Las Animas County Property Deed Records
Las Animas County deed records trace land ownership across southeastern Colorado. The county covers vast stretches of prairie and mountains. Trinidad serves as the county seat. The Clerk and Recorder maintains all property documents. These records date back to the 1800s. Ranchers, homeowners, and investors use them. You can search deeds to verify ownership. You can also find liens and mortgages. The office follows Colorado open records laws. This guide explains how to access these files. It covers fees, requirements, and search methods.
Las Animas County Deed Facts
Las Animas County Clerk and Recorder Office
The Las Animas County Clerk and Recorder holds all land records. The office sits in the historic courthouse in Trinidad. This building has served the county for over a century. The Clerk handles deeds, mortgages, and liens. They also oversee elections and issue marriage licenses. The recording section is on the second floor.
Trinidad sits near the New Mexico border. It was once a coal mining hub. Today it serves ranchers and residents across the region. The county covers over 4,700 square miles. Much of it is rural ranch land. The Clerk's office manages records for this vast area. They maintain both paper and digital files. Older records remain in books. Recent records are stored electronically.
| Office Name | Las Animas County Clerk and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Physical Address |
200 East First Street, Room 205 Trinidad, CO 81082 |
| Phone | 719-846-3314 |
| countyclerk@lasanimascounty.org | |
| Website | Las Animas County Recording |
| Hours | Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Las Animas County Recording Fees
Recording a deed in Las Animas County costs $43 per document. This fee applies as of July 1, 2025. The state legislature sets these rates. HB24-1269 updated the fee structure. The fee is the same for all document types. It does not change based on page count.
Additional fees may apply. The documentary fee is one example. It costs $0.01 per $100 of property value. This only applies to sales over $500. Gifts and some transfers do not pay this fee. Certified copies cost extra. The office mails certified copies. They do not email them. This protects document security.
Payment methods include checks and money orders. Make them payable to Las Animas County Clerk. Credit cards may be accepted. Call 719-846-3314 to confirm. Bring exact change if paying cash. The office does not make change for large bills. Fees are non-refundable once recorded.
Las Animas County Deed Requirements
Documents must meet state standards. C.R.S. ยง 30-10-406 lists the rules. The Clerk can reject non-compliant papers. This prevents errors in the public record. It also protects property rights.
Margin rules are strict. Leave 1 inch at the top. Leave 0.5 inches on sides and bottom. Do not place text or bar codes in the top margin. The Clerk needs this space for the recording stamp. The stamp shows the date and book reference. It must not cover any document text.
Most deeds need a TD-1000 form. This is a transfer declaration. It tells the county the sale price. It also lists the property type. File this form with the deed. Without it, recording stops. The Clerk returns the document. E-recording is available through approved vendors. This speeds up the process. It also reduces paper handling errors.
Las Animas County Online Deed Search
Las Animas County offers online deed searches. However, access requires registration. Users must create an account first. Some searches involve fees. The system is not open to casual browsing. This policy follows C.R.S. 30-10-101. This statute limits what the Clerk can do.
The Clerk cannot conduct searches for you. This is a key rule in Las Animas County. You must search records yourself. Or you can hire a title company. Search and retrieval costs $41.37 per hour. The first hour is free. After that, fees apply. This covers staff time pulling files.
The online system stores recent records. Older deeds may need in-person review. Visit the office during business hours. Staff can direct you to the right books. Genealogists often need these old records. They trace family land claims. Ranchers check boundary histories. Lawyers verify chain of title. Each user finds value in these archives.
Nearby Counties with Deed Records
Las Animas County borders several other counties. Land searches may span multiple offices. This happens with properties near county lines. Large ranches sometimes cross borders. Always check adjacent counties if unsure.
Each county maintains separate records. Fees and hours vary by location. Call ahead before visiting.