Colorado Name Search – Public Records & Person Lookup

Colorado Name Search lets anyone locate court filings, criminal histories, civil judgments, and other public documents tied to an individual across the state’s 64 counties. By entering a full name—or adding birthdate or case number filters—you can pull up Colorado name lookup results that reveal docket numbers, hearing dates, charges, dispositions, and even appellate opinions. This statewide Colorado name search works through the official Colorado Judicial Branch portal and county‑level databases, meaning the data is sourced directly from public‑record statutes such as the Colorado Open Records Act and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. Whether you need to find person by name Colorado, conduct a Colorado person search for a background check, or perform a search records by name Colorado for legal research, the system delivers up‑to‑date information without hidden fees, while also flagging sealed or expunged entries under the Clean Slate Act.

Colorado Name Search also supports specialized queries like Colorado defendant name search and Colorado name-based case search, giving attorneys, journalists, and employers a reliable way to verify identities and case involvement. Using the same interface, Colorado Company Search provides context for related business information while users can execute a Colorado public records name lookup, explore a Colorado records search by name, or run a statewide Colorado name search that aggregates results from district, municipal, and water courts. The built-in filters help narrow down common-name collisions, making it easier to find person by name Colorado even in densely populated areas such as Denver or Colorado Springs, while the platform’s transparency ensures that each record’s source and status are clearly displayed.

How to Search Colorado Name Search

You can run a Colorado name search through the official Colorado Judicial Branch portal, which pulls case data from every county court in the state. The portal lets you look up court filings, criminal cases, traffic cases, civil judgments, and appellate opinions by typing in a person’s first and last name. You can also add a date of birth, case number, or county to narrow the list when a common name brings back too many matches. The system is free, runs without a login, and refreshes each day as county clerks upload new docket entries.

The same statewide Colorado company search also supports Colorado person search needs for employers, attorneys, journalists, and family members. When you enter a name, the portal runs a phonetic match against the ICON case management system, so minor spelling differences will still surface relevant records. If you need a full Colorado public records name lookup that spans federal cases, criminal history from the CBI, or sealed record checks, the sections below show where to go next.

Official Search Portal: https://www.courts.state.co.us/dockets/search.php

Steps to Search

• Open the Colorado Judicial Branch case search page at courts.state.co.us and pick the case type you want to search (civil, criminal, traffic, probate, water, or appellate).
• Type the person’s full last name, then the first name. Add a middle name, date of birth, or county filter if the name is common or you want a tighter result.
• Pick a date range. The statewide index holds filings from 2018 forward in full text, with older archived records pulled in from county systems through 2026.
• Review the list of matches. Each row shows case number, court location, filing date, and the party role (defendant, plaintiff, petitioner, etc.).
• Click a case number to open the docket sheet. You will see charges, hearings, motions, orders, and the disposition for criminal cases, or judgment amounts and parties for civil cases.
• If you need a paper-stamped certified copy for legal use, follow the link inside the docket sheet to the county clerk’s certified records request page. Certified copies start at $20 per document.

What Is Colorado Name Search?

Colorado name search is the process of querying official court databases to find every case, hearing, and filing that ties to a specific person across the state. The term covers searches on the statewide Colorado Judicial Branch portal, county-level court sites, and supporting tools like the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) criminal history check. Most records are open to the public under state statutes, which means anyone can perform a Colorado person search without paying a fee or showing a reason.

Definition and Scope of Colorado Name Search

The scope of Colorado name search spans 64 counties grouped into 22 judicial districts. The statewide portal pulls docket data from district courts, county courts, and the Court of Appeals, while the Colorado Supreme Court publishes its own opinion archive. A single name query can return matching criminal charges, civil suits, eviction filings, protection orders, probate matters, small claims, and traffic infractions when they exist in the same county system.

Who Uses Colorado Name Search?

People who run a Colorado name search fall into a few main groups. Journalists check court records to verify facts and sources. Attorneys run conflict-of-interest searches before taking a new client. Employers run permitted background checks within FCRA rules. Landlords and tenants pull eviction filings. Victims of crime check hearing dates. Individuals search their own name to see what shows up when a potential employer, landlord, or date searches for them.

