Eagle County Records Search

Public records in Eagle County cover court files, property deeds, vital documents, and government papers maintained by county offices. The Colorado Open Records Act gives you the right to view and copy most of these records. Eagle County has several towns, including Vail and Avon. The county seat is Eagle. Offices there keep records for the whole county. You can request records by mail, email, or in person. The Clerk and Recorder handles property documents and marriage licenses. The court system maintains case files and judgments. Each office must respond to requests within three working days under state law. Some records are free to view. Copy fees and research charges may apply.

Requesting Records Under CORA

Eagle County follows the Colorado Open Records Act for all public record requests. This law is in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-201 to 24-72-206. It says that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. You must send your request in writing to the custodian who keeps the records you want. Different offices hold different types of records in Colorado.

The Colorado Secretary of State CORA page explains the basic process. Include your name and contact information when you make a request. Be specific about what you want. List dates, names, case numbers, or property addresses if you know them. The more detail you give, the faster staff can locate the records.

Eagle County must respond within three working days under C.R.S. § 24-72-203. If your request is large or complex, the county can extend this by seven more days. You will be notified in writing if more time is needed. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, the county may charge up to $41 per hour. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard documents in Colorado.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. These include personnel files, medical records, and some law enforcement files. If your request is denied, the office must tell you why and cite the law that allows them to withhold the records. You can appeal a denial or ask for a review. The county attorney can help resolve disputes about access under C.R.S. § 24-72-204.

Property Records Access

The Eagle County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records for the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. They also issue marriage licenses and keep some vital records. The office is in the Eagle County Courthouse in Eagle, Colorado. You can visit during business hours to view records. Staff can help you search the index at no cost.

Many property records can be searched online. Some Colorado counties use public databases for deeds and liens. Check the Eagle County website to see if online access is available. If records are not online, you need to visit in person or submit a written request. Copy fees are typically $0.25 per page for standard documents. Larger maps and plats may cost more. Certification adds $1 per document in Colorado.

For marriage licenses, contact the Clerk and Recorder directly. Marriage records are public in Colorado. You can get copies if you know the names and approximate date. The state also keeps a marriage index. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment can verify marriages but does not issue certified copies. You must get certified copies from the county where the license was issued.

Recording fees are set by state law. When you record a new document, the Clerk charges based on the number of pages. Ask the office for a current fee schedule. Payment methods vary. Most offices accept cash, checks, and credit cards in person. Some accept payment by mail in Colorado.

Court Files and Judgments

Eagle County is part of the 5th Judicial District in Colorado. The District Court and County Court are both in the Eagle County Courthouse. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, domestic matters, probate cases, and small claims. Most court records are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides guidance on accessing court records statewide. You can search some records online through third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts. These services charge fees for searches and document access. Free online access to full case files is not available from the state. You must visit the courthouse to view records at no cost in Colorado.

To get copies of court documents, contact the Clerk of Court at the Eagle County Courthouse. Standard fees apply. Name searches cost $5.00. Paper copies are $0.75 per page. Electronically filed documents cost $0.25 per page. Research time may be charged after the first free hour. Certified copies are $20 per document. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 governs access to court records in Colorado. This rule lists which records are public and which are not. Juvenile records are generally sealed. Some domestic cases have restricted files. If a record is not available, the clerk will explain why and cite the law or court order. For questions, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or email public.access@judicial.state.co.us.

Fees and Processing Timelines

Eagle County charges fees based on state CORA guidelines. The first hour of research and retrieval is free under C.R.S. § 24-72-205. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour. This rate is adjusted for inflation every five years. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard documents. Electronic records sent by email are often free.

Court records have separate fee schedules set by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Property records from the Clerk and Recorder also follow state guidelines. If you need certified copies, expect to pay extra. Certification costs $1 per document from the Clerk and Recorder. Court certified copies are $20 each. Shipping adds to the total cost if you want records mailed to you in Colorado.

Response times are set by law. Eagle County must respond within three working days. This starts when the custodian gets your request. If records are ready, you may get them right away. If the request is large, the county can extend the deadline by seven more days. You will be notified in writing if more time is needed. Payment is usually required before records are released. Ask about payment methods when you submit your request.

Sheriff and Police Records

The Eagle County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and booking information. These records fall under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 to 24-72-309. Some are public. Others may be withheld during active investigations or to protect victims in Colorado.

Submit CORA requests for Sheriff's Office records in writing. Include as much detail as possible. List dates, names, case numbers, and locations if you know them. The office will tell you if the records are available and what fees apply. Response times are the same as other county offices: three days with a possible extension in Colorado.

For crime reports filed with local police departments in Eagle County, contact those agencies directly. Vail Police, Avon Police, and other municipal agencies handle their own records. The Sheriff's Office only has records for incidents in unincorporated areas or where deputies responded. Some law enforcement records are not public. These include ongoing investigations, informant identities, and certain victim information. If your request is denied, the office will cite the exemption that applies under state law.

Booking information may be available through the Sheriff's website. This includes current inmates and recent releases. Historical arrest records need a formal request. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation also keeps a statewide criminal history database. You can request your own criminal history through the CBI for a fee. Access to other people's records is restricted in Colorado.

Statewide Records and Databases

The Colorado State Archives holds historical records from Eagle County and other counties. This includes old vital records, probate files, and naturalization papers. Some records are searchable online. Others require an in-person visit or written request. The Archives is in Denver. Hours and access rules are posted on their website in Colorado.

For business entity records, use the Colorado Secretary of State business database. You can search for corporations, LLCs, and other entities registered in Colorado. This database is free and updated regularly. It includes names, addresses, registered agents, and filing dates. You can get certified copies of business documents for a fee.

The Colorado Department of Revenue handles CORA requests for tax records and motor vehicle information. Some of this data is restricted by law. You can request your own records or records for businesses you are authorized to access. Submit requests through their online portal or by mail.

Cities in Eagle County

Eagle County has several towns and cities. None have populations over 25,000. Vail, Avon, and Gypsum are among the larger communities. The county seat is Eagle. Each municipality may have its own public records for city operations. Contact city halls directly for local records. County offices handle records for unincorporated areas and countywide functions in Colorado.

Nearby Counties

Eagle County borders several other Colorado counties. Garfield County is to the north. Summit County is to the east. Lake County is to the southeast. Pitkin County is to the south. Each county has its own records system. If you need records from multiple counties, submit separate requests to each one in Colorado.