Aurora Public Records

Aurora public records are split between city and county offices. The city sits mostly in Arapahoe County but also extends into Adams, Douglas, and Denver counties. This means some records are at the Arapahoe County government center while others are at Aurora City Hall. The city uses NextRequest to process most public records requests, making it easier to submit and track your request online. Police records go through a separate portal run by the Aurora Police Department. Court records for Aurora residents are filed at the Arapahoe County courts in Centennial. Each type of record has its own custodian and process under Colorado's Open Records Act.

Which County Handles Filings

Aurora is in Arapahoe County. Most county filings happen there. The Arapahoe County government center is in Littleton. Court facilities are at the Arapahoe County Justice Center in Centennial.

Parts of Aurora extend into Adams, Douglas, and Denver counties. If you live in one of those sections, some county records may be at a different county office. Property records go to the county where the property sits. Court cases are filed based on where you live or where an incident occurred.

For most Aurora residents, Arapahoe County handles court filings, property deeds, marriage licenses, and other county services. The county uses a NextRequest portal for public records requests. This makes it easy to submit a CORA request online and track its status.

City of Aurora CORA Requests

The City of Aurora handles its own public records for city operations. These include city council meeting minutes, building permits, business licenses, planning documents, and administrative files.

Aurora uses NextRequest to process public records requests. This online portal lets you submit a request, upload documents, and check the status of your request. It is faster than mailing or emailing requests.

The City of Aurora public records page explains how the process works. The city tries to give fast and fair service to everyone who requests records. Staff will respond within three business days as required by state law. If more time is needed, the city can extend the deadline by up to seven additional days.

Not all records go through the general portal. Police records and court records have separate request systems. Make sure you use the right process for the type of record you need.

Aurora Police Records

Police records are criminal justice records. They fall under both CORA and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. The Aurora Police Department has its own portal for these requests.

Use the Aurora Police Report/CCJRA Requests Portal to request police reports, arrest records, accident reports, and other law enforcement documents. Do not use the general city portal for police records. Your request may be delayed if you send it to the wrong place.

Some police records cannot be released while an investigation is ongoing. Others may contain information that must be redacted to protect victims, witnesses, or investigative techniques. The police department will tell you if any records are restricted or if portions must be redacted before release.

Body-worn camera footage is available through CORA but requires more processing time. Staff must review video and redact sensitive information before it can be released. These requests often take longer and may cost more due to the staff time involved.

Court and Legal Records

Aurora court records are filed at Arapahoe County courts. For municipal court records related to city ordinance violations, email recordsrequests@auroragov.org. This is separate from the NextRequest portal.

For county court and district court records, contact the 18th Judicial District. The Arapahoe County Justice Center is at 7325 South Potomac Street in Centennial. The courthouse at 1790 Littleton Blvd in Littleton also handles some cases. Call 303-649-6355 for questions about which court has your case.

Some court records can be searched online through LexisNexis Colorado Courts. This third-party vendor provides access to many Colorado court cases. Official certified copies must come from the court clerk, not from online databases.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also provides a record request form for court documents. You can contact the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or public.access@judicial.state.co.us with questions about court records.

Court fees include a $5 name search and $0.75 per page for paper copies. E-filed documents cost $0.25 per page. Research time after the first free hour costs $30 per hour. Certified copies are $20 per document.

Property and County Records

Property records for Aurora are at the county recorder's office where the property is located. Most Aurora properties are in Arapahoe County. The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder is at 5334 South Prince Street in Littleton. Call 303-795-4520 for questions.

You can search property records online at arapahoe.co.publicsearch.us. This free database includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Copies of documents can be ordered online or in person.

The Arapahoe County Assessor handles property tax records. These are separate from ownership records. The assessor's office can be reached at 303-795-4600 or assessor@arapahoegov.com.

For CORA requests to Arapahoe County, use the county's public records portal or email CORA@arapahoegov.com. The email is forwarded to the right custodian automatically. The county charges $41 per hour for research and retrieval after the first free hour. Copies are $0.25 per page. Electronic records are usually sent by email at no extra cost.

Birth and Death Certificates

Vital records are not available locally in Aurora or Arapahoe County. State law requires you to request these from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Visit cdphe.colorado.gov to order birth certificates, death certificates, and fetal death certificates. Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $13 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates have the same fee structure. Records go back to 1910 for births and 1900 for deaths, though some counties have earlier records.

Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. For a copy of a marriage license from Arapahoe County, contact the Clerk and Recorder at 303-795-4520. The state only provides index verification for marriages, not certified copies.

Divorce records are at the clerk of court where the divorce was granted. If your divorce was in Arapahoe County, contact the district court clerk. The state will verify that a divorce occurred but does not provide actual decrees.

Help and Resources

If you need help with a CORA request or legal questions, several organizations can assist:

• Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents
• The Colorado Bar Association offers lawyer referral services
• Aurora Public Library has legal research databases available to the public
• The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition can help with open records questions

Many records are already online. Check city and county websites before filing a CORA request. Building permits, business licenses, property records, and some court dockets can be searched for free. This saves time and money compared to requesting copies through CORA.

The first hour of research and retrieval is free under C.R.S. § 24-72-205. After that, most agencies charge around $30 to $41 per hour. Fees are adjusted every five years for inflation. Always ask for a cost estimate before staff begins work on a large request.

Public Records in Nearby Cities

If you need records from other cities, each has its own CORA process:

Some cities share county services with Aurora but maintain their own city records. Contact the specific city for records related to that city's operations.