How to Find Colorado Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Colorado Deaths

Colorado became a state in 1876 and at this time a law was passed requiring counties and towns to record deaths. Some Colorado death records exist as early as 1877. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1907 and was generally complied with by 1920.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Death Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1877
 * 1877 thru 1899
 * 1900 thru present


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Deaths before 1877
Before 1877 no deaths were recorded by county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1877 thru 1899
After statehood in 1876 some counties began to record deaths. These records are housed on the county level.Only an incomplete index exists and it contains deaths through 1909. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the database below try searching for death information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For a list of Colorado counties containing earliest records available visit: Earliest Colorado Vital Records on File in the Colorado Counties

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
Contact the county where the death event occurred. State of Colorado roster of County Clerks Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1900 thru present
The state of Colorado officially began recording deaths in 1907. All death records beginning in 1900 are housed on the state level.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
There are no death indexes for Colorado at this time. If you do not know your ancestor's death date try searching for death information in other records.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of death 

Order a copy of the death certificate for a fee from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

Return to top: Choose another death year

Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records
Restrictions for persons born who died within the last 75 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 75 years, you must be:


 * The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
 * The spouse of the person on the certificate
 * The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
 * The sibling of the person on the certificate
 * Funeral director
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. death records
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 * How to Find U.S. death Records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
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