Denver County Court Records Search
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Denver County occupies a unique position in the Colorado judiciary. As the state’s only consolidated city-county government, Denver is home to four constitutionally separate trial courts rather than the single combined court found in every other Colorado judicial district. The Second Judicial District encompasses the Denver District Court, Denver County Court, Denver Probate Court, and Denver Juvenile Court — each with its own clerk, presiding judge, and distinct jurisdiction. This structure means that court records in Denver are spread across multiple offices and buildings, and knowing which court handled a particular matter is essential to locating the correct file.
For anyone beginning a search for court records in Colorado, the Colorado Judicial Branch website offers statewide docket searches, fee schedules, and links to individual court pages. The ColoradoCourts.us directory can also help users identify the appropriate court and county for publicly available case information. Once the correct Denver court is identified, records can be pursued online, in person at one of the downtown courthouses, or through mail and email requests directed to the relevant clerk’s office.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Denver County?
Denver’s four separate courts each maintain their own records, so the first step in any case lookup is determining which court has jurisdiction over the matter. Felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits exceeding $25,000, and domestic relations cases are filed in Denver District Court. Misdemeanors, municipal violations, traffic matters, small claims, and lower-value civil disputes belong to Denver County Court. Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitments fall under the Denver Probate Court. Cases involving minors — including dependency, neglect, and delinquency — are handled by Denver Juvenile Court.
Online Search Options
Denver offers multiple electronic search tools depending on the court:
- Denver District Court — Case data is accessible through the Colorado State Courts Data Access program, which includes District Court records but excludes Denver County Court records. The Colorado Judicial Branch docket search also covers Denver District Court matters.
- Denver County Court — The court operates its own Public Portal, where users can search by case number, arrest booking number, or name, and view docket information, upcoming court dates, and bond details.
- Denver Probate Court — The statewide index covers Probate Court records from 1988 forward. Record requests may also be submitted through the court’s online record/document request form.
In-Person Searches
Denver’s courthouses are clustered near Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. Clerk’s offices are open Monday through Friday, and visitors can request to inspect case files or obtain copies at the counter.
| Court | Location | Room | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District Court (Civil/Domestic) | 1437 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80202 | 256 | (720) 865-8301 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| District Court (Criminal) | 520 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80204 | 135 | (720) 865-8301 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| County Court (Traffic/Civil) | 1437 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80202 | 135 | (720) 865-7840 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| County Court (Criminal) | 520 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80204 | 160 | (720) 337-0410 | 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Probate Court | 1437 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80202 | 230 | (303) 606-2303 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Juvenile Court | 520 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80204 | 125 | (303) 606-2307 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Mail and Email Requests
For Denver District Court records, submit a completed records request form by mail or email:
Mail: Attn: Records Dept., 1437 Bannock Street, Room 256, Denver, CO 80202
Email: DenverDCRecordsRequest@judicial.state.co.us
For Denver Probate Court records, requests may be submitted by phone at (303) 606-2303, by mail to the same building (Room 230), or by email to DenverProbateRecordsRequest@judicial.state.co.us.
For Denver County Court records, email requests to 160records@denvercountycourt.org (criminal/municipal) or civil@denvercountycourt.org (traffic/civil). Requests may also be mailed to 1437 Bannock Street, Attention: Record Request, Denver, CO 80202.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page, single-sided) | $0.25 |
| Paper copies (per page, double-sided) | $0.50 |
| Certification (per document) | $20.00 |
| Exemplification (per document) | $20.00 |
| Probate name search (per name) | $5.00 |
| Offsite record retrieval (per case) | $15.00 |
| Fax: (per page) | $1.00 |
Denver County Court provides the first 25 pages of printed material free for CORA/CCJRA requests, then charges $0.25 per page and $41.00 per hour for requests exceeding one hour of staff time.
Are Court Records Public in Denver County?
Public access to Denver court records is governed by several overlapping legal frameworks. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at C.R.S. § 24-72-201 through 206, establishes a general right to inspect public records held by government agencies. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 through 309, applies specifically to records maintained by criminal justice agencies such as the Denver County Court. Chief Justice Directive 05-01 further governs access to records maintained by the judicial branch.
