Mesa County, Colorado State Court Records
Mesa County court records are official documentation of legal proceedings heard by local courts. They contain pertinent information about local court cases, providing context regarding how each case was handled. This promotes transparency in legal proceedings and enables oversight by regulatory bodies and other interested parties, ensuring adherence to the rule of law. Examples of court records include, but are not limited to, petitions, complaints, court orders, judgments, transcripts, claims, exhibits, and dockets.
The clerk’s office at Mesa County Justice Center serves as the record custodian for Mesa County’s District and County Courts. Meanwhile, each municipal court has an independent clerk’s office that maintains the court records it generates. Generally, Chief Justice Directive (CJD) 05-01 and the Supreme Court Rule on Public Access to Information and Records (P.A.I.R.R.) govern public access to court records. On the other hand, public records such as vital records and arrest information are subject to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).
Are Mesa County Court Records Public?
Every member of the public has the right to access Mesa County court records pursuant to the CJD 05-01. Thus, court clerks are required to allow public access to court records they maintain upon request. However, CDJ 05-01 is not absolute. Under CDJ 05-01 Section 4.60, court records may be excluded from public access if a federal statute, state statute, court rules, or court order prohibits their disclosure. Additionally, court records in the following types of cases are also exempt from public access:
- Adoption
- Dependency and neglect
- Judicial bypass
- Juvenile delinquency cases, except those under C.R.S Section 19-1-304.
- Mental health
- Paternity
- Protected probate cases, including but not limited to conservatorship or guardianship proceedings for adults or minors
- Uniform Veterans’ Guardianship Act Relinquishment.
- Truancy.
What Information is Available in Mesa County Court Records?
The information available in Mesa County court records varies by case type (i.e., civil, criminal, probate, e.t.c). Notwithstanding, general information found in most cases includes but is not limited to the following:
- Case parties’ full name and their attorneys’ details (when applicable)
- Case number
- Case type
- Case filing date
- Hearing and appearance type
- Case filings, such as motions, petitions, pleadings, and briefs
- Disposition or sentence detail (when applicable)
Mesa County Court Records Search
Record seekers must possess sufficient information about a sought-after case to conduct a Mesa County court record search. These typically include the case number or the case party’s full name. They may also provide other information, such as the case type, filing year, and the primary case party’s date of birth, to streamline search results. There are primarily two ways to conduct a Mesa County court records search: online or in person.
- Online Access - The Colorado Judiciary provides a Record/Document Request Form for submitting online requests for public court records of cases heard by County and District courts across Colorado, including Mesa County. These cases include family, criminal, civil, and probate matters. Individuals must provide their contact information, such as their full name, email, phone number, and address, and identifiable information about the sought record to use the online request form.
Generally, searches are subject to certain search fees and fees for furnishing copies of requested records. The Colorado Judiciary also offers an online Docket Search portal that individuals may use to search for docket information of cases heard by the Mesa County District and County Courts, as well as other Colorado Courts. Users may search the portal by court location, case number, case party name, or case attorney details (name or bar number). After submitting their online request, individuals can expect a response within three (3) business days.
- In-Person Access - Interested persons may access Mesa County District and County Court records in person by visiting the Mesa County Justice Center during business hours (7:30 am to 4:30 pm) Monday to Friday. Free public terminals may be available on-site for individuals to search for court records electronically by case party name, case number, or filing date. Alternatively, they may submit an in-person request directly to the court clerk’s office for copies of records.
Similarly, interested persons may visit Mesa County’s Municipal Courts to request court records of cases they handle. Some municipal courts also provide dedicated request forms for individuals to use. An example is the Fruita Municipal Court Request for Court Records Form. It is important to note that access to court records of suppressed or confidential cases usually requires requesters to present a valid U.S. government-issued photo ID for identity and eligibility verification.
Fees for Court Records in Mesa County
Per the Chief Justice Directive (CJD) 06-01, courts are allowed to charge the following fees for court records:
- Regular copy: $0.25 per page (note: case parties and their attorneys are charged a maximum fee of $15.00 for their case records, regardless of the page count)
- Transcript of judgement: $25.00
- Certificate of satisfaction: $20.00
- Certified or exemplified copy: $20 copy per document
- Name Search: $5.00
- Research or redaction fee: $30.00 per hour.
