Teller County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Teller County in 2026
TellerRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Teller County, Colorado. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may locate relevant data through a combination of county offices, state repositories, and online portals. Record availability varies by document type, custodial agency, and applicable exemptions under Colorado law.
Available record categories include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by Teller County and the State of Colorado.
Online Access:
The Teller County Clerk and Recorder maintains an online portal for property records, recorded documents, and election information. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides case search tools for court records through its statewide system. No registration is required to search most publicly available records online, though certified copies require a formal request.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office to inspect records at the public counter. The office is located at 101 W. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, CO 80813. Counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Teller County Clerk and Recorder, P.O. Box 1010, Cripple Creek, CO 80813. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under the Colorado Open Records Act, custodians are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
The Teller County Clerk and Recorder's main telephone number is (719) 689-2951. General inquiries may also be directed to the county's main administrative line at (719) 689-2988.
What Are Public Records in Teller County?
Public records in Teller County are defined under Colorado law as all writings made, maintained, or kept by any state or local agency for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-202, a "public record" includes documents, papers, letters, books, maps, photographs, and other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics.
The following record types are currently maintained by Teller County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Teller County District and County Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Clerk and Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Clerk and Recorder / Colorado CDPHE |
| Business licenses and permits | Clerk and Recorder / Planning Department |
| Property tax and assessment records | Teller County Assessor |
| Voting and election records | Clerk and Recorder |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of County Commissioners |
| Budget and financial documents | Teller County Finance Department |
| Law enforcement records | Teller County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Teller County Planning Department |
Court records for Teller County are accessible through the Colorado Judicial Branch trial court system, which handles civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate matters filed in the county.
Is Teller County an Open Records County?
Teller County fully complies with Colorado's statewide open records framework. Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq., all public records maintained by state and local government agencies are presumed open to inspection by any person, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated by the Colorado Attorney General's Office, "The Colorado Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's recognition that government is the servant of the people and that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government." This principle governs the operations of all Teller County offices that maintain public records.
The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance restricting access beyond what CORA permits. Custodians are required to allow inspection of non-exempt records during regular business hours and to provide copies upon request. Colorado's sunshine laws further require that meetings of the Board of County Commissioners and other public bodies be open to the public under the Colorado Open Meetings Law, C.R.S. § 24-6-402.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Teller County?
Current fees for public records in Teller County are governed by state statute and the individual policies of each custodial office. The following fee structure applies to standard requests:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Black-and-white copies (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies (recorded documents) | $1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Electronic copies | Varies by record type |
| Research/search fees | May apply for extensive requests |
Under CORA, custodians may charge a fee for copies but may not charge for the inspection of records. Fees for research time may be assessed when a request requires more than one hour of staff time to fulfill, at a rate not to exceed the actual cost of the staff member's time.
Vital records certified copies, such as birth and death certificates, are subject to separate fee schedules established by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Accepted payment methods at the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office include cash, check, and credit card.
Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Colorado law, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in cases of demonstrated financial hardship or public interest.
Does Teller County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Teller County government offices during regular business hours. Under CORA, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record; charges apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The Teller County Assessor's Office provides free online access to property assessment data, ownership information, and parcel maps through its public search portal.
- The Teller County Clerk and Recorder's online database allows free searching of recorded land documents and election records.
- The Colorado Judicial Branch offers free case lookup through its online court records system for non-sealed matters.
- The Colorado Secretary of State provides free online access to business entity filings, trade name registrations, and campaign finance records.
Free inspection at a public access terminal is available at the Clerk and Recorder's Office during counter hours. Requestors who wish to obtain physical or certified copies will incur the standard per-page fees described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Teller County?
Any person may request public records in Teller County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under CORA, requestors are not required to be Colorado residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request when seeking non-exempt records.
Specific provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents retain the same rights of access as county residents.
- Identification: Not required for inspection of most public records, though some offices may request identification for administrative purposes.
- Purpose: Requestors are not obligated to state a purpose for most public records requests.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide identification and, in some cases, a signed authorization.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, including juvenile court files, sealed cases, and law enforcement investigative materials, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
As the Colorado Attorney General's Office notes, "A person's motive for requesting public records is generally irrelevant to whether the records must be disclosed."
What Records Are Confidential in Teller County?
Certain categories of records maintained by Teller County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Colorado law. C.R.S. § 24-72-204 enumerates the primary exemptions applicable to public records requests statewide.
Confidential and exempt records include:
- Sealed court records: Orders sealing a case file remove those records from public access.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are restricted under Colorado Children's Code provisions.
- Ongoing criminal investigations: Law enforcement records compiled for investigative purposes are exempt while an investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court order.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Teller County Department of Human Services.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a government agency under a confidentiality agreement.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
When a custodian denies a records request, the agency is required to provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory basis for the denial. Requestors may challenge a denial through the district court having jurisdiction over the custodian.
Teller County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Teller County Clerk and Recorder
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
(719) 689-2951
Teller County Clerk and Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Teller County Assessor's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
(719) 689-2941
Teller County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Teller County Sheriff's Office
2002 S. 8th St.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
(719) 687-9652
Teller County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Teller County District Court
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
(719) 689-2574
Teller County District Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Vital Records
4300 Cherry Creek Dr. S.
Denver, CO 80246
(303) 692-2200
Colorado Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM