COLO.Regulation
Colorado adopts election rules requiring clerks to report court-ordered custody transfers and observers to carry authority letters
Colorado's Secretary of State adopted amended Election Rules (8 CCR 1505-1) on Oct. 9, 2026. Under rules effective immediately, a county clerk who transfers election records under a court order must give the order to the Secretary, notify the Secretary immediately and inventory the transferred items. Official observers must hold a Secretary-issued letter of authority, and clerks must admit them. Clerks must also file election plans 120 days before each election.
Text (Colorado Department of State) → · Colorado Secretary of State
Key points
- Temporary rules took effect Oct. 9, 2026; permanent rules take effect 20 days after Colorado Register publication.Colorado Department of StateColorado Secretary of State
- Under a court-ordered transfer, clerks must notify the Secretary immediately and inventory the records (Rule 20.4.6).Colorado Department of State
- Official observers need a Secretary of State letter of authority, and clerks must permit their access (Rule 8.17).Colorado Department of State
- Election plans are due 120 days before each election (Rule 7.1.1); contingency plans 60 days before each state election.Colorado Department of State
- Election project backups must be kept in locked, sealed containers, away from the voting system (Rule 20.10.1).Colorado Department of State
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
Colorado Department of State
Colorado Secretary of State
Filed under
RegulationColo.Colorado Secretary of State Election Rules (2026 permanent amendments)ElectionsLocal governmentRegulatoryFor practitionersFor governance