Case Records

In general, under C.R.C.P. 251.31, all records concerning disciplinary cases are available to the public after a formal disciplinary complaint is filed. The following records, however, are sealed or suppressed: 

• Matters subject to a protective order
• Work product of the PDJ or hearing boards
• Opinions imposing a private admonition
• Files and records resulting from a diversion, and successfully completed diversion matters 
• Immediate suspension matters dismissed by the PDJ 
• Stipulations rejected by the PDJ before the filing of a formal complaint

Records in lawyer disability cases are suppressed, except for orders placing an attorney on disability inactive status or removing an attorney from disability inactive status.

Records concerning UPL cases, including contempt matters, are generally confidential under C.R.C.P. 240(b). The Colorado Supreme Court, rather than the PDJ, maintains custody of these records after the PDJ issues a report in the case.

Records concerning bar admissions hearings before a hearing board are suppressed unless the applicant requests that the hearing be public under C.R.C.P. 209.4(2). The PDJ maintains records for bar admissions hearings after a hearing board issues a report in the case.

Colorado's Public Access to Information and Records Rule 2 ("P.A.I.R.R. 2") governs access to administrative records of the judicial branch, including administrative records of the PDJ's office. For information about requesting administrative records from the PDJ's office under P.A.I.R.R. 2, please see the PDJ's Policy for Public Access to Administrative Records.