Public records refer to any filed or recorded documents, reports, licenses, photographs, and other forms of information open for public inspection. Public records include government-related files, policies and procedures, criminal records, driving records, and more.
Local, state, and federal government agencies are responsible for maintaining public records. Each agency sets forth guidelines regarding access, retrieval, fees, and other policies. Public records are available by mail, in person, or online and usually have a fee.
Although the law declares public records as open and available for people to inspect, it’s not always easy to obtain them. There are fees, restrictions, and time constraints to consider. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive guide to public records in Colorado. We will begin with the laws behind public records.
Which federal laws apply to public records in the United States?
The federal law that is the basis of many states’ open records laws is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which was established in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The FOIA went into effect in 1967.
The FOIA allows public access to records from federal government agencies. The law requires that federal agencies produce documents when requested unless exempted by law. If the information is exempt, the agency responsible must explain why the information is considered confidential and cannot be released.
How does Colorado law define public records?
The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), as described in Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) Section 24-72-201, gives citizens the right to inspect public records at reasonable times. CORA provides the public with access to government documents unless otherwise exempted by law.
Official custodians of public records can create inspection guidelines to protect records and prevent unnecessary interruptions with the custodians’ regular job duties. Colorado uses the term “custodian” to refer to the official person or agency who maintains the public records in question.
Colorado statute defines public records as all writings created, maintained, or kept by the following:
- The state
- Any agency, institution, or a nonprofit corporation incorporated per CRS 23-5-121(2)
- A state political subdivision or any local-government-financed entity that runs on public funds
- Elected officials’ correspondence
Per section CRS 24-72-203 (3)(b), the state has three working days to produce records if not readily available when requested. If there are extenuating circumstances, the state has seven working days to deliver the requested records.
Exemptions
There are exemptions to the Colorado Open Records Act. The following records are considered confidential or exempt:
- Criminal justice records
- Work product prepared for elected officials unless released by elected officials
- College invest information, data, and records
- Trade secrets
- Vital records
- Public agency security plans
- State medical marijuana licensing authority information
You can find an entire list of exemptions here.
If you are denied access to a public record, you have the right to ask the specific agency for a written statement explaining what regulations or laws mandate that your request be denied.
This article will cover public records in detail, including court records, criminal records, vital records, business records, and more.
Court Records
Below is a look at how Colorado’s court system works, what court records are publicly available, and how to search for court records.
Colorado’s State Court System
The Colorado Judicial Branch consists of a Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, 22 district courts (one per judicial district), 64 county courts (one per county), water courts (one for each of the seven main water basins), and municipal courts.
The county and municipal courts in Denver are integrated and administratively separate from the state court system.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is responsible for the state’s judicial system administration.
Appellate Courts
The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals make up Colorado’s appellate courts.
- Court of Appeals: The Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court. It is typically the first court of appeals for district courts, Denver Juvenile Court, and Denver Probate Court. It has the final say unless the Colorado Supreme Court reviews the decision. The Court of Appeals is responsible for reviewing certain state administrative agency decisions.
- Supreme Court: Colorado’s state court system’s court of last resort. The court hears appeals from the Court of Appeals; however, appropriate parties can petition the Supreme Court directly about a lower court’s decision in some instances. The Supreme Court has one chief justice and six associate judges.
Trial Courts
There are several levels of trial courts in Colorado, including the following:
District Courts
District Courts hear civil cases in any amount. Colorado’s trial court of general jurisdiction hears criminal, domestic relations, juvenile, mental health, and probate cases. There are 22 judicial district courts made up of one or more counties each.
Decisions made in district courts may be appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals. Certain cases can be appealed directly to the Colorado Supreme Court.
County Courts
Civil cases that do not exceed $25,000, traffic infractions, misdemeanors, felony complaints, small claims, and protection orders head to County Court. Felony complaints may be sent to District Court. Individuals can appeal county court case decisions to the district court. Colorado has 64 counties; there is one county court for each county.
Water Courts
All matters having to do with water (water rights, use, and administration of water, etc.) are heard in water courts. There is one water court per major river basin in Colorado. There are seven total water courts.
Denver Juvenile Court
The Denver Juvenile Court, located in the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 W. Colfax Avenue in Denver, is responsible for hearing juvenile cases. If a juvenile is charged with a crime, this is where they will be prosecuted. The state offers helpful advice regarding how juvenile court works here.
