Fort Collins Criminal Court Records Lookup
Fort Collins criminal court records are filed at Larimer County Court. The city is in Larimer County. All criminal cases go to the county court. They do not go to municipal courts. This is true for all cities in Colorado.
The 8th Judicial District serves Fort Collins. The Larimer County Justice Center houses the courts. This is where you find criminal court records. The building is in downtown Fort Collins. It opened in 1976.
Fort Collins Quick Facts
Where Fort Collins Criminal Cases Are Filed
Fort Collins criminal cases are filed at Larimer County Court. The courthouse is the Larimer County Justice Center. It is at 201 Laporte Avenue in Fort Collins. This building houses both District and County courts. District Court handles felonies. County Court handles misdemeanors.
The Justice Center opened in 1976. It serves all of Larimer County. Fort Collins is the largest city in the county. Most criminal cases come from Fort Collins. The court maintains records dating back to 1975. Older records may be in storage.
Larimer County also has a branch court in Loveland. It is at 805 East 14th Street. Records at this location date back to 2007. Not all case types are filed here. Most Fort Collins cases stay at the Justice Center. Check with the court before visiting.
| Larimer County Justice Center |
201 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 Phone: (970) 494-3500 |
|---|---|
| Loveland County Court |
805 East 14th Street Loveland, CO 80537 Phone: (970) 494-3500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov |
Note: Call ahead to confirm which location holds the specific criminal records you need in Larimer County.
Fort Collins Municipal Court Does Not Handle Criminal Cases
Fort Collins has a municipal court. It does not handle criminal cases. Municipal courts only hear city ordinance violations. These are civil matters under city law. They cannot hear criminal charges. This follows Colorado state law.
The Fort Collins Municipal Court handles traffic tickets. It also hears code enforcement cases. These include noise complaints and zoning violations. These are not criminal matters. For criminal cases, you must go to Larimer County Court. This is important to remember.
The Municipal Court is at 215 North Mason Street. This is separate from the county courthouse. Do not confuse the two courts. Municipal court records are not criminal court records. For criminal matters, always search Larimer County Court records.
How to Search Fort Collins Criminal Court Records
You can search Fort Collins criminal court records online. CoCourts is the main system. It covers Larimer County cases. County Court records go back to 1985. District Court records go back to 1975. You can search by name or case number. Visit cocourts.com to start.
The Colorado Judicial Branch offers a free docket search. It covers all Colorado courts. You can filter to Larimer County. The tool shows basic case information. This includes hearing dates and case status. Access it at coloradojudicial.gov/dockets.
In-person searches let you see full case files. Visit the Clerk of Court office. Bring valid photo ID. Staff can help you find records. Copy fees apply. Certified copies cost more. Older records may take extra time to find.
To search Fort Collins criminal court records, you need:
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number if known
- Year the case was filed
- Court type (County or District)
Fort Collins Criminal Court Records Coverage
Larimer County keeps criminal records for many years. District Court records date back to 1975. These cover felony cases. County Court records go back to 1985. These cover misdemeanors. Traffic records have different start dates.
Records before these dates may be in paper files. The court stores older records off-site. You may need to file a formal request. Staff can tell you if a record exists. They can help locate historical cases. Plan extra time for older searches.
CoCourts is updated in real time. Changes appear quickly. This makes it useful for checking current cases. You can see new filings and hearing dates. The system covers both courts. It is the best tool for online searches.
Criminal Case Process in Fort Collins
Criminal cases in Fort Collins follow Colorado law. The process starts with an arrest or summons. Police file charges. The District Attorney reviews the case. They decide what charges to file. This creates the first court record.
The first court date is the advisement. The judge tells the defendant the charges. The defendant enters a plea. The judge sets bail or release terms. Under C.R.S. Title 16, defendants have rights. These include the right to a lawyer. They also have a right to a speedy trial.
Many cases end in plea agreements. The defendant pleads guilty to some charges. Other charges are dropped. The plea is a public record. Cases that do not settle go to trial. The jury decides guilt. The judge sets the sentence. All steps create records.
Note: Most Fort Collins criminal court records are public under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.
Colorado State Resources for Criminal Records
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers criminal history checks. These show arrests and convictions statewide. They include Larimer County records. The Internet Criminal History Check costs $6. Visit cbirecordscheck.com to search.
Colorado Legal Services helps people with legal issues. They offer free help to those who qualify. Their office in Fort Collins serves Larimer County. They can help you understand court records. They also help with record sealing.
The Colorado State Archives stores old court records. Records over 50 years old may be there. You can request historical searches. This is useful for genealogy research. Visit colorado.gov/archives for more information.
Larimer County Criminal Court Records
Fort Collins is in Larimer County. All criminal cases from the city go to Larimer County Court. The county handles cases from many cities and towns. Fort Collins is the largest city. It is also the county seat.
For more on the Larimer County court system, visit the county page. It has full fee lists and related records. You can find additional resources there. The county page explains the court structure in detail.
Counties Near Fort Collins
Fort Collins is near several counties. Cases may cross county lines. The 8th Judicial District also includes Jackson County. Each keeps separate criminal court records.