El Paso County Court Records
What Is El Paso County Court Records
Court records in El Paso County encompass the complete body of official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, sentencing records, warrants, and any other documents filed with or produced by a court in connection with a legal matter. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level, such as property records (held by the County Assessor), vital records (held by the County Clerk and Recorder), or law enforcement records (held by the Sheriff's Office).
The following courts in El Paso County generate and maintain official court records:
- District Court – handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters
- County Court – handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $25,000, and traffic violations
- Municipal/City Courts – handle violations of city ordinances, including traffic and minor criminal infractions
- Magistrate Courts – handle small claims, limited civil matters, and certain preliminary proceedings
- Probate Court – handles estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship matters (handled within the District Court in Colorado)
- Juvenile Court – handles delinquency, dependency, and neglect matters (a division of District Court in Colorado)
- Small Claims Court – handles civil disputes involving amounts up to $7,500
Records span civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-1-101, the Colorado court system is organized into judicial districts, with El Paso County comprising the 4th Judicial District. The El Paso County courts within the Colorado Judicial Branch serve as the primary custodians of these records.
Are Court Records Public In El Paso County
Court records in El Paso County are presumptively open to the public under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act (§ 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S.) establishes the general right of public access to government records, while the Colorado Supreme Court's Chief Justice Directives and court rules further govern access to judicial records specifically. Under these provisions, members of the public may inspect most civil case files, criminal case files following the filing of charges, judgments and orders, docket sheets, and hearing schedules without demonstrating a particular need or interest.
Records that are currently available for public inspection include:
- Civil case filings and pleadings in non-sealed matters
- Criminal case files after formal charges have been filed
- Final judgments, orders, and decrees
- Docket sheets reflecting case activity and scheduled hearings
- Probate filings not subject to protective orders
- Traffic case dispositions
It is important to distinguish between state court records and federal court records. Records from the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, which may involve El Paso County parties, are maintained separately through the federal PACER system and are governed by federal rules rather than Colorado state law. Certain categories of state court records are exempt from public disclosure, including juvenile delinquency records, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and records sealed by court order pursuant to § 24-72-308, C.R.S.
How To Find Court Records in El Paso County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in El Paso County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the court type and the nature of the records sought.
Step 1 – Identify the correct court. Determine which court handled the matter in question. District Court handles felonies, civil cases over $25,000, domestic relations, and probate. County Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, and traffic. Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations.
Step 2 – Search online portals first. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides online access to case information. Members of the public may use the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search to locate case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and case status for District and County Court matters.
Step 3 – Visit the courthouse in person. For records not available online, or for certified copies, members of the public may visit the Clerk of Court's office at the El Paso County Judicial Building. The Clerk's Office is located in Room S101 and is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Step 4 – Submit a written request. For bulk records, sealed record petitions, or records requiring staff retrieval, a written request may be submitted to the Clerk of Court. Requests should include the case number, party names, and the specific documents sought.
Step 5 – Pay applicable fees. Fees for copies of court records are set by the Colorado Supreme Court. Standard copy fees currently apply per page for paper copies; certified copies carry an additional certification fee.
How To Look Up Court Records in El Paso County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to El Paso County court records, depending on the court and case type.
Colorado Judicial Branch – eCourts / ICON System The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains an online case management interface that allows members of the public to search District Court and County Court records by party name, case number, or attorney name. The El Paso County judicial records portal provides direct access to case information for the 4th Judicial District.
Search steps for the Colorado Judicial Branch portal:
- Navigate to the Colorado Judicial Branch website
- Select "Courts" and then "El Paso County"
- Use the case search function to enter a party name or case number
- Review the case summary, docket entries, and scheduled hearings
Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search The statewide docket search tool allows users to search across all Colorado courts, including the El Paso County Judicial Building, by case number or party name. This tool displays upcoming hearing dates, case status, and basic party information.
Colorado Springs Municipal Court Members of the public seeking records from the Colorado Springs Municipal Court may access case information and remote disposition options through the City of Colorado Springs official portal. This court handles violations of Colorado Springs city ordinances.
El Paso, Texas Municipal Court (FullCourt Portal) For individuals seeking records from the City of El Paso, Texas Municipal Court, the FullCourt Enterprise public access portal provides online access to court records and the court calendar for that jurisdiction.
How To Search El Paso County Court Records for Free?
Colorado law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public court records at no charge. Under § 24-72-205, C.R.S., custodians of public records must allow inspection of non-exempt records without imposing a fee for the act of inspection itself. Fees may only be charged for the reproduction of records.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Colorado Judicial Branch online case search – free to search by party name or case number for District and County Court matters
- Statewide docket search – free access to hearing schedules and case status information across all Colorado courts
- In-person inspection at the Clerk's Office – members of the public may review case files at the El Paso County Judicial Building without charge during regular business hours
- Colorado Springs Municipal Court portal – free online access to municipal case information
Fees apply only when requesting printed copies or certified copies of documents. Members of the public who wish to inspect records without obtaining copies may do so at no cost at the courthouse.
