Find Denver Residents Directory
Denver operates as a consolidated city-county, which means all residents directory records are maintained through a single unified system. The Denver Clerk and Recorder maintains official records for the entire jurisdiction at 201 West Colfax Avenue. Anyone seeking residents directory information can submit requests in writing, by phone, or through online portals. The Colorado Open Records Act governs access to these materials. CORA enacted 1968 establishes legal right of access to most public documents. Response times typically fall within three working days, though complex requests may take longer. Fees apply for paper copies and extensive research time beyond the first hour.
Denver Quick Facts
Denver Clerk and Recorder Office
The main office sits at 201 West Colfax Avenue, Department 101. Call 720-913-1311 to speak with staff about residents directory searches. You can also send email requests to clerkandrecorder@denvergov.org. Most people find it easy to use the Denver city website for initial research before submitting formal requests.
Staff help with all types of record searches. Some data is free online. Other materials require a written request and a wait time. The office processes hundreds of requests each month. Written requests work best because they create a clear trail. Broad or vague requests cause delays, so be as detailed as you can when describing what you need.
Hours vary by department, so check the website before you go in person. Many records can now be accessed from home through digital portals. This saves time for both staff and residents.
Note: The first hour of research time is provided at no charge, with additional time billed at up to $41.37 per hour.
How to Request Denver Records
Written requests recommended. You can mail a letter, send an email, or fill out an online form. Each method works, but putting your request in writing protects both you and the city. Your request should say what records you want, what time period you need, and how you want to get the copies.
The state follows C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 205 for most requests. These laws set the rules for how fast the city must respond and what fees they can charge. Most requests get answered within three business days. If the search takes longer, the office will let you know.
Some records are not public. The law protects certain private data like social security numbers and sealed court files. Staff will tell you if a record is restricted. You may need to show ID or prove you have a legal right to see certain materials.
Understanding State Access Laws
Colorado state government provides oversight for records access across all cities and counties. The framework built by CORA gives residents a legal right to inspect most government documents. This includes city council minutes, police reports, building permits, and many other file types.
The image below shows the main Colorado state portal where you can find additional resources about your rights under the open records law.
This page links to agencies across the state. You can use it to find contact info for departments that hold specific types of records. Many state databases connect to local systems, so searching at the state level sometimes yields city-level results.
Denver County Court Records
Court records for Denver are managed separately from clerk records. Visit Denver County Court data portal to search for case files. You can also email CORA data requests to coradatarequests@denvercountycourt.org for more complex searches.
The court system follows its own procedures under C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 through 309. These statutes cover criminal justice records specifically. Some court files remain sealed by judge order. Others are open to the public once a case closes.
Chief Justice Directive 05-01 sets additional rules for Colorado courts. This directive explains what case data must be made public and what stays private. It helps balance transparency with privacy concerns.
If you need certified copies of court orders or judgments, ask the court clerk. Certified documents cost an extra $20 per document on top of the standard copy fee. You may need certified copies for legal proceedings in other states or for certain business transactions.
Note: Electronic copies of most court documents are provided free of charge, while paper copies cost $0.25 per page.
Online Directory Resources
Denver offers several online tools for residents directory searches. The Colorado government directory shown below provides a starting point for locating the right agency.
This directory lists phone numbers, addresses, and website links for hundreds of government offices. Some links take you to searchable databases. Others lead to request forms or contact pages. It saves time when you need to figure out which office has the records you want.
Electronic records come at no cost in most cases. You can download files, save them to your device, and review them at your own pace. Paper copies require a fee because staff must print and handle physical documents.
Fee Schedule and Payment
Black and white copies cost $0.25 per page. A certified document adds $20 to your total. Research time is free for the first hour, then billed at up to $41.37 per hour after that. Electronic files are usually free.
You can pay by cash, check, credit card, or money order at the clerk's office. Some online portals accept card payments through a secure system. Large requests may require a deposit before work begins. The office will estimate costs and ask for half the total up front.
Fees help cover the cost of staff time and equipment. The city does not profit from these charges. All money collected goes back into running the clerk's office and maintaining records systems.
Denver County Residents Directory
Since Denver is a consolidated city-county, all residents directory functions operate through the same office. The county page provides additional context about how this unique structure affects record searches. Denver is the only consolidated city-county in Colorado, which simplifies some processes but can confuse people who are used to separate city and county offices.
For complete details on county-level searches and additional resources, visit the main county page.
Nearby Colorado Cities
Several other large cities sit close to Denver and maintain their own residents directory systems. Each city has different procedures and online tools. If you need records from multiple jurisdictions, you must contact each city separately. Records are not shared automatically across city lines.