Access Summit County Records

Summit County public records include court papers, property deeds, vital documents, and government files held by county offices in Breckenridge. The Colorado Open Records Act governs access to these records. You can visit offices in person, mail written requests, or use online portals when they exist. Most government records remain open to the public under CORA. Each office in Summit County has a custodian who manages records requests. Some records are available right away, while others may take a few days to process. Be specific about what you need so staff can find it quickly across Colorado.

Public Records Request Process

Summit County follows the Colorado Open Records Act under C.R.S. § 24-72-201. This law says all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. You must request records from the custodian who holds them. The Clerk and Recorder keeps property deeds and marriage licenses. The Sheriff maintains arrest records. Courts hold case files and dockets. Each office has its own process for handling requests.

Write down what records you need. Be specific. Include names, dates, case numbers, property addresses, or any details that help identify the documents. Send your request to the correct 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 additional days. They must notify you if they use this extension.

The first hour of research is free. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records sent by email are often free. You must pay before you receive the records. Some offices ask for a deposit if the cost will be high. If the final cost is less, you get a refund.

Not all records are public. C.R.S. § 24-72-204 lists exemptions like personnel files, medical data, attorney work product, and trade secrets. If the county denies your request, they must explain why and cite the law that allows them to withhold the records.

Property and Recorded Documents

The Summit County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records, deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. The office is located in the courthouse in Breckenridge. You can visit during business hours to view records or request copies. Many property documents are public and can be inspected on site. Staff can help you search for documents if you are unsure where to start.

Property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. These documents 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 submitting 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 to the public, 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 to gather everything. Follow up if you do not hear back within the expected timeframe.

Court Records and Case Files

Summit County is part of the 5th Judicial District in Colorado. The County Court and District Court both operate in Breckenridge. Court records include case files, dockets, orders, and judgments. Most court records 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 allow you to 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 help you 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 at a standard 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 varies based on the size of your request.

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

Law Enforcement Records

The Summit County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports. These 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 follow the same rules 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.

Birth and Death Certificates

Vital records like birth and death certificates are not held by Summit 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.

State Resources and Help

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 Summit 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 Payment

Summit 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:

• Clear Creek County
• Eagle County
• Grand County
• Lake County
• Park County