Arapahoe County Court Records Questions

Common Questions About Arapahoe County Court Records

The questions below are grouped by topic. Each answer is based on official sources from the Colorado Judicial Branch, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk and Recorder, and related agencies. Links point to the relevant subpage for deeper coverage.

How do I find a court date for an Arapahoe County case?

Use the free Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search. Select the 18th Judicial District or Arapahoe County from the dropdown, then pick a courthouse if you know it. The tool requires at least one filter beyond date, so add a party name, case number, attorney name, or division. The docket search shows scheduled court events. It does not return full case files or document copies. For the full case record, see court dockets.

Can I search full Arapahoe County court records online for free?

No. The official Colorado Judicial Branch Access Guide states that direct online access to full court records is not available through the Judicial Branch website. Limited case-register access is available through authorized vendors such as LexisNexis Colorado Courts / CoCourts, but vendors charge fees and do not provide document copies. The free docket search only shows scheduled hearings. For a case register or document copy, you must contact the court directly. See the court records page for the full breakdown.

How do I request a divorce decree or case document from Arapahoe County?

Email 18records@judicial.state.co.us or mail a request to Arapahoe Court, Attn: Records Requests, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112. You can also download the official Arapahoe Court Records Request PDF for the full submission instructions. The Records Team responds within three business days. For related topics, see marriage and divorce records.

Where are the Arapahoe County courthouses?

There are two locations. The Arapahoe County Justice Center is at 7325 S. Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112. That is the main district and combined-court building. The Arapahoe County Courthouse in Littleton is at 1790 West Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120. Small claims petitions must be filed at the Littleton location. Both are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. RTD bus route 66 stops near East Fremont Avenue and South Potomac Street, close to the Justice Center campus.

What cannot I bring into the courthouse?

The Judicial Branch prohibits any item that can be used as a weapon. That includes firearms, knives, scissors, needles, gases, explosives, and tools. Food and drinks are allowed but may be subject to inspection or x-ray screening. Allow extra time when you arrive because all entrants go through a security screening process. If you need an ADA accommodation or interpreter services, contact the Arapahoe court interpreter coordinator at 303-645-6857 or 18interpreter@judicial.state.co.us before your hearing date.

Does Arapahoe County Court accept faxed documents?

No. The official Arapahoe court page states that the court does not accept faxed documents. File in person at a courthouse location, by mail, or through the online self-represented e-filing system, which has been available in Arapahoe County since October 1, 2019. The court's self-help resources page at coloradojudicial.gov links to forms and filing guides for self-represented parties.

How do I look up recorded deeds, liens, or a marriage license copy?

Those documents are held by the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder, not the Clerk of Court. Search the Clerk and Recorder Legal Document Search, which covers recorded real property records and recorded marriage and civil-union licenses from February 1, 1996 to present. You can search by grantor/grantee name, subdivision, document type, or document number. For court-filed records such as divorce decrees and probate filings, contact the court directly. See the Clerk of Court page for a full comparison.

How do I get a certified copy of a recorded marriage license?

Once a marriage certificate has been recorded, the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder can provide certified copies for $1.25 each, or plain copies for $0.25 each. The Clerk cannot reissue the original license. The official marriage instructions PDF says the license must be completed within 35 days of issuance and returned for recording within 63 days after solemnization. Late return after 63 days carries a $20 fee. For more about the marriage license process, see marriage and divorce records.

How long is a Colorado marriage license valid?

The Arapahoe County Clerk's marriage page says the license is issued the same day and may be used immediately. Once issued, the couple has 35 days to complete the ceremony. After solemnization, the officiant must return the signed license for recording within 63 days. If the license is not returned within 63 days, a $20 late fee applies. In Colorado, the couple themselves may solemnize their own marriage, or it may be performed by a judge, magistrate, clergy member, or another recognized officiant. See marriage and divorce records for full requirements.

How do I check if someone is currently in the Arapahoe County jail?

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office operates the official Inmate Lookup tool. You can also call the Detentions automated information line at 720-874-3500. The Detention Facility is at 7375 South Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112, and is open 24 hours a day. For release notifications, call 720-874-3500 and press 7, or register at VINELink for automatic alerts. See the inmate records page for more about the lookup process and what information is visible.

How do I post bond for someone in the Arapahoe County Detention Facility?

Call 720-874-3500 to make an appointment. Bring valid government photo ID (state driver's license, passport, or tribal ID) to 7375 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112. The facility accepts cash, money orders, certified bank checks, and Mastercard or Visa credit/debit cards. A $10 nonrefundable bond fee is charged in cash for each bond. Bond fees and booking fees are never required to secure release on a money bond under Colorado law; you pay only the bond amount. After all required bonds are paid, the Sheriff must release the inmate within six hours, unless extraordinary circumstances exist.

