Denver County, Colorado State Court Records
Denver County court records are created whenever an individual, business, or government agency files a civil or criminal case in court. They include all documents and information regarding the legal proceedings. Court records in the county are generally maintained by the Denver County Clerk or the Denver District Clerk, depending on the case type.
The creation and preservation of Denver County court records ensures that every case has a permanent record for accountability and future referencing. The relevance of court records spans beyond the judiciary into other government bodies in the county. Court records sometimes act as a catalyst that creates or alters other public records.
Are Denver County Court Records Public?
Yes. Court records in Denver County are generally public. Access to the records is governed by Chief Justice Directive (CJD) 05-01, which establishes the openness of all court records maintained by a court in Colorado. Under the directive, individuals may access court records at reasonable times, except for confidential records.
A record generally becomes confidential in the county if it has been sealed, suppressed, or restricted. Confidential records are usually unavailable due to privacy or safety reasons. Members of the public who believe they have a substantial reason to access a confidential record will have to obtain a formal order from the court approving access.
Confidential court records in Colorado include
- Sensitive information about a person's finances
- Juvenile data
- Sealed records
- Adoption files
- Paternity proceedings
What Information is Available in Denver County Court Records?
Court records in Denver County that are open to the public usually contain the following details:
- The names of the parties and their attorneys
- The case number
- The case type
- The case status
- The filing date
- The register of actions (or court docket)
- Court orders and judgments
Denver County Court Records Search
Denver County court records are generally accessible through the following means:
Online Access
Researchers seeking remote access to Denver County court records may search the Denver County Case Management System. The case management system only contains the records of cases handled by the Denver County Court, such as small claims, petty offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and traffic violations. Cases can only be searched on the portal using a case number or arrest booking number.
The Denver County District Court is state-controlled, so the county's Case Management System does not cover its records. Individuals who want to access District Court case information may utilize the Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search portal. The portal only provides docket information, not the full case file. However, one can request a case document by completing the online Record/Document Request Form.
In-Person Access
In-person access to Denver County court records is ideal for individuals who want to inspect the physical file or obtain a certified copy of a record. Individuals may visit the Clerk of Court's Office at the appropriate courthouse with the name or case number of the record they want to inspect or copy. The Denver District Court and the County Court civil divisions are located at the City and County Building, while the criminal and municipal divisions of the County and District Courts are located at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse.
Requesters may be asked to provide a government-issued ID before being granted access, especially if the record has been suppressed, is a juvenile record, or is a probate record.
Mail and Phone Requests
Requesters who prefer to submit requests via postal mail may send a written description of the files needed, detailing the case number or the names of the parties involved in the case. It is advised to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with a check to cover the costs of the payment. Individuals may call the appropriate clerk's office to verify the exact cost of obtaining a record.
Fees for Court Records in Denver County
The fee for obtaining a court record in Denver County generally depends on the nature of the request, whether a regular or certified copy is needed, and the process involved in retrieving the record. The Denver County Court and the Denver District Court follow the schedule below.
Denver County Court
- Paper Copies: 25 cents per page
- Certified Copies: $20 per document plus the per-page fee
- Electronic Copies: Free
Denver District Court
- Paper Copies: 25 cents per page (with a $15 max limit if the requester is a party to the case)
- Name Search: $5
- Certified/Exemplified Copy: $20
- Certificate of Satisfaction: $20
- Transcript of Judgment: $25
- Research Time: $30 per hour after the first free hour
Denver County Courthouse Locations
The Denver County trial court system primarily consists of the Denver County Court and the Denver District Court. The County Court is run by the county government, while the District Court is administered by the Colorado Judicial Branch, although the courthouse is located in Denver County. Below are the addresses of the courthouses in the county.
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80202
County Court Phone: (720) 865-7840
District Court Phone: (303) 606-2300
Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse
520 West Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
County Court Phone: (720) 337-0410
District Court Phone: (303) 606-2300
Minoru Yusai Building
303 West Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Probate Phone: (720) 913-8300
Criminal Records Access in Denver County
A criminal record in Denver County does not refer to just one file, but a collection of documents that captures an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. These documents usually stem from law enforcement agencies and the court system.
An individual's dealings with the penal system are collated into a single document commonly known as a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). This record is maintained and issued by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Members of the public can access an individual's CHRI by conducting an Internet Criminal History Check. The internet check is a name-based search containing only non-sealed records of adults.
Researchers can also look up the details of the criminal proceedings through the court system. Minor crimes are usually processed through the Denver County Court, while major crimes are handled by the Denver District Court. Individuals may contact the relevant court clerk to access a criminal court record.
Denver County Probate Records
Denver County probate records document the court's administration of a deceased person's estate, including the payment of their debts and the distribution of their property. Denver County handles probate records uniquely through a standalone Probate Court, compared to most counties in Colorado that lump probate matters into their general District Court. Some common probate records are wills, estate inventories, and guardianship records.
As public records, probate records can indeed be accessed by anyone; however, like other court records, sensitive information is redacted before disclosure. Individuals may visit the Probate Clerk's Office to access a record. Research and copy fees may apply.
Denver County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Denver County, also called domestic relations cases, deal with matters involving family relationships and children. The District Court is responsible for these cases in the county and manages the records. Family court records include divorce, annulment, alimony, paternity, and spousal support records.
Family court records are open to the public but are often subject to restrictions to protect privacy. Public information in family court records can be accessed by visiting the District Clerk's Office or submitting the Record/Document Request Form. Docket information can be viewed on the Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search portal.
Federal Court Records in Denver County
Federal court records fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Denver County is home to two federal courts that handle federal cases originating from the county. These are the United States District Court for the District of Colorado and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado.
Individuals can access a federal court record by visiting the appropriate courthouse. A valid government-issued ID may be required before entrance is granted into the facility. Online access to federal court records is provided through the Federal Case Locator (PACER) for a fee.
