Custer County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Custer County are kept at the Combined Courts in Westcliffe. The courthouse at 205 S. 6th Street handles all civil case filings for the county. These records include lawsuits, contract disputes, debt collection cases, property disputes, personal injury claims, and small claims matters. Custer County is part of the 11th Judicial District. District court hears civil cases with no dollar limit. County court handles 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 records online through state databases, request copies by mail, or visit the courthouse in Westcliffe to review files and get copies in person.

Custer County Court Clerk Office

The Custer County Combined Courts are located at 205 S. 6th Street, Westcliffe, Colorado 81252. You can reach the courthouse by phone at 719-783-2274. The Clerk of Court keeps all civil case files and handles public record requests. This office processes new filings, prepares copies, and answers questions about civil court procedures in Custer County. Office hours may vary. Call ahead if you plan to visit in person to ensure staff are available to help. The clerk serves both district and county court civil cases at this location.

You can find more information on the Custer County Court page from the Colorado Judicial Branch. That page lists contact details for court staff and links to state forms and resources. For instructions on requesting 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 Custer County are public. Sealed files require a judge's order. The clerk can confirm whether a case is sealed before you request copies.

Search for Civil Court Records

You can search for civil court records in Custer County online, in person, or by mail. The easiest online option is CoCourts, a commercial search tool operated 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 access for 24 hours after payment. The site shows the Register of Actions for each case, which lists all filings and hearings. But it does not provide copies of actual documents. For document copies, you must contact the Custer County Clerk of Court.

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 Westcliffe. They can search archives and retrieve older case files from Custer County.

For in-person access, visit the courthouse at 205 S. 6th Street in Westcliffe. Ask the clerk to look up a case by name or case number. The clerk can pull 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 Custer County Combined Courts, 205 S. 6th Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252. 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.

Fees for Filing Civil Cases

Filing fees in Custer 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 depend on the 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.

Other costs in Custer 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 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 Custer 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, so check the current schedule before filing a civil case in Custer County.

Types of Civil Cases in Custer County

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

Common civil cases filed in Custer County include:

• Contract disputes and business 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 Custer County courthouse in Westcliffe. Contact the clerk if you need help determining which court handles a specific civil case type.

Access to Civil Records in Custer County

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 inspect 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 Custer 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 Custer County clerk. Call the courthouse at 719-783-2274 if you have questions about access rules or need to confirm whether a case is sealed before you request copies.

Civil Records for Custer County Cities

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

Nearby Colorado Counties

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