Boulder County Obituary Records
Boulder County death records are maintained by Boulder County Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health. The county health department issues birth and death certificates for any Colorado event. Boulder also offers excellent library resources for obituary research. The Carnegie Branch Library for Local History contains extensive genealogical collections. Finding obituaries and death records in Boulder County is straightforward with multiple local and state resources available.
Boulder County Public Health Vital Records
Boulder County Public Health provides vital records services for Boulder County residents. Their office is at 3450 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304. You can contact them at 303-441-1100. They issue birth and death certificates for any Colorado county.
The Boulder County Public Health office follows state fee schedules. Current rates are $25 for the first death certificate copy and $20 for each additional copy. These fees apply to all requests made at the same time. Payment options include cash, check, money order, and credit card.
Same-day service is often available for in-person requests. Bring valid photo identification and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Staff can help you complete the required application.
Note: Deaths that occurred before 1975 require contacting the Colorado state vital records office directly.
Boulder Library Resources for Obituary Research
The Carnegie Branch Library for Local History offers exceptional obituary research resources. This branch houses the Boulder Genealogical Society collections. You will find cemetery records, obituaries, and other historical documents.
The library maintains indexes to local newspapers. These include death notices and obituaries from Boulder County publications. Staff can help you navigate the collections. Many resources are available on microfilm.
For deaths with ties to the Denver area, the Denver Public Library Western History Department offers additional resources. Their collections cover the broader metropolitan region.
The library also provides access to online genealogy databases. These may include newspaper archives and obituary collections. A library card may be required for some digital resources.
Colorado State Resources for Boulder County
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains all state death records. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. You can reach them at 303-692-2200.
Colorado law under C.R.S. § 25-2-117 protects the confidentiality of vital records. Access is limited to qualified applicants. You must demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record.
Eligible requesters include spouses, parents, children, and siblings of the deceased. Legal representatives with court orders may also obtain copies. Insurance companies and government agencies have access for official purposes.
The state ordering page provides current processing times. Online orders through VitalChek or GoCertificates are available with additional fees.
Searching Boulder County Obituaries
Boulder County newspapers have published obituaries for over a century. The Daily Camera and its predecessors documented local deaths extensively. The Carnegie Library maintains indexes to these publications.
The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection provides free online access. Search for Boulder County obituaries in digitized papers. The collection includes over 945 newspaper titles from across Colorado.
Find A Grave documents cemeteries throughout Boulder County. This includes Columbia Cemetery, Mountain View Memorial Park, and many others. Users contribute photos and biographical information.
The Denver Public Library Obituary Project covers 1913 to 2016. It includes many Boulder County residents who had Denver connections.
Eligibility for Boulder County Death Records
Boulder County follows Colorado state requirements for death record access. C.R.S. § 25-2-118 defines eligible requesters. Immediate family members have priority access.
You may request a death certificate if you are the spouse, parent, adult child, or sibling. Half-siblings also qualify with documentation showing a common parent. You must provide proof of your relationship.
Legal representatives need court documentation to obtain records. Insurance companies may request copies for claims processing. Government agencies have access for official business.
All applicants must present valid photo identification. Digital IDs are not accepted. Documents must be fully intact and legible.
Historical Records in Boulder County
The Colorado State Archives holds pre-1908 death records. For Boulder County deaths before 1975, contact the state vital records office or archives. The State Archives is at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver. Call 303-866-2358 for assistance.
Death certificates become public records 75 years after death. Genealogical researchers can access records over 25 years old marked for research use only. These copies cannot be used for legal purposes.
Boulder County's rich history is documented in local archives. The Carnegie Library and FamilySearch offer additional research guidance.