Pueblo County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Pueblo County?
Public records in Pueblo County are defined according to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified under § 24-72-201, C.R.S., as "all writings made, maintained, or kept by the state, any agency, institution, a nonprofit corporation incorporated pursuant to section 23-5-121(2), C.R.S., or political subdivision of the state" for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law. These records are generally accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
Pueblo County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law cases)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
- Tax records (property tax assessments, tax liens)
- Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Commission, boards, committees)
- Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records (permits, applications, zoning maps)
The Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains property records, marriage licenses, and other vital records. Court records are maintained by the Pueblo Combined Court, while property tax records are managed by the Pueblo County Assessor's Office. Law enforcement records are typically maintained by the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office or the Pueblo Police Department.
Is Pueblo County an Open Records County?
Pueblo County adheres to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), § 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under § 24-72-203(1), C.R.S., "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."
The statute further specifies that custodians of public records must allow inspection of such records during regular business hours. Pueblo County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with these state requirements, including established procedures for submitting and processing records requests.
Pueblo County also complies with Colorado's Open Meetings Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law" (§ 24-6-401 et seq., C.R.S.), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with certain exceptions for executive sessions.
The Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners has adopted a formal public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting records, applicable fees, and processing timelines, all in accordance with state law. This commitment to transparency ensures citizens have appropriate access to government information while protecting confidential information as required by law.
How to Find Public Records in Pueblo County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Pueblo County may follow these steps to access various types of public information:
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Identify the specific records needed and the department likely to maintain them.
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Submit a formal request to the appropriate county office:
- For court records, contact the Pueblo Combined Court or submit a Record/Document Request Form through the Colorado Judicial Branch.
- For property records, vital records, and marriage licenses, contact the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office.
- For property tax information, contact the Pueblo County Assessor's Office.
- For law enforcement records, contact the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office or Pueblo Police Department.
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Provide sufficient information to identify the records being requested, including names, dates, case numbers, or property addresses as applicable.
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Specify the preferred format for receiving records (electronic copies, paper copies, or in-person inspection).
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Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents.
For court records, the Pueblo Combined Court provides access through:
Pueblo Combined Court
501 N. Elizabeth Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 404-8700
Colorado Judicial Branch
For property records, marriage licenses, and other documents:
Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office
215 W 10th Street, Suite 200
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 583-6520
Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder
Many records are currently available through online portals, allowing for immediate access without visiting county offices. The Pueblo County website provides links to various departmental record systems.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pueblo County?
Pueblo County charges fees for public records in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act, § 24-72-205, C.R.S., which permits reasonable fees for document retrieval and duplication. Current standard fees include:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard-sized documents
- Research and retrieval: First hour free, $33.58 per hour after the first hour (fees adjusted periodically according to statute)
- Certified copies of vital records:
- Birth certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Death certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Marriage licenses: $13.00 per copy
Court records have a separate fee structure:
- Copies of court documents: $0.75 per page
- Certification of documents: $20.00 per document
- Record searches: $5.00 per name/record searched
The Pueblo County Assessor's Office and Treasurer's Office may charge separate fees for specialized documents or extensive research requests. Payment methods accepted typically include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards for in-person transactions. Online requests generally require credit/debit card payment.
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request is determined to be in the public interest. Requestors seeking fee waivers should include a justification with their initial request explaining how disclosure primarily benefits the public.
Does Pueblo County Have Free Public Records?
Pueblo County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours in accordance with § 24-72-203, C.R.S., which states that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. While inspection is free, fees may apply for copies or certified documents.
Several free online resources are available to access Pueblo County records:
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The Pueblo County Property Records Search allows free access to basic property information, ownership details, and assessed values.
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The Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office provides free access to certain election information, including voter registration verification.
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The Colorado Courts E-Filing system (ICCES) allows registered users to search basic case information, though document access may require fees.
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Pueblo County Commission meeting agendas and minutes are available at no cost on the county website.
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The Pueblo County Budget documents are freely accessible online.
Individuals may also visit county offices to inspect records without charge, though appointments may be recommended for extensive research to ensure staff availability.
Who Can Request Public Records in Pueblo County?
Under the Colorado Open Records Act, § 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S., any person may request access to public records maintained by Pueblo County. There is no residency requirement for requestors, and Colorado law generally does not require individuals to state the purpose of their request or provide identification for most public records.
However, certain exceptions apply:
- Requests for criminal justice records may be subject to additional restrictions under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, § 24-72-301 et seq., C.R.S.
- Access to vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) requires proper identification and may be limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest as defined in § 25-2-117, C.R.S.
- Voter registration records have specific limitations on commercial use under § 1-2-302, C.R.S.
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests concerning other individuals' records, access may be limited based on privacy protections established in state law.
Government agencies, businesses, and organizations may also request public records through authorized representatives. Non-U.S. citizens generally have the same rights to access public records as citizens, though certain specialized records may have citizenship requirements.
What Records Are Confidential in Pueblo County?
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure in Pueblo County pursuant to § 24-72-204, C.R.S., which establishes specific categories of protected information. These confidential records include:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state law
- Adoption records and relinquishment proceedings
- Child abuse and neglect records (with limited exceptions)
- Personnel files (except for application, employment agreements, and salary information)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Critical infrastructure security information and emergency response plans
- Attorney-client privileged communications and work product
- Deliberative process materials prior to final agency action
- Library user records that identify individual patrons
The Colorado Open Records Act employs a balancing test under § 24-72-204(6)(a), C.R.S., which allows records custodians to withhold records if disclosure would cause "substantial injury to the public interest." This provision requires weighing the public's right to know against privacy interests and potential harm from disclosure.
Additionally, the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, § 24-72-301 et seq., C.R.S., provides separate rules for criminal justice records, giving agencies discretion to withhold certain investigative records when disclosure would be "contrary to the public interest."
Requestors denied access to records may appeal the decision through administrative channels or seek judicial review in district court.
Pueblo County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office
215 W 10th Street, Suite 200
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 583-6520
Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder
Regular Business Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Recording Division:
Phone: (719) 583-6507
Fax: (719) 583-6513
Email: recording@pueblocounty.us
Motor Vehicle Division:
Phone: (719) 583-6851
Fax: (719) 583-6512
Email: motorvehicle@pueblocounty.us
Elections Division:
Phone: (719) 583-6620
Fax: (719) 583-6619
Email: elections@pueblocounty.us
The Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to various public records including property records, marriage licenses, voter registration information, and motor vehicle records. The Recording Division processes and maintains real estate documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property-related filings. The Elections Division maintains voter registration records and election results, while the Motor Vehicle Division handles vehicle registrations and titles.
For specialized research assistance or to access historical records, appointments are recommended. The office provides both self-service computer terminals for public research and staff assistance for more complex inquiries.