You're driving down University Boulevard, maybe heading toward the Cherry Creek Shopping Center or trying to navigate the mess of traffic near I-25, and you realize you need a cop. Not for an emergency—you'd call 911 for that—but for something routine. Maybe it's a fix-it ticket, a records request, or you just need to report a porch pirate who swiped your latest delivery. That's when you start looking for the Denver Police Department District 3 substation. Honestly, it's one of those buildings you probably drive past a thousand times without ever really noticing until you actually need it.
Located at 1625 S. University Blvd, the District 3 substation isn't just a random office building. It’s the nerve center for a massive, diverse chunk of South Denver. We're talking about a jurisdiction that stretches from the high-end boutiques of Cherry Creek all the way down to the residential quiet of Southeast Denver and the busy corridors of University Hills. It's a weird mix of territory. You've got the University of Denver (DU) students keeping things lively, the high-density traffic of Colorado Boulevard, and the expansive greenery of Washington Park all under one watch.
If you’ve lived in Denver long enough, you know that each district has its own vibe. District 3 feels a bit more "neighborhood-centric" than the downtown bustle of District 6 or the industrial stretches of District 1. But don't let the leafy streets fool you. The officers here stay busy.
Why People Actually Visit the District 3 Substation
Most people don't go to a police station because they're having a great day. Usually, you're there because something went sideways.
But here’s a tip: don’t just show up expecting to walk in and see a detective immediately. The Denver Police Department District 3 substation operates more like a hub. If you need a background check or a specific accident report, you might actually be better off using the online portal or heading to the main headquarters downtown, depending on the complexity of the request. However, for "walk-in" reporting of non-emergency crimes that happened specifically within this district’s boundaries, this is your spot.
Sometimes, the lobby is quiet. Other times, it's a waiting game.
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One thing people often get wrong is thinking they can pay their speeding tickets here. Generally, no. Traffic fines and court appearances are handled through the Denver County Court system, not at the local precinct level. The substation is for operations and reporting. It's where the patrol officers start their shifts, where the Commander coordinates with community leaders, and where the Community Resource Officers (CROs) try to bridge the gap between the badge and the residents.
Understanding the Boundaries
District 3 is huge. It covers the southeast quadrant of the city. If you aren't sure if you're in their jurisdiction, think about where you are relative to I-25 and Colorado Blvd.
The district roughly encompasses neighborhoods like:
- Washington Park (and Wash Park West)
- Belcaro and Bonnie Brae
- University Hills and University Park
- Cherry Creek
- Cory-Merrill
- Virginia Village
- Hampden and Hampden South
If you live in these areas, the officers patrolling your street are dispatched from that University Boulevard building. If you're in the tech center area or near the border of Aurora or Englewood, things get a bit blurry. Always check the precinct maps if you're filing a report after the fact, because the first thing a desk officer will ask is, "Did this happen in our district?"
The Reality of Community Policing in South Denver
Let's talk about the Community Resource Officers. Every district has them, but in District 3, they are particularly active because of the high volume of neighborhood associations.
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People in Wash Park or Cory-Merrill are organized. They notice when a car they don't recognize is idling too long. The CROs at the Denver Police Department District 3 substation spend a lot of their time at "Coffee with a Cop" events or neighborhood watch meetings. Is it perfect? No. No police-community relationship is without its friction, especially in a city growing as fast as Denver. But the District 3 team tends to be very responsive to property crime trends, which is the big headache in this part of town.
Garage break-ins and catalytic converter thefts are the "bread and butter" crimes that plague this district. It sucks. It’s invasive. If you’re heading to the substation to report one of these, bring any Ring camera footage or photos on a thumb drive or have them ready to email. The more digital evidence you provide right away, the less back-and-forth you’ll have to do later.
Commander Leadership and Philosophy
The leadership at District 3 often changes every few years as the DPD rotates its command staff. Currently, the focus has been on "precision policing." Basically, that's just a fancy way of saying they try to use data to put cops where the crimes are actually happening instead of just driving around aimlessly.
If there's a spike in retail theft at the Cherry Creek North area, you'll see more cruisers there. If drag racing becomes an issue on South Colorado Blvd on Sunday nights, the District 3 officers are the ones tasked with shutting it down. They have to balance the needs of high-income retail districts with the quiet expectations of residential cul-de-sacs. It’s a tough tightrope.
Things You Might Not Know About the Substation
The building itself is functional, not fancy. Parking can be a bit of a pain if you don't know where to look. There is a small visitor lot, but it fills up fast.
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One thing that surprises people is the "Safe Exchange Zone." If you're selling something on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and you don't want a stranger coming to your house—which you shouldn't—you can meet in the parking lot or the lobby area of the Denver Police Department District 3 substation. It’s monitored, and honestly, if a buyer refuses to meet you at a police station, they were probably going to scam you anyway. It’s a free service that genuinely prevents robberies.
Also, the substation periodically hosts "National Night Out" events. These are actually pretty cool if you have kids. They bring out the specialized units, sometimes the K-9s, and it’s one of the few times you can interact with the officers when they aren't in the middle of a high-stress call.
How to Contact Them (The Right Way)
- Emergencies: 911. Always. Don't call the substation desk for a crime in progress.
- Non-Emergency Dispatch: 720-913-2000. This is for when your car was broken into overnight or you found graffiti on your fence.
- District 3 Front Desk: 720-913-1300. Use this to ask about found property or to see if a specific officer is on duty.
- Abandoned Vehicles: This is a huge issue in South Denver. Don't call the substation; use the 311 system or the Denver 311 website. The cops at the substation don't usually handle the towing of that dusty van that's been sitting in front of your house for three weeks.
Navigating the Bureaucracy
Look, dealing with the police department involves paperwork. Lots of it. If you need a copy of a police report for your insurance company, you can often request it online through the Denver Gov "Records" portal. It saves you a trip to University Blvd.
However, if you're looking for "District 3" specifically to voice a concern about a specific intersection or a recurring nuisance in your neighborhood, you want to ask for the Community Resource Officer. They are the ones who actually have the time to talk through long-term issues. The patrol officers are moving from call to call; they usually can't sit down for thirty minutes to talk about your neighbor's barking dog.
Actionable Steps for Residents
If you live in District 3, don't wait until you're a victim of a crime to engage with the substation.
- Sign up for the District 3 Newsletter. Most Denver police districts send out an email blast that details crime stats for the previous month. It's eye-opening to see exactly what's happening three blocks over.
- Register your cameras. The Denver Police Department has a program where you can "register" your exterior security cameras. They don't get live access to your feed—don't worry, it's not Big Brother—but it lets them know who to ask for footage if a crime happens on your street.
- Use the Safe Exchange Zone. Seriously. If you're trading a $500 iPhone for cash, do it in the District 3 lobby.
- Know your "Sector." District 3 is broken down into smaller sectors. Knowing which one you’re in helps you identify the specific lieutenant responsible for your area.
The Denver Police Department District 3 substation is a tool for the community. It’s not just a place where people get processed; it’s a resource for keeping one of the most beautiful parts of Denver actually livable. Whether you’re reporting a minor fender bender or trying to get a handle on local crime trends, knowing how to navigate this specific substation saves you a lot of time and headache. Just remember to check their hours before heading down, as lobby hours for administrative tasks can sometimes differ from the 24/7 nature of the patrol side.