About Weld County
Weld County, Colorado is located in the northeastern portion of the state and stands as one of Colorado's largest and most economically significant counties. Covering approximately 3,999 square miles, Weld County has experienced tremendous population growth, with current estimates exceeding 330,000 residents as of 2023. Weld County Seat is Greeley, a vibrant city home to the University of Northern Colorado and named after newspaper editor Horace Greeley. Weld County was established in 1861, making it one of the original 17 counties created by the Colorado Territorial Legislature.
Weld County is named after Lewis Ledyard Weld, the first Secretary of the Colorado Territory. Major municipalities include Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Dacono, Fort Lupton, and portions of Thornton, Brighton, and Longmont. What distinguishes Weld County is its remarkable blend of agriculture and energy production, it ranks as one of the top agricultural counties in the United States while simultaneously being Colorado's leading oil and gas producer.
Weld County's scene transitions from the urban Front Range corridor to vast agricultural plains. Key government offices include Weld County Clerk and Recorder at 1402 N 17th Avenue in Greeley, Weld County Assessor's Office at 1400 N 17th Avenue, and the Board of County Commissioners offices also located in downtown Greeley. Weld County operates multiple service centers to accommodate its geographically dispersed population.
Weld County Public Works maintains an extensive infrastructure network, and Weld County planning department manages both incorporated and unincorporated development across diverse economic zones.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Weld County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Weld County. The office oversees the operation of Weld County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community policing and offers various programs such as crime prevention education and neighborhood watch initiatives. The office has specialized divisions, including a K-9 unit, SWAT team, and a dedicated investigations division that handles major crimes within its jurisdiction.
Police Departments
In addition to Weld County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Weld County, including the Greeley Police Department, Fort Lupton Police Department, and Windsor Police Department. These agencies are responsible for law enforcement within their respective city limits and work in coordination with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and regional initiatives. The collaboration between these agencies ensures full coverage and response to public safety needs across Weld County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Weld County Sheriff's Office, located at 1950 O Street in Greeley, Colorado 80631, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Weld County and provides detention services for the entire region. The Sheriff's Office can be contacted through the office’s website, and maintains a full website at www.weldgov.com/departments/sheriff. Weld County Jail and Detention Facility operates a public inmate search system accessible through the Sheriff's website, allowing citizens to look up current inmates by name, booking number, or date of birth.
- The online roster provides booking photos (mugshots), charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates.
- Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-203 (Colorado Open Records Act or CORA), arrest records are generally considered public records and can be requested from the arresting agency.
- Citizens may submit public records requests to Weld County Sheriff's Office either in writing or through their online records request portal.
- Processing fees may apply for extensive records requests.
- The Sheriff's Office also maintains records of registered sex offenders, concealed carry permits, and civil process documents.
Municipal law enforcement agencies operating within Weld County include the Greeley Police Department, Evans Police Department, Windsor Police Department, Dacono Police Department, Fort Lupton Police Department, and portions of Brighton, Thornton, and Longmont police jurisdictions where those cities extend into Weld County. Mugshots and booking photos are maintained by Weld County Jail and are publicly accessible through the inmate roster system. Response times for CORA requests typically range from three to ten business days depending on the scope of the request.
No tribal police agencies operate within Weld County, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands in Weld County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Weld County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Weld County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments maintain these records, while the Colorado Bureau of Investigation provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the CBI's online portal, which includes information on arrests, convictions, and active warrants. The sex offender registry is also accessible to the public, providing details on registered offenders residing in Weld County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Weld County are maintained by Weld County Sheriff's Office and the various municipal police departments within Weld County. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the relevant law enforcement agency. These records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking information. The process for obtaining these records is governed by the Colorado Open Records Act, which ensures public access to government records while protecting individual privacy rights.
Jail & Inmate Records
Weld County Jail, also known as Weld County Detention Center, is located in Greeley. The facility handles the booking process for people arrested in Weld County, where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and their personal information is recorded. Inmate lookup is available through Weld County Sheriff's Office website, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines.
- The bond and bail process follows Colorado state law, allowing for the posting of bail to secure an inmate's release pending court proceedings.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Weld County are taken and retained by Weld County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a formal request. Colorado does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may seek removal through legal channels if the mugshot is deemed inaccurate or misleading. Third-party websites may also host mugshots, but their removal policies vary.
