The Board of Elbert County Commissioners has approved an updated policy for handling Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests. The decision was made unanimously on July 23.
Under the new policy, the process for managing CORA requests is now centralized. The County Manager is designated as the official custodian responsible for these requests, except in cases involving criminal justice records, which remain under the custody of the Sheriff and Coroner for their respective offices. The County Surveyor also maintains specific records.
Residents seeking public records are encouraged to first check the county’s website and online database before submitting a formal CORA request. Many documents are available without needing to file a request. These include Board of County Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, which can be found at www.elbertcounty-co.gov under Agendas and Minutes.
Additional records are accessible through the Elbert County Self Service System provided by the Clerk and Recorder’s Office. This portal offers free access to document indexes and watermarked images such as ordinances, resolutions, proclamations, minutes, contracts, agreements, oaths of office for county officials, and other miscellaneous documents filed as “County Clerk Files.”
If a desired record is not available online or publicly accessible, individuals can submit a CORA request using the Open Records Form on the county’s website. More information about filing procedures, potential costs, and timelines is also provided on the CORA web page.
