Introduction and Purpose of HB 25-1076

Colorado House Bill 25-1076 (2025), titled “Motor Vehicle Regulation Administration,” is a new law aimed at updating various state rules related to motor vehicle documents and personal identification. Governor Jared Polis signed HB 25-1076 into law on March 14, 2025. The legislation was recommended by the Transportation Legislation Review Committee and enjoys broad support. Its overarching purpose is to improve security and modernize identification processes – including explicitly allowing digital IDs – while cleaning up or clarifying several motor vehicle and notary-related statutes. This post provides a clear summary of the bill’s key provisions, its impact on notarial practices, and what Colorado notaries and the public should know.

Key Provisions of HB 25-1076

HB 25-1076 is an omnibus measure that makes numerous changes. Below are the key provisions of the law, summarized for clarity:

• Cracking Down on Fake DMV Documents: The law creates a new offense to combat “vehicular document piracy.” It prohibits making, selling, or distributing any document that simulates or closely resembles an official motor vehicle document (such as fake licenses or registrations). Violators can face fines of up to $1,000, unless they have express written permission from the Department of Revenue to produce the simulated document. This aims to deter the creation of fraudulent IDs and vehicle paperwork.
• Uniform Power of Attorney for Vehicle Matters: HB 25-1076 extends Colorado’s Uniform Power of Attorney Act to cover motor vehicle forms. In other words, the standard state rules for powers of attorney now apply to any power-of-attorney forms used for DMV transactions. This ensures that a DMV power of attorney (for example, authorizing someone to register or title a vehicle on your behalf) must follow the same requirements as any other POA in Colorado. Notaries should note: this likely means such forms will continue to require proper notarization of the principal’s signature, consistent with the Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
• Changes to Vehicle Registration and License Plates: Several updates affect vehicle registration fees and specialty license plates:
  • The law repeals the requirement that a veteran’s service-connected disability be “permanent” to qualify for a free motor vehicle registration. Now, veterans with any service-connected disability (not only permanent ones) are eligible for the fee waiver on one vehicle.
  • It eliminates certain specialty license plates that are being discontinued – specifically, plates for foreign diplomats/consuls, the Navy SEALs, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and the “Alive at Twenty-Five” program. These plates will no longer be issued.
• Easier Process for Teen Drivers: To help young drivers and their families, HB 25-1076 makes it easier to log the required driving practice hours. Previously, a minor under 18 had to submit a driving log signed by a parent or guardian showing at least 50 hours of supervised driving. Section 10 now allows any responsible adult to sign a minor’s driving log to certify the 50 hours. This gives families more flexibility – for example, a driving instructor or family friend over 21 could sign the log. The law also corrects a minor wording error in the statute that had mistakenly referred to a minor as being “21 years of age or older” (an obvious typo now fixed).
• Medical Opinion and Fee Adjustments: Under prior law, only certain medical professionals (like physicians) could provide a written medical opinion for driver’s license medical clearance. Section 13 adds that an advanced practice registered nurse can now issue the required medical opinion for driver licensing criteria. This broadens access for applicants who need medical clearance. In addition, Section 14 allows the DMV to round any fee increases to the nearest whole dollar, simplifying transactions by avoiding small change in fee adjustments.
• Identification for Undocumented Residents: Colorado previously passed a law allowing individuals not lawfully present in the U.S. to use certain federally issued documents to obtain a state ID or license – but that provision wasn’t set to start until January 1, 2027. HB 25-1076 moves up the implementation of that identification provision to the earlier of January 1, 2027, or whenever the DMV is ready to implement it. In plain terms, the Department of Revenue can start accepting those alternate ID documents as soon as they have the systems in place, rather than waiting until 2027. This could accelerate access to legal identification credentials for qualifying residents.
• Authority to Void Fraudulently Issued Licenses/IDs: The law gives the Motor Vehicle Investigations Unit new authority to cancel or deny the issuance/reissuance of any official driver’s license or ID if it determines the person was not entitled to it or obtained it fraudulently. For example, if someone submitted false information or has misused a license, the unit can invalidate that credential. If the state takes such action, the affected person has the right to request a hearing to contest the decision. This provision helps maintain the integrity of state-issued IDs by swiftly addressing fraud.
• Mobile Digital IDs as Legal Identification: Importantly for notaries, HB 25-1076 expressly authorizes the use of mobile or digital driver’s licenses as an official form of identification. It defines a “mobile driver’s license” (mobile identification document) as an official electronic extension of a physical driver’s license or ID card that resides on a person’s smartphone. In effect, Colorado’s state-issued Digital ID (available through the MyColorado mobile app) is now recognized in statute as a valid ID to verify a person’s age or identity. The law instructs the DMV to adopt rules and standards for these electronic IDs (such as security and technology standards developed by national bodies). This digital ID provision will take effect January 1, 2026, giving time for implementation (more on this below).

