Pueblo County, Colorado State Court Records
Court documents in Pueblo County detail all actions in a case, including the filing of documents (pleadings, motions, etc.) by attorneys, as well as the judicial decisions made in those cases. The Pueblo County Combined Court, as an agency of the Colorado Judicial Branch, maintains most of the court documents for this jurisdiction. This court has jurisdiction over the District and County Courts for civil, criminal, probate, juvenile, and domestic relations matters.
These court records are generated whenever documents are filed with the Clerk of Court, and whenever Judges make decisions from the Bench. Statewide Court Rules and Public Record Laws (Colorado’s Open Records Law) govern how the clerks maintain the records, and provide for confidential treatment of specific types of cases.
Although court documents can reference arrest reports, marriage licenses, or federal court matters, they are maintained by law enforcement agencies, vital record offices, and the Federal Judiciary, respectively.
Are Pueblo County Court Records Public?
Under Colorado law, most documents filed at the Pueblo County courthouse are public; however, access to those documents generally depends on the type of case and what is included in the file.
Colorado’s Open Records Act, which provides a general presumption that all government records should be open, does not directly address how to access court files. Rather, the judicial branch has its own set of rules regarding court file access, which the Colorado Judicial Branch has adopted.
Under these rules, civil court cases and most criminal court cases are generally available for public viewing by visiting the Clerk of Court at the Pueblo County Combined Court. However, other types of court records may be restricted or confidential. For example, juvenile delinquency or dependency court files, adoption files, mental health proceeding files, and many domestic relations court files are typically sealed from public view or only accessible to the parties involved and their attorneys.
What Information is Available in Pueblo County Court Records?
Typical files maintained in the Pueblo County Combined Court are more than just a summary of a complaint and answer. They represent the entire process of litigation as it progresses from the initial complaint through the resolution of the case. At the beginning of each case is a caption which lists the parties involved, the case number, the division of the court, and the filing date.
A variety of pleadings can be found in the record, including complaints or petitions filed by the plaintiff, answers or responses filed by the defendant, and motions filed after the original pleading. Each entry on the docket sheet represents a filing, a hearing, or an order entered by the Judge. Affidavits and or exhibits submitted as evidence in support of a party’s position; Transcripts of hearings where transcribed; Written Rulings or Judgments entered by the Court detailing its findings and conclusions.
Pueblo County Court Records Search
Searching for Pueblo County court records may be conducted using one or more of the following methods:
Online: Many case summaries are searchable via the statewide systems managed by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Publicly accessible search portals enable users to locate cases by the names or numbers of the parties involved. Online searches typically provide users with docket entries, party names, and case status.
In person: The clerk’s office within the Pueblo County Combined Courts provides publicly accessible computers from which a visitor may obtain detailed information about each case. Although the clerks’ staff will assist in explaining the procedures for searching, no legal assistance will be given.
By mail or telephone: An individual may submit a case in writing to the clerk, providing the case details. When requesting a copy of a case record by mail, the individual should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and an acceptable form of payment for the cost of copying (such as a money order).
Fees for Court Records in Pueblo County
To obtain court records in Pueblo County, you will be charged specific costs as established by the Pueblo County Combined Court and as permitted under Colorado’s Public-Records Statutes:
The cost of copying most court documents is approximately $0.75 per page at the time of request from the Clerk of Courts Office. Typically, there is a $5.00 cost per case or per person being searched. A certified copy of any court document has an additional charge of $20.00 per document.
Fees for Exemplification or Extensive Research can range from approximately $20.00 per case. Fees for extensive retrieval can range from approximately $20.00 per hour.
Additionally, some online providers and third-party subscription-based services have been developed that allow users to expand their search capabilities and/or download records for a recurring access fee. However, these access fees are usually based on the service provider and are separate from fees assessed by the courts.
If you are seeking vital records (such as birth or death certificates), they are issued through the Pueblo County Vital Records office. The cost for vital records is $25.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for each additional copy.
