24-72-204. Allowance or denial of inspection - grounds - procedure - appeal - definitions - repeal.

Statute text

(1) The custodian of any public records shall allow any person the right of inspection of such records or any portion thereof except on one or more of the following grounds or as provided in subsection (2) or (3) of this section:

(a) Such inspection would be contrary to any state statute.

(b) Such inspection would be contrary to any federal statute or regulation issued thereunder having the force and effect of law.

(c) Such inspection is prohibited by rules promulgated by the supreme court or by the order of any court.

(d) Such inspection would be contrary to the requirements of any joint rule of the senate and the house of representatives pertaining to lobbying practices.

(2) (a) The custodian may deny the right of inspection of the following records, unless otherwise provided by law, on the ground that disclosure to the applicant would be contrary to the public interest:

(I) Any records of the investigations conducted by any sheriff, prosecuting attorney, or police department, any records of the intelligence information or security procedures of any sheriff, prosecuting attorney, or police department, or any investigatory files compiled for any other law enforcement purpose;

(II) Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data pertaining to administration of a licensing examination, examination for employment, or academic examination; except that written promotional examinations and the scores or results thereof conducted pursuant to the state personnel system or any similar system shall be available for inspection, but not copying or reproduction, by the person in interest after the conducting and grading of any such examination;

(III) The specific details of bona fide research projects being conducted by a state institution, including, without limitation, research projects undertaken by staff or service agencies of the general assembly or the office of the governor in connection with pending or anticipated legislation;

(IV) The contents of real estate appraisals made for the state or a political subdivision thereof relative to the acquisition of property or any interest in property for public use, until such time as title to the property or property interest has passed to the state or political subdivision; except that the contents of such appraisal shall be available to the owner of the property, if a condemning authority determines that it intends to acquire said property as provided in section 38-1-121, C.R.S., relating to eminent domain proceedings, but, in any case, the contents of such appraisal shall be available to the owner under this section no later than one year after the condemning authority receives said appraisal; and except as provided by the Colorado rules of civil procedure. If condemnation proceedings are instituted to acquire any such property, any owner of such property who has received the contents of any appraisal pursuant to this section shall, upon receipt thereof, make available to said state or political subdivision a copy of the contents of any appraisal which the owner has obtained relative to the proposed acquisition of the property.

(V) Any market analysis data generated by the department of transportation's bid analysis and management system for the confidential use of the department of transportation in awarding contracts for construction or for the purchase of goods or services and any records, documents, and automated systems prepared for the bid analysis and management system;

(VI) Records and information relating to the identification of persons filed with, maintained by, or prepared by the department of revenue pursuant to section 42-2-121, C.R.S.;

(VII) Electronic mail addresses, telephone numbers, or home addresses provided by a person to an elected official, agency, institution, or political subdivision of the state for the purposes of future electronic communications to the person from the elected official, agency, institution, or political subdivision; and

(VIII) (A) Specialized details of either security arrangements or investigations or the physical and cyber assets of critical infrastructure, including the specific engineering, vulnerability, detailed design information, protective measures, emergency response plans, or system operational data of such assets that would be useful to a person in planning an attack on critical infrastructure but that does not simply provide the general location of such infrastructure. Nothing in this subsection (2)(a)(VIII) prohibits the custodian from transferring records containing specialized details of either security arrangements or investigations or the physical and cyber assets of critical infrastructure to the division of homeland security and emergency management in the department of public safety, the governing body of any city, county, city and county, or other political subdivision of the state, or any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency; except that the custodian shall not transfer any record received from a nongovernmental entity without the prior written consent of the entity unless such information is already publicly available.

(B) Records of the expenditure of public moneys on security arrangements or investigations, including contracts for security arrangements and records related to the procurement of, budgeting for, or expenditures on security systems, shall be open for inspection, except to the extent that they contain specialized details of security arrangements or investigations. A custodian may deny the right of inspection of only the portions of a record described in this sub-subparagraph (B) that contain specialized details of security arrangements or investigations and shall allow inspection of the remaining portions of the record.

(C) If an official custodian has custody of a public record provided by another public entity, including the state or a political subdivision, that contains specialized details of security arrangements or investigations, the official custodian shall refer a request to inspect that public record to the official custodian of the public entity that provided the record and shall disclose to the person making the request the names of the public entity and its official custodian to which the request is referred.

(IX) (A) Any records of ongoing civil or administrative investigations conducted by the state or an agency of the state in furtherance of their statutory authority to protect the public health, welfare, or safety unless the investigation focuses on a person or persons inside of the investigative agency.

(B) Upon conclusion of a civil or administrative investigation that is closed because no further investigation, discipline, or other agency response is warranted, all records not exempt pursuant to any other law are open to inspection; except that the custodian may remove the name or other personal identifying or financial information of witnesses or targets of such closed investigations from investigative records prior to inspection.

(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph (IX), a record is not subject to withholding on the grounds that it is maintained or kept in a civil or administrative investigative file except pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of this section if the record was publicly disclosed; was filed with an agency of the state by a regulated entity under a statutory, regulatory, or permit requirement; or was received from a governmental entity and would be available if requested directly from the transmitting entity.

(D) Nothing in this subparagraph (IX) prohibits an agency from disclosing information or materials during an open investigation if it is in the interest of public health, welfare, or safety.

(X) Any records containing data or information that reveals the specific location or could be used to determine the specific location of:

(A) A plant species identified as a Colorado plant of greatest conservation need in Colorado's state wildlife action plan;

(B) An individual animal or a group of animals; or

(C) An individual animal's or group of animal's breeding or nesting habitat.

(b) If the right of inspection of any record falling within any of the classifications listed in this subsection (2) is allowed to any officer or employee of any newspaper, radio station, television station, or other person or agency in the business of public dissemination of news or current events, it shall be allowed to all such news media.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the custodian shall deny the right of inspection of any materials received, made, or kept by a crime victim compensation board or a district attorney that are confidential pursuant to the provisions of section 24-4.1-107.5.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the custodian shall deny the right of inspection of any materials received, made, or kept by a witness protection board, the department of public safety, or a prosecuting attorney that are confidential pursuant to section 24-33.5-106.5.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the custodian shall deny the right of inspection of any materials received, made, or kept by the safe2tell program, as described in section 24-31-606.

(3) (a) The custodian shall deny the right of inspection of the following records, unless otherwise provided by law; except that the custodian shall make any of the following records, other than letters of reference concerning employment, licensing, or issuance of permits, available to the person in interest in accordance with this subsection (3):

(I) Medical, mental health, sociological, and scholastic achievement data, and electronic health records, on individual persons, other than scholastic achievement data submitted as part of finalists' records as set forth in subsection (3)(a)(XI) of this section and exclusive of coroners' autopsy reports and group scholastic achievement data from which individuals cannot be identified; but either the custodian or the person in interest may request a professionally qualified person, who shall be furnished by the said custodian, to be present to interpret the records;

(II) (A) Personnel files; but such files shall be available to the person in interest and to the duly elected and appointed public officials who supervise such person's work.

(B) The provisions of this subparagraph (II) shall not be interpreted to prevent the public inspection or copying of any employment contract or any information regarding amounts paid or benefits provided under any settlement agreement pursuant to the provisions of article 19 of this title.

(III) Letters of reference;

(IV) Trade secrets, privileged information, and confidential commercial, financial, geological, or geophysical data, including a social security number unless disclosure of the number is required, permitted, or authorized by state or federal law, furnished by or obtained from any person;

(V) Library and museum material contributed by private persons, to the extent of any limitations placed thereon as conditions of such contributions;

(VI) Except as provided in section 1-2-227, addresses and telephone numbers of students in any public elementary or secondary school;

(VII) Library records disclosing the identity of a user as prohibited by section 24-90-119;

(VIII) Repealed.

(IX) Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and personal financial information of past or present users of public utilities, public facilities, or recreational or cultural services that are owned and operated by the state, its agencies, institutions, or political subdivisions; except that nothing in this subparagraph (IX) shall prohibit the custodian of records from transmitting such data to any agent of an investigative branch of a federal agency or any criminal justice agency as defined in section 24-72-302 (3) that makes a request to the custodian to inspect such records and who asserts that the request for information is reasonably related to an investigation within the scope of the agency's authority and duties. Nothing in this subparagraph (IX) shall be construed to prohibit the publication of such information in an aggregate or statistical form so classified as to prevent the identification, location, or habits of individuals.

(X) (A) Any records of sexual harassment complaints and investigations, whether or not such records are maintained as part of a personnel file; except that, an administrative agency investigating the complaint may, upon a showing of necessity to the custodian of records, gain access to information necessary to the investigation of such a complaint. This sub-subparagraph (A) shall not apply to records of sexual harassment complaints and investigations that are included in court files and records of court proceedings. Disclosure of all or a part of any records of sexual harassment complaints and investigations to the person in interest is permissible to the extent that the disclosure can be made without permitting the identification, as a result of the disclosure, of any individual involved. This sub-subparagraph (A) shall not preclude disclosure of all or part of the results of an investigation of the general employment policies and procedures of an agency, office, department, or division, to the extent that the disclosure can be made without permitting the identification, as a result of the disclosure, of any individual involved.

(B) A person in interest under this subparagraph (X) includes the person making a complaint and the person whose conduct is the subject of such a complaint.

(C) A person in interest may make a record maintained pursuant to this subparagraph (X) available for public inspection when such record supports the contention that a publicly reported, written, printed, or spoken allegation of sexual harassment against such person is false.

(D) Repealed.

(X.5) Records created, maintained, or provided to a custodian by the office of legislative workplace relations created in section 2-3-511 that are related to a workplace harassment complaint or investigation, a complaint under the workplace expectations policy, or an inquiry or request concerning workplace harassment or conduct, whether or not the records are part of a formal or informal complaint or resolution process;

(XI) (A) Except as provided in subsection (3)(a)(XI)(D) of this section, records submitted by or on behalf of an applicant or candidate for any employment position, including an applicant for an executive position as defined in section 24-72-202 (1.3) who is not a finalist. For purposes of this subsection (3)(a)(XI), "finalist" means an applicant or candidate for an executive position as the chief executive officer of a state agency, institution, or political subdivision or agency thereof who is named as a finalist pursuant to section 24-6-402 (3.5).

