Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center

By Chris Smith, 3 March, 2024
Name of Warden:
Ryan Long
Description of Facility

Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center is part of the Denver Complex and where Colorado inmates enter into their correctional experience. The Reception and Diagnostic Center can house up to 558 male and female offenders (female offenders are immediately sent to the Denver Women's Correctional Facility reception unit). Youthful offenders may spend several hours here awaiting transfer, but are not housed here.

This facility is responsible for the intake and classification of offenders, which ultimately will determine the facility and needs of the inmate. Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center processes over 16,000 offenders annually.

Denver Reception and Diagnostic has a special medical needs unit and 36 bed infirmary. It also acts as a dialysis care unit.

Facility Telephone Number
303-371-4804
Facility Address

Denver Reception Diagnostic Center
10900 Smith Road
Denver, CO 80239
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate Name, ID Number
Denver Reception Diagnostic Center
P.O. Box 392004
Denver, CO 80239
United States

What you can send an inmate

   Inmates at Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center are allowed the following through the mail:

  • Letters
  • photos 4x6 (no Polaroids, no nudity)
  • calendars without spiral or metal binding
  • soft cover books (content must be appropriate and come new directly from a vendor like Barnes and Noble)
  • pages printed from the internet (no staples or binding)
  • newspaper clippings magazine articles

All mail must have the following:

  • Inmate's Full Name and ID Number
  • Facility address/P.O. Box Number
  • Full return address or JPAY letter ID for offender e-messaging

You can also send an e-mail to an offender located in a Colorado prison.  The e-mail is printed by the mail room and delivered to the inmate.  There is a fee associated with this service, for more information visit JPAY.

Inmates can receive monthly packages that do not exceed the spending limits set by Colorado DOC through the following vendors:

Read the Colorado Department of Corrections policy on inmate mail here.

How Inmate Calls Work

Inmates in Colorado can contact loved ones by telephone through a company called Securus.  Securus charges a low rate per minute, and you can setup an account here.

How to send money to an inmate

Inmates incarcerated in Colorado can receive money through several methods.  These funds can be used to purchase things like telephone minutes, food, stamps, and hygiene items from the canteen.  You will need the inmate's full name and identification number in order to send them money.

You can send funds in three ways:

  • By internet using credit/debit card via three providers
  • In person using cash
    • Through the Kiosk available at select facilities
    • Through Western Union locations
      • Pay to: Colorado Dept. of Corrections
        Code City: CODOC
        State: CO
        Account Number: Inmate DOC# and Last name with no space (for example 1234567Smith)
    • Through MoneyGram locations, using receive code 6556
  • Over the telephone with a debit/credit card
    • Western Union 1-800-634-3422
    • GTL 1-888-988-4768
    • JPAY 1-800-574-5729
How to do an Inmate Search

   Find an inmate's Identification number, current location, and sentencing information by searching the Colorado inmate database.

Visiting Information/FAQs

An approved visitors application must be on file before you can attend a visit, this includes video visits.  All visits at Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center are by appointment only and must be scheduled no more than seven days in advance.

Once your visitors application is approved you can schedule an appointment to visit in two ways:

  • Calling 303-307-2362 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-2:30pm
  • E-mailing doc_drdc_visiting@state.co.us Monday-Friday from 8:30am-2:30pm.  Include the inmate's full name, ID number, and your information as well.

You can fill out and submit a Colorado Inmate visitors application here.
A copy of a valid government issued ID must be submitted with the application.

E-mail your completed application and a copy of your valid photo ID to:
doc_drdc_visiting@state.co.us

Submit your completed application and copy of valid photo ID by mail to:
Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center
P.O. Box 392004
Denver, CO 80239  

In-Person Visiting Hours:
Saturdays and Sundays
8:30am-3:00pm
Visitors are processed into visitation from 8:15am-10am and from 11:30am-1:15pm

Video Visitation:
Daily from 8am-10pm
(kiosks are closed 10am-11am, 3:30p-4:45pm, and 9:15pm-9:45pm)

Video visits can be scheduled through a third party provider GTL.  You will need to have an approved visitors application on file to do a video visit.

Bring a valid government issued photo ID in order to enter into visitation.
You may bring a single debit or credit card to use in the vending machine.

Dress Code
The following clothing is not allowed:

  • Clothes that resembles the clothes of the inmate
  • Clothes that resemble law enforcement or military including camouflage
  • No skirts, dresses, or shorts that expose two inches above the knee or more
  • No halter tops, strapless tops, sheer, or see through, and may not expose the midriff
  • No cargo pants
  • clothing that exposes any breast, genitalia or buttocks, including sheer material, must not show cleavage line at any time weather standing, sitting, or bending down
  • No very tight fit/form fitting attire
  • No wigs or hairpieces or extensions (medical reasons require approval prior to your visit)
  • no flip flops, or shower shoes
  • no hats or gloves

For more information on visiting your incarcerated loved one read the Colorado inmate visitation policy.

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