Douglas County Public Records /Douglas County Property Records

Douglas County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Douglas County in 2026

DouglasGERecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Douglas County. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded instruments, tax information, and encumbrances. Record categories available through official and third-party sources include deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, tax assessments, and building permits. Access to these records does not guarantee completeness, and users are encouraged to verify information through official county offices.

Property records in Douglas County may be searched through several official resources maintained by county government agencies. The primary repositories include the Douglas County Assessor's Office, the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder, and the Douglas County Treasurer. Each office maintains distinct categories of property-related information, and members of the public may access records through online portals, in-person visits, or written mail requests.

Multiple Access Methods:

Online searches — the most convenient method, available through county agency websites at no cost for basic information
In-person visits — required for certified copies, historical documents, or records not yet digitized
By mail — written requests submitted with applicable fees and identifying property information
Through professionals — title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed appraisers conduct comprehensive searches as part of real estate transactions

1. Property Appraiser Website

The Douglas County Assessor's Office serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access the Douglas County Assessor property search at no cost and without registration.

Search Options:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel ID or schedule number
By subdivision name
By map or GIS location
By legal description

Information Available:

Current owner name and mailing address
Property site address
Legal description
Parcel/schedule number
Land use and zoning classification
Property characteristics including square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, year built, lot size, and building type
Assessed value (land and improvements)
Actual and assessed values
Exemptions applied
Sales history
GIS map location

How to Search:

Navigate to the Douglas County Assessor property search portal
Select a search type (address, owner name, parcel number, etc.)
Enter the applicable search criteria
Review the results list returned by the system
Select a specific property to view the full property record
Review the property card, map, and sales history
Print or save the information as needed

2. County Clerk and Recorder Official Records Search

The Douglas County Clerk and Recorder maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. Members of the public may search recorded documents through the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder's official records portal. Basic search access is available at no charge; fees may apply for document image retrieval or certified copies.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller or transferor)
Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
Document type
Recording date range
Reception number (instrument number)
Book and page reference

Documents Available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
Easements
Declarations of restrictions and covenants
Plats and subdivision surveys
Powers of attorney affecting property
Affidavits affecting title
Lis pendens notices
HOA documents and declarations

How to Search:

Access the Clerk and Recorder's official records search portal
Select the applicable search type (grantor, grantee, document type, etc.)
Enter the search criteria, including name, date range, or document type
Review the results returned by the index
Select a document to view the image, if available online
Note the reception number or book and page for future reference
Request certified copies through the office if required

3. Tax Collector (Treasurer) Website

The Douglas County Treasurer maintains tax payment records and current tax bill information. Members of the public may access the Douglas County Treasurer's property tax search at no cost.

Search By:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel or schedule number
Tax account number

Information Available:

Current tax bill and amount due
Payment history
Outstanding balances and delinquency status
Exemptions applied
Millage rates by taxing authority
Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
Payment options and installment plan status

4. GIS and Mapping System

The Douglas County GIS Division maintains an interactive mapping system that allows members of the public to search properties visually. The Douglas County GIS mapping portal provides aerial photography, property boundary overlays, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and environmental feature layers.

How to Use:

Navigate the interactive map to the desired location
Click on a parcel to view linked property information
Access associated records from the Assessor and Clerk databases
Measure distances and view multiple map layers simultaneously

In-Person Searches:

Douglas County Assessor's Office 100 Third Street, Suite 220 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7450 Douglas County Assessor

Services available in person include public access computer terminals, staff assistance with property searches, property cards, plat maps, and exemption application processing.

Douglas County Clerk and Recorder 100 Third Street, Suite 130 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7446 Douglas County Clerk and Recorder

Services available in person include viewing official recorded documents, requesting certified copies, searching grantor and grantee indexes, accessing record books, and receiving staff assistance with document retrieval.

Douglas County Treasurer 100 Third Street, Suite 120 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7455 Douglas County Treasurer

Services available in person include tax payment processing, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.

By Mail Requests:

Property Appraiser (Assessor):

Written requests for property information may be submitted to the Douglas County Assessor's Office at 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Requests should include the property address or parcel number, a description of the information sought, and a self-addressed return envelope. Copying fees may apply.

