What are Colorado Bankruptcy Records?

Colorado bankruptcy records are documents showing court proceedings of businesses or persons looking to establish a method of repaying creditors or avoid paying the debt. The US Bankruptcy Code grants Colorado residents the right to file for bankruptcy to create repayment plans or liquidation. These cases are under the jurisdiction of the US bankruptcy court in the district of Colorado. The court is tasked with creating and maintaining bankruptcy case files in the state. State residents can obtain these documents by checking the online case management system or mailing the court clerk. Alternatively, bankruptcy information in the state of Colorado may be accessible from third-party sources like Court Records.

What do Colorado Bankruptcy Records Contain?

Bankruptcy records in Colorado contain the legal, financial, and personal details of the debtor. These includes:

● Debtor’s name

● Debtor’s address

● Trustee’s name

● Attorney’s name

● Gross income

● Consumer statements

● Type of bankruptcy case filed.

● Filing date

● Court location

● Date of the discharge order

● Case status

● Docket number

● Type and category of the petition filed

Are Bankruptcy Records Public Information?

Bankruptcy records in Colorado are accessible to the public. The Freedom of Information Act maintains that state residents have a right to request access to documents created by federal agencies such as the US bankruptcy court in Colorado. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. The court clerk provides these files in physical and electronic formats. While the electronic case files are obtainable online or via email, the physical copies are provided through US mail service or received in person by the requester. Not all information in a bankruptcy record is obtainable by the requester. Information such as juvenile records and trade secrets are considered sensitive. As a result, requesters must get a court order or subpoena to access that confidential information.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

● The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile

● The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides in or was accused of.

Third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

How to Get Colorado Bankruptcy Records

As stated earlier, the court clerk of the federal bankruptcy courts in Colorado is tasked with creating and disseminating these records to interested parties. Bankruptcy records filed on and after January 17, 2000, are available in electronic and physical copies. State residents can have access to Colorado Bankruptcy records online, via mail, and in person.

Online

Bankruptcy records in Colorado are available on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). The online database is accessible to only registered users. State residents seeking to find bankruptcy case files in Colorado are required to complete the free registration process. Afterward, requesters will be charged $0.10 per page for retrieving a document. A complete record costs $3.00 while audio files cost $2.40. Note that PACER may be free if

● The requester is a party in the case.

● The requester is granted a fee exemption.

● The case information is retrieved from the federal bankruptcy court.

● The documents requested are court opinions.

Keep in mind the accepted mode of payment is via credit cards. Third-party websites like CourtRecords.us also provide information on bankruptcy case files.

In-person, Mail or Call

To obtain Colorado bankruptcy records via mail, interested persons may send a written request to:

United States Bankruptcy Court

Custom House

721 19th St.

Denver, CO 80202

Phone: (720) 904–7300

State residents seeking paper copies can visit the federal bankruptcy court in Colorado. The courthouse is located at:

721 19th St.

Denver, CO 80202

Alternatively, state residents can obtain the records by calling (720) 904–7480. Otherwise, use the Voice Case Information System (VCIS) by dialing (866) 222–8029. To complete the search using the VCIS system, use

● the state abbreviation code for Colorado: CO(26) or

● the court code: 22

Ensure that written requests contain the debtor’s name, case number, requester’s name, and phone number. It is also important to provide a stamped envelope that is self-addressed.

Cost of Colorado Bankruptcy Records

The cost of obtaining bankruptcy records is fixed under section 1930, title 28 of the US code. Details of the fee are as follows:

● $0.10 per page for copies printed at the courthouse using the public computer

● $0.50 for copies requested via phone

● $0.50 per page for copies printed by court staff at the courthouse

● $11.00 for certified copies

● $21.00 for exemplified copies

● $30.00 for case search

How to Get Archived Colorado Bankruptcy Records

Records of Colorado bankruptcy cases filed before January 1, 2000, may not be available at the court’s computer system. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is in charge of storing and maintaining archived documents created by federal institutions. However, requesters may call the court clerk to check the record’s location. Afterward, the record may be obtained through the clerk of the Colorado bankruptcy court. The clerk will send a notification once the document arrives. Alternatively, mail, email, and phone request can be made to:

National Archives at Denver

17101 Huron Street

Broomfield, CO 80023

Phone: (303) 604–4740

Fax: (303) 604–4750

Email: denver.archives@nara.gov

A copy of the archived document cost $64.00 for the first request. Additional copies cost $39.00 each. Check or money order payments should be written to the US Bankruptcy Court. NARA equally accepts credit and debit cards.

How do I Find Out if My Bankruptcy Case is Closed in Colorado?

Colorado’s bankruptcy cases are automatically closed if creditors do not object to the discharge order after 60 days. The discharge order protects the debtor from creditors, which is the sole purpose of filing for bankruptcy. In most cases, the discharge order may signify that a bankruptcy case is closed. Debtors are automatically mailed after the trustee or court judge proclaims the discharge order. Otherwise, requests for a certificate of discharge can be made online. In situations where creditors contest the discharge order, debtors may track the case’s court proceedings by registering for court updates provided by the Bankruptcy Noticing Center. The service is free and voluntary. After registering with an email, debtors will be able to find if a bankruptcy case is closed.

Can a Bankruptcy be Expunged in Colorado

Bankruptcy records are financial documents that can affect the credit report of the debtor. As such, the debtor needs to speak with a legal advisor on the prospect of removing the records. However, the Fair Credit Reporting Act bars credit reporting firms from including a debtor’s bankruptcy case on the credit report after ten years from the filing or discharge date. With the help of a legal attorney, debtors may seek to remove these records earlier than the stipulated time.