Arapahoe County clerk to shift customer hours to 8 a.m.; commissioners give informal approval

Clerk and Recorder Clark Lopez told the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners that the clerk's office will change its customer hours to 8 a.m.–4 p.m. effective Jan. 1, 2026, to align service hours with the assessor and treasurer and reduce return visits by residents who must visit multiple offices.

Lopez said the office historically opened at 7 a.m. and that the proposed change "will align our service hours with our partners in the assessment and treasurer's office and will provide a more balanced and productive start to our day for our staff." County staff added that appointment data show most early appointments fall between 7:30 and 8 a.m., and that additional capacity will be added during the 8 a.m.–4 p.m. window to accommodate those customers.

Commissioners asked whether the building would remain open at 7 a.m. if other offices remain closed and whether the change would inconvenience customers who prefer early visits. County staff responded that the Administration Building’s other services generally open at 8 a.m., and that the clerk's office was the only office typically opening at 7 a.m. Staff recommended adding the hours change to the county's operational matters at the first Tuesday of the year as a formal adoption step and proceeding with public communications now.

The board signaled informal approval by showing five thumbs up and asked staff to begin public notice and to include a formal resolution in January county operational matters. The clerk’s office said it will formalize the change and proceed with outreach to customers.

What happens next: Staff will issue public communications and prepare a formal entry for the county operational matters agenda at the first Tuesday of the year to codify the hours change.