Phillips County Records

Phillips County public records can be accessed by anyone under the Colorado Open Records Act. These records include court documents, property deeds, vital statistics, and government files maintained by county offices in Holyoke. You can get them by visiting offices in person, mailing written requests, or using online systems when available. Different offices handle different types of records in Phillips County. Some are ready to view right away. Others take a few days to process. Most county records are public unless a law restricts them for privacy or security reasons in Colorado.

CORA in Phillips County

The Colorado Open Records Act governs public records access in Phillips County. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-201, all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. You do not need to be a county resident. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Most county documents are public unless they fall under specific exemptions listed in state law.

To request records, contact the custodian who holds the files you need. The Clerk and Recorder maintains property documents and recorded deeds. The court system keeps case files and dockets. The Sheriff's Office holds arrest records and incident reports. There is no central place where all county records are stored in Phillips County.

Phillips County must respond to your request within three working days. If more time is needed to locate records, the county can extend this by seven additional days. The first hour of staff time for research and retrieval is free. After that, the county may charge up to $41 per hour. Copies cost $0.25 per page for standard documents. Electronic records sent by email are typically free.

If a record is denied, the county must explain why and cite the specific law that allows them to withhold it. Exempt records include personnel files, medical records, ongoing investigations, and certain attorney work product. If you believe a denial is improper, you can challenge it in court under C.R.S. § 24-72-203.

The Colorado Secretary of State provides guidance on how CORA works statewide. Their website includes tips for making effective records requests and information about fees and timelines.

Property and Recorded Files

The Phillips County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records, deeds, liens, mortgages, and other recorded documents. This office also issues marriage licenses and manages voter registration records. The Clerk and Recorder is located at the Phillips County Courthouse in Holyoke. You can visit during regular business hours to search records in person. Staff can assist you in locating documents if needed.

Many property records can be searched online through the county website. This database includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments. You can search by name, document type, or property address. Viewing the index is free. Certified copies must be requested from the office. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Oversize documents like plats cost $1 for the first page and $0.75 for additional pages. Certification adds $1 per document.

Marriage licenses are public records in Colorado. You can view the marriage index and obtain copies by visiting the Clerk and Recorder or submitting a written request. Voter registration data has some privacy protections, so not all information is available to the public.

Court Documents

Phillips County court records are part of the 13th Judicial District. The County Court and District Court handle cases in the county. Court records include civil filings, criminal cases, family law matters, probate files, and small claims. Most court records are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law.

Some court records can be searched online through third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts. This service charges fees for searches and document access. The Colorado Judicial Branch does not offer free online access to full case files. You can also visit the courthouse in Holyoke to view records at no cost.

To obtain copies of court documents, contact the Clerk of Court at the Phillips County Courthouse. Fees include $0.75 per page for paper copies and $0.25 per page for electronically filed documents. Name searches cost $5.00. Research time is billed 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 public access to court records in Colorado. This rule specifies which files are public and which are restricted. Juvenile records are generally not public. Some domestic cases have sealed files.

Law Enforcement Records

The Phillips County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, booking information, 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. Others may be withheld during active investigations or to protect victims and witnesses.

Booking information is often available through the Sheriff's Office. This includes names, charges, and booking dates for people in custody or recently released. Historical arrest records require a formal CORA request. Submit your request in writing. Include as much detail as possible about the records you want.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide criminal history database. You can search this database online through the Internet Criminal History Check System for $5.00 per search. This system only includes Colorado arrests that involved fingerprints.

Some law enforcement records are not public. These include ongoing investigation files, informant identities, surveillance techniques, and certain victim information.

Vital Records

Birth and death certificates are kept by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state Vital Records office holds birth records from 1910 forward and death records from 1900 forward. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $13 for additional copies.

Marriage and divorce records work differently. The state does not keep certified copies. For marriage records, contact the Clerk and Recorder in the county where the license was issued. For divorce records, contact the Clerk of District Court in the county where the divorce was granted.

You must provide a photo ID with your request for vital records. Only certain people can request certified copies of birth and death certificates.

Other County Services

The Phillips County Assessor maintains property tax records and assessments. You can search property data online for free through the Assessor's website. Most property tax data is public. The Phillips County Treasurer collects property taxes and maintains tax payment records. Tax records are public and can be requested under CORA.

If you need help understanding CORA or if your request is denied, legal aid organizations may assist. Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents statewide. They can advise you on your rights and may help you challenge a wrongful denial.

The Colorado State Archives holds historical public records from many counties. You can search some records online through the Archives website. For others, you need to visit the Archives in Denver or request copies by mail.

Nearby Counties

For records from surrounding areas, check pages for nearby counties.