La Plata County Court Records
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La Plata County sits in southwestern Colorado, with Durango as the county seat. The county falls within the 6th Judicial District and operates a combined District and County Court that handles criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and probate cases. Three municipal courts in Durango, Bayfield, and Ignacio handle local ordinance violations. Whether you need to pull a felony docket, confirm a divorce filing, or look up a probate estate, the Clerk of the Combined Court at the La Plata County Courthouse maintains the records you're looking for.
If you're just getting started, ColoradoCourts.us can help you identify court locations and find general case information. The Colorado Judicial Branch also offers a docket search tool that lets you look up scheduled hearings by party name, case number, attorney, or date. For actual case documents, you can submit a request directly to the La Plata Combined Court clerk — in person, by email, or through the judiciary's online records request form. Third-party commercial vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts also offer name-based and case-number searches using register-of-actions data drawn from the state court database.
How to Look Up a Court Case in La Plata County?
The most direct route is to contact the Clerk of the Combined Court. The clerk's office maintains all district and county court records, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile files.
La Plata Combined Court (District and County Court)
Address: 1060 East 2nd Avenue, Room 106, Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 247-2304
Fax: (970) 247-4348
Email: laplataclerk@judicial.state.co.us
Clerk's Office Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (excluding state holidays)
- Building Hours: 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
You have several options for searching a case:
- Docket search online. The Colorado Judicial Branch's docket search tool lets the public look up hearing schedules by party name, case number, judge, or hearing date. This covers district and county court dockets statewide.
- Online records request. For copies of specific documents — a disposition, decree, or judgment — submit a request through the judiciary's records request form. The La Plata clerk's office will follow up with details on availability and fees.
- Commercial vendors. Real-time register-of-actions data covering civil, criminal, domestic, small claims, and traffic cases is available from authorized providers, including Background Information Services and LexisNexis Colorado Courts. These services charge their own access fees.
- In-person visit. Walk into the courthouse during office hours and ask at the clerk's counter. Public-access terminals may be available for self-service searches.
- Phone or email. Call (970) 247-2304 or email laplataclerk@judicial.state.co.us with the party name, case number, or other identifying details.
Having the case number ready speeds up any request significantly. If you don't know it, include the full names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and the case type.
Municipal Courts
Cases involving Durango, Bayfield, or Ignacio municipal ordinance violations go to separate municipal courts. Records from these courts must be requested from the individual court where the case was filed.
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Durango Municipal Court | 949 East 2nd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301 | (970) 375-5020 |
| Bayfield Municipal Court | 1199 Bayfield Parkway, P.O. Box 80, Bayfield, CO 81122 | (970) 884-9544 |
| Ignacio Municipal Court | 570 Goddard Avenue, Ignacio, CO 81137 | (970) 563-9494 |
Are Court Records Public in La Plata County?
Colorado law starts from a strong presumption that court records are open to public inspection. Two main legal frameworks govern what you can access.
The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at C.R.S. 24-72-201 et seq., requires most public records to be available for inspection and copying. For criminal case files specifically, the Criminal Justice Records Act (C.R.S. 24-72-301 et seq.) applies and allows custodians to deny access when prohibited by law, court rule, or court order, or when disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.
The Colorado Supreme Court's Public Access to Information and Records Rule (P.A.I.R.R.) and Chief Justice Directive 05-01 spell out how court records can be inspected during regular business hours. Under these policies, anyone may view case indexes by name, case number, filing date, or calendar date. The clerk of court is the official custodian and may set local procedures to protect records from damage and prevent interference with court operations.
Records that are generally restricted or confidential include:
- Juvenile dependency, neglect, and delinquency files (governed by the Children's Code, C.R.S. 19-1-301 et seq.)
- Sealed and expunged records
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Medical records and active financial information (such as Social Security numbers and bank account details)
- Confidential informant and juror information
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
Copy and certification fees are set by statute and CJD 06-01:
- Single-sided copies: $0.25 per page
- Double-sided copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copy of any record: $20
- Fax fee: $1 per page
- Maximum copy fee for parties to the case: $15
La Plata County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in La Plata County move through the Combined Court. The District Court division handles all felony cases and certain misdemeanors, while the County Court division takes misdemeanor charges, petty offenses, and traffic infractions. Municipal courts handle violations of city ordinances within Durango, Bayfield, and Ignacio.
Searching criminal case records. The docket search on the Colorado Judicial Branch website is the fastest free option for locating a scheduled criminal hearing. For register-of-actions data, the commercial vendor sites listed above provide name-based criminal case lookups. To get actual documents from a criminal file, submit a request to the La Plata Combined Court clerk.
Criminal history background checks. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) offers two name-based background check products:
- Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC): An instant, Colorado-only search available online for $6.00 per search.
- Criminal History Record Information (CHRI): A more detailed name-based report processed by CBI staff for $13.00 per search. This product can be notarized upon request.
Fingerprint-based background checks are available through the Colorado Applicant Background Service (CABS) at fees ranging from $16.50–$19.50 for a state check and $38.50–$39.50 for a combined state and FBI check. Visit the CBI's fees and forms page for current details and payment instructions.
La Plata County Sheriff's Office
Address: 283 Girard Street, Durango, CO 81303
Phone: (970) 247-1157 (Administrative Office)
General Line: (970) 385-2900
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and booking information. Current inmate information is available through the VINE inmate search. You can search the Colorado sex offender registry through the Colorado Sex Offender Search.
Key criminal filing fees (effective January 2025):
| Fee Category | Amount | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Appeal from city court (not of record) | $70 | C.R.S. 13-10-116(1) |
| Petty offense jury demand | $25 | C.R.S. 16-10-109(2) |
| Convicted defendant (non-infraction) | $26 | C.R.S. 13-32-105 |
| Motion to seal criminal conviction | $65 | C.R.S. 24-72-706 |
| Petition to seal (non-conviction) | $0 | C.R.S. 24-72-705 |
| Probation supervision | $50/month | C.R.S. 18-1.3-204(2)(a)(V) |
La Plata County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in La Plata County is split between the District and County Court based on how much money is at stake. The District Court has broad jurisdiction over civil matters, while the County Court handles disputes involving $25,000 or less — and small claims cases up to $7,500.
Where to find civil records. All civil case files are kept by the Clerk of the Combined Court at 1060 East 2nd Avenue, Room 106, Durango. You can review them in person, request them by phone or email, or use the judiciary's online records request form.
Civil filing fees (effective January 2025):
| Case Type | Plaintiff Fee | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| District Court general civil | $265 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(d) |
| County civil claims up to $999.99 | $95 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(III.5)(A) |
| County civil $1,000 to $14,999.99 | $115 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(III.5) |
| County civil $15,000 to $25,000 | $145 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(III.5)(E) |
| Small claims up to $500 | $31 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(IV)(A) |
| Small claims $500.01 to $7,500 | $55 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(IV) |
| Jury demand (county court) | $98 | C.R.S. 13-71-144(b) |
| Jury demand (district court) | $231 | C.R.S. 13-71-144(1)(a) |
Defendant filing fees vary depending on whether a counterclaim is filed. Eviction defendants pay no filing fee under C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(V). You can find the full fee schedule on the Colorado Judicial Branch's list of fees page, and qualifying individuals can apply for a waiver through the judiciary's fee waiver forms.
Property and recorded documents. Deeds, liens, judgments, and other recorded documents aren't court records, but they often come up in civil matters. The La Plata County Clerk and Recorder keeps these records and offers online access through iDoc Market, with coverage from 1874 to the present. You can reach the recording office at:
La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Recording Division
Address: 679 Turner Drive, Suite C, Durango, CO 81303
Phone: (970) 382-6281
Email: recording@lpcgov.org
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Wednesday 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Fridays
Recording fees are $43 per document (flat fee regardless of page count), with an additional state documentary fee when property is conveyed.
La Plata County Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases — including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, and parenting time — are heard by the District Court division of the La Plata Combined Court. Protective order petitions are filed in either the district or county court, depending on the circumstances.
Filing fees for family cases (effective January 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce / separation / annulment | $260 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(a) |
| Custody petition (APR) | $252 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1) |
| Response to petition | $146 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(b) |
| Motion to modify decree or order | $105 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(2) |
| Registration of foreign decree | $201 | C.R.S. 14-11-101 |
| Petition to prevent child removal | $265 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(d) |
| Protection order (C.R.S. 13-14-109) | $95 | C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(III.5)(A) |
Protection orders for domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual assault are filed at no cost to the petitioner under C.R.S. 13-32-101(3)(b). Adoption petitions are filed in the juvenile division for $197.
Obtaining family court records. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and other domestic relations documents are available from the Clerk of the Combined Court. You can request them in person, by email at laplataclerk@judicial.state.co.us, or through the state judiciary's online request form. Adoption records are sealed and generally not available to the public.
Marriage licenses. Marriage and civil union licenses are issued by the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder's Office. The license fee is $30. You can book an appointment online through the Clerk and Recorder's marriage and civil union license page. Note that marriage license records are not available through iDoc Market online searches.
Birth and death certificates. These vital records are managed by the La Plata County Public Health Department and are confidential under Colorado law — available only to individuals who can show a direct and tangible interest or a qualifying family relationship.
La Plata County Public Health Vital Records
Address: 185 Suttle Street, Suite 100, Durango, CO 81303
Phone: (970) 247-5702
Email: VitalRecords@lpcgov.org
The application fee is $25 for the first certified copy and $20 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. You can submit applications in person, by mail, or by email using the fillable forms on the La Plata County birth and death records page. Online payment is accepted through the county's vital records payment portal. Certificates can also be ordered directly from the state through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
La Plata County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in La Plata County go through the District Court. The court oversees decedent estates, small estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and personal injury settlements. All probate filings and records are kept by the Clerk of the Combined Court at the La Plata County Courthouse.
Probate filing fees (effective January 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Decedent's estate (standard) | $229 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(b) |
| Small estate | $113 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(a) |
| Supervised administration | $198 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1) |
| Petition for allowance/contested claim | $198 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(d) |
| Trust registration statement | $198 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(e) |
| Trust action petition | $229 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(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) |
| Guardianship/conservatorship (initial) | $229 | C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(b) |
| Foreign guardianship/conservatorship registration | $201 | C.R.S. 15-14.5-401 |
| Jury demand | $231 | C.R.S. 46-71-144(1)(a) |
How to access probate records. Current probate case information — including dockets and hearing schedules — can be found through the Colorado Judicial Branch's docket search. For copies of specific probate documents such as wills, letters testamentary, estate inventories, and guardianship orders, contact the Combined Court clerk at (970) 247-2304 or submit a request through the online records request form.
Older La Plata County probate files — particularly those predating 1968 — may have been transferred to the Colorado State Archives. Researchers can search the State Archives database or submit a retrieval request through the Archives' online request form.
Wills deposited with the court before the testator's death are held by the clerk for a fee of $18. After the testator's death, the deposited will is delivered to the personal representative or other authorized person. Guardianship and conservatorship records are generally public, though the court may restrict access to medical evaluations, financial accountings, or other sensitive documents filed in connection with those proceedings.