Public Records in El Paso County

Public records in El Paso County include court documents, property records, vital records, and government files held by county offices. Most of these records are available under the Colorado Open Records Act, also called CORA. You can get them by visiting offices in person, submitting written requests by mail, or using online portals. El Paso County has several offices that handle different types of records. Each office has its own custodian and process. Some records are available immediately, while others take a few days to process in Colorado.

El Paso County CORA Process

The Colorado Open Records Act requires that most public records in El Paso County be available to the public. You must submit your request to the custodian of the record you want. There is no central repository for all public records in the county. Different offices hold different records. For example, the Clerk and Recorder keeps property documents, the Sheriff's Office has arrest records, and the court system maintains case files in Colorado.

The El Paso County CORA page provides contact information for various records custodians. Mike Madsen serves as the Open Records Manager and can be reached at 719-520-6403. For general inquiries, you can also contact Dominic Manzo, Communications Coordinator, at 719-520-6401, or Natalie Sosa, Interim Director of Communications, at 719-520-5540. Each department in the county has a designated contact for specific types of records in Colorado.

El Paso County responds to requests within three working days under C.R.S. § 24-72-203. If the request is complex, the county can extend this by up to seven additional days. You will be notified if more time is needed. The first two hours of research and retrieval are free. After that, the county charges $29.50 per hour. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard documents.

Some records require separate processes. The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office has its own CORA procedures. The Department of Human Services handles requests for social services records. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office manages law enforcement records through a different system. Make sure you contact the right office for the records you need in Colorado.

Clerk and Recorder Office

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records, deeds, liens, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents. The Recording Department is located at 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. You can visit in person Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The North Office at 8830 N Union Blvd is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Phone the Recording Department at 719-520-6200 for general questions. For copy requests, call 719-520-6198 or email copyrequests@elpasoco.com in Colorado.

Many property records can be searched online through the Clerk and Recorder website. This database includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents recorded with the county. You can search by name, document number, or property address. The index is free to view. If you need certified copies, you must order them from the office. Recorded documents cost $0.25 per page. Oversize documents and plats are $1 for the first page and $0.75 for each additional page. Certification costs $1 per document. Shipping ranges from $1 to $7 depending on the method in Colorado.

Kristi Ridlen serves as Deputy Chief of the Clerk and Recorder office. She handles CORA requests related to recorded documents. Reach her at 719-520-6226. For questions about specific records or the recording process, email recweb@elpasoco.com. Staff can help you find what you need if you are not sure how to search the database in Colorado.

The Clerk and Recorder also issues marriage licenses and maintains voter registration records. Marriage licenses are public records. You can view the marriage index and get copies of licenses by visiting the office or submitting a written request. Voter registration information has some privacy protections under state law, so not all voter data is available to the public in Colorado.

Court Records Access

Court records in El Paso County are part of the 4th Judicial District. This includes the El Paso County Court, the District Court, and the Probate Court. All three courts are housed in the El Paso County Combined Court building in Colorado Springs. Court records include case files, dockets, judgments, and orders. Most are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law in Colorado.

You can search some court records online through third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts. This service charges a fee for searches and document access. The Colorado Judicial Branch does not provide free online access to full case files. You can also visit the courthouse in person to view records at no cost. The clerk's office can help you locate a case by name or case number.

To get copies of court documents, contact the Clerk of Court. Fees include $0.75 per page for paper copies and $0.25 per page for electronically filed documents. A name search costs $5.00. Research time is billed at a set hourly rate. Certified copies are $20 per document. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form. Processing time depends on the size and complexity of your request in Colorado.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 governs public access to court records in Colorado. This rule lists which records are public and which are restricted. For example, juvenile records are generally not public. Some domestic cases have sealed files. If a record is not available, the court will tell you why and cite the law or court order that limits access under C.R.S. § 24-72-204.

For questions about court records, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or 800-888-0001. You can also email public.access@judicial.state.co.us. If your request involves multiple cases or complex research, the court may ask for a deposit before starting work in Colorado.

