Colorado Public Records
The mission of the State Records website is to provide public records to anyone who wishes to obtain, preview, or use such information. This website allows Colorado residents to access this information in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act, which specifies that all government information and records are available to the public.
This information is available to all members of the general public. It is presented immediately and concisely without requiring any personal information unless the record in question is confidential by law.
Information through Colorado State Records includes criminal records, court records, and vital records and includes over 47 million transparent public records.
Are Colorado Records Public?
The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) ensures public access to most records generated by public agencies. The act states that any interested person can inspect or duplicate public records by submitting a request to the record custodian. Colorado provides an expansive definition of public records that includes information created or maintained by the state, an institution, political subdivision, or agency of the state. Public records also include information used by an appointed or elected public official to conduct public business or other lawful functions.
What is Considered Public Information in Colorado?
Some examples of public records include:
- Bankruptcy records
- Court records
- Sex offender information
- Inmate records
- Criminal records as well as arrest records
- Criminal history records and related information
- Vital records, including marriage and divorce records
Under the CORA, public agencies must provide access to all non-exempt records regardless of their physical form or characteristics. This means that agencies keeping records in the form of writings, recordings, documents, photographs, or other materials must allow the inspection or copying of these records if requested at reasonable times. Based on the Public Record Act request, an individual in need of information accessible to the public can carry out a public data search. Certain federal agencies and third-party sites provide a level of free public data search.
Unless exempt from public disclosure, agencies must furnish requesters with desired records or properly notify the requester if the record is unavailable. If a requested record is not in a custodian’s possession, the person must notify the requester of the reason for the record’s absence, the correct location of the record, and the custodian in charge (C.R.S. 24-72-203(2)(a)) Article 72 Public records.
How Do I Find Public Records in Colorado?
Colorado agencies allow all requesters to find public records. However, record custodians at these agencies only provide records to persons who submit official requests. Requesters seeking needed data may send a request to the Colorado department responsible for it. The process required to obtain a record may vary slightly between agencies. Regardless, requesters unsure about how to check for public records in Colorado may follow these steps:
- Decide on the record.
Requesters must first decide on the type of information required. Colorado has several types of public records, including court records, inmate records, and property records. Knowing the information required helps the requester to figure out what public record to request for, and whether or not the record is considered public under the CORA.
- Identify the custodian agency
The requester must identify the custodian agency after deciding on the type of record. For instance, persons seeking information on divorces must request Colorado divorce records from the relevant courts. Similarly, information on arrests is obtainable from law enforcement agencies, such as sheriff’s offices and police departments.
- Create a request
A request containing exhaustive information helps the record custodian to locate the record. Although the CORA does not prohibit oral requests, record seekers are advised to create written requests. In some cases, Colorado agencies may specify their preferred option. Generally, most agencies require record seekers to request in writing.
Although required information for public requests may differ between agencies and record types, all requests should contain the following:
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The type of record
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A detailed description of the record, including names, dates, case numbers, or citation numbers
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The requester’s details, including a full name, phone number, and other contact information
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Submit the request
After a proper review, record seekers may submit requests via different methods. Colorado agencies usually offer multiple options, such as mail, fax, email, online, and in-person requests. Requests for copies of public records also cost varying fees depending on the record type and volume. Agencies may specify that record seekers pay with cash, check, money order, or online.
Requesters should note that there are certain differences among request methods. For instance, in-person and online requests are usually faster than mail requests and may cost less. On the other hand, most agencies do not provide certified copies of desired records online. Record seekers may consider these factors before deciding on a request method.
Please note that in the state of Colorado vital records are not considered public hence, only those who are permitted by the law can access them.
Using Third-Party Sites
City Records
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Public Records
Public records can also be accessed from third-party websites. These third-party public records aggregate websites offer search services that are non-geographically limited, making the search result expansive and typically straightforward. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record as long as the subject is not a juvenile
- The last known or location of the record subject
Third-party public records search websites are not government-sponsored services. Therefore, the availability and accuracy of results can vary.
How Do I Look Up Public Records in Colorado for Free?
Persons interested in looking up Colorado public records for free may consider applying for a free inspection of its records. Some third-party sites offer a degree of free public records search depending on what is sorted and the scope. Record seekers may also gain access to free public records Colorado agencies create by searching online. Some government agencies maintain searchable online databases containing certain non-confidential public records. For instance, the Colorado Department of Corrections keeps a public registry of incarcerated persons. Users may search by DOC number, last name, first name, and gender. In addition, the requester can visit the county clerk’s office or the county recorder’s office to request to inspect records accessible by the public for free.
The state of Colorado began recording public records in 1870, and these records may cover all 64 counties. Over the past 30 years, digitalization of these records has become more standard, and are becoming more available through both government and third party websites. This allows Colorado citizens to abide by the commitment of the United States of America to remain a fair and just society for all.