Juvenile Court typically makes a decision in a matter of weeks rather than months or years, which adults can face when being prosecuted.
Juvenile records are considered confidential and are not available to the general public.
Probate Court
The Denver Probate Court, also known as the 24th Judicial District, was established in 1962 and is the only city in Colorado with a special probate court founded on a constitutional amendment, the Judicial Reform Amendment.
The Probate Court has jurisdiction over conservator, guardian, administrator appointments and account settlements, settlements of deceased persons’ estates, mentally ill rulings, and other probate matters.
Are court records public information?
Per CORA, court records are public information and can be inspected by any person at reasonable times. Court records are also subject to Chief Justice Directive (CJD) 05-01, the Criminal Justice Records Act (CRA) § 24-72-301 et. seq, the Supreme Court Rule on Public Access to Information and Records (P.A.I.R.R.), and P.A.I.R.R. 2.
Exceptions
The following court records are considered confidential and not available to the general public unless a court orders otherwise:
- Adoption cases
- Dependency & Neglect cases
- Domestic Relations cases (except the redacted Decree of Dissolution and/or Separation Agreement)
- Expunged cases
- Individually sealed documents
- Judicial Bypass cases
- Juvenile Delinquency cases
- Mental Health cases
- Paternity cases
- Relinquishment cases
- Sealed cases
- Truancy cases
The public cannot access the following information or documents that may be found in a court record unless the court orders otherwise:
- Credit reports
- Criminal history
- Paternity tests
- Deposited wills
- Draft opinions, notes, or internal memos
- Driver history
- Drug/Alcohol treatment information, evaluations, and reports
- Files/fields/codes re the court’s deliberative process
- Genetic testing information
- HIV/AIDS test information
- Individual scholastic achievement data
- Juror questionnaires
- Medical/mental health information
- Probation ICON/Eclipse files
- Psychological/intelligence test information
- Dangerous materials, exhibits, or contraband
- Drugs
- Items whose possession is illegal
- Pre-sentence reports
- Custody investigation reports
- Child abuse investigation reports
If you request public records that contain any of the sensitive, confidential information below, that information will be redacted prior to the record being released to you:
- Any information the court orders as confidential
- Driver License numbers
- Financial account numbers, excluding the use of the last few digits
- Personal identification numbers, such as a student ID, passport, or state ID
- Social Security numbers
- Identifying information of the victim in sexual assault cases
Additional documentation regarding public access to court records are listed below:
- LINC State Court Administrator 05-01 LINC Records Policy
- Health Care Policy and Finance Access
- SCA Policy for DOC to receive the ASR
Search Colorado Court Records
The Colorado Judicial Branch does not provide access to trial court case documents or information on their website. To obtain copies of court documents, you must call, email, or visit the district or county court where the case was filed. You can find specific court information (address, email, phone number, hours, etc.) below:
- District Court Cases: There are 22 district courts in Colorado. You can find specific contact information regarding the court where the case was filed here.
- County Court Cases: There are 64 counties, each with its own courthouse in Colorado. You can find specific contact information for the county court where the case was filed here.
- Court Dockets: You can conduct a court docket search online. You will need to provide the county where the case was filed, the specific court (county, district, or both), case number, the party’s first and last name, attorney bar number, division, and date range you are looking for.
Search Online through Third Party Vendors
You can also search online by name or case number using one of the vendors listed below; however, you cannot obtain any copies of documents from these sites, and there are fees associated with these services.
You can search a register of action on small claims, domestic, misdemeanor, felony, civil, civil water, and traffic cases at these sites.
If you have questions regarding public access to court records, you can send an email or call the State Court Administrator’s Office at 800-888-0001.
If you believe that any of the information found in your court records is incorrect, you will need to contact the court where the original record was created and filed.
Criminal Records
Criminal records include arrests, warrants, convictions, and sentencing information. You can also conduct searches for inmates, parole information, and sex offenders in Colorado. These records are available through different agencies, and each has its own set of regulations, fees, and processes.
In this section, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the following public records:
- Arrest records
- Warrant records
- Inmate records
- Parole records
- Probation records
- Juvenile records
- Sex offender record
We will begin with arrest records.
