Understanding DWCF's Weekend Visiting Rule: Why You Can't Visit Both Saturday and Sunday

“Inmates at DWCF may receive visits on Friday and Saturday or Friday and Sunday. Visiting cannot occur on both Saturday and Sunday.” In plain terms, your loved one can have a Friday visit and one weekend-day visit, but the facility doesn’t allow visits on both weekend days in the same weekend. That means if you visit on Saturday, you should not plan to come back on Sunday as well (and vice versa), even if you’re traveling from out of town or coordinating multiple family members.

DWCF offers in-person visits on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with hours from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day. But don't let that fool you - the Friday–weekend pairing rule still applies. Think of it as

Here's what catches people off guard: check-in only happens during specific processing windows - 8:15 AM–10:00 AM and 11:30 AM–1:15 PM. Build your travel plans around those times. Show up outside a processing window, and you could be waiting a long time or miss your chance to visit that day entirely.

Choose Day Tips

• ✓ Coordinate with everyone who plans to visit so you don’t accidentally split the family across Saturday *and* Sunday for the same inmate
• ✓ Pick the day that best fits your travel time and aim to arrive during a processing window (8:15 AM–10:00 AM or 11:30 AM–1:15 PM)
• ✓ If you’re driving in, plan your departure so you’re not reaching the gatehouse after processing has paused
• ✓ Don’t try to “lock it in” weeks ahead - appointments can’t be made more than seven days in advance, so set a reminder and schedule as soon as you’re inside that window

DWCF requires appointments for visits. You can schedule by calling (303) 307-2544 or emailing doc_dwcf_visiting@state.co.us. One catch: you can only book up to seven days out. Decide whether you prefer Saturday or Sunday ahead of time, then book promptly once you're within that window.

If the Friday-plus-one-weekend-day rule doesn't fit your situation, ask about a Special Visit. These are designed for people who visit infrequently or travel long distances. You'll need to complete a Special Visitation Application and submit it to DWCF's Visiting Department by mail or email.

1. Get the Special Visitation Application - Request it through the Visiting Department or use the application provided by CDOC for special visitation.
2. Submit your request to the Visiting Department - Send it by email to doc_dwcf_visiting@state.co.us or by mail to the facility’s Visiting Department.
3. Follow up to confirm next steps - Call (303) 307-2544 or email doc_dwcf_visiting@state.co.us to make sure your request was received and to ask what to expect next.

Before you hit the road, confirm your plan with DWCF's Visiting Department. Call (303) 307-2544 or email doc_dwcf_visiting@state.co.us. For general updates, there's also a recorded visiting information line at 303-371-4804 (Option 7).