Colorado Local Government Handbook

Colorado Local

Government Handbook

2023 | Research Publication No. 795

Legislative Council Sta

Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature

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The following Legislative Council Sta

members contributed to this report:

April Bernard, Consitituent Services Manager

Anna Gerstle, Senior Fiscal Analyst

Shukria Maktabi, Fiscal Analyst

Katie Kolupke, Graphic Design &

Administrative Support Specialist

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Introduction

This handbook is intended to serve

as a resource guide on the role and

responsibilities of local governments,

including counties, municipalities,

special districts, and school districts. It

is divided into nine sections:

• Section 1 provides an overview of

the Colorado Department of Local

Aairs;

• Sections 2 through 4 describe

county governments, municipal

governments, and city and county

governments;

• Section 5 provides an overview

of local government land use and

planning powers;

• Sections 6 and 7 describe special

districts and public schools;

• Section 8 discusses the initiative

and referendum process for local

governments; and

• Section 9 describes the laws

concerning term limits and recall of

local elected ocials.

Denver City & County Building

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Local Government Handbook

Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 5

Section I: Overview of Colorado Department of Local Aairs ................................................. 1

Section II: County Governments .................................................................................................. 4

Organization and Structure...................................................................................................................................4

County Elected Ocials .........................................................................................................................................5

Salaries of County Ocials ...................................................................................................................................7

Home Rule Counties ............................................................................................................................................. 12

County Powers and Responsibilities ............................................................................................................... 12

County Revenue Sources .................................................................................................................................... 12

Revenues and Expenditures ............................................................................................................................... 14

Section III: Municipal Governments ..........................................................................................15

Statutory Towns and Cities ................................................................................................................................. 15

Home Rule Municipalities ................................................................................................................................... 17

Annexation ............................................................................................................................................................... 20

Discontinuance of Incorporation ..................................................................................................................... 22

Abandoned Municipalities ................................................................................................................................. 22

Financial Powers of Municipalities .................................................................................................................. 23

Section IV: City and County Governments ................................................................................24

Revenues and Expenditures ............................................................................................................................... 24

Section V: Local Government Land Use and Planning Powers ................................................27

General Land Use and Planning Laws for Local Governments ............................................................. 27

Municipal Land Use and Planning Powers ................................................................................................... 28

County Land Use and Planning Powers ........................................................................................................ 28

Local Governments and the Power of Eminent Domain ........................................................................ 29

Local Government Handbook

Section VI: Special Districts .........................................................................................................30

Types of Special Districts .................................................................................................................................... 30

Special Districts Listings .............................................................................................................. 31

Organization and Oversight of Special Districts ........................................................................................ 34

Dissolution of Special Districts ......................................................................................................................... 36

Reporting Requirements ..................................................................................................................................... 37

Section VII: Public Schools .......................................................................................................... 39

School Districts ....................................................................................................................................................... 39

Types of Public Schools ....................................................................................................................................... 42

Section VIII: Initiative and Referendum Process for Local Governments ..............................44

Section IX: Term Limits and Recall of Local Elected Ocials ..................................................45

Term Limits ............................................................................................................................................................... 45

Recall ........................................................................................................................................................................... 45

Local Government Handbook

The Department of Local Aairs (DOLA)

supports Colorado’s local communities and

builds local government capacity through

training, technical, and nancial assistance.

The divisions of the department serve several

purposes for local entities, including disaster

recovery, provision of aordable housing,

property tax assessment and collection,

training for local government ocials, and

distribution of state and federal aid for

community projects. The department is

comprised of four divisions: the Executive

Director’s Oce, which includes the State

Demography Oce, the Division of Property

Taxation, the Division of Housing, and the

Division of Local Government, as well as a

quasi-judicial body, the Board of Assessment

Appeals. DOLA is appropriated $442.1 million

in total funding for FY 2022-23 with the

majority of funding consisting of cash fund

sources, as detailed in Figure 1.

Cash funds are separate funds received from

taxes, fees, and nes that are earmarked for

specic programs and typically related to the

identied revenue source. The largest cash

funds in the department’s budget come from

the Local Government Severance Tax Fund

($53.8 million), lottery proceeds credited to

the Conservation Trust Fund ($58 million),

Local Government Mineral Impact Fund

(44 million), Marijuana Tax Cash Fund ($3.8

million), and the Local Government Limited

Gaming Impact Fund ($5.2 million).

The following section describes the

functions of each division, and Figure 2

shows the FY 2022-23 appropriations to the

department’s divisions.

Executive Director’s Oce. The

Executive Director provides leadership and

administrative support to the department’s

division including accounting, budgeting,

and human resource responsibilities. Within

the division, the State Demography Oce is

Section I: Overview of Colorado Department of Local Aairs

Colorado Residential Neighborhood

Local Government Handbook

the primary state agency for population and

demographic information. The oce makes

the data it collects publicly available to assist

local governments, nonprots, and the public.

Division of Property Taxation. The Division

of Property Taxation has three primary

responsibilities. First, the division oversees

the administration of property tax laws,

including issuing appraisal standards and

training county assessors. The division also

grants tax exemptions for charities, religious

organizations, and other eligible entities.

Lastly, the division sets valuations for public

utility and rail transportation companies.

