Teller County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Teller County in 2026
TellerRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Teller County, Colorado. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, tax information, liens, and encumbrances. Record availability may vary depending on the age of the document and the digitization status of the relevant office. The following categories of records are accessible through official county and state resources:
- Property deeds and transfer documents
- Mortgage and lien records
- Tax assessment and payment history
- Plat maps and legal descriptions
- Building permit records
- Exemption information
Property records in Teller County may be searched through several official channels. The Teller County Assessor's Office maintains the primary database for property valuation and ownership information. The Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Teller County Treasurer's Office holds tax payment and delinquency records.
Online Search Methods:
1. Teller County Assessor Property Search
The Teller County Assessor's Office provides free public access to property records through its online portal. No registration is required to conduct a basic search.
Search Options Available:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID or schedule number
- By legal description
- By subdivision
Information Available Online:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property address and legal description
- Parcel/schedule number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
- Assessed value (land and improvements)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to Search by Address or Owner Name:
- Navigate to the Teller County Assessor property search portal
- Select the preferred search type: address, owner name, legal description, or parcel number
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Submit the search and review the results list
- Select a specific property to view the full property card
- Access linked records including sales history, valuation data, and maps
- Print or save the information as needed
2. Teller County Clerk and Recorder Official Records Search
The Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains recorded documents affecting real property. Members of the public may search recorded instruments through the office's online system or in person at the courthouse.
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA documents and declarations
How to Search Recorded Documents:
- Visit the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office online portal
- Select the search type (grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date range)
- Enter the relevant search criteria
- Review the results and select a document to view
- Note the instrument number or book and page for future reference
- Request certified copies if official documentation is required
3. Teller County Treasurer Tax Records
The Teller County Treasurer's Office provides online access to property tax information, including current tax bills, payment history, and delinquency status.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel/schedule number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and amount due
- Payment history and outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates by taxing authority
- Delinquent tax certificate information
- Payment options and installment plan status
In-Person Searches:
Teller County Assessor's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2941
Teller County Assessor
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Members of the public may use public access computers, request staff assistance, obtain property cards, and access plat maps and exemption application forms.
Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2951
Teller County Clerk and Recorder
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff can assist with grantor/grantee index searches, access to record books, and requests for certified copies of recorded instruments.
Teller County Treasurer's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2922
Teller County Treasurer
By Mail Requests:
Clerk and Recorder Mail Requests
Requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted by mail to the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 101 W. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, CO 80813. Requestors should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address and approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.
Through Professionals:
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and provide abstracts of title and title insurance commitments. Real estate attorneys offer legal title opinions and assistance with complex ownership issues or disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, comparable sales, and property histories as part of their representation services.
Search Tips:
- When searching by address, try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- When searching by owner name, try last name first and check spelling variations
- For historical records not available online, contact the Clerk and Recorder's Office directly
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays
- Verify results using the parcel/schedule number when multiple results appear for common names
What Is Teller County Property Records
Teller County property records are official documents related to real property — land and buildings — maintained by county government offices and accessible to the general public. These records constitute the legal foundation for property ownership, encumbrances, and transactions within the county. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-35-109, instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded with the county clerk and recorder to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.
Purpose of Property Records:
- Establish legal ownership and chain of title
- Record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens
- Document property transfers and conveyances
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Protect property rights and enable title insurance
- Facilitate real estate transactions
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records
Ownership records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, trust documents affecting property, life estate deeds, and transfer-on-death deeds. These instruments document the chain of title from original conveyance to the present owner.
Encumbrance Records
Encumbrance records include mortgages and deeds of trust, tax liens, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, restrictive covenants, HOA documents, and lis pendens notices. These records alert prospective buyers and lenders to existing claims against a property.
Tax and Assessment Records
The Teller County Assessor maintains assessment records reflecting the appraised and assessed value of each parcel. The Teller County Treasurer maintains tax billing and payment records, delinquency information, and tax certificate data.
Legal Descriptions and Plats
Plat maps, subdivision plats, condominium declarations, and survey documents are recorded with the Clerk and Recorder and provide the legal description of each parcel, including lot and block numbers, metes and bounds descriptions, and section, township, and range references.