(B) This subsection (3)(a)(XI) shall not be construed to prohibit the public inspection or copying of any records submitted by or on behalf of a finalist or the applications of past or current employees; except that letters of reference or medical, psychological, and sociological data concerning finalists or past or current employees shall not be made available for public inspection or copying.

(C) This subsection (3)(a)(XI) applies to employment selection processes for all employment and executive positions, including, but not limited to, selection processes conducted or assisted by private persons or firms at the request of a state agency, institution, or political subdivision.

(D) Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a)(XI)(A) of this section, a custodian shall allow public inspection of the demographic data of a candidate who was interviewed by the state public body, local public body, or search committee for an executive position as defined in section 24-72-202 (1.3), but is not named as a finalist pursuant to subsection 24-6-402 (3.5). For purposes of this subsection (3)(a)(XI)(D), "demographic data" means information on a candidate's race and gender that has been legally requested and voluntarily provided on the candidate's application and does not include the candidate's name or other information.

(XII) Any record indicating that a person has obtained an identifying license plate or placard for persons with disabilities under section 42-3-204, C.R.S., or any other motor vehicle record that would reveal the presence of a disability;

(XIII) Records protected under the common law governmental or "deliberative process" privilege, if the material is so candid or personal that public disclosure is likely to stifle honest and frank discussion within the government, unless the privilege has been waived. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that in some circumstances, public disclosure of such records may cause substantial injury to the public interest. If any public record is withheld pursuant to this subparagraph (XIII), the custodian shall provide the applicant with a sworn statement specifically describing each document withheld, explaining why each such document is privileged, and why disclosure would cause substantial injury to the public interest. If the applicant so requests, the custodian shall apply to the district court for an order permitting him or her to restrict disclosure. The application shall be subject to the procedures and burden of proof provided for in subsection (6) of this section. All persons entitled to claim the privilege with respect to the records in issue shall be given notice of the proceedings and shall have the right to appear and be heard. In determining whether disclosure of the records would cause substantial injury to the public interest, the court shall weigh, based on the circumstances presented in the particular case, the public interest in honest and frank discussion within government and the beneficial effects of public scrutiny upon the quality of governmental decision-making and public confidence therein.

(XIV) Veterinary medical data, information, and records on individual animals that are owned by private individuals or business entities, but are in the custody of a veterinary medical practice or hospital, including the veterinary teaching hospital at Colorado state university, that provides veterinary medical care and treatment to animals. A veterinary-patient-client privilege exists with respect to such data, information, and records only when a person in interest and a veterinarian enter into a mutual agreement to provide medical treatment for an individual animal and such person in interest maintains an ownership interest in such animal undergoing treatment. For purposes of this subsection (3)(a)(XIV), "person in interest" means the owner of an animal undergoing veterinary medical treatment or such owner's designated representative. Nothing in this subsection (3)(a)(XIV) shall prevent the state agricultural commission, the state agricultural commissioner, or the state board of veterinary medicine from exercising their investigatory and enforcement powers and duties granted pursuant to section 35-1-106 (1)(h), article 50 of title 35, and section 12-315-106 (5)(e), respectively. The veterinary-patient-client privilege described in this subsection (3)(a)(XIV), pursuant to section 12-315-120 (5), may not be asserted for the purpose of excluding or refusing evidence or testimony in a prosecution for an act of animal cruelty under section 18-9-202 or for an act of animal fighting under section 18-9-204.

(XV) Nominations submitted to a state institution of higher education for the awarding of honorary degrees, medals, and other honorary awards by the institution, proposals submitted to a state institution of higher education for the naming of a building or a portion of a building for a person or persons, and records submitted to a state institution of higher education in support of such nominations and proposals;

(XVI) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 1636, 1, effective May 2, 2003.)

(XVII) Repealed.

(XVIII) (A) Military records filed with a county clerk and recorder's office concerning a member of the military's separation from military service, including the form DD214 issued to a member of the military upon separation from service, that are restricted from public access pursuant to 5 U.S.C. sec. 552 (b)(6) and the requirements established by the national archives and records administration. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if the member of the military about whom the record concerns is deceased, the custodian shall allow the right of inspection to the member's parents, siblings, widow or widower, and children.

(B) On and after July 1, 2002, any county clerk and recorder that accepts for filing any military records described in sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (XVIII) shall maintain such military records in a manner that ensures that such records will not be available to the public for inspection except as provided in sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (XVIII).

(C) Nothing in this subparagraph (XVIII) shall prohibit a county clerk and recorder from taking appropriate protective actions with regard to records that were filed with or placed in storage by the county clerk and recorder prior to July 1, 2002, in accordance with any limitations determined necessary by the county clerk and recorder.

(D) The county clerk and recorder and any individual employed by the county clerk and recorder shall not be liable for any damages that may result from good faith compliance with the provisions of this part 2.

(XIX) (A) Except as provided in subsection (3)(a)(XIX)(C) of this section, applications for a marriage license submitted pursuant to part 1 of article 2 of title 14 and, except as provided in subsection (3)(a)(XIX)(C) of this section, applications for a civil union license submitted pursuant to article 15 of title 14. A person in interest under this subsection (3)(a)(XIX) includes an immediate family member of either party to the marriage application. As used in this subsection (3)(a)(XIX), "immediate family member" means a person who is related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Nothing in this subsection (3)(a)(XIX) is construed to prohibit the inspection of marriage licenses or marriage certificates or of civil union certificates or to otherwise change the status of those licenses or certificates as public records.

(B) Repealed.

(C) Upon application by any person to the district court in the district wherein a record of an application for a marriage license or a civil union license is found, the district court may, in its discretion and upon good cause shown, order the custodian to permit the inspection of such record.

(XX) Repealed.

(XXI) All records, including, but not limited to, analyses and maps, compiled or maintained pursuant to statute or rule by the department of natural resources or its divisions that are based on information related to private lands and identify or allow to be identified any specific Colorado landowners or lands; except that summary or aggregated data that do not specifically identify individual landowners or specific parcels of land shall not be subject to this subparagraph (XXI);

(XXII) Personal information, as defined in section 18-9-313 (1)(l), in a record for which the custodian has received a request under section 18-9-313, and personal information, as defined in section 18-9-313.5 (1)(e), in a record for which the custodian has received a request under section 18-9-313.5 (3), unless access to the information is authorized by section 18-9-313.5 (3)(c);

(XXIII) Records, including analyses and maps, compiled or maintained in accordance with article 73 of title 35 that are based on information related to private lands and identify or allow to be identified any specific Colorado landowners, land managers, agricultural producers, or parcels of land; except that the custodian may release or authorize inspection of summary or aggregated data that do not specifically identify individual landowners, land managers, agricultural producers, or parcels of land.

(b) Nothing in this subsection (3) shall prohibit the custodian of records from transmitting data concerning the scholastic achievement of any student to any prospective employer of such student, nor shall anything in this subsection (3) prohibit the custodian of records from making available for inspection, from making copies, print-outs, or photographs of, or from transmitting data concerning the scholastic achievement or medical, psychological, or sociological information of any student to any law enforcement agency of this state, of any other state, or of the United States where such student is under investigation by such agency and the agency shows that such data is necessary for the investigation.

(c) Nothing in this subsection (3) shall prohibit the custodian of the records of a school, including any institution of higher education, or a school district from transmitting data concerning standardized tests, scholastic achievement, disciplinary information involving a student, or medical, psychological, or sociological information of any student to the custodian of such records in any other such school or school district to which such student moves, transfers, or makes application for transfer, and the written permission of such student or his or her parent or guardian shall not be required therefor. No state educational institution shall be prohibited from transmitting data concerning standardized tests or scholastic achievement of any student to the custodian of such records in the school, including any state educational institution, or school district in which such student was previously enrolled, and the written permission of such student or his or her parent or guardian shall not be required therefor.

(d) This subsection (3)(d) applies to all public schools and school districts that receive funding under article 54 of title 22. Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a)(VI) of this section, under policies adopted by the local board of education, the names, addresses, and home telephone numbers of students in any secondary school must be released to a recruiting officer for any branch of the United States armed forces who requests such information, subject to the following:

(I) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy to govern the release of the names, addresses, and home telephone numbers of secondary school students to military recruiting officers that provides that such information shall be released to recruiting officers unless a student submits a request, in writing, that such information not be released.

(II) The directory information requested by a recruiting officer shall be released by the local board of education within ninety days of the date of the request.

(III) The local board of education shall comply with any applicable provisions of the federal "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974" (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. sec. 1232g, and the federal regulations cited thereunder relating to the release of student information by educational institutions that receive federal funds.

(IV) Actual direct expenses incurred in furnishing this information shall be paid for by the requesting service and shall be reasonable and customary.

(V) The recruiting officer shall use the data released for the purpose of providing information to students regarding military service and shall not use it for any other purpose or release such data to any person or organization other than individuals within the recruiting services of the armed forces.

(e) (I) This subsection (3)(e) applies to all public schools and school districts. Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a)(I) of this section, under policies adopted by each local board of education, consistent with applicable provisions of the federal "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974" (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. sec. 1232g, and all federal regulations and applicable guidelines adopted thereto, information directly related to a student and maintained by a public school or by a person acting for the public school must be available for release if the disclosure meets one or more of the following conditions:

(A) The disclosure is to other school officials, including teachers, working in the school at which the student is enrolled who have specific and legitimate educational interests in the information for use in furthering the student's academic achievement or maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment;

(B) The disclosure is to officials of a school at which the student seeks or intends to enroll or the disclosure is to officials at a school at which the student is currently enrolled or receiving services, after making a reasonable attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian or the student if he or she is at least eighteen years of age or attending an institution of postsecondary education, as prescribed by federal regulation;

(C) The disclosure is to state or local officials or authorities if the disclosure concerns the juvenile justice system and the system's ability to serve effectively, prior to adjudication, the student whose records are disclosed and if the officials and authorities to whom the records are disclosed certify in writing that the information shall not be disclosed to any other party, except as otherwise provided by law, without the prior written consent of the student's parent or legal guardian or of the student if he or she is at least eighteen years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education;

(D) The disclosure is to comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena, if a reasonable effort is made to notify the student's parent or legal guardian or the student if he or she is at least eighteen years of age or is attending a postsecondary institution about the order or subpoena in advance of compliance, so that such parent, legal guardian, or student is provided an opportunity to seek protective action, unless the disclosure is in compliance with a federal grand jury subpoena or any other subpoena issued for a law enforcement purpose and the court or the issuing agency has ordered that the existence or contents of the subpoena or the information furnished in response to the subpoena not be disclosed;

(E) The disclosure is in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals, as specifically prescribed by federal regulation.

