Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility

By Chris Smith, 2 March, 2024
Name of Warden:
Mark Fairbairn
Description of Facility

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility is located in Ordway Colorado. The facility is considered a level III correctional institution and can house 1,089 inmates. This facility has been operational since 1987. In addition to general population inmates, Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility contains a protective custody unit, a re-entry pod, a maintenance unit, an incentive living unit. Colorado Department of Corrections offers inmates the opportunity to participate in various educational, vocational, and treatment programs while incarcerated here.

Facility Telephone Number
719-267-3520
Facility Address

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
12750 Hwy 96 at Lane 13
Ordway, CO 81034
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate Name, ID Number
Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
12750 Hwy 96 at Lane 13
Ordway, CO 81034
United States

What you can send an inmate

   Inmates at Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility 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 their inmate over the telephone through a company called Securus.  Securus charges a low rate per minute, and you will need to setup an account on their website in order to receive calls.

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, 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 are by appointment only and must be scheduled at least seven days in advance.

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.

Submit your completed application and copy of valid photo ID by mail to:
AVCF
12750 Highway 96 at Lane 13
Ordway, CO 81034

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility requires you to schedule your visit by calling the institution directly Monday-Thursday 9am-3pm at:
719-267-5137
Alternatively, you can schedule your visiting appointment online by doing the following:

  • E-mail DOC_AVCF_Visiting@state.co.us
    • Include the inmates full name and DOC number in the message
    • Include the full names and date of births for all visitors who will attend the visiting session
    • The name of the individual owner of the e-mail account
    • Requests are only processed Monday-Thursday from 9am-3pm

All visits are limited to three adults and three children, but may change if space become limited.  Only 35 visiting reservations are allowed a day so be sure to request an appointment early.

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.
   
In-Person Visiting Hours:

Fridays
Protective Custody: 
9:00am-12:00pm
General Population:  
12:30pm-3:30pm

Saturdays
General Population: 
10:30am-3:30pm (No visits on the first Saturday of the month)
Protective Custody: 
10:30am-3:30pm (Only visits on the first Saturday of the month)

Sundays
General Population:
10:30am-3:30pm

Mondays
Re-entry Pod:
9:00am-12:00pm

Processing of visitors will cease during the final 90 minutes of a visiting session.  You should arrive no earlier then 30 minutes to the start of a visiting time.

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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