Records Request

Introduction

The Denver District Attorney’s Office is committed to transparency and open government.  The following policy governs requests for records under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) and the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).

This policy does not address requests for discovery under Rule 16 of the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure.  If you are a defense attorney or a pro se defendant seeking discovery in a pending case, please email discovery@denverda.org.

General Process

Records requests may be submitted in person, through the office’s on-line portal, or through the United States mail.  The office does not accept requests by email or over the phone.

The office is required to redact certain information before disclosing any records.  Consequently, office staff will spend a significant amount of time locating, reviewing, and redacting the requested material.  The office will charge for photocopies and staff time as follows:

Service	Fee
Making photocopies in excess of 25 pages.	$0.25 per page
Staff time in excess of one hour.  (Two hours for victims.)	$41 per hour

 

See § 24-72-306(1); https://leg.colorado.gov/colorado-open-records-act-maximum-hourly-research-and-retrieval-fee.

If a request is likely to take more than an hour to fulfill, office staff will provide an estimate of the cost.  The staff may also ask for clarification about a particular request.  If the requesting party does not reply within ten days of that estimate or question, the records request will be deemed abandoned, and the matter will be closed.

The office generally requires a 50% deposit before starting to work on a request.  Fees must be paid in full before any records are released.  Payment must be made by check or money order made out to the Denver District Attorney’s Office.  The office does not accept cash, credit cards, or other forms of electronic payment.

The office will release records only if the requesting party affirms that the records will not be used for the purpose of soliciting business.  The office typically provides requested material by emailing a password-protected download link to the requesting party. If the materials are too large to be sent that way, CDs or Blu-ray discs may be mailed at no additional cost.

Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA)

Criminal records requests are governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA).  There is no deadline for production of records under that statute.  Depending on the nature of the case, the size of the file, and the materials requested, CCRJA requests can take a substantial amount of time to fulfill.

The office is required to redact all identifying information in cases involving sex assaults, child victims, or child witnesses.  See § 24-72-304(4)(a) and § 24-72-304(4.5), C.R.S.  If voluminous materials are sought in such cases, or if the requested material includes cell phone extractions or video or audio recordings, the request will likely take weeks to fulfill, and it will trigger significant fees.

What will be released?

• With the exception of charging documents and arrest photos, the office generally will not release records from a file until the case is closed (after the defendant has been sentenced or the case has been dismissed).
• If the case is closed, the office will release records of all official actions. Other types of records will be released or withheld on the basis of various factors.  See Harris v. Denver Post, 123 P.3d 1166, 1175 (Colo. 2005) (identifying factors).
• The office will not release materials in a sealed case.
• The office will not release privileged or protected information. It generally will not release attorney work-product, victim advocate notes, or criminal histories.
• The office generally will not release autopsy photographs or other sensitive or disturbing images.
• The office generally will redact DMV records, mugshots, and personal identifying information , cuch as SSNs, NCIC numbers, FBI numbers, VIN numbers, credit card numbers, and bank account numbers.
• The office does not redact materials requested by law enforcement agencies. Some unredacted records may be released to the victim and to defense counsel.  In appropriate cases, the office may release unredacted information to lawyers working for regulatory agencies, schools, or social services agencies.
• The office will keep a log of withheld materials and redactions that are not obvious from context.
• The office cannot certify records.

Colorado Open Records Act (CORA)

Although most records requests will be governed by the CCJRA, the office may receive some requests that are governed by the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).  That statute provides a three-day deadline that can be extended by seven days in extenuating circumstances.  § 24-72-203(3).  The office can fulfill a CORA request only if the requested materials exist in record form.  The office will not create records — such as reports, itemized lists, or compilations of data — in response to a CORA request.  The office will not release materials when if disclosure would violate a statute, rule, or court order.  § 24-72-204(1).  It will not release materials when such disclosure would be contrary to the public interest or when the materials are otherwise privileged or protected.  See § 24-72-204(2)-(3).

In processing a CORA request, the office will follow its general process in reviewing and redacting records and in assessing fees.

Additional Information

The office cannot provide legal advice to the general public.  It cannot determine whether another agency or office has complied with a CORA or CCJRA request, nor can it require another agency to turn over records.

Last Updated:  April 2025

---

How to Make a Records Request

For a CORA/CCJRA Records Request Form, CLICK HERE

Transcripts of Court Proceedings

Transcripts of court proceedings are not provided through the District Attorney’s office. 

• To order Denver District Court hearing transcripts, please click here.
• To order Denver County Court hearing transcripts, please click here.