Courts & Case Records
Weld County Combined Court is the Nineteenth Judicial District Court of Colorado, with the main courthouse located at 901 9th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado 80631. The court handles district court matters (felonies, civil cases over $15,000, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, and mental health cases) as well as county court matters (misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil cases under $15,000, and protection orders).
- The system provides case summaries, party information, and docket entries but does not display complete court documents in most instances.
- To obtain certified copies of court documents, requesters must contact the Clerk of Court either in person or by mail and pay the required fees, typically $1.50 per page for copies plus a certification fee.
The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Colorado operates a statewide online case search system through the Judicial Branch website at www.courts.state.co.us, where users can search civil, criminal, domestic, probate, and traffic cases by party name or case number for Weld County cases. Weld County also has municipal courts in Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Dacono, and Fort Lupton that handle ordinance violations and traffic matters within city limits. Public access to Colorado court records is governed by Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-3-101 and Chief Justice Directive 05-01, which presume that court records are open to public inspection unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute.
Water court matters for Weld County are handled by the Water Court for Water Division No. 1 in Greeley. Weld County Combined Court also operates a self-help center to assist pro se litigants with forms and procedural guidance, though staff cannot provide legal advice.
Property & Public Records
Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office, located at 1402 N 17th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado 80631, is the official repository for land records and recorded documents. The office can be reached at and maintains a website at www.weldgov.com/departments/clerk_and_recorder. Available records include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, satisfaction of liens, mechanics liens, lis pendens notices, easements, covenants, plat maps, subdivision maps, and various UCC filings.
- For certified copies of recorded documents, the fee is $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page, plus a certification fee.
- Weld County Assessor's Office, located at 1400 N 17th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado 80631 (phone: 970-304-6000), maintains property tax records, ownership information, assessed valuations, and property characteristics.
- The Assessor provides a full online GIS mapping system and property search database at www.weldgov.com/departments/assessor, allowing free searches by owner name, address, parcel number, or account number.
Weld County provides free online access to recorded documents through its Recording Search portal on the Clerk and Recorder website, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, reception number, document type, or legal description dating back multiple decades. Digital images of most recorded documents can be viewed and printed at no charge. Users can view current and historical assessed values, sales information, property characteristics, aerial imagery, and tax district information.
Weld County Treasurer's Office, reachable, handles property tax payments, tax lien sales, and motor vehicle registrations. Marriage licenses are also recorded with the Clerk and Recorder's office and are public records searchable by the parties' names.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Weld County are available through two primary sources: Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 1402 N 17th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado 80631 (phone: 970-400-7750), and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Vital Records Section at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, Colorado 80246-1530. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-2-117, birth and death certificates are considered confidential records with restricted access.
- The fee for a certified birth certificate is $20.00 for the first copy and $13.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
- Death certificates have broader availability and cost $20.00 for the first certified copy and $13.00 for each additional copy.
- Processing time for walk-in requests is typically immediate to same-day, while mail requests take approximately 2-3 weeks.
- The State of Colorado offers online ordering of vital records through VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com) with expedited shipping options available for additional fees.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office; both parties must appear in person with valid identification, and the fee is $30.00.
Birth certificates are available only to the registrant (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest as defined by statute. Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate their eligibility to receive the record. There is no waiting period or blood test requirement in Colorado.
Marriage certificates become public records once recorded. Divorce decrees are not maintained by the Clerk and Recorder but are available through Weld County Combined Court where the dissolution was granted. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have restricted access under Colorado law.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Weld County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 1402 N 17th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado 80631 (phone: 970-400-7750) records trade name certificates (DBA - Doing Business As filings) for businesses operating under an assumed name. These filings cost $20.00 and are public records searchable through the Clerk's office.
- The Secretary of State's database allows free searches by business name, principal name, or registered agent, and provides entity status, formation date, registered agent information, and principal addresses.
- Building permits for construction in unincorporated areas are issued by Weld County Building Safety at 1400 N 17th Avenue, Greeley (phone: 970-304-6415), while incorporated municipalities issue their own permits.
For formal business entity formation and registration (corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, nonprofits), the Colorado Secretary of State Business Division maintains the official registry accessible online at www.sos.state.co.us/biz. Business licenses for activities within unincorporated Weld County are handled by Weld County Community Development Department, which can be contacted through the office’s website. Individual municipalities within Weld County, Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Dacono, Fort Lupton, and others, maintain their own business licensing requirements for operations within city limits. Zoning and land use matters are handled by Weld County Planning Department.