The division is managed by the Property Tax

Administrator who is appointed by the State

Board of Equalization. The division provides

funding for the State Board of Equalization,

which supervises the administration of

property tax laws by local county assessors.

Division of Local Government. Currently,

there are 4,626 local governments in

Colorado. The Division of Local Government

provides information and training for local

governments in budget development,

purchasing, demographics, land use

planning, community development, water

and wastewater management, and regulatory

issues. Lastly, the division distributes state and

federal moneys to assist local governments in

capital construction and community services,

including, but not limited to:

• Community Services Block Grants;

• Community Development Block Grants;

• Local Government Mineral and Energy

Impact Grants;

• Local Government Severance Tax Fund

distributions;

• Limited Gaming Impact Grants; and

• Conservation Trust Fund distributions.

Division of Housing. The Division of Housing

(DOH) works with local communities to assist

Coloradans in accessing aordable, safe, and

secure housing. DOH work includes:

Figure 1

Department of Local Aairs FY 2022-23

Appropriation

(millions)

General Fund Cash Re-appropriated Funds Federal Funds Total Appropria�on

$55.30 $281.80 $22.40 $82.60 $442.10

12% 64% 5% 19% 100%

Re-appropriated Funds $22.40 5%

General Fund $55.30 12%

Federal Funds $82.60 19%

Cash Funds $281.80 64%

Total Appropria�on $442.10 100%

Re-appropriated Funds

$22.40

General Fund

$55.30

Federal Funds

$82.60

Cash Funds

$281.80

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

$442.10

Total

Appropriations

Source: Joint Budget Committee Sta

Local Government Handbook

• increasing and preserving Colorado’s

inventory of aordable housing;

• managing rental assistance vouchers;

• creating and supporting collaborative

approaches to end homelessness; and

• regulating the construction and

installation of factory-built structures.

Table 2

Divisions Within the Department of Local Affairs

FY 2022-23 Appropriation (millions)

Division

General

Fund

Cash

Fund

Re-

appropria

ted Funds

Federal

Funds

Director’s

Office

$3.60 $2.20 $5.00 $1.90 3.00%

Property

Taxation

$2.40 $1.30 $0.30 $0.00 1.00%

Housing $27.70 $88.20 $2.00 $68.80 42.00%

Local

Governme

$21.60 $190.20 $15.10 $11.90 54.00%

$55.30 $281.90 $22.40 $82.60

Division

General

Fund

Cash

Fund

Re-

appropria

ted Funds

Federal

Funds

Total

Appropri

ation

$55.30 $281.80 $22.40 $82.60 100.00%

$442.10

Total Appropriation

$12.70

$4.00

$186.60

$238.80

$28

$22

$88

$190

$0.3

$15

$69

$12

Director’s Office

Property Taxation

Housing

Local Government

General Fund

$55

Cash Fund

$282

Re-appropriated

Funds

$22

Federal Funds

$83

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Table 2

Divisions Within the Department of Local Affairs

FY 2022-23 Appropriation (millions)

Division

General

Fund

Cash

Fund

Re-

appropria

ted Funds

Federal

Funds

Director’s

Office

$3.60 $2.20 $5.00 $1.90 3.00%

Property

Taxation

$2.40 $1.30 $0.30 $0.00 1.00%

Housing $27.70 $88.20 $2.00 $68.80 42.00%

Local

Governme

$21.60 $190.20 $15.10 $11.90 54.00%

$55.30 $281.90 $22.40 $82.60

Division

General

Fund

Cash

Fund

Re-

appropria

ted Funds

Federal

Funds

Total

Appropri

ation

$55.30 $281.80 $22.40 $82.60 100.00%

$442.10

Total Appropriation

$12.70

$4.00

$186.60

$238.80

$28

$22

$88

$190

$0.3

$15

$69

$12

Director’s Office

Property Taxation

Housing

Local Government

General Fund

$55

Cash Fund

$282

Re-appropriated

Funds

$22

Federal Funds

$83

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Table 2

Divisions Within the Department of Local Affairs

FY 2022-23 Appropriation (millions)

Division

General

Fund

Cash

Fund

Re-

appropria

ted Funds

Federal

Funds

Director’s

Office

$3.60 $2.20 $5.00 $1.90 3.00%

Property

Taxation

$2.40 $1.30 $0.30 $0.00 1.00%

Housing $27.70 $88.20 $2.00 $68.80 42.00%

Local

Governme

$21.60 $190.20 $15.10 $11.90 54.00%

$55.30 $281.90 $22.40 $82.60

Division

General

Fund

Cash

Fund

Re-

appropria

ted Funds

Federal

Funds

Total

Appropri

ation

$55.30 $281.80 $22.40 $82.60 100.00%

$442.10

Total Appropriation

$12.70

$4.00

$186.60

$238.80

$28

$22

$88

$190

$0.3

$15

$69

$12

Director’s Office

Property Taxation

Housing

Local Government

General Fund

$55

Cash Fund

$282

Re-appropriated

Funds

$22

Federal Funds

$83

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Figure 2

Divisons Within the Department of Local Aairs

FY 2022-23 Appropriation

(millions)

Source: Joint Budget Committee Sta

Board of Assessment Appeals. The Board of

Assessment Appeals (BAA) is a quasi-judicial

body with nine members that hears appeals

concerning the valuation of real and personal

property, property tax abatements, and

property tax exemptions. Board members are

appointed by the Governor and conrmed by

the Senate.