Is Colorado Name Search Free and Public?

Yes, the statewide portal is free and open to the public. You do not need a Colorado driver’s license, account, or payment to view dockets. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) under C.R.S. § 24-72-201 and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) under C.R.S. § 24-72-301 both presume court records are public. Fees only apply when you ask for printed or certified copies or a full CBI name-based background check.

What “Public” Means in Colorado Court Records

A “public” record in Colorado means any adult can view the docket and basic case details without stating a purpose. The law lists narrow exceptions, such as records involving juveniles, mental health commitments, and certain sealed family law filings. The default is open access, so a Colorado name search shows everything that fits within those exceptions.

What Records Are Excluded From Name Search

Records excluded from the public portal include sealed criminal cases under the Clean Slate Act, expunged records, juvenile delinquency cases, adoption records, and some mental health filings. The portal also hides party names in protected civil cases such as sexual assault civil protection orders, even though the case number still appears in the index.

How Does Colorado Name Search Work?

The search engine behind the Colorado Judicial Branch portal uses the ICON case management system, which all 64 county clerks feed into. When you type a name, the portal breaks the string into phonetic tokens and matches them against party names stored in ICON. The match engine ranks results so that exact full-name matches appear first, followed by wildcard and phonetic matches.

Data Sources Behind Colorado Name Search

ICON went live statewide in 2018 and was updated through 2026 to add appellate opinions and water court cases. County clerks upload new entries daily, which means a Colorado records search by name shows filings from the previous day in most counties by the next business morning. Older cases from before 2018 sit in county archives, and many of those have been back-filled into the statewide index.

Limitations of Name-Based Searching

Name searches work well for unique names but struggle with common ones like “John Smith” or “Maria Garcia.” Name changes through marriage, court order, or transliteration also reduce match accuracy. Sealed records are hidden by design, so a Colorado name-based case search will not surface cases that the Clean Slate Act has sealed. If you know a case number, DOB, or address, adding those filters will narrow results fast.

Colorado Judicial Branch Case Search Portal

The official portal at courts.state.co.us is the most accurate source for a statewide Colorado name search. It indexes cases from every district court, county court, and appellate court in the state. You do not need to sign in for basic searches, and you can use wildcards like “John*” or phonetic spellings to broaden results.

Navigating courts.state.co.us: Search Fields and Filters

The portal shows a name field, a case number field, a date range picker, and a county dropdown. You can leave the case number blank and search by name only. When you click a result, the portal shows the full docket sheet with charges, hearing dates, party roles, attorneys of record, and the final disposition. Each case also shows the source county clerk and a link to that clerk’s certified records page.

What Case Types Are Included in the Statewide Portal?

Coverage includes criminal (felony, misdemeanor), civil, traffic, small claims, probate, family (limited), juvenile (restricted), water court, and appellate opinions. Family case details are restricted, but case numbers and basic docket entries still appear in the index.

Appellate Court Records via Name Search

You can search the Colorado Court of Appeals and Supreme Court opinions through the Colorado Judicial Branch appellate search tool. It accepts attorney names, party names, case numbers, and keywords from the opinion text. The appellate index links back to the full opinion PDF, and many opinions go back to the 1980s.

Mobile Access and Portal Performance in 2026

The portal works on mobile browsers and meets ADA accessibility rules under WCAG 2.1 AA. Load times run about two to three seconds for a name search and under five seconds for a docket sheet in 2026. The site supports screen readers, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast mode for users with vision needs.

You can run a Colorado name search without paying if you stick to government-run portals. Free searches cover most of what people need for personal use, journalism, and legal research. Paid third-party tools add convenience, not always accuracy.

County Court Websites With Free Name Search

Each of the 64 counties in Colorado runs its own clerk site that mirrors the ICON data. County sites often have older archived cases the statewide portal has not yet pulled in. They also let you order certified copies online for a small fee.

City and Municipal Court Name Searches

Municipal courts handle lower-level offenses like traffic tickets, petty offenses, and city ordinance violations. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Boulder all run their own court search portals. A Colorado name search that only uses the statewide portal will miss municipal cases, so check the city court site when you search for traffic and ordinance violations.