Arrest Records
We have compiled a summary of arrest records in 2020 based on the Colorado Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR):
- Violent crime cases: 26,482 (46% clearance) – includes murder, aggravated assault, non-consensual sex offenses, and robbery
- Property crime cases:
- Robbery: 3,958 (32% clearance)
- Larceny: 30,971 (14% clearance)
- Burglary: 22,539 (15% clearance)
- Fraud: 29,922 (12% clearance)
- Motor vehicle theft cases: 30,971 (11% clearance)
- DUI cases: 16,020
You can find additional crime statistics via Colorado’s Division of Criminal Justice the FBI’s
What is a public arrest record?
After a person is apprehended or arrested, law enforcement agencies create an official arrest record. Arrest records do not say if the person was guilty of the misdemeanor or felony they were charged with.
Arrest records can be used as evidence in the case and are a deciding factor when it comes to whether or not there will be a trial.
Arrest records can be part of the public records for an undetermined time frame, even if the suspect is acquitted.
What does a public arrest record include in Colorado?
A public arrest record generally includes the following information:
- The arrested person’s name, date of birth, address, phone number, and other personal information
- A physical description of the arrested person, such as sex, race, hair and eye color, height, weight, and any defining birthmarks, tattoos, or scars
- Arresting officer’s incident report
- When and where the arrest occurred
- Fingerprints and photographs
- Interrogation details
- The charges filed (misdemeanor or felony)
- Bail amount
- Court date
Who can access arrest records?
In Colorado, any individual can access arrest records. There are exemptions to the law, including sealed records and juvenile records.
If you request an arrest record and it is denied, you have the right to ask the agency for a statement explaining why the information could not be released.
Search Arrest Records in Colorado
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a division within the Colorado Department of Public Safety, is the state’s central repository of Colorado’s arrest records.
The computerized criminal history (CCH) database includes arrest details where law enforcement agencies took fingerprints in Colorado.
You can conduct a name-based internet criminal history check (ICHC) for arrest records in Colorado using CBI’s contracted vendor, Logikco., Inc. Please note that you are not able to search for sealed records, warrant information, or juvenile records using this search tool.
You will need to complete the following steps in order to obtain an ICHC:
- If you would like to set up an account or already have an account, you can sign up or log in here. You do not have to have an account to conduct a search, but you will be able to submit individual requests or batch files, view current or past financial statements, and keep your payment information on file.
- If you would like to search for an individual’s arrest records without setting up an account, click here.
- You will be required to enter the person’s first and last name and date of birth. You can also enter the person’s social security number. It is not required; however, it can help narrow down your search. If applicable, enter the CBI Provided IDT Number.
- The fee is $5 per search.
- ICHC searches cannot be notarized.
If you would like to conduct a Criminal History Records Information search (CHRI) via mail, complete the following steps:
- Fill out a Public Request for Criminal History Record Information form and a Credit Authorization form if paying by credit card. Pre-printed business checks are also accepted; make payments out to “CBI” or “Criminal Bureau of Investigation.”
- The fee is $13 per search.
- Mail to: Biometric Identification and Records Unit, CBI, 690 Kipling St., Ste. 4000, Lakewood, CO 80215
- You can request that the results be notarized.
- The results will be mailed to you upon completion (it generally takes three business days to complete).
If you feel that there is an error with your criminal history records, you can complete the Record Challenge Information Form and mail it to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (690 Kipling St., Ste. 4000, Lakewood, CO 80215).
Warrant Records Search
An arrest warrant is a court-issued document issued that permits a law enforcement officer to detain an individual named in relation to a crime.
There are several ways to search for a warrant in Colorado:
- Conduct a warrant search on the website of the county where the warrant was filed. Most counties in Colorado have a warrant search tool.
- Call or visit the local police department or sheriff’s office where the warrant was filed.
- Log onto cocourt.com. There is a fee to use this site.
Colorado Inmate Records
Colorado’s Department of Corrections, headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, is responsible for maintaining its inmate records.
In Colorado, there are 19 state-run facilities and two private facilities housing inmates.
