El Paso County Courts

El Paso County is the most populous county in Colorado, with a population of about 740,000 people. This represents 12% of the state's population. According to the Colorado Judicial Branch Annual Statistical Report, the District Court handles approximately 25,075 cases each year. These include about 5,482 criminal cases, 8,861 civil cases, and 5,331 domestic relations cases.

El Paso County residents are served by the District, County, Municipal, and Federal Courts. These courts handle different types of cases, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, mental health, probate, and juvenile cases, depending on each court's jurisdiction.

• El Paso County District Court has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil claims of all amounts, domestic relations, probate, juvenile, and mental health matters. Appeals from the County Court are also handled here.
• El Paso County Court exercises limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic offenses, civil cases under $15,000, preliminary felony hearings, protection orders, and small claims.

The county also has five municipal courts serving various cities and towns, including Colorado Springs, Fountain, Manitou Springs, Monument, and Green Mountain Falls. These courts handle preliminary felony hearings and municipal ordinance violations.

Most trial court proceedings are conducted in Colorado Springs, the county seat and judicial hub of El Paso County.

How To Access El Paso County Court Records

El Paso County court records, which typically include case filings, judgments, evidence, witness testimonies, hearing dates, and motions, are open to the public under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). Anyone may request physical copies of these records or view them in digital format online.

However, certain records are exempt from public access for legal and privacy reasons. These may include sealed court cases, juvenile records, mental health proceedings, adoption files, and records of ongoing investigations. Only authorized agencies, record owners, and their lawyers may access confidential court records in the county. However, accessing court documents may require certain fees and proper identification, especially for in-person requests.

To access public court records, individuals may use any of the following methods:

Online

Interested persons may access limited court records online through the Colorado Judicial Docket Search. Users may search by party name, case number, attorney name, or hearing date. The state judiciary also offers the Record/Document Request Form, which allows individuals to request detailed copies of court records online. Alternatively, requesters may use the El Paso County Record Request Form to request court records by mail or email.

Additionally, record seekers may search El Paso County court records through CourtCaseFinder. The website is designed to provide court records search services. It aggregates publicly available court records from every United States county.

Individuals looking for federal case files in El Paso County may use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. They must create a free PACER account before searching federal court records on the platform. Afterward, pay the required fee to access documents or request a fee exemption.

In-Person

Record seekers may access El Paso County court records in person by visiting the relevant court. Typically, the clerks of each court maintain records of cases heard by their courts. Before the visit, interested parties may contact the clerk's office of the relevant court to learn about the requirements for in-person access to court records. Depending on the court, a requester may have to submit a written request or an application form, and there may be related copy fees. Record seekers may also use the public-access computers in some court premises to access the county's court records.

Old and Archived Court Records

The Colorado State Archives typically maintains and provides access to historical court records that may not be available at the local Clerk's Office. Archived court records may include records of probate, civil, and criminal cases, some of which date back to the 1800s. Interested individuals may search available court records using the Archives Search tool. They may also obtain archived court records by completing the Online Research Request Form or submitting a written request by mail to:

How To File a Case in El Paso County

Individuals seeking to file a case in El Paso County may contact or visit the Clerk of Court's Office. This office provides guidance on which court division handles specific case types and the appropriate steps required to file a case. Generally, interested parties may file cases in person, by mail, or online, depending on the court's procedures and the type of case.

Online filing service is typically available for certain civil and domestic cases through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system. Individuals may file a case directly at the courthouse by visiting the clerk's office during regular business hours. Filings may also be submitted by mail to the appropriate courthouse address. Self-represented individuals may access instructions and approved forms on the El Paso County Forms and Instructions page.

Court filing fees vary depending on the case type. The applicable fee schedules are available through the Colorado Judicial Branch's website. Individuals who cannot afford the filing fees may apply for a waiver by completing the Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit (JDF 205) form. The court will assess the application based on financial need.

The following steps are generally required to file a case in El Paso County:

• Complete the required court forms
• Provide accurate party details, including full legal names, contact information, and addresses of all parties involved in the case
• Confirm jurisdiction and venue: Ensure the case is being filed in the appropriate court
• Pay filing fees or submit a fee waiver request
• Arrange for service of process: After filing, the plaintiff must officially notify the opposing party with legal notice of court and submit documentation of service to the court, in accordance with the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Low-income litigants in El Paso County may find support and assistance through reliable nonprofit and volunteer legal organizations. Such assistance often includes free consultations, free representation in certain cases, or referrals to attorneys with discounted legal services.

The following self-help and legal aid resources are generally available to indigent litigants in the county:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• The Justice Center (formerly Pikes Peak Justice & Peace Commission) - This organization offers pro bono and modest means services to low-income residents, on cases related to domestic violence, housing, veterans, the elderly, and landlord-tenant issues
• Colorado Legal Services - This resource provides free civil legal aid in areas like housing, family law, elder law, public benefits, and human trafficking
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• The El Paso County Bar Association- This organization operates a Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) that connects individuals with volunteer (pro bono) and reduced fee lawyers

Additional legal aid services and self-help resources available for residents of El Paso County include the following:

• The Self-Help Center - This organization guides with forms, procedural questions, virtual appointments, and runs a free Call a Lawyer program weekly
• Pro Se Veterans Clinics - This platform offers free legal assistance for self-represented veterans on civil matters such as family law, eviction, bankruptcy, and benefits

Types of Courts in El Paso County, Colorado

El Paso County residents are served by several courts, including district, county, municipal, and federal courts. Below is a list of each court's jurisdiction and contact details:

El Paso County District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - General civil claims without financial limits, criminal cases including felony, juvenile, family, and probate matters, as well as jury trials, and appeals from the County Court
• Address and Contact Information -

El Paso County Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - It adjudicates misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for all types of criminal cases, traffic violations, general civil claims not exceeding $15,000, and small claims for $7,500 or less
• Address and Contact Information -

El Paso County Municipal Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Traffic infractions, misdemeanor cases, and violation of city ordinances
• The Municipal Court locations in El Paso County are listed below:

Colorado Springs Municipal Court

Fountain Municipal Court

Green Mountain Falls Municipal Court

Manitou Springs Municipal Court

Monument Municipal Court

Federal Courts in El Paso County

The following are the federal courts serving El Paso County residents:

United States District Court - District of Colorado

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Federal civil and criminal matters involving federal law, the U.S. Constitution, and claims against the U.S. Government
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - District of Colorado

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Bankruptcy proceedings
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About El Paso County Courts

These are the commonly asked questions about El Paso County courts in Colorado: