Adams County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Adams County?

Public records in Adams County, Colorado are documents, files, and data created or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business that are available for inspection by members of the public. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-202, a "public record" is defined 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 or administrative rule. The Adams County government currently maintains a broad range of records accessible through its official public records and recorded documents portal.

The following categories of records are available to members of the public through various Adams County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files are maintained by the Adams County District Court and County Court under the Colorado Judicial Branch.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Adams County Clerk & Recorder's Office.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, with certain marriage and dissolution records also held by the Clerk & Recorder.
Business records — Trade name registrations, business licenses, and permits are filed with the Clerk & Recorder and relevant county departments.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Adams County Assessor's Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are administered by the Adams County Clerk & Recorder, Elections Division.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of County Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions are publicly available through the county's official website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are published by the Adams County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs, incident reports, and inmate records (where permitted by law) are maintained by the Adams County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Planning applications, zoning maps, and land use decisions are held by the Adams County Community and Economic Development Department. Members of the public may also access maps and public records through the county's Information Technology & Innovation division.

Is Adams County an Open Records County?

Adams County fully complies with Colorado's statewide open records framework, which governs public access to government documents at all levels. Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq., all public records held by state and local government agencies are presumed open and available for inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act establishes that custodians of public records must allow inspection of records during regular business hours and must respond to written requests within three business days.

Adams County's Office of the County Attorney has published guidance affirming the county's commitment to fulfilling every request for public information as efficiently and expeditiously as possible and within the requirements established by CORA. The county does not require requestors to state a reason for seeking records, consistent with the Act's provisions. Adams County also complies with Colorado's Sunshine Law, which mandates that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that notice be provided in advance. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the limitations already established under state statute.

How to Find Public Records in Adams County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Adams County records through several channels depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record. Property and vital records are held by the Adams County Clerk & Recorder; court records are maintained by the Adams County District Court; and law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
Search online portals. Many records are available through the county's online search tools without submitting a formal request. The county's records portal allows members of the public to search and request copies of recorded documents directly.
Submit a CORA request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written Colorado Open Records Act request to the appropriate custodial office. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically where the agency permits.
Submit a court records request. Court records are requested through the Adams County District Court via the Colorado Judicial Branch's official record and document request form.
Submit a Sheriff's Office request. Law enforcement records, including incident reports and inmate records, are requested through the Adams County Sheriff's Office using the official public records request form.
Await response. Under CORA, the custodian must respond within three business days, though complex requests may require additional time with written notice to the requestor.

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

Current fees for public records in Adams County vary by record type and the office responsible for maintaining the requested documents. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-205, custodians of public records may charge a fee for providing copies, provided that the fee does not exceed the actual cost of providing the record.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Document copies: Fees for paper copies are typically assessed on a per-page basis; the standard rate for black-and-white copies is $0.25 per page at many county offices, though rates may vary by department.
Certified copies: Certified copies of recorded documents, such as deeds or marriage records, carry higher fees set by the Clerk & Recorder's Office.
Research fees: When a request requires more than one hour of staff research time, custodians may charge a reasonable fee for the additional labor.
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies are generally lower than paper copies and may be waived in certain circumstances.
Sheriff's Office fees: The Adams County Sheriff's Office applies specific fees for case-related records and inmate records. Requestors paying in cash must bring exact change. A complete public records fee schedule is published on the Sheriff's Office website.

Fee waivers may be available when disclosure is determined to be primarily in the public interest. Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or credit card.

Does Adams County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records free of charge during regular business hours at the custodial office, pursuant to CORA. Fees apply only when copies are requested, not for in-person inspection. Several categories of records are also available at no cost through official online portals:

Property assessment data and tax records are searchable at no cost through the Adams County Assessor's online database.
Recorded land documents may be searched online through the Clerk & Recorder's portal.
Court case information is available at no cost through the Colorado Judicial Branch's online case search tool.
Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and financial reports are published on the Adams County official website without charge.
Maps and geographic data are accessible through the county's maps and public records page at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Adams County?

Any person may request public records in Adams County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. CORA does not restrict access to Colorado residents; members of the public from any state or jurisdiction are entitled to submit records requests. Under current law, requestors are generally not required to:

Demonstrate residency in Adams County or Colorado
Provide government-issued identification (except where required for specific sensitive record types)
State the purpose for which the records are sought

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, records containing personal identifying information, sealed court files, or records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access or to be the subject of the record. Individuals requesting their own records — such as their own arrest history or court file — may be required to provide identification to verify identity before release. Non-residents retain the same general rights of access as residents under CORA. Attorneys, journalists, and researchers are subject to the same standard request process as members of the general public.

What Records Are Confidential in Adams County?

Not all government records in Adams County are subject to public disclosure. Colorado law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from inspection. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-204, custodians are authorized — and in some cases required — to deny inspection of the following types of records:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Colorado law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld.
Medical records — Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are exempt from disclosure.
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protection agencies are confidential by statute.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary actions involving public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to the county in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Documents describing vulnerabilities in public infrastructure or security systems are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles established under CORA.

Adams County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Adams County Clerk & Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian of recorded documents, vital records, and election records for Adams County. Members of the public may visit the office in person, submit requests by mail, or access services online.

Adams County Clerk & Recorder's Office 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy, Suite E3000, Brighton, CO 80601 (720) 523-6020 Adams County Clerk & Recorder

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding county-observed holidays.

Adams County District Court (17th Judicial District) 1100 Judicial Center Dr, Brighton, CO 80601 (303) 659-1161 Adams County | Colorado Judicial Branch

Adams County Sheriff's Office — Records Division 150 N. 19th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601 (303) 654-1850 Adams County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Adams County Assessor's Office 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy, Suite C2000, Brighton, CO 80601 (720) 523-6038 Adams County Assessor