Search Westminster Civil Court Records

Westminster civil court records can be searched through two county court systems. Like several Front Range cities, Westminster straddles the line between Adams County and Jefferson County. Most of the city sits in Adams County, but a portion on the south and west side falls in Jefferson County. That means civil court filings for Westminster residents end up at one of two courthouses depending on the address. This page explains how to find, search, and get copies of civil court records tied to Westminster, Colorado.

Westminster Civil Cases and County Courts

The Adams County portion of Westminster is by far the larger piece. Civil cases from that area go to the Adams County Justice Center at 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton. Call 303-659-1161 to reach the clerk. The courthouse sits in the 17th Judicial District and handles district, county, and small claims civil matters. If you live in a Westminster neighborhood east of Sheridan Boulevard or north of 80th Avenue, there is a good chance your case falls under Adams County jurisdiction.

Westminster residents on the Jefferson County side file civil cases at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. The phone number is 303-271-6145. This court is part of the 1st Judicial District. The same types of civil cases are heard there. District court has no dollar cap. County court takes claims up to $25,000. Small claims court handles disputes up to $7,500. Your county determines which courthouse holds your records, so check your property tax records or voter registration if you are not sure which county your Westminster address is in.

The Westminster Municipal Court at 4800 W. 92nd Ave (303-658-2130) handles traffic and code violations for the city. It does not hear civil lawsuits. You cannot file a civil claim or search for civil court records at the municipal court.

How to Search Civil Records in Westminster

Online searching is the fastest way to find Westminster civil court records. The CoCourts search portal covers all Colorado courts in a single database. A statewide name search costs $10. If you skip Denver County, the price drops to $5. You enter a party name and the system pulls up matching civil cases. Results show the Register of Actions, which is a list of every filing, motion, and hearing in the case. The system does not provide copies of the actual documents, but it tells you the case number and where it was filed. That makes it easier to request copies from the right clerk for your Westminster civil case.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also has a free docket search you can use. It shows hearing schedules for civil cases by county. Pick Adams County or Jefferson County and look for cases with Westminster party addresses. This tool is limited to scheduled hearings and pending motions, but it costs nothing to use.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk at either the Adams County or Jefferson County courthouse. Bring the case number if you have it. The clerk can also run a name search for $5 if you do not know the case number. You can view the full case file for free at the courthouse. If you want copies, they run $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document.

Note: Running a statewide CoCourts search catches Westminster cases filed in both Adams and Jefferson counties at once.

Westminster Records and Search Costs

The CoCourts pricing page breaks down the costs for searching civil court records, including cases filed in Westminster.

Searches cost between $5 and $10 depending on whether you include Denver County. Each search returns the Register of Actions for matching cases. You can look up civil lawsuits, small claims, and other court filings tied to Westminster addresses. The data comes straight from the state court system and updates in real time, so recent filings show up quickly. For the actual filed documents, you still need to go through the county clerk at Adams or Jefferson County.

Public Access to Westminster Court Files

Civil court records in Westminster are public under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) gives anyone the right to look at public records held by state agencies, including the courts. Under C.R.S. 24-72-200.1, the record custodian must respond to your request within three business days. You do not need to explain why you want the records. You do not need to be a party to the case. The clerk at either courthouse will pull the file and let you review it or tell you the cost for copies.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 spells out which court records are public, which are sealed, and which have restricted access. Most civil case files in Westminster are fully open. Sealed records need a court order to view. Some personal details like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers get redacted from public copies, but the rest of the civil file is available to anyone who asks.

Requesting Westminster Civil Court Documents

You have three ways to get copies of civil court records for Westminster cases. First, walk into the clerk's office at the right courthouse and ask for copies. Bring the case number and a form of payment. Cash and checks are accepted at both courthouses. Second, send a written request by mail. Include your name, address, phone number, the case number, and a list of what documents you need. Mail it to the clerk at whichever county courthouse holds the file. Third, use the online records request form through the Colorado Judicial Branch. The clerk will respond within three business days with the cost and pickup or mailing instructions.

Copies cost $0.25 per page for standard paper. Certified copies run $20 each. A clerk name search is $5. If you are a party to the Westminster civil case, the state caps your total copy cost at $15. For large requests that take over an hour to prepare, the clerk may charge $30 per hour for research time. You can also pay court costs through the Colorado Judicial Online Payment portal once a case is active.

Civil Court Fees for Westminster Residents

Filing fees are the same at both courthouses that serve Westminster. The state sets these fees, so it does not matter if your case goes to Adams County or Jefferson County. District court filing costs $235 for the plaintiff and $192 for the defendant to respond. County court fees range from $85 to $135 based on the claim amount. Small claims cases cost $31 to $55 to file. The JDF 1 fee schedule has the complete breakdown of every court fee in Colorado.

If you cannot pay the filing fee, you can ask the court for a waiver. Fill out the fee waiver form and attach proof of your income. The judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify. Fee waivers cover court costs only. They do not cover third-party search fees or copy costs from outside vendors. Westminster residents who qualify for a waiver still pay nothing to file their civil case at either the Adams County or Jefferson County courthouse.

Note: Filing fees can change when the state updates the fee schedule, so check the JDF 1 document for the most current amounts.

Civil Court Records in Nearby Cities

Westminster borders several cities along the Front Range. Many share the same county courthouses for civil case filings. These nearby cities also have civil court records pages with local details.