What is a Regulation?
A regulation is a policy or procedure created by a state agency that has an impact on the public. The regulation is the state agency's action in implementing, interpreting, applying or enforcing a statute enacted by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor.
Rulemaking Procedure
Every state agency in the Executive Branch must adhere to the rulemaking process outlined in the Administrative Procedure Act or APA (Section 24-4-101, Colorado Revised Statutes) unless explicitly exempted.
Rulemaking Hearing Announced
When an agency wants to promulgate a new rule or an amendment to an existing rule, it must first file a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the Secretary of State.
Who Is Responsible?
Secretary of State
How Do I Find Out More?
Notice Published
Agencies must also send a copy of the proposed rule to the Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform. If you sign-up to receive a Regulatory Notice, you will receive an e-mail telling you that a proposed rule has been submitted by an agency covering a subject matter of interest to you.
Who Is Responsible?
Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform
How Do I Find Out More?
Public Comment
Once the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is filed with the Secretary of State, the public is allowed to offer comments on the proposed rule. A Colorado state governmental agency must accept and consider comments from the public before that agency can adopt, amend or otherwise change any regulation not explicitly exempted from the APA.
Who Is Responsible?
Agency that Filed the Rulemaking Notice
How Do I Find Out More?
Regulatory Notice subscribers will receive the contact information of the individuals in the agency submitting the proposed rule so that they can send comments or get further information.
Rulemaking Hearing
At the hearing on the proposed rule, the agency accepts written and oral testimony about the rule. The testimony can be supportive of, or in opposition to, the proposed rule. Once the hearing ends, the public is no longer able to offer comments on the proposed rule unless the agency alters the proposed rule in a manner that requires the process to begin again.
Who is Responsible?
Agency that Filed the Rulemaking Notice
How Do I Find Out More?
Calendar of Rulemaking Hearings
Find out when specific rulemaking hearings are happening and get details on the regulations being reviewed.
Adopt Rules
Adopt Rules Explanation
Who is Responsible?
Agency that Filed the Rulemaking Notice
How Do I Find Out More?
Search Proposed Rules
Search for proposed rules, or amendments to existing rules, submitted by state departments and agencies.
Attorney General Review
Rules are sent to the Attorney General's Office to make sure they align with the statutory authority granted to the agency.
Who is Responsible?
Attorney General's Office
How Do I Find out More?
Adopted Rules Filed
Following the hearing on the proposed rule, the agency has 180 days to file adopted rules with the Secretary of State.
Who is Responsible?
Agency that Filed the Rulemaking Notice
Rules Published
The Secretary of State publishes the rules in the Colorado Register.
Who is Responsible?
Secretary of State
How Do I Find Out More?
You can view the rules in the Colorado Register
Rules Become Effective
Adopted rules go into effect twenty days after publication or on such later date as is stated in the rule.
Who is Responsible?
Agency that Filed the Rulemaking Notice
How Do I Find Out More?
Visit the Agency's Website that was responsible for the Rulemaking to learn more about implementation.