Jefferson County Civil Court Records

Jefferson County civil court records are public and open to anyone who wants to search them. These records include lawsuits, small claims, contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury cases, foreclosures, and other civil matters filed in Jefferson County courts. The Jefferson County Combined Court is part of the 1st Judicial District and is located in Golden at 100 Jefferson County Parkway. The Clerk of Court maintains all civil case files for Jefferson County and handles requests for copies of court documents. You can search Jefferson County civil court records online through third-party vendors like CoCourts, visit the courthouse in person in Golden, or submit a written request by mail or phone to 303-271-6145. This page explains how to find and obtain copies of civil court records from Jefferson County, one of Colorado's most populous counties.

Jefferson County Combined Court

The Jefferson County Combined Court is at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden, Colorado 80401. This court handles all civil filings for Jefferson 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 303-271-6145 during business hours to reach the clerk. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District, which also covers Gilpin County. Jefferson County is one of the largest counties in Colorado by population, so the civil docket stays busy year round.

The Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, call the clerk directly at 303-271-6145 or visit the courthouse at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden.

The 1st Judicial District covers Jefferson and Gilpin counties. All civil cases from both counties are handled by the same district court judges. But each county has its own Clerk of Court who keeps civil case files. If you need records from Jefferson County, you must contact the Jefferson County clerk at the courthouse in Golden.

Search Jefferson County Records Online

Online access to Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County civil cases, contact the Clerk of Court in Golden at 303-271-6145.

The Colorado Judicial Branch runs a free docket search portal on its website. This tool lets you look up scheduled court hearings in Jefferson County 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 Jefferson County. Each tool fills in what the other one lacks.

For in-person searches, visit the courthouse at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. 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 Jefferson County. If you are a party to your own case, your copy cost is capped at $15.

Filing Fees for Jefferson County Civil Cases

Filing fees for Jefferson 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 in Jefferson County. A claim under $500 costs $31 to file. Claims from $500 to $7,500 cost $55. These fees are set by state law and apply to all civil cases filed in Jefferson County. The JDF 1 fee document lists all filing fees for civil cases in Colorado courts, including Jefferson County.

Copy fees and other court services in Jefferson County include the following:

• 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

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

Note: Fees can change, so check the current schedule before you file a civil case in Jefferson County.

How to File a Civil Case

To file a civil case in Jefferson County, you start at the Clerk of Court office in Golden. 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 for Jefferson County civil cases.

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 Jefferson County courthouse can also help you find the right forms. 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 Jefferson 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 in Jefferson County.

Public Access to Court Records

Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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. The Colorado Attorney General's office has more details about CORA and how it applies to Jefferson County record requests.

Most Jefferson 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.

Types of Civil Cases

Jefferson County civil court records cover many types of disputes. Contract cases are common. Debt collection and personal injury claims are filed often. Property disputes and foreclosures go through civil court as well. In district court, there is no cap on the claim amount. Large contract disputes, insurance claims, and complex cases all end up there. County courts handle smaller civil matters with a $25,000 limit. These courts see lots of debt cases and property damage claims in Jefferson County. Small claims court is the simplest path. It handles disputes up to $7,500 and does not require a lawyer.

Jefferson 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 Jefferson County. District court files tend to be larger because the cases are more involved and take more time to resolve.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County is home to several large cities. Residents of these cities file civil cases at the Jefferson County Combined Court in Golden. Pick a city below to learn about civil court records in that area.

Note: Some cities like Arvada, Westminster, and Littleton are located in multiple counties, but all civil cases involving Jefferson County residents are handled by the Jefferson County Combined Court.

Nearby Counties

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