MORGAN COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Morgan County Public Records?

As provided by the CORA, Morgan county public records include all documentation, written or otherwise, regarding government and other official functions, including disbarment and expenditure of public funds. These records are required to be made available to interested members of the public on request. However, some exceptions exist where persons may not have access to public records. Such exceptions include:

• Cases where State or federal statute, regulation, or a court order prohibits the document's release.
• Cases where disclosure of such records is against the public interest.
• Records containing investigative files kept by law enforcement and others
• Licensing examinations scores
• Electronic mail addresses supplied by a person to a state agency or political subdivision.
• Any other exceptions as specified by the law.

Two kinds of public records recognized under Colorado's public records laws are:

Personal public records: These include documentation containing information about life milestones. Personal public records include marriage records, birth records, death records, divorce records, etc.

Government records: Such public records include court records, crime data, jail records, property tax records, voter records, recorded land records, jail inmate records, etc.

To obtain Morgan county public records, visit the Recording Documents page and follow the instructions.

In addition to government agencies, some public 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.

Morgan Crime Statistics

The Colorado Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) reports data on offenses, arrests, and recovered property across the state. The program uses information from cooperative statistical efforts of various bodies like county sheriffs and law enforcement agencies.

In Morgan County, the sheriff's office compiles crime statistics. To view Morgan County's crime statistics from 2008 to date, visit the Colorado Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) website. On the home page, click on the "Colorado Crime Stats" menu. According to the 2021 report, Morgan county law enforcement reported 2 cases of drugs narcotics violations, 5 cases of DUI, 17 registered cases of violent crime (including Murder, Non-Consensual Sex Offenses, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery), 74 cases of theft (larceny), 25 cases of burglary, 83 cases of fraud, and 30 motor vehicle thefts.

Are Morgan County Criminal Records Public?

Yes. With the exception of warrant information, sealed records, and juvenile records, Morgan county criminal records are publicly available. Colorado's central repository for criminal arrest records, The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has a computerized criminal history (CCH) database. Arrestees' fingerprints are used to store their information on this database.

To find an arrestee's criminal information, visit the Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System website. Click on the "Locate an Offender: Colorado Department of Corrections" prompt. The link will take the user to a search engine where they can input relevant search criteria into indicated fields. The information includes DOC Number (a six-digit identification number that the Department of Corrections assigns inmates), first name, last name, and gender. After entering the needed information, click on "submit".

In addition, persons may look up other third-party websites to find criminal records for Morgan county.

How to Obtain Morgan County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

Law enforcement creates police report documents to detail the entire process of a crime and the apprehension of a suspect. An arrest record enumerates a person’s criminal history. Because Colorado is an open records state, persons may access police and arrest reports in Morgan county via a phone request or online. To access Morgan County police reports and arrest records, interested persons may:

• Place a call or go in person to their local police station or sheriff’s office to obtain name-based arrest records. This service may be free, or in some cases, they may have to pay copying fees.
• Depending on the case, send a request to either the County Court or the District Court clerk.
• Make an online search using Colorado’s Internet Criminal History Check System (ICHC) or Colorado Court Records. These searches cost a fee.
• Contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The Colorado Bureau of Information is responsible for maintaining all public arrest records.
• Use third-party unaffiliated sites to search for public arrest records. Since these sites are unaffiliated with the government agencies, the result may vary slightly.

Some arrest information may not be publicly available, including records sealed by the courts, arrest records submitted without fingerprints, information on arrest records, and juvenile records.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Morgan County

Under Colorado Revised Statute 16-22-111, The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) maintains and updates an online database containing the names, photographs, physical descriptions, addresses, and nature of offenses committed by all registered sexual offenders in the state. The Crimes Bureau of Information website does not list all convicted sex offenders in Colorado because juvenile sex offenders and sex offenders only convicted of misdemeanor sex offenses are not on the website.

Morgan county police department does not have an online sex offender registry. Hence, anyone who wants to find sex offender information in Morgan county should:

• Contact the Morgan County sheriff's office to request a complete list of registered sex offenders in the county.