Colorado state-run facilities:
- Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
- Denver Complex (includes Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, Denver Reception, and Diagnostic Center, and Colorado Correctional Center)
- Delta Correctional Facility
- Canon City (includes Fremont Correctional Facility, Centennial Correctional Facility, Arrowhead Correctional Facility, Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility, Four Mile Correctional Facility, and Colorado State Penitentiary)
- Pueblo Campus (includes LaVista Correctional Facility, San Carlos Correctional Facility, and Youthful Offender System)
- Rifle Correctional Center
- Buena Vista Correctional Complex (made up of three facilities: Buena Vista Minimum Center, Buena Vista Correctional Facility, and Transitional Work Center)
- Trinidad Correctional Facility
- Sterling Correctional Facility
- Limon Correctional Facility
Private prisons in Colorado include:
You can conduct an inmate search using the CDOC’s Offender Search tool by entering a DOCNO, last name, first name, or gender. The search will include an offender’s:
- First and last name
- Physical description
- Photographs
- Incarceration date
- Current (and sometimes past) convictions
- Current housing facility
- Parole eligibility and hearing dates
- Expected release date
You can also search for scheduled parole hearings using this link, which will provide you with a list of offenders’ parole hearings by date. The database allows you to sort by name, DOC number, facility, or date of release (by month).
Colorado Juvenile Criminal Records
A juvenile criminal record is an official record documenting adolescents’ criminal activity or children who are not yet of legal adult age. Adults are convicted of crimes while juveniles are found to be “adjudicated delinquent.”
Are Juvenile Records open to the Public?
Juvenile records are considered confidential and are not open to the public. Only the following individuals or parties are allowed to access juvenile records:
- The juvenile’s parents or guardians
- Juvenile on record
- The District Attorney’s Office
- Individuals intervening on behalf of the juvenile
- The Juvenile Department
Corrections Records
Colorado State Penitentiary and Reformatory records are maintained by the Colorado State Archives and include historical information. These records include crimes committed by inmates, along with their mugshot, sentence, parole, or pardon. Find out what types of records are available here.
You can search the archives using the following links:
Sex Offender Information
Colorado’s Criminal Bureau of Investigation maintains a database of convicted sex offenders in the state. Sex offender records are open to the public.
You can conduct a sex offender search by name or map on the CBI website. You will be able to find sexually violent predators, felony convictions, multiple offenders, and offenders that failed to register. However, it’s important to note the following:
- Not all sex offenders who have been convicted in Colorado are listed on the website.
- If you would like to request a list of every registered sex offender in all of Colorado or just your city or county, call or visit the CBI or your local police department or county sheriff’s office. Some sheriff’s offices and police departments’ websites allow you to search for sex offenders in their jurisdiction – click here for more information.
- The CBI does not release information pertaining to juveniles charged with sex crimes or sex offenders with misdemeanor sex offense convictions only.
Vital Records
Vital records include birth, marriage, divorce, marriage, and adoption records. Colorado statute CRS 25-2-117 mandates that vital records are confidential; they are not available to the public. YOu must be considered an eligible person in order to request vital records.
This section will provide you with detailed information regarding vital records, including the eligible persons or parties who can legally request vital records, how to request vital records (in person, by mail, online, or by phone), fees involved, and more.
Colorado Birth Records
In Colorado, birth records are considered confidential; only eligible persons or parties are allowed to request this information. Below is a list of who is eligible and what documents they will need to provide to show proof of relationship (you can find the full list here):
- The registrant (person named on the certificate)
- Spouse
- Adult children
- Parents
- Stepparents
- Siblings, half-siblings
- Legal Guardian
- Grandparents
- Great grandparents
- Grandchild
- Legal representatives of any of the above (proof of relationship is required)
To Request Birth Certificates Online or by Phone
You can order birth certificates online using VitalChek. You will need to submit the following information:
- The full name of the person exactly as listed on the birth certificate (use adoptive information for adoptions)
- Both parents full names as listed on the birth certificate (use the mother’s maiden name)
- The birth date, month, and year
- The city or county and state of the birthplace
- The purpose you need the birth certificate
- Payment method, if paying by credit card, be sure to include the card’s entire number and expiration date.
- Current mailing and billing addresses current, valid billing and shipping addresses (NOTE: you must use a street address for express shipments)
You can also call 866-300-8540 to order a birth certificate.
The fee for ordering a birth certificate from VitalChek is $27.50 – $47.50, depending on the type of delivery you choose.
The average processing time is 3-5 business days for express orders and 7-10 business days for standard orders. You can check your processing time on your order confirmation email if you already completed your order. You can also visit the My Orders page using your order number and a pin you received in your confirmation email to check the status.
To Request Birth Certificates by Mail
If you would like to request a certified standard or heirloom birth certificate by mail, you will need to complete the following steps:
- An application | en español: include requestor information, the reason for the request, registrant information, total fees, proof of relationship, and identification proof. There is also an option to choose “issued pursuant to adoption” if applicable in your case.
