Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), citizens have the right to ask to inspect public documents retained by local and state government agencies. Unless specifically outlined in Colorado statute, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) documents are open to the public and can be requested at any time. If any document falls under the outlined exemptions requiring disclosure, the specific statute requiring disclosure will be given to the requestor. Much of the work done by CPW is posted on our website and does not require an Open Records Request to view.
Notice
The release of criminal justice records is guided by § C.R.S. 24-72-301, other related statutes, and the Rules of Professional Conduct. Under § C.R.S. 24-72-305, our office does not provide criminal justice records for pending cases except for those that are a matter of public record.
Open Records Process
All requests must be received in writing by the Custodian of Records (Custodian). You can email your request to: dnr_cpw.cora@state.co.us. Requests can not be made over the phone.
Requests must be specific in nature, as general or broad topics may result in a large number of documents returned at a high cost to you.
Ensure that your request is asking for documents and not information and/or explanation of documents.
Include your name, contact information and deadline of when you need a reply to your request.
Indicate if you would like electronic copies of documents or if you prefer hard copies.
Timeframes & Costs
When responding to a records request, CPW shall make every effort to respond within three working days as required by § 24‐72‐203(3)(b), C.R.S. A request is received the day an e‐mail, fax or letter containing a request is opened. The three working‐day response time begins the first working day following receipt of the request.
CPW can add up to a seven‐working‐day extension if extenuating circumstances apply, as described in § 24‐72‐203(3)(b), C.R.S. You will be notified in writing by the Custodian, within the three-day period, if extenuating circumstances exist. Should the Custodian have questions regarding your request, you will be contacted for clarification.
Fees for Document Retrieval, Copies, Printouts and Manipulations of CPW Records
Prior to responding to a CORA request, the CPW Custodian will provide you with an estimate of the costs associated with responding to the request. This estimate will include estimated legal fees, if any. The information will not be copied, retrieved, redacted or manipulated until payment is received.
Please note, depending on the format, volume and content of records, an additional estimate may be required to review and redact the records.
Fees for Research and Retrieval
A rate of $33.58/hour will be charged in quarter hour increments for the costs of researching or retrieving any documents requested. This fee will also apply to the time CPW personnel must spend in attendance while a third party is reviewing documents.
Research and retrieval fees account for staff time to search for requested records, but and do not guarantee documents will be found.
Fees for Review and Redaction of Records
A rate of $33.58/hour will be charged in quarter hour increments for review and redaction of records.
The fee will cover staff/CORA liaison time to review and redact records according to applicable Colorado Revised Statutes.
Fees for Copies (hardcopy and electronic versions)
Twenty-five cents per standard page ($.25), or
Fifty cents per double-sided page ($.50), or
A fee not to exceed the actual cost of providing a copy, printout, fax, email or photograph of a public record in a format other than a standard page, or
A fee of $20.00 dollars per CD-ROM.
Fees for Records Stored Off Premises
Fees for Records Manipulation
If the CPW, in its discretion, manipulates data in order to respond to a specific request, and in so doing generates a record in a form not used by the CPW, the actual costs of manipulating such data and generating such records will be assessed.
Fees for Transmission
The CPW may charge the actual fee for transmission of records by United States mail, other delivery service or facsimile.
No transmission fee will apply when transmission is by electronic mail.