Alternatively, visit Colorado's Convicted Sex Offender website. Under the search menu, click on search or map search. The search feature allows the user to find offenders by entering their full name and aliases, city, zip code, conviction level, and county. The "map search" provides tabs for users to find offenders by city, address, county, and zip code.

Another option is to use the United State Department of Justice's National Sex Offender website and fill in "Morgan county" in the "location" field.

How to Find Morgan County Inmate Records

Sections 24-72-201 to 206, C.R.S of Colorado's Open Records Act (CORA) and sections 24-72-301 to 309, C.R.S. of the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), allow the public to inspect government records in the state. To find Morgan County inmate records under CORA Policy, request the CORA request form from the Morgan County Clerk and Recorder by mail via clerkmorganc@co.morgan.co.us or in person at the county clerk's office address:

231 Ensign Street, P.O. Box 1399
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
Phone: (970) 542-3521 option 4
Fax: (970) 542-3553

Fill out and send back the form to the county clerk's office. They will forward it to the custodian of inmates' records.

If the records are readily available under C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1, the requester may pick them up within three working days (not including the request date). But if the custodian cannot produce it within three days, they will notify the requester and extend the time by up to 7 additional working days. Charges for photocopies are $0.25 per standard page. The requester should be able to provide the name, arrest date and time, booking agency, sex, holding facility, age, etc, ill make it easier to find the inmate record they are looking for.

In addition, searchers may use third-party websites that provide inmate record searches.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Morgan County Jail?

There are two provisions for visitors to visit inmates in Morgan County jail; in-person visitation and video visitation.

In-person visit: Any person that will visit an inmate in Morgan county jail must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list, which the correctional facility has reviewed. Because inmates are only allowed one visitor per day, visitors must Contact Morgan County Detention Center beforehand and schedule an appointment date and time with the inmate. Walk-in visits are sometimes permitted but on a first-come, first-serve basis.

After confirming the visitation appointment with the facility, the visitor should be aware of the guidelines, dress code, and general conduct for visitors. Visitors who are minors must go with a parent or guardian who must fill out a minor authorization form.

Video Visitations: Like in-person visitation, all visits through the video visitation system require the inmate to create a user account with the jail. Visitors must also register in the Inmate Visitation system and be on the inmate’s approved visitors list before scheduling an online visit appointment with the inmate. After reviewing and verifying the information, the jail facility will allow the inmates to make and receive video visits. The video visits cost some charges, which the visitor will pay.

All visitors, whether by video or in-person, must present valid, government-issued photo identification. To schedule a visit to Morgan county jail and for additional information regarding Morgan County Detention Center visitation, call the county jail at (970) 542-3455.

Morgan County Court Records

Morgan county's judicial system comprises a combined court, including a district, county, and municipal courts.

The district court has general jurisdiction over all civil (including broad civil claims without financial limits. District Courts also handle domestic relations, probate matters, juvenile matters, adoptions, paternity, divorce, and divorce-related cases like property splitting, child custody, child support, mental health cases) and criminal cases (including felonies and lesser-included offenses) cases. They also strictly handle cases involving probate issues, mental health (including commitment, restoration to competency, and the appointment of conservators), divorce, annulment, legal separation, and matters involving children (including custody, child support, guardianship, adoption, and delinquency) and issues involving disputes over boundaries or title to real property and any other cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

District Courts share jurisdiction over domestic violence protection orders with County and Municipal Courts.

County Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain cases, including misdemeanors, petty offenses, and preliminary hearings for all types of criminal cases. County Courts share criminal jurisdiction with District Courts, including general civil cases for less than $15,000. County Courts share jurisdiction with District Courts over name changes and requests for temporary and permanent civil restraining orders, including protection orders.

