What the rule says
Colorado provides three pathways to a valid will under the UPC framework:
Attested wills (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-11-502)
A valid Colorado attested will requires:
1. A writing. 2. The testator's signature. 3. Two witnesses. Two witnesses must sign the will within a reasonable time after each witnessed either the testator's signing or the testator's acknowledgment.
Colorado follows the UPC approach allowing witnesses to sign within a reasonable time.
Notarized alternative: Colorado also recognizes "notarized wills" under § 15-11-502(1)(c) — a will signed by the testator and acknowledged before a notary is valid as an alternative to the witness requirement. This option is unusual nationally and provides additional execution flexibility.
Holographic wills (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-11-503)
A Colorado holographic will is valid if:
1. Material provisions in the testator's handwriting. 2. Signed.
Colorado's flexible holographic standard allows partly typed and partly handwritten documents.
Harmless-error doctrine (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-11-503)
Colorado has adopted the harmless-error rule. Defective documents can be probated with clear and convincing evidence of testamentary intent.
What this means in practice
Colorado's framework is among the most flexible in the country with three pathways plus the notarized-will alternative. Most Colorado estate planning uses attested wills with self-proving affidavits, but the multiple pathways reduce risk of execution failures.
What you can do about it
For a Colorado will execution:
- Have the testator and at least two witnesses present OR notarize. - Use the self-proving affidavit. - Sign at the end of the document. - Avoid using beneficiaries as witnesses.
Who this affects most
Colorado's flexible framework reduces execution risk while preserving formality protections. The notarized-will alternative is particularly distinctive — Colorado is one of few states that allows notarization to substitute for witnessing.