Elbert County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Elbert County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access a range of publicly available information through ElbertRecords.us and through official county and state government channels. Elbert County maintains a variety of records that may be inspected or obtained by members of the public, subject to applicable state law. The categories of records that may be available include, but are not limited to:

Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Court case filings and docket information
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and property valuation records
Business licenses and permits
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Zoning and land use documents
Foreclosure records
Election and voter registration records

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

Members of the public may use the County Clerk and Recorder's document search tool to locate recorded instruments such as deeds, liens, and other land records without visiting a physical office. Property data, including ownership history and assessed values, is accessible through the EagleWeb assessor portal, which the Assessor's Office describes as providing data "believed to be accurate and dependable" as a courtesy to the public. Court docket information for cases filed in Elbert County is searchable through the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search. No registration is required to perform basic searches on these platforms.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Elbert County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 215 Comanche Street, Kiowa, CO 80117. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought and be prepared to complete a written request form if required by staff.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests submitted pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) should be directed to the Elbert County Clerk and Recorder, P.O. Box 7, Kiowa, CO 80117. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203, the custodian must allow inspection within three business days of receiving a request, or notify the requestor of a denial.

Phone/Email:

The Elbert County Clerk and Recorder's Office may be reached by telephone at (303) 621-3130. Contact information for specific departments is available through the Elbert County official website.

What Are Public Records in Elbert County?

Public records in Elbert County are defined under Colorado law as all writings made, maintained, or kept by a state or local agency for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law or administrative rule. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-202(6)(a), "public records" encompasses documents, papers, letters, books, maps, tapes, photographs, films, recordings, and other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics.

The following record types are currently maintained by Elbert County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Deeds, mortgages, liens	Clerk and Recorder
Property assessments	Assessor's Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	District Court
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Clerk and Recorder
Business licenses and permits	Various county departments
Tax records	Treasurer's Office
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Commissioners
Zoning and land use records	Planning Department
Foreclosure records	Public Trustee
Election records	Clerk and Recorder

The Elbert County recording division maintains land records and other instruments filed with the Clerk and Recorder. The Elbert County Public Information Map provides geospatial data on property boundaries, districts, and other mapping datasets within the county.

Is Elbert County an Open Records County?

Elbert County fully complies with Colorado's open records framework, which mandates public access to government documents. Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq., all public records held by state and local government agencies are presumed open to inspection by any person. The statute establishes that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times."

The county's CORA policy states that records available through the open records process include oaths of office for county officials, miscellaneous documents placed in the public record as county records, and other documents maintained in the ordinary course of county business. Requestors may submit a formal open records request through the county's CORA request portal. Colorado's Sunshine Law, codified at C.R.S. § 24-6-402, further requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, and that notice of such meetings be provided in advance.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Elbert County?

The fee structure for public records in Elbert County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and the format in which records are provided.

Standard Copy Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page (standard size)
Certified copies of recorded documents: fees set by the Clerk and Recorder per document type
Electronic copies: fees may apply depending on the format and volume requested
Research or retrieval fees: may be assessed when a request requires more than one hour of staff time, at a rate not to exceed $30.00 per hour under C.R.S. § 24-72-205

Recording Fees (Clerk and Recorder):

Document Type	Fee
First page of any document	$13.00
Each additional page	$5.00
Certified copy	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee

Accepted payment methods at the Clerk and Recorder's Office include cash, check, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Colorado law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in limited circumstances. Inspection of records, as distinct from obtaining copies, does not require payment of a copy fee.

Does Elbert County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Colorado law, which requires that public records be open for inspection at no charge during regular business hours. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Clerk and Recorder's Office without incurring a fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

Several online databases currently provide free access to Elbert County records without registration:

The EagleWeb property search portal provides free access to assessor data, including ownership, parcel information, and valuation records.
The Colorado Judicial Branch docket search allows free searches of court case information for Elbert County cases.
The Elbert County foreclosure search provides free access to foreclosure property records maintained by the Public Trustee.
The Elbert County Public Information Map offers free geospatial data on property and district boundaries.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Elbert County?

Any person may request public records in Elbert County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203, the right to inspect public records extends to "any person," and requestors are not required to identify themselves, state a reason for the request, or demonstrate a particular interest in the records sought.

Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Colorado retain the same access rights as residents.
Identification: Not required for inspection of most public records, though some offices may request identification as a matter of administrative practice.
Purpose: Not required to be stated for most record categories.
Age: No minimum age is specified by statute for public records requests.

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Records pertaining to an individual's own personal information, such as vital records, may require proof of identity or a qualifying relationship to the subject of the record. Law enforcement records may be subject to additional review before release. Members of the public seeking their own records held by a specific agency should inquire directly with that agency regarding any applicable identification requirements.

What Records Are Confidential in Elbert County?

Not all records maintained by Elbert County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Colorado law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from inspection under C.R.S. § 24-72-204, which enumerates the following exemptions, among others:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Colorado law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement investigative files that, if disclosed, would impede an active investigation are exempt.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
Medical and mental health records: Records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws are not subject to public inspection.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except for information relating to the name, position, compensation, and dates of employment of public employees.
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to a government agency in confidence is exempt.
Security plans: Infrastructure protection and security vulnerability assessments are withheld from public disclosure.

When a custodian denies a records request, the custodian is required to provide written notice of the denial and the specific statutory basis for the exemption claimed. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may seek judicial review in the district court.

Elbert County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Elbert County Clerk and Recorder

Physical Address: 215 Comanche Street Kiowa, CO 80117

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7 Kiowa, CO 80117

Phone: (303) 621-3130 Website: Elbert County Clerk and Recorder – Recording Division

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays.

Additional Offices:

Elbert County Assessor's Office 215 Comanche Street, Kiowa, CO 80117 (303) 621-3101 Elbert County Assessor – EagleWeb Property Search

Elbert County District Court (23rd Judicial District) 751 Ute Avenue, Kiowa, CO 80117 (303) 621-2131 Elbert County District Court – Colorado Judicial Branch

The 23rd Judicial District encompasses Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties. Court records for cases filed in Elbert County are accessible through the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search or by contacting the District Court Clerk directly at the address above.