Colorado Genealogy Search at a Glance
Colorado genealogy search, look up ancestors, browse CO archived records, history, census information and more online
1Colorado Genealogy
Colorado statewide genealogy links
- Colorado State Archives Historical Records Indexarchives.colorado.govHistorical Records Index and Database
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentcdphe.colorado.govObtain Early Vital Records
- Colorado Marriage and Divorce Databasearchives.colorado.govOnline Marriage and Divorce Records
- Colorado State Archives and Libraries Searchwww.colorado.govColorado Archives and Libraries Search
- Colorado Historic Newspapers Collectionwww.coloradohistoricnewspapers.orgHistoric Colorado Newspapers
- Colorado Archives Military Online Databasearchives.colorado.govMilitary Archives Online Indexes
- Colorado State Archives Court and Judicial Recordsarchives.colorado.govColorado Archived Court and Judicial Case Files
- Colorado Probate Court Indexes from State Archivesarchives.colorado.govColorado Probate Indexes
- Colorado State Archives Family History Pagearchives.colorado.govSearch the Family History Records Database
- Colorado Online School Archivesarchives.colorado.govHistorical Colorado School Records
- Colorado State Penitentiary Prisoner Indexarchives.colorado.govPenitentiary and Reform Records
- Colorado Virtual Librarywww.coloradovirtuallibrary.orgVirtual Library Digital Collections
- USGenWeb Archives Coloradocogenweb.comSearch Colorado GenWeb Archives
- National Archives Colorado Rocky Mountain Regionwww.archives.govColorado Genealogy Research at the National Archives
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Colorado's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Colorado state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The federal government's primary archive. Holds the U.S. census (1790, 1950), ship passenger lists, naturalization records, military service files, and land entry files.
https://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy (archives.gov)
Free online genealogy platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Digitized microfilm copies of many county and state records worldwide.
https://www.familysearch.org/ (familysearch.org)
The LoC's research guides, city directories, newspapers, and Civil War records, most accessible free online through loc.gov.
https://guides.loc.gov/genealogy (loc.gov)
Colorado Genealogy Search, FAQ
Is the 1950 census released?
Yes. Under the 72-year rule, the 1950 U.S. Census was released by NARA on April 1, 2022 and is free to search on archives.gov and familysearch.org.
How do I request a military service record?
NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis holds military service records. Requests use SF-180 and are free for the veteran or next of kin.
Do I need a paid subscription to do genealogy?
No. FamilySearch, Archives.gov, the Library of Congress, and most state archives provide substantial free access. Commercial services (Ancestry, MyHeritage) add convenience and private trees but not exclusive records.
Where are vital records for the 1800s kept?
Before state-level vital registration (roughly 1890, 1920 depending on state), most births, deaths, and marriages were recorded only by the county, the church, or the family Bible. State archives and FamilySearch are the primary starting points for that era.