CORA
City of Fruita

Help & FAQ

Everything you need to know about submitting and tracking a public records request under the Colorado Open Records Act.

Response Timeline

CORA requires the City to respond within 3 business days of receiving your request. An extension of up to 7 additional business days may apply in certain circumstances.

Business days exclude weekends and Colorado state holidays.

Fees & Costs

Fees may be charged for staff research time and copying costs as permitted under CORA. You will always receive an estimate before any charges are incurred and may decline to proceed.

Payment is required before records are released.

Exemptions

Not all records are subject to disclosure. Common exemptions include personnel files, attorney-client communications, and active criminal investigation records. The City will identify any exemptions applied to your request.

You may challenge a denial through the courts under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5).

How a request works

From submission to delivery — what to expect at each step

1

Submit

Complete the request form with as much detail as possible — record type, date range, and department help us find what you need.

2

Review

City staff reviews your request within 3 business days. We may reach out if clarification is needed.

3

Estimate

If fees apply, you'll receive an itemized cost estimate. You decide whether to proceed before any charges are incurred.

4

Fulfillment

Staff locates and prepares responsive records. Exempt materials are identified and redacted as required by law.

5

Delivery

Records are delivered via your preferred method — digital download, mail, or in-person pickup at City Hall.

Tips for a good request

Be specific about record type. Emails, contracts, invoices, meeting minutes, permits, reports — naming the type helps staff search the right systems.

Include a date range. Open-ended requests covering "all time" take significantly longer to process. Even a rough year range speeds things up considerably.

Name the department or person. If you know which City department or staff member is involved, include that. Records are often stored by department, not topic.

Use reference numbers if you have them. Case numbers, permit numbers, project names, contract IDs — any identifier you have will dramatically improve search accuracy.

One request per topic. Bundling many unrelated records into one request can slow down fulfillment. Separate requests can be processed in parallel.

About CORA

The Colorado Open Records Act (C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq.) gives the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by government agencies.

No residency requirement — anyone may submit a CORA request.

You are not required to state the purpose of your request.

Requests are processed in the order they are received.

Some records are exempt from disclosure by statute.

You may challenge a denial in district court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click any question to expand the answer

How long does a CORA request take?

The City must respond within 3 business days of receiving your request. If the City needs more time, it may take an extension of up to 7 additional business days in certain circumstances — you will be notified if an extension applies.

Do I have to explain why I want the records?

No. CORA does not require you to state a reason for your request. You must provide contact information so the City can respond, but the purpose of your request is not required and should not affect whether records are disclosed.

Will I be charged for records?

It depends on the scope of your request. Fees may be charged for staff research time and copying costs as allowed by CORA. You will always receive an itemized cost estimate before any charges are incurred and may choose not to proceed.

Can I track the status of my request?

Yes. If you have a portal account, you can log in to view the current status of your request, any correspondence from staff, and uploaded documents at any time.

What if no records exist?

If the City does not have records responsive to your request, you will be notified in writing. Research fees may still apply in some cases for the time spent searching, as permitted by law.

What records are exempt from disclosure?

Common exemptions include personnel files, attorney-client privileged communications, records related to active criminal investigations, certain law enforcement records, and trade secrets. The City will tell you which exemption applies when withholding a record.

Can I request records about myself?

Yes. You may request records the City holds about you. Depending on the type of record, additional processes — such as those under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act — may apply.

What if my request is denied?

If the City denies your request, you will receive written notice identifying the legal basis for the denial. You may seek judicial review of the denial in district court under C.R.S. § 24-72-204(5). You may also want to consult an attorney.

Can I submit a request on behalf of someone else?

Yes. You may submit a request as an agent or representative of another person or organization. You are responsible for providing accurate contact information and for ensuring any fees are paid.

What formats are records available in?

Records are generally provided in whatever format they are maintained by the City. Digital records are typically provided as PDFs or in their native format. Physical records may be scanned or photocopied depending on availability and cost.

Troubleshooting

Login or access issues

  • Use a modern browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
  • Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again.
  • Use the "Forgot password" link on the login page to reset your password.
  • Disable aggressive content or script blockers that may interfere with the portal.

Confirmation email not received

  • Check your spam or junk mail folder.
  • Add cityclerk@fruita.org to your safe-senders list.
  • Allow a few minutes for delivery — email can be delayed.
  • Contact the Clerk's office if the issue persists after 30 minutes.

Missing or delayed records

  • Check for clarification messages from staff in your portal account.
  • Review your request for typos in dates, names, or departments.
  • If the deadline has passed, contact the Clerk's office directly.
  • Allow the full statutory timeline before following up.

Payment or billing issues

  • Ensure your billing address matches your card on file.
  • Try a different browser or payment method.
  • Contact your bank if a card is being declined unexpectedly.
  • Contact the Clerk's office for alternative payment arrangements.

Contact Us

Still have questions? The City Clerk's Office is happy to help.

Office Hours

Monday – Friday

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM MT

In Person

City of Fruita
325 E. Aspen Ave.
Fruita, CO 81521