Adams County Public Records /Adams County Court Records

Adams County Court Records

What Is Adams County Court Records

Court records in Adams County, Colorado, are official documents generated and maintained by the judicial system in connection with legal proceedings filed within the county's jurisdiction. These records constitute the formal written history of a case and may include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and warrant information. Each document type serves a distinct function: docket sheets provide a chronological index of all filings and hearings in a case, while judgments and orders reflect the court's binding legal determinations.

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, vital records (such as birth and death certificates), and recorded documents such as deeds and liens are administered by separate county offices and are not part of the judicial record system. Members of the public seeking those materials should direct inquiries to the Adams County Clerk and Recorder rather than to the court clerk.

Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-32-101, courts of record are required to maintain complete and accurate records of all proceedings. The following courts currently maintain official court records in Adams County:

Adams County District Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters
Adams County County Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic matters
Adams County Juvenile Court — handles delinquency, dependency and neglect, and paternity matters
Municipal Courts — individual municipalities such as Brighton, Commerce City, and Thornton operate their own municipal courts handling local ordinance violations
Probate Court — probate matters in Colorado are handled within the District Court division

Records maintained across these courts encompass civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters.

Are Court Records Public In Adams County

Court records in Adams County are presumptively open to the public under Colorado law. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-203, all public records, including judicial records, are available for inspection by any person during regular business hours unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) establishes the foundational right of public access to government-held information, and the Colorado Judicial Branch has adopted its own access policies consistent with this framework.

The following categories of court records are currently available to the public:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Judgments, orders, and decrees issued by the court
Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
Hearing schedules and calendars
Sentencing records in criminal matters

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under state law. These include records in juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, sealed records pursuant to court order, mental health records, adoption records, and victim information in certain criminal proceedings. Members of the public should note that federal court records — maintained by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado — are governed by federal rules and accessed through the PACER system, which operates independently of the state court system.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides an access guide to public records and outlines the rules governing inspection and copying of court documents statewide.

How To Find Court Records in Adams County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Adams County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the court type, the age of the record, and whether the requester seeks physical copies or electronic access.

In-Person Access:

Visit the clerk's office of the relevant court during public counter hours
Provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information
Complete any required request form provided by the clerk
Pay applicable copy fees, which are set by statute and currently range from $0.25 to $1.25 per page depending on document type
Certified copies carry an additional certification fee

By Mail:

Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk's office
Include the case number or full party names, the type of record requested, and a self-addressed stamped envelope
Include payment for estimated copy fees or a check made payable to the court

Online:

Use the Colorado Judicial Branch's online portal to search available electronic records
Access the Adams County trial court information page for court-specific guidance

Important Notice: The Adams County District and County Court Clerk's Office is closed to the public on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Requesters should plan visits accordingly and verify current hours before attending in person.

How To Look Up Court Records in Adams County Online?

Several online portals currently provide access to Adams County court records, each covering different record types and court levels.

Colorado Judicial Branch — eCourts Portal The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains an online case management system that allows members of the public to search for case information across participating courts. Users may search by party name, case number, attorney name, or filing date. The portal provides access to docket entries, hearing schedules, and basic case information for District Court, County Court, and Juvenile Court matters.

Steps to search online:

Navigate to the Colorado Judicial Branch website at coloradojudicial.gov
Select the case search or docket search function from the main navigation
Enter at least one search filter in addition to a date range, as required by the system
Review the list of matching cases and select the relevant matter
Access available docket entries and case documents

Adams County Government Portal The Adams County official website provides access to maps and public records maintained by county departments, including recorded documents administered by the Clerk and Recorder. This portal is distinct from the judicial records system and covers property-related and administrative records.

Members of the public may also find public records and recorded documents through the Adams County service portal, which allows searches of recorded instruments such as deeds, liens, and plats.

Municipal Court Records Individual municipal courts in Adams County — including those in Brighton, Commerce City, and Thornton — maintain their own records systems. Members of the public should contact the relevant municipal court clerk directly for access to ordinance violation and local traffic records.

How To Search Adams County Court Records for Free?

State law currently guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-205, custodians of public records must allow inspection of records during regular business hours without imposing a fee for the act of inspection itself. Fees may only be charged for the physical reproduction of documents.

The following resources are available at no cost to members of the public:

In-person inspection at the Adams County District Court or County Court clerk's office — no fee is charged to view records on-site
Colorado Judicial Branch online case search — basic case information, docket entries, and hearing schedules are accessible without charge through the judicial branch portal
Docket Search — the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search tool allows users to search active and historical dockets at no cost
Adams County recorded documents portal — property and recorded instrument searches through the county website are available without a subscription fee for basic searches

Fees apply when requesting printed or certified copies of documents. Requesters who require certified copies for legal purposes should anticipate per-page and certification charges as established by the court's current fee schedule.

What's Included in a Adams County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but the following components are commonly found across civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters maintained by Adams County courts.

Civil Case Records:

Complaint or petition initiating the action
Summons and proof of service
Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
Motions filed by either party and corresponding responses
Court orders and rulings on motions
Final judgment or decree
Post-judgment filings such as writs of execution or garnishment

Criminal Case Records:

Charging documents (information or indictment)
Arrest warrant and affidavit (where applicable)
Bail and bond records
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts
Sentencing orders and probation terms
Mittimus (commitment order)

Family and Domestic Relations Records:

Petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
Parenting plan and custody orders
Child support orders and modification filings
Protective orders

Probate Records:

Petition for probate of will or administration of estate
Inventory of estate assets
Orders of distribution
Guardianship and conservatorship filings

Small Claims and Traffic Records:

Claim forms and defendant responses
Judgment entries
Traffic citations and disposition records

How Long Does Adams County Keep Court Records?

