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Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent of these relationships.
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Notes: I-70 (east-west – the main Denver-Kansas City interstate; passes through Burlington; one of Colorado’s most important freight corridors); US-385 (north-south); Burlington is about 165 miles from Denver on I-70; Limon (Lincoln County) is about 55 miles west; the I-70 corridor is Kit Carson County’s primary economic artery
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Kit Carson County Building – (719) 346-8638
Services: Basic county permits; Burlington (separate), Flagler, Seibert, Stratton, Bethune small communities
Notes: Limited development; I-70 corridor commercial development (truck stops, motels, restaurants); agricultural and ranching infrastructure; wind energy development increasing
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Kit Carson County Veterans Services – (719) 346-8638
VA Medical: VA Denver (accessible via I-70 – about 165 miles); VA Colorado Springs; both distant
Notes: I-70 provides direct highway access to Denver VA (about 2 hours); small veteran population; active American Legion post in Burlington
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Kit Carson County Library – (719) 346-7552
Branches: Burlington, Stratton, Flagler
Services: Books, public computers, Wi-Fi, children’s programs; eastern plains heritage
Notes: Three-branch system; I-70 corridor heritage; Kit Carson County’s carousel history is a natural local topic; internet access for isolated communities
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Kit Carson County Carousel (Burlington – one of the finest surviving hand-carved wooden carousels in the United States; built in 1905 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company; hand-carved horses, chariots, and other figures; operates seasonally; a National Historic Landmark; the carousel is the county’s most prized possession and one of Colorado’s most remarkable historic artifacts); Bonny Lake State Park (CLOSED 2011 – the reservoir was drained due to water rights/drought issues; the park closed; the former park land now has some wildlife area use); I-70 rest areas; Burlington’s historic downtown; agricultural fairs and rodeos
Notes: The Kit Carson County Carousel is a genuine treasure – the 1905 National Historic Landmark carousel is one of the finest surviving examples of the carousel maker’s art in the US; the hand-carved wooden animals and chariots are extraordinary craftsmanship; the carousel operates seasonally in Burlington and is a beloved institution; Bonny Lake’s closure (the reservoir was drained after water rights and water supply issues made it impossible to maintain) was a significant loss for eastern Colorado recreation
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Kit Carson County GIS – kitcarsoncounty.org; I-70 corridor mapping; USGS; agricultural field mapping
Notes: Basic county GIS; I-70 corridor development and rest area mapping; wind energy project siting; agricultural field and water rights mapping
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Kit Carson County Animal Control – (719) 346-8638
Solid Waste: Kit Carson County – basic; transfer station
Environmental: Colorado DPHE; Republican River Compact (Colorado-Kansas-Nebraska water sharing – Kit Carson County is in the Republican River basin); wind energy development; Bonny Lake former reservoir management
Notes: The Republican River Compact (a 1942 agreement allocating Republican River water between Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska) is an important water management consideration for Kit Carson County; Colorado has been in litigation with Kansas and Nebraska over Republican River water obligations; drought reduces available water and compliance with compact obligations becomes challenging; wind energy development is a growing economic and environmental consideration; Bonny Lake’s decommissioning (the reservoir was drained when Colorado could not meet its Kansas compact obligations using Bonny Lake water) is a cautionary tale about the limits of water availability on the eastern plains
About Kit Carson County County
Kit Carson County is eastern Colorado’s High Plains gateway and home of one of America’s finest antique carousels – the 1905 Burlington carousel that has delighted riders for over a century and the county’s wheat and cattle ranching economy define a remote plains community where Burlington serves as the first and last Colorado stop on I-70’s transcontinental route.
Burlington (the county seat, population ~3,200) is Kit Carson County’s governmental and commercial hub on I-70, an eastern Colorado plains city whose National Historic Landmark carousel, highway position, and agricultural service role anchor its community identity.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Kit Carson County Assessor at 251 16th Street, Burlington, CO 80807, phone 719-346-8638. CO assessed at percentage of actual value.
Courts & Legal
Kit Carson County District Court at 251 16th Street, Burlington, CO 80807, phone 719-346-7942, handles probate.
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
CLERK & RECORDER (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Elections)
251 16th St., Burlington, CO 80807
(719) 346-8638
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Kit Carson County District Court (marriage licenses, will and estate case files – see Probate section above)
Local societies
No dedicated Kit Carson County genealogical society was confirmed in available directories.
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Kit Carson County Combined Court – District Court (Probate Division) 1650 Donelan, Suite 301, Burlington, CO 80807 (719) 346-5524, ext. 3 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Step 1: figure out which path applies
Colorado follows the Uniform Probate Code, one of the more streamlined, less court-intensive systems in the country.
Small Estate Affidavit (personal property) – for estates where personal property totals less than roughly $86,000 (twice the “exempt property” amount under C.R.S. § 15-11-403, which adjusts annually for inflation – always confirm the current year’s figure with the court). Available starting 10 days after the death. No court filing required; present the affidavit (Form JDF 999) directly to whoever holds the property.
Summary Administration for small real property – a separate, roughly parallel threshold applies to real property equity. This route does require a court filing.
Informal Probate – the standard path for most estates with a will or clear heirs and no disputes. Handled largely by the court Registrar with minimal hearings.
Formal Probate – required for contested wills, disputed appointments, or complicated estates.
If using the small estate affidavit (personal property)
Wait at least 10 days after the death.
Confirm the fair market value of the decedent’s property (less liens) doesn’t exceed the current statutory threshold, and that no probate has already been opened.
Complete Form JDF 999, Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit.
Present it, along with a certified death certificate, to the bank or institution holding the property – no court filing needed.
If filing for informal or formal probate
File the appropriate application with the Kit Carson County District Court: Form JDF 910 (with a will) or JDF 908 (without one). For formal probate, file JDF 920 or the intestate equivalent. Filing fee is $199.
The court (or Registrar, for informal cases) appoints a personal representative and issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
In informal probate, the personal representative then manages the estate largely independently.
Creditors have 4 months from first publication of notice to file claims.
The estate closes once debts are paid and assets are distributed.
What it costs
Small estate affidavit: no court filing fee.
Informal or formal probate filing fee: $199.
Personal representative compensation: “reasonable compensation” – no fixed statutory percentage.
No Colorado state estate tax or inheritance tax.
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
Burlington, CO 80807
(719) 346-8946
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
CLERK & RECORDER (Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Elections)
251 16th St., Burlington, CO 80807
(719) 346-8638
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
Health/Human Services
Burlington, CO 80807
(719) 346-8638
CO Benefits / PEAK
(800) 536-5298
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Kit Carson County Health (Southeast Colorado)
Services: Basic public health; immunizations; vital records
Hospital: Kit Carson County Health Service District (Burlington) – small critical access clinic/hospital; Limon area for some services; Colorado Springs for major care
Notes: Small healthcare district; Burlington’s relative I-70 isolation means Colorado Springs or Denver for specialty care; behavioral health in isolated rural community; agricultural stress
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Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Burlington
Population: 7,700
Area: 2,161 sq mi
Established: 1889
Public Records
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