(II) Nothing in this paragraph (e) shall prevent public school administrators, teachers, or staff from disclosing information derived from personal knowledge or observation and not derived from a student's record maintained by a public school or a person acting for the public school.

(3.5) (a) Effective January 1, 1992, any individual who meets the requirements of this subsection (3.5) may request that the address of such individual included in any public records concerning that individual which are required to be made, maintained, or kept pursuant to the following sections be kept confidential:

(I) Sections 1-2-227 and 1-2-301, C.R.S.;

(II) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 1337, 1, effective May 30, 2000.)

(III) Section 24-6-202.

(b) (I) An individual may make the request of confidentiality allowed by this subsection (3.5) if such individual has reason to believe that such individual, or any member of such individual's immediate family who resides in the same household as such individual, will be exposed to criminal harassment as prohibited in section 18-9-111, C.R.S., or otherwise be in danger of bodily harm, if such individual's address is not kept confidential in accordance with this subsection (3.5).

(II) A request of confidentiality with respect to records described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (3.5) shall be made in person in the office of the county clerk and recorder of the county where the individual making the request resides. Requests shall be made on application forms approved by the secretary of state, after consultation with county clerk and recorders. The application form shall provide space for the applicant to provide his or her name and address, date of birth, and any other identifying information determined by the secretary of state to be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection (3.5). In addition, an affirmation shall be printed on the form, in the area immediately above a line for the applicant's signature and the date, stating the following: "I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that I have reason to believe that I, or a member of my immediate family who resides in my household, will be exposed to criminal harassment, or otherwise be in danger of bodily harm, if my address is not kept confidential." Immediately below the signature line, there shall be printed a notice, in a type that is larger than the other information contained on the form, that the applicant may be prosecuted for perjury in the second degree under section 18-8-503, C.R.S., if the applicant signs such affirmation and does not believe such affirmation to be true.

(III) The county clerk and recorder of each county shall provide an opportunity for any individual to make the request of confidentiality allowed by this subsection (3.5) in person at the time such individual makes application to the county clerk and recorder to register to vote or to make any change in such individual's registration, and at any other time during normal business hours of the office of the county clerk and recorder. The county clerk and recorder shall forward a copy of each completed application to the secretary of state for purposes of the records maintained by him or her pursuant to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (3.5). The county clerk and recorder shall collect a processing fee in the amount of five dollars of which amount two dollars and fifty cents shall be transmitted to the secretary of state for the purpose of offsetting the secretary of state's costs of processing applications forwarded to the secretary of state pursuant to this subparagraph (III). All processing fees received by the secretary of state pursuant to this subparagraph (III) shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the department of state cash fund.

(IV) The secretary of state shall provide an opportunity for any individual to make the request of confidentiality allowed by paragraph (a) of this subsection (3.5), with respect to the records described in subparagraph (III) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (3.5). The secretary of state may charge a processing fee, not to exceed five dollars, for each such request. All processing fees collected by the secretary of state pursuant to this subparagraph (IV) or subparagraph (III) of this paragraph (b) shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the department of state cash fund.

(V) Notwithstanding the amount specified for any fee in subparagraph (III) or (IV) of this paragraph (b), the secretary of state by rule or as otherwise provided by law may reduce the amount of one or more of the fees credited to the department of state cash fund if necessary pursuant to section 24-75-402 (3), to reduce the uncommitted reserves of the fund to which all or any portion of one or more of the fees is credited. After the uncommitted reserves of the fund are sufficiently reduced, the secretary of state by rule or as otherwise provided by law may increase the amount of one or more of the fees as provided in section 24-75-402 (4).

(c) The custodian of any records described in subsection (3.5)(a) of this section that concern an individual who has made a request of confidentiality pursuant to this subsection (3.5) and paid any required processing fee shall deny the right of inspection of the individual's address contained in such records on the ground that disclosure would be contrary to the public interest; except that the custodian shall allow the inspection of the records by the individual, by any person authorized in writing by that individual, and by any individual employed by one of the following entities who makes a request to the custodian to inspect the records and who provides evidence satisfactory to the custodian that the inspection is reasonably related to the authorized purpose of the employing entity:

(I) A criminal justice agency, as defined by section 24-72-302 (3);

(II) An agency of the United States, the state of Colorado, or of any political subdivision or authority thereof;

(III) A person required to obtain such individual's address in order to comply with federal or state law or regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

(IV) An insurance company which has a valid certificate of authority to transact insurance business in Colorado as required in section 10-3-105 (1), C.R.S.;

(V) A collection agency which has a valid license as required by section 5-16-115 (1);

(VI) A supervised lender licensed pursuant to section 5-1-301 (46), C.R.S.;

(VII) A bank as defined in section 11-101-401 (5), C.R.S., a trust company as defined in section 11-109-101 (11), C.R.S., a credit union as defined in section 11-30-101 (1), C.R.S., a domestic savings and loan association as defined in section 11-40-102 (5), C.R.S., a foreign savings and loan association as defined in section 11-40-102 (8), C.R.S., or a broker-dealer as defined in section 11-51-201 (2), C.R.S.;

(VIII) An attorney licensed to practice law in Colorado or his representative authorized in writing to inspect such records on behalf of the attorney;

(IX) A manufacturer of any vehicle required to be registered pursuant to the provisions of article 3 of title 42, C.R.S., or a designated agent of such manufacturer. Such inspection shall be allowed only for the purpose of identifying, locating, and notifying the registered owners of such vehicles in the event of a product recall or product advisory and may also be allowed for statistical purposes where such address is not disclosed by such manufacturer or designated agent. No person who obtains the address of an individual pursuant to this subparagraph (IX) shall disclose such information, except as necessary to accomplish said purposes.

(d) Notwithstanding any provisions of this subsection (3.5) to the contrary, any person who appears in person in the office of any custodian of records described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (3.5) and who presents documentary evidence satisfactory to the custodian that such person is a duly accredited representative of the news media may verify the address of an individual whose address is otherwise protected from inspection in accordance with this subsection (3.5). Such verification shall be limited to the custodian confirming or denying that the address of an individual as known to the representative of the news media is the address of the individual as shown by the records of the custodian.

(e) No person shall make any false statement in requesting any information pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection (3.5).

(f) Any request of confidentiality made pursuant to this subsection (3.5) shall be kept confidential and shall not be open to inspection as a public record unless a written release is executed by the person who made the request.

(g) Prior to the release of any information required to be kept confidential pursuant to this subsection (3.5), the custodian shall require the person requesting the information to produce a valid Colorado driver's license or identification card and written authorization from any entity authorized to receive information under this subsection (3.5). The custodian shall keep a record of the requesting person's name, address, and date of birth and shall make such information available to the individual requesting confidentiality under this subsection (3.5) or any person authorized by such individual.

(4) If the custodian denies access to any public record, the applicant may request a written statement of the grounds for the denial, which statement shall cite the law or regulation under which access is denied and shall be furnished forthwith to the applicant.

(5) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5.5) of this section, any person denied the right to inspect any record covered by this part 2 or who alleges a violation of section 24-72-203 (3.5) may apply to the district court of the district wherein the record is found for an order directing the custodian of such record to show cause why the custodian should not permit the inspection of such record; except that, at least fourteen days prior to filing an application with the district court, the person who has been denied the right to inspect the record shall file a written notice with the custodian who has denied the right to inspect the record informing the custodian that the person intends to file an application with the district court. During the fourteen-day period before the person may file an application with the district court under this subsection (5)(a), the custodian who has denied the right to inspect the record shall either meet in person or communicate on the telephone with the person who has been denied access to the record to determine if the dispute may be resolved without filing an application with the district court. The meeting may include recourse to any method of dispute resolution that is agreeable to both parties. Any common expense necessary to resolve the dispute must be apportioned equally between or among the parties unless the parties have agreed to a different method of allocating the costs between or among them. If the person who has been denied access to inspect a record states in the required written notice to the custodian that the person needs to pursue access to the record on an expedited basis, the person must provide such written notice, including a factual basis of the expedited need for the record, to the custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which the person files the application with the district court and, in such circumstances, no meeting to determine if the dispute may be resolved without filing an application with the district court is required.

(b) Hearing on the application described in subsection (5)(a) of this section must be held at the earliest practical time. Unless the court finds that the denial of the right of inspection was proper, it shall order the custodian to permit such inspection and shall award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing applicant in an amount to be determined by the court; except that no court costs and attorney fees shall be awarded to a person who has filed a lawsuit against a state public body or local public body and who applies to the court for an order pursuant to subsection (5)(a) of this section for access to records of the state public body or local public body being sued if the court finds that the records being sought are related to the pending litigation and are discoverable pursuant to chapter 4 of the Colorado rules of civil procedure. In the event the court finds that the denial of the right of inspection was proper, the court shall award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to the custodian if the court finds that the action was frivolous, vexatious, or groundless.