Adams County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Colorado State Archives and the Colorado Supreme Court. Retention periods vary by record type and case classification.

Current retention periods for principal record categories are as follows:

Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
Civil case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment
Domestic relations case files — retained permanently where minor children are involved; otherwise 10 years
Probate case files — retained permanently
Small claims case files — retained for 7 years following judgment
Traffic infraction records — retained for a minimum of 3 to 7 years depending on violation severity
Juvenile records — subject to special retention and sealing rules under Colorado statute; generally sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood

The Colorado State Archives publishes the official General Records Schedule applicable to judicial records. Courts are required to comply with these schedules and may not destroy records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period without authorization.

Types of Courts In Adams County

Adams County is served by a multi-tiered court system operating under the authority of the Colorado Judicial Branch. The hierarchy proceeds from municipal and county courts at the base level through the district court, then to the Colorado Court of Appeals, and ultimately to the Colorado Supreme Court as the court of last resort.

Adams County District Court (17th Judicial District)

Adams County Justice Center 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, CO 80601 (303) 659-1161 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed 4th Wednesday 12:00–1:00 p.m.) Adams County | Colorado Judicial Branch

The District Court is the court of general jurisdiction for Adams County and handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters.

Adams County Court

Adams County Justice Center 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, CO 80601 (303) 659-1161 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Colorado Judicial Branch

The County Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic matters.

Brighton Municipal Court

500 S. 4th Avenue Brighton, CO 80601 (303) 655-2065 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Commerce City Municipal Court

7887 E. 60th Avenue Commerce City, CO 80022 (303) 289-3600 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thornton Municipal Court

9500 Civic Center Drive Thornton, CO 80229 (720) 977-5800 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Colorado Court of Appeals 2 East 14th Avenue Denver, CO 80203 (720) 625-5150

Colorado Supreme Court 2 East 14th Avenue Denver, CO 80203 (720) 625-5150

District court decisions from Adams County may be appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals and, in certain matters, directly to the Colorado Supreme Court.

What Types of Cases Do Adams County Courts Hear?

Each court within Adams County's judicial structure exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by Colorado statute and court rules.

Adams County District Court (17th Judicial District):

Felony criminal prosecutions
Civil actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000
Domestic relations matters including divorce, legal separation, and allocation of parental responsibilities
Juvenile delinquency and dependency and neglect proceedings
Probate and estate administration
Mental health proceedings
Water court matters (as part of the statewide water court system)

Adams County County Court:

Misdemeanor criminal offenses and petty offenses
Civil claims between $0 and $25,000
Small claims matters up to $7,500
Traffic infractions and violations
Preliminary hearings in felony matters prior to district court transfer

Municipal Courts (Brighton, Commerce City, Thornton, and others):

Violations of municipal ordinances
Local traffic infractions
Code enforcement matters
Certain misdemeanor offenses occurring within municipal boundaries

Juvenile Court (within District Court):

Juvenile delinquency cases
Dependency and neglect petitions
Paternity and support matters involving minors
Emancipation petitions

How To Find a Court Docket In Adams County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a given case. Members of the public may access Adams County court dockets through the following methods.

Online Docket Search: The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a publicly accessible docket search tool that allows users to locate dockets for cases filed in District Court, County Court, and other courts of record. Users must supply at least one search filter in addition to a date range. Available filters include party name, case number, attorney name, and court location.

Steps to locate a docket online:

Access the docket search portal through the Colorado Judicial Branch website
Select "Adams County" as the court location
Enter the party's name or case number in the appropriate field
Specify a date range to narrow results
Review the returned docket entries for the relevant case

In-Person Docket Access: Members of the public may inspect docket sheets in person at the Adams County Justice Center clerk's office. Court staff can assist in locating a case by party name or case number during public counter hours.

Municipal Court Dockets: Dockets for municipal court cases are not included in the statewide judicial portal. Members of the public seeking municipal court docket information should contact the relevant municipal court clerk directly.

Which Courts in Adams County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and subject to appellate review. Under Colorado law, courts of record maintain a verbatim record of proceedings, and their judgments carry full legal effect including the ability to be appealed to a higher court.

Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-1-102, Colorado's courts of record include the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the District Courts, and the County Courts. Municipal courts in Colorado are generally not courts of record unless a specific municipality has established its court as such by ordinance or state authorization.

In Adams County, the following courts are currently considered courts not of record:

Brighton Municipal Court — operates as a court not of record; appeals from its judgments are heard de novo (as a new trial) in the Adams County District Court
Commerce City Municipal Court — operates as a court not of record
Thornton Municipal Court — operates as a court not of record
Other municipal courts within Adams County operating under standard municipal court authority

Because courts not of record do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings, parties who wish to appeal a municipal court decision are entitled to a completely new hearing before the District Court rather than a review of the lower court's record. This distinction has practical significance for individuals contesting municipal ordinance violations or traffic citations issued within incorporated municipalities in Adams County.