Civil Cases in Archuleta County

Archuleta County civil court records include all lawsuits, judgments, small claims, and civil disputes filed in the county. Anyone can search these records. The county is part of the 6th Judicial District in southwestern Colorado. District courts hear civil cases with no cap on the claim amount. County courts take cases up to $25,000. Small claims go up to $7,500. The Archuleta County Courthouse in Pagosa Springs is the central location for filing and reviewing civil court records. This page explains how to access and get copies of civil records from Archuleta County, Colorado.

Archuleta County Courthouse

The Archuleta County Courthouse is at 449 San Juan Street in Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147. This is where civil cases are filed and records are kept for the county. The main phone number is 970-264-8160. The Clerk of Court maintains all civil case files and provides public access during business hours. You can walk in to file a case, review records, or request copies of court documents from Archuleta County. The courthouse serves the 6th Judicial District, which includes Archuleta County and several other counties in southwestern Colorado. District courts handle all civil matters with no dollar limit. County courts take smaller claims up to $25,000. Small claims go up to $7,500 and do not require a lawyer.

The courthouse handles civil cases including contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury lawsuits, property matters, and foreclosures. The clerk's office processes all filings and keeps the official record for each case. If you need to look up a civil case, the clerk can do a name search or pull a file by case number. You may review the file at no charge in the courthouse during regular business hours. The clerk can also make copies for you or provide certified copies if you need them for official business in Archuleta County.

Search Civil Records in Archuleta County

Online searches for Archuleta County civil court records are available through commercial vendors. The Archuleta County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website lists courthouse contact info and hours. For online case searches, CoCourts is the main tool. It pulls data from the state court database. A statewide search costs $10. A search without Denver costs $5. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows the Register of Actions for each case but does not give you copies of filed documents. For document copies, you need to contact the Archuleta County Clerk at the courthouse in Pagosa Springs.

The Colorado docket search is another free tool you can use. It lets you look up scheduled hearings for Archuleta County civil cases. You can search by case number or party name. The tool shows hearing dates and what motions have been filed. It does not show the full case history, but it helps you track a case as it moves through the court. Use CoCourts to find the case number, then use the docket tool to check hearing dates for civil cases in Archuleta County.

In-person searches are also available at the courthouse. Walk into the clerk's office during business hours and ask to review a case file. Bring the case number if you have it. If you do not, the clerk can do a name search for $5. You can review the file at the courthouse for free. Copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document. The clerk can also provide a transcript of judgment for $25 if you need an official record of a court ruling in a civil case from Archuleta County.

Note: Online search results on CoCourts stay open for 24 hours after you pay, so you can look up multiple cases without paying again.

Archuleta County Civil Filing Fees

Filing fees in Archuleta County are set by state law and are the same across Colorado. District court cases cost $235 for the plaintiff to file and $192 for the defendant to answer. County court fees depend on the claim amount. A claim under $1,000 costs $85. Claims from $1,000 to $14,999 cost $105 to file. Claims from $15,000 to $25,000 cost $135. Small claims are the most affordable option in Colorado courts. A claim under $500 costs $31 to file. Claims from $500 to $7,500 cost $55. You pay these fees when you file at the Archuleta County Courthouse in Pagosa Springs.

Additional costs for court services in Archuleta County include:

• Plain paper copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $20.00 per document
• Transcript of judgment: $25.00
• Name search: $5.00
• Certificate of satisfaction: $20.00

The full fee schedule is in the JDF 1 document from the Colorado Judicial Branch. Fees can change, so check the current schedule before you file your case. You can also pay court fees online through the Colorado Judicial Online Payment portal after your case has been filed. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask for a fee waiver. The court offers waivers to people who show financial hardship. Fill out the waiver form and provide proof of income. The clerk will review your request and let you know if it is approved for your civil case.

Public Access to Archuleta County Records

Civil court records in Archuleta County are open to the public under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act, or CORA, gives any person the right to inspect public records. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1, you do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to state a reason. The record custodian must respond within three business days. The Archuleta County Clerk serves as the custodian for civil court files and must follow CORA rules when you make a request for records.

Colorado courts also follow Chief Justice Directive 05-01, which defines which records are public, sealed, or restricted. Most civil case files are fully open to the public. Sealed records require a court order to view. Protected details like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers may be redacted from public copies. But the rest of the civil case file is available to anyone who asks. You can review the file for free at the courthouse, or you can request copies by mail or email for the standard fees that apply across all Colorado courts, including Archuleta County.

Getting Copies of Civil Records

You can get copies of Archuleta County civil court records in person, by mail, or through an online request form. For in-person copies, visit the courthouse at 449 San Juan Street in Pagosa Springs during business hours. Ask the clerk for the documents you need and pay the copy fee on site. For mail requests, send a written request to the Archuleta County Clerk at the courthouse address. Include your name, contact info, the case number, and which documents you want. The clerk will mail you the copies and a bill for the fees.

For online requests, use the Colorado records request form on the Judicial Branch website. The clerk will respond within three business days. Copy costs are $0.25 per page for plain paper. Certified copies cost $20 per document. If you are a party to the case, your copy cost is capped at $15 under state rules. For large requests that take more than one hour to prepare, the clerk may charge $30 per hour for research and redaction time. Call 970-264-8160 to ask about the process or check on the status of your request for civil records from Archuleta County.

Civil Records in Archuleta County

Archuleta County has a small population and no cities that meet the 25,000 population threshold for individual city pages. Residents of the county file civil cases at the Archuleta County Courthouse in Pagosa Springs. The courthouse serves the entire county and is part of the 6th Judicial District in southwestern Colorado.

Nearby Colorado Counties

Archuleta County borders several other counties in southwestern Colorado. Each has its own courthouse and clerk for civil court records.