La Plata County Court Records

La Plata County court records are files, exhibits, and documents of criminal and civil cases heard in the county’s courts. These records include case filings, docket entries, warrants, petitions, transcripts, motions, orders, fines, and judgments. These Colorado court records can be used for legal precedence, academic research, verification of court decisions, journalism research, and historical record-keeping.

Information that can be obtained from La Plata County court records includes dates of filing and proceedings, names of parties, warrants, case judges, court names, attorneys, fines, and orders. The access to court records in La Plata County deepens residents' confidence in the county’s judicial system.

Are Court Records Public in La Plata County?

Yes. Court records can be accessed by the public in La Plata County. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) permits members of the public to have access to court records from the county. Anyone can inspect or request copies of La Plata County public records. However, some court records in the county are exempted from public access by law or court orders to preserve privacy and protect sensitive information. Confidential court records in La Plata County typically include the following:

• Most juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Medical and mental health records
• Active financial information
• Information about confidential informants and jurors

La Plata County Court Records Search

La Plata County court records can be searched online and onsite. Record seekers can visit the county’s courts to inspect or request copies of nonconfidential court records. They can search for records in public terminals within the court premises. Alternatively, they can access La Plata County public court records online via the county and state judiciary websites. Furthermore, some third-party websites provide access to La Plata County court records.

La Plata County Courts

The court system in La Plata County comprises district, county, and municipal courts. The La Plata District Court is the highest in the county and hears cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. It hears felonies, some misdemeanors, domestic relations, juvenile, probate matters, and civil cases with claims over $25,000.

The La Plata County Court hears misdemeanors, traffic infractions, preliminary felony hearings, protection orders, small claims, and civil cases with claims under $25,000. The three municipal courts in La Plata County handle municipal ordinance violations and civil protective orders. Below are the various courts in La Plata County and their contact information:

La Plata District Court
La Plata County Courthouse
1060 East 2nd Avenue
Room 106
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 247-2304
Fax: (970) 247-4348

County Court of La Plata District
La Plata County Courthouse
1060 East 2nd Avenue
Room 106
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 247-2304
Fax: (970) 247-4348

Bayfield Municipal Court
1199 Bayfield Parkway
P.O. Box 80
Bayfield, CO 81122
Phone: (970) 884-9544
Fax: (970) 884-2195

Durango Municipal Court
949 East 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: (970) 375-5020
Fax: (970) 375-5098

Ignacio Municipal Court
570 Goddard Avenue
Ignacio, CO 81137
Phone: (970) 563-9494
Fax: (970) 563-9498

La Plata County Criminal Records

In La Plata County, criminal records document an individual's crimes, trial, and sentencing within the county. These records encompass arrest, court, imprisonment, and release records, providing a comprehensive overview of a person's criminal history. Law enforcement agencies such as the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintain the county's criminal records. Interested persons can request La Plata County arrest records and other criminal records from the Sheriff’s Office at:

La Plata Sheriff’s Office
283 Girard Street
Durango, CO 81303
Phone: (970) 247-1157
Fax: (970) 259-4595

They can also use the Internet Criminal History Check platform provided by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to search for La Plata County criminal records.

Get La Plata County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in La Plata County consist of records from civil cases such as torts, professional malpractices, probate, domestic relations, contract breaches, and employment disputes. These records originate from the county’s district and county courts. Most La Plata County civil court records are public records and can be accessed by members of the public.

The La Plata County District Court Clerk maintains civil court records in the county. Record seekers can visit the La Plata County District Court to view and request public civil court records.

La Plata County Marriage Records

Marriage records in La Plata County are official documents of the union of two persons. These records are typically open to the public and are maintained by the La Plata County District Court Clerk. Individuals interested in the county’s marriage records can view and inspect them at the District Court Clerk’s office.

La Plata County Divorce Records

In La Plata County, divorce records are official documents about the termination of a couple’s marriage in the county. La Plata County’s divorce records are typically open to the public, although only persons with legitimate interests can obtain certified copies. The District Court Clerk maintains the county's divorce records. Eligible record seekers can visit the court to examine and request divorce records.

La Plata Birth and Death Records

In La Plata County, birth and death records are official documents of births and deaths of persons in the county. La Plata County’s birth and death records can be used for the following:

• Genealogical research
• Identity verification
• Medical research
• Epidemiology study
• Social Security and benefits
• Demographic and statistical studies
• Estate settlement and inheritance
• Family history and connections

Colorado limits birth and death records’ access to persons with direct, tangible interest. The Certificate and Vital Records Office under the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is the official custodian of birth and death records for La Plata County. Eligible persons interested in accessing the county’s birth and death records can visit the La Plata County Vital Records Office at:

La Plata County Public Health
Vital Records Office
281 Sawyer Drive
Suite 300
Durango, CO 81303

La Plata County Probate Court Records

In La Plata County, probate records consist of records of estates, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, and wills handled by the La Plata County District Court. The La Plata County District Court Clerk maintains probate court records for the county and sends old probate records to the Colorado State Archives for archiving. Individuals interested in La Plata County’s probate court records can visit the District Court to access them. Alternatively, they can access pre-1968 La Plata County probate court records at the Colorado State Archives. They can search the State Archives database or request them via their online form.

La Plata County Property Records

Property records in La Plata County are official documents of properties in the county. These records can be used for tax assessment, property evaluation, zoning planning, and mortgage applications. La Plata County property records consist of the following information:

• Property location, size, and boundaries
• Deeds, titles, and transfer documents
• Liens
• Plats and surveys
• Payment history and tax liens
• Mortgage documents and payment history
• Easements
• Geographic information system (GIS) data
• Value assessment and appraisal records
• Zoning permits

Property records in La Plata County are public records that anyone can access. The La Plata County Assessor's Office maintains property records for the county. Record seekers can search for the county’s property records online via the Property Database Search platform. They can also visit the county’s Assessor's Office to view or request them.

La Plata County Court Records Online

Public court records in La Plata County may be accessed through third-party websites like coloradocourtrecords.us. These websites are usually more convenient, faster, and not limited by location. However, the information obtained from these resources can be inaccurate or incomplete, as they are independent of official government sources.