Denver Civil Court Records

Denver civil court records cover all lawsuits, judgments, and disputes filed in both Denver District Court and Denver County Court. As a combined city and county, Denver runs its own court system for cases under $25,000 through Denver County Court, which operates apart from the state court system. District court handles the larger civil matters with no cap on the claim amount. Whether you need to look up a small claims case or track a major civil lawsuit, Denver keeps these records open to the public. You can search them online or visit the courthouse in person to review case files in Denver, Colorado.

Denver Civil Courts and Filing Locations

Denver is unique in Colorado. It is both a city and a county, and its court system reflects that. Denver District Court sits at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 W. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80202. This is where you file civil cases with no dollar limit. Personal injury claims, contract disputes over $25,000, and property lawsuits all go through Denver District Court. The 2nd Judicial District covers Denver County only, so the court handles a very high volume of civil filings each year compared to most other districts in Colorado.

Denver County Court operates from the same address but handles smaller civil matters. Claims up to $25,000 go through county court in Room 160 at 520 W. Colfax Ave. Small claims up to $7,500 are also filed there. Denver County Court is different from other county courts in Colorado because it is run by the city rather than the state judicial branch. The City and County Building at 1437 Bannock Street, Room 135, also provides some county court services. The main phone line for Denver County Court is 720-337-0410. For civil case questions, you can email civil@denvercountycourt.org directly.

Municipal courts in most Colorado cities do not hear civil lawsuits. Denver is a bit different in structure, but the rule still holds. Civil disputes go to either Denver District Court or Denver County Court based on the claim amount. Neither court handles traffic tickets or city code violations as part of civil case filings.

Note: Denver County Court is administered by the city, not the state, so some procedures differ from other Colorado courts.

How to Search Denver Civil Court Records

Searching for civil court records in Denver takes a few different paths depending on what you need. For Denver County Court cases, the city runs its own public search portal. This tool lets you look up cases by case number only. It does not support name searches. If you know the case number, you can pull up basic case information and the register of actions for Denver County Court cases. The portal is free to use and pulls live data from the court system.

For name searches across Denver civil courts, you will need to use CoCourts. A statewide search on CoCourts costs $10. If you want to search Denver alone, there is an extra $5 add-on fee because Denver County Court data is kept in a separate database from the rest of the state. CoCourts shows the Register of Actions for each case but does not provide copies of filed documents. To get actual document copies from a Denver civil case, you must contact the clerk. The state docket search also lets you check scheduled hearings for Denver District Court cases at no cost.

You can also visit the clerk's office in person at 520 W. Colfax Ave to look through civil case files. Bring a case number if you have one. The clerk can run a name search for $5 if you don't have the case number. Reviewing files at the courthouse is free. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page, and certified copies are $20 per document.

Denver County Court Records Portal

Denver County Court maintains its own website with civil case information and court resources. The Denver County Court homepage provides details on filing procedures, court forms, and how to reach the civil division for record requests.

From this site, you can find links to the public case search tool, fee schedules for Denver County Court, and contact information for the civil clerk. Denver County Court also accepts data requests through a separate email address. For bulk data or large-scale record requests, send your inquiry to coradatarequests@denvercountycourt.org. The court will respond with cost estimates and turnaround times based on how much data you need from Denver civil case records.

Civil Filing Fees in Denver

Filing fees for civil cases in Denver follow the same state schedule as other Colorado courts. District court costs $235 for the plaintiff to file. The defendant pays $192 to respond. These fees apply to all civil cases with no dollar cap filed at Denver District Court. County court fees in Denver depend on the claim amount. Cases under $1,000 cost $85. Claims between $1,000 and $14,999 cost $105. Claims from $15,000 to $25,000 cost $135 to file. Small claims are the least expensive option, with fees ranging from $31 for claims under $500 to $55 for claims up to $7,500.

Other costs to keep in mind when dealing with Denver civil court records include:

• Plain copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $20.00 per document
• Name search by clerk: $5.00
• Transcript of judgment: $25.00
• Online payment processing through state portal

The full JDF 1 fee schedule lists every filing fee for Colorado courts. After your case is filed, you can make payments through the Colorado Judicial Online Payment portal. Fee waivers are available for people who show financial hardship. Ask the Denver clerk for the waiver form when you file your civil case.

Public Access to Denver Court Files

Civil court records in Denver are public under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) gives anyone the right to inspect and copy public records. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need a reason to ask. The custodian of records must respond to your request within three business days. For Denver District Court, the state clerk handles requests. For Denver County Court, the city clerk manages access separately through its own office.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 spells out what court records are public, sealed, or restricted across Colorado. Most civil case files are fully open. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other protected information get redacted from public copies. Sealed records require a court order to view. But the vast majority of Denver civil court records are available to anyone who asks. You can submit a request through the online records request form or go to the courthouse in person.

Note: Denver County Court record requests may take longer than state court requests due to the separate administration process.

Getting Copies of Denver Civil Records

There are a few ways to get copies of civil records from Denver courts. For Denver District Court, you can visit the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, mail a written request, or use the state's online request form. Include the case number, your name, and which documents you need. The clerk will get back to you within three business days with cost details. For Denver County Court records, contact the civil division at 720-337-0410 or email civil@denvercountycourt.org. The county court has its own process that runs through the city rather than the state system.

Copies from both courts cost $0.25 per page for plain paper and $20 for certified copies. If you are a party to the case, the total copy cost is capped at $15 under state rules. Larger requests that take more than an hour to prepare may come with a $30 per hour research fee. The Colorado Judicial Branch website has an access guide that explains your rights and the process in more detail. It covers what you can request, how to request it, and what fees apply for civil court record copies in Denver and across Colorado.

Nearby Colorado Cities

Denver borders several cities in the metro area. Residents of these cities may file civil cases in their own county courts rather than Denver. Below are major cities near Denver with their own civil court record pages.

Each of these cities falls within a different county court jurisdiction. Check the city page to find which courthouse serves that area for civil court records in Colorado.