Under these authorities, most court records in Denver are available to the public. However, certain categories are restricted or entirely confidential:
- Sealed or expunged records (accessible only to case parties, their attorneys, and criminal justice agencies)
- Juvenile court records (generally confidential)
- Mental health proceedings
- Adoption records
- Records involving domestic violence victims whose addresses have been designated confidential
- Identifying information about sexual assault victims, which must be deleted per C.R.S. § 24-72-304
- Records of offenses against children, which must include the notation “CHILD VICTIM” instead of identifying information
The CCJRA gives criminal justice agencies, including the Denver County Court’s criminal division, discretion over whether to release criminal justice records other than “records of official action”. Unlike CORA, which imposes recommended response times, the CCJRA does not mandate specific deadlines for fulfilling requests.
Denver County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Denver are divided between two courts based on severity. The Denver District Court hears all felony matters and certain more serious offenses, while the Denver County Court handles misdemeanors, municipal ordinance violations, and traffic offenses.
District Court — Criminal Division
Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse
520 West Colfax Avenue, Room 135
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (720) 865-8301
County Court — Criminal Division
Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse
520 West Colfax Avenue, Room 160
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (720) 337-0410
Email: criminal@denvercountycourt.org
Searching Criminal Court Records
District Court criminal records can be searched through the Colorado State Courts Data Access system, which provides docket information but not full case documents. County Court criminal records must be searched separately through the Denver County Court Public Portal. In both instances, a case number, defendant name, or arrest booking number will help narrow results.
Criminal History Background Checks
For a broader criminal history that extends beyond court docket data, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) operates the Internet Criminal History Check, an online name-based search of the statewide computerized criminal history database. A CBI name-based check costs $13.00, while a fingerprint-based check costs $17.50. Court records of official action — such as convictions, sentences, and dispositions — are public under the CCJRA. Arrest records and investigative records may be withheld at the discretion of the custodian agency if disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.
Sealing Criminal Records
Colorado law permits individuals to petition for the sealing of criminal records. Filing a petition to seal a conviction in District Court costs $224 (C.R.S. § 24-72-704). Petitions to seal non-conviction records carry no filing fee (C.R.S. § 24-72-705). In County Court, a motion to seal a criminal conviction costs $65 (C.R.S. § 24-72-706). Sealed records remain available to the parties, their attorneys, and criminal justice agencies, but are removed from public view.
Denver County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Denver are heard by either the District Court or the County Court depending on the amount in controversy and subject matter.
District Court — Civil Division
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Room 256
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (720) 865-8301
Email: DenverDCRecordsRequest@judicial.state.co.us
The District Court handles civil cases of any dollar amount, including unlimited-jurisdiction lawsuits, name changes, foreclosures, writs of garnishment, and protection orders filed in conjunction with domestic relations cases.
County Court — Civil Division
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Room 135
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (720) 865-7840
Email: trcvclerksoffice@denvercountycourt.org
The County Court adjudicates civil cases up to $25,000 in value, small claims up to $7,500, forcible entry and detainer (eviction) actions, protection orders, and name change petitions.
Filing Fees (selected)
| Case Type | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| District civil — plaintiff | $265 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(d) |
| County civil — claim $0–$999 | $95 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)©(III.5)(A) |
| County civil — claim $1,000–$14,999 | $115 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)©(III.5)© |
| Small claims — $0–$500 | $31 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)©(IV)(A) |
| Small claims — $500.01–$7,500 | $55 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)©(IV)© |
| Foreclosure (Rule 120) — petitioner | $224 | C.R.S. 13-32-103(3)(a) |
Civil records from both courts can be retrieved in person, by mail, or by email using the procedures described above. E-filing is available for District Court cases through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system, and the County Court operates its own DCC eFile platform for electronic submissions.
The Denver County Court Civil Self-Help Center in Room 281 of the City and County Building (phone: (720) 865-7819) provides free procedural assistance to self-represented civil litigants Monday through Friday.
