Your Comprehensive Guide to Colorado Public Records
Colorado Public Records
Colorado public records are documents, data, and materials created, received, or maintained by state and local government agencies in the course of conducting public business. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-201 et seq.) grants the public the right to inspect or obtain copies of most government records. This law ensures transparency, accountability, and citizen oversight, but also provides exemptions to protect privacy and sensitive information.
Are Colorado Records Public?
Yes, under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), most records produced or maintained by state and local government agencies are considered public and must be disclosed upon request unless a specific exemption applies. CORA covers all “writings” including documents, emails, photographs, maps, and electronically stored information related to official government activities.
Exemptions apply to records that would compromise personal privacy, safety, ongoing investigations, or proprietary business interests. Public records in Colorado are available to “any person,” regardless of residency or the reason for the request.
What Information Is Included in Colorado Public Records?
Colorado public records include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family, traffic)
- Land deeds, property records, and tax assessments
- Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Licenses, permits, and regulatory filings
- Meeting agendas, minutes, and ordinances
- Budgets, contracts, financial statements, and audits
- Police reports, arrest logs, and jail rosters
- Business entity registrations and corporate filings
- Legislative records, executive orders, and public notices
However, some records are exempt from disclosure, including juvenile and adoption files, medical and mental health records, personnel evaluations, certain law enforcement records, and sensitive security or proprietary business data.
What Does the Colorado Public Records Law Do?
CORA:
- Establishes the public’s right to access and obtain copies of non-exempt government records
- Requires state and local agencies to respond to requests “promptly” (usually within three business days, with up to a seven-day extension in certain circumstances)
- Permits agencies to redact or withhold information only where a legal exemption applies, with a written explanation required for each denial
- Limits fees to actual costs for research, retrieval, and duplication, and prohibits excessive charges for standard requests
- Encourages electronic access where feasible and mandates reasonable maintenance of public records
CORA is designed to maximize public access while protecting legitimate interests in confidentiality and security.
How To Find Public Records in Colorado in 2025
Requests can be made by mail, email, fax, online portal, or in person. No special form or legal language is required, but requests should describe the records as specifically as possible (including names, dates, and subject matter). Many agencies offer public records request instructions or contact information on their websites.
Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
1881 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214
Phone: (303) 205-5600
Colorado DMV
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Records Section
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246
Phone: (303) 692-2200
CDPHE Vital Records
Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Records Unit
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000, Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4208
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Records Unit
Colorado Judicial Branch
2 East 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (720) 625-5000
Colorado Judicial Branch
Denver County Clerk and Recorder
201 W. Colfax Avenue, Dept. 101, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (720) 865-8400
Denver Clerk and Recorder
Colorado Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
1700 Broadway, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80290
Phone: (303) 894-2200
Colorado Secretary of State
Colorado State Archives
1313 Sherman Street, Room 120, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-2358
Colorado State Archives
Colorado Department of Education
201 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-6600
Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 201, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 318-8000
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 718, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-3311
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Colorado Department of Revenue
1881 Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80214
Phone: (303) 205-8411
Colorado Department of Revenue
Colorado General Assembly (Legislature)
200 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-2604
Colorado General Assembly
Colorado Attorney General (Department of Law)
1300 Broadway, 10th Floor, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (720) 508-6000
Colorado Attorney General
Colorado State Ombudsman (Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program)
225 E. 16th Avenue, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 862-3524
Colorado State Ombudsman
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)
1981 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 297-2432
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
Denver Police Department, Records Unit
1331 Cherokee Street, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (720) 913-6029
Denver Police Department Records Unit
Does Colorado Have Free Public Records?
Many Colorado public records are available for free inspection at government offices during business hours.
Agencies often provide free online databases for property searches, court dockets, legislation, and business filings.
Fees are generally charged for copies, certified documents, or research exceeding a set amount of staff time.
All fee schedules must be available upon request and are published on agency websites.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records in Colorado?
By law, Colorado agencies may charge up to $0.25 per page for standard copies, and $33.58 per hour (as of 2025) for research and retrieval time after the first hour.
Certified documents and vital records have set fees (e.g., $20 for a certified birth certificate).
There is no fee to inspect records in person, unless the request requires redaction, supervision, or extensive search.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain Public Records in Colorado?
CORA requires agencies to respond to requests within three business days, or up to seven days if extenuating circumstances exist (such as high volume, offsite records, or legal review).
Simple requests may be fulfilled the same day or within a few days.
Complex or large requests may require more time, with agencies providing a written explanation of any delay.
What Records Are Confidential In Colorado?
Colorado law exempts certain records from public release, including:
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Juvenile and adoption case files
- Medical, mental health, and counseling records
- Social Security numbers and protected personal identifiers
- Personnel evaluations and employment files
- Trade secrets, proprietary business information, and competitive bids prior to award
- Records made confidential by federal or state law
Agencies must cite the specific legal exemption for each denial and provide all non-exempt portions of a record.
Who Has the Right To Request Public Records in Colorado
Any person, regardless of residency or citizenship, may request public records in Colorado.
There is no requirement to state a reason for the request.
Agencies may require identification only for sensitive or protected records.
What Can Be Done With Public Records in Colorado
Colorado public records are used for:
- Legal research and compliance
- Business and property transactions
- Academic research and genealogy
- Investigative journalism and news reporting
- Transparency, government oversight, and civic participation
Using public records for harassment, fraud, or unlawful purposes is strictly prohibited.
How to Appeal a Denied Public Records Request in Colorado
If your public records request is denied, the agency must provide a written explanation citing the specific legal exemption or reason.
To appeal:
- Contact the agency’s records officer or custodian for clarification or informal resolution.
- File a written appeal with the agency’s executive or designated appeals officer.
- If unresolved, seek mediation through the Colorado Office of the Ombudsman or file a lawsuit in state district court to compel disclosure.
Colorado Attorney General (Department of Law)
1300 Broadway, 10th Floor, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (720) 508-6000
Colorado Attorney General
Colorado State Ombudsman (Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program)
225 E. 16th Avenue, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 862-3524
Colorado State Ombudsman
Difference Between Federal and Colorado Public Records
Colorado’s CORA governs access to state and local government records, while the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies only to federal agencies.
Key distinctions include different timelines, exemptions, and appeals procedures.
Both laws allow requests from any person, regardless of citizenship or residency.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (FOIA)
441 G St NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20530
Phone: (202) 514-3642
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (FOIA)
Lookup Public Records in Colorado
Other useful official resources and local agencies include:
Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC)
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000, Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4208
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Records Unit
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder
1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Phone: (719) 520-6200
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder