Before Your First Visit to Colorado State Penitentiary: What to Expect at Check‑In
Your first visit to Colorado State Penitentiary can feel overwhelming, especially if you don't know what to expect at check-in. Here's exactly what happens: ID checks, registration paperwork, hand stamping, and possible searches.
Got a last-minute question? Call the front lobby at 719-269-5120 before you head over. It could save you a wasted trip.
When you arrive, you'll register at the entry point. Colorado DOC requires all visitors to complete AR Form 300-01B (the Offender Visitor Consent to Search Authorization) before entering.
If you're an approved visitor age 18 or older, you'll need valid photo identification. Staff check this first, so have your ID ready and make sure it's in good condition.
Your address matters too. The address on your government-issued photo ID must match what you put on your visiting application. If you've moved since applying, don't assume it'll work itself out at the desk. Address mismatches can stop your visit before it starts.
During registration, you'll complete AR Form 300-01B (Offender Visitor Consent to Search Authorization). By entering Colorado DOC grounds, you're consenting to inspection or search of yourself, your vehicle, and anything you bring with you.
CSP is a medium-or-higher custody facility, so visitors get stamped with an ultraviolet marker on the back of their right hand before entry. Children under three are the exception. Staff use this stamp to verify your identity, including when you leave.
Expect security checks beyond the front desk. Everyone entering DOC grounds is subject to inspection or search, along with their vehicles and personal property.
Note: If you refuse any required entrance or visiting procedure (including searches), you'll be denied entry and asked to leave immediately.
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