HB 17-1142

HB 17-1142, also known as Electronic Court Hearing Notices, updates how Colorado courts notify people about important legal documents and hearings. Instead of sending these notices by registered mail, the bill allows clerks to send them via regular first-class mail or electronically through an online system. It also gives court clerks the option to post notices online instead of on physical bulletin boards when serving individuals who cannot be personally served with papers. This change makes the process more flexible and potentially faster for those involved in domestic relations cases. Since the bill has been signed, these changes are now law in Colorado.

Official Summary

Under current law, the clerk of the court mails notice of the filing of certain petitions and the date and time of hearings on the petition to specified interested parties by registered mail. The bill changes the process so the clerk of the court may send the notice by first-class mail or electronically using the e-filing system of the judicial department. Under current law, if a respondent in a domestic relations action cannot be personally served and is served by publication, the clerk of the court is required to post a copy of the process on a bulletin board in the clerk's office for 35 days after the date of publication and may post the notice online on the court's website. The bill gives the clerk the option of posting the notice online on the court's website rather than on a bulletin board. The bill also updates the time frame for holding certain hearings to multiples of 7 days. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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