Larimer County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Larimer County?

Public records in Larimer County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by various county departments and agencies pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes §24-72-201 et seq., commonly known as the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). These records serve as the official documentation of government activities and are generally accessible to members of the public. Larimer County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Assessment records, deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and property tax information maintained by the Larimer County Assessor and Larimer County Recorder
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees available through the Clerk and Recorder's Office
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, court dockets, judgments, and probate records maintained by the Larimer County Courts
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest records, incident reports, and jail records maintained by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office
Election Records - Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance disclosures available through the Larimer County Elections Division
Business Records - Business licenses, fictitious business names, and trade name registrations
Land Use Records - Zoning information, building permits, and environmental assessments
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditure reports, and tax collection data maintained by the Larimer County Treasurer
Public Health Records - Restaurant inspections, environmental health permits, and vital statistics through Larimer County Health and Human Services
Geographic Information System (GIS) Data - Maps, aerial photographs, and spatial data available through the Larimer County GIS Portal

Is Larimer County an Open Records County?

Larimer County is indeed an open records county, operating in compliance with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified in Colorado Revised Statutes §24-72-201 through §24-72-309. This legislation establishes the fundamental principle that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, except as otherwise specifically provided by law.

The Larimer County Board of Commissioners has formally adopted Policy 94-03, which affirms the county's commitment to transparency and public access to government records. This policy states: "It is the policy of Larimer County that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, except as otherwise provided by law." The policy further outlines procedures for requesting, inspecting, and obtaining copies of public records in accordance with state statutes.

Larimer County's dedication to open government is further demonstrated through its Open Data Portal, which provides direct online access to numerous datasets, applications, and GIS services. This initiative exceeds the basic requirements of CORA by proactively making information available to the public without requiring formal records requests.

How Do I Find Public Records in Larimer County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Larimer County records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to facilitate public access to government records:

Online Access:

The Larimer County Public Records Portal provides 24/7 access to many frequently requested documents
Property information is searchable through the Assessor's property lookup tool
Court records may be accessed through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system
The Open Data Portal offers downloadable datasets and interactive maps

In-Person Requests:

Individuals may visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours
The Larimer County Clerk and Recorder's Office serves as the central repository for many official records
The Larimer County Justice Center provides access to court records not available online

Written Requests:

CORA requests may be submitted in writing to the custodian of the specific records
Standard request forms are available on the county website or at county offices
Requests should specify the records sought with reasonable particularity

Telephone Inquiries:

Basic information about record availability and request procedures may be obtained by calling the relevant department
Complex requests typically require written follow-up for proper documentation

For specialized records, members of the public should contact the specific agency that maintains those records. For example, property records are maintained by the Assessor's Office, while vital records are handled by the Clerk and Recorder's Office.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Larimer County?

Larimer County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes §24-72-205, which authorizes government entities to charge reasonable fees for document retrieval, review, and duplication. The fee structure for 2025 has been established by the Board of County Commissioners and varies by record type and format:

Standard Document Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic documents: $0.25 per page when printed from existing electronic files
Research and retrieval: First hour free, $33.58 per hour thereafter (prorated in 15-minute increments)

Specialized Record Fees:

Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages, etc.): $4.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
Marriage licenses: $30.00 for certified copies
Birth certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
Death certificates: $20.00 for the first copy, $13.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
Maps and plats: $10.00 for standard size, variable fees for large format printing
GIS data: Variable fees based on complexity and format

The county requires payment at the time records are provided. Payment methods include cash, check, or credit card for in-person requests, while online requests typically require credit card payment. For extensive research requests, the records custodian may require advance payment based on a cost estimate before proceeding with the search.

Pursuant to CORA, the county may reduce or waive fees when doing so is in the public interest. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the records custodian with justification for the public benefit.

Does Larimer County Have Free Public Records?