Pueblo County Courthouse Locations
District Courts for Pueblo County hear felonies, major civil matters, juvenile and family law matters (e.g., divorce, child custody), and probate cases.
The County Court of Pueblo County has jurisdiction to hear the following types of cases: Misdemeanor Criminal Cases; Traffic Offenses; Civil Claims Involving Smaller Dollar Amounts; Small Claims Matters; Preliminary Hearings for Felony Cases.
Municipal Courts in Pueblo County primarily handle local ordinance infractions (traffic violations, misdemeanors, etc.).
The locations for these courts are below:
District Courts in Pueblo County
Pueblo County District Court
501 North Elizabeth Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: 719-404-8700
County Courts in Pueblo County
County Court of Pueblo County
501 North Elizabeth Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: 719-404-8700
Municipal Courts in Pueblo County
Pueblo Municipal Court
200 South Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: 719-562-3810
Fax: 719-562-3811
Criminal Records Access in Pueblo County
There is a significant difference in Pueblo County between the criminal case files kept by the courts and the statewide criminal history records maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The CBI processes formal background checks for employers, licensers, and adoptive parents. State-wide background checks are processed and maintained by the CBI and are not generated by the county courts.
On the other hand, the Pueblo County Combined Courts provide access to individual case documents filed with the county. Users may view this information on the Internet via the Colorado Judicial Branch’s Public Access Search Tool. This tool allows the user to look up case number, charge description, court date, and disposition. The user may also visit the public terminal at the courthouse to view more detailed information about their case, including all filings (plea agreements, etc.), motions, and sentencing orders.
Therefore, the courts will supply you with information specific to your case. A certified criminal history report is available directly from the state’s investigative agency.
Pueblo County Probate Records
The documents found in Pueblo County Probate Records reflect the legal process of managing a deceased person’s estate. In addition, these documents protect individuals deemed unable to care for themselves and therefore require court intervention. The Probate Division of the Pueblo County Combined Courts manages estate records. Common items included in probate records are wills, trusts, Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Formal Estate Administrations.
Typically, a Last Will and Testament is submitted to the court to verify its authenticity. A Petition to Open a Formal Estate Administration is filed with the court to begin the formal process of settling an estate. Additionally, a request to appoint a Personal Representative (also known as an Executor) is made by filing a petition with the court. The court also has jurisdiction over Guardianship of Minors and Incapacitated Adults, Conservatorships (which involve the management of a person’s financial affairs), Approval of Distributions of Assets from Estates, Inventories of Estate Property, and Accountings.
Pueblo County Family Court Records
The Pueblo County Family Court handles all matters related to the dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, child support, adoptions, and the allocation of parental responsibilities. The Pueblo County Combined Court’s Domestic Relations Division oversees these matters.
In addition to searching family law case summaries (party names, case numbers, status updates, etc.) online via the Colorado Judicial Branch’s website, many documents are not available for remote review. Documents that contain sensitive information (e.g., financial disclosure statements, parenting evaluations, adoption files) are often protected by statute or local court rule and therefore restricted or "sealed" for public view.
To access all publicly available documents, one must visit the courthouse and use public access computers. One can also obtain copies of documents by contacting the Clerk’s Office. If an individual needs a certified copy of a divorce decree or another court order (for example, to get married again or verify the existence of a previous court order), they will need to submit a written request to the Clerk’s Office with proper identification and pay the appropriate certification fees.
Federal Court Records in Pueblo County
Federal lawsuits in Pueblo County are litigated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, located in Denver, CO. The U.S. District Courts handle federal crimes; claims based on federal laws or the U.S. Constitution; appeals of Bankruptcy Court decisions; lawsuits where one plaintiff is from another State (diversity); and lawsuits against the federal government or federal agencies.
In addition, while some court hearings may be held in other locations throughout the district, all official documents will be retained by the Clerk of the Court. In-person access to Case Dockets will be available to the public during regular business hours at the Clerk’s Office.
In addition, most federal court records are accessible online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. The user can enter either the party name or the case number and then pay a per-page fee to obtain copies of pleadings filed in that case.