ONLINE Access Otero County Colorado Co. Property records & deeds for title and lien searches
- June 18, 2025
- Posted by: admin
- Category: Recorder of deeds
Otero County Colorado Property Records and Deeds Access
Accessing property records in Otero County, Colorado requires understanding the various government offices and online systems available for deed searches, lien research, and title verification. The Otero County Clerk & Recorder serves as the official recorder of deeds and maintains all real property records, while additional resources are available through the Assessor’s office and Colorado state agencies.
Otero County Clerk & Recorder Office
The Otero County Clerk & Recorder, located at 13 W. 3rd Street, Room 210, La Junta, CO 81050, is constitutionally required to be the recorder of deeds that maintains all real property records. This office handles both registered and unregistered land records for the county.
Contact Information:
- Phone: (719) 383-3020
- Office: Otero County Courthouse, Room 210
- Website: https://oterocounty.colorado.gov/clerk-recorder
Services Available:
- eRecording services for digital document recording
- Monthly subscriptions for accessing real estate records, images, and prints
- Historical records dating back to 1965
- Real property document recording and filing
Online Property Search System
Otero County provides online access to maps, real estate data, tax information, and appraisal data through qPublic.net. This comprehensive system allows users to search property records by various criteria.
Primary Online Search Portal:
- QPublic Property Search: https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?App=OteroCountyCO&Layer=Parcels&PageType=Search
- Alternative Access: https://www.qpublic.net/co/otero/search.html
Search Capabilities:
- Property owner name searches
- Address-based property lookups
- Parcel number searches
- Property assessment information
- Tax record access
Otero County Assessor Office
The Otero County Assessor, located at 13 W 3rd St., Room 211, La Junta, CO 81050, is responsible for valuing all real and personal property and provides property information to the public.
Contact Information:
- Main Office: (719) 383-3010
- Administrative Specialist: Sarah Courtney – (719) 383-3010 – scourtney@oterogov.org
- Commercial Appraiser: Les Fellows – (719) 383-3015 – lfellows@oterogov.org
- Mapper/GIS: Stephen Lange – (719) 383-3013 – slange@oterogov.org
Available Services:
- Property valuations and assessments
- Deed verification and land ownership mapping
- Tax assessment information
- Property tax exemption programs
Tax Lien and Property Tax Information
The County Treasurer is responsible for property tax collection and serves as the Public Trustee, handling tax lien matters. Understanding tax liens is essential for comprehensive title research.
Treasurer/Public Trustee Office:
- Phone: (719) 383-3030
- Website: https://oterocounty.colorado.gov/elected-officials/treasurer
- Services: Tax collection, lien certificates, public trustee sales
Tax Lien Research:
- Delinquent tax sales and auction information available through the Treasurer’s office
- Property tax payment verification
- Tax lien certificate searches
Colorado Secretary of State UCC Liens
For comprehensive lien searches, Colorado maintains a centralized system for Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings that may affect personal property and business assets.
UCC Search Portal:
- Website: https://www.sos.state.co.us/ucc/
- Free online searches available for UCC financing statements, liens, and security interests
- Advanced search options by debtor name, secured party, or document number
Recording Fees and Requirements
Understanding the costs associated with accessing and recording property documents helps in planning research efforts.
Current Recording Fees:
- $13 for the first page of all recorded documents
- $5.00 for each additional page ($10.00 for documents larger than legal size)
- Documentary fee: $.05 per $500 of applicable sales consideration
Document Requirements:
- Documents must be on white paper sized 8.5 x 11 inches or 8.5 x 14 inches
- Black ink with minimum 12-point font required
- Proper acknowledgment required for real property deeds
- Colorado Real Property Transfer Declaration (TD-1000) required for conveyances
Digital Records Modernization
Otero County is actively digitizing older records, which will be accessible online in the future. The conversion of paper maps to digital form is an ongoing project, expanding online access to historical property information.
Property Research Best Practices
When conducting property research in Otero County, consider these approaches:
- Start with Online Systems: Begin searches using the qPublic.net portal for current property information
- Verify with Official Records: Contact the Clerk & Recorder’s office for certified copies of documents
- Check Multiple Sources: Cross-reference information between Assessor and Clerk offices
- Include UCC Searches: For comprehensive lien research, search Colorado Secretary of State UCC records
- Historical Research: For older records, direct contact with county offices may be necessary
Additional Resources
Geographic Information Systems (GIS):
- Website: https://oterocounty.colorado.gov/departments/geographic-information-systems-gis
- GIS mapping services for property boundary verification
Building Department:
- Website: https://oterocounty.colorado.gov/departments/building-department
- Building permits and inspection records
- Property development information
Electronic Recording Services
Otero County offers eRecording services through approved vendors, allowing digital submission of real estate documents. This service expedites the recording process and provides immediate confirmation of filing.
eRecording Vendor:
- CSC eRecording Solutions – (866) 652-0111 – erecording@csglobal.com
For the most comprehensive property research experience, U.S. TITLE RECORDS (https://www.ustitlerecords.com/) provides additional resources and expertise for title research professionals and property investigators working in Otero County, Colorado.
Important Note: While online systems provide convenient access to many records, complex title issues or historical research may require direct consultation with county offices or professional title services for complete accuracy and legal compliance.