Starting Tuesday, people who want to get into a court case file in El Paso County will be able to do that before lunch.

It's the first time that's happened in more than five years.

On Aug. 1, 2003, the records center of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex, 270 S. Tejon St., cut its public service hours to 1 to 4 p.m., even though the courthouse is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Budget cuts forced the move.

More than one Denver resident was surprised after making the 60-mile trek, heading to the courthouse basement to find a locked door and "open from 1 to 4 p.m." sign.

Though records requests have long been available online (www.gofourth.org), people who needed a document that day had to wait. And a line formed starting about 12:30 p.m. daily.

"We have not been fully staffed for a long time, so we've been building up to this time," said Mary Perry, clerk of the court.

El Paso, along with every other county, was recently ordered to open records centers for most of the day by the Colorado Supreme Court.

Earlier this summer, Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey signed an order stating all counties with more than six full-time employees "shall be open to the public for the provision of all court services for nine consecutive hours between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m."

El Paso court officials chose 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

While certain state, federal and county agencies were given access during the nonpublic hours, now everyone stands in the same line.

"In theory, we'll have the same amount of work, but it will be spread over a longer period of time," Perry said, noting no additional staff will be needed.

The center handles about 15,000 requests for documents per year.

When coming for a file, bring a case number to save time and avoid a $5 research fee.

Also bring identification - clerks can hand over case files only to people who are a party to a case.

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Contact the writer: 636-0110 of dennis.huspeni@gazette.com