Colorado Public Records: A Complete Research Guide

Last Updated on March 21, 2026 by Editorial Staff

Colorado public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206. The law establishes a presumption that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, unless a record has been specifically made non-public by law. Colorado also maintains a separate Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309 that governs access to law enforcement and criminal records with a somewhat more restrictive standard than CORA.

Residents frequently perform a Colorado public records search — sometimes called a Colorado CORA request, Colorado open records search, or Colorado government records lookup — to locate court filings, property ownership data, criminal case information, business registrations, vital records, inmate information, and other government documents. CORA covers every state agency, county, city, town, school district, special district, public highway authority, regional transportation authority, housing authority, and state institution of higher education.

Public records in Colorado are distributed across state agencies and 64 county governments. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) provides a public online criminal history search tool, and the Colorado Judicial Branch offers a statewide court case lookup. Understanding which agency maintains each record type is the key to researching public records effectively in Colorado.

Quick Answer: Where to Search Colorado Public Records

The most important free and low-cost government databases for researching Colorado public records include:

• Colorado Courts Record Search (courts.state.co.us) — statewide case search for civil, criminal, and traffic cases; free to search, fees for some records
• CBI Internet Criminal History Check (cbirecordscheck.com) — public online name-based criminal history search; $6/search
• CBI Sex Offender Registry (Colorado Sex Offender Registry) — free statewide sex offender registry via CBI
• Colorado DOC Offender Search (doc.state.co.us) — Colorado Department of Corrections inmate search; free
• Colorado Secretary of State Business Search (sos.state.co.us) — corporations, LLCs, and business registrations; free
• County Assessor portals — property ownership, valuation, and tax records; most are free online by county
• County Clerk and Recorder portals — deeds, mortgages, and recorded property documents by county
• CDPHE Vital Records (cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords) — birth and death certificates; $25/copy effective Jan. 1, 2026 (previously $20); marriage and divorce records through county clerk and recorder and district courts
• Colorado DORA License Lookup (dora.colorado.gov) — professional license verification; free

These systems provide access to the majority of publicly searchable government records in Colorado.

⚠️ Legal Notice

Colorado public records law is governed by two separate statutes: the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206) for general government records, and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309) for law enforcement and criminal justice records. CORA presumes openness; the CCJRA applies a more limited disclosure standard, particularly for investigative records. Common exemption categories under CORA include personnel records, attorney-client privileged communications, trade secrets, deliberative process documents, and records specifically made confidential by other statutes. Criminal justice records that are not “records of official action” may be withheld if disclosure would be “contrary to the public interest.”

This guide explains lawful public records research methods and does not constitute legal advice.

Why This Guide Is Reliable

This guide is written by the research team at inet-investigation.com and based directly on the text of CORA (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 et seq.) and the CCJRA (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 et seq.), the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition’s open government guide, official agency websites including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Judicial Branch, and the Colorado Secretary of State. We cite specific statutory provisions so readers can verify our statements independently. We update our guides when laws or agency procedures change. We do not accept payment from agencies, databases, or third-party vendors to shape our content.

Why Colorado Public Records Law Is Distinctive

Colorado has one of the shortest response deadlines in the country — three working days — with a seven-day extension. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203(3)(b), public records custodians must respond to CORA requests within three working days. If extenuating circumstances exist, agencies may extend this by up to seven additional working days, notifying the requester of the reason. Media organizations and journalists retain the original three-day deadline without the extension. This is among the tightest statutory timelines in the nation — compared to five days in Washington and Illinois, and no fixed deadline in Arizona or Ohio.

Colorado’s CORA fee structure has a built-in inflation adjustment and can create significant cost barriers. CORA allows the first hour of staff time for research and retrieval to be provided free of charge. Beyond one hour, agencies may charge up to a maximum hourly rate that is adjusted annually for inflation — the rate jumped to $41.37 per hour effective July 1, 2024 (up from $33.58), a 23% increase. Copying costs are up to $0.25 per page. Electronic records in existing digital form may not be charged a per-page copying fee. These fees can make large or complex requests expensive, and the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition has noted that exorbitant fees represent a significant practical barrier to public records access in the state.

Colorado has two separate records acts — CORA for general records and the CCJRA for criminal justice records. This dual-statute framework is important for researchers. CORA requests go to government agencies generally; CCJRA requests go specifically to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and other criminal justice bodies. The CCJRA distinguishes between “records of official action” (generally public) and investigative or intelligence records (which may be withheld if disclosure is contrary to the public interest). Researchers who submit a CORA request to a law enforcement agency will typically have it redirected to the CCJRA framework, which has different rules.

Colorado’s CBI Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) is one of the most accessible public criminal history tools in the country. Unlike Virginia (no public online search), Arizona (no public DPS search), or Michigan (ICHAT limited to convictions), Colorado’s CBI provides an online public name-based search of arrest and criminal history records at cbirecordscheck.com for $6 per search. The system returns both arrests and convictions — not just convictions. This makes Colorado one of the more transparent states for public criminal history access. Sealed records and juvenile records are excluded from the public search.

Colorado has enacted one of the country’s most progressive automatic record sealing systems. Under 2022 legislation and subsequent updates, Colorado automatically seals certain arrest records that did not result in conviction without requiring a court petition. Arrests on or after January 1, 2022 with no filed charges are automatically sealed within one year of the arrest. Older arrest records without convictions are being sealed on a rolling schedule through 2027. This means the CBI’s public ICHC database is progressively shrinking as more non-conviction records are removed from public view.

Agencies may not require requesters to show ID for CORA requests — with a critical exception. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203(1)(a), government entities are not permitted to require CORA requesters to show identification unless the requested records are confidential or available only to a “person in interest.” However, this provision does not apply to law enforcement agencies, many of which do require ID for records accessible under the CCJRA. This is a meaningful distinction that researchers should understand when making requests.

