Information, not legal advice. What you find here is general information and free tools. It is not legal advice about your situation, and using it does not make us your attorney. Every case is different. For advice about your own case, a licensed attorney can help — Colorado’s Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel provides court-appointed lawyers for parents who qualify.
Tools · Get your file
Records Request Tracker + Templates
Your case generates records about you — reports, assessments, case notes, court filings. Parents can ask for them. This tool keeps every request on record: what you asked for, when, from whom, and what's still missing.
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How records requests generally work
County case records are requested from the county department of human services handling the case. Counties have their own request processes; asking "What is your process for a parent to request their case file?" is a normal question. Some records may be withheld or redacted by law (for example, reporter identities are confidential).
Court files are requested from the court clerk in the county where the case is filed. Parties to a case can generally access their own case file.
Through your attorney is often the smoothest road — court-appointed counsel can request discovery and share documents with you. Asking your lawyer for copies of everything is always allowed.
In writing beats by phone. A written request creates a record that it was made and when. That's what this tracker is for.
Log a request
Nothing tracked yet. The first entry usually follows the first template below.
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Example request letters
Example language, not instructions — edit anything in [brackets] and make it yours. Copy, paste into an email or document, and log it above.
Template 1 — Requesting your case file from the county
[Date]
[County] County Department of Human Services
Attn: Records / Custodian of Records
Re: Records request — case involving [your name], case number [number, if known]
To whom it may concern:
I am a parent involved in the above case. I am requesting a complete copy of the records the department maintains regarding me and my family in connection with this case, including reports, assessments, case notes, safety plans, service records, and correspondence.
Please let me know if a form, identification, or fee is required, and the expected timeframe. If any portion of the records is withheld, I request a written explanation of what was withheld and the basis for withholding it.
I can be reached at [phone] or [email]. Please send records to [mailing or email address].
Thank you,
[Your name]
[Date of birth — often used to locate records]
Template 2 — Following up on a request with no response
[Date]
[County] County Department of Human Services
Attn: Records / Custodian of Records
Re: Follow-up on records request dated [date of original request] — [your name], case number [number, if known]
To whom it may concern:
On [date], I requested a copy of my case records (copy attached). As of today I have not received a response.
I am renewing that request and ask for a written update on its status, including the expected date the records will be provided, or a written explanation if any portion is being withheld.
I can be reached at [phone] or [email].
Thank you,
[Your name]
