Colorado Secretary of State Commences Permanent Rulemaking and Extends Remote Notarization Emergency Rules Until December 30

Denver, October 15, 2020 – The Secretary of State’s remote notarization emergency rules have been extended and will remain in effect through December 30. These rules continue to enable Coloradans to have access to notary services without in-person contact.

Additionally, the Secretary of State issued a notice of permanent rulemaking to consider preliminary draft rules including proposed amended remote notarization rules necessary to implement Senate Bill 20-096.

A public rulemaking hearing is scheduled for November 16 at 9 a.m. to receive testimony concerning the preliminary draft of permanent rules. This hearing will be conducted exclusively via webinar.  The public is invited to register for the webinar rulemaking hearing at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1572827603488500751.

The public is also invited to send feedback to the Secretary of State’s Office regarding the rulemaking process, including the proposed notary rules amendments.  Those interested in participating can review the preliminary draft rules and submit written comments about the proposed permanent rules to SOS.Rulemaking@sos.state.co.us at any time prior to and during the hearing. The Secretary of State’s Office will redact apparent personal contact information, including home address, email address, and telephone number(s), from submissions before posting the information online, unless otherwise directed by the contributor. All written comments will be added to the official rulemaking record.

For the Notice of Temporary Adoption for the Colorado Notary Program Rules (8 CCR 1505-11), please click here. The notice includes the adopted rules, a statement of basis, and statement of justification. For an unofficial copy of the notary rules as adopted and effective 10/15/2020, please click here.

For the Notice of Permanent Rulemaking, including a statement of basis and preliminary draft rules, please click here. Additionally, to review a copy of working draft Provider Protocols, standards that are incorporated by reference in the proposed rules, please click here.