The Legal Framework

Colorado Court Records

Colorado’s court system has four levels: the Colorado Supreme Court (appellate), the Colorado Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate), District Courts (trial courts of general jurisdiction), and County Courts (limited jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases). Colorado has 22 judicial districts covering 64 counties. Court records in Colorado are public records subject to CORA and specific court rules, with exceptions for sealed, juvenile, and certain sensitive records.

Statewide Online Case Search

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides public online access to court case information through the Colorado Courts Record Search at courts.state.co.us. The system covers civil, criminal, traffic, and domestic relations cases across Colorado courts. Basic case information — party names, case type, filing date, charges, and disposition — is free to search. Accessing full documents may require a fee of approximately $7 per document or a subscription. Not all courts have complete document images available online; for comprehensive records in rural counties, contact the specific court clerk.

Denver District Court

Denver County is also a city — the City and County of Denver — making it a combined jurisdiction. Denver District Court covers the largest single-jurisdiction docket in the state. Denver court records are included in the statewide search system but may also be accessed directly through the Denver courts system.

Federal Court Records

Colorado has one federal judicial district — the District of Colorado — with the main courthouse in Denver. Federal case records are available through PACER (pacer.gov) at $0.10 per page after a $30 quarterly free threshold.

Sealed and Juvenile Records

Juvenile delinquency records are confidential in Colorado and not publicly accessible. Adult criminal records may be sealed by court order or through Colorado’s automatic sealing provisions (C.R.S. § 24-72-704). Sealed records are removed from the public CBI database and court search systems. Records that have been sealed pursuant to court order are no longer accessible through public portals.

Colorado Criminal Records

CBI Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) — Public Online Search

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) maintains Colorado’s criminal history records and provides a free-to-access Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) at cbirecordscheck.com. This is one of the most accessible public criminal history tools in the country. Any person may search for Colorado criminal history by entering a subject’s name and date of birth. Each search costs $6 (non-refundable regardless of result). The system returns both arrests and convictions from the CBI’s criminal history database, excluding sealed records, juvenile records, and traffic arrests for persons under 16.

For a notarized Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) document — useful for official purposes — the fee is $13, processed by mail or in person at the CBI office in Lakewood. Fingerprint-based searches, which are more definitive, cost $16.50–$19.50 for state-only results.

Colorado’s Dual Criminal Records Framework

Colorado has two statutes governing criminal records access. CORA applies to general government records; the CCJRA (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309) applies specifically to criminal justice records. Under the CCJRA, “records of official action” — including arrest records, charges filed, and court dispositions — are generally public. However, “intelligence information,” victim and witness information, and active investigative files may be withheld if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest. Law enforcement agencies receiving CORA requests for criminal records will process them under the CCJRA framework.

Automatic Sealing — A Progressive and Expanding Limitation

Colorado enacted sweeping automatic record sealing legislation that progressively removes non-conviction arrest records from public access. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-704, the CBI automatically seals arrest records where no charges were filed, on the following schedule: arrests from 2022 onward seal within one year; arrests from 2019–2021 with no conviction are being sealed on a rolling basis through 2027. This means the public ICHC database is an increasingly incomplete picture of Colorado arrest history, as more older records are removed over time.

Sex Offender Registry

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains the Colorado Sex Offender Registry at colorado.gov/apps/cdps/sor. The registry is free and searchable by name or location. Colorado law requires sex offenders to register with local law enforcement in the jurisdiction where they reside. The public registry includes Level II and Level III offenders and sexually violent predators. Level I (low risk) offenders are not listed on the public registry.

Colorado Property Records

Colorado property records are maintained at the county level across two offices: the County Assessor (property ownership, valuation, and tax records) and the County Clerk and Recorder (recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, and easements). Colorado has 64 counties — including Denver, which is both a city and a county. There is no statewide consolidated property records database; researchers must go to the correct county.

County Clerk and Recorder — Recorded Documents

The County Clerk and Recorder is the official recorder of real property instruments in Colorado. Deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, releases, and plats are recorded here. When property is sold, the deed is recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder in the county where the property is located. Colorado requires a Real Property Transfer Declaration (TD-1000) to be submitted with recorded deeds. This form discloses the sale price and is generally accessible as a public record, making Colorado effectively a disclosure state where sale prices are determinable from the TD-1000 form. Most Colorado county clerk and recorder websites provide free online searching of recorded documents; many provide free document images as well.

County Assessor — Ownership and Valuation

The County Assessor maintains current property ownership, assessed values, property tax classification, and property characteristics. Colorado assessors conduct reappraisals on an 18-month cycle. Most county assessor websites provide free online searching by owner name, address, or parcel number. Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, and Boulder counties all have feature-rich online assessor search tools.

Colorado Business Records

The Colorado Secretary of State maintains business entity records for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and other registered entities at sos.state.co.us/biz. The free online search provides entity status, registered agent information, principal office address, and filing history. Colorado also maintains UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statement filings through the Secretary of State, which are publicly searchable.

Colorado requires businesses to file annual reports (called Periodic Reports) with the Secretary of State. Failure to file results in the entity being placed in delinquent status, which is visible in the public search. This makes the Colorado business search a useful tool for verifying whether a business is currently in good standing.

Colorado Vital Records

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Vital Records Office maintains statewide birth and death records. Vital records are confidential in Colorado — they are not public records and are accessible only to authorized individuals. Local county health departments across Colorado also issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events within their jurisdictions.

Fees and Ordering

Effective January 1, 2026, the fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $25 for the first copy and $20 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. (Prior to January 1, 2026, the fee was $20/$13.) Records may be ordered online through VitalChek or GoCertificates (authorized vendors), by mail, or in person at the CDPHE office in Denver (by appointment only) or at any county vital records office. The CDPHE’s standard processing time for online orders is approximately 30 business days; county offices may be faster. Birth records from 1900 and death records from 1908 are available through state and county offices.

