Lincoln County Public Records

Lincoln County maintains public records at the courthouse in Hugo, the county seat. The clerk and recorder's office handles property deeds, marriage licenses, and recorded documents. Court staff maintain case files for criminal and civil matters. The sheriff's office keeps law enforcement records. Most government documents are available under Colorado's Open Records Act. Anyone can request copies by contacting the appropriate office. Some records can be searched through state online databases. Others require in-person visits or written requests to the county. Processing times vary based on record type and request complexity. Fees apply for research, copying, and certification of documents requested from county offices.

County Clerk and Recorder

The Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder maintains many official records. This office records property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. They issue marriage licenses and maintain marriage records. The clerk also handles election administration.

The clerk's office operates from the courthouse in Hugo. Office hours are Monday through Friday. Staff can help you search for documents and request copies. Have details ready about what you need. Names, dates, and document types help locate records faster.

You can visit in person or make requests by phone or mail. Be specific about the records you're looking for. Include all identifying information you have. The clerk will check if records are available and provide fee estimates.

Recording new documents costs fees based on page count and document type. Copies of existing records cost twenty-five cents per page. Certified copies have an additional dollar fee per document. Oversize documents like plats cost more to copy.

Court Records

Lincoln County is part of the 18th Judicial District Court. This district serves Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties. District court handles felonies, major civil cases, domestic relations, and probate. County court handles misdemeanors, traffic, and small claims.

Court records can be searched through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The judicial branch provides access guides and contact information. Third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts offer searches for some case types.

Some court records are confidential. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Adoption records are not public. Mental health cases have restricted access. Certain family law cases may have protective seals. Ask court staff about sealed or restricted records.

To get copies of court documents, contact the clerk of court for the 18th Judicial District. Include case numbers if you know them. Staff will verify if records can be released. Fees apply for copies and research time.

Property Records

Property ownership records are maintained by the clerk and recorder. Real estate transactions must be recorded to be legally effective. Deeds show ownership transfers. Mortgages and liens show debts secured by property. These documents create a chain of title.

Search property records by owner name, legal description, or reception number. The reception number is assigned when documents are recorded. This unique number helps locate specific documents quickly in the county system.

The county assessor maintains different property records focused on taxation. Assessor records show property values and tax assessments. Both the clerk and assessor provide property information but for different purposes.

CORA Requests in Lincoln County

The Colorado Open Records Act is codified at C.R.S. § 24-72-201 through 24-72-206. CORA requires most government records to be open for public inspection. Lincoln County must comply with CORA like all Colorado government agencies.

Submit CORA requests in writing to the custodian of the records you want. Each office controls its own files. There is no central records office. Contact the specific department that created or maintains the documents.

Lincoln County has three working days to respond. They can extend this by seven days under certain circumstances. A response means they'll tell you if records exist and provide cost estimates. Actual production may take additional time.

CORA allows agencies to charge fees. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. Additional time costs up to forty-one dollars per hour. Copies are twenty-five cents per page. Electronic records emailed to you are usually free. Some agencies require payment in advance.

Certain records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files are exempt. Medical records are confidential. Attorney-client communications are protected. Work product is exempt. Security plans may be withheld. If a request is denied, the agency must cite the legal exemption.

Vital Records

Birth and death certificates are not issued by county offices. Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for vital records. The state health department maintains centralized birth and death records.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder. Couples apply at the clerk's office in Hugo. The license is valid for use anywhere in Colorado. The county keeps copies of marriage certificates. Certified copies are available for a fee.

Divorce records are maintained by the district court where the divorce was granted. For Lincoln County divorces, contact the 18th Judicial District Court. For other counties, contact that county's court. The state only provides index verification services.

Criminal Records

Statewide criminal records are maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. CBI keeps computerized criminal history records based on fingerprints. The database includes only Colorado arrests and convictions.

Run a background check through the CBI Internet Criminal History Check System. Online searches cost five dollars. Mail-in requests cost thirteen dollars. Results show arrests, charges, and dispositions from Colorado.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office maintains local law enforcement records. This includes incident reports and arrest records. These are subject to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. Some records may be withheld to protect investigations.

Court records contain criminal case information. District court handles felonies. County court handles misdemeanors and traffic cases. Search court files for case details and outcomes.

Historical Records

The Colorado State Archives holds historical documents from counties across the state. The archives have death records, probate files, and other historical materials. Not all Lincoln County records are at the state archives.

Archives visits require appointments. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, ten a.m. to four p.m. Many records can be searched online through the archives website.

Some older records remain with Lincoln County. Check with the county clerk about historical documents. Very old records may have different storage and access procedures.

Additional Resources

The Colorado Secretary of State provides CORA guidance and tips. Their website explains how to make effective records requests. The Secretary of State also maintains business entity records and UCC filings.

Business records are searchable online for free. This includes corporations, LLCs, and other registered entities. UCC filings show security interests in personal property. Both databases are available on the Secretary of State website.