Each of these changes serves the bill’s larger goal: improving trust in IDs and documents and making state processes more convenient. Next, we’ll delve deeper into the identification changes and how they specifically impact notarial practice in Colorado.

Digital IDs and Changes to Notarial Identification Requirements

One of the most notable aspects of HB 25-1076 for notaries is the recognition of mobile digital IDs as acceptable identification for notarizations. Colorado notaries have long relied on physical IDs (such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport) to verify a signer’s identity. With this new law, Colorado will officially allow a digital driver’s license or ID to serve as “satisfactory evidence” of identity for notarial acts. In other words, starting in 2026, a signer can present their Colorado Digital ID on a phone instead of a plastic card, and the notary may accept it as valid identification.

The statute defines a mobile identification document as “a verifiable electronic extension of a department-issued physical identification document… that resides in a native mobile device wallet”. Practically speaking, this refers to the Colorado Digital ID available through the state’s MyColorado app (or other state-approved mobile ID apps in the future). The digital ID contains the same information and photograph as a person’s physical driver’s license or ID card, but displayed on the person’s smartphone. HB 25-1076 confirms these digital IDs carry the same legal weight as a physical ID for verifying identity or age.

It’s worth noting that the law does not force anyone to accept a mobile ID; it simply permits it. In fact, the text explicitly states that while “mobile identification documents may be accepted to verify an individual’s age or identity in Colorado,” an individual or business “may require a physical identification document” if they prefer. This means as a notary, you have discretion – you are allowed to accept a client’s digital driver’s license as ID, but if you are uncomfortable or unable to adequately verify it, you can request to see a physical ID instead. The flexibility is built in to account for situations where a digital format might not be accessible (for example, if the notary’s device cannot read the QR code or the phone screen is cracked) or if the notary simply wants the tangible security of a physical credential.

How Should Notaries Handle Digital IDs?

By January 1, 2026 (when the digital ID provision takes effect), Colorado notaries should be prepared to handle digital IDs properly. Here are a few points to consider:

• Familiarize Yourself with the Technology: If you haven’t already, download the MyColorado app or visit the Colorado DMV’s resources on digital IDs to understand how the state’s mobile ID looks and works. A Colorado Digital ID includes a rotating “Colorado Digital ID” seal and a barcode/QR code that can be scanned to verify its authenticity in real time. Notaries should ensure they know what a legitimate digital ID entails (and what security features to look for) before accepting one.
• Verify Just As You Would a Physical ID: When presented with a mobile ID, examine it carefully. Check that the photo matches the signer, and verify identifying details (name, date of birth, ID number, expiration date) just as you normally would. The law mandates that providers of mobile IDs meet rigorous standards set by the Colorado DMV, so the digital ID should display the necessary information clearly. You might also politely ask the signer to use any verification feature in the app (for instance, refreshing the QR code or animation) to ensure it’s not just a screenshot. Remember that a screenshot or photo of an ID is not a valid mobile ID – it must be presented in the official app or digital wallet so you know it’s dynamic and government-issued.
• Record the ID in Your Journal: Colorado notaries are required to record the type of identification presented by the signer. If you accept a digital driver’s license, note in your notary journal that the form of ID was a “Colorado Digital ID (mobile driver’s license)” and record the key details (ID number, expiration, etc.) as usual. This creates a record that you relied on an electronic form of ID (which is now authorized by law). If you decide not to accept a digital ID and instead require a physical ID, you should document that decision as well or simply proceed with the physical ID and record it.
• Stay Informed on Rules: The Department of Revenue will be issuing rules and standards for mobile IDs. The Colorado Secretary of State (who regulates notaries) may also provide guidance or rules for notaries regarding digital ID usage. Keep an eye out for any communications or updates to the Colorado Notary Handbook that address digital identification. These might give practical instructions or best practices on verifying a mobile ID’s authenticity. By staying informed, you’ll ensure you remain in compliance with both the spirit and letter of the new law.

Overall, the introduction of mobile IDs is a positive development for notaries and signers alike. It offers more convenience for clients who may not always carry a wallet or who prefer using their phones. From a fraud-prevention perspective, a well-implemented digital ID can be very secure (harder to tamper with than a physical card). As long as notaries take care to verify the digital credential properly, this change should integrate smoothly into everyday notarial practice.

