Costilla County Civil Records

Civil court records in Costilla County are kept at the Combined Courts in San Luis. The courthouse at 304 Main Street processes all civil case filings for the county. These records include lawsuits, debt collection cases, contract disputes, property claims, and small claims matters. Costilla County is part of the 12th Judicial District. District court handles civil cases with no dollar cap on claims. County court hears cases up to $25,000. Small claims court takes disputes up to $7,500. The Clerk of Court stores all case files and makes them available to the public. You can search for civil court records online using state databases, request copies by mail, or visit the courthouse in San Luis to review files and get copies in person.

Costilla County Court Clerk

The Costilla County Combined Courts are located at 304 Main Street, San Luis, Colorado 81152. You can reach the courthouse by phone at 719-672-3681. The Clerk of Court keeps all civil case files and handles public record requests. This office processes new filings, makes copies, and answers questions about civil court procedures in Costilla County. Office hours vary. Call ahead if you plan to visit in person to make sure staff are available to help. The clerk handles both district and county court civil cases at this location.

The Costilla County Court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website lists contact details and general court information. It provides links to state forms, staff contacts, and court resources. For instructions on how to request civil court records in Colorado, see the Access Guide to Public Records from the state court system. That guide covers request procedures, response times, and fees for civil case documents across Colorado.

Most civil records in Costilla County are public. Sealed files require a judge's order. The clerk can confirm whether a case is sealed before you request copies.

How to Search for Civil Records

You can search for civil court records in Costilla County online, in person, or by mail. The easiest online option is CoCourts, a commercial database run through the Colorado Judicial Branch. CoCourts lets you search by name or case number to find civil cases across the state. A statewide search costs $10. A search that excludes Denver costs $5. You get 24 hours of access after payment. The site shows the Register of Actions for each case, which lists all filings and hearings. It does not provide copies of actual documents. For document copies, contact the Costilla County Clerk of Court directly.

The state also provides a free docket search on the Colorado Judicial Branch website. This tool shows upcoming hearings in civil cases. You can search by case number or party name to see scheduled court dates. The docket search does not give full case details, only hearing dates and basic case status. CoCourts may only have five years of data for older cases. For earlier civil records, contact the clerk in San Luis. They can search archives and pull older case files from Costilla County.

For in-person access, visit the courthouse at 304 Main Street in San Luis. Ask the clerk to look up a case by name or case number. The clerk can retrieve the file and make copies on the spot. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document. A judgment transcript runs $25. You can also send a written request by mail to Costilla County Combined Courts, 304 Main Street, San Luis, CO 81152. Include the case number or party names and payment for estimated fees. The clerk will process your request and mail copies to you. You can also use the online records request form on the state court website.

Civil Filing Fees in Costilla County

Filing fees in Costilla County follow the state schedule set by Colorado law. District court civil cases cost $235 for a plaintiff to file and $192 for a defendant to file an answer. County court fees vary by claim amount. Cases under $1,000 cost $85 to file. Claims from $1,000 to $14,999 cost $105. Claims from $15,000 to $25,000 run $135. Small claims filing fees are $31 for claims under $500 and $55 for claims from $500 to $7,500. These fees are set under C.R.S. § 13-32-101. The full schedule is in the JDF 1 fee document from the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Additional costs in Costilla County include plain copies at $0.25 per page, certified copies at $20 per document, and transcripts of judgment at $25 each. A name search costs $5. Research and redaction fees run $30 per hour after the first free hour. If you are a party to your own case, your copy cost is capped at $15 total. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. Ask the Costilla County clerk about the waiver form before you file. You can pay fees online through the state's online payments portal for civil cases across Colorado.

Note: Fees are subject to change based on state law, so check the current schedule before filing.

Types of Civil Cases Filed in Costilla County

Civil court records in Costilla County include a range of case types. Contract disputes and debt collection cases are common. Personal injury lawsuits and property damage claims go through district court, which has no dollar limit. County court handles smaller civil cases up to $25,000, including landlord-tenant disputes and consumer debt actions. Small claims court is for disputes under $7,500 where parties represent themselves without a lawyer. The case type and claim amount determine which court hears it.

Common civil cases filed in Costilla County include:

• Contract disputes and breach of agreement claims
• Personal injury and accident lawsuits
• Debt collection and creditor actions
• Property disputes and damage claims
• Landlord-tenant and eviction matters
• Small claims up to $7,500

All civil case records are stored at the Costilla County courthouse in San Luis. Contact the clerk if you need help determining which court handles a specific civil case type.

Public Access to Costilla County Court Records

Colorado law gives broad public access to civil court records. The Colorado Open Records Act, codified at C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1, allows any person to review public records. You do not have to be a party to the case. You do not need to give a reason. The custodian must respond within three business days. Civil case files in Costilla County are usually public unless a judge orders them sealed. Protected details like Social Security numbers and bank account information may be redacted. The rest of the file is open to anyone.

The Colorado court system follows Chief Justice Directive 05-01 for court records access. This directive defines which records are public, sealed, suppressed, or restricted. Most civil cases are fully open. You can request any unsealed civil record from the Costilla County clerk. Call the courthouse at 719-672-3681 if you have questions about access rules or need to confirm whether a case is sealed before you request copies.

Civil Records for Costilla County Cities

Costilla County has no cities with a population over the threshold for dedicated pages. Residents of San Luis, Blanca, and other towns in Costilla County file civil cases at the Combined Courts in San Luis. All civil court records are stored at the courthouse regardless of where the parties live within the county.

Nearby Colorado Counties

Costilla County borders several other Colorado counties. For civil court records in neighboring areas, visit these county pages: