Federal Heights Residents Guide
The Federal Heights residents directory provides access to public records managed by Adams County offices and Colorado state agencies. Federal Heights is a small city of about 14,000 people, tucked between Northglenn, Westminster, and Thornton in the north Denver metro area. Despite its small size, residents have the same rights to public records as anyone in Colorado under the state's open records law. The Adams County Clerk and Recorder in Brighton is the main office for county-level records, and several state databases offer additional ways to search for documents and verify information.
Federal Heights Quick Facts
Adams County Clerk Services
Federal Heights records are maintained by the Adams County Clerk and Recorder at 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy, 1st Floor, Suite E2400, Brighton, CO 80601. Call 720-523-6020 or email adams.recording@adcogov.org. The office handles property recordings, vital records, marriage licenses, and other public filings for all Adams County communities. Federal Heights does not have its own county clerk, so everything goes through the Adams County office in Brighton.
The clerk's website at https://adcogov.org/clerk-recorder offers online search tools. You can look up recorded documents from home. Property records are searchable by name, address, or document number. The site also has forms and fee information so you know what to expect before you visit or mail in a request.
Adams County also runs election services at www.adamsvotes.com. Voter registration data is public, though personal details like birthdates are restricted. If you need motor vehicle records, the county handles those as well, but access is limited under state and federal law.
Federal Heights Property Records
Property filings for Federal Heights go through Adams County. Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, and easements are all recorded at the clerk's office. The county database lets you search these records online at no charge. When you find what you need, copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies with the official seal cost more.
Property records show who owns a piece of land, what mortgages or liens exist, and the history of ownership over time. Anyone can search. You do not need to give a reason. Real estate agents, attorneys, and title companies use these records as part of their daily work. Homeowners and prospective buyers search them too.
The Colorado Department of Human Services maintains records related to social services and facility licensing throughout the state.
While many social services records are restricted for privacy reasons, some licensing and program information is available to the public through the department website.
Court Records for Federal Heights
Court cases involving Federal Heights residents are part of the Adams County court system. The Colorado Judicial Branch offers an online search tool at https://www.cocourts.com/cocourts/. You can look up cases by party name or case number. The database includes civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Not every case is in the online system, particularly older filings that have not been digitized.
Chief Justice Directive 05-01 controls public access to court records. Most civil and criminal case records are open. Family court and juvenile records have tighter restrictions. If a record is sealed by court order, it will not show up in public searches. The clerk of court can tell you what is available for a specific case type.
Criminal justice records have their own set of rules under the CCJRA, C.R.S. sections 24-72-301 through 309. This law covers arrest records, conviction data, and dispositions. It sets out who can access this information and under what circumstances. The law applies to records held by law enforcement, courts, and other criminal justice agencies.
If you cannot find what you need online, try calling the court directly. Some records are only available at the courthouse. Staff can check for you and let you know if the records you want exist and whether they are public.
CORA and Federal Heights Records
The Colorado Open Records Act, C.R.S. sections 24-72-200.1 through 205, is the law that guarantees public access to government records. It applies to every government agency in Colorado, including those serving Federal Heights. Under CORA, most records are open. You have the right to inspect and copy them.
Agencies must respond within three working days. They may need more time for large or complex requests. If they deny your request, they must cite the specific legal basis. Common reasons for denial include ongoing investigations, personnel file protections, and data covered by other privacy laws. You can appeal if you think the denial was incorrect.
Copy fees are capped. Standard copies are $0.25 per page. Research fees may apply for requests that take significant staff time. The agency will tell you the estimated cost before doing the work. If the cost is too high, you can narrow your request to reduce fees.
State Search Tools
Several state-level databases help with Federal Heights residents directory searches. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation runs a criminal history records system at https://www.cbirecordscheck.com/. It covers the whole state and pulls data from every county. There is a fee, but results come back quickly.
The Colorado state portal at https://www.colorado.gov/ connects you to all state agencies. Use it to find contact details, services, and online tools. The judicial public records guide explains how to access court documents and what rules apply to different case types.
For business searches, the Secretary of State has a free database at https://www.coloradosos.gov/biz/BusinessEntityCriteriaExt.do. Look up any Colorado business by name or ID. Results show filing dates, registered agents, and current status. The tool is available around the clock at no charge.
Vital Records Access in Federal Heights
Vital records for Federal Heights residents are on file with Adams County. Marriage licenses are issued by the clerk and become part of the public record once the ceremony takes place and the license is returned. You can search for marriage records by either party's name.
Birth certificates have strict access rules. They are restricted for 100 years from the date of birth. Only the person named, parents, guardians, or authorized representatives can request copies. Proof of identity and relationship is required. Death certificates also have restrictions that change over time. Contact the clerk to find out what applies to the record you need.
If you do not know which county holds a vital record, the state keeps a central index through the Department of Human Services. This is helpful when the event happened elsewhere in Colorado. Fees apply for statewide searches and certified copies from the state office.
The Secretary of State business entity search lets you look up any registered business in Colorado for free.
The database shows registration details, filing history, and the current status of businesses registered in Colorado. This tool is useful for verifying business information and finding registered agents.
Tips for Federal Heights Record Searches
Have your details ready before you start. Names, dates, addresses, and case numbers all help the staff find records faster. If you only have a name, be prepared for multiple results. Common names can return many matches, and you may need extra information to narrow things down.
Check the online portals first. Many records can be found through county and state websites without making a formal request. This saves time and avoids fees for simple lookups. If you need official copies or certified documents, you will need to go through the formal request process.
Be patient with complex requests. While CORA requires a response within three days, the actual records may take longer if the search involves many files or requires legal review. The agency will keep you updated on the status of your request.
Adams County Residents Directory
Federal Heights is located in Adams County, and the county clerk's office in Brighton handles the vast majority of public records for the area. Visit the Adams County residents directory for complete information about office locations, services, and record access procedures.
Nearby Colorado Cities
Other cities near Federal Heights also have residents directory pages with details about local records and search options.