Denver County Court Records
What Is Denver County Court Records
Denver County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within Denver County's judicial system. These records consist of case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the courts. Pursuant to Colorado Public Records Act § 24-72-203, court records are distinct from other public records such as property records, vital statistics, and tax documents.
The following courts within Denver County maintain official court records:
- Denver District Court
- Denver County Court
- Denver Probate Court
- Denver Juvenile Court
These courts handle various case types including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, traffic violations, and small claims disputes. The Colorado Judicial Branch defines court records as "any document, information, or other item that is collected, received, or maintained by a court or clerk of court in connection with a judicial proceeding."
Denver County's court system is unique in Colorado as it comprises four constitutionally separate courts, each maintaining its own distinct record-keeping system while following state judicial guidelines for documentation and preservation.
Are Court Records Public In Denver County
Court records in Denver County are generally accessible to the public under Colorado law. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act § 24-72-301 and the Colorado Public Records Act establish the legal framework for public access to court records. These statutes affirm the public's right to inspect most judicial records, with certain exceptions.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
However, access may be restricted for records that are:
- Sealed by court order
- Juvenile cases (with exceptions)
- Mental health proceedings
- Adoption records
- Records containing sensitive personal information
The Colorado Supreme Court Public Access to Court Records directive further defines policies regarding public access. This directive balances the presumption of openness with privacy concerns and the efficient administration of justice.
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado are governed by federal rules and accessed through separate systems from Denver County records.
How To Find Court Records in Denver County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Denver County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides multiple pathways for obtaining court records:
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Online Access:
- Visit the Colorado Courts Records Search portal
- Create an account or log in as a guest
- Enter case information such as case number, party name, or business name
- Pay applicable fees for document copies if required
-
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse where the case was filed
- Complete a records request form
- Provide case identification information
- Pay applicable search and copy fees
-
Written Requests:
- Submit a completed Record/Document Request Form to the appropriate court
- Include case number, party names, and specific documents requested
- Enclose payment for search and copy fees
- Provide return address or email for delivery of records
-
Attorney Access:
- Attorneys registered with Colorado Courts E-Filing may access records through that system
- Bar-registered attorneys have expanded access to certain restricted records
For Denver County Court cases specifically, requests must be submitted directly to Denver County Court rather than through the state judicial system. Search fees currently range from $5-$10 per name or case, with additional charges for copies.
How To Look Up Court Records in Denver County Online?
Denver County court records can be accessed through several online portals, each serving different courts or providing various levels of information. The primary online resources include:
-
Colorado Courts Records Search
- Access at Colorado Judicial Branch website
- Search by party name, case number, or business name
- View basic case information, register of actions, and some documents
- Requires creation of account for full access
- Fees apply for document downloads
-
Denver County Court Records
- Access through Denver County Court website
- Search traffic, criminal, and civil cases
- View case status, upcoming court dates, and payment information
- Free to search basic information
-
Colorado Docket Search
- Visit the Colorado Judicial Branch dockets portal
- Search upcoming court hearings and schedules
- Filter by date, location, case type, or judicial officer
- Free public access
-
PACER (for federal cases)
- For federal cases filed in Denver
- Requires PACER account
- Fees apply per page viewed
To conduct an effective online search:
- Gather identifying information (case number, party names, filing date)
- Select the appropriate portal based on court type
- Create an account if required
- Enter search criteria
- Review results and select specific cases to view
- Pay any applicable fees for document access
Online access is continuously expanding, with more documents becoming available digitally pursuant to the Colorado Supreme Court's directive on electronic court records.
How To Search Denver County Court Records for Free?
The Colorado Public Records Act § 24-72-205 guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or extensive searches. Denver County offers several options for free court record searches:
- In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate Denver courthouse
- Request to view specific case files
- No charge for viewing records on-site
- Bring case number or party names to expedite the search
Denver District Court
1437 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 865-8301
Denver District Court
-
Free Online Resources:
- Colorado Docket Search - Free access to court schedules and hearing information
- Denver County Court website - Basic case information available without charge
- Colorado Judicial Branch website - Limited free searches for public case information
-
Public Access Terminals:
- Available at Denver courthouses
- Provide free access to court records database
- No printing fees for viewing, though printing may incur charges
- No time limits during business hours
-
Law Libraries:
- Denver Public Library - Legal Resources Section
- University of Denver Westminster Law Library (public access available)
- Colorado Supreme Court Library
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies ($0.75 per page)
- Certified copies ($20 per document)
- Research assistance ($30 per hour after first hour)
- Document certification
The Colorado Judicial Branch continues to expand free access options while balancing cost recovery for extensive services.
What's Included in a Denver County Court Record?
Denver County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The contents vary by case type but typically include:
-
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions
- Summonses
- Service of process documentation
- Initial appearances
- Charging documents (in criminal cases)
-
Procedural Documents:
- Motions and responses
- Court orders and rulings
- Hearing notices
- Continuances
- Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
-
Evidentiary Materials:
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Witness lists
- Expert reports (when filed)
- Affidavits and declarations
- Deposition transcripts (when filed)
-
Disposition Documents:
- Judgments
- Verdicts
- Sentencing orders
- Settlement agreements (when filed)
- Dismissal orders
-
Financial Information:
- Filing fees
- Payment records
- Restitution orders
- Fine assessments
- Fee waivers
-
Appellate Documents:
- Notices of appeal
- Appellate briefs (when filed with trial court)
- Remand orders
- Mandates from higher courts
-
Administrative Records:
- Register of actions (docket sheet)
- Appearance records
- Attorney information
- Judicial assignments
Pursuant to Colorado Court Rules of Civil Procedure 121 § 1-5, certain sensitive information may be redacted or filed under restricted access, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and names of minor children.
How Long Does Denver County Keep Court Records?
Denver County courts maintain records according to the Colorado Judicial Department's records retention schedule, which is established pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-1-306. Retention periods vary by case type and document importance:
-
Criminal Cases:
- Capital felony cases: Permanent retention
- Non-capital felony cases: 10 years after final disposition
- Misdemeanor cases: 3 years after final disposition
- Traffic cases: 3 years after final disposition
-
Civil Cases:
- Cases with monetary judgments: 20 years after judgment
- Other civil cases: 10 years after final disposition
- Small claims: 5 years after final disposition
-
Domestic Relations Cases:
- Dissolution of marriage/civil union: 30 years after final decree
- Child custody matters: Until youngest child reaches 21
- Child support orders: 5 years after youngest child reaches 21
-
Probate Cases:
- Wills and estate matters: 10 years after closing
- Conservatorships: 10 years after termination
- Guardianships: 10 years after termination
-
Juvenile Cases:
- Dependency and neglect: Until child reaches 21
- Juvenile delinquency: Until child reaches 21, or 10 years after case closure, whichever is later
-
Mental Health Cases:
- Involuntary commitments: 10 years after final order
- Other mental health proceedings: 7 years after final order
The Colorado Judicial Department Records Management Manual provides comprehensive guidance on records retention. After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed or archived according to state procedures. Historically significant cases may be preserved permanently regardless of standard retention schedules.
Types of Courts In Denver County
Denver County has a unique court structure in Colorado, comprising four constitutionally separate courts that operate within the county boundaries:
Denver District Court
1437 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 865-8301
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Denver District Court
Denver County Court
1437 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 865-7800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Denver County Court
Denver Probate Court
1437 Bannock Street, Room 230
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 865-8310
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Denver Probate Court
Denver Juvenile Court
520 West Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 337-0570
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Denver Juvenile Court
The court hierarchy in Colorado proceeds as follows:
- Municipal Courts (lowest level)
- County Courts (including Denver County Court)
- District Courts (including Denver District Court)
- Colorado Court of Appeals
- Colorado Supreme Court (highest state court)
Denver's court system is distinctive because, unlike other Colorado counties where county and district courts are part of the state judicial system, Denver's courts are established by the city and county charter. The Colorado Court of Appeals serves as the first appellate level for decisions from Denver's district, probate, and juvenile courts.
