The Required Release Documentation Checklist is the Boulder County Treasurer's list of the papers the Boulder County Public Trustee needs before it processes a Release of Deed of Trust. It applies to the holder of a promissory note secured by a deed of trust who wants that deed of trust released. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original document is published by Boulder County at the official URL below.
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What is Required Release Documentation Checklist – Boulder County, CO?
The Required Release Documentation Checklist is a Boulder County Treasurer document that lists the papers the Boulder County Public Trustee needs before it can process a Release of Deed of Trust under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 38-39-102.
The checklist states that, based on that statute, the public trustee may process a release when the listed documents have been properly presented. It covers the original promissory note (marked Paid in Full), the deed of trust being released, the Request for Release of Deed of Trust, a return address, the required fee, and the extra items needed in special cases: a lost note, a financial institution holder, or a deceased private note holder.
It is a checklist, not the request itself. The signed Request for Release of Deed of Trust is a separate form that the checklist says is available on the Public Trustee's website, on the Documents page. The checklist also does not replace the recorded deed of trust, which you can obtain from the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder, 1750 33rd Street, Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301, 303-413-7770.
A release in Boulder County is handled by the public trustee, and the Clerk and Recorder forwards the recorded release to the return address you provide.
Who needs to file Required Release Documentation Checklist – Boulder County, CO?
The legal holder of a promissory note secured by a deed of trust in Boulder County uses this checklist when asking the public trustee to release that deed of trust. The Request for Release of Deed of Trust must be signed by the legal holder of the note.
Special cases the checklist describes:
- Lost note: if the original promissory note is lost, a Lost Instrument Bond must be submitted.
- Financial institution: if the owner of the evidence of debt is a financial institution as described in C.R.S. 38-39-102(3.5)(a), the Public Trustee may accept a request for release without the production of Evidence of Debt.
- Deceased private holder: if the holder of the note is a private party and deceased, a copy of the Death Certificate and a copy of the Will or Personal Representative papers are needed, and the person appointed signs the release form.
- Joint Tenants: if "Joint Tenants" is specifically written in the note, the other note holder may sign the release and only a copy of the Death Certificate is required.
Partial or full releases with a live note require the original note.
When to file Required Release Documentation Checklist – Boulder County, CO
Use the checklist when you are ready to request a release of a deed of trust, because the public trustee may process the release once the listed documents have been properly presented. The checklist prints no separate deadline.
Gather everything before you present the request. Original documents are mailed back, so prepare self-addressed stamped envelopes at the same time. If the original note is lost, allow time to obtain a Lost Instrument Bond, which is a corporate surety bond issued by a company authorized to issue such bonds in the State of Colorado; the checklist suggests asking your insurance company for help.
Documents you need
- Original promissory note that corresponds to the deed of trust being released, with principal amount, dates and number of notes; marked Paid in Full. A copy is not accepted.
- Assignments and Powers-of-Attorney, when applicable.
- Original or copy of the Deed of Trust being released; a recorded copy is available from the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder.
- Request for Release of Deed of Trust signed by the legal holder of the Promissory Note.
- Check for the required release fee, payable to the Boulder County Public Trustee.
- Lost Instrument Bond (a corporate surety bond from a company authorized in Colorado), only if the original promissory note has been lost.
- Copy of the Death Certificate and a copy of the Will or Personal Representative papers, only if the private note holder is deceased.
- Copy of the Death Certificate only, if the note specifically says "Joint Tenants" and the other note holder signs the release.
- Self-addressed stamped envelopes so original documents can be mailed back.
How to fill out Required Release Documentation Checklist – Boulder County, CO
Confirm the release requirements
Read the opening statement: Colorado Revised Statutes Section 38-39-102 sets the requirements, and the public trustee may process the release once the listed documents are properly presented.
Locate the original promissory note
Find the original note matching the deed of trust, including principal amount, dates and number of notes. Mark it Paid in Full; for partial or full releases with a live note, present the original.
