Gilpin County Civil Records

Gilpin County civil court records are public and open to anyone who wants to view them. These records cover lawsuits, small claims, debt collection, contract disputes, and other civil matters filed in Gilpin County. The Gilpin County Combined Court is part of Colorado's 1st Judicial District and sits in Black Hawk at 2960 Dory Hill Road. The Clerk of Court keeps all civil case files and handles requests for copies of court documents. You can search for Gilpin County civil court records online using third-party vendors, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a request by mail or phone. This page walks you through how to find and get copies of civil court records from Gilpin County.

Gilpin County Combined Court

The Gilpin County Combined Court handles all civil filings for the county. It is located at 2960 Dory Hill Road in Black Hawk, Colorado 80422. The court serves both district and county level cases. District court takes civil cases with no dollar limit. County court hears claims up to $25,000. Small claims go up to $7,500. The Clerk of Court stores original case files and provides copies to the public. You can reach the clerk by calling 303-582-5522 during business hours. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District, which also covers Jefferson County.

To file a civil case in Gilpin County, you need the right forms and filing fees. District court cases cost $235 to file for a plaintiff. Defendant answer fees are $192. County civil fees depend on the claim amount. Claims under $1,000 cost $85 to file. Claims from $1,000 to $14,999 cost $105. Claims from $15,000 to $25,000 cost $135. Small claims under $500 cost $31. Small claims from $500 to $7,500 cost $55. The JDF 1 fee schedule lists all filing fees for Colorado civil courts, including Gilpin County. Fees can change, so check the current schedule before you file.

The Gilpin County Combined Court website provides contact information and hours for the courthouse. You can also find links to forms and resources. The site is part of the Colorado Judicial Branch system. It gives access to statewide resources like the docket search portal and the Access Guide to Public Records. For questions about Gilpin County civil cases, call the clerk directly at 303-582-5522 or visit the courthouse at 2960 Dory Hill Road in Black Hawk.

Search Civil Court Records Online

Online access to Gilpin County civil court records comes through CoCourts. This is a commercial search tool created as a project of the Colorado Judicial Branch. It pulls real-time data from the state court database. You can search by name to find civil cases from Gilpin County. A statewide search costs $10. State courts without Denver cost $5. CoCourts shows the Register of Actions for each case but does not provide copies of actual court documents. For document copies from Gilpin County civil cases, contact the Clerk of Court in Black Hawk.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also runs a free docket search portal on its website. This tool lets you look up scheduled court hearings in Gilpin County. You can search by case number or party name. It shows when hearings are set and what motions have been filed in civil cases. It does not show the full case file. Use CoCourts to find the case number first, then use the docket tool to check the hearing schedule for that civil case in Gilpin County. Each tool fills in what the other one lacks.

For in-person searches, visit the courthouse at 2960 Dory Hill Road in Black Hawk. The Clerk of Court can search civil case records and make copies for you. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20.00 per document. Name searches cost $5.00. A transcript of judgment costs $25.00. These fees are set by Chief Justice Directive 05-01, which applies to all Colorado courts including Gilpin County. If you are a party to your own case, your copy cost is capped at $15.

Note: CoCourts search results stay open for 24 hours after you pay and you can look up to four first names with the same last name in one search.

Filing Civil Cases in Gilpin County

To file a civil case in Gilpin County, you start at the Clerk of Court office in Black Hawk. Bring your completed forms and filing fee. The fee amount depends on the type of case and the court level. District court cases cost $235. County court fees range from $85 to $135 based on the claim amount. Small claims are $31 or $55 depending on the dollar amount in dispute. You can pay by cash, check, or money order at the courthouse. The state also offers an online payments portal where you can pay some court fees electronically.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides forms for civil cases on its website. You can find standard forms for civil actions, small claims, and other case types. Forms are listed in the records request form section of the site. Some forms are specific to the type of case you want to file. The clerk can also help you find the right forms when you visit the Gilpin County courthouse. Fill out the forms carefully. Mistakes or missing information can delay your filing.

Once you file your case, the clerk will assign a case number. This number is how you track your case through the court system in Gilpin County. You will need it to check on the status of your case, view docket entries, or request copies of court documents. Keep your case number in a safe place. You will use it for all future interactions with the court.

Public Access to Gilpin County Records

Gilpin County civil court records are public under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act, known as CORA, is the main law that controls access to government records in the state. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1, public records are open for review by any person. This includes civil court records from Gilpin County. You do not need to give a reason. You do not need to be a party to the case. The record custodian must make records available within three business days of a request. If your request is denied, you can appeal. The Colorado Attorney General's office has more details about CORA and how it applies to record requests.

Most Gilpin County civil case files are fully open. Sealed records are those a judge has ordered closed to the public. Suppressed records are hidden from view entirely. Protected details like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and information about minor children may be blacked out from public copies. But the rest of the civil court file is open to anyone. You can submit a records request through the online records request form on the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The court will usually respond within three business days.

Cities in Gilpin County

Gilpin County does not have any cities over 25,000 people. The county seat is Black Hawk, where the courthouse is located. All civil cases from Gilpin County are filed at the courthouse in Black Hawk regardless of where you live in the county.

Nearby Counties

For civil court records in nearby areas, check these counties: