Access Bent County Civil Court Records

Bent County civil court records are public documents available for anyone to search. These files include all lawsuits, judgments, small claims, and civil disputes filed in the county. Bent County is part of the 16th Judicial District in southeastern Colorado. District courts hear civil cases with no dollar cap. County courts handle claims up to $25,000. Small claims take disputes up to $7,500. The Bent County Courthouse in Las Animas serves as the location for filing and searching civil court records. This page explains how to access and get copies of civil records from Bent County, Colorado.

Bent County Courthouse

The Bent County Courthouse is at 725 Bent Avenue in Las Animas, Colorado 81054. This is where civil cases are filed and records are kept for the county. The main phone number is 719-456-1353. 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. The courthouse serves the 16th Judicial District, which includes Bent County and several other counties in southeastern Colorado.

District courts hear all civil matters with no limit on the claim amount. County courts take smaller civil cases with a cap of $25,000. Small claims court handles disputes up to $7,500 and does not require a lawyer. The type of case determines which court you file in. The Bent County clerk can help you figure out the right court for your case. Civil cases in Bent County may include contract disputes, debt collection actions, personal injury lawsuits, property matters, and foreclosures. The clerk's office processes all filings and keeps the official record for each case filed in the county.

How to Search Civil Records in Bent County

Online searches for Bent County civil court records are available through third-party vendors. The Bent County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website lists courthouse contact info and hours. For online case searches, CoCourts is the main commercial search 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 provide copies of filed documents. For document copies, you need to contact the Bent County Clerk at the courthouse in Las Animas.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also runs a free docket search portal. You can use this tool to look up scheduled hearings for Bent 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 courts. Use CoCourts to find the case number, then use the docket tool to check hearing dates for civil cases in Bent 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 Bent County.

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

Bent County Filing Fees and Costs

Filing fees for civil cases in Bent County are set by state law and are the same across Colorado. District court cases cost $235 for the plaintiff to file. The defendant pays $192 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 most affordable option in Colorado courts. A claim under $500 costs $31. Claims from $500 to $7,500 cost $55. You pay these fees when you file at the Bent County Courthouse.

Additional costs for court services in Bent 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. 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 to the clerk. The court will review your request and let you know if it is approved for your civil case in Bent County.

Public Access to Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Bent 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 or state a reason to access records. The record custodian must respond within three business days. The Bent County Clerk serves as the custodian for civil court files and must follow CORA rules when you make a request for records from Bent County.

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. Bent 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 set by state policy.

Getting Copies of Bent County Civil Records

You can get copies of Bent County civil court records in person, by mail, or through an online request form. For in-person copies, visit the courthouse at 725 Bent Avenue in Las Animas 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 Bent 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 719-456-1353 to ask about the process or check on the status of your request for civil records from Bent County.

Civil Records in Bent County

Bent 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 Bent County Courthouse in Las Animas. The courthouse serves the entire county and is part of the 16th Judicial District in southeastern Colorado.

Nearby Colorado Counties

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