Timeline for Implementation

It’s important to know when these changes take effect so that notaries and the public can plan accordingly:

• General Effective Date: Except for the digital ID section, most provisions of HB 25-1076 will likely take effect around late summer 2025. Colorado lawmaking rules provide that new legislation takes effect at 12:01 AM on the day after the 90-day period following the legislature’s adjournment, unless a referendum petition is filed. The 2025 Colorado legislative session adjourned in May 2025, so the 90-day period ends toward the end of the summer. Assuming no referendum petition is filed (and none is expected for this broadly supported bill), changes like the fake document penalties, license plate retirements, power-of-attorney rules, teen log permission, etc., will be in force by August 2025. Notaries should be aware that by that time, the Uniform Power of Attorney Act will officially apply to DMV forms and other non-identification-related provisions will be active.
• Digital ID Acceptance – January 1, 2026: The allowance for mobile driver’s licenses as ID has a delayed implementation. The law explicitly states that the section authorizing mobile identification “takes effect January 1, 2026.” This built-in lead time is meant to give the DMV and stakeholders (including notaries) time to prepare. January 1, 2026 is the date to mark on your calendar when you can begin accepting a Colorado Digital ID for notarial identification. Until then, notaries should continue to follow existing guidance (i.e. relying on physical IDs) unless the Secretary of State’s office advises otherwise.

Why the later date for digital IDs? Likely to allow the Department of Revenue to develop rules, testing, and public awareness so that by 2026 the system is robust. It also aligns with the idea that all executive branch agencies and businesses can confidently accept the Digital ID by that date, as per the Governor’s earlier initiative. For notaries, this means you have the remainder of 2025 to educate yourself, train staff (if applicable), and update any internal policies regarding identification.

Preparing for Compliance as a Notary

Colorado notaries should take a few proactive steps to get ready for the changes under HB 25-1076:

1. Review the New Law and Official Guidance: Make sure you have read through the portions of HB 25-1076 that affect your work. This summary covers the highlights, but it’s wise to review any bulletins from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Notary Program. The National Notary Association (NNA) and other professional bodies may also publish guidance. (For instance, the NNA notes that the new law “expressly authorizes mobile identification documents to be accepted to verify an individual’s age or identity” – including by notaries.) Knowing the exact legal wording can help you explain to any skeptical clients that digital IDs are now authorized by law.
2. Update Your Notary Journal Practices: Be prepared to record digital IDs in your journal. There is no new special requirement on the format – just remember to note it as a digital driver’s license or equivalent. If your journal has a checkbox or field for “ID type,” you might write “CO Digital ID (mobile DL)” to distinguish it from a physical license. Consistent recordkeeping will protect you in case any question later arises about the identification you relied on.
3. Educate Clients Gently: Come 2026, some of your signers might be excited to use their digital ID, while others might be unaware of the option. You can let clients know that Colorado now permits digital driver’s licenses for identification. However, also kindly inform them that if any technical issue occurs (e.g., phone battery dies, or the app isn’t working), a physical backup ID will be needed. This sets expectations and ensures a smooth appointment. Remember, the law allows you to insist on a physical ID if necessary – your first responsibility is to positively identify the signer.
4. Stay Alert for Rulemaking Outcomes: The DMV’s rulemaking on mobile IDs might introduce specific features or requirements (for example, perhaps a state-approved digital ID verification app or device for businesses and notaries to use). Keep an eye on news from the DMV or Secretary of State about any tools or training sessions for using digital IDs. Since the law references standards by groups like the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and ISO/IEC, there may be standardized practices introduced statewide.
5. Understand the Other Provisions: While digital IDs are the headline for notaries, be mindful of the other changes HB 25-1076 made. For example, if you notarize documents for car sales or registrations, know that any power of attorney related to a vehicle should now conform to the Uniform Power of Attorney Act – meaning it likely needs to be notarized and have the required language under state law. If a client is a disabled veteran seeking a fee exemption, they no longer need to prove a “permanent” disability (any service-connected disability suffices). These details, while outside normal notarization duties, can help you better understand your clients’ needs and the documents you might see.

Conclusion

Colorado HB 25-1076 is a comprehensive law that modernizes identification and notarial practices in the state. It reinforces the security of official documents by punishing fake IDs, brings motor vehicle forms in line with uniform legal standards, and embraces technology by making digital IDs legally acceptable. For Colorado notaries, the big takeaway is that come January 1, 2026, you can confidently accept a client’s Digital ID on their smartphone as valid identification for a notarization, pursuant to state law. This change reflects the evolving digital landscape and aims to make transactions more convenient without sacrificing security.

As with any change, preparation is key. By understanding the new provisions, adjusting your practices, and keeping informed through official channels, you’ll be ready to comply with HB 25-1076 and help your clients navigate the new rules. The tone of this reform is professional modernization – maintaining Colorado’s high standards for notarial acts while updating old statutes for the 21st century. Both the general public and notaries should feel confident that these updates will enhance the integrity of notarizations and IDs in Colorado, ensuring smooth and secure transactions in the years ahead.

Sources:

• Colorado General Assembly, House Bill 25-1076 (2025) – “Motor Vehicle Regulation Administration”
• LegiScan, Status and History of CO HB 25-1076 (2025)
• Colorado Revised Statutes (as amended by HB 25-1076), § 42-2-145 (Electronic identification documents)
• Colorado General Assembly, HB 25-1076 Bill Summary
• myColorado (State Digital ID Program), FAQs on Colorado Digital ID and Executive Order