Search Grand Junction Public Records
Grand Junction public records are managed through Mesa County government offices. The city serves as the county seat for Mesa County, making it the central location for court records, property filings, and other official documents. Residents and non-residents can access public records under the Colorado Open Records Act. You can request files online, by mail, or in person at county offices in Grand Junction. Most records are available to anyone who asks. Some documents have restrictions based on privacy laws or court orders.
Grand Junction Quick Facts
Mesa County Public Records Access
Mesa County offices in Grand Junction maintain most public records for the area. Court files, property deeds, vital records, and tax documents all go through county departments. As the county seat, Grand Junction hosts the main county offices where these records are kept. The county follows Colorado state law for public records access. Requests are handled through individual department custodians.
Mesa County provides online access to some types of records. Property records can be searched through the county website. Court records are available through state systems and third-party vendors. Other records may require in-person visits or written requests. Each office has its own procedures for handling public access and copying.
Common Mesa County records requested in Grand Junction:
- Court case files and judgments
- Real estate deeds and liens
- Property tax records
- Marriage licenses and vital records
- Sheriff booking and jail records
- Planning and zoning documents
- Building permits and inspections
Fees apply to most records requests. The first hour of research and retrieval is free under Colorado law. After that, Mesa County may charge up to $41 per hour. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard documents. Electronic records are often provided at no charge. For large requests, the county may require payment or a deposit before processing begins.
Grand Junction Court Records
The 21st Judicial District serves Mesa County. Grand Junction has both District Court and County Court facilities. District Court handles felonies, large civil cases, domestic relations, and probate. County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, and some civil matters. The Clerk of Court maintains all case files and provides public access during business hours.
| District | 21st Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Location | Mesa County Justice Center, Grand Junction |
| Clerk | Mesa County Clerk of Court |
| Records | Public unless sealed by court order |
Court records can be searched online through several systems. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides information at coloradojudicial.gov. Third-party vendor LexisNexis operates the Colorado Courts Record Search at cocourts.com. This database includes all judicial districts including the 21st District where Grand Junction is located. Fees apply when viewing case details or downloading documents.
For certified copies of court records, contact the Clerk of Court directly. Court 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 rates. Certified copies cost $20 per document. Payment is required before the clerk releases records.
Note: Court records involving juveniles or sealed cases are not available to the public.
Real Estate and Land Records
Property records for Grand Junction are maintained by the Mesa County Clerk and Recorder. This office keeps all deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, and other documents that affect land titles. Recording these documents with the county creates a public record. Anyone can search for and view property records. The county provides online access to many recorded documents.
The Clerk and Recorder office is in the county administration building in Grand Junction. You can visit in person to search records or order copies. The county also has an online search portal. Property records can be searched by owner name, property address, or legal description. Basic searches are free. Copy fees apply when ordering documents. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.
Property tax information is maintained by the Mesa County Assessor and Treasurer. The Assessor determines property values each year for tax purposes. 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 Grand Junction. These records are public unless specifically protected by law.
Public Records Requests in Grand Junction
The Colorado Open Records Act governs access to government documents in Grand Junction. CORA requires agencies to respond to requests within three business days. Extensions of up to seven additional days may be granted for complex requests. You must submit requests in writing to the custodian of the record you want. Phone requests are not accepted.
To request public records from Mesa County, identify the department that maintains the record. The Clerk and Recorder handles property and vital records. The court handles case files. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records. City records go through city departments. Once you know the right office, submit your written request directly to that custodian.
Common CORA requests in Grand Junction include:
- Building permits and inspection reports
- Business licenses and applications
- City council meeting minutes
- Code enforcement actions
- Planning and zoning decisions
- Police incident reports
Fees are capped by state law. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. Additional time can be billed at up to $41 per hour. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records are often provided at no charge. Large requests may require advance payment or deposits.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Vital records for Grand Junction residents are handled by the Mesa 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 require both parties to appear with valid identification.
The Clerk and Recorder office in Grand Junction handles all vital records for Mesa County. You can order in person during business hours. Mail and online ordering are also available. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at cdphe.colorado.gov provides online ordering for birth and death certificates. State records date back to 1910 for births and 1900 for deaths.
Vital record fees:
- Birth certificate: $20 first copy, $13 additional copies
- Death certificate: $20 first copy, $13 additional copies
- Marriage license: Set fee plus recording costs
Marriage licenses are valid for 35 days from the date of issue. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Clerk and Recorder. Once recorded, certified copies of the marriage record can be ordered. Divorce records come from the court, not the vital records office.
Police Reports and Criminal History
The Grand Junction 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 record.
To request police records, contact the Grand Junction Police Department Records Division. Requests must be in writing. The department has three business days to respond under CCJRA. Fees may apply for copying and staff time. For statewide criminal history checks, use the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at cbirecordscheck.com. Online checks cost $5 per search.
CBI records only show Colorado arrests where fingerprints were taken. Out-of-state convictions do not appear. Sealed records and juvenile cases are excluded from the database. For complete criminal history, you may need to check multiple sources including court records, police files, and Sheriff's Office booking logs. Each source provides different information.
Business and Licensing Records
Business entity filings for companies operating in Grand Junction are maintained by the Colorado Secretary of State. The Secretary of State website at sos.state.co.us allows you to search for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities. Formation documents, annual reports, and registered agent information are available online. Most business records are public unless exempt by law.
Local business licenses in Grand Junction are issued by the city government. Different types of businesses require different permits and licenses. The city maintains records of all licenses issued. These are public records available through the appropriate city department. Sales tax licenses, professional permits, and special authorizations are on file with the city.
UCC filings secure interests in personal property and business assets. These documents are filed with the Colorado Secretary of State, not the county. Search UCC records online at coloradosos.gov. The database is free to search. Certified copies of UCC documents can be ordered for a fee.
Mesa County Public Records
Grand Junction is the county seat of Mesa County. All main county offices and courts are located here. For a complete guide to Mesa County services, office locations, fee schedules, and online resources, visit the Mesa County public records page. The county page includes detailed information on all departments and how to access specific types of records.
Western Colorado Public Records
Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. Other communities in the region maintain public records through their own county systems. Each county operates independently under Colorado state law.
Grand Junction serves as a regional hub for Mesa County and the western slope of Colorado. For records in other parts of the state, use the counties and cities pages to find the right offices.