Pitkin County Public Records

Pitkin County maintains public records that anyone can access under the Colorado Open Records Act. These files include court documents, property deeds, vital records, and government files held by county offices in Aspen. You can search for records by visiting offices in person, submitting written requests by mail, or using online resources where available. Each type of record in Pitkin County is kept by a different office. Some records are available right away, while others take a few days to process. Most county records are public unless a law says they should be kept private for privacy or security reasons in Colorado.

Records Access Law

The Colorado Open Records Act governs public records access in Pitkin County. According to C.R.S. § 24-72-201, all public records must be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. You do not need to live in the county. You do not need to provide a reason for your request. Most files kept by county offices are public unless they fall under an exemption category in state law.

To get records, send your request to the office that keeps them. The Clerk and Recorder holds property documents and recorded deeds. The court system maintains case files and dockets. The Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records and incident reports. No single office stores all county records in Pitkin County.

Pitkin County has three working days to respond to your request. If the records are difficult to find or require extensive review, the county can take seven more days. The first hour of staff time is free. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour for research and retrieval. Copies are $0.25 per page for standard documents. Electronic records sent by email often have no charge.

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

The Colorado Secretary of State offers guidance on making CORA requests statewide. Their site includes tips for writing clear requests and information about fees and deadlines.

Property Documents

The Pitkin 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 Pitkin County Courthouse in Aspen. You can visit during business hours to search records in person. Staff can help you locate documents if needed.

Many property records can be searched online through the county website. This database includes deeds, liens, mortgages, and other recorded instruments. You can search by name, document type, or legal description. 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 get copies by visiting the Clerk and Recorder or mailing a written request. Some voter registration data is public, but not all.

Court Records

Court records in Pitkin County are part of the 9th Judicial District. The County Court and District Court hear cases in the county. Court files include civil cases, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate, and small claims. Most are public unless a judge seals them or a law restricts them.

You can search some court records online through third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts. This service charges fees 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 Aspen to view records at no charge.

To get copies of court documents, contact the Clerk of Court at the Pitkin County Courthouse. Fees are $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 usually not public. Some domestic cases have sealed files.

Law Enforcement Files

The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, booking information, and other law enforcement files. These records fall under 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.

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

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 includes only Colorado arrests that involved fingerprints.

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

Birth and Death 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 where the divorce was granted.

Other Resources

The Pitkin County Assessor maintains property tax records and assessments. You can search property data online for free. The Pitkin County Treasurer collects property taxes and keeps tax payment records. Tax records are public and can be requested under CORA.

If you need help with CORA or if your request is denied, legal aid groups may assist. Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents statewide.

The Colorado State Archives holds historical public records from many counties. You can search some records online. 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.