How to File a Public Records Request in Lakewood, Colorado

What Is the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA)?

The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206, declares that all public records maintained by state and local government entities shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. No residency requirement or statement of purpose is needed to submit a request. CORA covers all "writings" — a term broadly defined to include documents, emails, photographs, maps, spreadsheets, databases, and any other information recorded in any form.

Examples of public records you can request include building permits, city council meeting minutes, contracts with vendors, employee salary information, correspondence and emails between officials, and budget documents. Key exemptions under CORA include personnel files (though basic employment information such as salary and job title remains public), records of ongoing law enforcement investigations governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), attorney-client privileged communications, trade secrets, and personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers.

The burden of proving that a record is exempt from disclosure falls on the government custodian, not the requester. Colorado courts have consistently held that CORA exemptions should be narrowly construed to favor public access.

Read the full text of the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) (Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 24, Article 72, Part 2 (§§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206))

How to File a Public Records Request with the City of Lakewood

How to Submit Your Request

The City of Lakewood strongly encourages the use of its NextRequest online portal at cityoflakewoodco.nextrequest.com, which allows you to submit, track, and receive records electronically. To use the portal, create a free account and describe the records you are seeking as specifically as possible. You may also submit requests in writing via mail or hand-delivery to the City Clerk's Office at 480 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226, or by fax to (303) 987-7088. Note that police records must be requested separately through the Lakewood Police Department's own NextRequest portal at cityoflakewoodco-pd.nextrequest.com, and municipal court records are handled by the Municipal Court at 445 South Allison Parkway.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and contact information (email, phone, or mailing address)
• A detailed description of the records you are requesting, including relevant names, dates, and subject matter
• The date range for the records sought
• Your preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper copies)
• Whether you wish to inspect records in person or receive copies
• Any willingness to pay fees or a maximum fee amount you are willing to pay
• A reference to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq.

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under CORA, the City of Lakewood must respond to your public records request within three working days of receiving it. This means the clock starts the business day after your request is received — requests received after business hours are typically treated as received the next working day.

Important: "Response" under CORA means the city must either provide the records, notify you of a date and time the records will be available, or provide a denial with a legal justification. It does not necessarily mean the records will be fully produced within three days, especially for complex or voluminous requests.

If extenuating circumstances exist — such as the need to locate records stored off-site, consult with legal counsel, or process an unusually large volume of responsive documents — the custodian may claim an additional seven working days, for a total of up to ten working days. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203(3)(b), the custodian must provide a written statement of the extenuating circumstances justifying the extension.

Regarding fees, the City of Lakewood charges $0.25 per standard page for paper copies (8.5" x 11" to 11" x 17"). Non-standard formats are charged at actual cost. Research and retrieval time beyond the first free hour may be billed at the rate established under C.R.S. § 24-72-205(6), currently up to $41.37 per hour. The city may require a 50% advance deposit for requests requiring significant staff time. Electronic records transmitted via email carry no per-page charge, though research and retrieval fees may still apply.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

If the City of Lakewood denies your records request, don't assume it's the final word. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(4), you have the right to request a written statement from the custodian explaining the specific legal basis for the denial. The custodian must provide this statement within 72 hours and must cite the specific statutory exemption relied upon.

Common reasons for denial include claims that records are exempt under CORA (such as personnel evaluations, attorney-client privileged communications, or law enforcement investigation files), that no responsive records exist, or that the records are governed by a different statute such as the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.

Colorado does not offer an administrative appeal mechanism — there is no state ombudsman or attorney general review process for CORA denials. Your path to challenge a denial runs through the courts. Before filing suit, you must provide the custodian with written notice of your intent to file at least 14 days in advance. During this 14-day window, both parties may attempt informal resolution, including mediation or other agreed-upon dispute resolution methods. If those efforts fail, you may file an application in state district court under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5).

If the court finds that the denial was improper, it will order disclosure and award you court costs and reasonable attorney fees. The custodian can recover fees from you only if the court finds your lawsuit was "frivolous, vexatious, or groundless" under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5)(b). This standard strongly favors requesters who bring good-faith challenges.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the City Clerk's Office directly to discuss the denial and attempt informal resolution — sometimes a narrowed or clarified request can resolve the issue.
2. Request a written statement of the grounds for denial under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(4), which the custodian must provide within 72 hours, citing the specific exemption.
3. Review the cited exemption carefully — consult the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition (CFOIC) at coloradofoic.org for guidance on whether the denial appears justified.
4. Send written notice to the custodian of your intent to file a lawsuit at least 14 days before filing, as required by C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5)(a).
5. During the 14-day notice period, attempt to resolve the dispute informally through a meeting with the custodian or alternative dispute resolution.
6. If informal resolution fails, file an application in the district court for Jefferson County requesting an order directing the custodian to show cause why inspection should not be permitted.
7. If the court rules in your favor, you are entitled to court costs and reasonable attorney fees under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5)(b). The custodian can recover fees only if the court finds your action was frivolous, vexatious, or groundless.

Types of Records You Can Request from Lakewood, Colorado

The City of Lakewood generates and maintains a wide range of public records across its departments. Below are examples of commonly requested records from municipal government.

• City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and resolutions
• Annual budgets and financial audit reports
• Contracts and agreements with vendors and service providers
• Building permits and inspection reports
• Zoning applications and land use decisions
• Code enforcement complaints and violation notices
• City employee salary and compensation records
• Police incident reports and traffic accident reports (through Lakewood Police Department)
• Business license applications and approvals
• Water and sewer utility records
• Parks and recreation facility usage and maintenance records
• Public works project bids, contracts, and change orders
• City correspondence and internal memoranda
• Campaign finance and ethics disclosures

If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the City of Lakewood to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Lakewood