Boulder County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Boulder County?
Public records in Boulder County are defined under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified in § 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S., 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 or involving receipt or expenditure of public funds.
Boulder County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Boulder County District Court and County Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and property assessments maintained by the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Recording Division
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (from 1900), marriage licenses (from 1861), and civil union licenses (from 2013)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and trade name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Boulder County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use decisions
Each record type is maintained by specific Boulder County departments. The Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and election records, while the Boulder County Courts maintain court records. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are available through the Boulder County Vital Records Office.
Is Boulder County an Open Records County?
Boulder County fully complies with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), § 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S., which ensures public access to government records at all levels in Colorado. Under CORA, all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, except as otherwise provided by law.
The statute specifically states in § 24-72-203(1)(a), C.R.S.: "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, but the official custodian of any public records may make such rules with reference to the inspection of such records as are reasonably necessary for the protection of such records and the prevention of unnecessary interference with the regular discharge of the duties of the custodian or the custodian's office."
Boulder County has established specific procedures for requesting public records in accordance with state law. The county maintains a dedicated public records request portal where members of the public may submit requests electronically.
Additionally, Boulder County complies with Colorado's Open Meetings Law, also known as the Sunshine Law, codified at § 24-6-401 et seq., C.R.S., which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public.
Boulder County has adopted its own public records policy that aligns with state requirements while establishing county-specific procedures for efficiently processing requests and maintaining transparency in government operations.
How to Find Public Records in Boulder County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Boulder County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain public information:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's public records search portal. This includes property records, marriage licenses, and other documents maintained by the Clerk and Recorder's Office.
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Submit a CORA Request: For records not available online, individuals may submit a Colorado Open Records Act request through the county's CORA request system. Requests should:
- Identify the specific records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for response
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper)
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Visit In Person: Records may be inspected in person at the appropriate county office:
- Property records at the Clerk and Recorder's Office
- Court records at the Boulder County Combined Courts
- Vital records at the Boulder County Vital Records Office
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Court Records: Boulder County court records may be requested through the Colorado Judicial Branch's records request system or by visiting the courthouse in person.
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Property Records: Search property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens through the Recording Division's online search system.
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Vital Records: Birth and death certificates require a specific application form available from the Boulder County Vital Records Office, with proper identification and established legal right to access.
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Law Enforcement Records: Contact the Boulder County Sheriff's Office Records Division or appropriate municipal police department with specific case information.
The custodian of records must respond to requests within three working days, though this period may be extended by an additional seven working days if extenuating circumstances exist, pursuant to CORA requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Boulder County?
Boulder County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-205, C.R.S., which permits reasonable charges for document retrieval and duplication. Current standard fees include:
- Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard-sized documents
- Research and Retrieval: First hour free, $33.58 per hour thereafter (rate adjusted periodically based on state guidelines)
- Electronic Records: Actual cost of providing records in electronic format
- Specialized Documents:
- Certified copies of property records: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 each additional page
- Marriage license copies: $1.25 per copy
- Birth/Death certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
The Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Recording Division charges:
- $13.00 for the first page of recorded documents
- $5.00 for each additional page
- $5.00 for certification of recorded documents
Court records have separate fee schedules established by the Colorado Judicial Branch:
- $0.75 per page for copies of court documents
- $20.00 for exemplified copies
- $20.00 for record searches (per name/record searched)
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) for most transactions. Some departments may have limitations on accepted payment methods.
Fee waivers may be granted if disclosure of the records is determined to be in the public interest, primarily benefiting the general public, rather than primarily benefiting the requestor. Waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the records custodian.
Does Boulder County Have Free Public Records?
Boulder County provides free access to certain public records as required by Colorado law. Under CORA, the public has the right to inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. Only if copies are requested or if research and retrieval time exceeds one hour may fees be assessed.
Free public records resources in Boulder County include:
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In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public records free of charge at the appropriate county office during regular business hours. Appointments may be required for certain record types or large volume requests.