(5.5) (a) Any person seeking access to the record of an executive session meeting of a state public body or a local public body recorded pursuant to section 24-6-402 (2)(d.5) shall, upon application to the district court for the district wherein the records are found, show grounds sufficient to support a reasonable belief that the state public body or local public body engaged in substantial discussion of any matters not enumerated in section 24-6-402 (3) or (4) or that the state public body or local public body adopted a proposed policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action in the executive session in contravention of section 24-6-402 (3)(a) or (4). If the applicant fails to show grounds sufficient to support such reasonable belief, the court shall deny the application and, if the court finds that the application was frivolous, vexatious, or groundless, the court shall award court costs and attorney fees to the prevailing party. If an applicant shows grounds sufficient to support such reasonable belief, the applicant cannot be found to have brought a frivolous, vexatious, or groundless action, regardless of the outcome of the in camera review.

(b) (I) Upon finding that sufficient grounds exist to support a reasonable belief that the state public body or local public body engaged in substantial discussion of any matters not enumerated in section 24-6-402 (3) or (4) or that the state public body or local public body adopted a proposed policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action in the executive session in contravention of section 24-6-402 (3)(a) or (4), the court shall conduct an in camera review of the record of the executive session to determine whether the state public body or local public body engaged in substantial discussion of any matters not enumerated in section 24-6-402 (3) or (4) or adopted a proposed policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action in the executive session in contravention of section 24-6-402 (3)(a) or (4).

(II) If the court determines, based on the in camera review, that violations of the open meetings law occurred, the portion of the record of the executive session that reflects the substantial discussion of matters not enumerated in section 24-6-402 (3) or (4) or the adoption of a proposed policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action shall be open to public inspection.

(6) (a) If, in the opinion of the official custodian of any public record, disclosure of the contents of said record would do substantial injury to the public interest, notwithstanding the fact that said record might otherwise be available to public inspection or if the official custodian is unable, in good faith, after exercising reasonable diligence, and after reasonable inquiry, to determine if disclosure of the public record is prohibited pursuant to this part 2, the official custodian may apply to the district court of the district in which such record is located for an order permitting him or her to restrict such disclosure or for the court to determine if disclosure is prohibited. Hearing on such application shall be held at the earliest practical time. In the case of a record that is otherwise available to public inspection pursuant to this part 2, after a hearing, the court may, upon a finding that disclosure would cause substantial injury to the public interest, issue an order authorizing the official custodian to restrict disclosure. In the case of a record that may be prohibited from disclosure pursuant to this part 2, after a hearing, the court may, upon a finding that disclosure of the record is prohibited, issue an order directing the official custodian not to disclose the record to the public. In an action brought pursuant to this paragraph (a), the burden of proof shall be upon the custodian. The person seeking permission to examine the record shall have notice of said hearing served upon him or her in the manner provided for service of process by the Colorado rules of civil procedure and shall have the right to appear and be heard. The attorney fees provision of subsection (5) of this section shall not apply in cases brought pursuant to this paragraph (a) by an official custodian who is unable to determine if disclosure of a public record is prohibited under this part 2 if the official custodian proves and the court finds that the custodian, in good faith, after exercising reasonable diligence, and after making reasonable inquiry, was unable to determine if disclosure of the public record was prohibited without a ruling by the court.

(b) In defense against an application for an order under subsection (5) of this section, the custodian may raise any issue that could have been raised by the custodian in an application under paragraph (a) of this subsection (6).

(7) (a) Except as permitted in subsection (7)(b) of this section, the department of revenue or an authorized agent of the department shall not allow a person, other than the person in interest, to inspect information contained in a driver's license application under section 42-2-107, a driver's license renewal application under section 42-2-118, a duplicate driver's license application under section 42-2-117, a commercial driver's license application under section 42-2-403, an identification card application under section 42-2-302, a motor vehicle title application under section 42-6-116, a motor vehicle registration application under section 42-3-113, an identification document under section 42-2-505, or other official record or document maintained by the department under section 42-2-121.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (7)(a) of this section, only upon obtaining a completed requester release form under section 42-1-206 (1)(b), the department may allow inspection of the information referred to in subsection (7)(a) of this section for the following uses:

(I) For use by any government agency, including any court or law enforcement agency, in carrying out its functions, or any private person or entity acting on behalf of a federal, state, or local agency in carrying out its functions; except that this subsection (7)(b)(I) does not apply to a request made for the purpose of investigating for, participating in, cooperating with, or assisting in federal immigration enforcement, including enforcement of civil immigration laws, 8 U.S.C. sec. 1325, and 8 U.S.C. sec. 1326, except as required by federal or state law or as required to comply with a court-issued subpoena, warrant, or order;

(II) For use in connection with matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft; motor vehicle emissions; motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories; performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and dealers; motor vehicle market research activities, including survey research; and removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers;

(III) For use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business or its agents, employees, or contractors, but only:

(A) To verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to the business or its agents, employees, or contractors; and

(B) If such information as so submitted is not correct or is no longer correct, to obtain the correct information, but only for the purposes of preventing fraud by, pursuing legal remedies against, or recovering on a debt or security interest against, the individual;

(IV) For use in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding in any federal, state, or local court or agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, and the execution or enforcement of judgments and orders, or pursuant to an order of a federal, state, or local court; except that this subsection (7)(b)(IV) does not apply to a request made for the purpose of investigating for, participating in, cooperating with, or assisting in federal immigration enforcement, including enforcement of civil immigration laws, 8 U.S.C. sec. 1325, and 8 U.S.C. sec. 1326, except as required by federal or state law or as required to comply with a court-issued subpoena, warrant, or order;

(V) For use in research activities, and for use in producing statistical reports, so long as the personal information is not published, redisclosed, or used to contact the parties in interest;

(VI) For use by any insurer or insurance support organization, or by a self-insured entity, or its agents, employees, or contractors, in connection with claims investigation activities, anti-fraud activities, rating or underwriting;

(VII) For use in providing notice to the owners of towed or impounded vehicles;

(VIII) For use by any licensed security service for any purpose permitted under this subsection (7)(b);

(IX) For use by an employer or its agent or insurer to obtain or verify information relating to a party in interest who is a holder of a commercial driver's license;

(X) For use in connection with the operation of private toll transportation facilities;

(XI) For any other use in response to requests for individual motor vehicle records if the department has obtained the express consent of the party in interest pursuant to section 42-2-121 (4), C.R.S.;

(XII) For bulk distribution for surveys, marketing or solicitations if the department has obtained the express consent of the party in interest pursuant to section 42-2-121 (4), C.R.S.;

(XIII) For use by any requester, if the requester demonstrates he or she has obtained the written consent of the party in interest;

(XIV) For any other use specifically authorized under the laws of the state, if such use is related to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety; or

(XV) For use by the federally designated organ procurement organization for the purposes of creating and maintaining the organ and tissue donor registry authorized in section 15-19-220.

(c) (I) For purposes of this paragraph (c), "law" shall mean the federal "Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994", 18 U.S.C. sec. 2721 et seq., the federal "Fair Credit Reporting Act", 15 U.S.C. sec. 1681 et seq., section 42-1-206, C.R.S., and this part 2.

(II) If the requester release form indicates that the requester will, in any manner, use, obtain, resell, or transfer the information contained in records, requested individually or in bulk, for any purpose prohibited by law, the department or agent shall deny inspection of any motor vehicle or driver record.

(III) In addition to completing the requester release form under section 42-1-206 (1)(b), C.R.S., and subject to the provisions of section 42-1-206 (3.7), C.R.S., the requester shall sign an affidavit of intended use under penalty of perjury that states that the requester shall not obtain, resell, transfer, or use the information in any manner prohibited by law. The department or the department 's authorized agent shall deny inspection of any motor vehicle or driver record to any person, other than a person in interest as defined in section 24-72-202 (4), or a federal, state, or local government agency carrying out its official functions, who has not signed and returned the affidavit of intended use.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this subsection (7), the department of revenue or an authorized agent of the department shall allow inspection of records maintained by the department pursuant to section 42-2-121.5, C.R.S., only by the person in interest or by an officer of a law enforcement or public safety agency in accordance with section 42-2-121.5 (3), C.R.S.

(8) (a) A designated election official shall not allow a person, other than the person in interest, to inspect the election records of any person that contain the original signature, social security number, month of birth, day of the month of birth, or identification of that person, including electronic, digital, or scanned images of a person's original signature, social security number, month of birth, day of the month of birth, or identification.

(b) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this subsection (8) shall be construed to prohibit a designated election official from:

(I) Making such election records available to any law enforcement agency or district attorney of this state in connection with the investigation or prosecution of an election offense specified in article 13 of title 1, C.R.S.;

(II) Making such election records available to employees of or election judges appointed by the designated election official as necessary for those employees or election judges to carry out the duties and responsibilities connected with the conduct of any election; and

(III) Preparing a registration list and making the list available for distribution or sale to or inspection by any person.

(c) For purposes of this subsection (8):

(I) "Designated election official" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 1-1-104 (8), C.R.S.

(II) "Election records" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 1-1-104 (11), C.R.S., and shall include a voter registration application.

(III) "Identification" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 1-1-104 (19.5), C.R.S.

(IV) "Registration list" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 1-1-104 (37), C.R.S.

(9) Unless any other provision of this part 2 applies to prevent or restrict disclosure and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2-3-511 and subsections (3)(a)(X) and (3)(a)(X.5) of this section, records of sexual harassment complaints made against an elected official and the results or report of investigations regarding alleged sexual harassment by an elected official conducted by or for that official's government shall be made available for inspection if the investigation concludes that the elected official is culpable for any act of sexual harassment; except that the identity of any accuser, accused who is not an elected official, victim, or witness and any other information that would identify any such person must be redacted. The records must be redacted, if possible, to permit inspection without revealing any part of the record that would not be subject to disclosure pursuant to any other provision of this part 2. Nothing in this subsection (9) requires the disclosure of any record subject to part 3 of this article 72.