Who Can Obtain Certified Copies

Authorized individuals include the person named on the record (age 18+), parents, step-parents, siblings, adult children, spouses or domestic partners, and legal guardians. As of October 2024, grandparents are no longer automatically eligible to obtain birth certificates for grandchildren — they must provide a court order of legal guardianship or other documented legal interest. All applicants must provide valid government-issued photo ID.

Marriage, Divorce, and Historical Records

Marriage licenses and civil union licenses in Colorado are issued by the County Clerk and Recorder in the county where the license is obtained. Certified copies of marriage records are obtained from the county clerk and recorder or from CDPHE (for marriages from 1975 to present). Divorce, separation, and annulment records are maintained by the District Court clerk in the county where the case was filed. Colorado began statewide vital records registration in 1907; earlier records may be found at the Colorado State Archives (colorado.gov/archives) and through genealogical databases.

Colorado Inmate and Corrections Records

The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) maintains a free public Offender Search at doc.state.co.us. The search covers individuals currently incarcerated in Colorado state correctional facilities, individuals on parole supervision, and individuals who have been released. Results include offense information, sentence details, and current facility or parole status.

County jail records are maintained by individual county sheriff’s offices. Most Colorado county sheriffs maintain online jail rosters or inmate lookups. Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, Denver, El Paso County, and Adams County all provide online inmate search tools.

Professional License Records

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) (dora.colorado.gov) is the primary licensing authority for the majority of regulated professions in Colorado. DORA oversees more than 50 licensing boards covering professions including physicians, nurses, attorneys, engineers, architects, contractors, real estate agents, mental health counselors, and many others. DORA’s free online license search (apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx) is searchable by name, license number, or profession type and includes current license status and disciplinary history.

The Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Registration maintains the official attorney roster at coloradosupremecourt.com. Attorney license status, bar number, and public discipline records are searchable online.

Charity and Nonprofit Records

Charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Colorado are required to register with the Colorado Secretary of State. The Secretary of State’s Charities and Fundraisers database (sos.state.co.us/ccsa) provides free public access to registration status, annual reports, and financial information for registered organizations. Colorado requires registration for organizations raising more than $25,000 from Colorado donors, or those using professional fundraisers.

For federal tax-exempt organizations, the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov/app/eos) provides free access to Form 990 returns and exemption status. ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits) also provides searchable Form 990 data for Colorado nonprofits.

How to Submit a Colorado CORA Request

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may request public records from any Colorado government agency under CORA. Written requests are not technically required for all CORA requests, but are strongly recommended. Agencies may require written requests under their own policies. For law enforcement records subject to the CCJRA, written requests are standard practice.

Step 1 — Identify the Correct Act and Agency

Determine whether your request falls under CORA (general government records) or the CCJRA (law enforcement and criminal justice records). Then identify which specific agency holds the records. For court records, contact the clerk of the relevant court. For property records, contact the relevant county assessor or clerk and recorder. CORA requests must go to the specific agency that holds the records — there is no central clearinghouse.

Step 2 — Locate the Agency’s CORA Custodian

Agencies covered by CORA must designate a records custodian. The Colorado Secretary of State maintains a list of CORA officers for state agencies. For local governments, check the county or city website. Some agencies post CORA request forms and contact information prominently; others require contacting the agency directly to identify the custodian.

Step 3 — Write Your Request

Describe the records you want with sufficient specificity for the agency to identify and locate them. You do not need to cite CORA by name — agencies should treat any request for government records as a CORA request. Broad or open-ended requests (such as “all emails ever sent by the department”) may result in high fees or requests for clarification. The agency may contact you within three working days to clarify an overly broad request, which stops the response clock until you clarify. Include your preferred format for receiving records (electronic preferred, as no per-page fee applies to existing digital records).

Step 4 — Track the Three-Day Clock

The three-working-day response period begins the first working day after the agency receives your request. A request received after a cutoff time (commonly noon or 3 p.m., varying by agency) or on a closed day is treated as received the following working day. If the agency cannot respond within three working days, it may notify you of an extension of up to seven additional working days, citing the specific extenuating circumstances. Keep a written record of when you submitted your request and when you received any response.

Step 5 — Address Fees, Appeals, or Litigation

For large requests, ask for a fee estimate before the agency begins work. CORA requires the first hour of research and retrieval to be free; fees kick in after that at up to $41.37 per hour (as of July 2024). If records are withheld, the agency must cite the specific statutory provision justifying the withholding. There is no administrative appeal body in Colorado — if you believe a denial is improper, you may pursue enforcement through the district court. Substantially prevailing requesters are entitled to attorney’s fees and costs. The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition (coloradofoic.org) provides guidance and resources for researchers navigating CORA disputes.

Free Government Databases for Colorado Public Records

Common Mistakes When Researching Colorado Public Records

Submitting a CORA request to a law enforcement agency without understanding the CCJRA applies. Many researchers send standard CORA requests to police departments, sheriff’s offices, or the CBI without realizing that criminal justice records are governed by the separate CCJRA framework. The CCJRA allows agencies to withhold investigative and intelligence records that CORA would require to be disclosed, and applies a “contrary to the public interest” balancing test for non-official-action records. Knowing which statute applies to your specific request — and framing your request accordingly — can significantly affect the outcome.

Assuming the CBI ICHC shows a complete criminal history. Colorado’s public ICHC database at cbirecordscheck.com shows arrests and convictions, but excludes sealed records, juvenile records, and traffic arrests for persons under 16. Crucially, Colorado’s automatic sealing law is progressively removing older non-conviction arrest records from the database through 2027. The ICHC is therefore an increasingly incomplete picture of historical arrest activity. For employment background checks requiring comprehensive history, fingerprint-based checks through authorized programs are more complete.

