Open Records

Colorado’s public records law is the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), found at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-201 to 206. It provides that all public records must be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, unless a record has been specifically made confidential by law. A related law, the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA, C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 to 309), separately governs criminal justice records with somewhat more limited access than CORA provides for general public records.

Who can request records

Any person may make a written request to inspect or obtain copies of eligible public records. Agencies commonly treat requests that cite the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as if they were made under CORA, since FOIA doesn’t apply to Colorado state and local government records.

How to request

Submit a detailed, written request to the Custodian of Records at the relevant agency – many agencies provide online CORA request forms. Include your name, contact information, and enough detail about the records sought that the custodian can identify them. If the custodian needs to clarify the request and the requester doesn’t respond within 10 business days, the request is typically closed and a new request must be submitted.

Response timeline

CORA requires responsive records be made available within 3 working days of receipt (C.R.S. § 24-72-203(3)(b)). If extenuating circumstances apply, agencies may extend this to 7 working days total. The 3-day clock generally starts the next business day if a request arrives after a set cutoff time (often 3:00 p.m.) or outside business hours. Once records are ready, agencies typically hold them for pickup or inspection for up to 10 business days before considering the request abandoned.

Fees

– The first hour of staff time spent researching and retrieving records is free by law. – After the first hour, agencies may charge up to a statutory maximum rate for staff time – $41.37/hour as of a recent adjustment (this rate increases periodically; some agencies still list $33.58/hour if not yet updated, so confirm current rate with the specific agency). – Standard letter-size photocopies are commonly $0.25/page; some agencies offer a small number of free pages before charging. – If the estimated fee exceeds a certain amount (often $10), a deposit or full prepayment may be required before the agency begins compiling records. – Records provided electronically often avoid per-page copying fees, though hourly research/retrieval fees can still apply. – CORA does not require an agency to create new records, manipulate or analyze data, or answer questions in order to respond to a request.

Exemptions

Common exemptions include certain personnel file information (like home address, phone number, and financial details), executive session meeting materials, and criminal justice records governed separately under the CCJRA, along with other categories set out in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-202 and -204.

If your request is denied

Colorado’s CORA framework is primarily self-enforcing through the agency’s compliance obligations rather than a formal administrative appeals board; a requester who believes an agency has wrongly withheld records can pursue the matter in court.

A note on terminology

Colorado’s law is officially the “Colorado Open Records Act” (CORA) – the same basic type of law that other states call a “Public Records Law,” “FOIA Laws” (South Carolina), or “Public Records Laws” (Tennessee).