- Attach required documents – includes eligibility and identification information.
- Include fees
- Mail to: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Records Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246
The average processing time for orders requested via mail is 30 business days from receipt.
Request a Birth Certificates in Person
If you would like to request a birth certificate in person, you must make an appointment with a vital records office. To find an office that is convenient for you, click here.
Be sure to bring proof of eligibility, identification, and fees with you to the office of your choosing.
Colorado Death Records
To request a death certificate in Colorado, you must be considered eligible. Eligible persons are listed below:
- Current or ex-spouse
- Adult children
- Parents
- Stepparents
- Siblings, half-siblings
- Legal Guardian
- Grandparents
- Great grandparents
- Grandchild
- Opposing counsel
- Funeral Home/Director
- Insurance Company
- Hospital, hospice, nursing home, physician
- Genealogists
- Power of attorney
You can find a full list of eligible requesters on the death certificate application here.
To Request Death Certificates Online
You can order death certificates using VitalChek. You will need to submit the following information online:
- The deceased’s full name listed on the death certificate, and in certain cases, the deceased’s parents or spouse is required
- Deceased’s gender
- Deceased’s social security number in certain cases
- Date, month, and year when the person died
- State, city, and/or county where the death happened
- Funeral home name in certain cases
- Reason for ordering the death certificate
- Payment method, if paying by credit card, make sure to include the card’s entire number and expiration date.
- Current mailing and billing addresses current, valid billing and shipping addresses (NOTE: you must use a street address for express shipments)
You can also call 866-300-8540 to order a death certificate.
The fee for ordering a death certificate from VitalChek is $27.50 – $32.50, depending on the type of delivery you choose.
As with birth certificates ordered from VitalCheck, the average processing time for death certificate orders is 3-5 business days for express orders and 7-10 business days for standard orders. You can also check your email or visit the My Orders page using your order number and pin received in your confirmation email for processing times.
To Request Death Certificates by Mail
If you would like to order a death certificate by mail, you will need to complete the following steps:
- Complete a death certificate request | In Spanish: include requester information, the reason for the request, deceased information, proof of relationship, and charges
- Include a copy of your identification and proof of eligibility.
- Include the application fees (fees are nonrefundable)
- Mail to: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Records Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246
The average processing time for death certificates requested via mail is 30 business days after your order is received.
Request a Death Certificates in Person
You can visit your local vital records office to request a death certificate in person; however, you must make an appointment. You can find an office that is convenient for you here.
You will need to make sure that you bring proof of eligibility, identification, and fees with you to the office of your choosing.
Marriage and divorce records are considered confidential. Those eligible are listed below:
- Bride or groom
- Children, stepchildren
- Parent/stepparent
- Siblings, half-siblings
- In-laws
- Uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins
- Grandchildren/great-grandchildren
- Grandparents/great grandparents
- Power of Attorney
- Creditors
- Government agencies
- Legal representatives, paralegals
- Employer
- Genealogists
- Probate researchers
- Insurance companies
You can order a marriage heirloom, marriage verification, or marriage dissolution verification, or a correction to a marriage, dissolution, or civil union verification in person, by mail, or online.
Marriage verifications, marriage heirlooms, and divorce verifications are not original certificates or decrees and federal government agencies may not accept them. To request an original copy of a marriage certificate or license, you must contact the clerk and recorder that issued the document. If you would like an original copy of a divorce decree, you must contact the county district court that issued the document.
If you do not need a marriage certificate or divorce decree, and a verification will work for your purposes, then the next steps are applicable to you.
For in-person or mail orders, complete the form that pertains to your request: marriage or civil union verification application, marriage dissolution verification, or to correct a marriage, dissolution or civil union verification.
- In-person: Remember to bring your application form, identification and proof of eligibility, and payment. Appointments are required; you can call the vital records office that works for you to set it up. Offices are open from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
- By mail: You can mail the application form with a copy of your identification, proof of eligibility, and payment (credit card, check, or money order), The vital records office will mail your certificate within 30 business days after receiving your order, as long as all required documentation is included.