Underestimating CORA fees for large requests. Colorado’s research and retrieval fee of $41.37 per hour (as of July 2024, inflation-adjusted annually) can make voluminous requests expensive quickly. The first hour is free, but a request requiring five hours of staff time would cost over $165 in labor fees alone, plus copying costs. Before submitting a broad request, narrow it as specifically as possible, request electronic versions of records (which avoids per-page copying fees), and ask for a cost estimate before the agency begins work. You can then decide whether to proceed or narrow the request.

Not understanding that multiple requests within 14 days count as one for fee purposes. Under HB24-1296, effective in 2024, agencies may treat all CORA requests submitted by the same person within a 14-calendar-day window as a single request for purposes of calculating research and retrieval fees. This means the one free hour applies to the entire batch of requests combined, not to each individual request. Researchers who submit multiple targeted requests in quick succession may find their collective free time consumed faster than expected.

Searching only the county of the most recent address for property records. Colorado property records are county-specific, and all 64 counties maintain separate Assessor and Clerk and Recorder systems. There is no statewide property search portal. If a person owns property in multiple counties, researchers must search each county individually. City boundaries in Colorado frequently cross county lines — a Denver address is in Denver County, but suburban addresses that appear to be “Denver” may be in Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, or Douglas counties.

Expecting walk-in vital records service at the CDPHE state office. The Colorado CDPHE Vital Records Office in Denver operates by appointment only — there is no walk-in service at the state office. For same-day or in-person vital records service, researchers must visit a local county health department vital records office, which does accept in-person requests. Standard processing for online orders through CDPHE takes approximately 30 business days, making advance planning essential for time-sensitive needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Colorado public records open to anyone?

Yes — Colorado’s CORA imposes no residency requirement and no citizenship requirement. Any person may request public records. Agencies generally cannot require requesters to show ID for standard CORA requests, though law enforcement agencies subject to the CCJRA may require identification. Requesters do not need to explain why they want the records.

Does Colorado have a FOIA law?

Colorado does not use the term “FOIA” — that refers to the federal Freedom of Information Act, which covers only federal agencies. Colorado’s state open records law is the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206). For law enforcement and criminal justice records, the separate Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309) applies. Agencies that receive requests citing “FOIA” should treat them as CORA requests. Colorado’s three-working-day response deadline is one of the tightest in the country.

Are Colorado criminal records public?

Arrest and conviction records are publicly accessible through the CBI’s online Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) at cbirecordscheck.com for $6 per name search. The system shows both arrests and convictions (unlike some states that show only convictions), but excludes sealed records, juvenile records, and certain traffic arrests. Colorado’s automatic sealing law is progressively removing older non-conviction arrest records from public access through 2027. Court case records are also publicly searchable through the Colorado Courts Record Search system.

Where are Colorado property records searched?

Colorado property research requires two offices in the correct county out of 64. The County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents — deeds, mortgages, liens — for the county where the property is located. The County Assessor maintains ownership, valuation, and tax records. Colorado requires a Real Property Transfer Declaration (TD-1000) with each recorded deed, which typically discloses the sale price — making sale prices generally determinable from public records. Most county assessor and clerk and recorder websites provide free online access.

Are Colorado arrest records public?

Current arrest records are generally public under the CCJRA as “records of official action.” The CBI’s public ICHC database shows arrests from participating law enforcement agencies statewide. However, sealed records — including those automatically sealed under Colorado’s progressive sealing law — are not accessible through public searches. Non-conviction arrest records for more recent years are being automatically sealed on a rolling basis. For very recent arrests, county sheriff jail rosters and police department booking logs may be more current than the CBI database.

Can a Colorado public agency charge fees for records?

Yes. Colorado agencies may charge for research and retrieval time beyond the first free hour, at a maximum rate of $41.37 per hour (as of July 2024, adjusted annually for inflation). Copying costs are up to $0.25 per page for paper copies; existing electronic records may not be charged per-page fees. Agencies may require a fee deposit before beginning work on a large request. For commercial requests, agencies may charge “reasonable cost” and take up to 30 working days to respond. There is no general fee waiver provision in CORA, though agencies have discretion to reduce fees.

Final Thoughts

Colorado’s public records framework has genuine strengths: the three-working-day response deadline is among the tightest in the country, the CBI’s public online criminal history search is unusually accessible compared to peer states, and the progressive automatic sealing of non-conviction arrest records reflects thoughtful criminal justice reform. The Colorado Courts Record Search covers the full state court system, and property records in most counties are readily accessible online with sale prices disclosed through the TD-1000 form.

The main practical challenge for Colorado researchers is fees. The $41.37 hourly rate — which jumped 23% in a single year in 2024 — can make large or complex requests expensive. The inflation adjustment built into the statute means this rate will continue to rise. Researchers who submit broad requests without first narrowing their scope may face unexpectedly high bills. The dual CORA/CCJRA framework also creates complexity for anyone researching law enforcement records, since the standards for withholding are meaningfully different under the two statutes.

For the most common research tasks: start criminal history searches at the CBI ICHC ($6/search at cbirecordscheck.com); for court records use the Colorado Courts Record Search (courts.state.co.us); for property records, identify the correct county and search both the County Assessor (ownership and valuation) and County Clerk and Recorder (deeds and liens); for vital records, use a county health department office for in-person same-day service or CDPHE online with a 30-business-day wait ($25/copy as of January 2026).

Related Guides

• Arizona Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Washington Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• California Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Texas Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Illinois Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• How to Search Property Records Step by Step
• How FOIA Requests Work
• Best Government Databases for Background Research

Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Public records laws and agency procedures change over time. Always verify current law and agency requirements directly with the relevant government office or a licensed Colorado attorney before relying on this information for legal or official purposes.Colorado public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206. The law establishes a presumption that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, unless a record has been specifically made non-public by law. Colorado also maintains a separate Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309 that governs access to law enforcement and criminal records with a somewhat more restrictive standard than CORA.