Local Government Handbook

provided under state law. The constitution

also provides for a county attorney who, by

statute, is appointed by and reports to the

county commissioners. The county ocers

are elected to four-year terms under the state

constitution. County ocers must be qualied

electors and have resided in the county for

at least one year preceding election. These

elected ocials have specic powers and

duties that are prescribed by law, and they

function independently from each other and

from the board of county commissioners.

All counties in Colorado are assigned to one

of six categories based on population and

other factors for the purposes of setting the

salaries of elected county ocials. Counties

Organization and Structure

Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Counties

are political subdivisions of state government,

and may only exercise those powers

specically provided in state law. Generally,

counties are responsible for law enforcement;

the provision of social services on behalf of

the state; the construction, maintenance,

and repair of roads and bridges; and general

control of land use in unincorporated areas.

County boundaries are established in

state law.

The Colorado Constitution establishes the

following county ocers: commissioners,

treasurers, assessors, coroners, clerk and

recorders, surveyors, and sheris, with duties

Section II: County Governments

Map 1

Colorado Counties

Source: Department of Local Aairs

CheyenneCheyenne

Kit Carson

Yuma

Washington

Phillips

Sedgwick

Logan

Morgan

Weld

Broomfield

Adams

Denver

Glipin

Boulder

Larimer

Jackson

Grand

Routt

Moffat

Arapahoe

Elbert

El Paso

Teller

Park

Chaffee

Lake

Pitkin

Delta

Mesa

Garfield

Rio Blanco

Eagle

Summit

Jefferson

Clear Creek

Fremont

Custer

Saguache

Ouray

Gunnison

Douglas

Lincoln

Kiowa

Prowers

Bent

Otero

Crowley

Pueblo

Huerfano

Baca

BacaLas AnimasLas Animas

Costilla

Conejos

Rio Grande

Archuleta

La Plata

Montezuma

Dolores

San Miguel

Montrose

Alamosa

Mineral

San Juan

Hinsdale

Local Government Handbook

are also assigned a dierent class in state law

for the purpose of xing fees collected by the

county.

County Elected Ocials

County commissioners. The board of

county commissioners is the primary

policy-making body for the county and is

responsible for the county’s administrative

and budgetary functions. In fact, the county

commissioners approve the budgets for all

county departments. The board of county

commissioners has a duty to supervise the

conduct of general and special elections, and

is expected to consult and coordinate with

the clerk and recorder on rendering decisions

and interpreting state election codes. Most

counties have three commissioners who

represent separate districts, but are elected

by the voters of the entire county. Any county

with a population over 70,000 may expand its

board from three to ve commissioners by a

vote of county electors.

County clerk and recorder. As the primary

administrative ocer of the county, the

county clerk and recorder records deeds in

the county and serves as the clerk to the

board of county commissioners. The clerk

is also an agent of the state Department

of Revenue and is charged with the

administration of certain state laws relating

to motor vehicles, certication of automobile

titles, and motor vehicle registrations. The

clerk administers all primary, general, and

special elections held in the county, oversees

voter registration, publishes notices of

elections, appoints election judges, and

ensures the printing and distribution of

ballots. The clerk and recorder also issues

marriage licenses, maintains records and

books for the board of commissioners,

collects license fees and charges required

by the state, maintains property ownership

records, and provides deed abstracts upon

request.

County treasurer. The county treasurer is

responsible for the receipt, custody, and

disbursement of county funds. The treasurer

collects some state taxes and all property

taxes in the county, including those for other

units of local government such as cities and

school districts, minus a statutory collection

fee. The treasurer also conducts sales of

property for delinquent taxes.

County assessor. The county assessor is

responsible for discovering, listing, classifying,

and valuing all property in the county in

accordance with state laws. It is the assessor’s

duty to determine the actual and taxable

value of property. Most real property, such

as residential and commercial property, is

reassessed every odd-numbered year, and

personal property is reassessed every year.

The assessor is required to send out a notice

of valuation each year to property owners,

which reects the owner’s property value

and the amount of property taxes due to the

county treasurer.

County sheri. Counties are responsible for

law enforcement, which includes supporting

the court system and the district attorney

functions, as well as providing jail facilities

through the sheri. The county sheri is

the chief law enforcement ocer of the

unincorporated areas of a county and is

responsible for maintaining the peace and

enforcing the criminal laws of the state. The

sheri supports the county court system by

serving and executing processes, subpoenas,

writs, and orders as directed by the court.

The sheri oversees the operation of the

county jail. The sheri is also the re warden

for prairie or forest res in the county and

is responsible for county search and rescue

functions. County sheris can also provide law

enforcement for, or share jurisdiction with,

municipalities through contracts for services

or intergovernmental agreements (IGA). State

law species that any candidate for county

sheri must:

Local Government Handbook

• be a citizen of the United States;

• be a resident of the state of Colorado;

• be a resident of the county in which the

person will hold the oce;

• have a high school diploma or its

equivalent or a college degree;

• complete a criminal history record check;

and

• provide a complete set of ngerprints to a

qualied law enforcement agency.

