National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
Colorado enforces the 2026 NEC as a statewide minimum
The 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) has been in force in Colorado since Jul 15, 2026. It applies as a statewide minimum; local codes may go further. Adopted by Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations). The legal citation is 3 CCR 710-1, Rule 1.5; C.R.S. 12-115-107(2)(a).
Record of adoption
Edition in force
2026 NEC
State Electrical Board Rules, Rule 1.5 (2026 National Electrical Code)
Verified
- In force since
- Legal citation
- 3 CCR 710-1, Rule 1.5; C.R.S. 12-115-107(2)(a)
- Adopted by
- Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations)
- Second reading
- Applies
- Statewide minimum; local codes may go further
- Also called
- 3 CCR 710-1, NFPA 70
Rule adopted May 27, 2026, effective Jul 15, 2026, per the Secretary of State eDocket. The eDocket purpose statement and the State Architect’s Exhibit A state the 2026 edition year.
Exceptions
- Statute lets local governments enforce more stringent electrical standards than the board’s minimum, if they send the board a copy
How Colorado adopts the NEC
The State Electrical Board amends Rule 1.5 in 3 CCR 710-1 by permanent rulemaking after a public hearing, then files with the Secretary of State; the 2026 NEC rule was heard and adopted May 27, 2026, and took effect Jul 15, 2026. The statute makes the board’s NEC standards a statewide minimum that local governments may exceed. No legislative approval step was found for the edition.
Cycle. Follows the NFPA 3-year NEC cycle; the 2023 NEC took effect Aug 1, 2023, and the 2026 NEC Jul 15, 2026.
Laws, rulings, and other actions
- Other actionState Electrical Board permanent rule adopting the 2026 NEC (eDocket 2026-00171)
Adopted the 2026 NEC by amending Rule 1.5, effective Jul 15, 2026.
How it was checked
Verified
Two separate readings of the state’s own record agree, and the passage is on file word for word.
Read twice: a second, blind reading of the state’s record agreed with the first on .
The state’s record was last read on , from five source pages.
Evidence 6 sources
Sources for the record itself come first, the state’s own records ahead of others. A label marks a source about something else, such as an exception. A source marked secondary is not the state’s own record.
“The purpose is to adopt the current 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC).”
Code of Colorado Regulations eDocket 2026-00171Colorado Secretary of Statesos.state.co.us (opens in a new tab)State registerRetrieved “07/15/2026”
Code of Colorado Regulations eDocket 2026-00171Colorado Secretary of Statesos.state.co.us (opens in a new tab)State registerRetrieved “07/15/2026 (PDF)”
“05/27/2026”
State Electrical Board > 3 CCR 710-1Colorado Secretary of Statecoloradosos.gov (opens in a new tab)Administrative codeRetrieved “The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA 70®)”
Approved State Building Codes, Exhibit A (Rev. 10/2026)Colorado Office of the State Architectosa.colorado.gov (opens in a new tab)Agency pageRetrieved C.R.S. Section 12-115-107, Board powers and dutiesColorado Public Law (mirror of the C.R.S.)colorado.public.law (opens in a new tab)Statute, secondaryRetrieved About how the state adopts codes
Colorado Electrical HomepageColorado DORA Division of Professions and Occupationsdpo.colorado.gov (opens in a new tab)Agency pageRetrieved
Tracker cross-checks
Code adoption trackers are a cross-check. They are not Colorado’s own record.
NFPA’s enforcement mapCross-checkDoes not agree with the record
Colorado 2026 (8/1/2026) (NEC enforcement table as of Aug 3, 2026)
IAEI’s code adoption pageCross-checkDoes not agree with the record
Colorado currently enforces NEC-2023 statewide, effective August 1, 2023 (page is out of date)