El Paso County Public Records
What Are Public Records in El Paso County?
Public records in El Paso County are defined under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), § 24-72-202 as all writings made, maintained, or kept by any state or local agency for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of documents held by county offices, courts, and administrative bodies.
The following record types are currently available through various El Paso County offices:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the El Paso County District Court
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments held by the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder
- Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage certificates issued through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the County Clerk
- Business records — trade name registrations, licenses, and permits filed with the Clerk and Recorder or relevant municipal authority
- Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the El Paso County Assessor and Treasurer
- Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results held by the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, Elections Division
- Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of County Commissioners proceedings and advisory board documents published on the county website
- Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports available through the El Paso County Finance Department
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports released by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to the extent permitted by law
- Land use and zoning records — planning applications, zoning maps, and permit files maintained by El Paso County Development Services
Each record category is administered by a distinct county office. The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder serves as the primary custodian for recorded documents, vital records, and elections materials.
Is El Paso County an Open Records County?
El Paso County fully complies with Colorado's statewide open records framework, and all county agencies are subject to its requirements. Under CORA, § 24-72-203, every custodian of public records shall allow any person the right to inspect public records of the agency during regular business hours. The statute further provides that inspection shall be free of charge, though fees may apply for copies or research time exceeding one hour.
Colorado's open meetings law, the Colorado Sunshine Act, § 24-6-402, complements CORA by requiring that all meetings of governmental bodies at which public business is discussed be open to the public. El Paso County posts meeting notices, agendas, and minutes in accordance with this requirement. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all departments operate under the uniform standards established by CORA and related statutes.
How to Find Public Records in El Paso County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain El Paso County records through several channels, depending on the record type and the custodial office involved.
In-person requests may be submitted directly at the relevant county office during posted public counter hours. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, the approximate date range, and any known case or document numbers to facilitate timely retrieval.
Online access is available for many record categories:
- Recorded land documents and property records are searchable through the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's online portal
- Court case information is accessible via the Colorado Judicial Branch's case search tool at the El Paso County courts page
- Property assessment data is available through the El Paso County Assessor's online search
- Inmate and arrest information may be searched through the El Paso County Sheriff's Office
Written requests may be submitted by mail or email to the custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. No standardized statewide form is currently required, though individual offices may provide their own request forms.
Response timelines: Under CORA, custodians must allow inspection within three business days of a request, or notify the requestor within that period if additional time is needed, with a maximum extension of seven additional business days for voluminous or complex requests.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in El Paso County?
Current fees for public records in El Paso County vary by office and record type, consistent with the fee framework established under § 24-72-205 of CORA, which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for copies and research.
Standard fees currently in effect include:
- Document copies: $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies at most county offices
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $1.00 per page, plus a $1.00 certification fee, through the Clerk and Recorder
- Vital records (birth/death/marriage certificates): $20.00 for the first certified copy; $13.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously
- Research fees: Agencies may charge for staff research time exceeding one hour at the employee's hourly rate
- Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies are set at the actual cost of duplication
Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and major credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the custodian when disclosure is determined to be primarily in the public interest and not for commercial benefit, as contemplated under CORA's provisions.
Does El Paso County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in El Paso County, as CORA expressly provides that the right to inspect records during regular business hours shall be at no charge. Members of the public are not required to pay any fee simply to view records on-site at a county office.
Several government-operated online resources currently provide free access to El Paso County records without requiring registration or payment:
- The El Paso County Assessor's property search provides free access to assessment data, ownership history, and parcel information
- Court case index information is available at no cost through the El Paso County District Court and the Colorado Judicial Branch's online tools
- Recorded document indexes are searchable at no charge through the Clerk and Recorder's online portal, though copies of full documents may carry standard per-page fees
- Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and financial reports are published at no cost on the El Paso County official website
- Voter registration status may be verified free of charge through the Colorado Secretary of State's SCORE system
Who Can Request Public Records in El Paso County?
Any person may request public records in El Paso County regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. CORA does not restrict access to Colorado residents; non-residents and out-of-state requestors hold the same inspection rights as local residents under current law.
Requestors are generally not required to:
- Provide government-issued identification for most record types
- State the reason or intended use of the records
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the subject matter
Certain record categories carry additional access requirements:
- Vital records — certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to Colorado vital records statutes
- Criminal history records — full background reports through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation require the subject's consent or a qualifying legal purpose
- Juvenile court records — access is restricted by statute and requires a court order in most circumstances
Individuals requesting their own records may be asked to provide identification to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information. Requests on behalf of another person may require written authorization or legal documentation establishing the requestor's authority.
What Records Are Confidential in El Paso County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Colorado law. § 24-72-204 of CORA enumerates the primary exemptions applicable to state and local agencies, including El Paso County offices.
Records currently exempt from mandatory disclosure include:
- Sealed court records — documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible without a court-issued unsealing order
- Juvenile records — case files involving minors are confidential under the Colorado Children's Code
- Active investigation records — law enforcement records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations are withheld to protect investigative integrity
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
- Medical and health records — protected under both CORA exemptions and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through a court petition process
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the El Paso County Department of Human Services
- Personnel records — employee performance evaluations and disciplinary records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions involving public officials
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted in connection with licensing or permitting applications
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety
Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Colorado courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or governmental interest in confidentiality.
El Paso County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder serves as the primary repository for recorded land documents, vital records, business filings, and elections materials. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail, phone, or through the online portal.
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder — Recording Division 200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 130, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 520-6200 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. El Paso County Clerk and Recorder
El Paso County Assessor's Office 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd., Suite 2300, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (719) 520-6600 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. El Paso County Assessor
El Paso County Treasurer's Office 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd., Suite 2100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (719) 520-7900 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. El Paso County Treasurer
El Paso County Sheriff's Office — Records Unit 27 E. Vermijo Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 520-7100 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. El Paso County Sheriff's Office
El Paso County District Court — Clerk's Office 270 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 452-5000 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. El Paso County District Court