Any person who has been convicted of;

pleaded guilty to; or entered a plea of nolo

contendere to any federal or state felony

charge is ineligible for the oce of sheri

unless the person has been pardoned.

County coroner. The county coroner is

responsible for investigating the cause and

manner of deaths, issuing death certicates,

and requesting autopsies. The coroner is the

only county ocial empowered to arrest the

county sheri, or to ll the position of interim

county sheri in the event of a vacancy or

when it is believed that the sheri cannot

or will not perform his or her duties. Similar

to the requirements for county sheri, state

law species that any candidate for county

coroner must:

• be a citizen of the United States;

• be a resident of the state of Colorado;

• be a resident of the county in which the

person will hold the oce;

• have a high school diploma or its

equivalent or a college degree;

• complete a criminal history record check;

and

• provide a complete set of ngerprints

to a qualied law enforcement agency

according to state law.

Additionally, any person who has been

convicted of; pleaded guilty to; or entered

a plea of nolo contendere to any federal or

state felony charge is ineligible for the oce

of county coroner unless he or she has been

pardoned.

A constitutional amendment, passed in 2002,

authorizes the General Assembly to require

that coroners receive minimum training

upon election to oce. State law requires

a training course of at least 40 hours using

the curriculum developed by the Colorado

Coroners Standards and Training (CCST)

board, which is overseen by the Department

of Public Health and Environment. Within

one year of taking oce for the rst time,

a coroner must obtain certication in basic

medical-legal death investigation from the

Local Government Handbook

Colorado Coroners Association or another

training provider approved by the CCST

board. Coroners must complete in-service

training provided by the Colorado Coroners

Association or another training provider

approved by the CCST board each year that

the coroner is in oce.

County surveyor. The county surveyor is

responsible for any surveying duties for the

county and for settling boundary disputes

when directed by a court or when requested

by interested parties. The county surveyor

establishes the boundaries of county property,

including road rightsof-way, and supervises

construction surveys that impact the county.

County surveyors also create survey markers

and monuments, and conduct surveys relating

to toll roads and reservoirs. State law requires

that county surveyors meet the qualications

of a professional land surveyor and le an

ocial bond of $1,000 with the county clerk

and recorder.

Salaries of County Ocials

The Colorado Constitution requires the

General Assembly to set the salary levels for

county commissioners, sheris, treasurers,

assessors, clerk and recorders, and coroners.

The General Assembly must consider specic

factors when xing the compensation of

county ocers and compensate ocers

based on variations in workloads and

responsibilities.

The state constitution also provides

that county ocers cannot have their

compensation changed during their terms of

oce. Further, any change may occur only

when the compensation of all county ocers

within the same county is adjusted, or when

the compensation for the same county oce

in all of the counties of the state is increased

or decreased.

County categorization. All Colorado

counties are assigned a category — I through

VI — for the purpose of setting the salaries

of elected county ocials. In general, the

counties in categories I through III are

larger counties that are required to pay

higher salaries than counties in categories

IV through VI. The category assignments

are based on a number of factors, including

population, the number of persons residing

in the unincorporated areas of the county,

assessed valuation of properties in the county,

motor vehicle registrations, building permits,

military installations, and factors reecting

the workloads and responsibilities of county

ocers and tax resources of counties. These

categories are subject to change, based

on things like moving a county to another

category through legislation. The salary

schedule does not aect the city and county

governments of Broomeld and Denver, or

the home rule counties (Pitkin and Weld) that

are authorized to set their own compensation

rates.

In 2015, the General Assembly changed

the categorization of counties for the

purpose of setting salaries. Specically,

four subcategories were added to each

classication, for a total of 24 categories. All

changes to county salaries were eective

starting January 1, 2016, for all terms of oce

beginning after this date. Since 2015, several

changes have been made to the categories,

which are discussed later in this section.

County elected ocials’ salary commission.

In 2015, an independent commission made

recommendations to the General Assembly on

the equitable and proper salaries to be paid

to county elected ocials. The County Elected

Ocials’ Salary Commission was repealed by

the 2015 General Assembly, eective January

1, 2016.

Recent legislation. Senate Bill 15-288 created

24 categories — I-A through VI-D — for the

purposes of establishing the salaries of county

ocers whose terms begin on or after January

1, 2016. House Bill 16-1367 re-categorized

counties in regard to setting salaries for

county ocials. House Bill 18-1242 and House

Bill 20-1281 modied the categories for

Local Government Handbook

several counties, increasing and decreasing

the salaries in some counties. Government

ocials may not increase their salary for a

current term.

Table 1 summarizes the categorization of

counties. Several of these categories are not

currently applied to any counties and are

therefore not included in Table 6; however, a

county could be moved to another category

with future legislation.

