicated.
  • If you refuse to be searched.
  • If you possess any items that are not allowed in the institution, this includes weapons, drugs, cell phones, cameras, etc.
  • If you create a disturbance, or you fail to control your children during visitation you will be forced to leave.
  • If you use foul language you will be ejected from visitation.
  • If you commit a felony, or have been incarcerated for a felony in the past 3 years you will be denied visitation.

Dress Code/Contact Rules for Visitors of Colorado Inmates

The following is a general dress code and rules of conduct for anyone visiting an inmate in Colorado.  While it is up to the discretion of the staff on duty to enforce these rules, you should do your best to follow them to ensure your visit goes smoothly.

  • The only contact allowed is a short hug and kiss at the opening and close of a visit.  Holding hands is allowed, but no other body contact may occur.
  • You may not talk to other inmates or visitors other then the one you are their to visit.
  • All visitors must wear shoes, and underwear.  Wire bra underwear is discouraged because you will need to pass through a metal detector.
  • Hooded sweatshirts are prohibited.
  • Hats are prohibited, with the exception of religious gear, which may be searched.
  • Low cut pants, and pants that are worn below the waist, or in a sagging manner are prohibited.
  • Ripped clothing, and clothes with holes in them are not allowed.
  • Any clothing that shows cleavage, exposes excessive skin on the back, shoulders midriff are prohibited.
  • Sheer/see through clothing is not allowed.
  • Short Skits, Shorts, Dresses are not allowed if they come above the knee.
  • Tight clothing, or clothing that is meant to accentuate the body such as spandex, and leggings, tube tops, and tank tops are not allowed.
  • Clothing with offensive images or words are restricted from being worn.
  • Camouflage, tactical BDU's, or clothing that is solid green or solid orange is not allowed (top or bottom).

If you are unsure of if your clothing is going to violate any of the guidelines, or if you just want to play it safe you should bring a change of clothes and leave them in your car.  This enables you to change your clothes if the guard on duty/staff objects to something you are wearing.

If you are planning on visiting an inmate in Colorado, or already have, we would love to hear about your experience, whether it was a good or bad.  Just leave a comment on this page, or if you have a question, or know of some other useful information you want to share with other potential visitors, feel free to post it below.