Colorado Public Records Applications and Uses

Learn about the ways that professionals use a Colorado court record

Colorado public records applications and uses are becoming more common due to their increasing accessibility through the Internet. Increased access to public records has led to the growth of the information broker industry, which uses public records to build profiles on millions of people and provides information to anyone who pays a fee. Individuals who know where to look also may be able to search public records for free. Access to public records is controlled at the federal level by the Freedom of Information Act and Colorado has its own version of this legislation.

There are a variety of professionals who may have an interest in Colorado public records. These include the following three general categories:

1. Genealogical research on public records in Colorado. Researchers use older vital records to locate ancestors or other people of historical interest. These records may be available from genealogical societies, public libraries and government agencies.
2. Background checks. Employers are making more frequent use of criminal records to investigate the personal history of job applicants.
3. News reports. Reporters and other people with an interest in government activity may wish to access state of Colorado public records on meetings and voting records.
   

 

Use Colorado birth records to research the founders of a business

Colorado vital records, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates, frequently are helpful for getting information about the early owners of a company and researching the history of a business. Vital records in Colorado become publicly available after a specified period of time and are of genealogical, rather than personal, interest.
Try: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides specific instructions for obtaining vital records in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration has older marriage and divorce records of historical interest.

Search Colorado criminal records to perform background checks

Law enforcement officials, private detectives and prospective employers may use Colorado arrest records to investigate an individual's background. Access to Colorado court records tends to be more restricted than access to other types of public records, and may require the subject's permission.
Try: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation provides a criminal history check with selected criminal records in Colorado. The City of Colorado Springs has specific instructions for obtaining criminal records from the police department.

Obtain Colorado public records for the purpose of reporting on government activity

Reporters frequently use government records in Colorado, such as voting records and meeting minutes. Access to these types of public records is controlled by Colorado's Sunshine laws. There are organizations of journalists and ordinary citizens that work to keep government records in Colorado available to the public.
Try: The Colorado Department of Law provides an overview of the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and answers questions on obtaining government records in Colorado. The Colorado Secretary of State offers specific instructions for making a public records request under CORA.

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