COLORADO STATE ARCHIVES
RECORDS MANAGEMENT MANUAL - STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
SCHEDULE 15 - PUBLIC AFFAIRS RECORDS

15-1. Agency Commendation Files
                 Letters of commendation received by agency which impart important
                 information or observations about agency programs or operations,
                 but which do not belong in and individual's personnel file.

                 Retention
                    Record copy:         Permanent.

                    Duplicate copies:    Retain until administrative need ends and
                                         then destroy.


15-2. Complaint/Informant Files
                 Whistle-blower, fraud and criminal complaints. Includes anonymous
                 letters, complaints, criticism and suggestions, and agency
                 replies thereto. Also includes those complaints which were the
                 basis of and investigation or from which administrative action
                 was taken, and those incorporated into individual personnel
                 files.

                 Retention
                    Record copy:         Retain by agency for 7 years after final
                                         resolution and then destroy.

                    Duplicate copies:    Retain for 1 year and then destroy.


15-3. Indexes and Check Lists
                 Bibliographies, check lists, and indexes of agency publications
                 and new releases, except those used as indexes to public
                 relations files.

                 Retention
                    Record copy:         Retain until superseded or obsolete and then
                                         destroy.

                    Duplicate copies:    Retain until superseded or obsolete and then
                                         destroy.

15-4. Information Project Files
                 Informational services project case files maintained in formally
                 designated information offices.

                 Retention
                    Record copy:         Retain for 1 year after close of file or
                                         completion of project and then destroy.

                    Duplicate copies:    Retain until administrative need ends and
                                         then destroy.

15-5. Press Releases
                 A copy of prepared statements or announcements issued for
                 distribution to the new media. A press release may be a textual
                 record or a non-textual record such as a film or video sound
                 recording.

                 Retention
                    Record copy:         Permanent. Retain by agency for 5 years and
                                         then transfer to State Archives.

                    Duplicate copies:    Retain for 5 years and then destroy.


15-6. Press Service Files
                 Press service teletype news and similar materials.

                 Retention
                    Record copy:         Retain by agency for 3 months and then
                                         destroy.

                    Duplicate copies:    Retain for 3 months and then destroy.


15-7. Public Relations Files
                 Speeches, addresses, and comments. Remarks made at formal
                 ceremonies and during interviews by heads of agencies or their
                 senior assistants concerning the programs of their agencies. The
                 format selected may be paper, video tape, motion picture film,
                 etc.

                 Retention
                    Record copy:         Permanent. Retain by agency for 7 years and
                                         then transfer to State Archives.

                    Duplicate copies:    Retain by agency for 10 years and then
                                         destroy.

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last modified 12/31/04