Table 1

Categories of Counties to Set Salaries of

County Ocials Whose Terms Began On or After January 1, 2016

County

Category Counties

I-A

Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Jeerson, Larimer, Pueblo, Routt,

Summit, and Weld*

I-D

Mesa

II-A

Gareld, Grand, and La Plata

II-B

Pitkin*

II-C

Fremont

III-A

Archuleta, Chaee, Clear Creek, Delta, Gunnison, Moat, Montezuma, Montrose, Morgan,

Ouray, Park, Rio Blanco, San Miguel, and Teller

III-B

Alamosa, Gilpin, and Logan

III-C

Otero, Las Animas

IV-A

Custer, Elbert, and Prowers

IV-B

Kit Carson, Lake, and Washington

IV-C

Huerfano, Rio Grande, and Yuma

V-A

Baca, Conejos, Costilla, Lincoln, Mineral, Phillips, Saguache, and San Juan

V-B

Crowley and Hinsdale

V-C

Bent and Dolores

V-D

Cheyenne

VI-C

Jackson and Sedgwick

VI-D

Kiowa

Source: Section 30-2-102 (1.5)(a), C. R. S.

* Home rule counties are authorized to set their own compensation rate (Pitkin and Weld Counties).

Prior to January 1, 2018 and every two

years thereafter, the director of research of

Legislative Council is required to adjust the

salaries of elected county ocials for ination

and post the adjusted salary amounts on the

General Assembly’s website. House Bill 22-

065 made changes to county coroner salaries

eective for terms beginning in 2023. These

are reected in recent salary calculations.

Current salaries may be found online.

