What is the Colorado Secretary of State's role in regulating notaries?

The Colorado Secretary of State plays a crucial role in regulating notaries primarily by setting policies and overseeing notarial practices within the state. This responsibility includes establishing rules, guidelines, and standards that govern how notaries perform their duties, ensuring consistency, legality, and adherence to state laws. The Secretary of State also maintains records of notaries, processes applications for notarial commissions, and is responsible for enforcement of relevant statutes.

In contrast, serving as a mediator for disputes would fall under a different scope of responsibilities, typically handled by legal professionals or specific dispute resolution organizations. Notaries themselves are not authorized to notarize their own documents due to a conflict of interest, and providing training is typically managed through private organizations or educational institutions rather than the Secretary of State's office. Thus, the most accurate choice regarding the regulation of notaries is that the Secretary of State sets policies and oversees notarial practices.