Denver County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Denver — including divorce, legal separation, annulment, allocation of parental responsibilities (custody), child support, and domestic violence protection orders — are filed in the Denver District Court’s domestic relations division. There is no separate family court; rather, the District Court exercises jurisdiction over all domestic relations matters.
Family Law Division
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Room 256
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 606-2300 (Option 1, 5, 1)
Email: DenverDCRecordsRequest@judicial.state.co.us
Filing Requirements and Fees
To file for divorce in Denver, at least one spouse must have been domiciled in Colorado for 91 days. A petition for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or annulment requires a filing fee of $260 (C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(a)). A response carries a fee of $146. A petition for allocation of parental responsibilities (custody) costs $252. A motion to modify a decree or final order filed more than 60 days after entry costs $105. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify — forms and instructions are posted on the Colorado Judicial Branch fee waiver page.
Obtaining Family Court Records
Family court records are maintained by the District Court Records Department in Room 256. The records counter shares space with the civil/domestic relations clerk’s office and is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Requestors seeking paper records will be given a records request form to complete. The form can also be returned by mail or email (DenverDCRecordsRequest@judicial.state.co.us). Standard copy fees apply: $0.25 per page and $20 for certification.
Marriage Licenses and Vital Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Denver Clerk and Recorder, not the courts. The license fee is $30. Both parties must appear with valid government-issued photo identification, either in person or by virtual appointment. Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses cost $1.00 per document plus $0.25 per page and can be ordered through the Clerk’s Online Records Search.
Denver Clerk and Recorder’s Office
200 West 14th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 311 (or (720) 913-1311 outside Denver)
Email: clerkandrecorder@denvergov.org
Birth and death certificates are managed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — Vital Records office at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246 (Phone: (303) 692-2200). Under C.R.S. 25-2-117, vital records are confidential and available only to eligible requestors such as the registrant, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives.
Denver County Probate Court Records
Denver is one of only a few jurisdictions in Colorado with a standalone Probate Court. The Denver Probate Court, designated as the 24th Judicial District, has exclusive jurisdiction over the settlement of decedents’ estates, appointment of guardians and conservators, administration of trusts, adjudication of mental health cases, will deposits, extreme risk protection orders filed within Denver, and settlement of claims on behalf of minors or protected adults.
Denver Probate Court
1437 Bannock Street, Room 230
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 606-2303
Email: 02DPCClerksOffice@judicial.state.co.us
Self-Help Center: Room 230, Phone: (303) 606-2502, email DPCSelfHelp@judicial.state.co.us
How to Search Probate Records
The Probate Court Clerk’s Office assists with record searches in person, by phone, by mail, or by email sent to DenverProbateRecordsRequest@judicial.state.co.us. Requests can also be submitted through the court’s online request portal. When requesting records, provide as much identifying information as possible: case number, party name, date of death, date of birth, and county of residence. The statewide electronic index extends back to 1988; for records filed before that year in counties other than Denver, contact those counties directly.
Probate Record Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name search (per name, required if case number unknown) | $5.00 |
| Copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification (per document) | $20.00 |
| Exemplification (per document) | $20.00 |
| Offsite record retrieval (per case) | $15.00 |
| Postage (per 10 pages) | $1.00 |
Filing Fees for Common Probate Matters
| Filing Type | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Decedent’s estate, guardianship/conservatorship, personal injury settlement | $229 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(b) |
| Small estate | $113 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(a) |
| Trust registration or trust action | $198 / $229 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(e),(f) |
| Deposit of will | $18 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(h) |
| Demand for notice | $36 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(g) |
Pro se (self-represented) litigants may file probate documents in person or by mail; the Probate Court does not accept pro se filings by fax or email. Attorneys must e-file through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system. Standard probate forms are available on the Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms page, and Denver-specific forms — including the Petition to Withdraw Funds from Restricted Registry Account and the Decedent’s Family Tree form — can be downloaded from the Denver Probate Court page. A volunteer attorney clinic is also available for individuals seeking legal guidance on probate matters.