History

Source: L. 68: p. 202, 4. L. 69: pp. 925, 926, 1, 1. C.R.S. 1963: 113-2-4. L. 77: (2)(a)(I) repealed, p. 1250, 4, effective December 31. L. 81: (3)(d) added, p. 1237, 1, effective May 18; (3)(a)(I) amended, p. 1236, 1, effective May 26. L. 83: (3)(a)(V) and (3)(a)(VI) amended and (3)(a)(VII) added, p. 1023, 2, effective March 22. L. 85: (3)(a)(VI) and (3)(a)(VII) amended and (3)(a)(VIII) added, p. 933, 3, effective July 1. L. 88: (2)(a)(I) RC&RE, p. 979, 1, effective April 20. L. 91: (3.5) added, p. 828, 1, effective July 1. L. 92: (2)(a)(IV) and (3)(a)(II) amended and (3)(a)(IX) added, p. 1104, 4, effective July 1. L. 93: (3)(d) amended, p. 64, 1, effective March 22; (3)(a)(IX) amended, p. 293, 1, effective April 7; (2)(a)(III) and (2)(a)(IV) amended and (2)(a)(V) added, p. 1763, 1, effective June 6; (3)(a)(II) amended, p. 667, 2, effective July 1. L. 94: (3)(a)(I) amended and (3)(a)(XI) added, p. 936, 2, effective April 28; (3.5)(a)(I) amended, p. 1638, 53, effective May 31; (3)(a)(X) added, p. 680, 1, effective July 1; (2)(a)(IV), (2)(a)(V), (3.5)(a)(II), and (3.5)(b)(II) amended and (2)(a)(VI) added, pp. 2557, 2558, 59, 60, effective January 1, 1995. L. 96: (3)(c) amended, p. 431, 1, effective April 22; (2)(a)(II) and (6) amended and (3)(a)(VIII) repealed, pp. 1484, 1470, 16, 6, effective June 1. L. 97: (3)(a)(I) amended, p. 350, 5, effective April 19; (2)(a)(VI) amended, p. 1178, 1, effective July 1; (3)(a)(XII) added, p. 354, 1, effective August 6; (7) added, p. 1050, 2, effective September 1. L. 98: (3)(d) amended, p. 974, 21, effective May 27; (3.5)(b)(V) added, p. 1332, 43, effective June 1. L. 99: (3)(a)(X)(A) amended and (3)(a)(XIII) added, p. 207, 2, effective March 31; (2)(a)(VI) amended and (3.5)(g) added, p. 344, 1, 2, effective April 16; (2)(a)(VI) amended, p. 1241, 3, effective August 4; (3)(a)(XIV) added, p. 370, 1, effective August 4. L. 2000: (2)(c) added, p. 243, 9, effective March 29; (2)(a)(VI), (3.5)(a)(II), (3.5)(b)(II), (3.5)(b)(III), (3.5)(b)(V), and (7) amended, p. 1337, 1, effective May 30; (3)(e) added, p. 1963, 5, effective June 2; (7)(b)(XV) added, p. 732, 13, effective July 1; (3.5)(c)(VI) amended, p. 1873, 111, effective August 2. L. 2001: (7)(a) amended, p. 1274, 35, effective June 5; (1)(d) added, p. 151, 6, effective July 1; (3)(a)(XI)(A), (5), and (6)(a) amended and (5.5) added, p. 1073, 3, effective August 8; (7)(a) and (7)(c) amended, p. 586, 1, effective August 8. L. 2002: (3.5)(c)(VII) amended, p. 113, 7, effective March 26; (3)(a)(XVI) added, p. 239, 8, effective April 12; (3)(a)(XVII) added, p. 1213, 10, effective June 3; (3)(a)(XVIII) added, p. 935, 1, effective July 1; (3)(a)(XV) added, p. 86, 2, effective August 7. L. 2003: (3)(a)(XVI) and (3)(a)(XVII) amended, p. 1636, 1, effective May 2; (3.5)(c)(VII) amended, p. 1211, 23, effective July 1; (3)(a)(IX) amended, p. 1619, 30, effective August 6. L. 2004: (2)(a)(VII) added, p. 1959, 3, effective August 4. L. 2005: (2)(a)(VIII) added, (3)(a)(IX) amended, and (3)(a)(XVII) repealed, pp. 502, 503, 504, 1, 2, 5, effective July 1; (3)(a)(XII) and (7)(a) amended, p. 1182, 29, effective August 8; (3)(a)(XIV) amended, p. 462, 3, effective December 1. L. 2006: (8) added, p. 44, 1, effective March 17; (3)(a)(XIX) added, p. 564, 1, effective April 24; (3)(a)(IV) amended, p. 276, 2, effective January 1, 2007. L. 2007: (2)(d) added, p. 34, 2, effective March 5; (3)(a)(XIV) amended, p. 1590, 7, effective July 1; (7)(b)(XV) amended, p. 798, 8, effective July 1. L. 2008: (7)(a) amended and (7)(d) added, p. 1520, 2, effective May 28; (3)(a)(XX) added, p. 1703, 2, effective June 2. L. 2009: (3)(a)(XXI) added, (SB 09-158), ch. 387, p. 2094, 3, effective August 5. L. 2010: (3)(a)(XII) amended, (HB 10-1019), ch. 400, p. 1930, 6, effective January 1, 2011. L. 2012: (2)(e) added, (SB 12-079), ch. 58, p. 214, 7, effective March 24; (2)(a)(IX) added, (HB 12-1036), ch. 269, p. 1419, 1, effective June 7; (2)(a)(VIII)(A) amended, (HB12- 1283), ch. 240, p. 1134, 48, effective July 1; IP(7)(b) and (7)(b)(VIII) amended, (HB12-1231), ch. 22, p. 58, 1, effective August 8. L. 2013: (3)(a)(XIX)(A) and (3)(a)(XIX)(B) amended, (SB 13-011), ch. 49, p. 168, 28, effective May 1; IP(3.5)(c) and (3.5)(c)(VII) amended, (SB 13-154), ch. 282, p. 1487, 67, effective July 1; (3)(a)(XX) repealed, (HB 13-1300), ch. 316, p. 1685, 64, effective August 7. L. 2014: (7)(b)(VIII) amended, (SB 14-133), ch. 389, p. 1957, 3, effective June 6; (3)(a)(XIX)(A) amended and (3)(a)(XIX)(B) repealed, (HB 14-1073), ch. 30, p. 175, 2, effective July 1; (2)(e) amended, (SB 14-002), ch. 241, p. 893, 5, effective August 6. L. 2016: (3)(a)(XIX)(C) amended, (SB 16-189), ch. 210, p. 769, 56, June 6. L. 2017: IP(3)(d), (3)(d)(III), and IP(3)(e)(I) amended, (SB 17-294), ch. 264, p. 1405, 76, effective May 25; (2)(a)(VII)(A), (3)(a)(I), and (5) amended, (SB17-040), ch. 286, p. 1583, 2, effective August 9; IP(3.5)(c) and (3.5)(c)(V) amended, (HB 17-1238), ch. 260, p. 1175, 22, effective August 9; (5) amended, (HB 17-1177), ch. 197, p. 718, 1, effective August 9; IP(7)(b) and (7)(b)(XV) amended, (SB 17-223), ch. 158, p. 563, 17, effective August 9. L. 2018: IP(3)(a) amended and (3)(a)(X)(D) added, (HB 18-1152), ch. 281, p. 1759, 2, effective August 8. L. 2019: (3)(a)(XXII) added, (HB 19-1197), ch. 95, p. 350, 2, effective April 11; (3)(a)(X.5) added, (SB 19-244), ch. 243, p. 2377, 3, effective May 20; (3)(a)(VI) amended, (HB 19-1278), ch. 326, p. 3036, 50, effective August 2; (3)(a)(XIV) and (7)(b)(VIII) amended, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1693, 135, effective October 1. L. 2021: IP(3)(a) and (3)(a)(XIX)(A) amended, (HB 21-1287), ch. 264, p. 1539, 3, effective June 18; (7)(a), (7)(b)(I), and (7)(b)(IV) amended, (SB 21-131), ch. 353, p. 2298, 2, effective June 25; IP(3)(a) amended and (3)(a)(XXIII) added, (HB 21-1181), ch. 279, p. 1614, 4, effective September 7; (3)(a)(XI) amended, (HB 21-1051), ch. 183, p. 986, 3, September 7. L. 2022: (3)(a)(XXII) amended, (HB 22-1041), ch. 39, p. 211, 2, effective March 24; (3)(a)(XXII) amended, (HB 22-1273), ch. 324, p. 2294, 3, effective June 2; (2)(a)(X) added, (SB 22-169), ch. 204, p. 1365, 2, effective August 10; (7)(b)(VIII) amended, (SB 22-212), ch. 421, p. 2978, 58, effective August 10. L. 2023: (2)(a)(VII) amended and (9) added, (SB 23-286), ch. 406, p. 2430, 2, effective August 7.

Annotations

Editor's note: (1) Subsection (3)(a)(IX) was numbered as (3)(a)(X) in House Bill 92-1195 but has been renumbered on revision for ease of location.

(2) Amendments to subsection (2)(a)(VI) by House Bill 99-1293 and Senate Bill 99-174 were harmonized.

(3) Amendments to subsection (7)(a) by House Bill 01-1025 and Senate Bill 01-138 were harmonized.

(4) Subparagraph (3)(a)(XVIII) was originally numbered as (3)(a)(XV) in House Bill 02-1395 but has been renumbered on revision for ease of location.

(5) Amendments to subsection (5) by SB 17-040 and HB 17-1177 were harmonized.

(6) Subsection IP(3)(a) was amended in HB 21-1287. Those amendments were superseded by the amendment of subsection IP(3)(a) in HB 21-1181.

(7) Subsection (3)(a)(X)(D) provided for the repeal of subsection (3)(a)(X)(D), effective May 1, 2021. (See L. 2018, p. 1759.)

(8) Amendments to subsection (3)(a)(XXII) by HB 22-1041 and HB 22-1273 were harmonized.

Annotations

Cross references: (1) For the legislative declaration contained in the 1996 act amending subsections (2)(a)(II) and (6), see section 1 of chapter 271, Session Laws of Colorado 1996; for service of process, see C.R.C.P. 4.