Add assignments and powers of attorney
If the note has been assigned or someone acts under a Power-of-Attorney, include those documents.
Obtain the Deed of Trust
Have the original or a copy of the deed of trust being released. A recorded copy is available from the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder, 1750 33rd Street, Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301, 303-413-7770.
Complete the Request for Release
Get the Request for Release of Deed of Trust from the Public Trustee's Documents page and have the legal holder of the note sign it.
Write the return address
Print the return address on the back of the release or in the "return to" box so the Clerk and Recorder can forward the recorded release.
Address any special circumstance
Add a Lost Instrument Bond if the note is lost, or the death certificate and Will or Personal Representative papers if a private holder is deceased. A financial institution holder may be accepted without Evidence of Debt.
Prepare the fee check and envelopes
Write a check for the required fee payable to the Boulder County Public Trustee, and include self-addressed stamped envelopes for the return of originals.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check each item against the checklist, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Required Release Documentation Checklist – Boulder County, CO
The checklist names the items to present to the Boulder County Public Trustee and prints no delivery address of its own. It asks for self-addressed stamped envelopes so that original documents can be mailed back, which points to mailed packages as well as presented ones.
The Boulder County Public Trustee forms page lists these contacts:
- By mail: P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306.
- In person, Boulder: 1325 Pearl St., 1st Floor, Boulder, CO 80302, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- In person, Longmont: 515 Coffman St., Suite 113, Longmont, CO 80501, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays only.
- Phone: 303-441-3520.
Include the original promissory note, the deed of trust (original or copy), the signed Request for Release of Deed of Trust, and a check for the required fee payable to the Boulder County Public Trustee. A fee applies; confirm the amount with the Public Trustee. Write the return address on the back of the release or in the "return to" box. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Presenting a copy of the promissory note instead of the original; the checklist says a copy cannot be accepted.
- Presenting a note that is not marked Paid in Full.
- Leaving out the return address on the back of the release or in the "return to" box, so the recorded release cannot be forwarded.
- Submitting a Request for Release of Deed of Trust not signed by the legal holder of the note.
- Making the fee check payable to someone other than the Boulder County Public Trustee.
- Omitting a Lost Instrument Bond when the original note is lost.
- Not providing the Death Certificate and Will or Personal Representative papers when a private note holder is deceased.
- Forgetting self-addressed stamped envelopes for the return of original documents.
Frequently asked questions
What documents does Boulder County need to release a deed of trust?
The checklist lists the original promissory note marked Paid in Full, the deed of trust (original or copy), a Request for Release of Deed of Trust signed by the note holder, a return address, the required fee, and self-addressed stamped envelopes. Special cases add further documents.
Can I send a copy of the promissory note?
No. The checklist says Colorado Revised Statutes do not allow a copy: the original note must be presented and marked Paid in Full. For partial or full releases with a live note, the original note must also be presented.
What if I lost the original promissory note?
You must submit a Lost Instrument Bond, a corporate surety bond issued by a company authorized to issue such bonds in Colorado. The checklist suggests asking your insurance company for help obtaining one.
Is there a fee to release a deed of trust in Boulder County?
Yes. The checklist states a required fee, payable by check to the Boulder County Public Trustee. For the current amount, call the Public Trustee at 303-441-3520.
What if the note holder has died?
If the holder is a private party, provide a copy of the Death Certificate and the Will or Personal Representative papers; the appointed person signs the release. If the note says "Joint Tenants," the other holder may sign and only the Death Certificate copy is needed.
Where can I get a copy of the deed of trust?
Request a recorded copy from the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder, 1750 33rd Street, Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301, phone 303-413-7770. The checklist accepts either the original or a copy of the deed of trust.
Can I fill out this checklist online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not connected to Boulder County, and does not submit anything to the Public Trustee; you deliver the documents through the agency's channels.
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