Garfield County Public Records /Garfield County Property Records

Garfield County Property Records

What Is Garfield County Property Records

Property records in Garfield County are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property — including land, buildings, and other improvements — located within the county's jurisdiction. These records serve as the legal foundation for establishing a chain of title, providing public notice of property interests, and protecting the rights of property owners, lienholders, and other interested parties. Garfield County is located in Colorado, and property recording requirements are governed by Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-35-109, which mandates that all instruments affecting real property be recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder to be effective against third parties. The Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains the official repository of these documents and makes them accessible to the public in accordance with state law.

Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office 108 8th Street, Suite 200 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Phone: (970) 945-2377 Garfield County Clerk and Recorder

Are Property Records Public Information In Garfield County?

Property records in Garfield County are public information under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq., establishes the legal right of any member of the public to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by government agencies, including property records held by the County Clerk and Recorder. Property ownership is inherently a matter of public record because recording statutes require that instruments affecting real property be filed in a public registry to provide constructive notice to all parties. This transparency in land ownership serves the public interest by preventing fraud, resolving disputes, and facilitating commerce in real estate. Members of the public may inspect property records without being required to demonstrate a specific interest or provide a reason for their request. No special authorization or legal standing is necessary to access these documents.

How To Search Property Records in Garfield County in 2026

Searching property records in Garfield County involves several straightforward methods available to the public. Members of the public may conduct searches through the following channels:

In-Person Search: Visit the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 108 8th Street, Suite 200, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff can assist with locating recorded documents using the grantor/grantee index or parcel number.
Online Search: The Garfield County Assessor's Office and Clerk and Recorder's Office both maintain online portals where members of the public may search property records by owner name, parcel number, address, or legal description.
Written Request: Individuals may submit a written request for copies of specific documents. Requests should include the property address, parcel identification number, or the names of the parties involved in the transaction.
Third-Party Title Companies: Licensed title companies operating in Colorado may also conduct comprehensive title searches on behalf of individuals or entities.
Assessor's Office: The Garfield County Assessor's Office maintains assessment and ownership records that complement the recorded documents held by the Clerk and Recorder.

Garfield County Assessor's Office 108 8th Street, Suite 207 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Phone: (970) 945-9134 Garfield County Assessor

How To Find Property Records in Garfield County Online?

The Garfield County government provides multiple online resources through which members of the public may access property records without visiting a physical office. The primary online tools currently available include:

Garfield County Clerk and Recorder Online Search: The Clerk and Recorder's Office provides access to recorded documents through its official online portal. Users may search by document type, recording date, grantor/grantee name, or instrument number at the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's recorded documents search.
Garfield County Assessor Property Search: The Assessor's Office maintains a searchable database of property ownership, assessment values, and parcel information. Members of the public may access this tool through the Garfield County Assessor's property search portal.
Colorado Secretary of State: For UCC filings and certain liens recorded at the state level, members of the public may search the Colorado Secretary of State's online database.
GIS Mapping: Garfield County also provides a geographic information system (GIS) mapping tool that allows users to locate parcels visually and access associated property data.

How To Look Up Garfield County Property Records for Free?

Members of the public may access a substantial volume of Garfield County property records at no cost through official government resources. The following free options are currently available:

Garfield County Assessor's Online Portal: The Assessor's property search database is freely accessible online and provides ownership information, parcel data, assessed values, and tax history without charge.
In-Person Inspection: Under C.R.S. § 24-72-203, members of the public have the right to inspect public records during regular business hours at no cost. Inspection of records at the Clerk and Recorder's Office is free; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Clerk and Recorder's Online Search: Basic document searches through the Clerk and Recorder's online portal are available at no charge. Fees may apply for downloading or printing certified copies of recorded instruments.
GIS and Mapping Tools: Garfield County's publicly available GIS mapping system provides free access to parcel boundaries, ownership data, and related geographic information.
Colorado State Archives: Certain historical property records may be available through the Colorado State Archives at no cost for online viewing.

What's Included in a Garfield County Property Record?

Garfield County property records encompass a broad range of documents and data maintained by multiple county offices. These records pertain primarily to real property — land and permanently affixed structures — as distinguished from personal property, which is governed by separate legal frameworks. Property records are maintained by the Clerk and Recorder's Office (recorded instruments), the Assessor's Office (valuation and ownership data), and the Treasurer's Office (tax records).