Building and Permit Records
Building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violation records, and zoning information are maintained by the Teller County Planning and Zoning Department and the relevant municipal building departments.
Who Maintains Property Records:
Teller County Assessor's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2941
Teller County Assessor
Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2951
Teller County Clerk and Recorder
Teller County Treasurer's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2922
Teller County Treasurer
Teller County Planning and Zoning Department
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2941
Teller County Planning
Legal Framework:
Colorado's property recording system is governed by § 38-35-109, C.R.S., which establishes the requirement that instruments affecting real property be recorded to provide constructive notice. The Colorado Open Records Act (§ 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S.) further guarantees public access to government-held records, including property records maintained by county offices.
Are Property Records Public Information in Teller County?
Property records in Teller County are public information. Under the Colorado Open Records Act, § 24-72-203, C.R.S., members of the public have the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by government agencies, including county assessors, clerks and recorders, and treasurers. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records.
As the Colorado Secretary of State's Office has noted, "Recording a document gives constructive notice to the world of the document's contents." This principle underlies the public nature of all recorded property instruments.
Why Property Records Are Public:
The public nature of property records serves several essential functions:
- Transparency: Public access to ownership information prevents secret transfers and supports accountability in property taxation.
- Commercial Purposes: Title companies, lenders, appraisers, and real estate professionals rely on public property records to conduct title searches, underwrite mortgages, and assess market values.
- Legal Protections: Recording provides constructive notice, establishes priority of interests, and protects against fraudulent conveyances.
- Public Interest: Journalists, researchers, genealogists, and community planners use property records for historical research, investigative reporting, and land use analysis.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical ownership
- Legal descriptions and property addresses
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
- Deeds and other recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under Colorado law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under the Colorado Address Confidentiality Program administered by the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.
Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure. Members of the public seeking exemption application details should contact the Teller County Assessor's Office directly.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may access Teller County property records, including:
- Prospective buyers and sellers
- Real estate agents and brokers
- Title companies and abstractors
- Lenders and financial institutions
- Attorneys and legal researchers
- Property owners reviewing their own records
- Investors and developers
- Genealogists and historians
- Journalists and media organizations
- Out-of-state and foreign inquirers
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial use of public property records is permitted under Colorado law. Title insurance companies, property data aggregators, and real estate analytics firms routinely compile and resell public property information. Anti-harassment laws and fair housing statutes continue to apply regardless of the public nature of the underlying data.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Teller County?
The cost to obtain property records in Teller County varies depending on the type of record, the format requested, and the office providing the record. Online viewing of property assessment data through the Teller County Assessor's portal is available at no charge. The following fee schedule reflects current standard fees:
Teller County Clerk and Recorder Recording and Copy Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording first page of a document | $13.00 |
| Each additional page | $5.00 |
| Certified copy of a recorded document | $1.25 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Non-certified copy of a recorded document | $1.25 per page |
| Search fee (staff-assisted) | Varies |
Teller County Assessor Copy Fees:
- Online property record viewing: Free
- Printed property record copies: Standard per-page copying fees apply (contact office for current rate)
Teller County Treasurer Tax Record Fees:
- Online tax record viewing: Free
- Printed copies of tax bills: Standard per-page copying fees apply
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Check (payable to Teller County Clerk and Recorder or applicable office)
- Money order
- Credit and debit cards (contact individual offices to confirm availability)
Recording fees in Colorado are governed by § 30-10-406, C.R.S., which establishes the authority of county clerks and recorders to collect fees for recording and copying instruments. Fee waivers are not broadly available for standard public records requests, though government agencies and certain nonprofit organizations may qualify for reduced fees in specific circumstances. Members of the public may inspect records in person at no charge during regular business hours.
What's Included in a Teller County Property Record?