What Types of Cases Do Denver County Courts Hear?
Each court within Denver County has jurisdiction over specific case types as defined by Colorado law:
Denver District Court:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000
- Domestic relations matters (divorce, child custody, support)
- Appeals from Denver County Court
- Administrative agency appeals
- Complex commercial litigation
- Class action lawsuits
- Real property disputes
Denver County Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Civil cases with claims up to $25,000
- Small claims (up to $7,500)
- Municipal ordinance violations
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Protection orders
- Landlord-tenant disputes
Denver Probate Court:
- Wills and estates
- Trusts administration
- Conservatorships
- Guardianships
- Mental health proceedings
- Elder law matters
- Determination of heirship
- Estate disputes
Denver Juvenile Court:
- Juvenile delinquency cases
- Dependency and neglect proceedings
- Adoptions
- Relinquishment of parental rights
- Paternity determinations
- Support proceedings involving children
- Truancy cases
- Juvenile traffic offenses
Case assignment follows jurisdictional boundaries established by the Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-6-104 for county courts and § 13-5-102 for district courts. Denver's unique court structure allows for specialized handling of different case types while maintaining integration with the broader Colorado judicial system.
How To Find a Court Docket In Denver County
Court dockets in Denver County provide schedules of hearings, trials, and other proceedings. Members of the public can access docket information through several methods:
-
Online Docket Search:
- Visit the Colorado Judicial Branch dockets portal
- Enter search criteria (date range, location, case type)
- Filter results by judicial officer if desired
- View upcoming hearings and proceedings
-
Courthouse Electronic Displays:
- Check digital displays in courthouse lobbies
- Updated daily with current day's proceedings
- Organized by courtroom and time
-
Clerk's Office Inquiry:
- Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse
- Request docket information for specific dates or cases
- Staff can provide printed docket sheets upon request
-
Case-Specific Docket Information:
- Search by case number through the Colorado Courts Records Search
- View complete register of actions showing all scheduled events
- Access information about past and future proceedings
-
Attorney Access:
- Registered attorneys can view dockets through ICCES (Integrated Colorado Courts E-Filing System)
- More detailed information available than through public portals
To effectively search for docket information:
- Determine which court is handling the case
- Gather identifying information (case number, party names)
- Select the appropriate search method
- Specify date ranges if searching for upcoming hearings
- Note that dockets are typically published 1-2 weeks in advance
Docket information is updated regularly but may change due to continuances or schedule adjustments. The most current information is available through the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
Which Courts in Denver County Are Not Courts of Record?
A "court not of record" is a judicial body that does not maintain comprehensive verbatim transcripts of its proceedings and whose decisions generally cannot be appealed based on the record but instead require a new trial (trial de novo) at a higher court. In Denver County, the following courts are not courts of record:
-
Denver Small Claims Court
- Division of Denver County Court
- Handles claims up to $7,500
- Informal procedures without court reporters
- Appeals require new trials in Denver County Court
-
Municipal Court of Denver
- Handles municipal ordinance violations
- Traffic infractions within city limits
- Petty offenses
- Appeals heard de novo in Denver County Court
According to Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-6-409, small claims courts are specifically designated as not being courts of record. Similarly, municipal courts are established as courts not of record under § 13-10-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
All other Denver courts—Denver District Court, Denver County Court (regular divisions), Denver Probate Court, and Denver Juvenile Court—are courts of record. These courts maintain official transcripts of proceedings, employ court reporters or digital recording systems, and their decisions can be appealed based on the official record.
The distinction is important for litigants to understand, as it affects both procedural requirements during hearings and the method of appeal if a party is dissatisfied with the outcome.