Montezuma County Court Records

Montezuma County courts maintain official records that document every action and ruling in a case. In accordance with Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 79, these records include dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments from civil, criminal, probate, and family-law matters, preserved in both paper and electronic formats.

A typical case file lists the case number, party names, charges or claims, hearing dates, summaries of the evidence, and the court’s final disposition. Unless sealed by court order, these records remain public—promoting transparency, supporting appeals, validating judgments, and educating the community about local judicial proceedings.

Are Court Records Public in Montezuma County?

According to Colorado law, court documents in Montezuma County are typically available to the public. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 13-1-119 and Chief Justice Directive 05-01 both provide that the majority of court records, including dockets, filings, and judgments, are available for public viewing during business hours.

Some records, however, may be restricted from public view; for example, sealed records, juvenile cases, and mental health proceedings are not publicly available, and custodians may refuse access under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (§ 24-72-301 et seq.) if disclosure is illegal or considered to be against the public interest.

Therefore, specific legal provisions guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information even when transparency is prioritized.

Montezuma County Court Records Search

The following methods are available to the general public for conducting a Montezuma County court records search:

• The clerk's office of the Montezuma County Combined Court.
• Where the case was first filed, the courthouse. There are public terminals at the courthouse.
• An official online case records search tool provided by the Clerk’s Office, known as EagleWeb.
• The website of the Colorado Judicial Branch (CoCourts or Colorado Courts Record Search).
• Websites for third-party public records.

A written request or submission form may be needed for in-person searches. Printing or certified copies of court records may incur a fee. Search results are improved by including information like names, case numbers, or filing dates. Official online systems offer convenient remote access options.

Montezuma County Courts

Colorado's trial court system comprise District Courts, County Courts, Municipal Courts, Water Courts, Denver Probate Court, and Denver County Juvenile Court. Montezuma County court locations are as follows:

Montezuma County District Court (Montezuma County Courthouse)
865 North Park Street,
Suite 100
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: (970) 565-1111
Fax: (970) 565-8516

County Court of Montezuma County
865 North Park Street,
Suite 100
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: (970) 565-1111
Fax: (970) 565-8516

Cortez Municipal Court
Cortez City Hall
123 Roger Smith Avenue
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: (970) 565-7952
Fax: (970) 565-8172

Dolores Municipal Court
420 Central Avenue
Dolores, CO 81323
Phone: (970) 882-7720

Mancos Municipal Court
117 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 487
Mancos, CO 81328
Phone: (970) 533-7725
Fax: (970) 533-7727

Montezuma County Criminal and Civil Court Records

Documents about non-criminal legal conflicts, such as small claims, family law, probate, and property proceedings, are all considered records. The Montezuma Combined Courts are charged with keeping these documents. According to Chief Justice Directive 05-01 and the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), court records are accessible to the public unless otherwise prohibited by law or court order. Interested persons may use the court's online portal or make an in-person request to the Clerk of Court to get records.

Arrests, charges, judicial hearings, and convictions are considered part of criminal records. Under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), the public may access basic information, including arrest records and court dates. However, access to thorough criminal histories is usually restricted and necessitates a court order or authorization. Interested persons may obtain criminal records from the Clerk of Court or the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office keeps case report files and statistical data, while the Clerk of Court conducts court procedures and filings. Requestors may also request criminal records from the clerk’s office using the request form provided by the Colorado Judiciary (for statewide searches), with the necessary information. Depending on the type of request, the fees, identification requirements, and processing times may vary.

Montezuma County Marriage Records

Montezuma County marriage records are official documents attesting to the legal union of two people, such as marriage licenses and certificates, as defined by Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-2-106. The official keepers of these records is the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder.

The public may request a copy by completing a Marriage or Civil Union Record Request Form, which may be obtained online or in person at the clerk's office; certified copies cost $1.25 each, and records are generally accessible to the public unless sealed by statute or court order. The Colorado Archives also provides the public with older marriage records from 1890-1939, and interested persons may contact them to view and obtain copies.

Montezuma County Divorce Records

In Montezuma County, divorce records include court documents on the dissolution of a marriage, such as property settlements, custody agreements, and decrees. The Montezuma County Combined Court, located in Colorado's 22nd Judicial District, maintains these documents. Interested persons may obtain copies of these records by contacting the court directly or by completing a Record/Document Request Form on the website of the Colorado Judicial Branch. Requesters are generally charged $20 for certified copies and $0.25 per page for copies.

Montezuma County Birth Records

According to state law, Montezuma county birth records are considered vital records since they contain information regarding live births within county limits. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) maintains and disseminates these records.

Applicants are required to provide a filled-out application, a valid ID, and, if necessary, evidence of relationship to receive a certified copy. Copies are $13 apiece, with the first certified copy costing $20. Requests can be mailed to the CDPHE or submitted online via the department’s official website. Planning is advised because processing timeframes vary.

Montezuma County Death Records

In Montezuma County, death records are documents relating to a person's passing, such as death certificates and modifications. Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-2-110 governs the management of these records, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is in charge of maintaining them. Eligible people, including family members and legal representatives may request access to these records from their custodians. Requests may be submitted in person at CDPHE, by mail, or online at the official website. A valid ID and a completed death certificate application are necessary. The first certified copy costs $20, and each extra copy costs $13.

Montezuma County Probate Records

Montezuma County probate records chronicle court cases involving wills, conservatorships, guardianships, and estate management. The Montezuma County Combined Court, located in Colorado's 22nd Judicial District, maintains these documents.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a Record/Document Request Form for interested persons to request copies. Certified copies cost $20, and copy fees are usually $0.25 per page. It is worth noting that, to preserve privacy, access to some probate records may be limited, particularly where sensitive material or minors are involved. For further information or assistance, contact the Montezuma County Combined Court directly.

Montezuma County Property Records

Property records in Montezuma County encompass deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements; they provide information about ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real estate within the county’s judicial district. The Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder's Office, 140 West Main Street, Suite 1, Cortez, CO 81321, is responsible for maintaining these documents.

The EagleWeb Document Search portal allows Montezuma county property searches by name, legal description, recording date, or document number; interested persons may view these records in person or online. The first page typically costs $13 to record, and each further page costs $5.

The Montezuma County Assessor's Office is the primary source of information regarding property valuation and tax assessment facts, and the Montezuma County Planning and Zoning Department is the source of zoning-related property information. These documents are generally necessary to complete real estate deals, resolve conflicts, and confirm ownership.

Montezuma County Court Records Online

Third-party portals like Coloradocourtrecords.us offer convenient online access to Montezuma County civil, criminal, and family-court records. These sites provide quick searches, easy-to-use interfaces, and the ability to scan multiple Colorado jurisdictions in one place. However, they may charge fees, are not officially certified, and occasionally display incomplete or outdated data. Requesters are advised to them as a starting point for preliminary research and verify all critical information with the Clerk of Court to ensure accuracy.