All payments are non-refundable. The fees are as follows for in-person or mail orders:
- Marriage Heirloom: $35 per first copy and a $35 fee per additional copy if ordered at the same time
- Marriage Verification: $17 per first copy and a $10 fee per additional copy if ordered at the same time
- Divorce Verification: $17 per first copy and a $10 fee per additional copy if ordered at the same time
You can order a marriage or divorce heirloom or verification online using VitalChek. You will be required to provide your information, marriage/divorce details, proof of identity and eligibility, why you are requesting the document, and payment information. VitalChek will mail your document within 3-5 business days. If you choose to order online using VitalChek, the fees are as follows:
- Marriage Heirloom: $35 for the first copy and a $12 VitalChek Processing Fee
- Marriage Verification: $17 for the first copy and a $12 VitalChek Processing Fee
- Divorce Verification: $17 for the first copy and a $12 VitalChek Processing Fee
Colorado Adoption Records
Adoption records are sealed in Colorado and are not accessible to the public. Adoption records include the following information:
- The final decree of adoption
- Adoptee’s original and amended birth certificates
- Order of termination of parental rights
- The final order of relinquishment
- Non-identifying information regarding birth parents (any information that could identify the birth parents, such as names and addresses, is not disclosed in adoption records)
Adoption records are only available to the following individuals or parties:
- Adult adoptee
- An adoptive parent of a minor adoptee
- Custodial grandparent of a minor adoptee
- Attorneys for the above mentioned
- Confidential intermediaries
- Individuals with a notarized written consent as described here
To request adoption records, you must submit a Request for Access to Adoption Records form and provide the required documents to the district court in the county where the adoption took place.
If you choose to mail your request, the documents must be notarized.
For more information regarding adoption records, click here.
Business Records
The Colorado Secretary of State maintains business records, which are public records unless otherwise stated by law.
A business search for a specific entity will produce the following results:
- The legal business name
- The business’s status (effective, expired, delinquent, name change)
- The formation date
- An ID number
- The form of the reporting entity (corporation, limited liability company, non-profit, partnership, etc)
- Jurisdiction
- Address
- Registered Agent information (name, address, mailing address)
- Filing history and documents
You can request certified copies of the business’ documents, including articles of organization, periodic reports, and more when searching for a business.
Certified copies are free, but there are other fees for other services and business transactions provided by the Colorado Secretary of State.
You can conduct an advanced search or search for the following information regarding businesses in Colorado:
- Name availability
- Business survey information
- Trademarks
Historical Records
The Colorado State Archives preserves local and state governments’ permanent legal records and information.
You can also access historical records in one of four ways:
- In-person: visit the public research room located on the first floor of the Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street, Room 120, Denver, CO 80203-2274
- Online: use the Archives Search database to conduct a search
- By mail: include the fees and be sure to include as many details as possible when requesting records by mail:
- Your name, mailing address, and phone number
- Details about the record you are requesting, including any identifying information such as dates, the subject of the record’s name, case numbers, certificate numbers, etc.
- The government agency or office where the documents or type of information you need is stored
- Whether or not you need the record certified
- Once you have your request ready, you can mail it to the Colorado State Archives Request Desk, 1313 Sherman St, Room 120, Denver, CO 80203-2274.
- Requests typically take two weeks to process unless the information provided is inadequate
- If you have general questions, you can call a staff archivist at 303-866-2358 from 10 am and 4 pm MST Monday through Thursday (however you must then submit your request using one of the three methods listed above).
Property Tax Records
You can conduct property tax searches In Colorado via the applicable county’s tax assessor-collector. There are 64 counties in Colorado, each with its own assessor. You can find more information by following the links listed below, which will take you to the appropriate county website.
Driving Records
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains driving records. According to the state law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), driving records can only show activity reported over the past seven years and no less.
Driving records (besides your own) are considered confidential and are not accessible by the general public. If you would like to access someone else’s driving record, you must have their permission. If you are an employer or need a driving record due to a pending court case, you can submit a request using this form.
You can purchase non-certified and certified copies of your driving record online, by mail, or in person.
- Online: The DMV will email you non-certified copies or mail you certified copies
- By Mail: Include the following:
- a written request with your full name, birthdate, driver license number, driver’s signature, driver photo ID with signature
- A completed DR2489 form
- The appropriate fee
- In-person: You can visit any drivers license office in person to request certified or non-certified copies of driving records.
What do I do if there is an error with my public records in Colorado?
If you feel as though there is an error on your Colorado public record, the first thing you can do is check the website of the government agency responsible for that specific record. Many agencies will have helpful tips or forms you can fill out directly on their site.
You can also call the agency to find out what steps you need to take to address what you believe is an error with your public record.
