Weld County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Weld County?
Public records in Weld County are defined according to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified under § 24-72-200.1 et seq., C.R.S. This statute establishes that public records include all writings made, maintained, or kept by the state, any agency, institution, or political subdivision for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law or involving the receipt or expenditure of public funds.
Weld County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Weld County District Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission meetings and other public boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
The Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including property records, marriage licenses, and election information. Court records are maintained by the 19th Judicial District, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are available through the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment.
Is Weld County an Open Records County?
Weld County fully complies with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), § 24-72-201, C.R.S., which declares that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times." This fundamental principle establishes Colorado as a state with strong public access provisions.
Under § 24-72-203(1)(a), 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." This statutory language creates a presumption of openness for government records in Weld County and throughout Colorado.
Weld County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state law. The county maintains an official public records policy that outlines the process for requesting and obtaining public documents.
Additionally, Weld County 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 limited exceptions for executive sessions. This commitment to transparency extends to the publication of meeting agendas, minutes, and other public deliberations.
How to Find Public Records in Weld County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Weld County may utilize several methods to access information. The county provides multiple pathways for obtaining public documents:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's self-service portal, which allows immediate access to digitized documents. Property records, marriage licenses, and certain court records can be searched and viewed electronically.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person:
- Property records: Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office
- Court records: Weld County Combined Courts
- Vital records: Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment
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Written Requests: For records not available online, requestors may submit a written CORA request to the custodian of the desired records. Requests should:
- Be addressed to the specific department holding the records
- Clearly describe the records sought
- Include contact information for response
- Specify preferred format (paper or electronic)
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Law Enforcement Records: Arrest reports and certain incident information can be accessed through the Weld County Sheriff's Office online portal or by contacting the Records Division directly.
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Court Records: The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains an online case lookup system for accessing court records. More detailed documents may require in-person requests at the courthouse.
Pursuant to § 24-72-203(3)(b), C.R.S., the custodian of records must respond to requests within three working days, though this period may be extended by an additional seven working days if extenuating circumstances exist.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Weld County?
Weld County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 24-72-205, C.R.S., which authorizes reasonable charges for document reproduction. Current standard fees include:
- Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard-sized documents
- Certified Copies: $1.25 per certification plus copy costs
- Research and Retrieval: First hour free, $33.58 per hour thereafter (as permitted by § 24-72-205(6)(a), C.R.S.)
- Electronic Records: Variable fees based on storage medium and staff time
- Specialized Documents:
- Marriage License: $10.00
- Birth Certificate: $20.00 for first copy, $13.00 for additional copies
- Death Certificate: $20.00 for first copy, $13.00 for additional copies
- Recording Fees: $13.00 for first page, $5.00 for each additional page
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with processing fee) at most county offices. Online transactions typically require credit/debit card payment.
Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure primarily benefits the public interest rather than a commercial purpose, as determined by the records custodian. Government agencies and certain nonprofit organizations may qualify for reduced or waived fees under specific circumstances.
Different departments may have varying fee structures for specialized records. The Weld County Assessor's Office, Sheriff's Office, and Judicial District each maintain their own fee schedules for records within their purview.
Does Weld County Have Free Public Records?
Weld County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:
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In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to § 24-72-203(1)(a), C.R.S., all public records must be available for inspection at no charge during regular business hours. The law specifically states that "the custodian may make rules with reference to the inspection of such records as are reasonably necessary for the protection of such records and the prevention of unnecessary interference with the regular discharge of the duties of the custodian or the custodian's office."
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Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by county departments:
- The Weld County Assessor's Property Portal provides free access to property ownership and valuation information
- The Weld County Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest reports at no cost
- County Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes are freely available on the county website
- The Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office provides free access to certain election information
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office and the Weld County Combined Courts for free on-site searches of public records databases.
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Research and Retrieval: The first hour of research and retrieval time for any public records request is provided at no charge, as mandated by state law.
It should be noted that while inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested, as detailed in the fee schedule section above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Weld County?
Under Colorado law, specifically § 24-72-201, C.R.S., public records in Weld County are available to "any person" regardless of citizenship or residency status. The statute establishes broad access rights with minimal restrictions on who may request information:
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Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state their purpose for seeking records. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own confidential records
- Seeking vital records (birth/death certificates)
- Accessing records with restricted distribution under state or federal law
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Residency Status: Colorado law does not restrict access based on state residency, allowing out-of-state requestors the same rights as Colorado residents.
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Personal Records vs. Third-Party Records: Different standards apply when requesting:
- One's own records: Generally accessible with proper identification
- Records about others: Subject to privacy protections and exemptions
- Vital records: Access limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest
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Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request public records, some departments may charge different fee structures for commercial versus non-commercial use.
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Representatives: Attorneys, media organizations, and other representatives may request records on behalf of clients or for reporting purposes, subject to the same rules and restrictions as individual requestors.
The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), § 24-72-301, et seq., C.R.S., establishes separate provisions for criminal justice records, which may have additional restrictions on requestor eligibility.
What Records Are Confidential in Weld County?
Certain records in Weld County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to § 24-72-204, C.R.S., which establishes specific categories of protected information. These confidential records include:
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Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Personal financial information
- Medical and health records (protected under HIPAA)
- Personnel files (except for application and employment agreements)
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation materials
- Confidential informant identities
- Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
- Victim information in sexual assault cases
- Intelligence information and security procedures
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Court Records:
- Sealed court cases
- Mental health proceedings
- Certain family court matters
- Probation records
- Juror information
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Vital and Family Records:
- Adoption records
- Child abuse and neglect reports
- Certain domestic relations cases
- Dependency and neglect proceedings
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Government Operations:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Deliberative process materials
- Trade secrets and proprietary information
- Critical infrastructure security details
- Certain real estate appraisals prior to acquisition
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Educational Records:
- Student records protected under FERPA
- Scholastic achievement data that identifies individual students
The Colorado Open Records Act establishes a balancing test under § 24-72-204(6)(a), C.R.S., which allows records custodians to withhold records if disclosure "would do substantial injury to the public interest." This provision requires custodians to petition the district court for an order restricting disclosure in such cases.
Additionally, § 24-72-204(3)(a)(X), C.R.S., protects "confidential commercial, financial, geological, or geophysical data" furnished by or obtained from any person, which gives the person an advantage over others who do not know the information.
Weld County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office
1250 H Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 400-3135
Weld County Clerk and Recorder
Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Southwest Weld Office (Del Camino)
4209 County Road 24 1/2
Longmont, CO 80504
(720) 652-4200
Weld County Clerk and Recorder
Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Southeast Weld Office (Fort Lupton)
2950 9th Street
Fort Lupton, CO 80621
(720) 652-4401
Weld County Clerk and Recorder
Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
The Recording Division maintains and provides access to real estate documents, marriage licenses, and other official records. Services available include document recording, certified copies, marriage licenses, and research assistance. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (with processing fee) for payment of services.
Lookup Public Records in Weld County
Weld County Clerk and Recorder Self-Service Portal