Professional licenses (contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, healthcare professionals) are typically regulated at the state level through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Sales tax licenses are issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue for state sales tax, and separately by municipalities for local sales tax. The Upstate Colorado Economic Development organization and Greeley-Weld County Chamber of Commerce serve as resources for business development and can be reached through their respective websites.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Weld County are administered by Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office, Elections Division, located at 1402 N 17th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado 80631. The Elections Division can be contacted through the office’s website, and full election information is available at www.weldgov.com/departments/elections. Voter registration in Colorado is available online through the Colorado Secretary of State at www.govotecolorado.gov, in person at the Clerk's office, at Division of Motor Vehicles offices, or by mail.
- Colorado is a universal mail ballot state, all active registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot for each election approximately 18-22 days before Election Day.
- In the November 2024 general election, Weld County experienced voter turnout of approximately 72% of registered voters, consistent with Colorado's high-participation election culture.
Colorado law requires voter registration to be completed or postmarked by 22 days before any election for mail registration, though in-person registration is available through Election Day at voter service and polling centers. Voters may return ballots by mail (no postage required if using the official envelope), at 24-hour ballot drop boxes located throughout Weld County, or in person at voter service and polling centers. Weld County operates multiple voter service and polling centers during the early voting period (typically beginning 15 days before Election Day) and on Election Day itself, with locations in Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Fort Lupton, and other communities.
Specific polling place locations can be found through the County Elections website or by calling the Elections Division. Public election records in Weld County include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted per Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-2-227), campaign finance reports filed with the County Clerk for county-level candidates and issues, candidate filings and petitions, precinct-level election results, ballot issue text, and election judge rosters. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include U.S.
House of Representatives races for Colorado's congressional districts (Weld County spans portions of the 2nd, 4th, and 8th districts), one U.S. Senate seat, Colorado Governor, other statewide constitutional officers, state legislature seats, and various county and municipal offices and ballot measures. Colorado's election transparency is governed by the Colorado Uniform Election Code (Title 1, Colorado Revised Statutes), which mandates public observation rights for ballot processing and counting, post-election audits, and broad public records access.
Citizens may request to observe election operations by contacting the Elections Division, and may file CORA requests for election related records including ballot images (subject to privacy protections), voting system documentation, and administrative records.
Economy & Demographics
Weld County possesses one of Colorado's most strong and diversified economies, anchored by agriculture, energy production, and growing manufacturing and distribution sectors. As of recent economic data, Weld County's median household income is approximately $79,000, exceeding both state and national averages. Weld County consistently ranks as the number one agricultural county in Colorado by total farm sales, with major production of cattle, corn, wheat, sugar beets, and dairy products.
- Major agricultural employers include JBS (formerly Swift & Company), one of the world's largest beef processing facilities located in Greeley, employing several thousand workers.
- Aims Community College, with campuses in Greeley and Fort Lupton, provides workforce development.
- Manufacturing includes food processing, renewable energy components, and industrial products.
The energy sector is equally significant, Weld County is Colorado's top oil and gas producing county, with thousands of active wells generating substantial property tax revenue and employment. Major energy companies operating in Weld County include PDC Energy, Occidental Petroleum, Chevron, and Ovintiv. Weld County has experienced substantial growth in distribution and logistics, with companies like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Vestas Wind Systems operating major facilities.
Greeley is a regional healthcare hub with Banner Health's North Colorado Medical Center as a major employer. The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley contributes significantly to the economy through employment, research, and student spending. The unemployment rate in Weld County has historically tracked below state and national averages, typically in the 3-4% range.
Recent economic development initiatives include the Greeley-Evans Transit system expansion, Carbon Valley development corridor between Dacono and Frederick, and continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure alongside traditional energy production. Tourism, while not the dominant sector, benefits from Weld County's proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park and agricultural heritage attractions.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: Restricted Access | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 9/10, Weld County provides excellent digital access to most public records with online portals for property, court, jail, and election information, though vital records require in-person or mail requests with eligibility verification.
Official Government Resources
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Cities & Towns in Weld County
Explore public records for 31 cities and communities in Weld County, Colorado.