(2) For the legislative declaration in HB 18-1152, see section 1 of chapter 281, Session Laws of Colorado 2018.

(3) For the short title ("Colorado Votes Act") in HB 19-1278, see section 1 of chapter 326, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.

(4) For the legislative declaration in HB 21-1051, see section 1 of chapter 183, Session Laws of Colorado 2021. For the legislative declaration in HB 21-1181, see section 1 of chapter 279, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.

(5) For the legislative declaration in SB 22-169, see section 1 of chapter 204, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.

Annotations

 

ANNOTATION

Annotations

Law reviews. For article, "E-mail, Open Meetings, and Public Records", see 25 Colo. Law. 99 (Oct. 1996). For article, "Protecting Confidential Information Submitted in Procurements to Colorado State Agencies", see 34 Colo. Law. 67 (Jan. 2005).

Three-part test to show that the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) applies to a record. A plaintiff must show that a public entity: (1) improperly; (2) withheld; (3) a public record in order for CORA to apply. Wick Commc'ns Co. v. Montrose County Bd. of County Comm'rs, 81 P.3d 360 (Colo. 2003).

The requesting party must make a threshold showing that the document is likely a public record, in cases where it is not clear whether the custodian holds a record in an individual or official capacity, and thus whether the record is private or public. Wick Commc'ns Co. v. Montrose County Bd. of County Comm'rs, 81 P.3d 360 (Colo. 2003).

And because the requesting party failed to make such a showing with respect to the personal cell phone billing statements of the governor, even though the governor regularly used the phone to conduct state business, the billing statements were not public records subject to disclosure and dismissal for failure to state a claim was appropriate. Denver Post Corp. v. Ritter, 230 P.3d 1238 (Colo. App. 2009), aff'd, 255 P.3d 1083 (Colo. 2011).

Court considers and weighs public interest in determining disclosure question. The limiting language making certain of the open records provisions applicable except as "otherwise provided by law" is a reference to the rules of civil procedure and expresses the legislative intent that a court should consider and weigh whether disclosure would be contrary to the public interest. Martinelli v. District Court, 199 Colo. 163, 612 P.2d 1083 (1980).

The investigatory files exemption provided for in subsection (2)(a)(I) must be construed narrowly to apply only to investigatory files compiled for criminal law enforcement purposes and not to investigatory files compiled in civil law enforcement proceedings. Land Owners United, LLC v. Waters, 293 P.3d 86 (Colo. App. 2011).

Subsection (3)(a)(I) prohibits the disclosure of medical records "unless otherwise provided by law". Section 30-10-606 (6)(a) expressly provides otherwise, granting coroners access to medical information from health care providers. Bodelson v. City of Littleton, 36 P.3d 214 (Colo. App. 2001).

The exception in subsection (2)(c) for disclosures barred by rules promulgated by the supreme court or by the order of any court does not prohibit an individual who is litigating against a public entity and who did not propound discovery requests in that litigation from obtaining documents relevant to the litigation from the public entity through a records request under CORA. Roane v. Archuleta, 2022 COA 143, __ P.3d __.

A person need not show a special interest in order to be permitted access to particular public records. Denver Publ'g Co. v. Dreyfus, 184 Colo. 288, 520 P.2d 104 (1974).

Official is unauthorized to deny access in absence of specific statutory provision. In the absence of a specific statute permitting the withholding of information, a public official has no authority to deny any person access to public records. Denver Publ'g Co. v. Dreyfus, 184 Colo. 288, 520 P.2d 104 (1974); Denver Post Corp. v. Univ. of Colo., 739 P.2d 874 (Colo. App. 1987).

Because waiver is not included as one of the statutory grounds for denying the right of access, public policy prohibits enforcing a waiver of the right to inspect psychological test results. Carpenter v. Civil Serv. Comm'n, 813 P.2d 773 (Colo. App. 1990).

By including the phrase "in accordance with" in subsection (3)(a), the general assembly made clear that any disclosure to a person in interest must be done in conformity to or in harmony with the rest of subsection (3). DiPietro v. Coldiron, 2022 COA 121, 523 P.3d 1019.

The exception made in subsection (3)(a)(IV) for "privileged information" incorporates the common law deliberative process privilege. The purpose of the privilege is to protect the frank exchange of ideas and opinions critical to the government's decision-making process where disclosure would discourage such discussion in the future. Thus, material prepared by a governmental employee is not subject to disclosure if the court finds that the material is both predecisional and deliberative and that disclosure would be likely to adversely affect the purposes of the privilege and stifle frank communication within an agency. City of Colo. Springs v. White, 967 P.2d 1042 (Colo. 1998).

Nothing in subsection (3)(a)(XIII) permits disclosure of records protected by the deliberative process privilege to a person in interest when disclosure would harm the public interest. DiPietro v. Coldiron, 2022 COA 121, 523 P.3d 1019.

Documents containing legal advice on how to proceed with lobbying efforts and how to respond to a taxpayer's open records law requests are protected by the attorney-client privilege. Such documents were not lobbying because they were not communications made to a public official for the purpose of influencing legislation. Black v. S.W. Water Conserv. Dist., 74 P.3d 462 (Colo. App. 2003).

Subsection (3)(a)(IV) does not carve out an exception for a "person in interest". The person in interest provision of subsection (3)(a) does not apply to records protected by the attorney-client privilege. DiPietro v Coldiron, 2022 COA 121, 523 P.3d 1019.

Privilege log was not required to establish that records were protected from disclosure by attorney-client privilege and had not been shared in a way that would waive the privilege. Testimony by attorney was sufficient in the absence of evidence to the contrary. Bjornsen v. Bd. of County Comm'rs of Boulder, 2019 COA 59, 487 P.3d 1015.

In enacting exception to discovery rule for personnel files in subsection (3)(a)(II), the general assembly intended a blanket protection for all personnel files, except applications and performance ratings, and did not grant custodian discretion to balance interest in disclosure with individual's right to privacy. Denver Post Corp. v. Univ. of Colo., 739 P.2d 874 (Colo. App. 1987).

Although subsection (3)(a)(II) does not authorize any balancing of the public interest and the right of privacy, the protection for personnel files is based on a concern for the individual's right to privacy, and it remains the duty of the courts to ensure that documents as to which this protection is claimed actually do implicate this right. The applicant must bear the burden of proving that the custodian's denial of inspection was arbitrary and capricious. Denver Post Corp. v. Univ. of Colo., 739 P.2d 874 (Colo. App. 1987).

A legitimate expectation of privacy must exist for the exception to discovery rule for personnel files to apply and a public entity may not restrict access to information by merely placing a record in a personnel file. Denver Publ'g Co. v. Univ. of Colo., 812 P.2d 682 (Colo. App. 1990); Daniels v. City of Commerce City, 988 P.2d 648 (Colo. App. 1999).

The disclosure of names of public employees receiving severance payments pursuant to the city of Colorado Springs transitional employment program would not cause substantial injury to the public interest. Such exemption applies only to extraordinary situations that the general assembly could not identify in advance. Freedom Newspapers, Inc. v. Tollefson, 961 P.2d 1150 (Colo. App. 1998).

Documents subject to disclosure under CORA are exempt if disclosure would cause substantial injury to the public interest by invading a constitutionally protected liberty interest. The release of employees' names and amounts paid pursuant to the city of Colorado Springs transitional employment program does not unduly interfere with the employees' liberty interest. Freedom Newspapers, Inc. v. Tollefson, 961 P.2d 1150 (Colo. App. 1998).

This section authorizes the release of public records for inspection absent a constitutional or statutory exception. "Secrecy in voting" as used in article VII, section 8, of the constitution does not exempt digital copies of ballots from release under CORA because that constitutional provision protects only the identity of an individual voter and any content of the voter's ballot that could identify the voter. Section 31-10-616 does not exempt digital copies of ballots from release under CORA because the copies are not ballots. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).

Digital copies of ballots are eligible for release under CORA, with the narrow exception of any copy containing content that could identify an individual voter and thereby contravene the intent of article VII, section 8(1), of the constitution. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).

The public's right to know how public funds are spent is paramount in weighing whether disclosure may chill Colorado state university's ability to use the transitional employment program to remain competitive. Freedom Newspapers, Inc. v. Tollefson, 961 P.2d 1150 (Colo. App. 1998).

A county officer and a county employee who exchanged sexually explicit e-mail messages had a reasonable expectation that the disclosure of such highly personal and sensitive information would be limited, even though they were on notice that the messages were not private. In re Bd. of County Comm'rs, 95 P.3d 593 (Colo. App. 2003).

Disclosure of sexually explicit e-mails between a county officer and a county employee may serve a compelling state interest to the extent they help explain why the officer promoted the employee, why the employee received increases in salary and overtime pay, and why the employee was not terminated despite allegations of embezzlement. In re Bd. of County Comm'rs, 95 P.3d 593 (Colo. App. 2003).

The sexual harassment exception in subsection (3)(a)(X)(A) does not prohibit the disclosure of e-mails unrelated to official business and of portions of an investigative report that do not refer to other employees by name. In re Bd. of County Comm'rs, 95 P.3d 593 (Colo. App. 2003).

If there are more than three applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for an executive position, only the application materials of a person actually named as a finalist by a state or local public body, pursuant to 24-6-402 (3.5), are subject to public inspection under subsection (3)(a)(XI)(A) of this section. There is no minimum number of finalists who must be named. Prairie Mtn. Publ'g v. Regents Univ. of Colo., 2021 COA 26, 491 P.3d 472.

Public interest in ensuring that public entities conduct internal reviews effectively and efficiently outweighs interest of public entity employer in maintaining confidentiality. Daniels v. City of Commerce City, 988 P.2d 648 (Colo. App. 1999).

Police personnel files and staff investigation reports are not exempt from discovery. The open records provisions do not, ipso facto, exempt the personnel files and the staff investigation bureau reports of the Denver police department from discovery in civil litigation. Martinelli v. District Court, 199 Colo. 163, 612 P.2d 1083 (1980).

