Access Colorado Springs Public Records

Colorado Springs public records are kept by both city and county offices. The city sits in El Paso County and is the county seat, which means most county offices are located here. Residents can request public records under Colorado's Open Records Act from various agencies including the city clerk, police department, and county recorder. Each office keeps different types of documents and has its own process for releasing them. Police reports go through the Colorado Springs Police Department while property deeds and court filings are at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. City administrative records go through the City Clerk's Office at City Hall on South Nevada Avenue.

El Paso County Records

Colorado Springs is in El Paso County. All court filings, property records, marriage licenses, and vital records go through El Paso County offices. The county does not have one central place for all public records. You must send your request to the custodian of the specific record you want.

The El Paso County CORA page lists contacts for different departments. Mike Madsen is the Open Records Manager and can be reached at 719-520-6403. Kristi Ridlen is the Deputy Chief at the Clerk and Recorder's Office and handles many record requests at 719-520-6226. Beth DeStefano at the Sheriff's Office manages law enforcement records at 719-520-7183.

Some offices have separate processes. The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Department of Human Services, and Sheriff's Office all handle their own CORA requests. Check with each office directly for their submission process.

El Paso County charges nothing for the first two hours of research and retrieval. After that, the rate is $29.50 per hour. This is lower than the state maximum of $41 per hour. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Oversize documents like plats cost $1 for the first page and $0.75 for each additional page. Certification adds $1 per document.

City of Colorado Springs CORA

The city maintains its own records separate from the county. City records include permits, licenses, council meeting minutes, budget documents, and other administrative files.

The City of Colorado Springs CORA page explains how to request city records. The City Clerk's Office is at 30 South Nevada Avenue, Suite 101. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can visit in person or submit a written request.

The city follows standard CORA timelines. They respond within three working days. If more time is needed, they can extend the deadline by up to seven additional days. The city charges fees as permitted under state law. Payment goes to Accounts Receivable at 30 S. Nevada Ave., Suite 204, or by mail to PO Box 1575, Mail Code 250, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1575. Call 719-385-2367 for payment questions. The city accepts cash, checks, credit cards, and money orders.

City records are governed by C.R.S. § 24-72-203, which sets out inspection and copying rights. Some records can be withheld under C.R.S. § 24-72-204 if they contain exempt information like personnel files, trade secrets, or security details.

Police Records Access

The Colorado Springs Police Department keeps police reports, arrest records, incident reports, and accident reports. These are criminal justice records and fall under both CORA and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.

Visit the Colorado Springs Police Records page to request police records. The standard fee is $10 but can go higher for large or complex requests. Call the Records and Identification unit at 719-444-7463 for questions about police reports.

Body-worn camera footage requires a separate form. Follow the instructions on that form for submittal. These requests can take longer to process because staff must review video to redact sensitive information before release.

For Internal Affairs records, email CSPD.InternalAffairs@coloradosprings.gov or call 719-444-7417. These records may be more restricted than general police reports.

El Paso County Court Records

Colorado Springs is in the 4th Judicial District. Court records for criminal cases, civil suits, family law matters, and probate go through the El Paso County courts.

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records and some court documents. The Recording Department is at 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road. Call 719-520-6200 for general questions or 719-520-6198 for copy requests. You can also email recweb@elpasoco.com or copyrequests@elpasoco.com.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the main office. The North Office at 8830 N Union Blvd is open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for some services.

For court case records, you may also search through LexisNexis Colorado Courts. This third-party site provides online access to many Colorado court records. Keep in mind you cannot get certified copies from third-party sites. Official certified copies must come from the court clerk.

Some court records are available through the Colorado Judicial Branch. Use the record request form for official requests to the courts. You can also contact the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or public.access@judicial.state.co.us.

Property Deeds and Vital Records

Property records are at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Many property records can be searched online. The clerk's office charges $0.25 per page for recorded documents.

Vital records like birth and death certificates are not held locally. Colorado law requires you to request these from the state. Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for birth certificates, death certificates, and similar records. Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $13 for additional copies. Death certificates have the same fee structure.

Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. For a copy of a marriage license or certificate, contact the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. The state only provides an index verification for marriage records. It does not issue certified copies.

Divorce records are at the Clerk of District Court where the divorce was granted. If the divorce happened in El Paso County, contact the clerk's office at the courthouse. The state will verify that a divorce occurred but cannot provide the actual decree.

Legal Help and Resources

If you need help with CORA or understanding public records, several resources are available:

• Colorado Legal Services offers free legal aid to qualifying residents
• The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service
• Pikes Peak Library District provides legal research databases
• The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition helps with open records questions

Many agencies post common records on their websites. Check online before filing a CORA request. Building permits, business licenses, and property records are often searchable for free on government websites.

For media inquiries, contact the city's Public Information Office at pio@coloradosprings.gov. They handle press requests and can direct you to the right department for specific records.

Public Records in Other Cities

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

Cities in El Paso County may share some county records, but each city keeps its own municipal documents. Contact the specific city clerk for records related to that city's operations.