Information about Central Records

Central Records serves as the custodian of all files that are centrally maintained for the city.

Overview

Central Records serves as the custodian of all records that are centrally maintained for the city. Records requests for the Police, Fire and Planning departments are maintained by those departments. Central Records also provides research and copying of official actions of the city at the request of residents and city departments. The City of Boulder utilizes the Colorado Municipal Records Retention Schedule.

How to Request Records

Request Records

If you would like to request records, please complete the Records Request Form by clicking the link below. ALL requests must be submitted through this form for internal tracking purposes.

Police Department Records

For Police Department records, use the link below or contact: 303-441-3300.

Fire Department Records

Planning and Development Services Records

For Planning and Development Services records, contact: p&dsrecordrequest@bouldercolorado.gov

Colorado Open Records Act (CORA)

The Colorado Open Records Act requires that most public records be accessible to the public. Anyone can request records that the city maintains as part of their operating functions. To request records held by the City of Boulder under the Colorado Open Records Act, please complete the Open Records Request Form. Once the request is evaluated, Central Records will supply the records to the requester or provide an estimate of cost to complete the request. The Police Department, Fire Department and Planning Department will perform this function for records that are in their possession. We will withhold any material that is not a public record or is within the scope of applicable nondisclosure provisions, including C.R.S. 24-72-204(3)(a).

The city has three (3) working days (not including the day it was received) to process requests unless there are extenuating circumstances which would allow an additional seven (7) days. If a request requires additional time for processing an estimate will be sent to the requester letting them know how much additional time is needed. The fees are $41 for Research and Retrieval (after the first hour) and $41 for additional services. City policy is to send records via email. If paper copies are requested, we will also assess a $.25 per-page copying fee, payable when you pick up the copies. Completed CORA requests can be viewed in a Central Records repository: CORA Requests - Completed.

The city is committed to digital accessibility. Persons requesting public records pursuant to CORA may request accessible records using the city’s Open Records Request Form. To learn more about accessibility, or to request accommodations, please see the accessibility webpage or connect with the city's ADA Coordinator at accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov.

Types of Records Archived

City-related records that Central Records keep (list is only an example and is not comprehensive):

  • Deeds (for house and property deeds, please contact Boulder County)
  • Easements
  • Contracts, Agreements, and Leases
  • Resolutions
  • Ordinances
  • Board Packets and Minutes
  • City Council Packets and Minutes
  • Open Space Acquisitions
  • Land Use documents (completed and closed projects only) such as:
    • Annexations
    • Development Agreements
    • Use Reviews