HB24-1077: Lodged Wills

• Requires court clerks to retain original lodged wills for 3 years after acceptance if no probate proceeding is filed, or 2 years after estate closure if probate is filed (replacing indefinite retention requirement)

• Mandates clerks maintain electronic records of all lodged wills for 100 years and accept, preserve, and track contact information for persons delivering wills

• Establishes notice and return procedures allowing the person who delivered the will (or attorney/personal representative if probate was filed) 30 days to retrieve the original before destruction

• Deems certified electronic records of lodged wills to be the original will for all legal purposes under Colorado law if the original is destroyed

• Amends probate procedures to recognize electronic records of wills certified by court clerks as equivalent to original wills or state court administrator-certified copies in formal and informal probate proceedings