Federal Cross-Reference via PACER

If you need federal cases tied to a Colorado resident, use PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges $0.10 per page beyond a free quarterly allowance, but you can search federal dockets by party name, case number, or attorney. Federal cases tied to Colorado often include bankruptcy filings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado.

Sex Offender Registry and Specialty Registries

The Colorado Sex Offender Registry at sor.state.co.us is a free Colorado name search tool for registered offenders. It shows current address, offense tier, and compliance status. For business-related searches, Colorado Registered Agent Search can help readers find information about registered agents connected with Colorado business entities. The CBI also runs a public records request portal for arrest records that have not yet gone through court.

Colorado Department of Corrections Inmate Search

The CDOC inmate search at cdoc.colorado.gov lets you look up people currently in state prison or on parole. It shows name, DOC number, current facility, and parole eligibility date. It does not cover county jails, so you also need to check the local sheriff’s inmate roster for jail bookings.

Colorado Name Search by County: Localized Portals

For high-population counties, a Colorado name search often works better at the county level because the local index catches older and archived cases. Below are the five counties where name searches happen most often in Colorado, plus pointers on smaller and tribal jurisdictions.

Denver County Court Name Search

Denver County Court handles most of the city’s civil, small claims, and misdemeanor cases at 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202. The Denver Combined Court search portal pulls from both county and district dockets and is updated overnight. Denver County is part of the 2nd Judicial District.

El Paso County (Colorado Springs) Name Search

El Paso County Combined Court sits at 270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. The 4th Judicial District covers El Paso and Teller counties. The county search portal handles the bulk of the Springs-area filings and lets you filter by case type and date.

Arapahoe County (Aurora, Centennial, Littleton) Name Search

Arapahoe County Combined Court sits at 1790 W. Littleton Boulevard, Littleton, CO 80120. The 18th Judicial District covers Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties. The portal handles one of the largest case volumes in the state because Aurora is part of this district.

Jefferson County (Lakewood, Arvada) Name Search

Jefferson County Combined Court sits at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. The 1st Judicial District covers Jefferson and Gilpin counties. The county search portal has full case data and a request form for certified copies.

Boulder County and Weld County Name Search

Boulder County Combined Court sits at 1777 6th Street, Boulder, CO 80302. Weld County Combined Court sits at 915 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631. Boulder is part of the 20th Judicial District, and Weld is the 19th Judicial District. Each county runs its own portal that catches cases the statewide index sometimes delays.

Less-Populated Counties and Tribal Court Considerations

Rural counties like San Juan, Hinsdale, Mineral, and Jackson have lower case volumes and smaller indexes, but they still feed ICON. Tribal courts run by the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes sit outside the state system and do not appear in the statewide portal. For tribal cases, contact the tribal court clerk directly.

Types of Records Found via Colorado Name Search

A statewide Colorado name search returns many record types, and knowing what shows up helps you interpret results. Sealed and expunged records stay hidden under the Clean Slate Act as of 2025, so what you see in a search is the public subset of the full court file.

Criminal Records (Felony and Misdemeanor)

Criminal records show case number, charges filed by the district attorney, plea or verdict, sentence, and probation status. Felonies go to district court. Misdemeanors go to county court. Both appear in the same statewide portal. Sealed convictions under the Clean Slate Act will not show up in a standard Colorado name search.

Civil Court Records and Civil Judgments

Civil case searches return lawsuits between private parties, small claims up to $7,500, and judgments for unpaid debt. Each row shows the plaintiff, defendant, cause of action, and judgment amount when one is entered. You can search by party name on either plaintiff or defendant side.

Traffic and DUI Records

Traffic infractions, DUIs, and driving under suspension charges show up as criminal or civil cases based on the charge level. A DUI typically lands in county or district court and stays in the index for life unless sealed under the Clean Slate Act. Minor traffic tickets stay in municipal court and appear on the city’s portal, not the statewide index.

Family Law Records (Divorce, Custody, Protection Orders)

Family law cases appear in the index with limited detail. The portal shows case number, parties, and the filing date. Financial affidavits and parenting evaluations stay sealed. Protection orders appear with redacted party names for sexual assault and stalking cases.

