Baca County Court Records

Baca County civil court records cover all lawsuits, judgments, small claims, and civil disputes filed in the county. These records are public. Anyone can search them. Baca County is part of the 15th Judicial District in southeastern Colorado. District courts hear civil cases with no dollar limit. County courts take claims up to $25,000. Small claims go up to $7,500. The Baca County Courthouse in Springfield is where you file cases and search records. This page shows how to access and get copies of civil court records from Baca County, Colorado.

Baca County Courthouse and Clerk

The Baca County Courthouse sits at 741 Main Street in Springfield, Colorado 81073. This is where civil cases are filed and records are kept for the county. The main phone number is 719-523-4555. 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 get copies. The courthouse serves the 15th Judicial District, which includes Baca County and several other counties in southeastern Colorado.

District courts handle all civil matters with no cap on the claim amount. These cases can involve large contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, property matters, and complex business claims. County courts take smaller civil cases with a limit of $25,000. Small claims court handles disputes up to $7,500 and does not require a lawyer. You file in the court that matches your claim amount. The Baca County clerk can help you figure out which court to use if you are not sure. The clerk's office processes all filings and keeps the official record for each case in Baca County.

Search Baca County Civil Records

Online searches for Baca County civil court records are available through third-party vendors. The Baca County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website lists courthouse contact info and hours. For online case searches, CoCourts is the main tool that works with Colorado courts. It pulls real-time 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 Baca County Clerk at the courthouse in Springfield.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also runs a free docket search portal. You can use this tool to look up scheduled hearings for Baca County civil cases. 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 Baca 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 Baca County.

Filing Fees for Civil Cases

Filing fees for civil cases in Baca 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 to file. Claims from $1,000 to $14,999 cost $105. Claims from $15,000 to $25,000 cost $135. Small claims are the cheapest option. A claim under $500 costs $31. Claims from $500 to $7,500 cost $55. You pay these fees when you file at the Baca County Courthouse in Springfield.

Other court costs in Baca 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 JDF 1 fee schedule lists all current filing fees for Colorado courts. These fees are subject to change, so check the current schedule before you file. 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 for people who can show financial hardship. Fill out the waiver form and submit proof of income to the clerk. The court will review your request and let you know if it is approved for your civil case.

Note: If you are a party to your own case, your copy cost is capped at $15 under state rules.

Public Access Laws for Court Records

Civil court records in Baca 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. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to state a reason. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1, the record custodian must respond within three business days of your request. The Baca County Clerk serves as the custodian for civil court files and must follow CORA rules when processing record requests from the public.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 sets the rules for court records access across Colorado. This directive tells you 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. Baca County follows these same rules as every other county in Colorado. You can review the file for free at the courthouse, or you can request copies by mail or email for the standard fees.

How to Get Copies of Civil Records

You can get copies of Baca County civil court records in person, by mail, or through an online request form. For in-person copies, visit the courthouse at 741 Main Street in Springfield 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 Baca 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. For large requests that take more than one hour to prepare, the clerk may charge $30 per hour for research and redaction time. Call 719-523-4555 to ask about the process or check on the status of your request for civil records from Baca County.

Civil Records in Baca County

Baca County is a rural county with a small population. It has no cities that meet the 25,000 population threshold for individual city pages. Residents of the county file civil cases at the Baca County Courthouse in Springfield. The courthouse serves the entire county and is part of the 15th Judicial District in southeastern Colorado.

Nearby Colorado Counties

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