Open Records Request

Before filing an Open Records Request, read the policy below

Purpose

Transparency and full disclosure are important to the City of Littleton. The purpose of this policy is to define the policy and procedures for providing accurate records to the public in a reasonable time frame.

Definition of Public Record

"Public Records" means and includes all writings made, maintained, or kept by the state, any agency, institution, a nonprofit corporation incorporated pursuant to section 23-5-121(2), C.R.S., or political subdivision of the state, or that are described in section 29-1-902, C.R.S., and held by any local-government-financed entity for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law or administrative rule or involving the receipt or expenditure of public funds. "Public Records" includes the correspondence of elected officials, except to the extent that such correspondence is:

  • Work product:
  • Without demonstrable connection to the exercise of functions required or authorized by law or administrative rule or does not involve the receipt or expenditure of public funds;
  • A communication from a constituent to an elected official that clearly implies by its nature or content that the constituent expects that it is confidential or a communication from the elected official in response to such a communication from a constituent: or
  • Subject to nondisclosure as required in section 24-72-204(1).

Exempt Public Records

If disclosure is prohibited by court order or is contrary to state or federal law or regulation. Examples: Medical, psychological, sociological, scholastic achievement data; personnel files and letters of reference; privileged or confidential information, such as communications with attorney- client privilege or proprietary information like computer source codes; deliberative process privileged materials; sexual harassment investigation records; some election, library and museum records; records on users of public utilities and facilities; materials submitted by certain applicants for executive positions. The city records custodian may deny inspection to specific records if disclosure is "contrary to the public interest."

Certain Types of Zoning Documents

Some records related to zoning, land use, and violations may be obtained via one of our zoning letters:

  1. Standard Zoning Letter:
    • Zoning district and permitted uses
  2. Custom Zoning Letter:
    • Verify zoning district and permitted uses
    • Provide specific interpretation of particular uses
    • Address any anomalies on the property
    • Verify that there are no current zoning or code violations

Zoning letters may be requested via the eTrakit Portal. Zoning verification letters do not verify existing improvements compliance with approved plans, documents, or codes. Questions about the Unified Land Use Code may be directed to the planner on duty at DRT@littletongov.org or 303-734-8076.

Access

The city clerk’s office will permit inspection and examination of non-exempt public records during regular business hours in the city clerk’s office, at Littleton Center, 2255 W. Berry Avenue, Littleton, Colorado or other locations the custodian may designate. All records shall be released in .pdf form.

Removal

At no time shall an original record of the City of Littleton be removed from the place at which the record is regularly maintained, except upon authorization of the city clerk.

On-Site Review

If a request to review original records is made, the city clerk’s office shall permit such a review provided the city clerk or his/her designee is present at any time during which original records are reviewed. Any attempt to alter, remove, or destroy any original records being reviewed will immediately terminate such person’s review, and may subject that person to prosecution.

Records Requests

Requests for review and/or duplication of public records are handled according to the State of Colorado Open Records Act (C.R.S. 24-72-203). Requests for public information should be delivered to the city clerk’s office on the City of Littleton public records request form. Per C.R.S. 24-72-203, the requested records will be made available within three (3) working days.

In the case of large requests, the city is permitted an extension of seven (7) working days to compile the requested information. If such extension is required, notification will be sent to the requestor within the initial three (3) working day time frame.

The city is not obligated to create a new public record in response to a request. Requests in advance for "future" records i.e. requests for information on a subsequent continuing or periodic basis are not allowed. A separate request must be made each time existing data and/or records are requested. Data will not be manipulated and provided in custom formats.

The city is authorized by law to charge the requestor for the research, retrieval, and redaction costs actually incurred by the city in processing public information requests. The law further authorizes the city to provide requested public records only after such costs are fully paid (C.R.S. § 24-72-205). It is therefore the city’s policy to require a deposit of 100% of the cost estimate as an affirmation of the requestor's willingness to proceed with the records request and pay the costs thereof.

The city will not proceed with a new open records request from any requestor unless full payment has been received for all previous open records requests filed by such requestor.

Fees

Fees for copying, research, retrieval, and redaction involved in public information requests are assessed per C.R.S. 24-72-203.

  • Copies — $.25 each
  • Certified copies — $2.00 each
  • Research & Retrieval — $33/hour after the first hour
  • Video DVD or Audio CD — $5.00 each
  • Postage & Packaging for Mailing — Actual Cost

Fees for other types of information requests will be assessed based on the city’s cost to copy or reproduce the requested item.