Colorado Public Records Laws and Regulations

Learn more about which agencies control and provide access to public records in Colorado

Colorado public records laws and regulations control the access that the public has to records on individuals such as Colorado arrest records, immigration status and vital records. These laws also apply to government records such as meeting minutes and voting records.

State of Colorado public records laws may be grouped according to the aspect of public records that they address. These include the following three general areas:

1. Laws that affect a Colorado court record regulate the manner in which public information may be accessed. These laws may specify issues such as the length of time the state has to respond to information requests, any fees an agency is allowed to charge and whether the requestor must provide a reason for wanting the information, such as for employment verification.
2. Laws that define what information on an individual may be considered public. These laws control the personal information that may be accessed by an individual or party designated by the individual.
3. Laws that specify what government records may be accessible to the public. These laws are usually intended to permit journalists to perform a Colorado court case search or to allow private citizens to provide input on government decisions.

Review the procedures for accessing Colorado public records

Access to Colorado court records and public records covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Colorado is typically handled by the Attorney General. County and municipal courts may also provide access to Colorado criminal records.

Learn about the laws regulating access of Colorado public records for individuals

Public records for individuals typically include Colorado birth records and criminal records. Individuals may only be able to access their own personal records. Businesses can access this information through the employee screening sofrtware or a third-party employee screening service.

Look for Colorado public records laws on government records

Government records may include meeting minutes, personnel files and real estate sales. Some government departments provide many different types of government records, while others may be dedicated to a specific type of record.

• Colorado public records law is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996 which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

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