Search Colorado Residents Directory
Colorado stores public records through state agencies and 64 county offices. The Colorado residents directory draws from these official sources to help you find people and access their public information. County Clerk and Recorder offices hold land records, marriage files, and other documents tied to residents across the state. State agencies add court records, business filings, and vital records to the mix. Many of these records are available to search online from home. Others need a written request or an in-person visit to a county office. This guide covers the main ways to look up Colorado residents through government records and databases that serve the public.
Colorado Residents Directory Quick Facts
Colorado Public Records Access
The Colorado Open Records Act gives the public a right to inspect and copy most government records. Known as CORA, this law is set out in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 205. It was passed in 1968. The law covers all state and local agencies in Colorado. You can request records from county clerks, city halls, courts, and state offices. A written request works best. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The records are open to all people who ask.
CORA defines public records in broad terms. Books, papers, maps, photos, tapes, and digital files all fall under this law. Even email counts as a public record when it is made or kept by a government office. Agencies in Colorado must respond within three working days. If they need more time, they can add up to seven more working days. Fees for copies vary by office but most charge $0.25 per page for standard copies. The first hour of research time is often free in Colorado. After that, rates can run up to $41.37 per hour at some offices. Electronic copies are free in most cases, which makes online requests a smart way to search the Colorado residents directory.
The Colorado state government portal is the main hub for services and records across the state. You can reach every state agency from this one site.
Use the portal as a starting point when you need to find records on Colorado residents. It links to online services, agency contacts, and the full government directory for the state.
Find Colorado Residents Online
Colorado has several online tools for finding residents and their public records. The state government directory lists every agency along with contact info and hours. You can filter by county to find local offices near you. This is a solid first step for any Colorado residents directory search. From here you reach county clerks, courts, and other offices that hold records on people who live in the state.
The government agencies page breaks down services by type and covers state, county, and local offices across Colorado.
From this page you can jump to any county office or state agency that keeps records about Colorado residents.
County Clerk and Recorder offices are the main keepers of public records in Colorado. Each of the 64 counties has one. They handle land records, marriage licenses, recorded documents, and more. Many counties now have online search portals where you can look up property records, liens, and deeds from home. Some use third-party systems like GovOS or Landmark Web for their search tools. Each county also runs its own records request process under CORA. Several use the NextRequest system, which lets you submit and track requests online. Response times and fees vary by county but the rules under C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 still apply across the board in Colorado.
Note: Many Colorado counties post their most common records online for free, but certified copies still need an in-person visit or a mail request to the county clerk.
Colorado Court Records Search
The Colorado Judicial Branch handles court records across 22 judicial districts. These records can show civil cases, family law matters, and other filings tied to Colorado residents. The Judicial Branch records access guide explains how to get them. You can submit a request through the online records request form. The court where the case was filed will reach out with details on fees and next steps. For compiled data requests not tied to a specific person, email courtdatarequests@judicial.state.co.us instead.
The Colorado Judicial Branch public records page walks you through the full request process for court records in the state.
This guide covers what you can request, where to send it, and what to expect for response times on Colorado court records.
Online court record searches go through third-party vendors that the state has approved. LexisNexis Colorado Courts is one such service. You can search by name or case number. There are fees for each search. Chief Justice Directive 05-01 governs public access to Colorado court records and sets rules for what stays sealed. Keep in mind that copies of full documents come only from the court where they were filed. Third-party sites show case details but not the actual papers in the file for Colorado residents.
To search court records in Colorado you will need:
- Full name of the person
- The county or judicial district if known
- A case number if one is available
- Approximate dates of the filing
Denver County Court runs its own records system apart from the state courts. For Denver cases, contact coradatarequests@denvercountycourt.org. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page and certified copies add $20.00 per document. Electronic copies are free in most cases for Colorado residents who submit a request.
Colorado Business Entity Records
The Colorado Secretary of State keeps records on every registered business in the state. These filings can help you find a person's business ties or verify an entity they are linked to in Colorado. The Secretary of State business portal gives you access to the full database.
The business records search page from the Colorado Secretary of State lets you look up any entity registered in the state.
Search by business name, trade name, or ID number to find entities linked to Colorado residents in the state database.
The business entity search tool is free to use. You can find registered agents, filing dates, and current status for any business in Colorado. The advanced search option lets you filter by filing date, entity type, and more. These records help trace connections between Colorado residents and their business activity across the state. The Secretary of State acts as a filing registry only. This office does not verify if a business is running well or if it is a good place to do business with.
Criminal History Records in Colorado
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation runs the state criminal history check system. CBI is part of the Department of Public Safety. The CBI Internet Criminal History Check System lets you search arrest records from Colorado law enforcement agencies. The database holds records based on fingerprints that police submit. Only Colorado arrests are in this system. Records from other states are not part of it.
The CBI records check portal is the official way to look up criminal history for Colorado residents.
A search costs $5.00 online with a credit or debit card. Mail-in requests cost $13.00 and take more time to get back.
Not all records show up in the CBI database. Juvenile records are sealed from the public. Warrant data is not included. Arrests that lack fingerprint support will not appear in the results. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, found in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 309, sets the rules for who can see criminal records and how they can be used. CBI has contracted with Logikco LLC to run the public search system online. For data on registered sex offenders in Colorado, use the Colorado Sex Offender Registry through the Department of Public Safety instead.
Colorado County Services Directory
The Colorado Department of Human Services connects residents with local programs and support at the county level. Many state services are run through county offices rather than from Denver. Food aid, medical programs, cash help, and child welfare all go through county departments in Colorado. The county services directory helps you find the right office for your area.
The CDHS website is the main portal for connecting Colorado residents to county human services offices across the state.
Each county department keeps its own records. Some of these may be available through a CORA request, depending on the type of information you need about Colorado residents.
Other state agencies also hold records tied to people in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Transportation handles driver and vehicle data, road permits, and project records for the state.
CDOT keeps records under CORA rules just like other agencies. You can submit a records request to access what they hold. Each agency has its own process and forms. Check the agency website for steps and any fees that apply when you search for records on Colorado residents.
Note: Under C.R.S. §18-8-114, it is a class 1 misdemeanor to make a false entry in or alter any public record in Colorado.
Browse Colorado Counties
Colorado has 64 counties, each with a Clerk and Recorder office that keeps public records. These offices handle land records, marriage files, and CORA requests for Colorado residents. Pick a county below to find contact info and local resources for searching the residents directory in that area.
Colorado Residents in Major Cities
Colorado residents in major cities access public records through their county offices. The county where you live handles most record requests. Pick a city below to find which county serves that area and how to search the Colorado residents directory locally.