Residents frequently perform a Colorado public records search — sometimes called a Colorado CORA request, Colorado open records search, or Colorado government records lookup — to locate court filings, property ownership data, criminal case information, business registrations, vital records, inmate information, and other government documents. CORA covers every state agency, county, city, town, school district, special district, public highway authority, regional transportation authority, housing authority, and state institution of higher education.

Public records in Colorado are distributed across state agencies and 64 county governments. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) provides a public online criminal history search tool, and the Colorado Judicial Branch offers a statewide court case lookup. Understanding which agency maintains each record type is the key to researching public records effectively in Colorado.

Quick Answer: Where to Search Colorado Public Records

The most important free and low-cost government databases for researching Colorado public records include:

• Colorado Courts Record Search (courts.state.co.us) — statewide case search for civil, criminal, and traffic cases; free to search, fees for some records
• CBI Internet Criminal History Check (cbirecordscheck.com) — public online name-based criminal history search; $6/search
• CBI Sex Offender Registry (Colorado Sex Offender Registry) — free statewide sex offender registry via CBI
• Colorado DOC Offender Search (doc.state.co.us) — Colorado Department of Corrections inmate search; free
• Colorado Secretary of State Business Search (sos.state.co.us) — corporations, LLCs, and business registrations; free
• County Assessor portals — property ownership, valuation, and tax records; most are free online by county
• County Clerk and Recorder portals — deeds, mortgages, and recorded property documents by county
• CDPHE Vital Records (cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords) — birth and death certificates; $25/copy effective Jan. 1, 2026 (previously $20); marriage and divorce records through county clerk and recorder and district courts
• Colorado DORA License Lookup (dora.colorado.gov) — professional license verification; free

These systems provide access to the majority of publicly searchable government records in Colorado.

⚠️ Legal Notice

Colorado public records law is governed by two separate statutes: the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206) for general government records, and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309) for law enforcement and criminal justice records. CORA presumes openness; the CCJRA applies a more limited disclosure standard, particularly for investigative records. Common exemption categories under CORA include personnel records, attorney-client privileged communications, trade secrets, deliberative process documents, and records specifically made confidential by other statutes. Criminal justice records that are not “records of official action” may be withheld if disclosure would be “contrary to the public interest.”

This guide explains lawful public records research methods and does not constitute legal advice.

Why This Guide Is Reliable

This guide is written by the research team at inet-investigation.com and based directly on the text of CORA (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 et seq.) and the CCJRA (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 et seq.), the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition’s open government guide, official agency websites including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Judicial Branch, and the Colorado Secretary of State. We cite specific statutory provisions so readers can verify our statements independently. We update our guides when laws or agency procedures change. We do not accept payment from agencies, databases, or third-party vendors to shape our content.

Why Colorado Public Records Law Is Distinctive

Colorado has one of the shortest response deadlines in the country — three working days — with a seven-day extension. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203(3)(b), public records custodians must respond to CORA requests within three working days. If extenuating circumstances exist, agencies may extend this by up to seven additional working days, notifying the requester of the reason. Media organizations and journalists retain the original three-day deadline without the extension. This is among the tightest statutory timelines in the nation — compared to five days in Washington and Illinois, and no fixed deadline in Arizona or Ohio.

Colorado’s CORA fee structure has a built-in inflation adjustment and can create significant cost barriers. CORA allows the first hour of staff time for research and retrieval to be provided free of charge. Beyond one hour, agencies may charge up to a maximum hourly rate that is adjusted annually for inflation — the rate jumped to $41.37 per hour effective July 1, 2024 (up from $33.58), a 23% increase. Copying costs are up to $0.25 per page. Electronic records in existing digital form may not be charged a per-page copying fee. These fees can make large or complex requests expensive, and the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition has noted that exorbitant fees represent a significant practical barrier to public records access in the state.

Colorado has two separate records acts — CORA for general records and the CCJRA for criminal justice records. This dual-statute framework is important for researchers. CORA requests go to government agencies generally; CCJRA requests go specifically to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and other criminal justice bodies. The CCJRA distinguishes between “records of official action” (generally public) and investigative or intelligence records (which may be withheld if disclosure is contrary to the public interest). Researchers who submit a CORA request to a law enforcement agency will typically have it redirected to the CCJRA framework, which has different rules.

Colorado’s CBI Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) is one of the most accessible public criminal history tools in the country. Unlike Virginia (no public online search), Arizona (no public DPS search), or Michigan (ICHAT limited to convictions), Colorado’s CBI provides an online public name-based search of arrest and criminal history records at cbirecordscheck.com for $6 per search. The system returns both arrests and convictions — not just convictions. This makes Colorado one of the more transparent states for public criminal history access. Sealed records and juvenile records are excluded from the public search.

Colorado has enacted one of the country’s most progressive automatic record sealing systems. Under 2022 legislation and subsequent updates, Colorado automatically seals certain arrest records that did not result in conviction without requiring a court petition. Arrests on or after January 1, 2022 with no filed charges are automatically sealed within one year of the arrest. Older arrest records without convictions are being sealed on a rolling schedule through 2027. This means the CBI’s public ICHC database is progressively shrinking as more non-conviction records are removed from public view.

Agencies may not require requesters to show ID for CORA requests — with a critical exception. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203(1)(a), government entities are not permitted to require CORA requesters to show identification unless the requested records are confidential or available only to a “person in interest.” However, this provision does not apply to law enforcement agencies, many of which do require ID for records accessible under the CCJRA. This is a meaningful distinction that researchers should understand when making requests.

The Legal Framework

Colorado Court Records

Colorado’s court system has four levels: the Colorado Supreme Court (appellate), the Colorado Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate), District Courts (trial courts of general jurisdiction), and County Courts (limited jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases). Colorado has 22 judicial districts covering 64 counties. Court records in Colorado are public records subject to CORA and specific court rules, with exceptions for sealed, juvenile, and certain sensitive records.

Statewide Online Case Search

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides public online access to court case information through the Colorado Courts Record Search at courts.state.co.us. The system covers civil, criminal, traffic, and domestic relations cases across Colorado courts. Basic case information — party names, case type, filing date, charges, and disposition — is free to search. Accessing full documents may require a fee of approximately $7 per document or a subscription. Not all courts have complete document images available online; for comprehensive records in rural counties, contact the specific court clerk.

Denver District Court

Denver County is also a city — the City and County of Denver — making it a combined jurisdiction. Denver District Court covers the largest single-jurisdiction docket in the state. Denver court records are included in the statewide search system but may also be accessed directly through the Denver courts system.

Federal Court Records

Colorado has one federal judicial district — the District of Colorado — with the main courthouse in Denver. Federal case records are available through PACER (pacer.gov) at $0.10 per page after a $30 quarterly free threshold.

Sealed and Juvenile Records

Juvenile delinquency records are confidential in Colorado and not publicly accessible. Adult criminal records may be sealed by court order or through Colorado’s automatic sealing provisions (C.R.S. § 24-72-704). Sealed records are removed from the public CBI database and court search systems. Records that have been sealed pursuant to court order are no longer accessible through public portals.

Colorado Criminal Records

CBI Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) — Public Online Search

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) maintains Colorado’s criminal history records and provides a free-to-access Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) at cbirecordscheck.com. This is one of the most accessible public criminal history tools in the country. Any person may search for Colorado criminal history by entering a subject’s name and date of birth. Each search costs $6 (non-refundable regardless of result). The system returns both arrests and convictions from the CBI’s criminal history database, excluding sealed records, juvenile records, and traffic arrests for persons under 16.

For a notarized Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) document — useful for official purposes — the fee is $13, processed by mail or in person at the CBI office in Lakewood. Fingerprint-based searches, which are more definitive, cost $16.50–$19.50 for state-only results.

Colorado’s Dual Criminal Records Framework

Colorado has two statutes governing criminal records access. CORA applies to general government records; the CCJRA (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309) applies specifically to criminal justice records. Under the CCJRA, “records of official action” — including arrest records, charges filed, and court dispositions — are generally public. However, “intelligence information,” victim and witness information, and active investigative files may be withheld if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest. Law enforcement agencies receiving CORA requests for criminal records will process them under the CCJRA framework.

Automatic Sealing — A Progressive and Expanding Limitation

Colorado enacted sweeping automatic record sealing legislation that progressively removes non-conviction arrest records from public access. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-704, the CBI automatically seals arrest records where no charges were filed, on the following schedule: arrests from 2022 onward seal within one year; arrests from 2019–2021 with no conviction are being sealed on a rolling basis through 2027. This means the public ICHC database is an increasingly incomplete picture of Colorado arrest history, as more older records are removed over time.

Sex Offender Registry

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains the Colorado Sex Offender Registry at colorado.gov/apps/cdps/sor. The registry is free and searchable by name or location. Colorado law requires sex offenders to register with local law enforcement in the jurisdiction where they reside. The public registry includes Level II and Level III offenders and sexually violent predators. Level I (low risk) offenders are not listed on the public registry.

Colorado Property Records

Colorado property records are maintained at the county level across two offices: the County Assessor (property ownership, valuation, and tax records) and the County Clerk and Recorder (recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, and easements). Colorado has 64 counties — including Denver, which is both a city and a county. There is no statewide consolidated property records database; researchers must go to the correct county.

County Clerk and Recorder — Recorded Documents

The County Clerk and Recorder is the official recorder of real property instruments in Colorado. Deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, releases, and plats are recorded here. When property is sold, the deed is recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder in the county where the property is located. Colorado requires a Real Property Transfer Declaration (TD-1000) to be submitted with recorded deeds. This form discloses the sale price and is generally accessible as a public record, making Colorado effectively a disclosure state where sale prices are determinable from the TD-1000 form. Most Colorado county clerk and recorder websites provide free online searching of recorded documents; many provide free document images as well.

County Assessor — Ownership and Valuation

The County Assessor maintains current property ownership, assessed values, property tax classification, and property characteristics. Colorado assessors conduct reappraisals on an 18-month cycle. Most county assessor websites provide free online searching by owner name, address, or parcel number. Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, and Boulder counties all have feature-rich online assessor search tools.

Colorado Business Records

The Colorado Secretary of State maintains business entity records for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and other registered entities at sos.state.co.us/biz. The free online search provides entity status, registered agent information, principal office address, and filing history. Colorado also maintains UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statement filings through the Secretary of State, which are publicly searchable.

Colorado requires businesses to file annual reports (called Periodic Reports) with the Secretary of State. Failure to file results in the entity being placed in delinquent status, which is visible in the public search. This makes the Colorado business search a useful tool for verifying whether a business is currently in good standing.

Colorado Vital Records

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Vital Records Office maintains statewide birth and death records. Vital records are confidential in Colorado — they are not public records and are accessible only to authorized individuals. Local county health departments across Colorado also issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events within their jurisdictions.

Fees and Ordering

Effective January 1, 2026, the fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $25 for the first copy and $20 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. (Prior to January 1, 2026, the fee was $20/$13.) Records may be ordered online through VitalChek or GoCertificates (authorized vendors), by mail, or in person at the CDPHE office in Denver (by appointment only) or at any county vital records office. The CDPHE’s standard processing time for online orders is approximately 30 business days; county offices may be faster. Birth records from 1900 and death records from 1908 are available through state and county offices.

