How to report a crash and get records in Fort Collins

A crash qualifies for a Fort Collins Police Services online report only if nobody died, was injured or needs medical attention; the drivers exchanged information and both agree to report; no public property was damaged; no driver is suspected of driving under the influence or of an insurance, registration or license violation; and the crash happened within the last 60 days. Fort Collins Police Services does not investigate crash reports submitted through the portal.

When should I call 911 after a crash?

Fort Collins Police Services directs you to call 911 immediately in an emergency.

Can I ask Fort Collins police to respond at the scene?

You may call police for assistance at a crash scene if you want an officer to respond. Wait time varies with call volume. Fort Collins Police Services lists 970-419-3273 as its non-emergency phone number.

What information should I exchange if no officer came to the scene?

For an online crash report when no police officer was called to the scene, the Colorado Department of Revenue instructs you to give the other driver your name, telephone number and insurance information.

How do I report a crash through Fort Collins Police Services’ online portal?

You can report a crash through Fort Collins Police Services’ online portal only if it meets the criteria below. When the city is under a crash alert, Fort Collins Police Services advises you to report online if you are involved in a non-injury, non-drug/alcohol crash.

Fort Collins Police Services accepts online crash reports only when:

• Nobody died, was injured or needs medical attention.
• The drivers exchanged information.
• No public property was damaged.
• No driver is suspected of driving under the influence or of insurance, registration or license violations.
• The crash happened within the last 60 days.
• Both parties agree to make an online report.

The portal lists English forms and Spanish versions for:

• Auto Collision - non injury
• Hit and run
• Hit and run - property damage ONLY
• choque automovilístico - no herida
• choque y la persona abandonó el lugar
• choque y la persona abandonó el lugar - solo daños materiales

Fort Collins Police Services does not investigate crash reports submitted through this system. It lets you document incidents for non-criminal purposes, such as insurance. Fort Collins Police Services asks you to:

• Complete the form as accurately and completely as possible.
• Provide whatever partial information you have.
• Submit a separate form for each type of crime or each separate instance.

How do I file a crash report with Colorado if no officer came to the scene?

If no police officer was called to the scene, you may file a crash report online with the Colorado Department of Revenue.

The department calls an online crash report filed by an individual a counter report. Law enforcement does not investigate counter reports; the department keeps them for record purposes only.

Can I report a nonemergency crash in person in Fort Collins?

You may go to the Fort Collins Police Services Records counter at 2221 S. Timberline Road, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., if you want to document a crash in person or are unsure whether further follow-up will be needed. The Fort Collins Police Services records page lists reporting a non-emergency motor vehicle crash as in person only.

How can I get a copy of a Fort Collins police report?

You can request police reports, motor vehicle crash reports, background checks and other official records through Fort Collins Police Services’ online records system. The system lets you track your request status.

When requesting a Fort Collins police report, provide as much incident information as possible, including a case number if available. A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of the request and is based on estimated copy cost and time required.

The Criminal Justice Records Fee Schedule, effective Jan. 1, lists police case reports at a minimum of $10 per ¼ hour or $40 per hour. Report copies cost $0.25 per page in addition to the cost of the report.

Fort Collins Police Services makes copies of crash reports available to people who request them in person or by mail. You can call Police Records at 970-221-6540, option 1. If you cannot use the online records services, you may visit the main Records Unit Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Records Unit is closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

How can I get a copy of a Colorado crash report?

The required forms depend on whose crash report you are requesting:

• For your own report, submit form DR 2559, Permission to Release Driver Records to Self or Another Person, and pay the required fee.
• For someone else’s report, either get that person’s permission and submit form DR 2559 signed by that person, or submit form DR2489, Requestor Release and Affidavit of Intended Use. Either way, pay the required fee.
• A counter report can be requested only with written consent from the driver who submitted it, using form DR 2559.

You may mail a request to the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 173350, Denver, CO 80217-3350, or submit it by appointment at the Westgate Office, 3265 S. Wadsworth Blvd. #3A, Lakewood, CO 80027.

To schedule an appointment, use the Colorado Department of Revenue appointment page and select the Westgate Office, then Driver Records. Crash and other records are available only at that Westgate address, not at Driver License Offices.