boulder colorado public records resources and practical guidance

What you can find

From property rolls to council minutes, Boulder’s record ecosystem is broad. The clerk maintains land and marriage documents, the district court handles case files, and the city hosts permits and agendas. Many datasets are open under Colorado’s CORA law.

• Property records for valuations, tax history, and parcel maps.
• Recorded documents like deeds, liens, plats, and marriage licenses.
• Court dockets, filings, and judgments from the 20th Judicial District.
• City permits, inspections, code enforcement notes, and council actions.
• Police blotters, incident logs, and selected reports with redactions.

How to request

Identify the custodian-city, county, or courts-then submit a concise request referencing dates, addresses, or case numbers. Under CORA, most offices provide cost estimates for staff time and copies; digital delivery can reduce fees and speed up turnaround.

1. Describe records precisely; include keywords and a reasonable timeframe.
2. State preferred format (PDF, CSV) and delivery method.
3. Ask about fees in advance and note any deadline.

Tips and timelines

Most requests return within three business days; complex ones take longer. Track the request ID, follow up politely, and narrow scope if needed. Use the state portal for vital records and open data for GIS.