Who Can Obtain Certified Copies

Authorized individuals include the person named on the record (age 18+), parents, step-parents, siblings, adult children, spouses or domestic partners, and legal guardians. As of October 2024, grandparents are no longer automatically eligible to obtain birth certificates for grandchildren — they must provide a court order of legal guardianship or other documented legal interest. All applicants must provide valid government-issued photo ID.

Marriage, Divorce, and Historical Records

Marriage licenses and civil union licenses in Colorado are issued by the County Clerk and Recorder in the county where the license is obtained. Certified copies of marriage records are obtained from the county clerk and recorder or from CDPHE (for marriages from 1975 to present). Divorce, separation, and annulment records are maintained by the District Court clerk in the county where the case was filed. Colorado began statewide vital records registration in 1907; earlier records may be found at the Colorado State Archives (colorado.gov/archives) and through genealogical databases.

Colorado Inmate and Corrections Records

The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) maintains a free public Offender Search at doc.state.co.us. The search covers individuals currently incarcerated in Colorado state correctional facilities, individuals on parole supervision, and individuals who have been released. Results include offense information, sentence details, and current facility or parole status.

County jail records are maintained by individual county sheriff’s offices. Most Colorado county sheriffs maintain online jail rosters or inmate lookups. Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, Denver, El Paso County, and Adams County all provide online inmate search tools.

Professional License Records

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) (dora.colorado.gov) is the primary licensing authority for the majority of regulated professions in Colorado. DORA oversees more than 50 licensing boards covering professions including physicians, nurses, attorneys, engineers, architects, contractors, real estate agents, mental health counselors, and many others. DORA’s free online license search (apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx) is searchable by name, license number, or profession type and includes current license status and disciplinary history.

The Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Registration maintains the official attorney roster at coloradosupremecourt.com. Attorney license status, bar number, and public discipline records are searchable online.

Charity and Nonprofit Records

Charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Colorado are required to register with the Colorado Secretary of State. The Secretary of State’s Charities and Fundraisers database (sos.state.co.us/ccsa) provides free public access to registration status, annual reports, and financial information for registered organizations. Colorado requires registration for organizations raising more than $25,000 from Colorado donors, or those using professional fundraisers.

For federal tax-exempt organizations, the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov/app/eos) provides free access to Form 990 returns and exemption status. ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits) also provides searchable Form 990 data for Colorado nonprofits.

How to Submit a Colorado CORA Request

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may request public records from any Colorado government agency under CORA. Written requests are not technically required for all CORA requests, but are strongly recommended. Agencies may require written requests under their own policies. For law enforcement records subject to the CCJRA, written requests are standard practice.

Step 1 — Identify the Correct Act and Agency

Determine whether your request falls under CORA (general government records) or the CCJRA (law enforcement and criminal justice records). Then identify which specific agency holds the records. For court records, contact the clerk of the relevant court. For property records, contact the relevant county assessor or clerk and recorder. CORA requests must go to the specific agency that holds the records — there is no central clearinghouse.

Step 2 — Locate the Agency’s CORA Custodian

Agencies covered by CORA must designate a records custodian. The Colorado Secretary of State maintains a list of CORA officers for state agencies. For local governments, check the county or city website. Some agencies post CORA request forms and contact information prominently; others require contacting the agency directly to identify the custodian.

Step 3 — Write Your Request

Describe the records you want with sufficient specificity for the agency to identify and locate them. You do not need to cite CORA by name — agencies should treat any request for government records as a CORA request. Broad or open-ended requests (such as “all emails ever sent by the department”) may result in high fees or requests for clarification. The agency may contact you within three working days to clarify an overly broad request, which stops the response clock until you clarify. Include your preferred format for receiving records (electronic preferred, as no per-page fee applies to existing digital records).

Step 4 — Track the Three-Day Clock

The three-working-day response period begins the first working day after the agency receives your request. A request received after a cutoff time (commonly noon or 3 p.m., varying by agency) or on a closed day is treated as received the following working day. If the agency cannot respond within three working days, it may notify you of an extension of up to seven additional working days, citing the specific extenuating circumstances. Keep a written record of when you submitted your request and when you received any response.

Step 5 — Address Fees, Appeals, or Litigation

For large requests, ask for a fee estimate before the agency begins work. CORA requires the first hour of research and retrieval to be free; fees kick in after that at up to $41.37 per hour (as of July 2024). If records are withheld, the agency must cite the specific statutory provision justifying the withholding. There is no administrative appeal body in Colorado — if you believe a denial is improper, you may pursue enforcement through the district court. Substantially prevailing requesters are entitled to attorney’s fees and costs. The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition (coloradofoic.org) provides guidance and resources for researchers navigating CORA disputes.

Free Government Databases for Colorado Public Records

Common Mistakes When Researching Colorado Public Records

Submitting a CORA request to a law enforcement agency without understanding the CCJRA applies. Many researchers send standard CORA requests to police departments, sheriff’s offices, or the CBI without realizing that criminal justice records are governed by the separate CCJRA framework. The CCJRA allows agencies to withhold investigative and intelligence records that CORA would require to be disclosed, and applies a “contrary to the public interest” balancing test for non-official-action records. Knowing which statute applies to your specific request — and framing your request accordingly — can significantly affect the outcome.

Assuming the CBI ICHC shows a complete criminal history. Colorado’s public ICHC database at cbirecordscheck.com shows arrests and convictions, but excludes sealed records, juvenile records, and traffic arrests for persons under 16. Crucially, Colorado’s automatic sealing law is progressively removing older non-conviction arrest records from the database through 2027. The ICHC is therefore an increasingly incomplete picture of historical arrest activity. For employment background checks requiring comprehensive history, fingerprint-based checks through authorized programs are more complete.