Subsections (5) and (6) provide the exclusive procedures for persons requesting records and record custodians to resolve disputes concerning record accessibility. People in Interest of A.A.T., 759 P.2d 853 (Colo. App. 1988).

However, the procedure under subsection (6) is inapplicable where a custodian of records is not claiming that disclosure would do substantial injury to the public interest and does not seek to have disclosure prohibited if an open records request is made in compliance with the entity's open records policy. Citizens Progressive Alliance v. S.W. Water Conservation Dist., 97 P.3d 308 (Colo. App. 2004).

Where the government entity has a legitimate basis for concluding that compliance with an open records request within the statutory time limits is physically impossible, a trial court may properly entertain a complaint for declaratory relief even if doing so could result in delay in the production of documents. Citizens Progressive Alliance v. S.W. Water Conservation Dist., 97 P.3d 308 (Colo. App. 2004).

Provisions of subsection (5) and 24-72-206 are the sole remedies under this part. Bd. of County Comm'rs v. HAD Enterp., Inc., 35 Colo. App. 162, 533 P.2d 45 (1974).

The procedure set forth in subsection (5) is the exclusive remedy set forth in the statute when a custodian fails to allow inspection of records. Pope v. Town of Georgetown, 648 P.2d 672 (Colo. App. 1982).

A court's review under subsection (5) of a claim under CORA does not end when parties have stipulated to in camera review of disputed documents. Once submitted for review, court must determine whether a document is subject to a CORA exception. If a document was withheld that was not subject to an exception, the prevailing applicant may be entitled to court costs and reasonable attorney fees as determined by the court. Sierra Club v. Billingsley, 166 P.3d 309 (Colo. App. 2007).

Even assuming withholding by county land use official of copy of e-mail was in violation of CORA, neither CORA nor C.R.C.P. 106(a)(4) contains any provision that would authorize remand for reconsideration of determination by county board of adjustment that lapse provision contained in county land use code did not apply to special use permit in light of withholding copy of e-mail. Remedies for wrongful withholding of documents under CORA are limited to an order to produce the documents for inspection and an award of attorney fees and court costs. Any other remedy for such a violation would need to be enacted by general assembly, and in the absence of such legislation, court of appeals not at liberty to craft such remedy. Sierra Club v. Billingsley, 166 P.3d 309 (Colo. App. 2007).

Where custodian denies access to any public record, applicant may request written statement of the grounds for the denial, which statement shall cite the law or regulation under which access is denied. The written statement must be furnished forthwith. Denver Publ'g Co. v. Dreyfus, 184 Colo. 288, 520 P.2d 104 (1974).

Any action filed by the custodian or the party requesting the record must be separate, independent action in the appropriate district court and the action cannot be filed as part of any ongoing proceeding. People in Interest of A.A.T., 759 P.2d 853 (Colo. App. 1988).

Subsection (6) specifically places the burden of proof upon the custodian. Denver Publ'g Co. v. Dreyfus, 184 Colo. 288, 520 P.2d 104 (1974).

As to documents which involve privacy rights, custodian of documents bears burden of proving that disclosure would do substantial injury to public interest by invading right to privacy of individuals involved. Denver Post Corp. v. Univ. of Colo., 739 P.2d 874 (Colo. App. 1987).

Arbitrary and capricious refusal was not shown, hence attorney fees would not be awarded, where city's denial of request for records reflected a conscientious effort to reasonably apply legislative standards. Daniels v. City of Commerce City, 988 P.2d 648 (Colo. App. 1999).

Applicant does not bear burden of proof that denial of inspection by custodian of records is arbitrary and capricious. Denver Pub. Co. v. Univ. of Colo., 812 P.2d 682 (Colo. App. 1990).

Presumption in favor of disclosure suggests that burden of establishing confidential financial information exemption ought to rest with the party opposing disclosure to overcome that presumption and not on citizen to show that disclosure is warranted. Intern. Broth. of Elec. v. Denver Metro., 880 P.2d 160 (Colo. App. 1994).

Under subsection (3)(a)(II), an employee is entitled to access to his leave records in his own personnel files. Ornelas v. Dept. of Insts., 804 P.2d 235 (Colo. App. 1990).

Trial court does not have discretion to determine whether requestor is a prevailing applicant. Subsection (5) provides only one criterion on which to deny applicant attorney fees. The award of costs and attorney fees is mandatory unless the court finds that the denial of the right of inspection was proper. Colo. Republican Party v. Benefield, 337 P.3d 1199 (Colo. 2011), aff'd, 2014 CO 57, 329 P.3d 262.

Appellate attorney fees. Requestor also entitled to reasonable appellate attorney fees under CORA. Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011).

Limiting "applicant" to "prevailing applicant" under subsection (5) not only clarifies, or makes express what would otherwise be merely implicit--that an applicant who achieves the right of inspection is a prevailing applicant--but actually provides direction concerning the costs and fees to which the applicant is entitled. While the statutory provision mandates an award, it leaves to the district court the determination of the amount of that award. The award to the "prevailing applicant" should include no more than the costs and attorney fees incurred with regard to the records as to which the applicant has actually succeeded in gaining access, rather than the costs and attorney fees in prosecuting the action as a whole. Benefield v. Colo. Republican Party, 2014 CO 57, 329 P.3d 262.

In an action brought under subsection (5) for the recovery of attorney fees and costs on the grounds that the public records custodian improperly withheld inspection of a public record, a party who brings an action against a public records custodian and obtains any improperly withheld public record as a result of such action is a prevailing applicant who must be awarded court costs and reasonable attorney fees unless a statutory provision precludes the award of such amount. Because the petitioner succeeded in obtaining the right to inspect documents it sought from the custodians, it is a prevailing party within the terms of this statutory provision. Colo. Republican Party v. Benefield, 337 P.3d 1199 (Colo. 2011), aff'd, 2014 CO 57, 329 P.3d 262.

Custodians not sheltered by safe harbor provision of subsection (6)(a). Custodians' belief that survey responses giving rise to the CORA action clearly implied an expectation of confidentiality on their part is incompatible with the statutory requirement for applicability of the safe harbor provision, which is an inability to make a determination as to the requirement to disclose. Because custodians are unable to meet the requirements to successfully avoid an award of attorney fees under subsection (6)(a), they are unable to come within the protections from the imposition of attorney fees under subsection (6)(b). Colo. Republican Party v. Benefield, 337 P.3d 1199 (Colo. 2011), aff'd, 2014 CO 57, 329 P.3d 262.

Subsection (6)(a) describes the rights and obligations of the custodian, as opposed to the records requestor. If a custodian believes that disclosure of a requested record would injure the public interest, subsection (6)(a) allows the custodian to petition the district court for an order permitting him or her to restrict disclosure. Alternatively, if the custodian is unable, in good faith, to determine whether disclosure of the record is prohibited, subsection (6)(a) permits the custodian to ask the district court to make that determination. Reno v. Marks, 2015 CO 33, 349 P.3d 248.

Where an official custodian seeks an order prohibiting or restricting disclosure under subsection (6)(a), a prevailing records requestor is entitled to costs and attorney fees in accordance with subsection (5). Under subsection (5), a prevailing records requestor is entitled to costs and attorney fees unless the district court finds that the denial of the right of inspection was proper. Reno v. Marks, 2015 CO 33, 349 P.3d 248.

Subsection (6)(a) provides a limited safe harbor from an attorney fee award if the custodian proves and the court finds that the custodian, in good faith, after exercising reasonable diligence and making reasonable inquiry, was unable to determine if disclosure of the record was prohibited without a ruling by the court. Reno v. Marks, 2015 CO 33, 349 P.3d 248.

The existence of the safe harbor logically implies that the attorney fees provision of subsection (5) otherwise does apply to actions under subsection (6)(a). By establishing an exception to fee shifting in subsection (6)(a), the safe harbor language compels the conclusion that the attorney fees provision in subsection (5) generally applies to custodian actions under subsection (6)(a), including actions where the custodian seeks an order restricting disclosure. If the general assembly intended the safe harbor to apply only to subsection (5) actions, it logically would have placed the safe harbor in subsection (5) instead of in subsection (6)(a). Reno v. Marks, 2015 CO 33, 349 P.3d 248.

The safe harbor provision of subsection (6)(a) specifically refers to "the attorney fees provision of subsection (5)". By logical implication, the safe harbor language incorporates the attorney fees provision of subsection (5) into subsection (6)(a), making the fee-shifting provision otherwise applicable outside the safe harbor, provided that the applicant meets the other requirements of subsection (5). Reno v. Marks, 2015 CO 33, 349 P.3d 248.

By importing subsection (5)'s fee-shifting provision into subsection (6)(a), the general assembly ensured that the custodian's incentives remain the same regardless of whether the requestor or the custodian commences the court action. Under subsection (5), the custodian is encouraged not to force the applicant to file a court action because the custodian risks having to pay a prevailing applicant's costs and attorney fees unless the court finds that the denial of inspection was proper. Under subsection (6)(a), the custodian is similarly deterred from taking the applicant to court to seek an order restricting disclosure unless the custodian is reasonably sure that he or she will win -- again because the custodian risks incurring a fee award unless the court finds that the denial of inspection was proper. Given these consistent disincentives to litigate these issues, the safe harbor provision of subsection (6)(a) makes sense: A custodian who, in good faith, is unable to determine whether disclosure of a record is prohibited can seek court guidance without incurring potential liability for the requestor's attorney fees. Reno v. Marks, 2015 CO 33, 349 P.3d 248.

To hold that subsection (5)'s fee-shifting provision does not apply to custodian-initiated actions likely would promote litigation instead of encouraging the parties to resolve the matter out of court. Because subsection (5) requires a records requestor to give the custodian written notice at least three business days before filing an application in district court to challenge the custodian's denial of inspection, a custodian could immunize himself or herself from any potential liability for attorney fees simply by filing an action under subsection (6)(a) first. Thus, such an interpretation could create a race to the courthouse that the custodian would always win. This result would render CORA's fee-shifting scheme meaningless. Reno v. Marks, 2015 CO 33, 349 P.3d 248.

