Brighton Colorado Genealogy Records
Brighton sits northeast of Denver. Over 43,000 people call it home. The city is the county seat of Adams County. A small portion extends into Weld County. This affects where records are stored. Founded in the 1880s, Brighton grew as a farming center. The railroad helped the town expand quickly.
Many families have roots in Brighton. The area was known for potatoes and sugar beets. Immigrants came to work the fields. Their descendants still live here today. Genealogy research requires checking both counties. This guide will show you where to look.
Brighton Quick Facts
County Records for Brighton
Most of Brighton lies in Adams County. The county seat is here. The Clerk and Recorder office is downtown. They maintain marriage and land records. These go back many decades. Staff can help you search their indexes.
The Weld County portion is small. If your ancestors lived there, check Greeley. Weld County also has older records. Both counties follow Colorado law. C.R.S. 24-80 guides their record keeping. This ensures documents are preserved.
| Primary County | Adams County Clerk and Recorder 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601 720-523-6020 |
|---|---|
| Secondary County | Weld County Clerk and Recorder 1402 N. 17th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 970-304-6535 |
Records Available for Brighton
Marriage records for Brighton are in the county where the wedding happened. Adams County records are in Brighton. Weld County marriages are in Greeley. Land records work the same way. Property records are in the county of the land.
The Colorado State Archives holds older records. They have documents from both counties. Births before 1908 may be found there. Deaths before 1900 are also stored there. You can search their database online.
- Marriage licenses by county of ceremony
- Land records in county of property
- Court records at the 17th Judicial District
- Probate records by county
- Census records for all areas
Birth and death records go through CDPHE. They have certificates from 1900 onward. Older ones may be at the State Archives. Under C.R.S. 25-2-117, some records are confidential.
Local Genealogy Resources
The Brighton Library is part of Anythink Libraries. They have genealogy resources. You can access Ancestry Library Edition there. They also have local history materials. The staff can guide your search.
The Adams County Historical Society preserves local history. They have photos and documents. These include materials on early Brighton families. Contact them for research help.
The Colorado State Archives is in Denver. They hold historical records from both counties. You can search their database first. Then visit to view original documents. Bring a photo ID for entry.
Colorado State Resources
The Colorado State Archives holds many records for Brighton. They have documents from Adams and Weld counties. The Archives Search database is free. You can check it before visiting. Bring ID when you go.
CDPHE Vital Records has certificates from 1900 onward. They are at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver. Call 303-692-2200. Some records are restricted under C.R.S. 25-2-103.
Other helpful resources include:
- Colorado State Archives: archives.colorado.gov
- Archives Search: Online database
- FamilySearch: familysearch.org
- VitalChek: vitalchek.com
- Colorado Historic Newspapers: coloradohistoricnewspapers.org
Nearby Cities
Brighton is near many Denver suburbs. Your ancestors may have moved between these areas. Check nearby jurisdictions for complete research.