Larimer County does provide certain public records at no cost to requesters, particularly through its online platforms and self-service terminals. The following records are generally available without charge:

Online Free Resources:

Basic property ownership information through the Assessor's property search tool
Election results and voter registration verification via the Elections Division website
County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas
County budgets and financial reports
Building code information and zoning maps
Public health data and statistics
Most datasets available through the Open Data Portal

In-Person Free Resources:

Public inspection of records during regular business hours (viewing only, copying fees still apply)
Self-service computer terminals at the Larimer County Justice Center for basic court record searches
Public access computers at the Clerk and Recorder's Office for searching recorded documents
Public notices and announcements posted at county facilities

In accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes §24-72-205(6)(a), Larimer County waives research and retrieval fees for the first hour of staff time for all public records requests. Additionally, certain records may be provided without charge when the request is made by another government agency or when disclosure serves a significant public interest as determined by the records custodian.

Who Can Request Public Records In Larimer County?

Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), public records in Larimer County are available to any person, regardless of citizenship, residency status, age, or purpose for the request. The statute defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, associations, and other legal entities. The following parties may request public records:

Colorado residents and non-residents alike
Individual citizens
Media representatives and journalists
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies and officials
Attorneys and legal representatives
Researchers and academic institutions
Incarcerated individuals (though some practical limitations may apply)

Requesters are not legally required to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Explain how the information will be used
Sign any statement or affidavit regarding the use of the records

However, for certain protected records, requesters may need to demonstrate their legal right to access the information. For example, access to sealed court records, confidential law enforcement investigations, or records protected by privacy laws may require proper authorization, court orders, or proof of relationship to the subject of the records.

The county may ask for contact information solely for the purpose of communicating about the request and arranging for inspection or delivery of the requested records. Such information is not used to determine whether a requester is entitled to access public records.

What Records Are Confidential In Larimer County?

Certain records maintained by Larimer County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to various provisions of Colorado law, primarily the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and other state and federal statutes. These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Protections:

Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and C.R.S. §24-72-204(3)(a)(I))
Personnel files, except for application and employment agreements (C.R.S. §24-72-204(3)(a)(II))
Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and other personally identifying information
Juvenile records, except as specifically authorized by law (C.R.S. §19-1-304)
Adoption records and birth records of children relinquished for adoption
Victim information in criminal justice records (C.R.S. §24-72-304(4))

Security and Safety Exemptions:

Critical infrastructure information that could compromise public safety
Security arrangements and investigations (C.R.S. §24-72-204(2)(a)(VIII))
Specialized details of security arrangements or investigations
Records of sexual harassment complaints and investigations (C.R.S. §24-72-204(3)(a)(X))
Ongoing law enforcement investigations where disclosure would be contrary to the public interest

Legal and Deliberative Process Exemptions:

Attorney-client privileged communications
Attorney work product prepared for litigation
Deliberative process materials reflecting pre-decisional discussions
Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
Records protected by court order, including sealed court records
Records of executive sessions of public bodies (C.R.S. §24-6-402)

Other Protected Records:

Library user records (C.R.S. §24-90-119)
Certain real estate appraisals until property is acquired
Records related to economic development negotiations until finalized
Certain election records, including individual voted ballots

The determination of confidentiality is made by the records custodian in accordance with applicable laws. In some cases, records may be partially redacted to protect confidential information while releasing the remainder of the document.

Larimer County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Larimer County Clerk & Recorder's Office - Recording Division
200 West Oak Street, Suite 1000
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 498-7860
Larimer County Recording Services

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Loveland Branch Office
205 East 6th Street
Loveland, CO 80537
(970) 619-4521

Estes Park Branch Office
1601 Brodie Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 577-2025

The Recording Division of the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder's Office serves as the official repository for real property records and other official documents. Services provided include:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses and civil union certificates
Processing of military discharge records (DD-214)
Recording of trade names and business documents
Certification of recorded documents
Search assistance for public records

Document recording is available in person, by mail, or through electronic submission for approved submitters. The office maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1861, with many historical records now digitized and available through the county's online records portal.

Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes §30-10-406, the Recorder's Office is required to maintain an index of all recorded documents to facilitate public access. The Recording Division operates under the direction of the elected Clerk and Recorder and adheres to all applicable state laws regarding document recording and records preservation.