Fees and Response Times

El Paso County follows state guidelines for CORA fees. The first two hours of research and retrieval are free. This is more generous than the statewide standard of one hour. After two hours, the county charges $29.50 per hour. This rate is lower than the state maximum of $41 per hour. Standard paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records sent by email are usually free in Colorado.

Document fees vary by type. Recorded documents from the Clerk and Recorder are $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. Shipping costs depend on the method you choose. Standard mail is $1, while expedited options cost more in Colorado.

Court records have different fee schedules. Name searches are $5.00. Paper copies of court documents are $0.75 per page. Electronically filed documents cost $0.25 per page. Research time is charged at $30 per hour after the first free hour. Certified copies cost $20 each in Colorado.

El Paso County must respond to CORA requests within three working days. This timeline starts when the custodian receives your request. If the records are easy to find, you may get them sooner. If the request is large or complex, the county can extend the deadline by seven more days. You will be notified in writing if an extension is needed. If the county denies your request, they must explain why and cite the law that allows them to withhold the records in Colorado.

Payment is required before records are released. Some offices accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Others may require payment by check or money order. Ask the custodian about payment methods when you submit your request. If the estimated cost is high, the office may ask for a deposit before they start work in Colorado.

Sheriff and Law Enforcement Records

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, booking photos, and other law enforcement files. These records are governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, found in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 to 24-72-309. Some are public, while others may be withheld during active investigations or to protect victims and witnesses in Colorado.

Beth DeStefano handles public records requests for the Sheriff's Office. Reach her at 719-520-7183. The office has its own process for CORA requests separate from other county offices. You must submit your request in writing. Include as much detail as possible about the records you want, such as dates, names, case numbers, and locations in Colorado.

Booking information is often available through the Sheriff's Office website. This includes names, photos, charges, and booking dates for people currently in custody or recently released. Historical arrest records require a formal request. The office charges fees for research and copies based on CORA guidelines. Response times are the same as other county offices: three days with a possible seven-day extension in Colorado.

For crime reports filed with local police departments, contact the police department directly. Colorado Springs Police, Fountain Police, and other municipal agencies handle their own records. The Sheriff's Office only has records for incidents in unincorporated areas or cases where deputies responded.

Some law enforcement records are not public. These include ongoing investigation files, informant identities, surveillance techniques, and certain victim information. If the Sheriff's Office denies your request, they will tell you which exemption applies under state law in Colorado.

Local Resources in El Paso County

El Paso County Public Health keeps health-related public records. This includes birth and death certificates, immunization records, and public health data. Adrian Stanley serves as the Public Information Officer and can be reached at 719-505-0909. The Public Health office is separate from the county health department in other counties, so make sure you contact the right office for health records in Colorado.

The Department of Human Services handles child welfare, adult protective services, and public assistance records. These files have strict privacy protections. Most are not public unless you are the subject of the record or have legal authority to access them. DHS has its own CORA process. Contact the department directly for information about requesting records in Colorado.

The El Paso County Assessor maintains property tax records and assessments. You can search property data online for free. The Assessor's website shows ownership, assessed values, tax history, and property characteristics. Most of this information is public. For formal requests or certified records, contact the Assessor's office in person or by phone in Colorado.

Legal aid organizations in El Paso County can help if you have questions about public records or if your request is denied. Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents. They can advise you on CORA rights and may be able to help you challenge a denial. The Pikes Peak Legal Aid Society also serves the area and offers guidance on accessing government records in Colorado.

If you believe a records request was wrongly denied, you can file a lawsuit under C.R.S. § 24-72-203. The court can order the agency to release the records. If you win, the court may also order the agency to pay your attorney fees. Consult with a lawyer before pursuing legal action. Many attorneys offer free consultations for CORA cases in Colorado.

Cities in El Paso County

El Paso County includes several cities and towns. The largest is Colorado Springs, which has its own municipal offices and records systems. Other communities rely on county services for some records. If you need records from a city government, contact the city clerk or city attorney's office. For county records that cover all areas, use the county offices listed above in Colorado.

Nearby Counties

If you need records from surrounding areas, check the pages for nearby counties. Each has its own offices and procedures for public records requests in Colorado.