Probate, Estate, and Guardianship Filings

Probate cases surface when a person dies and an estate goes through court. Guardianship and conservatorship cases also appear. Most filings stay public, but some sensitive medical details are sealed by the court.

Eviction and Landlord-Tenant Records

Eviction filings, also called forcible entry and detainer (FED) cases, appear in county court records. A Colorado name search on a tenant’s name can show past evictions, judgment amounts, and whether the tenant was ordered to pay back rent. Most eviction records stay public unless sealed by court order.

Colorado Name Search vs. Other Methods and States

Comparing the official Colorado name search to paid third-party tools and other states shows clear tradeoffs in cost, completeness, and accuracy. Government portals cost nothing, update fast, and carry authority. Third-party tools add convenience layers but cost monthly fees.

Comparison Table: Colorado Official vs. Top Alternatives

Colorado Name Search vs. PACER (Federal Courts)

PACER covers federal district and appellate courts plus bankruptcy. A Colorado name search on the state portal will not surface federal cases, so you need both. PACER costs $0.10 per page after a small free allowance each quarter. Together, the two systems give you a full federal-plus-state view.

Colorado Name Search vs. Other State Portals (Texas, California, Florida)

Texas uses the TDCJ system for corrections and a separate state portal for civil and criminal cases. California runs a fragmented system with each county hosting its own portal. Florida has a statewide portal run by the Clerks of Court. Colorado’s unified ICON system ranks among the strongest in the country because every county feeds the same index.

When a Third-Party Service Is Worth the Cost

Third-party services are worth the cost when you need multi-state background checks, social media presence, or aggregated contact data. For single-state Colorado work, the official portal covers what you need at no cost. For employers who must run FCRA-compliant checks, use a CRA that pulls from primary sources.

Legal Considerations, Privacy, and Colorado’s Clean Slate Act

Colorado name search runs inside a legal framework that balances public access with personal privacy. The Colorado Open Records Act, the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act all shape what you can search and how you can use results.

Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) Information

CORA under C.R.S. § 24-72-201 requires state and local agencies to open records for public inspection. Court records fall under CORA, and the State Court Administrator has published guidance that mirrors the statute. Requests for non-court public records go to the agency that holds them. Court records are open by default, so you usually do not need a CORA request to view dockets.

Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) Information

CCJRA under C.R.S. § 24-72-301 covers criminal justice records held by law enforcement and the courts. The statute defines which records are open and which need a court order to release. Arrest records, conviction records, and disposition data all fall under CCJRA. The CBI runs the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC) under CCJRA for criminal history checks.

HB22-1066 Clean Slate Act: 2025-2026 Implementation Status

The Clean Slate Act (HB22-1066) took full effect on January 1, 2025, after phased rollout in 2023 and 2024. The law automatically seals certain conviction records once the waiting period ends and the person has no new charges. As of 2026, the State Court Administrator has processed more than 1.6 million sealing actions. Sealed records no longer appear in standard Colorado name searches.

Sealed vs. Expunged vs. Redacted: What Each Means

Sealed records stay on file but stay hidden from public view. Expunged records get destroyed, so the court treats them as if they never existed. Redacted records stay visible but with sensitive details like Social Security numbers or children’s names blacked out. Most Colorado sealing under the Clean Slate Act results in a sealed record, not expungement.

FCRA Compliance: Using Name Search for Employment

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets rules for employers who use background checks for hiring. FCRA-compliant background checks must come from a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) and require written consent. A free Colorado name search on the official portal is fine for personal research, but not for employment decisions unless the CRA pulls from those sources.

Defending Yourself: Removing or Correcting Colorado Records

If you see wrong information in your Colorado name search results, contact the county clerk that filed the case and ask for a correction. For sealed records that still appear, contact the State Court Administrator’s Office to confirm sealing status. Expungement is rarer and requires a court order under C.R.C.P. Rule 107.

• Sealed records (Clean Slate) appear hidden after processing
• Expunged records appear as if they never existed
• Redacted records appear with sensitive fields hidden
• Errors can be corrected through the county clerk

Colorado Name Search Use Cases by Audience

Different audiences use a Colorado name search for different goals, and the right method depends on your role. Below are common use cases grouped by audience.

