Visitation

How to Schedule Your First Visit at Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center (DRDC)

Visiting DRDC takes some planning your first time—you can't just show up and walk in. Appointments are required, and in-person visits only happen on weekends.

3 min read cdoc.colorado.gov
How to Schedule Your First Visit at Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center (DRDC)

DRDC requires an appointment before you visit. In-person visiting is Saturday and Sunday only, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Planning a same-weekend visit? Request your appointment early enough to get confirmation and still arrive during the facility's processing windows.

How to Schedule Your First Visit at Denver Reception & Diagnostic Center (DRDC)

How to Request

  • Call DRDC Visiting to request an appointment: (303) 307-2362
  • Email your appointment request to: doc_drdc_visiting@state.co.us
  • Request appointments during scheduling hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday

If you email after the designated scheduling hours, your message won’t be handled until the next business day. DRDC also processes appointment emails in the order they’re received, so earlier requests generally get seen sooner. Once your request is reviewed, DRDC will send a reply confirmation email letting you know whether the visit is approved or denied.

DRDC won't schedule visits more than seven days out. Time your request for the week you plan to go - not weeks ahead. Set a calendar reminder so you reach out within that seven-day window.

Call during scheduling hours if you can: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Email works too, but messages sent after hours won't be processed until the next business day. If the weekend is close and you need a quick answer, calling is usually faster.

Email requests are handled in the order they arrive, not instantly. DRDC will send a confirmation email once your visit is approved or denied - wait for that before making the drive. If your visit date is approaching and you haven't heard back, follow up using the contact options below.

Even with an appointment, you need to arrive during DRDC's visitor processing times. Processing runs 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., while visiting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan to arrive early enough to get through processing - showing up mid-afternoon won't help if processing has already closed.

Tip: Don’t cut it close to the end of a processing window (8:15–10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.). Arriving late can leave you without enough time to get processed.

If your visit is denied and you want to ask for reconsideration, contact Visiting Staff by phone at (303) 307-2362. This is the same number used to arrange visiting appointments, so it’s also the right place to start if you need help sorting out a scheduling issue.

For general record information related to visiting, call (303) 371-4804 and select option 7. Have the basics ready when you call - the date and time you requested, your name, and the incarcerated person's name and ID number. This helps staff find your information faster.

Quick Checks Before You Go

  • Make sure you have a scheduled appointment before you go (appointments are required).
  • Contact DRDC during scheduling hours: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday, and 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Friday.
  • Schedule within the allowed window: appointments can’t be made more than seven days in advance.
  • Plan arrival around processing windows: 8:15–10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.

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