Denver County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Denver County?
Public records in Denver County are defined as all writings made, maintained, or kept by the state, any agency, institution, political subdivision of the state, or local government-financed entity for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law or administrative rule, as specified in the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-202(6). These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public upon request.
Denver County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Denver District Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Denver Clerk and Recorder's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees maintained by the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names (trade names) maintained by the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Denver Assessor's Office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Denver Elections Division
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Denver City Council meetings, board meetings, and commission proceedings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions) maintained by the Denver Police Department
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning information, and land use applications maintained by Denver Community Planning and Development
The Denver Clerk and Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of Denver County's most frequently requested records, including real estate documents, marriage licenses, and city ordinances.
Is Denver County an Open Records County?
Denver County fully complies with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq., which declares that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times." This statute establishes the fundamental right of Colorado citizens to access government records, with certain exceptions for confidential or privileged information.
Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203(1), "All public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, except as provided in this part 2 or as otherwise provided by law." This provision establishes the presumption of openness that guides Denver County's approach to records management.
Denver County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public access to records while protecting sensitive information. The county adheres to the Colorado Sunshine Law, which requires open meetings and transparent government operations. Additionally, Denver County has established standardized procedures for submitting and processing public records requests across all departments.
The Denver Open Data Catalog further demonstrates the county's commitment to transparency by providing direct online access to numerous datasets and records without requiring formal requests.
How to Find Public Records in Denver County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Denver County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple access points for records requests:
-
Online Requests: Many Denver County departments accept records requests through their websites. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides an online form for requesting court records. Requestors must complete all required fields and may need to provide identification for certain confidential or protected records.
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate Denver County department during regular business hours to request records in person. This method is particularly useful for records that require immediate access or for those seeking assistance in identifying specific documents.
-
Written Requests: All Denver County departments accept written records requests submitted via mail or email. When submitting a written request, individuals should:
- Clearly identify the records being requested
- Provide contact information
- Specify the preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)
- Include any relevant dates, case numbers, or other identifying information
-
Denver County Records Portal: The Denver Records Online Portal allows users to search for and access many commonly requested records electronically.
For specific record types, requestors should contact the appropriate custodial department:
- For court records: Denver District Court
- For property records: Denver Clerk and Recorder's Office
- For vital records: Denver Department of Public Health and Environment
- For law enforcement records: Submit requests through the Department of Public Safety
The Colorado State Patrol Central Records Unit maintains a portal for requesting agency criminal justice records that may be relevant to Denver County residents.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Denver County?
Denver County assesses fees for public records in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-205, which authorizes custodians to charge reasonable fees for document retrieval and duplication. Current standard fees for public records in Denver County include:
- Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Certified Copies: $2.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee
- Research and Retrieval: First hour free, $33.58 per hour thereafter (prorated in 15-minute increments)
- Electronic Records: Actual cost of providing records in electronic format
- Specialized Documents: Variable fees based on size and format (e.g., maps, blueprints, photographs)
Specific record types may have statutorily established fees:
- Birth Certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Death Certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Marriage Licenses: $30.00 for certified copies
- Real Estate Documents: $13.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page
Denver County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options for in-person requests.
Fee waivers or reductions may be available if the custodian determines that the records request is in the public interest and primarily benefits the general public, rather than the individual requestor. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.
Does Denver County Have Free Public Records?
Denver County provides free access to certain public records as required by state law. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203, all public records must be available for inspection at no charge during regular business hours. This means that individuals may view records in person without paying a fee, although charges may apply for copies or extensive research.
The following records are currently available at no cost:
- Online Property Records: Basic property information through the Denver Assessor's Office website
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Denver City Council and commission meetings available on the county website
- Election Results: Available through the Denver Elections Division website
- County Budget Documents: Available for download from the Denver Department of Finance website
- Court Docket Information: Basic case information through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system (registration required)
- Denver Open Data Catalog: Numerous datasets including crime statistics, building permits, and property information
The Denver Public Library also provides free access to certain historical records and documents related to Denver County.
It is important to note that while inspection of records is free, reproduction costs and research fees may apply if copies are requested or if extensive staff time is required to locate and compile records.
Who Can Request Public Records in Denver County?
Under the Colorado Open Records Act, any person may request access to public records maintained by Denver County. There is no residency requirement, and requestors are not generally required to state the purpose of their request or provide identification for most records.
However, certain exceptions apply:
- Requests for criminal justice records may require identification and may be subject to additional restrictions under C.R.S. § 24-72-305
- Requests for vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require proper identification and proof of direct interest or legal right to the record
- Requests for records containing confidential information may require verification of the requestor's identity or legal authority to access such information
When requesting records about oneself, individuals may need to provide identification to verify their identity. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on privacy protections and statutory exemptions.
Government agencies, businesses, and organizations may also request public records through authorized representatives. These entities are subject to the same fees and restrictions as individual requestors.
Denver County does not discriminate against requestors based on the intended use of the records, except as specifically authorized by law. However, custodians may ask about the intended use if it helps to identify the specific records being sought or to determine if a fee waiver is appropriate.
What Records Are Confidential in Denver County?
Denver County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure under state law. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-204, the following records are generally considered confidential and not available for public inspection:
- Sealed Court Records: Cases that have been sealed by court order
- Juvenile Records: Delinquency proceedings and dependency and neglect cases
- Criminal Justice Investigative Files: Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Personnel Files: Information maintained because of the employer-employee relationship, except for application and performance ratings
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Social Security Numbers: Personal identifying information that could lead to identity theft
- Adoption Records: Information regarding adoptions, except as provided by court order
- Child Abuse Reports: Information identifying reporters of suspected child abuse
- Library User Records: Information showing which materials have been borrowed by specific patrons
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and intellectual property
- Critical Infrastructure Information: Security details about public facilities or utilities
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice provided to government agencies
- Deliberative Process Materials: Draft documents and pre-decisional memoranda
Additionally, C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5 prohibits the disclosure of sexual assault victim identities, and various other statutes protect specific categories of sensitive information.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, Denver County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record, as required by C.R.S. § 24-72-204(3)(a).
Denver County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Denver Clerk and Recorder's Office
201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 101
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 865-8400
Denver Clerk and Recorder
Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
Recording Division:
(720) 865-8400
Marriage Licenses:
(720) 865-8400
Elections Division:
Denver Elections Division
200 W. 14th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 913-8683
Denver Elections Division
Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Extended hours during election periods
Lookup Public Records in Denver County
Record/Document Request Form | Colorado Judicial Branch
Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) | Colorado Department of Revenue