Colorado public records
Colorado court records, criminal justice records and ordinary CORA agency records follow different access paths. Use the Judicial Branch for a case, the county assessor or recorder for property, and the Secretary of State for a business filing before sending a broad records request.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
Colorado Open Records Act
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-72-201 et seq.
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsColorado Judicial Branch | Use the court's record-search instructions or request documents from the filing court. | Commercial search access and clerk copies may cost money. Dockets, court documents and sealed-case access are separate; a hearing calendar is not a full case file. |
| Property and land recordsColorado Division of Property Taxation | Use the county assessor resources for property valuation and parcel information. | County copy charges vary. Recorded deeds belong with the county clerk and recorder, not the state valuation office. |
| Business recordsColorado Secretary of State | Search the entity name or ID and inspect available filings. | Check the service for any certification or filing charges. An entity's record does not establish ownership of a particular property or professional licensure. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceColorado Department of Public Health and Environment | Select birth, death or other vital-record instructions. | Certificate and verification services have published fees. Eligibility and identification rules apply; marriage and divorce documents may require the local court or county office. |
| Criminal-history checksColorado Bureau of Investigation | Follow CBI's criminal-history and fingerprint service instructions. | Name and fingerprint checks have service-specific fees. A Colorado repository check has different scope from a national fingerprint check or a court docket. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Colorado
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- CORA allows inspection of public records by any person, subject to statutory exceptions. Criminal justice records have a separate legal framework.
- How to submit
- Identify the Colorado agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The ordinary period is three working days, with up to seven additional working days for specified extenuating circumstances.
- Fees and estimates
- The first hour of research and retrieval is generally free under CORA. Further work may be charged under the custodian's published policy and statutory cap.
- If access is denied
- Request a written statement of the grounds for denial. Follow the statutory notice process before seeking district court review.
Colorado records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Colorado public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Colorado Open Records Act (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-72-201 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the agency's executed contract and final expenditure report for [project] covering [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Colorado public records FAQ
Where can I find Colorado court records?
Use the court's record-search instructions or request documents from the filing court. Dockets, court documents and sealed-case access are separate; a hearing calendar is not a full case file.
Sources: Colorado Judicial BranchAre Colorado public records free?
The first hour of research and retrieval is generally free under CORA. Further work may be charged under the custodian's published policy and statutory cap. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Colorado official public-records guidance; Colorado Judicial Branch; Colorado Department of Public Health and EnvironmentHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Colorado?
Select birth, death or other vital-record instructions. Eligibility and identification rules apply; marriage and divorce documents may require the local court or county office.
Sources: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; Colorado Judicial BranchIs a Colorado court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. A Colorado repository check has different scope from a national fingerprint check or a court docket. Follow CBI's criminal-history and fingerprint service instructions.
Sources: Colorado Bureau of Investigation; Colorado Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Colorado official public-records guidance — checked
- Colorado Judicial Branch — checked
- Colorado Division of Property Taxation — checked
- Colorado Secretary of State — checked
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — checked
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions