Boulder County Public Records /Boulder County Court Records

Boulder County Court Records

What Is Boulder County Court Records

Boulder County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the 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 Revised Statutes § 24-72-302, court records are defined as "all books, papers, cards, photographs, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials, regardless of form or characteristics, made, produced, executed, or received by the court in connection with the transaction of judicial business."

Court records are distinct from other public records such as property deeds, vital statistics (birth, death, marriage certificates), and tax assessments, which are maintained by separate county departments. The Boulder County Judicial System maintains records for the following courts:

District Court (20th Judicial District)
Boulder County Court
Boulder Municipal Court
Longmont Municipal Court
Louisville Municipal Court
Lafayette Municipal Court
Superior Municipal Court
Erie Municipal Court
Nederland Municipal Court

These courts generate records pertaining to civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, traffic violations, and small claims disputes. The comprehensive nature of these records provides a complete legal history of cases processed through the Boulder County judicial system.

Are Court Records Public In Boulder County

Court records in Boulder County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified in Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-201 through § 24-72-309. This statute establishes the presumption that most court records are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or sealed by court order.

The following categories of court records are typically available for public access:

Civil case files (with limited redactions for sensitive information)
Criminal case files (post-charging)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets
Hearing schedules
Property records
Marriage licenses
Probate records

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 access rules rather than state law. Additionally, the Colorado Supreme Court has established specific rules regarding public access to court records through Public Access to Court Records (P.A.C.R.), which provides detailed guidelines on accessibility and restrictions.

Certain records may be restricted from public view, including:

Sealed cases
Juvenile records (with exceptions)
Mental health proceedings
Adoption records
Records containing personal identifying information
Cases involving sexual assault victims

How To Find Court Records in Boulder County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Boulder County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Boulder County Clerk of Court maintains official records and provides multiple avenues for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Boulder County Combined Court facility during regular business hours
Complete a records request form at the clerk's office
Present valid photo identification
Pay applicable copy fees ($0.75 per page for standard copies)
Certified copies may be requested for an additional fee

By Mail:

Submit a written request to the Boulder County Clerk of Court
Include case number, party names, and filing date if known
Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
Include payment for copy fees (check or money order)

Online Access:

Utilize the Colorado Courts E-Filing system for registered users
Access the Colorado State Judicial Branch's docket search for case information
Search Boulder County public records for recorded documents

By Telephone:

Contact the Boulder County Clerk of Court for basic case information
Staff can verify case status and hearing dates
Detailed document requests must be submitted in writing

Boulder County Combined Courts
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
303-441-3750
Boulder County Courts

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the age and type of record requested. Current cases are typically more readily accessible than archived records, which may require additional retrieval time.

How To Look Up Court Records in Boulder County Online?

Boulder County provides several digital platforms for accessing court records online. These systems vary in scope and functionality based on the type of court and records sought:

Colorado Courts E-Filing System (JBITS):

Provides registered users access to case documents
Requires account creation and possible subscription fees
Allows viewing of non-confidential pleadings and orders
Access available at Colorado Courts E-Filing

Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search:

Offers free basic case information lookup
Searchable by case number, party name, or attorney
Provides case type, filing date, and scheduled hearings
Available through the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search portal

Boulder County Clerk & Recorder's Office:

Maintains searchable database of recorded documents
Includes property records, marriage licenses, and liens
Search parameters include name, recording date, and document type
Accessible via the Boulder County Records Search

Boulder Municipal Court Records:

Separate system for city ordinance violations
Requires case number or defendant name
Limited to cases within Boulder city limits
Available through Boulder Central Records

To conduct an online search:

Select the appropriate portal based on record type
Enter known search criteria (case number is most efficient)
Review search results for matching records
Follow portal-specific instructions for viewing or requesting copies
Pay any applicable fees for document access or downloads

Users should be aware that certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-304, which protects personal identifying information from public disclosure.

How To Search Boulder County Court Records for Free?

The Colorado Open Records Act guarantees the public's right to inspect most court records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-205, "inspection of public records is free of charge," while "the custodian may charge a fee not to exceed twenty-five cents per standard page for a copy of a public record."

