How to File a Public Records Request in Aurora, 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, is the state law guaranteeing public access to government records at all levels in Colorado. First enacted in 1968, the statute opens with a powerful declaration: all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times.

A "public record" under CORA includes all writings made, maintained, or kept by a government body that involve the receipt or expenditure of public funds or the exercise of government functions. This encompasses city council minutes, building permits, contracts with vendors, budget documents, government emails, personnel actions (with some redactions), code enforcement files, and similar records. Digital records, including spreadsheets and emails, are explicitly covered.

CORA exempts certain categories from disclosure, including personnel files (except to the person in interest), attorney-client privileged materials, trade secrets, medical records, deliberative process documents, specialized security information, and personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers. Criminal justice records are governed by a separate statute, the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA). The burden of justifying any withholding falls on the government, not the requester.

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 Aurora

How to Submit Your Request

The City of Aurora uses the NextRequest online portal as its primary method for accepting and processing public records requests. To submit a request, visit cityofauroraco.nextrequest.com, create a free account, and describe the records you are seeking. NextRequest allows you to track your request, exchange messages with staff, and download released documents directly through the portal. You may also submit requests by email to the Records Management Division or by mailing a written request to the City Clerk's Office at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012. Note that the Aurora Police Department and 911 Communications Division maintain their own records; police records requests should be submitted through the separate Aurora Police NextRequest Portal at auroracolorado-police.nextrequest.com.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and contact information (email address and/or phone number)
• A detailed description of the specific records you are seeking
• Relevant date ranges to narrow the scope of your request
• Names of departments, individuals, or projects related to the records
• Your preferred format for receiving records (electronic or hard copy)
• Any relevant identifying details such as case numbers, addresses, or project names
• A statement of the maximum fees you are willing to pay before being contacted for approval

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under the Colorado Open Records Act, a records custodian must make requested records available within three working days. C.R.S. § 24-72-203(3)(b) establishes this as the presumed "reasonable time" for responding to a request. Records that are "readily available" should be provided immediately upon request.

If extenuating circumstances exist, the custodian may extend the response period by up to seven additional working days (for a total of 10 working days). The custodian must provide you with a written explanation of the extenuating circumstances within the initial three-day period. Extenuating circumstances generally involve broadly stated requests that encompass large volumes of records.

Important: A "response" does not necessarily mean full delivery of all records. Within three working days, the city should at minimum acknowledge your request, provide a cost estimate if fees apply, or explain any delay. If the city needs to clarify your request, the statutory clock may be paused until you respond.

Regarding fees, the City of Aurora may charge up to $0.25 per page for hard copies, but cannot charge a per-page fee for records provided electronically. After the first free hour, research and retrieval fees can be charged up to the CORA maximum of $41.37 per hour. The city must have a published fee policy in place before imposing these charges. Always request records in electronic format to minimize costs, and ask for a cost estimate before work begins on your request.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

If the City of Aurora denies your request in whole or in part, you have the right under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(4) to request a written statement of the grounds for the denial, which must cite the specific law or regulation under which access is being withheld. The city is required to furnish this statement promptly.

Common reasons for denial include claims that the records are exempt under CORA (such as attorney-client privilege, personnel files, or deliberative process materials), that the records don't exist, or that the request is too broad. Sometimes delays occur because of high request volumes or because your request requires extensive research and retrieval.

Colorado does not have an administrative appeal process or a public records ombudsman. Unlike some states, there is no agency you can complain to that has the authority to compel records release. Your path to challenging a denial is through the courts.

Before filing suit, you must send written notice to the custodian who denied your request, informing them that you intend to file an application with the district court. You then must wait 14 days, during which the custodian is required to meet with you — in person or by phone — to attempt to resolve the dispute. If you have an expedited need for the records, you can provide written notice explaining the urgency and reduce the waiting period to three business days.

If the dispute remains unresolved, you may petition the district court under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5) for an order directing the custodian to show cause why inspection should not be permitted. If the court rules in your favor, it shall award you court costs and reasonable attorney fees. The custodian may recover fees only if the court finds your action was frivolous, vexatious, or groundless.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the Records Management Division or the department that handled your request and ask for clarification or reconsideration of the denial.
2. Request a written statement of the grounds for the denial, citing the specific statutory exemption relied upon, as required by C.R.S. § 24-72-204(4).
3. If the explanation is inadequate, narrow or clarify your request and resubmit to address any concerns about overbreadth or specificity.
4. Send written notice to the records custodian informing them you intend to file an application with district court. You must wait 14 days (or 3 business days if you assert an expedited need) before filing, per C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5)(a).
5. During the 14-day notice period, attempt to resolve the dispute through the required meeting or phone call with the custodian.
6. If unresolved, file an application with the district court for the district where the records are located, requesting an order for the custodian to show cause why inspection should not be permitted.
7. If the court finds the denial was improper, it will order disclosure and award you court costs and reasonable attorney fees under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5).

Types of Records You Can Request from Aurora, Colorado

The City of Aurora generates and maintains a wide variety of public records across its many departments. Below are examples of records commonly requested from the city.

• City council meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions
• City budgets, financial reports, and audit documents
• Contracts and vendor agreements
• Building permits, zoning applications, and inspection reports
• Code enforcement complaints and violation notices
• Planning and development project files
• City employee salary and compensation data
• Intergovernmental agreements
• Public utility records (Aurora Water)
• Fire inspection and incident reports
• Environmental compliance and hazardous materials records
• City manager and department head correspondence (non-exempt)
• Lobbyist registration and disclosure records
• Property records and land use applications

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

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Aurora