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Litigation Files - sealed until 2116

What are the Columbine Litigation Files?

In 2017, the Jefferson County District Attorney restricted 85 boxes of mixed materials, including a Dictaphone machine, dubbed the “Litigation Files” until the year 2116.

A records staff member involved in storing these records when they first arrived described these records to me personally as follows:

“These files are attorney research files, news coverage, background information and case files on the lawsuits brought against the county by the families. Their official record series title is ‘Closed Civil Action Files.” The super-long restriction period is due to attorney-client privileged documents.”

Identifier

2017-003

Content Description

Jefferson County Attorney Office, litigation files resulting from the Columbine High School 1999 School Shooting. No access until 2116.

Acquisition Type

Transfer

Provenance

Transferred to the Archives by the County Attorney’s Office in 2017 and placed under access restriction until the year 2116.

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Access Restrictions

Because of the extreme risk of adverse effects including but not limited to harm to individuals, organizations, and the release of protected information, and to respect the intellectual, personal privacy, and attorney client privilege of these records, subject to CRS §24-72-204(2)(A)(I), the public shall be hereby denied the right of inspection of all of these attached records for a period of time of not fewer than ninety-nine years (99).

All assurances–now and forever in perpetuity until that certain year AD 2116–of any and all current or future Archivist(s) shall be made to ensure the protection and continued privilege of these records for that duration of time. Under no circumstances shall the public be given right of inspection of these records regardless of any changes in local law or policy, state law or policy, or federal law or policy; the access restriction given hereby is to be understood in perpetuity as being “grandfathered” into any and all changes in the laws/policies regarding public access to records.

Dates

  • Issued: 1999-2011

Creator

  • Jefferson County (Colo.). County Attorney (Organization)

Extent

86.5 Cubic Feet (85 boxes plus Dictaphone from RM Storage: SL 1712 boxes 1-60; SL 1147 boxes 1-3; SL 1838 boxes 1-3; SL 1089 boxes 1-3; SL 1144 boxes 1-15.)

Inventory

85 boxes of files plus Dictaphone machine.

Subjects

  • Columbine High School Massacre, Littleton, Colo., 1999
  • Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Classifications

CAO. County Attorney

Physical Storage Information

  • Box: 1-3 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 4 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 5-7 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 8-10 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 11-13 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 14-16 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 17-19 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 20-21 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 22 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 23 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 24-25 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 26-28 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 29-31 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 32 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 33 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 34-35 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 36-37 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 38 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 39-41 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 42-47 (Mixed Materials)
  • Object: 48 (Artifact)
  • Box: 49-54 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 55-66 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 67-78 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 79-84 (Mixed Materials)

Maps/Diagrams

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