Lake County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Lake County are kept at the courthouse in Leadville at 505 Harrison Avenue. The Clerk of Court maintains all civil case files for the 5th Judicial District. Anyone can search for civil cases by name or case number at the courthouse. Records include contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury claims, property damage, and small claims under $7,500. District court in Lake County hears civil cases with no dollar limit. County court handles claims up to $25,000. Small claims take disputes under $7,500. All civil court records are public in Lake County. You do not need to be part of the case to view the file in Leadville, Colorado.

Lake County Courthouse in Leadville

The Lake County Combined Court sits at 505 Harrison Avenue in Leadville, Colorado 80461. The phone number is 719-486-0449. Court hours are Monday through Friday. All civil case files for Lake County are stored at this courthouse. The Clerk of Court can help you search for a case by name or case number. If you have a case number, bring it with you. That makes the search faster in Leadville. The clerk handles filings for district court, county court, and small claims cases.

The Lake County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website has more contact details. Lake County is part of the 5th Judicial District, which also covers Chaffee, Clear Creek, Eagle, Park, and Summit counties. District judges rotate through these county courthouses. Civil procedures in Lake County follow the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, which apply statewide. The clerk can explain which forms you need if you plan to file a civil case in Leadville.

How to File a Civil Case

To file a civil case in Lake County, visit the courthouse at 505 Harrison Avenue in Leadville. Bring your complaint and all supporting documents. The filing fee depends on the court level and the claim amount. District court civil filings cost $235. County court cases cost between $85 and $135, based on the amount you seek. Small claims cost $31 to $55. You can find the full fee schedule in the JDF 1 document from the Colorado Judicial Branch. Fees must be paid when you file. The clerk accepts cash, check, and card in Lake County.

Cases under $7,500 go to small claims court. These are simple disputes that do not require a lawyer. You can pick up small claims forms at the clerk's counter in Leadville. Cases from $7,500 to $25,000 go to county court. Anything above that goes to district court. If you are not sure which court to file in, ask the clerk before you pay the filing fee. Filing in the wrong court can delay your case and cost you more money later on.

After you file, the defendant must be served with a copy of your complaint. You cannot serve it yourself in Colorado. A process server or sheriff can handle service for you. Once the defendant files an answer, the case moves into the discovery phase. The court may schedule hearings or require mediation before trial in Lake County. You can check the docket search portal to see when your hearing is scheduled. Civil cases can take months to resolve, so plan accordingly.

Note: If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form before you file your civil case in Lake County.

Public Access to Civil Records

Civil court records in Lake County are public. You can view them at the courthouse in Leadville. Ask the Clerk of Court for access to a specific case file. The clerk will pull the file if it is available. Some older records may be stored off-site. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20. A transcript of judgment runs $25. These rates are set by Chief Justice Directive 05-01, which governs access to court records across Colorado.

You can also request civil court records by mail. Send a letter to the Lake County Clerk of Court at 505 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461. Include the case number or the names of the parties. State what you need. The clerk will respond within a few days. If you need a full case file, the cost can add up fast. Ask for an estimate before you place a large order. For online access, CoCourts offers a paid search tool that pulls data from the state court database. A statewide search costs $10. You can search by name to find civil cases in Lake County. The site shows the Register of Actions, which lists all filings and court events for each case.

The Colorado Open Records Act, or CORA, is the main law governing access to public records in Colorado. C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1 says records must be open for inspection by any person. The Clerk of Court must respond to your request within three business days. If the office denies access, you can appeal. CORA caps the research fee at $30 per hour after the first free hour. That applies to all civil court records requests in Lake County.

Types of Civil Cases in Lake County

Civil court records in Lake County include contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury claims, property damage, foreclosure actions, and small claims. Contract cases are common. These involve breach of agreement or unpaid bills. Personal injury lawsuits often end up in district court due to higher claim amounts. Foreclosure cases appear in county court. Small claims court handles minor disputes like unpaid loans, property damage under $7,500, and landlord-tenant issues in Leadville.

The type of case determines which court has jurisdiction. Small claims go to small claims court. County court hears civil matters from $7,500 to $25,000. District court handles anything above $25,000. Lake County civil court records will show what type of case was filed, what relief the plaintiff sought, and how the case was resolved. You can see whether the case settled, went to trial, or was dismissed.

Filing Fees and Court Costs

Filing a district court civil case in Lake County costs $235. The defendant pays $192 to file an answer. County civil cases cost $85 if the claim is under $1,000. Claims from $1,000 to $14,999 cost $105. Claims from $15,000 to $25,000 cost $135. Small claims cost less. A claim under $500 costs $31. Claims from $500 to $7,500 cost $55. These fees are set by C.R.S. § 13-32-101 and apply across Colorado, including Lake County.

Additional court costs in Lake County include:

• Plain copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $20 per document
• Transcript of judgment: $25
• Name search: $5

If you are a party to the case, your copy cost is capped at $15 under Chief Justice Directive 06-01. 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. Fee waivers may be available if you cannot afford to pay. Ask the clerk for a waiver form before you file your civil case in Lake County.

Legal Help and Resources

If you need legal help, Colorado Legal Services offers free civil legal aid to low-income residents. They handle housing disputes, consumer debt, and family law cases. You can reach them by phone or apply online. The Colorado Bar Association also offers a lawyer referral service. You can find a lawyer who handles civil cases in Lake County through their program.

The online records request form on the Colorado Judicial Branch website lets you submit a request for court documents. The court will respond within three business days. For questions about civil procedures, call the Lake County Clerk of Court at 719-486-0449. The staff can guide you through the filing process and answer questions about fees and forms for civil cases in Leadville.

Cities in Lake County

Lake County does not have any cities with populations over 25,000. Civil court records for all towns and unincorporated areas in the county are kept at the courthouse in Leadville, Colorado.

Nearby Counties

Lake County borders several other counties in central Colorado. For civil court records in neighboring areas, visit their county pages: