The Cotopaxi School complies with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) in terms of public review of district records [Board Policy KDB and KDB-R]. Information attainable by CORA requests include any writing that is made, kept or maintained by Cotopaxi School District - Fremont RE-3, emails and records that are stored in digital filing systems, computers or servers.

Cotopaxi School's records are public, unless otherwise protected, and will respond to the requestor within three business days from the initial request. There is no duty to create a public record that does not already exist. At that time, the district will either provide the records requested or provide a status to the requestor on the scope of the work being done, an estimated ETA when the records will be available, and provide any estimated costs to be paid based on the scope of the request.

To request records in possession of the Cotopaxi School District, send a detailed, written request by mail or email to:

CORA Custodian
PO Box 385
Cotopaxi CO, 81223

OR

Amber Canterbury, Business Manager
acanterbury@cotopaxire3.org

OR

Thomas Vail, Superintendent
tvail@cotopaxire3.org

In making your request, please include the following information:

• Full Name

• Mailing Address

• Phone Number or Email Address

• Who you are submitting this request on the behalf of (Yourself or an Organization)

• Topic of CORA Request

• Date Range for Requested Records

• Description and Details of Request

If requested records are stored in a digital format, Cotopaxi School District - Fremont RE-3 will provide that record in the format it was stored, unless providing records in the current format would violate copyright, licensing agreements, or would release information listed under below listed exceptions. In such cases, records may be printed to be reviewed for redaction or denial.

The Cotopaxi School will make every effort to produce requested records within three days of receipt.

The first hour of staff time researching and retrieving CORA requested records and up to 25 pages of printing will be provided without cost. Record requests broad in scope, lacking specificity, or voluminous in nature may result in additional time to process. The Cotopaxi School will charge the requestor for all copying expenses in excess of 25 pages at a rate of $0.25 per page. The maximum hourly rate for research and retrieval of public records under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) is $41.37. This rate went into effect on July 1, 2024.

If a CORA request requires more than simple retrieval of records (such as technical expertise to compile, synthesize, or reconfigure data; or legal expertise in order to ensure compliance with confidentiality requirements) the Cotopaxi School will provide an advanced notice and estimate of compliance cost.

Estimated costs must be paid in full before the production of records.

Records are subject to denial or redaction for instances such as:

• Any investigatory files compiled for any law enforcement purpose;

• Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data pertaining to administration of a licensing examination, examination for employment, or academic examination;

• Specialized details of security arrangements or investigations;

• Medical, mental health, sociological, and scholastic achievement data on

  Individual persons;

• Personnel files;

• Letters of reference;

• Addresses and telephone numbers of students in any public elementary or secondary school;

• Library records disclosing the identity of a user;

• Any records of sexual harassment complaints and investigations; or

• Records protected under the common law governmental or "deliberative process" privilege;

• Personally identifiable information that is confidential pursuant to state or federal law;

• Information protected by Colorado's Student Data Transparency and Security Act;

• FERPA-protected information;

• Records otherwise protected unless otherwise provided by law.