Archives Policies
Policies listed here are current Colorado State Archives policies.
Policies of interest to Researchers:
Feel free to bring the following items into the Research Room:
- Pencils
- Laptops
- Cell phones (please refrain from taking calls in the research room)
- Digital Cameras (allowed with flash disabled)
- Loose papers, note cards, notebooks, folders — Subject to inspection by Archives Staff upon exit.
Please do not bring the following items into the Research Room (free lockers are available):
- Pens
- Food
- Drinks of any kind
- Post-it or other sticky notes
- Brief cases, laptop cases, purses, backpacks, etc.
- Overcoats/raincoats
Basic guide for handling records:
- Keep records in the order you found them.
- All documents should lay flat on the table, away from the edge, and in full view at all times.
- Do not:
- lean on,
- write on,
- write on top of,
- create new folds in,
- trace,
- or take apart any documents
- Most records do not need gloves to be handled, but hands should be clean and free of excess lotion or sanitizer. Gloves will be required (and provided) for handling photographic materials.
- If you have any questions on how to best protect a document, do not hesitate to ask Archives Staff.
Photocopying
- Most records can be copied by the researcher.
- Asking staff to make copies for the researcher will incur a slightly higher fee than if the researcher makes their own copies.
- In order to protect records for future use, Archives Staff may determine a researcher cannot make their own copies. Staff copying fees will apply.
- Some records will not be able to be duplicated, as preserving the record for future use takes precedence over one-time duplication. Staff reserves the right to withhold the original record if a photocopy, scan, or microfilmed copy is available.
- Any information obtained at the State Archives is for research or education purposes only. Information may not be published in any form without written approval of the State Archivist. Please refer to the "Media and Publications" section of our Research Room Policy for more information.
Please view our full Research Room Policy for further information
- Research Room Policy (version 2.5, effective June 26, 2025)
Access to Records:
Please view our current Access policy for questions regarding what records are accessible to the general public.
- Access Policy (version 2, effective September 18, 2023)
Policies and Guidelines of interest to Originating Agencies:
- Collections Policy (version 2, effective April 15, 2025)
- Withdrawal Policy (version 1.5, effective February 3, 2025)
- Security Copy Program Policy (effective November 13, 2023)
- Guidelines for Quality Standards for Reproduction of Records (November 13, 2023)
- Digital Preservation Plan (November 5, 2024)