Local Government Handbook

Map 2

County Category I

Map 3

County Category II

II-A

II-C

CheyenneCheyenne

Kit Carson

Yuma

Washington

Phillips

Sedgwick

Logan

Morgan

Weld

Broomfield

Adams

Denver

Glipin

Boulder

Larimer

Jackson

Grand

Routt

Moffat

Arapahoe

Elbert

El Paso

Teller

Park

Chaffee

Lake

Pitkin

Delta

Mesa

Garfield

Rio Blanco

Eagle

Summit

Jefferson

Clear Creek

Fremont

Custer

Saguache

Ouray

Gunnison

Douglas

Lincoln

Kiowa

Prowers

Bent

Otero

Crowley

Pueblo

Huerfano

Baca

BacaLas AnimasLas Animas

Costilla

Conejos

Rio Grande

Archuleta

La Plata

Montezuma

Dolores

San Miguel

Montrose

Alamosa

Mineral

San Juan

Hinsdale

II-B

CheyenneCheyenne

Kit Carson

Yuma

Washington

Phillips

Sedgwick

Logan

Morgan

Weld

Broomfield

Adams

Denver

Glipin

Boulder

Larimer

Jackson

Grand

Routt

Moffat

Arapahoe

Elbert

El Paso

Teller

Park

Chaffee

Lake

Pitkin

Delta

Mesa

Garfield

Rio Blanco

Eagle

Summit

Jefferson

Clear Creek

Fremont

Custer

Saguache

Ouray

Gunnison

Douglas

Lincoln

Kiowa

Prowers

Bent

Otero

Crowley

Pueblo

Huerfano

Baca

BacaLas AnimasLas Animas

Costilla

Conejos

Rio Grande

Archuleta

La Plata

Montezuma

Dolores

San Miguel

Montrose

Alamosa

Mineral

San Juan

Hinsdale

I-A I-D

Local Government Handbook

Map 4

County Category III

Map 5

County Category IV

III-A

III-B III-C

CheyenneCheyenne

Kit Carson

Yuma

Washington

Phillips

Sedgwick

Logan

Morgan

Weld

Broomfield

Adams

Denver

Glipin

Boulder

Larimer

Jackson

Grand

Routt

Moffat

Arapahoe

Elbert

El Paso

Teller

Park

Chaffee

Lake

Pitkin

Delta

Mesa

Garfield

Rio Blanco

Eagle

Summit

Jefferson

Clear Creek

Fremont

Custer

Saguache

Ouray

Gunnison

Douglas

Lincoln

Kiowa

Prowers

Bent

Otero

Crowley

Pueblo

Huerfano

Baca

BacaLas AnimasLas Animas

Costilla

Conejos

Rio Grande

Archuleta

La Plata

Montezuma

Dolores

San Miguel

Montrose

Alamosa

Mineral

San Juan

Hinsdale

IV-A

IV-B IV-C

CheyenneCheyenne

Kit Carson

Yuma

Washington

Phillips

Sedgwick

Logan

Morgan

Weld

Broomfield

Adams

Denver

Glipin

Boulder

LarimerLarimer

Jackson

Grand

Routt

Moffat

Arapahoe

Elbert

El Paso

Teller

Park

Chaffee

Lake

Pitkin

Delta

Mesa

Garfield

Rio Blanco

Eagle

Summit

Jefferson

Clear Creek

Fremont

Custer

Saguache

Ouray

Gunnison

Douglas

Lincoln

Kiowa

Prowers

Bent

Otero

Crowley

Pueblo

Huerfano

Baca

BacaLas AnimasLas Animas

Costilla

Conejos

Rio Grande

Archuleta

La Plata

Montezuma

Dolores

San Miguel

Montrose

Alamosa

Mineral

San Juan

Hinsdale

Local Government Handbook

Map 6

County Category V

Map 7

County Category VI

V-A V-B V-C V-D

CheyenneCheyenne

Kit Carson

Yuma

Washington

Phillips

Sedgwick

Logan

Morgan

Weld

Broomfield

Adams

Denver

Glipin

Boulder

Larimer

Jackson

Grand

Routt

Moffat

Arapahoe

Elbert

El Paso

Teller

Park

Chaffee

Lake

Pitkin

Delta

Mesa

Garfield

Rio Blanco

Eagle

Summit

Jefferson

Clear Creek

Fremont

Custer

Saguache

Ouray

GunnisonGunnison

Douglas

Lincoln

Kiowa

Prowers

Bent

Otero

Crowley

Pueblo

Huerfano

Baca

BacaLas AnimasLas Animas

Costilla

Conejos

Rio Grande

Archuleta

La Plata

Montezuma

Dolores

San Miguel

Montrose

Alamosa

Mineral

San Juan

Hinsdale

VI-C VI-D

CheyenneCheyenne

Kit Carson

Yuma

Washington

Phillips

Sedgwick

Logan

Morgan

Weld

Broomfield

Adams

Denver

Glipin

Boulder

Larimer

Jackson

Grand

Routt

Moffat

Arapahoe

Elbert

El Paso

Teller

Park

Chaffee

Lake

Pitkin

Delta

Mesa

Garfield

Rio Blanco

Eagle

Summit

Jefferson

Clear Creek

Fremont

Custer

Saguache

Ouray

Gunnison

Douglas

Lincoln

Kiowa

Prowers

Bent

Otero

Crowley

Pueblo

Huerfano

Baca

BacaLas AnimasLas Animas

Costilla

Conejos

Rio Grande

Archuleta

La Plata

Montezuma

Dolores

San Miguel

Montrose

Alamosa

Mineral

San Juan

Hinsdale

Local Government Handbook

Home Rule Counties

The Colorado Constitution enables the

voters of a county to adopt a home rule

charter providing for the organization and

structure of their county. A county charter

may establish, either at the outset or by

subsequent amendment, its own structure of

county government. This includes the number,

terms, qualications, duties, compensation,

and method of selection of county ocials

and employees. A county home rule charter

does not provide the “functional” home rule

powers found in municipal charters, and, as

subdivisions of the state, a home rule county

must continue to provide the county services

required by law. Currently, there are two

home rule counties in Colorado: Pitkin and

Weld. Broomeld and Denver are also “home

rule,” but have unique dual city/county status

and specic constitutional provisions. City and

county governments are discussed further in

Section IV.

County Powers and Responsibilities

Mandatory services. Counties have the

powers, duties, and authorities that are

explicitly conferred upon them by state law.

Specic statutory responsibilities include

the provision of jails, weed control, and

establishment of a county or district public

health agency to provide, at minimum, health

and human services mandated by the state.

Discretionary powers. Counties also have

several discretionary powers to provide

certain services or control certain activities.

Listed below are other commonly used

powers or services that a board of county

commissioners is authorized to implement.

Under state law, counties have the authority

to:

• provide veteran services;

• operate emergency telephone services;

• provide ambulance services;

• conduct law enforcement;

• provide street lighting;

• operate mass transit systems;

• build and maintain roads and bridges;

• construct and maintain airports;

• lease or sell county-owned mineral and oil

and gas rights;

• provide water and sewer services;

• control wildre planning and response;

• promote agriculture research and protect

agricultural operations;

• administer pest control; and

• operate districts for irrigation,

cemeteries, libraries, recreation, solid

waste and disposal, and various types of

improvement districts.

Under state law, a board of county

commissioners is also authorized to control

specic activities through police powers or

through licensing requirements. Some of

the most common county powers are used

to regulate activities such as marijuana,

trash removal, animal control, disturbances

and riots, and the discharge of rearms in

unincorporated areas of urban counties. In

other areas, such as liquor licenses, landlls,

and pest control, counties and the state share

authority.

County Revenue Sources

Counties have the power to collect property

and sales and use taxes, as well as to incur

debt, enter into contracts, and receive grants

and gifts. While property taxes are the main

source of county revenue, counties may also

collect other sources of revenue at the local

level and receive state and federal dollars.

County property taxes. Under Colorado

law, property taxes, also called ad valorem

taxes, may only be assessed for local

government services. Property taxes are paid

on a proportion of a property’s value. This

assessed value of a property is determined by

multiplying the actual value by the assessment

rate, and the property tax is determined by

multiplying a property’s assessed value by a

mill levy. A mill is one-tenth of a cent; or $1

of taxes for each $1,000 of assessed value.

Local Government Handbook

County property tax levies are restricted by

the 5.5 percent limit on annual growth of

revenue in state law, and the mill levy rate

limit and the property tax revenue limit under

the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Debt. Counties can incur either revenue debt,

based solely upon a specied revenue stream,

or general obligation debt, which constitutes

a general obligation of the local government

to repay the debt. Counties may also enter

into lease-purchase arrangements (as an

alternative to debt nancing) to build major

facilities such as justice centers.

Sales taxes. Sales taxes are levied in most

counties. The tax is collected at no charge

by the state Department of Revenue and

remitted monthly to the county.

Use taxes. Counties may also collect a use

tax. A use tax is levied on the retail price of

certain tangible personal property purchased

outside a taxing jurisdiction, but stored,

used, or consumed within that jurisdiction.

