Access Larimer County Civil Records

Larimer County civil court records are maintained at the courthouse in Fort Collins at 201 LaPorte Avenue. The Clerk of Court stores all civil case files for the 8th Judicial District. These records include contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury claims, property damage cases, and small claims under $7,500. District court in Larimer County handles civil cases with no dollar cap. County court hears claims up to $25,000. Small claims court takes disputes under $7,500. Records are public. Anyone can search for civil cases at the courthouse by name or case number. You can also request copies by mail or search online through third-party vendors. All civil court records are open to the public in Larimer County, Colorado.

Larimer County Courthouse Information

The Larimer County Combined Court is at 201 LaPorte Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. The phone number is 970-494-3500. Court hours are Monday through Friday. All civil case files for Larimer County are housed at this courthouse. The Clerk of Court handles filings for district court, county court, and small claims cases. If you know your case number, bring it with you to speed up the search process in Fort Collins.

The Larimer County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website has additional contact details. Larimer County is part of the 8th Judicial District, which also covers Jackson County. District judges serve both counties. Civil procedures in Larimer 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 Fort Collins.

You can also submit a written request for civil court records by mail. Send your request to the Larimer County Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the case number or the names of the parties involved. State what documents you need. The clerk will respond within a few business days. If the file is large, the cost for copies can add up quickly. Ask for an estimate before you place a large order for civil records in Larimer County.

Search Larimer County Records Online

Online access to Larimer County civil court records comes through third-party vendors like CoCourts. This site pulls real-time data from the state court database. You can search by name to find civil cases in Larimer County. A statewide search costs $10. State courts without Denver cost $5. The site shows the Register of Actions, which lists all filings and court events for each case. It does not provide copies of actual court documents. For document copies, you must contact the Clerk of Court in Fort Collins directly.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also runs a docket search portal on its website. This free tool lets you look up scheduled court hearings. You can 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. But it helps you follow a civil case as it moves through the courts in Larimer County. For a more thorough search, try using CoCourts to find the case number first, then use the docket tool to check the hearing schedule for that civil case.

Filing a Civil Case in Larimer County

To file a civil case in Larimer County, go to the courthouse at 201 LaPorte Avenue in Fort Collins. Bring your complaint and all supporting documents. The filing fee depends on the court level. District court cases cost $235 to file. County court cases cost between $85 and $135, depending on the claim amount. 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 at the time of filing. The clerk accepts cash, check, and card in Larimer County.

Cases under $7,500 go to small claims court. These disputes are simpler and do not require a lawyer. You can pick up small claims forms at the clerk's counter in Fort Collins. Cases between $7,500 and $25,000 must be filed in county court. Anything above that goes to district court. If you are unsure 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 in Larimer County.

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 require mediation before trial. Civil cases in Larimer County can take several months to reach a resolution, 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 Larimer County.

Public Access to Civil Records

Civil court records in Larimer County are public. Anyone can view them at the courthouse in Fort Collins. 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.

The Colorado Open Records Act, or CORA, governs access to public records in the state. 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 also caps the research fee at $30 per hour after the first free hour. That applies to all civil court records requests in Larimer County, Colorado.

Types of Civil Court Cases

Civil court records in Larimer County include contract claims, debt collection, personal injury, property disputes, 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 the higher claim amounts. Foreclosure cases appear regularly in county court. Small claims court handles minor disputes like property damage, unpaid loans, and landlord-tenant issues under $7,500 in Fort Collins.

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. Larimer 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 in Larimer County.

Court Fees and Costs

Filing a district court civil case in Larimer 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 to file. 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 Larimer County.

Other court costs in Larimer County include:

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

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 Larimer County.

Legal Help in Larimer County

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 Larimer 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 Larimer County Clerk of Court at 970-494-3500. The staff can guide you through the filing process and answer questions about fees and forms in Fort Collins.

Cities in Larimer County

Larimer County has two cities with populations over 25,000. Residents of these cities file civil cases at the Larimer County courthouse in Fort Collins. For city-specific information, visit their pages:

Nearby Counties

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