Broomfield County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Broomfield County?

Public records in Broomfield County are defined according to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) under § 24-72-202(6), which states that public records include "all writings made, maintained, or kept by the state, any agency, institution, a nonprofit corporation, or political subdivision of the state" for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law. Broomfield County, as a combined city and county government entity, maintains numerous public records that citizens may access.

The following types of public records are available in Broomfield County:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Broomfield County Courts
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the County Clerk and Recorder's Office and the Assessor's Office
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees maintained by the Clerk and Recorder's Office
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names maintained by the City and County Clerk
• Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Broomfield County Assessor
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Elections Division
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of City Council and various boards and commissions maintained by the City Clerk
• Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records maintained by the Finance Department
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions) maintained by the Police Department
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits maintained by the Community Development Department

Each type of record is maintained by specific departments within the Broomfield County government structure. The City and County of Broomfield operates as a consolidated government, which means many services are integrated under one administrative structure.

Is Broomfield County an Open Records County?

Broomfield County fully complies with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) as established under § 24-72-201 et seq. This state law governs public access to government records throughout Colorado and establishes the presumption that all public records should be available for inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

Under § 24-72-203(1)(a), CORA stipulates that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, except as provided in this part 2 or as otherwise provided by law." This provision establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government information in Broomfield County.

Broomfield County has adopted specific policies to implement CORA requirements, including established procedures for submitting records requests, reasonable timeframes for responses, and standardized fee structures. These policies ensure consistent application of open records principles across all county departments.

The county also adheres to Colorado's Open Meetings Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law" (§ 24-6-401 et seq.), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions. This commitment to transparency extends to the publication of meeting agendas, minutes, and other public documents on the county's official website.

Broomfield County's Records Management Policy outlines specific procedures for maintaining, preserving, and providing access to public records in accordance with state law. This policy is designed to balance the public's right to information with the need to protect certain confidential or sensitive information as required by law.

How to Find Public Records in Broomfield County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Broomfield County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple access points for public records retrieval:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Citizens may search for:

   • Court records through the Colorado Judicial Branch's docket search system
   • Property records through the Assessor's online database
   • Meeting minutes and agendas through the City Clerk's portal
   • Financial reports through the Finance Department's webpage

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:

   • For court records, visit the Broomfield Combined Court
   • For property records, visit the County Clerk and Recorder's Office
   • For vital records, visit the Vital Records Office
   • For law enforcement records, visit the Police Department Records Division

3. Written Requests: For records not readily available online or requiring special processing, submit a written CORA request to the specific department that maintains the records. The county provides a standardized CORA request form on its website.

4. Electronic Requests: Many departments accept records requests via email. Include specific information about the records sought, including dates, names, and other identifying information to facilitate processing.

5. Records Request Portal: Broomfield County maintains a centralized records request portal where citizens can submit requests to multiple departments simultaneously.

When requesting records, individuals should provide as much specific information as possible about the records sought. This includes names, dates, case numbers, property addresses, or other identifying information that will help staff locate the correct records efficiently.

The county typically responds to records requests within three working days, as required by CORA. For requests requiring extensive research or review, the response period may be extended by up to seven additional working days with written notice to the requestor.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Broomfield County?

Broomfield County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee provisions outlined in the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-205. The current fee structure for obtaining public records in Broomfield County is as follows:

• Standard Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for letter or legal-sized documents
• Oversized Documents: $1.00 per page for documents larger than legal size
• Digital Copies: $0.25 per page when converting paper records to digital format
• Electronic Records: No per-page charge for records already maintained in electronic format, but research and retrieval fees may apply
• Research and Retrieval: First hour free, $33.58 per hour thereafter (in quarter-hour increments)
• Specialized Documents:
  • Certified copies of vital records: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
  • Marriage licenses: $30.00
  • Recording fees for property documents: $13.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page

The county accepts payment in the form of cash, personal checks, money orders, and major credit cards. Some departments may have specific payment requirements or limitations.

In accordance with § 24-72-205(6)(a), Broomfield County may require advance payment of fees when the estimated cost exceeds $20.00. The county will provide a cost estimate before proceeding with requests that may incur substantial fees.

Fee waivers or reductions may be granted in certain circumstances where the release of records primarily benefits the public interest rather than a private interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with an explanation of how the disclosure serves the public interest.

Does Broomfield County Have Free Public Records?

