Boulder County Court Records
Boulder County court records are the collective paperwork and digital files generated during court proceedings in the county. Whenever criminal hearings or civil proceedings occur in court, the court’s clerk receives and stores documents from case parties and judicial staff. These records include complaints, motions, court orders, evidence lists, judgments, and similar materials that chronicle the timeline and resolution of the cases.
The courts that generate Boulder County court records operate within Colorado’s 20th judicial district. The clerk of courts (for the Boulder County Combined Court) and Municipal Court clerks keep the official files for civil and criminal cases heard in the county. Chief Justice Directive (CJD) 05-01 outlines the rules that govern access to these records.
Court cases in Boulder County frequently rely on information from other official sources. Boulder County arrest records are commonly used in criminal case hearings, while documents from the county’s register of deeds may form part of a probate case file.
Are Boulder County Court Records Public?
Yes. CJD 05-01 § 4.10 and P.A.I.R.R (Public Access to Information and Records Rules) Rule 1 establish the public’s right to view or copy Boulder County court records. When a record is kept confidential, it is usually because a judge’s order, a statute, or a court rule requires it.
CJD 05-01 § 4.60(b) lists instances in which custodians may fully block access to court records. These include adoption cases, dependency matters, truancy and juvenile proceedings, mental health cases, paternity actions, and protected probate hearings. Partial limits also apply to information of a personal, financial, or medical nature within court records (CJD 05-01 § 4.60(g)).
What Information is Available in Boulder County Court Records?
A typical Boulder County court record comprises the following:
- Register of actions (ROA)
- Case documents
- Case number
- Case title
- Court division
- Names of the involved parties and their legal representatives
- Presiding judicial officials
- Current status of the case
Boulder County Court Records Search
One can obtain public Boulder County court records in several ways: online, by visiting the district courthouse, or by making an email or mail request.
Online Access
Full case documents are generally not available online. However, the statewide Docket Search portal allows people to filter searches for case hearings by case number, party name, date, case type, or location. When filtering by date, selecting a week or less generally yields more accurate results.
The Register of Actions, a chronological timeline of all materials filed or entered in a case, can be obtained online through an approved third-party vendor. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can also use the Colorado Courts E-Filing (CCE) system to view cases in which they are parties.
In-Person Access
Full inspection of court records typically occurs at the courthouse, which houses both the District and Circuit Courts in Boulder County. Courthouse staff can also accept requests for certified and plain copies of court documents at the following address:
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Additionally, individuals can visit Municipal Court locations to inquire about case records.
Certain requests require the individual to tender a government-issued photo ID, especially when obtaining records with restricted access.
Postal & Electronic Access
One can request district and circuit court records in Boulder County remotely by submitting a completed request form by mail or email. Once submitted, the clerk of court will contact the individual regarding the required payment, depending on the type and format of the requested records.
Email:
20recordsrequest@judicial.state.co.us
Mail:
Boulder County Combined Court
ATTN: Records Department
P.O. Box 4249
Boulder, CO 80306
To request municipal court records by mail, phone, or email, one may contact the appropriate court directly for information on availability.
Fees for Court Records in Boulder County
To obtain copies of court and local records in Boulder County, individuals must pay the fees set by state law and directives such as C.R.S. § 13-32-104, C.R.S. § 30-1-103, and CJD 06-01 and 05-01.
The table below sets out the fee schedule for standard, certified, and exemplified copies of court records from the District and Circuit Courts in Boulder County, as well as expected payment for name search, record research, and digital recordings.
|
Item |
Fee |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Search Fee |
$5 |
Per name/case (if Case ID is unknown) |
|
Standard Copy |
25 cents |
Per page (paper or electronic) |
|
Certified Copy |
$20 |
Per document (e.g., Decree, Order) |
|
Exemplified Copy |
$20 |
Per document (includes "triple seal") |
|
Research/Redaction |
$30 |
Per hour (requires custom clerk work) |
|
Digital Recording |
$10+ |
Per proceeding/hearing (fee varies by length) |
Boulder County Courthouse Locations
Boulder County is the only county in Colorado’s 20th judicial district. The county hosts a combined District and County Court. In addition, all its incorporated cities, except Jamestown and Ward, operate municipal courts that handle minor violations.
