Questions about CORA
Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) – Frequently Asked Questions
What is CORA?
The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) grants the public the right to access records maintained by state and local government agencies in the course of official business. Public records include most writings and documents made or kept by public entities, unless specifically exempted by law.
Reference: C.R.S. § 24-72-202(6)(a)(I)
How long does it take to receive a response?
Jefferson County responds to CORA requests within three working days, as required by law.
- The response period begins the next working day after a request is received during business hours (6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays).
- Requests received after hours or on holidays are considered received on the next business day.
- An extension of up to seven additional working days may be applied if the request is complex or involves a large volume of records.
- If an extension is needed, the CORA Administrator will notify the requester.
Are there fees associated with CORA requests?
Yes.
- The first hour of staff time for research and retrieval is provided at no charge.
- After the first hour, a $30 per hour fee applies.
- An estimate will be provided in advance for requests requiring more than one hour.
- Fees must be paid in full before records are compiled and released.
- Requests will be closed if payment is not received within 10 working days of the requester confirming intent to proceed.
Will staff explain or interpret the records provided?
No. CORA requires public agencies to provide access to existing records but does not require staff to interpret or analyze those records. Requesters seeking interpretation or legal analysis should consult a private professional.
LINKS TO COMMONLY REQUESTED PUBLIC RECORDS
Access frequently requested records that are already available to the public.
Policy & Procedure Requests - All policies can be found on the Jefferson County website located here Jefferson County Policies-Procedures
Planning & Zoning Records - All Planning and Zoning records are publicly available and can be searched online through the Jefferson County Citizen Portal.
Request For Recorded Documents - All recorded documents can be requested and obtained through the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder
Public Improvement Projects - Active public improvement projects can be found here https://www.jeffco.us/2850/Public-Improvement-Projects
For other projects that may be happening on county-maintained roads, see the Jeffco Roadway Project dashboard, which is an interactive mapping application that provides greater information and project details for capital improvement and maintenance projects. These projects are intended to improve the county’s infrastructure in order to provide the best possible conditions for the optimum safety and accessibility of the public.
Mortgage Foreclosure Auction Records Requests - Records relating to foreclosed properties are publicly available online. Foreclosure Property Search allows you to search foreclosed properties in Jefferson County and view the files and documents associated with each foreclosure action.
To view if there are overbid funds
- Foreclosure status - “Deeded”
- Click on Search
- Click on the foreclosure number (FC # starts with J)
- Click on the hyper link “sale information”.
Finder's Fee - It is illegal in Colorado to charge a Finder's Fee to help homeowners recover overbid funds until at least 2.5 years after the foreclosure action occurred.
Short-Term Rentals Template - Most Short-Term Rental records for Unincorporated Jefferson County are readily available to the public on the Jefferson County Citizen Portal.
- Planning and Zoning Search
- Search Planning and Zoning by:
- Advanced Tab
- Case Status: Open
- Case Type: “Short Term Rental”
- Application time window:
- From: insert date
- To: insert date
Public Health – OWS - Onsite wastewater (septic) system records and attachments are publicly available online by using the Environmental Health search on the Citizen Portal.
Jefferson County Meeting Minutes & Agendas
October 2022 and Beyond
Agendas, minutes, meeting packets, videos, and other available documents for these meetings can also be found within the Jeffco Meetings Portal. Find the meeting body you’re interested in within the “Past Meetings” section. Select that row to open the tab, and all past meetings will show, which will reveal the documents and file types available for that meeting. Select that link to open the document.
Before October 2022 - For video, visit the legacy videos meetings page. Find the year tab and meeting body, open that tab and click on the “Video” link to view the video or listen to the audio for that meeting.
Some of the agendas, minutes, meeting packets, and other available documents for these meetings will be found within the legacy videos meetings page with the video. Other documents may be found instead within the Agenda Center application.
Before 2012 - For minutes and resolutions prior to 2012, please see our Archives’ digital collections site.
CORA REQUESTS FOR OTHER JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICES - For records not covered by this portal, visit the appropriate office below:
Courts - All requests for court documents must go through First Judicial Courts. You can reach them at 720-772-2570 or use their document request form at Court Record / Document Request Form.
Sheriff’s Office - All requests for records from the Sheriff’s Office must go through their Records request form. Please visit their records web page Jeffco Sheriff Records Request to get the form, fill it out and submit it as instructed on the page.
First Judicial District Attorney Office - All requests for records from the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office must go through their document request form at Contact Us - Colorado First Judicial District Attorney's Office.
Jefferson County Public Library - All requests for records from the Library must go through their Records request form. Please visit their records web page Jeffco Library CORA Request
Clerk & Recorder - All requests for records from the Clerk & Recorder’s office must go through their Records request form. Please visit their records web page Clerk & Recorder Public Records Request
Human Services Records - Visit the Human Services Records Requests webpage for instructions on how to submit a Records Request. This is for requesting Jefferson County Human Services Child Abuse/Neglect Records only. Please understand, per Colorado Statute information or reports of Child Abuse/Neglect cannot be released or discussed over the phone or through email. The only way to obtain records is through this request and presentation of proof of identity.