About the Jackson County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court is part of the Colorado Judicial Branch at the Jackson County Combined Court. The office supports the local District Court and County Court, so court users do not go to separate buildings for Jackson County District Court records and Jackson County County Court records. The Combined Court is listed by the Judicial Branch at 396 Lafever Street, P.O. Box 308, Walden, Colorado 80480, with phone 970-723-4363 and fax 970-723-4337.
The Clerk of Court handles court case records, filings, certified court copies, court payments, docket and hearing questions, records requests, transcript request routing, interpreter request routing, ADA accommodation routing, and general court-counter business for cases in the local state courts. That includes civil, felony, misdemeanor, traffic, domestic relations, probate, juvenile, mental health, small claims, and infraction records when those records are held by the court.
Jackson County Combined Court
Office: Clerk of Court
396 Lafever Street, P.O. Box 308
Walden, CO 80480
970-723-4363
Fax: 970-723-4337
Monday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Tuesday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Friday closed, except state holidays
Clerk of Court vs. County Clerk and Recorder
Jackson County has a split clerk structure. The Clerk of Court is the state-court office at the Combined Court. The County Clerk and Recorder is a county office led by Hayle Johnson in state-published rosters, and that office handles Landmark recorded documents, marriage and civil-union licensing, elections, and motor vehicle-related county services.
For court records, this distinction is essential. Divorce case files, probate files, criminal case documents, civil pleadings, traffic case records, court-certified orders, and hearing records route through the Clerk of Court. Deeds, recorded instruments, reception-number searches, marriage licenses, civil-union licenses, and certified marriage copies route through the County Clerk and Recorder at 970-723-4334.
The Colorado State Archives contact list identifies the County Clerk and Recorder contact block for Jackson County. That source is useful for recorded documents and marriage records, but it should not be confused with court case-file requests.
What the Clerk Does in Jackson County
The Clerk of Court is the office to contact when a court database does not provide the record needed. The Colorado Judicial Branch docket search is useful for calendars and hearing dates. CoCourts may show Register of Actions information for many District Court and County Court case types. Neither service should be treated as a substitute for a certified copy from the clerk or for case documents that are not published online.
- Maintains District Court and County Court case files for Jackson County.
- Processes public court-record requests under court access rules, Chief Justice Directive 05-01, and PAIRR.
- Provides certified court copies when available and authorized for release.
- Receives filings and directs users to statewide Colorado Judicial Branch forms.
- Answers local court-calendar questions for limited Jackson County court sessions.
- Routes court payments, payment-plan questions, and collections issues to the correct 8th Judicial District resources.
How to Request a Certified Copy
Certified court copies are requested from the Clerk of Court because the certification verifies a court record, order, decree, judgment, or filing from the court file. A printout from a docket search or CoCourts result is not the same as a certified court copy. Certified copies may be needed for divorce decrees, probate letters, criminal dispositions, civil judgments, name-change orders, custody orders, or traffic case dispositions.
- Identify the court case number if possible. If unknown, gather party names, approximate filing date, case type, and the court level.
- Search the Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search or CoCourts if a public case locator is needed before calling.
- Call the Jackson County Combined Court at 970-723-4363 or use the records request link on the official Jackson County court page.
- State the exact document needed, such as decree, order, judgment, disposition, letters, complaint, motion, or entire file review.
- Ask whether the document is public, restricted, sealed, too old for immediate retrieval, or available only to a party or attorney.
- Confirm copy, certification, mailing, and payment instructions before sending funds or appearing in person.
Records Request Form Fields
The Colorado Judicial Branch Jackson County page includes a court-records request link, but the direct form URL was not exposed in the captured research. A complete request should include enough detail for staff to identify the case and the exact record without relying on guesswork.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Case number | Helpful when available | Colorado case numbers usually identify year, case type, and sequence. |
| Party names | Yes | Use plaintiff/defendant, petitioner/respondent, decedent, protected person, or defendant names as applicable. |
| Case type | Yes | Examples include divorce, probate, criminal, civil, traffic, small claims, or misdemeanor. |
| Document type | Yes | Specify order, decree, disposition, judgment, letters, pleading, or full file inspection. |
| Copy type | Yes | State whether plain copies, certified copies, or file inspection are requested. |
| Requester contact | Yes | Include phone, email, mailing address, and preferred delivery method. |
| Authorization details | Conditional | Restricted records may require party, attorney, court order, or statutory access authority. |
Jackson County Clerk of Court Fees
The Judicial Branch fee list is the best accessible statewide source for court fees. The research did not locate a Jackson-specific fee sheet for plain copies, certified copies, or search charges, so amounts should be confirmed with the Clerk of Court before a mailed request. Payment and collections information for Jackson County cases may also route through the 8th Judicial District collections office in Fort Collins.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified court copies | Confirm with Clerk of Court | No Jackson-specific copy fee was located in accessible research. |
| Plain court copies | Confirm with Clerk of Court | Ask whether page, retrieval, mailing, or certification fees apply. |
| Probate filing | Use statewide fee list | Probate is a District Court matter in Jackson County. |
| Motion to seal criminal conviction | $65 | Listed on the Colorado Judicial Branch fee list. |
| Payment-plan annual processing fee | $25 | 8th Judicial District collections page notes this fee for payment plans. |
The Colorado Judicial Branch fee list is a statewide source for court fees and surcharges. It is relevant to court filings and sealing fees, while County Clerk and Recorder charges belong to recorded documents and marriage records.
Common Clerk Forms
Colorado uses statewide Judicial Branch forms for many court filings. The Clerk of Court can identify local filing and copy-request requirements, but the forms library is the official starting point for self-help packets and JDF forms.
- Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms - divorce, probate, traffic/criminal, sealing, civil, protection order, and other forms.
- Colorado Judicial Branch fee list - statewide fee and surcharge reference.
- Colorado Judicial Branch access guide - public access framework for court records.
The Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms library is the official statewide form source for probate, divorce, civil, sealing, and traffic or criminal court filings. Local filing questions still belong with the Jackson County Clerk of Court.
Mail, Online Records, and Payments
For docket and calendar work, use the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search and filter by Jackson County, the 8th Judicial District, or Jackson County Combined Court. For case summaries, CoCourts may provide Register of Actions information for included District Court and County Court case types, but it excludes sealed cases, juvenile case types, and probate case types. CoCourts also does not provide filings, documents, minutes, or certified copies.
For payments, the Colorado Judicial Online Payment System accepts searches by case number, ticket number, or name. The 8th Judicial District collections page states that all fines and fees are due the day of sentencing and that payment plans carry a $25 annual processing fee. Pay-by-phone collections contact is 970-494-3530, and the collections email is 08Collections@judicial.state.co.us. Mail payments should include the name and case number and should not include cash.
For in-person clerk service, remember that Jackson County's court office hours are limited: Monday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Tuesday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Friday closed except state holidays. The Judicial Branch page notes that when the Jackson office is closed, assistance may be requested from Kathleen Madden at the Larimer County Court, 970-494-3501.