Underestimating CORA fees for large requests. Colorado’s research and retrieval fee of $41.37 per hour (as of July 2024, inflation-adjusted annually) can make voluminous requests expensive quickly. The first hour is free, but a request requiring five hours of staff time would cost over $165 in labor fees alone, plus copying costs. Before submitting a broad request, narrow it as specifically as possible, request electronic versions of records (which avoids per-page copying fees), and ask for a cost estimate before the agency begins work. You can then decide whether to proceed or narrow the request.

Not understanding that multiple requests within 14 days count as one for fee purposes. Under HB24-1296, effective in 2024, agencies may treat all CORA requests submitted by the same person within a 14-calendar-day window as a single request for purposes of calculating research and retrieval fees. This means the one free hour applies to the entire batch of requests combined, not to each individual request. Researchers who submit multiple targeted requests in quick succession may find their collective free time consumed faster than expected.

Searching only the county of the most recent address for property records. Colorado property records are county-specific, and all 64 counties maintain separate Assessor and Clerk and Recorder systems. There is no statewide property search portal. If a person owns property in multiple counties, researchers must search each county individually. City boundaries in Colorado frequently cross county lines — a Denver address is in Denver County, but suburban addresses that appear to be “Denver” may be in Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, or Douglas counties.

Expecting walk-in vital records service at the CDPHE state office. The Colorado CDPHE Vital Records Office in Denver operates by appointment only — there is no walk-in service at the state office. For same-day or in-person vital records service, researchers must visit a local county health department vital records office, which does accept in-person requests. Standard processing for online orders through CDPHE takes approximately 30 business days, making advance planning essential for time-sensitive needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Colorado public records open to anyone?

Yes — Colorado’s CORA imposes no residency requirement and no citizenship requirement. Any person may request public records. Agencies generally cannot require requesters to show ID for standard CORA requests, though law enforcement agencies subject to the CCJRA may require identification. Requesters do not need to explain why they want the records.

Does Colorado have a FOIA law?

Colorado does not use the term “FOIA” — that refers to the federal Freedom of Information Act, which covers only federal agencies. Colorado’s state open records law is the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206). For law enforcement and criminal justice records, the separate Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 24-72-309) applies. Agencies that receive requests citing “FOIA” should treat them as CORA requests. Colorado’s three-working-day response deadline is one of the tightest in the country.

Are Colorado criminal records public?

Arrest and conviction records are publicly accessible through the CBI’s online Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) at cbirecordscheck.com for $6 per name search. The system shows both arrests and convictions (unlike some states that show only convictions), but excludes sealed records, juvenile records, and certain traffic arrests. Colorado’s automatic sealing law is progressively removing older non-conviction arrest records from public access through 2027. Court case records are also publicly searchable through the Colorado Courts Record Search system.

Where are Colorado property records searched?

Colorado property research requires two offices in the correct county out of 64. The County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents — deeds, mortgages, liens — for the county where the property is located. The County Assessor maintains ownership, valuation, and tax records. Colorado requires a Real Property Transfer Declaration (TD-1000) with each recorded deed, which typically discloses the sale price — making sale prices generally determinable from public records. Most county assessor and clerk and recorder websites provide free online access.

Are Colorado arrest records public?

Current arrest records are generally public under the CCJRA as “records of official action.” The CBI’s public ICHC database shows arrests from participating law enforcement agencies statewide. However, sealed records — including those automatically sealed under Colorado’s progressive sealing law — are not accessible through public searches. Non-conviction arrest records for more recent years are being automatically sealed on a rolling basis. For very recent arrests, county sheriff jail rosters and police department booking logs may be more current than the CBI database.

Can a Colorado public agency charge fees for records?

Yes. Colorado agencies may charge for research and retrieval time beyond the first free hour, at a maximum rate of $41.37 per hour (as of July 2024, adjusted annually for inflation). Copying costs are up to $0.25 per page for paper copies; existing electronic records may not be charged per-page fees. Agencies may require a fee deposit before beginning work on a large request. For commercial requests, agencies may charge “reasonable cost” and take up to 30 working days to respond. There is no general fee waiver provision in CORA, though agencies have discretion to reduce fees.

Final Thoughts

Colorado’s public records framework has genuine strengths: the three-working-day response deadline is among the tightest in the country, the CBI’s public online criminal history search is unusually accessible compared to peer states, and the progressive automatic sealing of non-conviction arrest records reflects thoughtful criminal justice reform. The Colorado Courts Record Search covers the full state court system, and property records in most counties are readily accessible online with sale prices disclosed through the TD-1000 form.

The main practical challenge for Colorado researchers is fees. The $41.37 hourly rate — which jumped 23% in a single year in 2024 — can make large or complex requests expensive. The inflation adjustment built into the statute means this rate will continue to rise. Researchers who submit broad requests without first narrowing their scope may face unexpectedly high bills. The dual CORA/CCJRA framework also creates complexity for anyone researching law enforcement records, since the standards for withholding are meaningfully different under the two statutes.

For the most common research tasks: start criminal history searches at the CBI ICHC ($6/search at cbirecordscheck.com); for court records use the Colorado Courts Record Search (courts.state.co.us); for property records, identify the correct county and search both the County Assessor (ownership and valuation) and County Clerk and Recorder (deeds and liens); for vital records, use a county health department office for in-person same-day service or CDPHE online with a 30-business-day wait ($25/copy as of January 2026).

Related Guides

• Arizona Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Washington Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• California Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Texas Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Illinois Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• How to Search Property Records Step by Step
• How FOIA Requests Work
• Best Government Databases for Background Research

Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Public records laws and agency procedures change over time. Always verify current law and agency requirements directly with the relevant government office or a licensed Colorado attorney before relying on this information for legal or official purposes.