Counties are limited to collecting a use

tax on construction and building materials

and motor vehicles. The purpose of a use

tax is to equalize competition between in-

county and out-of-county vendors making

wholesale purchases. If a county has a use tax

on construction and building materials, for

example, a vendor is required to pay use tax

on the building materials purchased outside

of the county and used within the county.

When this circumstance occurs, the county

sales tax is not collected.

Figure 3

2020 Revenue Totals for Colorado County Governments

(billions)

(millions)

Left Column

Other Taxes $0.9 16%

Intergovernmental Revenue $1.9 33%

Local Taxes $2.9 51%

Local Taxes

Other Local Taxes $17 1%

Specific Ownership Tax $137 2%

Sales and Use Tax $898 16%

Property Tax $1,847 33%

Intergovernmental Revenue

Conservation Trust Fund $11 1%

Vehicle Registration Fees $17 1%

Highway Users Tax Fund $194 3%

Social Services $682 12%

Other Intergovernmental $988 18%

Other Taxes

Fines $4

Enterprise Transfers $6

Licenses & Permits $78

Miscellaneous $232

Service Charges $535

Other Taxes

$0.9

Intergovernmental

Revenue

$1.9

Local Taxes

$2.9

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

$17

$137

$898

$1,847

Property Tax

Sales and Use Tax

Specific Ownership Tax

Other Local Taxes

$11

$17

$194

$682

$998

Other Intergovernmental

Social Services

Highway Users Tax Fund

Vehicle Registration Fees

Conservation Trust Fund

$78

$232

$535

Service Charges

Miscellaneous

Licenses & Permits

Enterprise Transfers

Fines

Local Taxes

Intergovernmental Revenue

Other Taxes

Local Government Handbook

Leadville, CO

Figure 4

2020 Expenditure Totals for Colorado County Governments

Table 8

2020 Expenditure Totals for Colorado County Governments

0.000001

Local Expenditures Amount % of Total

Miscellaneous $124 2%

Judicial $134 2%

Culture and Recreation $256 5%

Health $315 6%

Public Works $621 11%

Social Services $849 16%

Public Safety $1,071 20%

General Government $1,213 23%

$4,583

Total Operating Expenditures $14,583 85%

Debt Service $0 3%

Transfer to Enterprises and Outside Entities $194 4%

Capital Outlay $444 8%

Total Other Expenditures $793 15%

Total Expenditures $5,376 100.00%

Total Operating Expenditures $4,583 85%

Total Other Expenditures $793 15%

Total Expenditures $5,376 100%

Operating Expenditures

Other Expenditures

$124

$134

$256

$315

$621

$849

$1,071

$1,213

General Government

Public Safety

Social Services

Public Works

Health

Culture and Recreation

Judicial

Miscellaneous

$156

$194

$444

Capital Outlay

Transfer to Enterprises

and Outside Entities

Debt Service

Total Operating

Expenditures

$4,583

Total Other

Expenditures

$793

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

15%

70%

50%

20%

10%

30%

40%

60%

80%

90%

85%

Total Expenditures, $5,376

Table 8

2020 Expenditure Totals for Colorado County Governments

0.000001

Local Expenditures Amount % of Total

Miscellaneous $124 2%

Judicial $134 2%

Culture and Recreation $256 5%

Health $315 6%

Public Works $621 11%

Social Services $849 16%

Public Safety $1,071 20%

General Government $1,213 23%

$4,583

Total Operating Expenditures $14,583 85%

Debt Service $0 3%

Transfer to Enterprises and Outside Entities $194 4%

Capital Outlay $444 8%

Total Other Expenditures $793 15%

Total Expenditures $5,376 100.00%

Total Operating Expenditures $4,583 85%

Total Other Expenditures $793 15%

Total Expenditures $5,376 100%

Operating Expenditures

Other Expenditures

$124

$134

$256

$315

$621

$849

$1,071

$1,213

General Government

Public Safety

Social Services

Public Works

Health

Culture and Recreation

Judicial

Miscellaneous

$156

$194

$444

Capital Outlay

Transfer to Enterprises

and Outside Entities

Debt Service

Total Operating

Expenditures

$4,583

Total Other

Expenditures

$793

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

15%

70%

50%

20%

10%

30%

40%

60%

80%

90%

85%

Total Expenditures, $5,376

Table 8

2020 Expenditure Totals for Colorado County Governments

0.000001

Local Expenditures Amount % of Total

Miscellaneous $124 2%

Judicial $134 2%

Culture and Recreation $256 5%

Health $315 6%

Public Works $621 11%

Social Services $849 16%

Public Safety $1,071 20%

General Government $1,213 23%

$4,583

Total Operating Expenditures $14,583 85%

Debt Service $0 3%

Transfer to Enterprises and Outside Entities $194 4%

Capital Outlay $444 8%

Total Other Expenditures $793 15%

Total Expenditures $5,376 100.00%

Total Operating Expenditures $4,583 85%

Total Other Expenditures $793 15%

Total Expenditures $5,376 100%

Operating Expenditures

Other Expenditures

$124

$134

$256

$315

$621

$849

$1,071

$1,213

General Government

Public Safety

Social Services

Public Works

Health

Culture and Recreation