Individuals can find their desired Boulder County court using these addresses and contact details:
County & District Courts
Boulder County Combined Court (Main)
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (303) 441-3750
Boulder County Combined Court (Longmont)
1035 Kimbark Street
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: (720) 564-2522
Municipal Courts
1777 6th Street
South Wing
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (303) 441-1841
Safety & Justice Center
225 Kimbark Street
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: (303) 774-4804
451 North 111th Street
Lafayette, CO 80026
Phone: (303) 604-8000
992 West Via Appia
Louisville, CO 80027
Phone: (303) 335-4652
645 Holbrook Street
Erie, CO 80516
Phone: (303) 926-2851
124 East Coal Creek Drive
Superior, CO 80027
Phone: (720) 235-1043
Nederland Community Center
750 Highway 72 North
Nederland, CO 80466
Phone: (720) 643-9263
Lyons Town Hall
432 5th Avenue
Lyons, CO 80540
Phone: (303) 823-6622
Criminal Records Access in Boulder County
In Boulder County, the combined clerk of court handles all criminal records, including serious felonies, misdemeanors, and petty crimes. While individuals can consult online tools for upcoming hearing dates and case summaries, the actual filings and case details are kept at the courthouses in Boulder and Longmont.
At the courthouses, public terminals allow people to inspect available criminal case records directly, and staff at the records division can assist with obtaining standard or certified copies.
For broader criminal history checks, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serves as the statewide repository. Designated under C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. as the central repository for criminal history data, the CBI provides an official channel for background checks and verification of criminal records across the state.
Boulder County Probate Records
Boulder County probate proceedings cover official documents related to two main areas: the distribution of a deceased person’s assets and records concerning the care of individuals who cannot manage their own affairs (guardianships and conservatorships).
The Boulder County clerk of court, operating under the authority of the 20th Judicial District of Colorado, is responsible for maintaining probate court records. These records detail the settlement of an estate and include wills, probate filings, and related documentation. The maintained records also include financial information such as estate inventories, real estate transactions, tax filings, debts, and beneficiary names.
Probate records in Boulder are generally available for public viewing. However, records of protective hearings and other confidential probate documents are legally restricted. Probate case dockets and summaries are accessible online through the statewide Docket Search tool or the approved third-party provider, respectively. Viewing the full text of older wills or detailed financial inventories usually requires an in-person visit to the courthouse.
Boulder County Family Court Records
Family court records (such as divorce, adoption, custody, and support files) in Boulder County fall under the purview of the District Court clerk. These records are generally accessible to the public except in cases involving protected groups or sensitive documents (CJD 05-01; C.R.S. § 19-5-305).
Any person who qualifies to inspect or copy a domestic relations record can complete the records form and submit it by mail or in person at the local court’s records division at 1777 6th Street, Boulder, CO 80302, or email it to 20recordsrequest@judicial.state.co.us.
Federal Court Records in Boulder County
The United States District Court for the District of Colorado is responsible for federal court cases and files originating in Boulder County. This district court has no courthouse in Boulder. Individuals seeking federal court records, including bankruptcy filings, civil rights hearings, and federal criminal charges, may contact the district headquarters in Denver or use the PACER system.
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is the federal judiciary’s main portal for online access to federal court records. Individuals with user accounts can search the database by case party name or docket number. Users can print or download electronic court records. Searches are subject to a 10-cent-per-page fee, capped at $3. However, the fees are waived if total usage stays below $30 in a quarter.
The public can fulfill requests for standard or certified true copies of federal court records by visiting the federal district courthouse at
Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse
901 19th Street
Room A105
Denver, CO 80294
Phone: (303) 844-3433