Mesa County Courthouse Locations
Mesa County has three (3) types of courts: a District Court, a County Court, and three (3) Municipal Courts. Mesa County District Court has the authority to handle most cases that arise in the county. These include civil claims of any amount, criminal cases, dissolution of marriage, juvenile matters, mental health cases, probate matters, and appeals of county court decisions. Meanwhile, the Mesa County Court may hear minor criminal matters, including traffic cases, civil claims under $15,000, and municipal court appeals. Most cases it handles may be subject to a jury trial.
On the other hand, Municipal Courts are responsible for handling cases concerning violations of city laws committed within their respective city’s limits. These may include traffic offenses, shoplifting, and other minor offenses, such as disturbances and dog leash violations. Listed below are the addresses and contact information of Mesa County courthouses.
Mesa County District Court and County Court
125 North Spruce,
Grand Junction, CO 81502
Phone: 970-257-3640
Mesa County Municipal Courts
East Aspen Avenue,
Fruita, CO 81521
Phone: 970-858-8041
Grand Junction Municipal Court
250 North 5th Street,
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Phone: 970-244-1537
Fax: 970-256-4090
175 East 3rd Street,
Palisade, CO 81526
Phone: 970-464-5602
Fax: 970-464-5609
Criminal Records Access in Mesa County
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Biometric Identification and Records Unit(BIRU) is the statewide custodian of criminal history record information (CHRI). A CHRI contains arrest records from law enforcement agencies across Colorado, including Mesa County. Generally, the CBI offers two (2) ways of conducting a CHRI background check: fingerprint-based and name-based. Fingerprint-based checks may be conducted through the CBI’s approved third-party vendors for non-criminal justice reasons, such as employment purposes and personal inquiries. Meanwhile, name-based checks may be conducted through the CBI’s Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) portal. Individuals may register a user account to use the portal, or search without an account for $6.00 per search. Regardless, a subject’s first name, last name, and date of birth are required to conduct searches on the portal. The subject’s Social Security Number (optional) may also be provided to increase search accuracy.
Most criminal cases fall under the jurisdiction of the County or District Courts in Mesa County. Thus, individuals may use the Colorado Judiciary’s online Record/Document Request Form to request court records of Mesa County criminal cases. Alternatively, they can access records in person by visiting the Mesa County Justice Center and navigating to the court clerk’s office. On-site terminals may be available to search for criminal court records electronically, or they may request physical copies of case records for a fee.
Mesa County Probate Records
Mesa County probate records document pertinent information regarding probate matters, including the administration of decedents’ estates, conservatorships, and guardianships, handled in the county. These records include wills, trusts, estate records, letters, applications, claims, and petitions. Generally, probate records are public under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). However, certain records, most notably conservatorship or guardianship proceedings for adults or minors, are exempt from public access.
Mesa County District Court has general Jurisdiction over probate matters that arise in the county. Thus, individuals may visit the Mesa County Justice Center to access or request Mesa County probate records in person. Alternatively, they may use the Colorado Judiciary’s Record/Document Request Form to submit an online request for public probate records.
Mesa County Family Court Records
In Mesa County, family law cases are primarily handled by the county District Court. These cases include matters involving the dissolution of marriage (divorce), child support, allocation of parental responsibility, dependency, adoptions, and child neglect. Mesa County Family Court records are considered public under CORA. Notwithstanding, there are several exceptions to the act, such as adoption records and information that reveals the identity of juveniles.
Interested persons may request public Mesa County Family Court records online using the Colorado Judiciary’s Record/Document Request Form. Meanwhile, in-person requests may be made at the Mesa County Justice Center clerk’s office. Computer terminals are usually available for individuals to search for records electronically. Alternatively, physical copies of public and confidential records may be requested at the clerk’s office for a fee. Note that requesters must present a valid U.S. government-issued photo ID when requesting confidential records.
Federal Court Records in Mesa County
The United States District Court for the District of Colorado has jurisdiction over federal civil, criminal, and bankruptcy cases that arise in Mesa County. The Federal District Court has five (5) courthouse locations across Colorado, and one of them is situated in Mesa County at:
Wayne Aspinall Courthouse
400 Rood Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Public federal court records in Mesa County are accessible online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) website. Individuals must log in or register for a PACER account to use the PACER website. They are also charged $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document, to access case information on the PACER website. However, these fees may be waived when users accrue less than $30 of fees in a quarter. Phone access to federal court records is also available through the Multi-court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS) toll-free number (1-866-222-8029). Users may search for records through the McVCIS by participant name, corporation number, case number, or Social Security Number. Alternatively, individuals may visit a federal courthouse to request copies of court records for a fee.