San Juan County Records Access

Public records in San Juan County include court documents, property files, vital records, and government papers maintained by county offices in Silverton. The Colorado Open Records Act allows you to access most of these files. You can visit offices in person, mail written requests, or use online portals when available. San Juan County is one of the smallest counties in Colorado, but CORA still applies to all government records here. Each office has a custodian who handles requests. Response times are usually three working days, though complex requests may take longer.

CORA in San Juan County

The Colorado Open Records Act, found in C.R.S. § 24-72-201, declares that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. This applies to San Juan County even though it has a small population. You must request records from the custodian of the specific records you need. The Clerk and Recorder keeps property deeds. The Sheriff has arrest logs. Courts maintain case files and dockets.

To make a request, write down the records you want. Be as specific as you can. Include names, dates, case numbers, or property addresses. Send your request to the right office by email, mail, or in person. The county has three working days to respond under C.R.S. § 24-72-203. If more time is needed, they can extend the deadline by up to seven more days. They must notify you if they use this extension.

Fees follow state guidelines. The first hour of research is free. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour. Paper copies are $0.25 per page. Electronic copies sent by email are often free. You must pay before you get the records. Some offices require a deposit for large requests. If the final cost is less than the deposit, you get a refund.

Not every record is public. C.R.S. § 24-72-204 lists exemptions like personnel files, medical records, and attorney work product. If the county denies your request, they must tell you why and cite the law that allows them to withhold the records.

Property and Land Records

The San Juan County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records, deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. The office is in the courthouse in Silverton. You can visit during business hours to view records or request copies. Property records are public and can be inspected on site. Staff can help you search for documents if you are not sure where to look.

Property documents include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. These show who owns land, how much they paid, and if there are any claims on the property. You can search by owner name, property address, or document number. Viewing the index is free. If you want copies, the fee is $0.25 per page for standard documents. Oversize plats cost $1 for the first page and $0.75 for each additional page. Certification adds $1 per document.

Marriage licenses are also held by the Clerk and Recorder. These are public records. You can get a copy by visiting the office or mailing a written request. Include the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Voter registration files have privacy protections. Some voter data is available, but personal details are restricted under state law.

For questions about property or marriage records, call the Clerk and Recorder office during regular hours. If you need many documents or have a complex request, the office may need extra time. Follow up if you do not hear back within three working days.

Court Files and Dockets

San Juan County is part of the 6th Judicial District in Colorado. The County Court and District Court both operate in Silverton. Court records include case files, dockets, orders, and judgments. Most are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law. You can view these records in person at the courthouse or request copies from the Clerk of Court.

Third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts let you search court records online for a fee. The Colorado Judicial Branch does not provide free online access to full case files. If you want to avoid fees, visit the courthouse in person. The clerk can locate a case by name, case number, or filing date.

Court document 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 hourly. 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 of your request.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 governs public access to court records statewide. This rule lists which records are public and which are restricted. Juvenile records are generally not public. Some domestic cases have sealed files. If a record is unavailable, the court will explain why and cite the law or order that limits access.

For questions about court records, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or email public.access@judicial.state.co.us. If your request is large or complex, the court may ask for a deposit before starting work.

Sheriff and Law Enforcement Files

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

To request records from the Sheriff's Office, submit a written request. Include as much detail as possible, such as dates, names, case numbers, and locations. The office will respond within three working days. If they need more time, they can extend the deadline by up to seven days. They must notify you of any extension.

Booking information may be available on the Sheriff's Office website. This includes names, photos, charges, and booking dates for people in custody or recently released. For older arrest records, you need a formal request. The office charges fees for research and copies based on CORA guidelines. Response times are the same as other county offices.

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

Vital Records Access

Vital records like birth and death certificates are not held by San Juan County. These are maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver. Birth records are available for births since 1910. Death records are available since 1900. The state charges $20 for the first certified copy and $13 for additional copies.

To order a vital record, you must provide photo identification and proof of eligibility. Immediate family members, legal representatives, and people with a direct interest can get certified copies. The state processes most requests within a few weeks. Expedited service is available for an extra fee.

Marriage records are split between the county and state. The Clerk and Recorder has marriage licenses. For a certified copy, contact the clerk in the county where the license was issued. The state health department can verify if a marriage occurred, but they charge $17 for this service. They do not provide certified copies of marriage licenses.

Divorce records are held by the Clerk of District Court where the divorce was granted. The state health department can verify if a divorce occurred for $17, but they do not provide certified copies. For the actual divorce decree, you must contact the court in the county where the case was filed.

Additional Resources

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides guidance on accessing court records across the state. Their website includes contact information for each judicial district, fee schedules, and request forms. If you have questions about court records in San Juan County, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or email public.access@judicial.state.co.us.

For criminal background checks, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation operates an online system at www.cbirecordscheck.com. The cost is $5.00 per search online or $13.00 by mail. CBI records only include Colorado arrests with fingerprints. They do not include out-of-state arrests, warrants, or sealed records.

The Colorado State Archives holds historical records for many counties, including old death records, probate files, and naturalization documents. Archives are located in Denver and open by appointment Tuesday through Friday. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule a visit. Note that death certificates issued after 1908 are held by the state health department, not the archives.

The Colorado Secretary of State maintains business entity records, UCC filings, and notary information. You can search these records online for free. If you need certified copies, the Secretary of State charges fees based on the type of document.

Costs and Processing

San Juan County charges fees under state CORA guidelines found in C.R.S. § 24-72-205. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour. This rate is adjusted for inflation every five years. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records sent by email are usually provided at no charge.

Some documents have set fees. Certified copies cost $20 each. Name searches are $5.00. Oversize documents like plats are $1 for the first page and $0.75 for each additional page. Shipping fees vary based on the method you choose. Standard mail may cost $1, while expedited options cost more.

Payment is required before records are released. Most county offices accept checks or money orders. Some may accept cash or credit cards. 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. You will get a refund if the final cost is less than the deposit.

Nearby Counties

If you need records from other areas, these nearby counties also provide public records access:

• Dolores County
• Hinsdale County
• La Plata County
• Mineral County
• Ouray County
• San Miguel County