What's Included in a El Paso County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Criminal Case Records:
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
- Bail and bond orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts and exhibit lists
- Jury instructions and verdict forms
- Sentencing orders and probation conditions
- Appellate filings
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint and summons
- Answers and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Discovery orders
- Summary judgment rulings
- Final judgment and any post-judgment orders
- Writs of execution or garnishment
Family Court Records:
- Petitions for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Child support worksheets and orders
- Domestic violence protection orders (where not sealed)
- Adoption decrees (generally sealed)
Probate Records:
- Petitions for probate of will
- Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
- Accountings and distributions
- Guardianship and conservatorship orders
Traffic Records:
- Citation information
- Hearing notices
- Disposition and fine records
- License suspension orders
Small Claims Records:
- Claim forms and defendant responses
- Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
- Payment plans and satisfaction of judgment
How Long Does El Paso County Keep Court Records?
El Paso County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Colorado Supreme Court and the Colorado State Archives. Retention periods vary by case type and record category.
Current retention periods under the Colorado Judicial Department's records retention schedule include:
- Felony criminal case files – retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files – retained for a minimum of 10 years after case closure
- Civil case files (District Court) – retained for a minimum of 10 years after 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 after case closure
- Traffic case files – retained for 3 to 7 years depending on the severity of the offense
- Juvenile delinquency records – subject to special retention and destruction rules under § 19-1-306, C.R.S., with many records eligible for sealing upon the juvenile reaching adulthood
The Colorado State Archives and the Colorado Judicial Department jointly oversee compliance with these schedules. Records that have reached the end of their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with approved disposition procedures.
Types of Courts In El Paso County
El Paso County operates within a hierarchical court structure that flows from local municipal courts through the state appellate system.
El Paso County District Court (4th Judicial District)
El Paso County Judicial Building 270 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 452-5000 El Paso County | Colorado Judicial Branch Clerk's Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The District Court is the court of general jurisdiction for El Paso County, handling felony criminal matters, civil cases exceeding $25,000, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate proceedings.
El Paso County Court
El Paso County Judicial Building 270 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 452-5000 El Paso County | Colorado Judicial Branch Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The County Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $25,000, traffic violations, and small claims.
Colorado Springs Municipal Court
Colorado Springs Municipal Court 501 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 385-5902 Municipal Court | City of Colorado Springs Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Municipal Court adjudicates violations of Colorado Springs city ordinances, including traffic infractions and municipal code violations.
Court Hierarchy in Colorado: Municipal/Magistrate Courts → County Court → District Court → Colorado Court of Appeals → Colorado Supreme Court
What Types of Cases Do El Paso County Courts Hear?
Each court within El Paso County has defined subject matter jurisdiction governing the types of cases it may hear.
District Court (4th Judicial District):
- Class 1, 2, and 3 felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes involving amounts exceeding $25,000
- Dissolution of marriage and legal separation
- Child custody, parenting time, and child support
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency/neglect
- Probate, estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship
- Mental health proceedings
- Appeals from County Court decisions
County Court:
- Misdemeanor and petty offense criminal cases
- Civil disputes involving amounts up to $25,000
- Forcible entry and detainer (eviction) proceedings
- Traffic violations and infractions
- Small claims matters up to $7,500
- Preliminary hearings in felony matters prior to District Court transfer
Colorado Springs Municipal Court:
- Violations of Colorado Springs municipal ordinances
- Municipal traffic infractions
- Code enforcement matters
- Certain domestic violence-related ordinance violations
Magistrate Courts (within District and County Court):
- Small claims hearings
- Uncontested domestic relations matters
- Certain juvenile matters
- Preliminary matters referred by District or County Court judges
How To Find a Court Docket In El Paso County
A court docket is the official log of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access El Paso County court dockets through the following methods.
Online Docket Search: The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a statewide docket search that includes the El Paso County Judicial Building. Users may search by:
- Case number
- Party name (first and last name)
- Attorney name
- Court location
The docket search returns case summaries, scheduled hearing dates, case status, and party information for District Court and County Court matters.
In-Person Docket Access: Members of the public may access docket information at the Clerk of Court's office at the El Paso County Judicial Building, Room S101, during regular business hours. Courthouse terminals are available for public use to search case information without charge.
Municipal Court Dockets: Docket information for Colorado Springs Municipal Court matters is accessible through the Colorado Springs Municipal Court official portal. The portal provides case status and hearing schedule information for municipal ordinance cases.
Which Courts in El Paso County Are Not Courts of Record?
A "court of record" is a court whose proceedings are officially recorded and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and which has the authority to fine or imprison for contempt. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings as a matter of course, and appeals from such courts are typically heard as trials de novo (new trials) rather than on the record.
Under Colorado law, § 13-6-310, C.R.S. and related provisions establish the distinction between courts of record and courts not of record within the state's judicial system.
In El Paso County, the following are currently considered courts not of record or have limited record-keeping status:
- Small Claims Court – operates as a division of County Court but proceedings are not transcribed verbatim; appeals are heard de novo in County Court
- Municipal Courts (in certain configurations) – depending on the municipality, some municipal courts may not maintain full verbatim records of all proceedings; appeals from municipal court convictions are heard de novo in District Court pursuant to § 13-10-116, C.R.S.
- Magistrate proceedings – certain magistrate-level hearings, particularly in small claims and uncontested matters, may not generate a full verbatim record unless a party requests recording
District Court and County Court in El Paso County are courts of record. All proceedings in those courts are subject to official transcription, and appeals are reviewed on the record rather than retried from the beginning.