Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before a notary. Handwritten wills: yes. Remote witnesses: limited.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses who sign within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or acknowledgment, or instead the testator acknowledges the will before a notary (Nolo, citing C.R.S. 15-11-502).
"two witnesses must sign your will after witnessing you sign or acknowledge your will"
- Beneficiary as witness
- Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (C.R.S. 15-11-505, Justia's 2022 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice.
"The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it."
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed. Per Nolo (citing C.R.S. 15-11-504), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary.
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized without witnesses if the signature and material provisions are in the testator's handwriting (Nolo, citing 15-11-502).
"the signature and material provisions must be in your own handwriting"
- Electronic wills
- Authorized. The act declares an electronic will a will for all purposes. (Colorado Uniform Electronic Wills Act (HB21-1004, signed January 21, 2021))
"declares that an electronic will is a will for all purposes of Colorado law."
- Remote witnesses
- For an electronic will: witnesses (or a Colorado notary) may be electronically present; remote witnesses must be U.S. residents located in the U.S. (Nolo, citing 15-11-1305).
"must be residents of the United States and located in the United States or its territories"
- Minimum age
- At least 18 and of sound mind (Nolo, citing C.R.S. 15-11-501).
"at least 18 years old"
Worth knowing
For probate, the court's instructions say the original will must be filed with the court.
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: Have a notary there for the self-proving affidavit. The official page we read names a notary public.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Colorado.
MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey (estate planning signings, the estate planning signing package, witness services). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit.
Sources
- HB21-1004, Colorado Uniform Electronic Wills Act (Colorado General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- Instructions for Probate with a Will, JDF 906 (Colorado Judicial Branch) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Colorado (Nolo, updated September 2025) (checked November 2026)
- Justia (statute text) (secondary source): C.R.S. 15-11-505, Who may witness (Justia statute text, 2022 Colorado Code) (checked November 2026)
Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)".
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review your will. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Rules change, and how a rule applies to one will is a question for a lawyer licensed in the state. A notary can't give legal advice or draft a will.
Common questions
How many witnesses does a will need in Colorado?
2. Two witnesses who sign within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or acknowledgment, or instead the testator acknowledges the will before a notary (Nolo, citing C.R.S. 15-11-502).
Does a will need a notary in Colorado?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed. Per Nolo (citing C.R.S. 15-11-504), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Colorado?
Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (C.R.S. 15-11-505, Justia's 2022 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice. The statute: "The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it."
Is a handwritten will valid in Colorado?
Recognized without witnesses if the signature and material provisions are in the testator's handwriting (Nolo, citing 15-11-502).
Can will witnesses be remote in Colorado?
For an electronic will: witnesses (or a Colorado notary) may be electronically present; remote witnesses must be U.S. residents located in the U.S. (Nolo, citing 15-11-1305).
Are electronic wills allowed in Colorado?
Authorized. The act declares an electronic will a will for all purposes. (Colorado Uniform Electronic Wills Act (HB21-1004, signed January 21, 2021))
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