A complete Teller County property record draws from multiple county offices and may include the following categories of information:
Ownership Information:
- Current owner name(s) as recorded on the deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, corporation, life estate)
- Acquisition date and deed instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
- Chain of title reflecting previous owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references
Property Identification:
- Site address and mailing address
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, section/township/range, metes and bounds)
- Parcel/schedule number and tax account number
Physical Characteristics:
- Lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, and frontage
- Total living area, year built, number of stories, and building type
- Construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
- Additional features: garage, pool, porch/patio, fireplace, HVAC systems, water source, and sewer system
Valuation Information:
- Land value and building value (assessed)
- Total assessed value and market/just value
- Historical assessed values for prior years
- Agricultural classification data where applicable
Tax Information:
- Current year tax amount, taxable value, and millage rate
- Breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
- Tax payment history and delinquency records
- Exemptions applied (homestead, senior, veteran, disability, agricultural)
Sales History:
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers
- Grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) names
- Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, trust transfer)
- Documentary fee amounts
Encumbrances and Liens:
- Recorded mortgages and deeds of trust (original amounts, lender names, recording dates)
- Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens notices
Legal and Regulatory Information:
- Zoning classification and permitted uses
- Land use designation and future land use
- Special district assignments (school, fire, water, CDD)
- Deed restrictions and subdivision covenants
- Flood zone designation (FEMA) and environmental constraints
Maps and Images:
- Property exterior photograph
- Aerial photograph and GIS map with property boundaries
- Plat map and property sketch
What Is Not Typically Included in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Social Security numbers (redacted under Colorado law)
- Interior photographs
- Private agreements not recorded with the Clerk and Recorder
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
- Confidential exemption application details
How Long Does Teller County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Teller County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity for maintaining an unbroken chain of title.
Colorado's records retention requirements for county clerks and recorders mandate permanent preservation of all recorded instruments. The Colorado State Archives provides guidance on retention schedules applicable to county government records, and recorded property instruments are classified as permanent records under those schedules.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- Plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- Court documents and lis pendens notices affecting title
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
Format and Storage:
Historical records in Teller County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording:
- Very old records: Handwritten ledger books
- Early-to-mid 20th century: Typed entries in bound record books
- Mid-to-late 20th century: Microfilm
- Recent records: Digital scans and electronic document management systems
All formats are maintained at the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office, with climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm records and digital backup systems for electronic records.
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Record Age | Typical Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Available online through county portal |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | May be online; microfilm available in office |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access at courthouse; books or microfilm |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
- Current and historical assessments: Maintained permanently
- Property cards: Permanent
- Assessment rolls: Permanent
- Exemption applications: Retained for a minimum of several years; contact the Assessor's Office for the current retention schedule
Tax Collector Records:
- Tax payment records: Retained for a minimum of seven years
- Tax certificates: Retained until redeemed or tax deed issued
- Tax deed records: Permanent
- Delinquency records: Retained for several years
Accessing Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking historical property records not available online should contact the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office directly. Requestors should provide the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the type of document sought. Retrieval time for very old records may range from same-day to several business days depending on storage location and format.
Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2951
Teller County Clerk and Recorder
The Colorado State Archives maintains additional guidance on county records preservation and may hold certain historical county records predating current county office digitization efforts.
How To Find Liens on Property in Teller County?
Liens on property in Teller County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office. Members of the public may search for liens through online and in-person methods.
Types of Liens Recorded in Teller County:
- Federal and state tax liens (IRS and Colorado Department of Revenue)
- Judgment liens arising from court judgments
- Mechanic's liens filed by contractors and subcontractors
- HOA assessment liens
- Code enforcement liens
- Child support liens
- Municipal special assessment liens
Step-by-Step Lien Search Process:
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Search the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's recorded documents index. Access the online search portal through the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office and search by the property owner's name (as grantor or grantee) or by the property address if the system permits address-based searches.
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Search by document type. Filter results by lien-related document types, including mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens, and HOA liens, to narrow the results to encumbrances only.
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Search federal tax lien records. Federal tax liens filed by the IRS are recorded with the county clerk and recorder. Members of the public may also search the IRS lien database through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation for additional verification.
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Search Colorado state tax liens. State tax liens filed by the Colorado Department of Revenue are recorded with the county clerk and recorder and may also be verified through the Colorado Secretary of State's UCC and lien search system.