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Online Property Records Search: Basic property record searches are available at no cost through the Boulder County Recorder's online search portal. While viewing basic information is free, downloading or printing documents may incur fees.
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County Commission Meeting Minutes and Agendas: These documents are freely available on the Boulder County website.
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Election Results and Voter Information: Basic election information is provided at no cost on the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Elections Division website.
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County Budget Documents: Annual budgets and financial reports are available for free download from the county's website.
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GIS Mapping Information: Basic geographic information system (GIS) data is available through the county's online mapping portal at no charge.
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Public Notices: Legal notices and public announcements are freely accessible on the county's website.
The Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains public computer terminals where members of the public may conduct free searches of recorded documents, though printing may incur fees.
Who Can Request Public Records in Boulder County?
Under the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S., any person may request access to public records maintained by Boulder County. The statute does not restrict access based on citizenship, residency, age, or purpose of the request for most public records.
Key eligibility considerations include:
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Residency Requirements: Colorado law does not restrict public records access to state or county residents. Any person, regardless of residency status, may request public records from Boulder County.
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Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records such as vital records (birth, death certificates) and some court records require proper identification and demonstration of legal right to access.
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Purpose Statement: For most records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. However, certain records with restricted access may require the requestor to demonstrate legitimate interest or legal right to access.
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Restrictions for Specific Record Types:
- Vital Records: Access is limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest as defined in statute.
- Criminal Justice Records: Some investigative records may have restricted access under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.
- Medical Records: Protected by HIPAA and state privacy laws.
- Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with limited exceptions.
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Commercial Use: While commercial use of public records is permitted, Boulder County may inquire about intended use if it affects the determination of whether certain records are public or if a research fee waiver is requested.
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Requesting Your Own vs. Others' Records: When requesting records about yourself, you may need to provide identification to verify your identity. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on privacy protections and statutory exemptions.
Boulder County may not deny access to public records based on the requestor's intended use of the records, except where specifically authorized by law.
What Records Are Confidential in Boulder County?
Boulder County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure under the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-204, C.R.S., and other applicable state and federal laws. These confidential records include:
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Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by court order, including certain juvenile proceedings, domestic relations matters, and mental health cases.
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Juvenile Records: Records related to juvenile delinquency proceedings, dependency and neglect cases, and other matters involving minors, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
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Criminal Justice Records: Records of ongoing investigations, intelligence information, victim information, and other sensitive law enforcement data as defined in the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.
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Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personal data that could facilitate identity theft or fraud.
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Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws, including mental health treatment records.
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Adoption Records: Adoption case files and original birth certificates of adopted persons, with limited exceptions for non-identifying information.
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Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations of child abuse or neglect, foster care records, and other child protective services information.
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Personnel Records: County employee personnel files, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (though salary information is public).
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Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information: Confidential commercial or financial information provided to the county by businesses.
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Security Information: Building security plans, computer network security information, and critical infrastructure details.
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Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product prepared for the county by its attorneys.
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Deliberative Process Materials: Draft documents and materials that reflect the deliberative process of decision-makers prior to final action.
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Library User Records: Information about specific materials borrowed by library patrons and their reading habits.
The custodian of records must deny access to these confidential records unless disclosure is permitted by law or court order. In some cases, redacted versions of records may be provided to protect confidential information while disclosing the remainder of the record.
Colorado law requires custodians to apply a balancing test for certain records, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure.
Boulder County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office - Recording Division
1750 33rd Street, Suite 201
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 413-7770
Boulder County Recording Division
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office - Lafayette Branch
1376 Miners Drive
Lafayette, CO 80026
Phone: (303) 413-7770
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office - Longmont Branch
529 Coffman Street
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: (303) 413-7770
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Boulder County Combined Courts
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (303) 441-3750
Boulder County Courts
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
Boulder County Vital Records Office
3450 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80304
Phone: (303) 413-7500
Boulder County Vital Records
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Boulder County
Search property records, deeds, and other recorded documents
Access Boulder County court records and file court documents
Submit Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests to Boulder County
Request court records and documents from the Colorado Judicial Branch