FOIA Request to Otero County Sheriff’s Office regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Otero County Sheriff’s Office by Centennial State News, seeking access to comprehensive arrest records for the year 2023. The request, sent on September 24, 2025, aims to obtain detailed information under the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-201 et seq., with a preference for receiving the data in electronic format.
The requested records include a variety of data points such as the arrestee’s name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status. Additionally, information about the booking ID, date of arrest, booking photo, names of arresting officers, type and location of crime, and date of crime are also sought. This extensive data collection is intended to aid in reporting efforts that hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public.
Centennial State News emphasizes its role as a media organization dedicated to delivering accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The requestor has highlighted their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government actions through FOIA requests. They have also requested a fee waiver due to their status as media professionals.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
