Missing in Weld County

A person whose whereabouts are unknown and whose safety or welfare is the subject of concern.

Persons who have dementia or a related disability who have a verified developmental disability, or who are 60 years of age or older and have a verified impaired mental condition, whose whereabouts are unknown, and whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the safety and health of the person.

This term also includes persons who:

• Are 13 years of age or younger.
• Regardless of age, are believed or determined to be experiencing one or more of the following circumstances:
• Out of the zone of safety for the person's chronological age and developmental stage.
• Mentally or behaviorally disabled.
• Drug dependent, including prescribed medication and/or illegal substances, and the dependency is potentially life-threatening.
• Absent from home for more than 24 hours before being reported to law enforcement as missing. In a life-threatening situation.
• In the company of others who could endanger the person's welfare.
• Absent in a way that is inconsistent with established patterns of behavior and cannot be readily explained. Most children have an established and reasonably predictable routine.
• Involved in a situation that would cause a reasonable person to conclude the person should be considered at risk.
• Are children under the legal custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services or a county department of human or social services (Colorado Revised State Statute 19-1-115.3).
•  Are Indigenous persons, regardless of whether the person is an adult or child (Colorado Revised State Statute 16-2.7-103, and 24-33.5-431).

No, it is not against the law to be a missing person. The Weld County Sheriff’s Office wants the best outcomes for the members of our community that report missing persons in our jurisdiction.

The most important thing is to report your loved one missing to local law enforcement. The Weld County Sheriff’s Office will take a missing persons report if the missing person resides within our agency’s jurisdiction and the last-known location is the missing person’s residence or is unknown. Or, if there is credible information indicating the missing person was last believed to be within WCSO’s jurisdiction. Gather as much descriptive information as you can to include the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the missing person. Also make sure you clearly state why you believe the person is missing.

For a more information on how to navigate reporting a missing person visit the Colorado Bureau of Investigations website for a missing persons checklist.

WCSO deputies may request to collect or review the following items during the initial missing persons investigation to help locate your loved one:

• A photograph and fingerprint card of the missing person, if available.
• A family-provided item containing biological material from the missing person, if available (e.g., toothbrush, hairbrush).
• Any documents that may assist in the investigation, such as court orders regarding custody.
• Any other evidence that may assist in the investigation, including personal electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, computers).

It is crucial to promptly notify law enforcement about any missing children! Ensure you gather as much descriptive information as you can to include the details about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a child. The following information is helpful to law enforcement:

• Provide a detailed clothing description of what the child was wearing at the time of their disappearance.
• Details about any personal items he or she had at the time they went missing.
• Any personal identification marks, such as birthmarks, scars, tattoos, or mannerisms that my help responding deputies locate the child.
• Provide a photo of the child that shows these identification marks and give it to deputies.
• For a checklist on gathering evidence for a missing child within the first 48 hours visit the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention page.