Subsection (6) allows a court to restrict access to public records, although they might be accessible under another provision, where it finds that substantial injury to the public interest would occur. Civil Serv. Comm'n v. Pinder, 812 P.2d 645 (Colo. 1991); Bodelson v. Denver Publ'g Co., 5 P.3d 373 (Colo. App. 2000).

The construction and interpretation that will render subsection (6) effective in accomplishing the purpose for which it was enacted is to allow the district court to restrict access to public records where substantial injury to the public interest would result, notwithstanding the fact that said record might otherwise be available for inspection by a party in interest or by the general public. Civil Serv. Comm'n v. Pinder, 812 P.2d 645 (Colo. 1991); Bodelson v. Denver Publ'g Co., 5 P.3d 373 (Colo. App. 2000).

Public interest exception to discovery rule in subsection (6) requires consideration of (1) whether individual has a legitimate expectation of nondisclosure, (2) whether there is a compelling public interest in access to information, and (3), if public interest compels disclosure, how disclosure may occur in a manner least intrusive with respect to individual's right of privacy. Martinelli v. District Court, 199 Colo. 163, 612 P.2d 1083 (1980); Denver Post Corp. v. Univ. of Colo., 739 P.2d 874 (Colo. App. 1987).

Privacy protections for letters of reference under subsection (3)(a)(III) apply to handwritten notes made on questionnaire forms used in contacting references. The general assembly intended to protect from disclosure the documentary materials obtained from references in confidence. This intent applies equally to the notes taken by the hiring agency when calling references. City of Westminster v. Dogan Constr., 930 P.2d 585 (Colo. 1997).

The phrase, "letters of reference concerning employment", used in subsection (3)(a)(III), includes handwritten notes from references for a private contractor. As with hiring any prospective employee, the hiring entity is justifiably concerned about a contractor's past performance and ability to complete jobs on time and in budget. City of Westminster v. Dogan Constr., 930 P.2d 585 (Colo. 1997).

Civil service commission was entitled to judgment restricting access to examination results where person requesting access presented no evidence disputing the factual issue of whether substantial injury to the public interest would result if the information were not restricted under subsection (6). Civil Serv. Comm'n v. Pinder, 812 P.2d 645 (Colo. 1991).

Privacy rights of employees of university were not sufficient to preclude disclosure of university documents pertaining to said employees, considering important public interest in disclosing circumstances under which those individuals received payments from a foreign government in connection with university contracts to establish a hospital and a medical school in a foreign country. Denver Post Corp. v. Univ. of Colo., 739 P.2d 874 (Colo. App. 1987).

Public policy of CORA violated by grant of authority to university's custodian of records to place any document in personnel files in which custodian determines a faculty member would have a legitimate expectation of privacy and, therefore, precluding its disclosure under CORA. Denver Pub. Co. v. Univ. of Colo., 812 P.2d 682 (Colo. App. 1990).

Access to terms of employment between institution of higher education and its employees cannot be restricted merely by placing documents in personnel file. Denver Pub. Co. v. Univ. of Colo., 812 P.2d 682 (Colo. App. 1990).

Documents in personnel file of former university chancellor which did not involve a privacy right or which contained information routinely disclosed to others were not entitled to protection pursuant to nondisclosure exception of subsection (3). Denver Pub. Co., v. Univ. of Colo., 812 P.2d 682 (Colo. App. 1990).

Public interest exception in subsection (6) did not prevent release of terms of final settlement agreement between former chancellor and university as public's right to know how public funds are spent outweighed any potential damage to university's ability to resolve internal matters of dispute by releasing information contrary to parties' expectations. Denver Pub. Co. v. Univ. of Colo., 812 P.2d 682 (Colo. App. 1990).

District court erred in prohibiting access to a governmental entity's own financial statements by exempting them under subsection (6) because the governmental entity did not demonstrate an extraordinary situation or that substantial injury to the public would result if the statements were disclosed. Zubeck v. El Paso County Retirement Plan, 961 P.2d 597 (Colo. App. 1998).

A record may be "public" for one purpose and not for another, because whether a record is to be regarded as a public record in a particular instance will depend upon the purposes of the law which will be served by so classifying it. Losavio v. Mayber, 178 Colo. 184, 496 P.2d 1032 (1972).

Pursuant to strong presumption favoring public disclosure of all documents defined as public records, trial court properly concluded that in balancing commercial harm that could be caused by disclosure against perceived benefits, transportation contracts entered into between city department of public utilities and railroad were subject to disclosure under CORA. Freedom News v. Denver & Rio Grande R. Co., 731 P.2d 740 (Colo. App. 1986).

Open records statutes do not necessarily provide for release of information merely because it is in the possession of the government. Intern. Broth. of Elec. v. Denver Metro., 880 P.2d 160 (Colo. App. 1994).

Financial information generated by a governmental entity is not confidential under subsection (3)(a)(IV) because disclosure would not impair the governmental entity's ability to gain future information nor cause substantial harm to any person providing the information as most of the information was generated by the governmental entity itself. Zubeck v. El Paso County Ret. Plan, 961 P.2d 597 (Colo. App. 1998).

Confidential financial information contained in bid related documents are not per se unprotected if bid is successful. Intern. Broth. of Elec. v. Denver Metro., 880 P.2d 160 (Colo. App. 1994).

Under subsection (3)(a)(IV), district court had discretion to order redaction of specific confidential financial information from documents otherwise subject to inspection as public records. Land Owners United, LLC v. Waters, 293 P.3d 86 (Colo. App. 2011).

Confidential financial information exemption under subsection (3)(a)(IV) may apply to redacted material in successful subcontractor's bid proposal and prequalification documents where material may have contained information that was ultimately incorporated into subcontract and where disclosure may pose substantial risk to subcontractor's competitive position. Intern. Broth. of Elec. v. Denver Metro., 880 P.2d 160 (Colo. App. 1994).

However, evidence presented at hearing was inadequate to establish that redacted material was protected by confidential financial information exemption which was based solely upon opinion of witness that information was confidential. Intern. Broth. of Elec. v. Denver Metro., 880 P.2d 160 (Colo. App. 1994).

Legislative intent to classify autopsy reports as public records. The phrase "exclusive of coroners' autopsy reports" in subsection (3)(a)(I) is convincing evidence of the legislative intent to classify autopsy reports as public records open to inspection, rather than directing the denial of a right of inspection by any person, as is the case with other medical, psychological, sociological, and scholastic data. Denver Publ'g Co. v. Dreyfus, 184 Colo. 288, 520 P.2d 104 (1974).

Coroners' autopsy reports are "public records" and not "criminal justice records", so that autopsy report on homicide victim may be withheld from public inspection by custodian thereof only pursuant to procedure under the open records law requiring establishment that disclosure would do "substantial injury to the public interest". Freedom Newspapers, Inc. v. Bowerman, 739 P.2d 881 (Colo. App. 1987).

The controlling standard in subsection (6)(a) regarding the release of the complete autopsy report is public, not private, injury. Blesch v. Denver Publ'g Co., 62 P.3d 1060 (Colo. App. 2002).

Trial court properly denied the release of autopsy reports of victims of the Columbine high school massacre. Testimony by family members of the victims and the coroner supported the court's finding that release of the reports would do substantial injury to the public interest. Furthermore, CORA did not require the trial court to conduct an in camera hearing on the report. Bodelson v. Denver Publ'g Co., 5 P.3d 373 (Colo. App. 2000). But see Blesch v. Denver Publ'g Co., 62 P.3d 1060 (Colo. App. 2002).

Records of state compensation insurance authority do not fall within any of the exemptions enumerated in this section and are, therefore, subject to the state opens records law as a "political subdivision". Dawson v. State Comp. Ins. Auth., 811 P.2d 408 (Colo. App. 1990).

Police records showing arrests, convictions, and other information about individuals are not public and should not be open to the scrutiny of the public at large. Losavio v. Mayber, 178 Colo. 184, 496 P.2d 1032 (1972).

Except when given to prosecution. When lists of the conviction records of prospective jurors are given to the prosecution, they can no longer be classified as internal matters affecting only the internal operations of the police department. Losavio v. Mayber, 178 Colo. 184, 496 P.2d 1032 (1972).

In which case, defense entitled to obtain information. Police records are not public records open to inspection by the general public but where the district attorney's office regularly receives information from such records, the defense attorneys, including the public defender's office, are entitled to obtain such information in the possession of the prosecution. Losavio v. Mayber, 178 Colo. 184, 496 P.2d 1032 (1972).

District court abused its discretion when it found that a county attorney was a "prosecuting attorney" within the meaning of the investigatory records exception. Nothing in the record suggested that the county attorney investigated the requesting party's land use code violation for the purpose of a criminal prosecution. Shook v. Pitkin County Bd. of County Comm'rs, 2015 COA 84, 411 P.3d 158.

Nor were the records compiled for a criminal law enforcement purpose. Because there was no evidence that the county attorney investigated the requesting party's land use code violation for the purpose of a criminal prosecution, the district court also abused its discretion in finding that the records were contained in investigatory files "compiled for criminal law enforcement purposes" pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(I). Shook v. Pitkin County Bd. of County Comm'rs, 2015 COA 84, 411 P.3d 158.

The investigatory files exception in subsection (2)(a)(I) did not permit the custodian to withhold the requested public records. The district court erred in finding that the records were of investigations conducted by a "prosecuting attorney" and that they were investigatory files compiled "for a criminal law enforcement purpose". Because neither of these requirements of the investigatory records exception was satisfied, the exception did not permit the custodian to withhold the records. Shook v. Pitkin County Bd. of County Comm'rs, 2015 COA 84, 411 P.3d 158.

Applied in Laubach v. Bradley, 194 Colo. 362, 572 P.2d 824 (1977); In re W.D.A. v. City & County of Denver, 632 P.2d 582 (Colo. 1981); Marks v. Koch, 284 P.3d 118 (Colo. App. 2011); Ark. Valley Publ'g v. Lake County Bd. of County Comm'rs, 2015 COA 100, 369 P.3d 725.