The 45-Day Wait at Bent County: What Happens After You Submit a Visiting Application

Bent County reports that visitor approval takes about 45 days on average. Not every application takes exactly that long, but it's a realistic baseline for planning - especially if you're coordinating travel, time off work, or childcare. If you submitted your paperwork and haven't heard back yet, that wait is normal for this facility.

While waiting on approval, start planning around Bent County's scheduling limits. In-state visitors can only book 14 days in advance, so even once you're approved, you'll work within that two-week window. Visiting days are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:50 pm, with visitor processing starting at 9:30 am. If you're traveling in, build your day around those hours.

Part of the approval process involves screening for disqualifying issues. Colorado DOC runs background checks on active visitors every year, looking for active warrants, detainers, or unresolved criminal cases. This same review is why applications take time - your information has to match up and clear these checks before you're approved to visit.

Documents Pitfalls

• ✓ Include a copy of a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with your visiting application.
• ✓ Make sure the address on your photo ID matches the address you write on the visiting application.
• ✓ If the addresses don’t match, your application may be denied - double-check before you submit.

If you were approved before but haven't visited in a year, you may be automatically deactivated from the inmate's visiting list. You'll need to reapply. Expect the same screening process again - active visitors undergo yearly background checks for warrants, detainers, or unresolved criminal cases. Getting back to approved status still depends on clearing that review.

Give it time before chasing updates. Bent County's stated average is about 45 days, so wait until you're at or near that mark before following up. Your question is more likely to get a real answer if it doesn't arrive in a wave of early "any update?" emails.

1. Save proof of what you sent - keep a copy of your completed application and the copy of your ID you submitted, plus the date you mailed or emailed it.
2. Use the approved application channels - completed visiting applications for Bent County can be mailed to: Attention: Private Prison Monitoring Unit, Colorado Department of Corrections Headquarters, 1250 Academy Park Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80910, or emailed to Doc_PPMU_Visiting@state.co.us.
3. Follow up through the same lane you used - if you emailed your application, reply to that email thread with your name and the date you submitted; if you mailed it, follow up by email to Doc_PPMU_Visiting@state.co.us with the same details.
4. Schedule your visit once you’re approved - you can schedule by emailing bccfvisiting@corecivic.com, and if you’re an in-state visitor, remember you can’t schedule more than 14 days ahead.