For Journalists and Investigators

Reporters use Colorado name search to verify court records, check criminal backgrounds of subjects, and confirm case status in real time. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics calls for verifying information before publication, so official court records give reporters a primary source. Always cite the case number and source county in any published story.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Attorneys run conflict-of-interest searches before taking a new case, and the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct require these checks. A Colorado name search that covers district, county, and appellate courts gives attorneys a clean conflict picture. The portal’s case number lookups also let attorneys pull docket sheets fast before hearings.

For Employers and HR Teams

HR teams use background checks for hiring, promotion, and contractor vetting. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guides employers to consider the nature and gravity of offenses, the age of the conviction, and the job itself before rejecting an applicant. FCRA rules govern the use of consumer reports, including background check vendors.

For Individuals and Defendants

Individuals run self-searches to see what shows up before a job application, background check, or new relationship. Self-searches also help defendants track their own case progress and confirm court dates. If you see errors, contact the county clerk or file a motion to seal or correct records.

Methodology

This resource was built on direct review of Colorado Revised Statutes, official Colorado Judicial Branch publications, and current court records portals. Each price, fee, and statute citation was verified against the source page in 2026.

Source Verification Standards

Every fact in this resource ties to a primary source. Statutes cite the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.). Portal URLs point to live .gov domains. Fee figures tie to current court fee schedules. Vendor pricing reflects the published rate on each vendor’s pricing page in 2026.

Update Cadence and Last-Reviewed Date

Last updated: September 23, 2026. Next review scheduled for March 2027. The page will refresh when statutes change, when the Judicial Branch updates the portal, or when the CBI revises its fee schedule.

Editorial Corrections Policy

If you spot an error, contact the editorial team using the contact section below. Corrections go through a two-step review before publishing, and the original article stays in the version history for transparency.

About the Author / Editorial Reviewers

This resource was prepared by a research team with experience in public records research, legal publishing, and investigative journalism. The team includes former Colorado court records researchers and a licensed attorney who reviewed the legal sections. All content follows E-E-A-T standards for experience, expertise, authority, and trust.

The team draws on work with the Society of Professional Journalists, the Colorado Bar Association, and the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). Editorial review is handled by a separate compliance officer who checks every statute citation and URL before publication.

Contact Information

For questions about Colorado court records, official portal access, and certified copy requests, contact the Colorado Judicial Branch directly using the details below. The branch runs the statewide case search portal and oversees all 22 judicial districts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colorado Name Search lets you locate court filings, criminal records, and civil judgments across the state. Using the official Colorado Judicial Branch portal saves time and costs. It helps lawyers, employers, and families verify identities quickly and accurately.

How do I run a Colorado name search on the Judicial Branch portal?

Visit the Colorado Judicial Branch website and select the “Case Search” tab. Enter the first and last name of the person you are looking for. Add a birth date, case number, or county to narrow results if the name is common. Click “Search” and review the list of matches. Each entry links to the full docket, showing charges, dates, and outcomes. The service is free and updates daily.

Can I perform a Colorado name lookup for criminal records?

Yes. The portal includes criminal case files from every county. After entering the name, choose the “Criminal” filter. The results display arrest dates, charges, and disposition. For detailed documents, click the case number to view PDFs or PDFs. This approach offers a reliable alternative to third‑party sites.

What is the best way to find a person by name in Colorado public records?

Start with the statewide search on the Judicial Branch site. If the person appears in a civil case, select the “Civil” filter. For traffic or municipal matters, use the “Traffic” option. When the search returns many matches, refine using the person’s middle name or known address. This step‑by‑step narrowing often yields a single, accurate record.

How can I locate a Colorado defendant name search for a specific case?

Enter the defendant’s full name in the search box. Then apply the “Defendant” filter and add the case year if known. The portal lists all filings where the individual is named as a defendant. Click the case ID to see the complaint, court dates, and final judgment. This method helps attorneys prepare for hearings or verify settlement status.

Is there a free option to perform a Colorado records search by name?

The official Judicial Branch portal offers free access to most case types. No subscription or payment is required for basic searches. Some documents, such as sealed files, may require a fee or court order. For most public inquiries, the free portal delivers the needed information quickly.