(1) Any officer of a governmental agency may cause any records, papers, or documents in his or her custody to be photographed, microphotographed, or reproduced on film. Such photographic film shall comply with the minimum standards of quality approved for permanent photographic records by the department of personnel, and the device used to reproduce such records on such film shall be one which accurately reproduces the original thereof in all details. Such photographs, microphotographs, or photographic film shall be deemed to be original records for all purposes, including introduction in evidence in all courts or administrative agencies. A transcript, exemplification, or certified copy thereof, for all purposes recited in this section, shall be deemed to be a transcript, exemplification, or certified copy of the original.
(2) (a) If a public officer intends to destroy or dispose of original records that are determined to be of legal, administrative, or historical value, the public officer shall:
Ensure that the records are photographed, microphotographed, or reproduced on photographic film;
Properly certify that the photographed, microphotographed, or film reproductions ofthe records are true copies of the original records;
Ensure that the certified copies of the records are placed in conveniently accessiblefiles; and
Make provisions for preserving, examining, and using the certified copies of therecords.
After the public officer has satisfied the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the public officer may cause the original records from which the photographs, microphotographs, or film reproductions have been made to be destroyed or disposed of according to methods specified in sections 24-80-103 to 24-80-106 and the rules promulgated by the department of personnel pursuant to section 24-80-102 (12).
Copies of records that are certified pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) shall have the same force and effect as the original records. Copies of records transferred from the office of their origin to the department of personnel, when certified by the state archivist, shall have the same legal force and effect as if certified by the original custodian of the records.
Source: L. 51: p. 779, § 7. CSA: C. 154, § 18(16). CRS 53: § 131-3-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 131-3-7. L. 96: (2) amended, p. 1530, § 89, effective June 1. L. 2016: Entire section amended, (HB 16-1368), ch. 231, p. 931, § 9, effective August 10.