Court records in Broomfield County, Colorado are maintained by the clerk of the combined district and county court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. BroomfieldCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Broomfield County. You can also search records through the Colorado Judicial Branch records search portal, submit a record/document request form online, or visit the clerk's office at the Broomfield Combined Courts in person.
Broomfield Court System Overview
Broomfield County is part of Colorado's 17th Judicial District. Unlike most Colorado counties, the City and County of Broomfield is a consolidated city-county government, and it is the sole county in its portion of the 17th Judicial District. The district also includes Adams County. The Broomfield Combined Courts house both the district court and county court under one roof, with district judges and county court magistrates handling cases according to their jurisdiction. Rule 120 hearings are held on Mondays at 8:30 a.m.
Courts Serving Broomfield
| Court | Address & Contact |
|---|---|
| Broomfield Combined Courts (District & County Court) | 17 DesCombes Drive |
| Broomfield Municipal Court | 17 DesCombes Drive |
| U.S. District Court, District of Colorado | Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado | 721 19th Street |
What Types of Cases Broomfield Courts Hear
The combined courts in Broomfield handle a wide range of case types across the district and county court divisions:
- Felony criminal cases
- Misdemeanor and petty offense criminal cases
- Traffic infractions and DUI/DWAI
- Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
- Small claims
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protection orders
- Probate — decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters
- Juvenile — delinquency and child protective proceedings
- Mental health proceedings
- Appeals from municipal court
District Court Cases in Broomfield
The district court division in Broomfield handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding the county court's jurisdictional dollar limit, domestic relations matters, probate, juvenile cases, and mental health proceedings. Felony cases typically arrive in district court after a preliminary hearing or grand jury indictment. A district court judge presides over trials and post-conviction proceedings, including sentence modifications and appeals from county court. Cases are assigned to judges through the court's internal assignment system. Civil cases involving amounts above $25,000 are filed directly in district court.
Magistrate Court Cases in Broomfield
The county court division in Broomfield — where magistrates and county court judges preside — hears misdemeanors, petty offenses, traffic violations, DUI arraignments and hearings, and felony preliminary hearings. Civil cases with amounts in controversy up to $25,000 fall within county court jurisdiction. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $7,500 under Colorado law. County court also handles landlord-tenant disputes, restraining orders related to certain civil matters, and municipal court appeals. Given Broomfield's relatively compact population, judges may rotate across case types rather than being assigned to a single division.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Broomfield
Family Law
Divorce, legal separation, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights are handled by the district court division. Parties can file petitions at the clerk's office in the Broomfield Combined Courts. Historical divorce records that have been transferred to the state may be available through the Colorado State Archives divorce records collection. Vital records such as marriage and divorce certificates are maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Probate
Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are filed in the district court. Older probate files may have been transferred to the Colorado State Archives probate records collection. For current cases, contact the clerk's office at 303-464-5020.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency cases under the Colorado Children's Code and dependency and neglect (child protective) cases are heard in district court. Juvenile court records are confidential under Colorado law, and access is restricted. Contact the clerk's office to determine what information, if any, may be released.
How Cases Move Through the Broomfield Court System
- Filing / Initiation: A case begins with a criminal complaint or information filed by the district attorney, a civil complaint filed by a plaintiff, or a petition (family, probate, juvenile).
- Assignment to Judge: The clerk's office assigns the case to a judge or magistrate based on case type and court division.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants appear for arraignment; civil parties attend a scheduling or case management conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and — in criminal cases — may engage in plea negotiations. Civil parties may attempt mediation or settlement.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to jury or bench trial, or resolve through plea agreement, settlement, default judgment, or voluntary dismissal.
- Post-Judgment: In criminal cases, sentencing follows a guilty verdict or plea. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from county court go to district court; appeals from district court go to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Broomfield
The Broomfield Combined Courts are administered under the 17th Judicial District. The administrative district judge oversees court operations, and a trial court administrator manages day-to-day functions. Local rules and practice standards for the 17th Judicial District can be found through the Broomfield County page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
Public Access to Records
- Most court records are generally open to the public under Colorado Chief Justice Directive 05-01 and the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA).
- Certain records are restricted or sealed, including juvenile files, mental health proceedings, adoption records, and cases where a court has ordered sealing.
- You can request records in person at the clerk's office, or submit a request using the Colorado Judicial Branch record/document request form.
Attending Hearings
Hearings at the Broomfield Combined Courts may be attended in person. Some proceedings are conducted via Webex virtual courtrooms — check the Colorado Judicial Branch website for available virtual courtroom links for Broomfield County.
Court Contact
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Broomfield
- Court Docket Search: Use the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search to look up case dockets by selecting Broomfield County.
- Court Records Search: The Colorado Judicial Branch records search portal provides access to case information and documents where available online.
- Record/Document Requests: Submit a record request form to obtain copies of court documents from the clerk.
- Broomfield Police Reports: Request copies of crime, accident, or incident reports through the Broomfield Police Department's records request page. Contact the Police Records Unit at 303-438-6420 for questions.
- Broomfield Public Records Requests: The City and County of Broomfield public records request portal handles non-court government records including police records, marriage licenses, and deeds.
- Detention Center / Inmate Search: Search for inmates currently housed at the Broomfield Detention Center online or by calling 720-887-2000. Active booking information is also available as a downloadable report.
- Criminal Background Checks: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers the Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) for Colorado-only name-based criminal history searches.
- Sex Offender Registry: Search the Colorado Sex Offender Registry maintained by the CBI.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are available through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment vital records office. These records are confidential under C.R.S. 25-2-117 and require eligible requestor status.
- Court Self-Help: The Judicial Legal Help Center listing for Broomfield Combined Court provides contact information and links to court self-help resources.
- Property Records: The Broomfield City and County Assessor maintains property assessment records, and the Broomfield City and County Treasurer handles property tax information.