Request Site Contamination Records - Denver

Environmental Protection Colorado 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 07, 2026 Flag of Colorado

In Denver, Colorado, property owners, developers and members of the public can request records of site contamination tests held by city departments. This guide explains how to locate and request test reports, who manages those records, timelines, and the administrative steps under Denver public-records practice.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City and County of Denver and the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) enforce contamination and hazardous-material rules, but specific fines and daily penalty amounts for retention or reporting failures are not specified on the cited pages. [2]

Failure to report or to keep required contamination records can trigger administrative action by DDPHE.
  • Enforcer: Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) and, where applicable, Denver City Attorney for civil enforcement.
  • Inspections and evidence gathering are carried out by DDPHE environmental staff or contracted consultants.
  • Appeals and review: administrative appeal routes and exact time limits are not specified on the cited pages and may follow Denver administrative procedures.
  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited pages; consult DDPHE or municipal code for specific penalties.

Applications & Forms

To request records of contamination tests, use Denver's public records request process. The City offers an Open Records request portal and guidance; a specific contamination-test form is not published on the cited pages. [1]

If a record is held by the state (CDPHE), the city will refer you to that office for certain regulated cleanup documents.
  • Public records request portal or form: see Denver Open Records portal for submission instructions and any fee policy.[1]
  • Contact DDPHE for environmental records and inspection questions; contact pages list phone and email options.[2]
  • State-level contamination and voluntary cleanup files may be available through CDPHE's Voluntary Cleanup Program.[3]

How to obtain contamination test records

  1. Identify the likely custodian (DDPHE or project permit files) and gather property identifiers such as address and parcel number.
  2. Submit a public records request via Denver's Open Records portal with a clear description of the records requested.
  3. Provide contact information and respond promptly if staff asks clarifying questions or offers a records estimate.
  4. Pay any fees assessed for duplication or research if a fee estimate is provided under Denver policy.
  5. If records are held by the state or by a regulated cleanup program, follow the referral instructions provided by city staff.
  6. If denied, use the administrative appeal route described in the city's Open Records guidance or seek review under Denver's applicable procedures.
Requests that clearly identify the property and date ranges speed retrieval of contamination reports.

FAQ

Who holds contamination test reports for properties in Denver?
Records are typically held by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, planning or building permit files, or by state agencies when a state cleanup program applies.
How long does Denver take to respond to a records request?
Response times follow Denver's Open Records procedures; exact statutory or policy days are not specified on the cited Open Records page. [1]
Is there a fee to get copies of contamination reports?
The city may charge fees for copying or research; specific fee amounts are not specified on the cited Open Records page. [1]

How-To

  1. Search property identifiers and assemble address, parcel number, owner name and date range for tests.
  2. Use the Denver Open Records portal to submit a formal request with the assembled details.[1]
  3. Monitor email for clarification requests and approve fee estimates if provided.
  4. Receive records electronically or by mail once available; pay any assessed fees.
  5. If records are denied, follow the Open Records appeal instructions or contact the city records office.
Document the request number and correspondence to support any later appeal.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with Denver Open Records and DDPHE when seeking contamination test reports.
  • Provide precise property details to speed retrieval.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Denver Open Records portal
  2. [2] Denver Department of Public Health & Environment
  3. [3] Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment - Voluntary Cleanup Program

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