Broomfield County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with state law. Under the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-203, all public records must be available for inspection at no charge, though fees may apply for copies or extensive research.

The following records are available for free inspection during regular business hours:

• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: City Council and board/commission meeting records can be inspected at the City Clerk's Office
• Budgets and Financial Reports: Annual budgets and financial statements are available for inspection at the Finance Department
• Land Use and Zoning Maps: Current zoning maps and land use plans can be viewed at the Community Development Department
• Voter Registration Information: Voter lists and election results can be inspected at the Elections Division (with certain privacy restrictions)
• Property Assessment Rolls: Current property assessment information can be viewed at the Assessor's Office

Additionally, Broomfield County provides free online access to numerous public records through its official website and affiliated government portals:

• Court dockets and case information through the Colorado Judicial Branch website
• Property ownership and assessment data through the County Assessor's online database
• Meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings of public meetings
• County codes, ordinances, and regulations
• Public notices and announcements

While inspection of records is free, the county may charge for copies, certified documents, or research time exceeding one hour, as outlined in the fee schedule. The first hour of research and retrieval time is provided at no cost to the requestor, as required by state law.

Who Can Request Public Records in Broomfield County?

Under the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-201, public records in Broomfield County are available to "any person" regardless of citizenship or residency status. The law establishes a broad right of access with minimal restrictions on who may request records.

Key eligibility considerations include:

• Residency Requirements: There is no requirement to be a resident of Broomfield County or Colorado to request public records
• Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request
• Special Categories: Certain sensitive records may require verification of identity or legal interest:
  • Vital records (birth and death certificates) require proof of identity and established legal interest
  • Criminal justice records may require identification for certain requests
  • Medical records require proper authorization or court order
  • Records containing personal identifying information may require additional verification

When requesting records about oneself, individuals may need to provide identification to verify their identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information. This typically includes government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license or passport.

For requests concerning records about other individuals, additional documentation may be required to establish legal authority to access such records. This might include court orders, powers of attorney, or other legal instruments demonstrating proper authorization.

Business entities, media organizations, and nonprofit groups have the same rights of access as individual requestors under CORA. Representatives of these organizations may submit requests on behalf of their entities.

Out-of-state requestors have equal rights to access public records in Broomfield County, though they may face practical limitations regarding in-person inspection of physical records.

What Records Are Confidential in Broomfield County?

While Broomfield County operates under the presumption of openness established by the Colorado Open Records Act, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under § 24-72-204. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests while maintaining the overall transparency of government operations.

The following categories of records are generally confidential in Broomfield County:

• Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifiers are protected from disclosure
• Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
• Personnel Files: Employee personnel files are generally confidential, though certain information such as job titles, salaries, and employment dates remains public
• Juvenile Records: Court and law enforcement records involving minors, with limited exceptions
• Sealed Court Records: Records that have been sealed by court order
• Ongoing Investigations: Records related to active criminal investigations or pending prosecutions
• Deliberative Process Materials: Draft documents, working papers, and materials reflecting pre-decisional deliberations
• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product
• Security Information: Details about security systems, emergency response plans, or infrastructure vulnerabilities
• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
• Victim Information: Personal details of crime victims, particularly in sexual assault cases
• Child Abuse Reports: Information from child abuse investigations and reports
• Adoption Records: Documents related to adoption proceedings
• Library User Records: Information about individual library patrons and their borrowing history

Under § 24-72-204(6)(a), Broomfield County must apply a "balancing test" when considering whether to withhold records that are not specifically exempted. This test weighs the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or other potential harms that might result from release.

Even when records contain confidential information, the county is required to provide redacted versions when possible, removing only the protected information while disclosing the remainder of the record.

Broomfield County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Broomfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office
1 DesCombes Drive
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 464-5857
Broomfield County Clerk and Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
• Marriage licenses and civil union certificates
• Birth and death certificates
• Voter registration and election administration
• Motor vehicle registration and titling
• Business licensing and registration

For vital records requests (birth and death certificates), members of the public should bring valid photo identification. The office accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards for payment of fees.

Broomfield County District Court
17 DesCombes Drive
Broomfield, CO 80020
(720) 887-2100
Broomfield County Courts

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Broomfield County Assessor's Office
1 DesCombes Drive
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 464-5819
Broomfield County Assessor

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Lookup Public Records in Broomfield County

Broomfield County Court Records

City and County of Broomfield Official Website

Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search

Colorado State Archives Divorce Records

Broomfield County Assessor Property Records