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Search court judgment records. Judgment liens arise from court judgments and are recorded with the Clerk and Recorder after the judgment creditor files a transcript of judgment. Members of the public may cross-reference court records through the Colorado Judicial Branch case search to identify judgments that may have been converted to liens.
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Review the Teller County Assessor's property record. The Assessor's online property card may reflect certain liens, particularly HOA and code enforcement liens, as part of the encumbrance summary.
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Request a title search. For a comprehensive lien search, particularly in connection with a real estate transaction, members of the public may engage a licensed title company or real estate attorney to conduct a full title search and provide a title commitment identifying all recorded encumbrances.
In-Person Lien Search:
Members of the public may conduct in-person lien searches at the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office during regular business hours. Staff can assist with grantor/grantee index searches and retrieval of recorded lien documents.
Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2951
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Teller County Clerk and Recorder
Copies of recorded lien documents are available at the standard per-page copy fee. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee as described in the fee schedule above.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Teller County?
The property owner rule in Teller County refers to the body of Colorado law and local regulations governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership within the county.
Ownership Rights Under Colorado Law:
Under Colorado law, any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other legal entity may own real property in Teller County. Colorado does not impose residency requirements on property ownership. Foreign nationals and out-of-state entities may hold title to real property subject to applicable federal reporting requirements.
How Ownership Is Established:
Legal ownership of real property in Teller County is established by a recorded deed. Pursuant to § 38-35-109, C.R.S., an unrecorded instrument is void as against any subsequent purchaser or encumbrancer who records first and takes without notice of the prior instrument. This "race-notice" recording system means that recording a deed promptly after closing is essential to protect ownership rights.
Forms of Ownership:
Colorado recognizes the following forms of real property ownership:
- Sole ownership: A single individual or entity holds title in their name alone.
- Joint tenancy: Two or more persons hold equal, undivided interests with the right of survivorship. Upon the death of one joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant(s) automatically acquire the deceased's interest without probate.
- Tenancy in common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal and are freely transferable. There is no right of survivorship; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death.
- Tenancy by the entirety: Colorado does not recognize tenancy by the entirety.
- Trust ownership: Real property may be held in a revocable or irrevocable trust. The trustee holds legal title on behalf of the beneficiaries.
- Entity ownership: LLCs, corporations, and partnerships may hold title to real property. The entity's governing documents and state registration requirements apply.
Property Owner Obligations in Teller County:
Property owners in Teller County are subject to the following obligations:
- Property tax payment: Owners are responsible for annual property taxes assessed by the Teller County Assessor and billed by the Teller County Treasurer. Taxes are due in two installments: the first by February 28 and the second by June 15 of each tax year, or in full by April 30.
- Maintenance and code compliance: Property owners must maintain their property in compliance with applicable building codes, zoning regulations, and nuisance ordinances enforced by Teller County and applicable municipalities.
- HOA obligations: Properties within homeowner association communities are subject to HOA covenants, conditions, and restrictions recorded with the Clerk and Recorder, as well as assessment obligations enforceable under Colorado's Common Interest Ownership Act.
- Disclosure obligations: Sellers of real property in Colorado are subject to disclosure requirements under Colorado real estate law, including disclosure of known material defects.
Adverse Possession:
Colorado law permits a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and adversely possesses real property for a period of 18 years to claim title through adverse possession under § 38-41-101, C.R.S. Claims of adverse possession must be established through a court proceeding, and a court judgment quieting title must be recorded with the Clerk and Recorder to establish record title.
Transfer of Ownership:
Ownership of real property in Teller County is transferred by a recorded deed executed by the grantor and acknowledged before a notary public. Colorado does not impose a state transfer tax on real property conveyances, though documentary fees may apply. The deed must contain a complete legal description of the property and must be recorded with the Teller County Clerk and Recorder to be effective against subsequent purchasers.
Teller County Assessor's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2941
Teller County Assessor
Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office
101 W. Bennett Ave.
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Phone: (719) 689-2951
Teller County Clerk and Recorder