Morgan County Combined Court (District and County courts) address as provided by the Colorado Judicial branch is:

400 Warner Street
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
(970) 542-5200
Fax: (970) 542-7091

The addresses for Morgan County's municipal courts are as follows:

Brush Municipal Court
600 Edison Street,
Brush, CO 80723
Phone: (970) 842-5074
Fax: (970) 842-5077

Fort Morgan Municipal Court
901 East Beaver Avenue,
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
Phone: (970) 542-3950
Fax: (970) 542-3947

Hillrose Municipal Court
315B Emerson Street,
P.O. Box 1,
Hillrose, CO 80733
Phone: (970) 847-3761
Fax: (970) 847-3761

Log Lane Village Municipal Court
109 Maine Street,
Log Lane Village, CO 80705
Phone: (970) 867-8027

Wiggins Municipal Court
304 Central Avenue,
Wiggins, CO 80654
Phone: (970) 483-6161

Are Morgan County Court Records Public?

Yes, Morgan County’s court records are open for public inspection and copying under Colorado’s Open Records Access act. To inspect a court case file or document, visit or contact the court in which the action was filed.

Some third-party vendors provide users access to records by name or case number for a fee. However, case documents are not available from these commercial sites. Contact the individual court where the documents were filed to retrieve case documents.

Juvenile court records, sealed court records, and any other legally prohibited records are not open to public inspection.

Colorado court records are also accessible online through the court docket search tool provided on the Colorado Judicial Branch’s website. Enter the district (Morgan County belongs to the 13th district), county, and other available parameters. Then click on “search docket”.The results displayed depend on the search parameters entered.

How to Obtain Morgan County Civil Court Case Records

To inspect or request Morgan County civil court case records, download and complete a record/document request form. The requester should provide a United States government-issued photo identification. Asides from providing their full name and mailing information on the form. Then they are also expected to fill in the case number they request, the case type, the year the case was filed, the county where it was filed, and other specific information. The applicable fees for each request are at the bottom of the form. Upon completing the form, return it to the Obion county court clerk. The expected time of response is three days.

Also, the Colorado state archives provide access to research county and district court cases in Colorado. Users can inspect the court records by giving the county or district court where the action was filed and a case number. To make a formal request for a document, users should use the digital form provided on the archive page, submit a mail request, or visit the research room in person. Viewing the record in person is free, but persons who need copies must pay a fee.

How to Obtain Morgan County Criminal Court Records

Under Colorado's statutes, documents filed are public documents and accessible for public inspection and retrieval. District courts handle criminal cases in Colorado. To acquire a criminal court record in Morgan county, go to the Morgan County district court. Provide the court clerk with the names, dates, and other required information to the court clerk.

What are Morgan County Vital Records?

Morgan County Vital Records are files related to an individual's marriage, birth, domestic partnerships, death, divorce, and any other milestones in a person's life that the government documents. Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment is responsible for recording vital records in the state. Other government agencies that hold Morgan county's vital records include the County's vital records office, the County clerk and recorder's offices, Morgan county's District court clerks, and the Colorado State Archives.

Per Colorado state's statute (C.R.S. 25-2-117), vital records, including birth, death, adoption, marriage, and divorce, are confidential rather than public records. Hence, not everyone can access them, and it is impossible to search for them online. To access Morgan county vital records, one must meet specific eligibility and identification criteria, depending on the vital records they seek. Also, to obtain certified copies of these vital records, one must pay particular fees, according to Colorado state's statute (C.R.S section 25-2-121).

Where and How to Obtain Morgan County Divorce Records

Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment is responsible for recording vital records in the state. To access an original copy of a divorce decree record in Morgan county:

• Visit or mail the Morgan County’s District court
• There, submit a records request to the clerk of courts.
• Provide information matching the divorce case, such as names, dates, and location of court where the divorce happened, etc.

The requester must pay a non-refundable fee of $17 for a certified divorce certificate, and if they request more than one copy at the same time, the extra copies will cost $10 each.

The Colorado State Archives is another place to obtain Morgan County's divorce records for cases between 1889-1922 in the district court and 1889-1915 in the county court. However, the state archives do not have many divorce records for persons who are still alive. Such persons should contact the district court.