Clerk and Recorder:

Written requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted to the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder at 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Requests should specify the document by reception number, book and page, or property address and approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request.

Through Professionals:

Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and prepare abstracts of title identifying all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes. Licensed real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and obtain comparable sales data as part of their representation of buyers or sellers.

Search Tips:

When searching by address, use the complete street address and try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
When searching by owner name, try last name first, check spelling variations, and consider both current and previous owner names as well as business entity names
When searching by legal description, use the exact subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range designations
For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the Clerk and Recorder's office or the Assessor's office is required; staff can assist with microfilm and archived record books

Common Search Challenges:

Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays
Very old records may not be digitized and require in-person retrieval
Common names or similar addresses may return multiple results; verify by parcel number or legal description
Indexing errors may cause records to appear under variant spellings

What Cannot Be Found Online:

Unrecorded private agreements
Pending sales prior to closing and recording
Documents filed under seal by court order
Some pre-digital historical records not yet scanned

What Is Douglas County Property Records

Property records are official documents related to real property — land and the improvements affixed to it — maintained by Douglas County government agencies as permanent legal records of ownership, transfers, encumbrances, and valuations. These records establish the chain of title, document all interests affecting a parcel, and serve as the legal foundation for real estate transactions, tax assessment, and property rights enforcement. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-35-109, instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded with the county clerk and recorder to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.

Purpose of Property Records:

Establish and document legal ownership
Provide an unbroken chain of title
Record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens
Document property transfers and conveyances
Support property tax assessment and collection
Determine property values for lending and appraisal purposes
Protect property rights and enable title insurance
Facilitate real estate transactions

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, life estate deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other instruments conveying an interest in real property. These documents establish the current owner of record and the historical chain of title.

Encumbrance Records include mortgages, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens, easements, declarations of restrictions and covenants, HOA documents, and lis pendens notices. These instruments affect the title and must be disclosed in any real estate transaction.

Tax and Assessment Records include property tax assessments, tax bills, payment histories, exemption records, millage rates, special assessments, and delinquency records maintained by the Douglas County Assessor and Treasurer.

Legal Descriptions and Plats include recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, survey plats, and metes and bounds descriptions that legally define the boundaries of each parcel.

Building and Permit Records include building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violation notices, and zoning designations maintained by the Douglas County Building Division and Planning Department.

Who Maintains Property Records:

Douglas County Clerk and Recorder 100 Third Street, Suite 130 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7446 Douglas County Clerk and Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder records, indexes, and maintains all official instruments affecting title to real property in Douglas County.

Douglas County Assessor's Office 100 Third Street, Suite 220 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7450 Douglas County Assessor

The Assessor maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, ownership information, property characteristics, and exemption applications.

Douglas County Treasurer 100 Third Street, Suite 120 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7455 Douglas County Treasurer

The Treasurer maintains tax bills, payment histories, delinquency records, and tax certificate information.

Douglas County Building Division 100 Third Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7497 Douglas County Building Division

The Building Division maintains permit records, inspection histories, and certificates of occupancy.

Legal Framework:

Colorado's property recording system is governed by Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-35-109, which establishes the requirement that instruments affecting real property be recorded to provide constructive notice. The Colorado Open Records Act, codified at C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq., guarantees public access to government-maintained records, including property records. As the Colorado Assessor's Association notes, "Property records maintained by county assessors are public records open to inspection by any person during regular business hours."

Are Property Records Public Information in Douglas County?

Property records in Douglas County are public information. Under the Colorado Open Records Act, any member of the public may inspect and obtain copies of property records maintained by county agencies without demonstrating a specific purpose or obtaining prior authorization. This principle reflects centuries of American common law tradition establishing that land records must be publicly accessible to provide constructive notice of ownership and encumbrances.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

The Colorado Open Records Act at C.R.S. § 24-72-203 provides that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. Colorado's recording statutes further require that all instruments recorded with the Clerk and Recorder be available for public inspection. As stated in the Colorado Revised Statutes, recorded instruments "shall be notice to all persons of the contents thereof."