A comprehensive Garfield County property record may include the following information:

Deeds: Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds documenting the transfer of ownership between parties
Mortgages and Deeds of Trust: Documents evidencing loans secured by real property
Liens: Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens encumbering the property
Easements and Covenants: Recorded agreements affecting the use or access of the property
Plats and Surveys: Legal descriptions, subdivision plats, and boundary surveys
Owner Information: Current and historical owner names and mailing addresses
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): A unique identifier assigned to each parcel
Legal Description: Metes and bounds, lot and block, or section-township-range descriptions
Assessed Value: The value assigned by the Assessor for property tax purposes
Tax History: Records of property taxes assessed and paid
Zoning Classification: Land use designations applicable to the parcel

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 38-35-109, all instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded to provide constructive notice and legal protection to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.

How Long Does Garfield County Keep Property Records?

Garfield County retains property records in accordance with the retention schedules established under Colorado law and the policies of the Colorado State Archives. The retention periods for various categories of property documents are as follows:

Deeds and Conveyance Instruments: Permanently retained; these documents form the chain of title and are never destroyed
Mortgages and Deeds of Trust: Retained permanently or for a minimum of 10 years after satisfaction or release
Liens: Retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of recording or until released
Plats and Subdivision Maps: Permanently retained as part of the official land records
Assessment Records: The Assessor's Office retains current assessment records and historical data in accordance with state-mandated schedules
Tax Records: Property tax records are generally retained for a minimum of 10 years

The Colorado State Archives provides official guidance on records retention schedules applicable to county government offices. Members of the public seeking information about specific retention periods may consult the Colorado State Archives records retention schedules for local government entities.

How To Find Liens on Property In Garfield County?

Liens on property in Garfield County are recorded instruments that encumber title and must be searched through the official records maintained by the Clerk and Recorder's Office. Members of the public may identify liens affecting a specific property through the following methods:

Clerk and Recorder's Grantor/Grantee Index: Liens are indexed under the property owner's name. A search of the grantor/grantee index at the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder's recorded documents search will reveal mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and other encumbrances recorded against the property.
Treasurer's Office — Tax Liens: Property tax liens are maintained by the Garfield County Treasurer's Office. Members of the public may contact the Treasurer's Office to determine whether any outstanding tax liens exist on a parcel.
Colorado Secretary of State — UCC Liens: Certain commercial liens, including UCC financing statements, are filed at the state level and may be searched through the Colorado Secretary of State's online system.
Federal Tax Liens: Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder and may be identified through the grantor/grantee index.
Title Search: A comprehensive lien search is typically conducted by a licensed title company as part of a real estate transaction.

Garfield County Treasurer's Office 108 8th Street, Suite 201 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Phone: (970) 945-6382 Garfield County Treasurer

What Is Property Owner Rule In Garfield County?

The property owner rule in Garfield County refers to the body of Colorado law and local regulations governing the rights, responsibilities, and limitations applicable to individuals and entities that hold title to real property within the county. Under Colorado law, property ownership confers a bundle of rights, including the right to use, lease, sell, encumber, and exclude others from the property, subject to applicable zoning, land use regulations, and recorded encumbrances.

Key provisions governing property ownership in Garfield County include:

Recording Requirement: Pursuant to C.R.S. § 38-35-109, a conveyance of real property is not effective against subsequent purchasers or encumbrancers for value unless the instrument is recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder. This "race-notice" recording system protects bona fide purchasers who record their interests first.
Property Tax Obligation: Property owners in Garfield County are subject to annual property taxation based on the assessed value determined by the Garfield County Assessor. Failure to pay property taxes may result in a tax lien being placed on the property.
Zoning and Land Use: The Garfield County Community Development Department administers zoning regulations that govern permissible uses of real property. Property owners must comply with applicable zoning designations and obtain required permits for construction or change of use.
Homestead Exemption: Colorado law provides a homestead exemption for qualifying owner-occupied primary residences, which reduces the assessed value subject to taxation.
Adverse Possession: Under Colorado law, a party may acquire title to property through adverse possession if the statutory requirements of open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and hostile possession are met for the required statutory period.

Garfield County Community Development Department 108 8th Street, Suite 401 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Phone: (970) 945-8212 Garfield County Community Development