Years ago I attempted to acquire the Birth Certificate for my Grandfather Richard. I was informed by the Pitkin County Records Office that it was not available. Upon further searching, I discovered that the court house had burned at one time destroying many of the early 20th Century documents.
Regardless, i knew my Grandfather well, and obtained information from him and my father concerning his life.
Richard fought in both World Wars, and in World War 1, while on the troop train to his duty station re-wrote his orders so that he could be in one of the new aircraft squadrons. I have his flying helmet and several photographs of his around Washington D.C. including one of Billy Mitchell who went on to become a General in the Air Force.