Why Property Records Are Public:

Transparency — Public access to ownership records prevents secret transfers, supports accountability in property taxation, and deters fraud
Commercial necessity — Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisal all depend on open access to recorded instruments
Legal protection — The recording system provides constructive notice, establishes priority of interests, and enables enforcement of property rights
Public interest — Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and genealogical research all rely on publicly accessible property records

What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:

Current and historical property ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification
Sale prices and transfer amounts
Recorded mortgage amounts
Liens and encumbrances of record
Tax assessments and payment histories
Property characteristics (size, age, construction type)
Deeds and all recorded instruments
Plat maps and subdivision surveys

Privacy Considerations:

Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents pursuant to state and federal law. Under Colorado's Address Confidentiality Program, certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims — may request that their residential address be protected from public disclosure. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public inspection; members of the public should contact the Douglas County Assessor's Office for specific policies regarding exemption application access.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any person may access Douglas County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, licensed appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, developers, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.

Commercial Use of Property Records:

Commercial use of publicly available property records is permitted under Colorado law. Title insurance companies, property data aggregators, direct mail marketing firms, and investment analysis services routinely compile and use property record data. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing statutes, and other applicable regulations continue to govern how information derived from public records may be used, regardless of the public nature of the underlying data.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Douglas County?

Members of the public may inspect property records maintained by Douglas County agencies at no charge during regular business hours. Fees apply when copies, certified copies, or document images are requested. The following fee schedule reflects current charges as maintained by Douglas County offices.

Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Recording and Copy Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Recording first page of a document	$13.00
Recording each additional page	$5.00
Certified copy of a recorded document	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Non-certified copy of a recorded document	$1.25 per page
Document search (staff-assisted)	No charge for basic search

Douglas County Assessor Copy Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Property record card (paper copy)	$0.25 per page
Online property information	Free
GIS map prints	Varies by size

Douglas County Treasurer Copy Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Tax bill copy	No charge for basic information online
Certified tax records	Contact office for current fee

Accepted Payment Methods:

The Douglas County Clerk and Recorder accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card for in-person transactions. Mail requests must include a check or money order payable to the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder. Online document access through the official portal may require a credit card for per-document fees.

What Is Available at No Cost:

Online inspection of property records through the Assessor's portal
Online inspection of recorded document indexes through the Clerk and Recorder's portal
Online tax information through the Treasurer's portal
In-person inspection of records at county offices during business hours
GIS map viewing online

Fee waivers are not broadly available for standard property record requests. Governmental agencies and certain nonprofit organizations may be entitled to reduced fees in specific circumstances; members of the public should contact the applicable office directly for information on fee waiver eligibility.

What's Included in a Douglas County Property Record?

A complete Douglas County property record encompasses information maintained across multiple county agencies, including the Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, and Treasurer. The following describes the full scope of information available.

Ownership Information:

Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners of record, the form of ownership (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate), the acquisition date, the deed instrument number or book and page reference, and the owner's mailing address for tax billing purposes. Previous ownership information includes the chain of title, prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references tracing ownership back to the county's earliest recorded instruments.

Property Identification:

Each parcel is identified by a site address, a legal description (including lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, and section, township, and range designations where applicable), and a unique parcel or schedule number assigned by the Assessor. Condominium units carry additional unit-specific identifiers.

Physical Characteristics:

Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, and land use and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area in square feet, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms, number of full and half bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features documented include attached or detached garages, pools, porches, fireplaces, central air conditioning, heating type, water source, and sewer system type.

Valuation Information:

The Assessor's records include the land value, building value, total assessed value, actual (market) value, and assessed value for the current assessment year, as well as historical values for prior years. Agricultural classification values are recorded separately where applicable.

Tax Information:

The Treasurer's records include the current year tax amount, taxable value after exemptions, millage rates broken down by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts), due dates, payment status, and discount information for early payment. Tax payment history and any delinquency history are also maintained.

Exemptions Applied:

Exemptions documented in the Assessor's records include the homestead exemption for qualifying senior owner-occupants (Colorado's senior homestead exemption provides a 50% reduction on the first $200,000 of actual value for qualifying seniors), disability exemptions, veteran exemptions, and agricultural exemptions.

Sales History:

Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, trustee's deed, etc.), grantor and grantee names, deed instrument numbers, and qualified or unqualified sale designations used by the Assessor for valuation purposes.

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded encumbrances include current and historical mortgages and deeds of trust with lender names, recording dates, and original amounts; tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens with amounts and recording dates; easements, deed restrictions, covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens notices.

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Zoning classification, land use designation, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water, community development districts), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, flood zone designation (FEMA), and wetlands or conservation area designations are all components of a complete property record.

Maps and Images:

Property records include exterior property photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundary overlays, plat maps, and property sketches or floor plan diagrams maintained by the Assessor.

What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:

Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
Interior photographs
Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to law)
Confidential details from exemption applications
Private agreements not submitted for recording
Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price

How Long Does Douglas County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Douglas County are maintained permanently. The legal requirement to preserve recorded instruments affecting title to real property is established under Colorado law, and no recorded deed, mortgage, lien, plat, or other instrument affecting title is subject to destruction. As the Colorado State Archives notes, "Land records are among the most permanent records maintained by county governments, as they form the legal foundation for property ownership."

Legal Basis for Retention:

Colorado's records retention requirements for county clerks and recorders mandate permanent retention of all recorded instruments. The Colorado Secretary of State's records retention schedule confirms that deeds, mortgages, plats, and all instruments recorded in the official records are to be preserved indefinitely. The necessity of an unbroken chain of title makes permanent retention both a legal requirement and a practical necessity for the functioning of the real estate market.

Records Kept Permanently:

All recorded deeds, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments, are maintained permanently from the date of the county's formation. All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases are maintained permanently even after the underlying loan has been paid in full. All recorded liens, including releases, are maintained permanently. All recorded plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently. All easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are maintained permanently.

Format and Storage:

Historical records from the county's earliest years are preserved in handwritten ledger books stored in climate-controlled vault facilities at the Clerk and Recorder's office. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. Records from recent decades are available as digital scans through the online official records portal. The Douglas County Clerk and Recorder maintains off-site backup systems and digital preservation protocols to ensure the long-term integrity of all recorded instruments.

Online Availability by Time Period:

Recent records (approximately last 20–30 years): Available online through the Clerk and Recorder's official records portal with immediate access
Moderate age records (20–50 years): Available on microfilm at the Clerk and Recorder's office; staff can retrieve same day
Historical records (50+ years): Available in original record books or on microfilm; staff retrieval required, and an appointment is recommended for extensive historical research
Very old records (100+ years): Stored in archive facilities; advance notice to the Clerk and Recorder's office is recommended

Property Appraiser (Assessor) Records:

Assessment rolls and property cards are maintained permanently. Current and historical assessments are available online for recent years, with historical assessment information available at the Assessor's office. Exemption applications are retained for a period consistent with the Colorado Secretary of State's records retention schedule, which varies by document type.

Tax Records:

Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years by the Treasurer. Tax deed records are maintained permanently by the Clerk and Recorder. Tax certificate records are maintained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued.

Accessing Historical Records:

Douglas County Clerk and Recorder 100 Third Street, Suite 130 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7446 Douglas County Clerk and Recorder

Members of the public requesting historical records should contact the Clerk and Recorder's office and specify the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the type of document sought. Retrieval time ranges from same-day to several business days depending on the age and format of the records. Standard copying fees apply to historical records.

Douglas County Assessor's Office 100 Third Street, Suite 220 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7450 Douglas County Assessor

Historical assessment information is available at the Assessor's office for properties not covered by the online portal's historical data range.

How To Find Liens on Property in Douglas County?

Liens on property in Douglas County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder's official records index. Members of the public may identify all recorded liens affecting a specific parcel by searching the official records database by grantor or grantee name, property address (where the system permits), or by reviewing the complete chain of title for the parcel.

Types of Liens Recorded in Douglas County:

Federal and state tax liens (IRS and Colorado Department of Revenue)
Judgment liens arising from court judgments
Mechanic's liens filed by contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers
HOA assessment liens
Code enforcement liens
Child support liens
Municipal special assessment liens

Steps to Search for Liens:

Access the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder's official records search portal
Select the grantor/grantee name search option
Enter the current property owner's name as the grantor to identify liens filed against that individual or entity
Filter results by document type, selecting lien-related categories (mechanic's lien, judgment lien, tax lien, etc.)
Review all results within the applicable date range
Note the reception number, recording date, amount, and lienholder for each lien identified
Search for corresponding releases or satisfactions to determine whether any identified lien has been discharged

Federal Tax Liens:

Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder and are searchable through the official records index. Members of the public may also search the IRS lien database through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation for additional information on federal tax lien filings.

