Find Hinsdale County Civil Records

Hinsdale County civil court records are public and available for anyone to view. These records include lawsuits, small claims, contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury cases, and other civil matters filed in Hinsdale County courts. The Hinsdale County Combined Court is part of the 7th Judicial District and is located in Lake City at 317 N. Henson Street. The Clerk of Court maintains all civil case files for Hinsdale County and processes requests for copies of court documents. You can search Hinsdale County civil court records online through third-party vendors like CoCourts, visit the courthouse in person in Lake City, or submit a written request by mail or phone to 970-944-2228. This page explains how to find and obtain copies of civil court records from Hinsdale County, one of Colorado's smaller counties by population.

Hinsdale County Court Location

The Hinsdale County Combined Court is at 317 N. Henson Street in Lake City, Colorado 81235. This court handles all civil filings for Hinsdale County. District court takes civil cases with no dollar limit. County court hears claims up to $25,000. Small claims court handles disputes up to $7,500. The Clerk of Court stores original case files and provides copies to the public. Call 970-944-2228 during business hours to reach the clerk. The court is part of the 7th Judicial District, which covers Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties.

The Hinsdale County Combined Court website is part of the Colorado Judicial Branch system. It provides contact information and hours for the courthouse. You can also find links to statewide resources like the docket search portal and the Access Guide to Public Records. For questions about civil cases in Hinsdale County, call the clerk directly at 970-944-2228 or visit the courthouse at 317 N. Henson Street in Lake City.

Search Civil Court Records Online

Online access to Hinsdale County civil court records comes through CoCourts. This is a commercial search tool created as a project of the Colorado Judicial Branch. You can search by name to find civil cases from Hinsdale 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 Hinsdale County civil cases, contact the Clerk of Court in Lake City at 970-944-2228.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also runs a free docket search portal on its website. This tool lets you look up scheduled court hearings in Hinsdale County. Search by case number or party name. It shows when hearings are set and what motions have been filed. 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 Hinsdale County. Each tool fills in what the other one lacks.

For in-person searches, visit the courthouse at 317 N. Henson Street in Lake City. 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.

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

Filing Fees for Hinsdale County Civil Cases

Filing fees for Hinsdale County civil cases depend on the court level and the amount in dispute. District court cases cost $235 to file for a plaintiff. The defendant pays $192 to answer. County civil fees are based on the claim amount. A claim under $1,000 costs $85. Claims from $1,000 to $14,999 cost $105 to file. 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. These fees apply to all civil cases filed in Hinsdale County. The JDF 1 fee document lists the current filing fees.

Copy fees and other court services in Hinsdale County include:

• Plain 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

You can pay court fees online through the state's online payments portal for civil cases in Hinsdale County. Research and redaction fees run $30 per hour after the first free hour. Fee waivers may be available for people who cannot afford to pay. Ask the Hinsdale County court clerk about the waiver form before you file your civil case.

How to File a Civil Case

To file a civil case in Hinsdale County, you start at the Clerk of Court office in Lake City. 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 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 at the Hinsdale County courthouse can also help you find the right forms. Fill out the forms carefully. Mistakes or missing information can delay your filing in Hinsdale County.

Once you file your case, the clerk will assign a case number. This number is how you track your case through the Hinsdale County court system. 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 Rules

Hinsdale County civil court records are public under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act, known as CORA, 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 Hinsdale County. 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. The Colorado Attorney General's office has more details about CORA and how it applies to Hinsdale County record requests.

Most Hinsdale 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 and bank account numbers 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.

Types of Civil Cases in Hinsdale County

Hinsdale County civil court records cover many types of disputes. Contract cases are common. Property disputes and foreclosures go through civil court as well. In district court, there is no cap on the claim amount. Large contract disputes and complex cases end up there. County courts handle smaller civil matters with a $25,000 limit. Small claims court is the simplest path. It handles disputes up to $7,500 and does not require a lawyer in Hinsdale County.

Hinsdale County civil court records may include these case types:

• Contract disputes and breach of agreement claims
• Personal injury and property damage lawsuits
• Debt collection and creditor actions
• Foreclosure and eviction proceedings
• Protection orders and restraining orders
• Small claims up to $7,500

The case type determines which court hears it and what civil records get created in Hinsdale County. District court files tend to be larger because the cases are more involved.

Cities in Hinsdale County

Hinsdale County does not have any cities over 25,000 people. The county seat is Lake City, where the courthouse is located. All civil cases from Hinsdale County are filed at the courthouse at 317 N. Henson Street in Lake City.

Nearby Counties

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