Commerce City Public Records
Commerce City public records are available through Adams County government offices and the city's own departments. Records include court case files, property deeds, police reports, building permits, and other official documents created by government agencies. The Colorado Open Records Act allows public access to most records. Residents and non-residents can request files online, by mail, or in person. Some records have fees for research time and copies. Certain documents are exempt from disclosure under state or federal law.
Commerce City Quick Facts
Adams County Public Records
Most public records for Commerce City are maintained by Adams County offices. The county seat is in Brighton, but some county services operate in other locations. Court records, property deeds, vital records, and tax documents all go through county offices. Commerce City residents use the same county system as people in other parts of Adams County.
Adams County provides online access to many types of records. Property records can be searched through the county's public database. Court records are available through state and third-party systems. Some records require in-person visits or written requests. Each department has its own procedures for handling public access.
Common Adams County records requested by Commerce City residents:
- Court case files and dockets
- Real estate deeds and mortgages
- Property tax assessments
- Marriage licenses and vital records
- Sheriff arrest and jail records
- Planning and zoning documents
Adams County charges fees for some public records. The first hour of research and retrieval is free under state law. After that, the county may charge up to $41 per hour. Physical copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records are often provided at no charge. For large requests, the county may require payment or a deposit before releasing documents.
Court Files and Legal Records
Commerce City court cases are handled in the 17th Judicial District. Adams County has courts in Brighton and other locations. The District Court handles felonies, large civil cases, domestic relations, and probate. County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, and some civil matters. The Clerk of Court maintains all case files.
| District | 17th Judicial District |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Brighton, Colorado |
| Main Court | Adams County Justice Center |
| Records | Clerk of Court |
Court records can be searched online through the Colorado Judicial Branch or third-party vendors. LexisNexis operates a statewide court search at cocourts.com. This database includes Adams County cases. Search fees apply when viewing case details or downloading documents. For certified copies, you must contact the Clerk of Court.
Court record fees follow state guidelines. A name search costs $5. Paper copies are $0.75 per page. Electronic copies cost $0.25 per page. Research time is billed at set hourly rates. Certified copies cost $20 per document. All fees must be paid before records are released.
Note: Some court records are sealed by court order and not available to the public.
Real Estate and Property Documents
Property records for Commerce City are filed with the Adams County Clerk and Recorder. This office maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other land documents. Recording these documents creates a public record. Anyone can search for and view property records. The county provides online access to recorded documents.
The Clerk and Recorder office is in Brighton at the county government center. You can visit in person to search records or order copies. The county also has an online search system. Property records can be searched by owner name, address, or legal description. Most searches are free. Copy fees apply when ordering documents. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.
Property tax records are maintained by the Adams County Assessor and Treasurer. The Assessor determines property values. The Treasurer collects taxes and issues receipts. Both offices provide online access to their records. You can look up assessment values, tax bills, and payment history for any property in Commerce City. These records are public unless specifically protected by law.
City Government Records
The City of Commerce City maintains records for local government operations. These include city council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and administrative files. City records are separate from county records. You request city documents through the city clerk or the department that created the record.
Building permits and inspection reports are handled by the city's Community Development Department. Business licenses and code enforcement files are also kept by city offices. For police reports, contact the Commerce City Police Department. Each department has its own records custodian who handles public access requests.
City records requests follow the Colorado Open Records Act. The city has three business days to respond. An extension of up to seven days may be granted for complex requests. Fees apply for staff time and copying. The first hour is free. Hourly rates for additional time are set by the city. Check with the city clerk for current fee schedules.
Police Reports and Criminal History
The Commerce City Police Department maintains incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement records. Police records follow the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. Some records are public while others are restricted. You can request reports for incidents where you were involved or that are matters of public interest.
To request police records, contact the Commerce City Police Department Records Division. Requests must be in writing. The department has three business days to respond. Fees may apply for copying and staff time. For statewide criminal history checks, use the Colorado Bureau of Investigation system at cbirecordscheck.com. Online searches cost $5 each.
CBI records only show Colorado arrests where fingerprints were submitted. Out-of-state convictions do not appear. Sealed records and juvenile cases are excluded. For complete criminal history, check multiple sources including court records, police files, and state databases. Sheriff booking logs and jail rosters are separate from CBI records.
Birth and Death Certificates
Vital records for Commerce City residents are maintained by the Adams County Clerk and Recorder. Birth and death certificates are available to authorized requesters. You must have a direct relationship to the person on the record or legal authority to obtain it. Photo ID is required when ordering in person. Marriage licenses are issued by the same office.
The Clerk and Recorder office in Brighton handles all vital records for Adams County. You can order in person, by mail, or online through the state system. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at cdphe.colorado.gov offers online ordering for birth and death certificates. Birth records date back to 1910 for most counties. Death records start in 1900.
Vital record fees in Commerce City:
- Birth certificate: $20 first copy, $13 additional
- Death certificate: $20 first copy, $13 additional
- Marriage license: Set fee plus recording
Marriage licenses are valid for 35 days from the date of issue. Both parties must appear in person to apply. After the ceremony, the signed license is returned to the Clerk and Recorder for recording. Certified copies can be ordered once the record is filed.
Business and Licensing Files
Business entity filings are handled by the Colorado Secretary of State. The Secretary of State maintains a database of all corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities. You can search for business records at sos.state.co.us. Formation documents, annual reports, and registered agent information are available online. Most business records are public.
Local business licenses in Commerce City are issued by the city government. Different types of businesses require different permits. The city maintains records of all licenses issued. These are public records that can be requested through the appropriate city department. Sales tax licenses, professional permits, and special authorizations are all on file.
UCC filings secure interests in personal property and business assets. These documents are filed with the Colorado Secretary of State. Search UCC records online at coloradosos.gov. The database is free to search. Certified copies can be ordered for a fee. All UCC filings must be submitted to the state office, not the county.
Adams County Public Records
Commerce City is part of Adams County, and most public records are managed through county offices in Brighton. The county provides access to court files, property records, vital records, and many other document types. For a complete guide to Adams County services, office locations, and fee schedules, visit the county records page.
Other Metro Area Cities
Other cities in the Denver metro area maintain public records through their county systems. Thornton, Westminster, and Aurora are all nearby. Each city has local government offices plus county-level records.
Explore public records in nearby cities:
- Thornton (Adams and Weld Counties)
- Westminster (Adams and Jefferson Counties)
- Aurora (Adams and Arapahoe Counties)
- Denver (Denver County)