Title 24
ARTICLE 12
Oaths and Affirmations
24-12-101. Form of oath or affirmation for public office – requirements for oath or affirmation.
(1) When a person is required to take an oath or affirmation before the person enters upon the discharge of a public office or position, the form of the oath or affirmation is as follows:
I [name], do [select swear, affirm, or swear by the everliving God] that I will support the constitution of the United
States, the constitution of the state of Colorado, and the laws of the state of Colorado,
and will faithfully perform the duties of the office of [name of office or position] upon
which I am about to enter to the best of my ability.
If choosing to swear an oath, the person swearing shall do so with an uplifted hand.
(2) The oath or affirmation must be:
(a) In writing and signed by the person taking the oath or affirmation;
(b) Administered as provided in section 24-12-103; and
(c) Taken, signed, administered, and filed as specified in subsection (3) of this section before the person enters upon the public office or position.
(3) Officers of the executive department, judges of the supreme and subsidiary courts, and district attorneys shall file their oaths or affirmations of office with the secretary of state. Every other person required by law to file an oath or affirmation of office shall file with the county clerk of the county wherein the person was elected or appointed.
24-12-102. Form of oaths or affirmations for purposes other than public office.
Whenever any person is required to take or subscribe an oath, and in all cases where an oath is to be administered upon any lawful occasion, and the person has conscientious scruples against taking an oath, the person is permitted to make a solemn affirmation in lieu of an oath. Whenever any person is required to take an oath or affirmation, other than an oath for public office or position in accordance with section 24-12-101, the person shall take or subscribe the oath or affirmation in the manner specified in the particular law that imposes the requirement.
24-12-103. Who may administer oaths or affirmations.
All courts in this state and each judge, justice, magistrate, referee, clerk, and deputy clerk thereof; court reporters who hold the registered professional reporter certification or higher; members and referees of the division of labor standards and statistics; members of the public utilities commission; and notaries public have power to administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses and others concerning any matter, thing, process, or proceeding pending, commenced, or to be commenced before them respectively. The courts, judges, magistrates, referees, clerks, and deputy clerks within their respective districts or counties; court reporters who hold the registered professional reporter certification or higher; a person designated by the governing body, or any officer thereof; and notaries public within any county of this state have the power to administer all oaths or affirmations of office and other oaths or affirmations required to be taken by any person upon any lawful occasion and to take affidavits and depositions concerning any matter or thing, process, or proceeding pending, commenced, or to be commenced in any court or on any occasion an affidavit or a deposition is authorized or by law required to be taken.