Only eligible persons may access a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment divorce record. Eligible persons include those whose names appear on the divorce decree, their legal representatives, or others who can present proof of their relationship or direct and tangible interest with the subjects of the divorce. Eligible persons may also purchase a copy of a divorce certificate online or divorce verification from 1900-1939, and from 1975 to present, from the Colorado’s Office of the State Registrar. DIvorce verifications only contain the names, date, and county where the divorce happened.

Where and How to Get Public Morgan County Marriage Records

According to Colorado state statutes (25-2-106 and section 14-2-109, C.R.S), the county clerk and recorder is responsible for issuing certified copies of marriage certificates and civil unions.

For marriages that took place in Morgan county, the marriage records are obtainable by sending a request to the county clerk and recorder's office. A certified marriage record costs $17 for the first certified copy and $13 for each additional copy.

Also, the Colorado State Archives holds marriage records for marriages before 1960. The records maintained by the state archives include marriage certificates, licenses, marriage applications, and marriage registers, which the department may copy for searchers at a fee.

In addition, Colorado has a statewide Marriage Index ranging from the year 1890-1939 included in their Archives Search database. Persons can request marriage records from the Colorado state archives by submitting a formal request, an email request, or making an appointment to visit the research room in person. These services come at a fee, depending on the number of copies requested.

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Morgan County

Although Colorado is an open records state, according to Colorado state statute (C.R.S. 25-2-117), vital records, including marriage records, are confidential, cannot be searched online, and may only be released to eligible persons. Contact the county clerk and recorder to obtain a marriage record in Morgan county.

Where and How to Find Morgan County Birth Records

According to C.R.S. section 25-2-112, Colorado state's public health and environment department prepares birth certificates. Hence, to find a Morgan county birth record, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) vital records section. The birth certificates are obtainable online, via phone, or by appointment for an in-person consultation. Follow the instructions on the colorado department of public health and environment website. A single certified copy costs $20, and additional copies cost $13 each. Extra fees apply for online orders.

Anyone requesting a birth record must provide proof of their relationship with the named party or evidence of direct and tangible interest. Asides from the registrant themselves, other eligible persons must still provide proof of relationship or genuine interest. Other eligible persons may include their current spouse, ex-spouse, the registrant on the certificate, their spouse, parents or step-parents, legal guardian, and any other legal representative. Identification requirement is either one primary identification document (e.g., a Colorado permanent resident card, a U.S certificate of citizenship, etc.) or two secondary identification documents (e.g., a US-issued marriage license or certification, an international driving license issued by a foreign country's state or province, a U.S-issued Driver's License or ID Card, a Colorado Medicaid Card, etc.).

Visit the state's archives to view and obtain a copy of birth certificates, delayed birth certificates, birth ledgers, dockets, books, and other birth records before 1908.

Where and How to Find Morgan County Death Records

The Colorado Department of Public Health and environment issues death certificates within the state. Contact Colorado's vital records office under the Department of Public Health to find a Morgan county death record.

Persons requesting a person's death record must submit identification and proof of eligibility and pay a non-refundable fee of $20 for the first copy and $13 for each additional copy. Requests are made online, by mail, or by phone. Online and phone requests take around 30 days to process. Persons who are eligible to retrieve a death record include:

• The owner's direct relatives (spouse, parents or step-parents, children or grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents or grandparents, siblings or half-siblings, step-children, etc.)
• Legal representatives
• Coroners
• Hospitals
• Insurance companies
• Probate researchers
• Genealogists
• Creditors
• Government agencies and other entities with a vested interest, etc.

Also, the Colorado State Archives holds death records (Death Certificate, Register of Deaths, Death Books, Burial Permits, Burial Application, Burial Record, Coroner's Account, and Coroner's Inquest) for deaths that occurred before 1908. Theserecords are obtainable by requesting the archives department online, by phone, by mail, or in-person request.