Free access options in Boulder County include:

In-Person Inspection:

Visit the Boulder County Combined Court during public hours
Request to view specific case files at public terminals
No charge for viewing records on-site
Research assistance available from court clerks

Public Access Terminals:

Located at the Boulder County Justice Center
Provide free access to non-confidential court records
Available during regular business hours
No appointment necessary

Online Resources:

Colorado Judicial Branch's docket search offers free basic case information
Limited to case numbers, party names, and hearing dates
Does not include document images or full case files
No registration required

Boulder County Law Library:

Provides public access computers for legal research
Assistance available from law librarians
Located within the Boulder County Justice Center
Open to the public during regular business hours

Boulder County Law Library
1777 6th Street, First Floor
Boulder, CO 80302
303-441-3740
Boulder County Law Library

While inspection is free, requestors should note that copy fees, certification fees, and research fees may apply depending on the nature and scope of the request. Additionally, commercial users or those requesting voluminous records may be subject to additional fees as permitted under Colorado law.

What's Included in a Boulder County Court Record?

Boulder County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but typically include:

Case Initiation Documents:

Complaints or petitions in civil cases
Charging documents in criminal cases (information or indictment)
Summonses and subpoenas
Service of process documentation

Pleadings and Motions:

Answers and responses to complaints
Pretrial motions and supporting memoranda
Discovery-related documents (in some jurisdictions)
Affidavits and declarations

Court Orders and Judgments:

Preliminary and temporary orders
Final judgments and decrees
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Post-judgment orders and modifications

Hearing and Trial Records:

Docket sheets listing all case activities
Hearing notices and minutes
Exhibits admitted into evidence (or exhibit logs)
Transcripts (when prepared and filed)

Financial Information:

Filing fee receipts
Bond information
Restitution orders
Fee waiver applications and determinations

Case-Specific Documents:

Divorce decrees and parenting plans in family law cases
Probated wills and inventories in estate matters
Sentencing documents in criminal proceedings
Settlement agreements (when filed with the court)

In accordance with Colorado Court Rule of Public Access (P.A.C.R.) 2.03, certain sensitive information may be redacted or restricted, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and names of minor children in specific case types.

How Long Does Boulder County Keep Court Records?

Boulder County maintains court records according to the Colorado Judicial Department Records Retention Schedule, which establishes standardized retention periods for various document types. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-1-306, the State Court Administrator is authorized to establish records management policies for all courts in the state.

Standard retention periods include:

Criminal Cases:

Felony cases: Permanent retention for Class 1 and 2 felonies; 25 years for other felonies
Misdemeanor cases: 10 years after case closure
Traffic infractions: 3 years after case closure

Civil Cases:

General civil litigation: 10 years after final judgment
Small claims: 5 years after case closure
Domestic relations: 30 years after final decree
Probate matters: 10 years after estate closing (wills are permanent)

Special Proceedings:

Mental health cases: 10 years after case closure
Juvenile delinquency: Until subject reaches age 21, then destroyed
Dependency and neglect: 25 years after case closure

Administrative Records:

Court dockets: Permanent retention
Indexes: Permanent retention
Financial records: 7 years

Records designated for permanent retention are eventually transferred to the Colorado State Archives after a specified period of time. Digital preservation initiatives are currently underway to convert older paper records to electronic format for improved accessibility and preservation.

Requestors seeking older records should note that retrieval times may be extended for archived materials, and some very old records may have been lost due to historical courthouse fires, floods, or earlier records destruction practices before standardized retention schedules were implemented.

Types of Courts In Boulder County

Boulder County's judicial system encompasses multiple court levels with varying jurisdictions:

20th Judicial District Court
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
303-441-3750
Boulder District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Boulder County Court
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
303-441-3750
Boulder County Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Boulder Municipal Court
1777 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80302
303-441-3030
Boulder Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Longmont Municipal Court
225 Kimbark Street
Longmont, CO 80501
303-651-8688
Longmont Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Louisville Municipal Court
749 Main Street
Louisville, CO 80027
303-335-4653
Louisville Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The court hierarchy in Colorado follows this structure:

Municipal Courts (lowest level, handling city ordinance violations)
County Courts (misdemeanors, traffic, civil under $25,000, small claims)
District Courts (felonies, civil over $25,000, domestic relations, probate)
Colorado Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate court)
Colorado Supreme Court (highest state court)

Appeals from Boulder Municipal Courts go to the Boulder County Court, while appeals from County Court decisions go to the District Court. District Court decisions may be appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals and ultimately to the Colorado Supreme Court.

What Types of Cases Do Boulder County Courts Hear?

Boulder County's various courts adjudicate specific case types according to their statutory jurisdiction:

Boulder District Court (20th Judicial District):

Felony criminal prosecutions
Civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000
Domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, child support)
Probate and estate administration
Mental health proceedings
Juvenile matters (delinquency, dependency and neglect)
Appeals from County Court decisions
Water rights adjudications

Boulder County Court:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations
Civil cases with claims up to $25,000
Small claims (up to $7,500)
Protection orders
Preliminary hearings in felony cases
Landlord-tenant disputes
Name changes

Boulder Municipal Court:

City ordinance violations
Municipal code infractions
Parking tickets
Animal control violations
Noise complaints
Zoning violations
Minor traffic offenses within city limits
Parks and recreation violations

Specialized Courts and Dockets:

Boulder County Drug Court
Boulder County Mental Health Court
Boulder County Family Treatment Court
Boulder County Veterans Treatment Court
Boulder County DUI Court

Case assignment is determined by the nature of the alleged offense or claim, the amount in controversy for civil matters, and the geographic location where the incident occurred. The Boulder County District Attorney's Office prosecutes state law violations in District and County Courts, while city attorneys handle municipal ordinance violations.

How To Find a Court Docket In Boulder County

Court dockets in Boulder County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public can access docket information through several methods:

Online Docket Search:

Visit the Colorado Judicial Branch's docket search portal
Enter search criteria (case number preferred for most accurate results)
Alternative search parameters include party name or attorney
Select Boulder County from jurisdiction dropdown menu
Review results for case status, upcoming hearings, and filing history

In-Person Docket Review:

Visit the Boulder County Combined Court clerk's office
Request docket information for specific cases
Public terminals available for self-service searching
Daily court calendars posted near courtrooms

Telephone Inquiries:

Contact the clerk's office at 303-441-3750
Provide case number or party names
Basic docket information may be provided verbally
Detailed docket printouts require written request

Law Library Access:

Boulder County Law Library provides public access computers
Assistance available for navigating court record systems
Legal research resources to supplement docket information

For upcoming hearings, the daily court calendar is typically posted on the Boulder County Courts website and updated each business day. This resource lists scheduled proceedings by courtroom, judge, and time.

When searching dockets, users should note:

Case numbers follow a specific format (year + case type code + sequential number)
Some older cases may not be available in electronic format
Sealed cases will not appear in public search results
Juvenile cases have restricted access under Colorado law

Which Courts in Boulder County Are Not Courts of Record?

In the Colorado judicial system, a "court of record" is defined by Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-1-111 as a court whose proceedings are recorded verbatim and from which appeals are based on the official record rather than through a new trial (trial de novo). Courts not of record typically handle minor matters with simplified procedures.

The following Boulder County courts are not courts of record:

Small Claims Court:

Division of Boulder County Court
Handles civil claims up to $7,500
Informal procedures without attorneys (in most cases)
Appeals heard as new trials in County Court
Located at Boulder County Justice Center

Municipal Courts:

Boulder Municipal Court
Longmont Municipal Court
Louisville Municipal Court
Lafayette Municipal Court
Superior Municipal Court
Erie Municipal Court (portion in Boulder County)
Nederland Municipal Court

These municipal courts generally do not maintain verbatim records of proceedings unless specifically requested by a party. Appeals from municipal court decisions are typically heard as new trials in Boulder County Court, as provided in Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure Rule 237(a).

All other courts in Boulder County, including District Court and regular County Court divisions, are courts of record with proceedings recorded by court reporters or electronic recording systems. Appeals from these courts are based on the official record and legal arguments rather than retrying the case.