What are my legal rights when posting a money bond in Arapahoe County?

Colorado law (C.R.S. § 16-4-102) gives bond payers specific protections. Bond fees, booking fees, and other debts do not need to be paid to secure release on a money bond. You pay only the bond amount. Bond payments are made to the holding county, never in the incarcerated person's name. The facility cannot charge kiosk, cash, or check fees for bond-related payments beyond the $10 bond fee and up to 3.5% for credit cards. You are entitled to receive bond paperwork that includes the next court date. If you believe these rights were violated, contact a supervisor or Internal Affairs at 720-874-4014.

How fast will someone be released after bond is posted?

The official Sheriff bond page says the inmate will be released within six hours after the facility receives all required bond payments, unless there are extraordinary circumstances. If the release requires fitting electronic monitoring equipment, the Sheriff may take up to 24 hours. All outstanding bonds must be paid before any release happens. Some inmates cannot be released at all even if bonds are paid, due to hold conditions, sentence requirements, or detainers from other agencies. For more context, see released inmates.

How do I sign up for release notifications?

Two options are available. Call Detentions at 720-874-3500 and press 7 for the victim-notification menu option. This line covers inmate-release alerts tied to specific cases. You can also use VINELink, the free national custody-status and release-notification service. Register at the VINELink site, select Colorado and Arapahoe County, and set up notification by phone, email, or text. VINELink covers county jail custody in Colorado, though not every agency or hold type may be reflected in real time. See released inmates for more details.

Does Arapahoe County publish active warrants online?

No official active warrant search portal was identified for Arapahoe County. The Judicial Branch docket search may surface active warrant status within an existing case record when searching by case number or party name. For direct inquiry, contact the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Civil and Warrants Unit at 720-874-3845, located at 13101 E. Broncos Parkway, Centennial. The office is open weekdays during business hours. For information about what warrants are, how they are issued, and what to do if you believe one may exist, see warrant records.

Are juvenile records public in Arapahoe County?

Generally, no. The Colorado Judicial Branch Access Guide states that juvenile record availability is primarily determined by the Children's Code, C.R.S. § 19-1-301 et seq., and Chief Justice Directive 05-01. Most juvenile delinquency, dependency and neglect, and adoption records are confidential or restricted to parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies. Some serious-offense juvenile records may be accessible under specific statutory exceptions. If you need access to a juvenile record, contact the court where the case was filed. For a broader look at what records are restricted, see public records.

Can criminal records be sealed in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado has multiple sealing paths under C.R.S. §§ 24-72-703 through 24-72-711 and related statutes, covering dismissals, acquittals, completed diversions, eligible convictions after waiting periods, drug convictions, and decriminalized conduct. The petition is filed in the court that handled the original case. Required agencies and prosecutors must be served. After a signed sealing order, the court, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and covered agencies restrict public access. Denial reasons include ineligible offense type, insufficient waiting period, unresolved criminal cases, or incomplete service. Use the official Colorado Judicial sealing packet for current forms and fees. See criminal records for more on sealing and expungement paths.

Who is the Arapahoe County District Attorney?

Amy Padden is the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which covers Arapahoe County only after the 2025 creation of the 23rd Judicial District for Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties. She was sworn in on January 14, 2025, and her term runs through January 2029. Her office phone is 720-874-8500. The DA's stated priorities include community safety, alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, juvenile justice reform, equity, and addressing mental health and substance-abuse issues in the criminal justice system. The Colorado State Public Defender's Arapahoe office is at 13356 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial, CO 80112, phone 303-799-9001.

Where do I go for self-help with a court case in Arapahoe County?

The official self-help resources page at coloradojudicial.gov links to in-person and online help for family law, divorce, custody, guardianship, small claims, evictions, probate, and traffic matters. Family Court Facilitators Karla Carrigan (303-645-6853) and Lori Hulbert are listed on the official judges and staff page. The statewide self-help forms library is at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms. Self-represented e-filing became available in Arapahoe County on October 1, 2019. The Colorado State Public Defender handles criminal cases for eligible indigent defendants.

Arapahoe County Quick Reference

The table below summarizes the main contacts and resources mentioned across the questions above. Each entry links to an official source or a subpage for more detail.

Note: Court hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on state holidays. The Detention Facility is open 24 hours a day.

Still Have Questions?

For the right office, see Clerk of Court. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, criminal records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate.