CORA

About CORA

In adopting the Colorado Open Records Act, also known as CORA, the legislature declared it to be the public policy of the state for all public records to be ‘open for inspection’ by any person at reasonable times unless a record was specifically made not public by law. 

DOR is responsible for meeting CORA's requirements by providing various records and information to the public. The department’s CORA team, in partnership with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, works together to balance the public’s right to know how their government operates with statutory limitations, including the protection of rights to privacy.

• Read the full text of the CORA statute: C.R.S. § 24-72-201 to 206.

• Review the adopted DOR CORA Policy.

Overview of the
CORA Process at DOR

Frequently asked questions

What is a public record?

Under CORA, “Public records” means and includes all writings made, maintained, or kept by the state (or) any agency ... for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law or administrative rule or involving the receipt or expenditure of public funds. (CRS 24-72-202(6)(a)(I)) 

“Writings” means and includes all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics. “Writings” includes digitally stored data, including without limitation electronic mail messages, but does not include computer software. 

More plainly, a public record is any writing that you create, keep, or store as part of your job; and you can think of writings as any information you can make and keep in any format about your work. CRS 24-72-202(7) 

What do I do if I receive a CORA request?

Forward it immediately to the CORA team. You can also help in directing any one asking about making a CORA request to the public CORA website, which includes an online form that helps ensure enough information is being received to be able to provide a timely response to the person or entity making the request (aka the requestor.) There are strict timelines in state law for responding to a CORA request, so it is important requests get to the CORA team as quickly as possible when received.

Can I respond to a CORA request if I receive it directly from the public?

No. Media and others can request public information from DOR in various ways. There are policies governing how the Department handles such requests. These policies are intended to ensure the Department follows all legal requirements relating to handling information requests and to ensure timeliness, accuracy, and coordination in our responses. 

Can I ignore a CORA request if one comes in?

No. There are legal requirements that govern how quickly and in what format we respond to these requests, and we must track our responses carefully. The CORA team within the Records Management unit is set up to do this in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office and will connect back with you for any info they need from you to fulfill the request. Please do not include in emails corresponding about a request any information that you would not want to appear in the media or in public. All emails are also public information and must be provided if asked for as part of a CORA request.

What if I receive a FOIA request?

If someone cites the Freedom of Information Act (or FOIA) in an information request, treat the request exactly as you would a CORA request.

Contact

CORA Team

Pat Harton, CORA Manager

Melissa Barkett-Long, CORA Administrator

Anissa Hollingshead, Director of Records Management