Judgment Liens:

Judgment liens in Colorado attach to real property in the county where the judgment is recorded. Members of the public may search for judgment liens through the Clerk and Recorder's official records index and may also review the Douglas County District Court records through the Colorado Judicial Branch case search system to identify underlying judgments.

Mechanic's Liens:

Mechanic's liens are filed by contractors and material suppliers who have not been paid for work performed on a property. Under Colorado law, mechanic's liens must be recorded within specific statutory deadlines to be enforceable. These liens are searchable through the Clerk and Recorder's official records index by the property owner's name or, in some cases, by property address.

HOA Liens:

Homeowner association assessment liens are recorded with the Clerk and Recorder when an HOA files a lien for unpaid assessments. Members of the public may search for HOA liens through the official records index by the property owner's name or the HOA's name as grantor.

In-Person Lien Search:

Douglas County Clerk and Recorder 100 Third Street, Suite 130 Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7446 Douglas County Clerk and Recorder

Staff at the Clerk and Recorder's office can assist members of the public with lien searches during regular business hours. Public access computer terminals are available for self-service searches. Certified copies of lien documents may be obtained for applicable fees.

Title Company Lien Searches:

For real estate transactions, title companies conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process. A title search performed by a licensed title company will identify all recorded liens, encumbrances, and other interests affecting the property and will result in a title commitment that discloses all matters of record.

What Is Property Owner Rule in Douglas County?

The property owner rule in Douglas County refers to the body of Colorado law and local regulations governing the rights, responsibilities, and limitations applicable to owners of real property within the county. Property ownership in Colorado is governed by state statute, common law principles, and local ordinances that collectively define what owners may do with their property and what obligations they bear.

Fundamental Property Rights:

Under Colorado law, a property owner holds the right to use, enjoy, and dispose of real property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, HOA covenants, easements, and other encumbrances of record. The Colorado Constitution provides that private property shall not be taken or damaged for public or private use without just compensation, consistent with the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Ownership and Title:

Legal ownership of real property in Douglas County is established by a recorded deed. Colorado follows the race-notice recording system, meaning that a subsequent purchaser who records first and takes without notice of a prior unrecorded interest prevails over that prior interest. This principle is codified in C.R.S. § 38-35-109, which provides that unrecorded instruments are void as against subsequent purchasers for value without notice who first record their interest.

Property Owner Responsibilities:

Property owners in Douglas County bear the following obligations:

Property tax payment — Owners are responsible for annual property taxes assessed by the Douglas County Assessor and collected by the Treasurer. Failure to pay results in a tax lien and, ultimately, a tax deed sale
Maintenance and code compliance — Owners must maintain property in compliance with Douglas County building codes, zoning ordinances, and nuisance regulations enforced by the Building Division and Code Enforcement
HOA obligations — Owners of property within a homeowner association are bound by the HOA's declaration, bylaws, and rules, including the obligation to pay assessments
Disclosure obligations — Sellers of real property in Colorado are required to disclose known material defects affecting the property pursuant to Colorado real estate law

Zoning and Land Use Regulations:

The Douglas County Land Development Code governs permitted uses of property within unincorporated Douglas County. Property owners must obtain applicable permits before constructing, demolishing, or substantially altering structures. Zoning classifications determine what uses are permitted on a given parcel, and variances or special use permits may be required for uses not permitted by right. Members of the public may review zoning information through the Douglas County Community Development Department.

Adverse Possession:

Colorado law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's property for a statutory period may acquire legal title. The statutory period for adverse possession in Colorado is eighteen years under general law, with a shorter period available in certain circumstances involving color of title and payment of taxes.

Eminent Domain:

Douglas County and other governmental entities retain the power of eminent domain to acquire private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. Property owners subject to condemnation proceedings have the right to contest the taking and to challenge the amount of compensation offered through proceedings in Douglas County District Court.

Douglas County Community Development Department 100 Third Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: (303) 660-7460 Douglas County Community Development