Judicial

Miscellaneous

$156

$194

$444

Capital Outlay

Transfer to Enterprises

and Outside Entities

Debt Service

Total Operating

Expenditures

$4,583

Total Other

Expenditures

$793

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

15%

70%

50%

20%

10%

30%

40%

60%

80%

90%

85%

Total Expenditures, $5,376

Revenues and Expenditures

Figure 3 shows the total amounts of revenue

received by Colorado counties in 2020,

of which 33 percent is from property tax

revenue, 16 percent is from sales and use

taxes, and 12 percent is from state and

federal sources for social services. Figure

8 shows the total amount of expenditures

spent by Colorado counties in 2020, including

20 percent on public safety, 16 percent on

social services, 11 percent on public works,

and 8 percent on capital outlay. 2020 is the

most recent available data due to lag time

between the end of the scal year and year-

end auditing and verication of revenue and

expenditures.

Total Operating Expenditures

Total Expenditures

Total Other Expenditures

(millions)

Local Government Handbook

EckleyEckley

Paoli

Ovid

Julesburg

Sedgwick

Crook

Peetz

Iliff

Fleming

Merino

Hillrose

Brush

Wiggins

Keenseburg

Hudson

Lochbuie

Superior

Lakeside

Bennett

Deer Trail

FoxfieldFoxfield

Montezuma

Red Cliff

Alma

Fairplay

Buena Vista

Pitkin

Salida

Bonanza

Poncha

Springs

Poncha

Springs

Blue River

Leadville

Silver Plume

Empire

Fraser

Granby

Walden

Hot Sulphur

Springs

Hot Sulphur

Springs

Kremmling

Oak CreekOak Creek

Yampa

Meeker

Dinosaur

Rangely

Carbonate

De Beque

Palisade

Collbran

MarbleMarble

Paonia

Hotchkiss

Crawford

Olathe

Orchard City

Elizabeth

Limon

Genoa

Hugo

Arriba

Seibert

Flagler

Stratton

Bethune

Kit Carson

Eads

Haswell

Sheridan Lake

Hartman

Holly

Wiley

Las Animas

Sugar City

Ordway

Cheraw

Manzanola

Swink

Fowler

Boone

Rye

Walsenburg

La Veta

Blanca

La Jara

Manassa

Antonito

Romeo

San Luis

Aguilar

Cokedale

Starkville

Branson

Kim

Two Buttes

Walsh

Vilas

Campo

Springfield

Pritchett

Hooper

Crestone

Saguache

Moffat

Center

Lake City

Silverton

Bayfield

Ignacio

Mancos

Dolores

Dove Creek

Sawpit

Norwood

Naturita

Nucla

Del Norte

South Fork

City of

Creede

City of

Creede

Florence

Brookside

Coal Creek

Williamsburg

Silver Cliff

Westcliffe

Rockvale

Calhan

Cripple Creek

Victor

Cripple Creek

Victor

Simla

Ramah

Green

Mountain Falls

Green

Mountain Falls

Olney Springs

Rocky Ford

Crowley

Granada

Cheyenne

Wells

Cheyenne

Wells

Vona

Palmer Lake

Monument

Bow Mar

ColumbineColumbine

Valley

Nederland

Idaho

Spring

Idaho

Spring

Fort

Lupton

Fort

Lupton

Grover

Nunn

Pierce

Ault

Eaton

Kersey

LaSalle

Gilcrest

Platteville

MillikenMilliken

Severance

Wellington

Garden City

Estes Park

Berthoud

Mead

Firestone

Frederick

Erie

Lyons

Grand Lake

Jamestown

Raymer

Log Lane

Village

Log Lane

Village

Haxtun

OtisOtis

Akron

Map 8

Colorado Statutory Cities

Overview. There are 272 municipalities

in Colorado, including 99 home rule

municipalities, 170 statutory municipalities, 2

consolidated city and county governments,

and 1 territorial charter municipality. A brief

description of each type of government

follows.

Statutory Towns and Cities

Formation. Residents of unincorporated areas

may form a municipal corporation under the

authority of state laws. Municipalities formed

under these laws, called statutory cities

and towns, are limited to exercising powers

specically granted to them by state law. In

general, ordinances of statutory towns and

cities that conict with state laws are invalid.

Residents in areas with 2,000 or fewer persons

may form a statutory town, and residents

in areas with more than 2,000 persons may

form a statutory city. There are 11 statutory

cities and 159 statutory towns in Colorado.

These statutory cities and towns are shown

in the map below, and a list can be found in

Appendix A. The small number of statutory

cities reects the preference of city residents

Section III: Municipal Governments

Source: Department of Local Aairs

Local Government Handbook

for constitutional home rule authority over

statutory powers.

To form a statutory town or city, residents

must rst le a petition for incorporation with

the district court of the county in which the

municipality is to be located. The petition

must be signed by at least 150 registered

electors who are landowners and residents of

the area to be incorporated. However, if the

area is located in a county with a population

of fewer than 25,000, 40 signatures are

required. The court reviews the petition to

determine whether the proposed municipality

satises statutory requirements. For example,

the law prohibits an incorporation election

if the proposed area includes, on average,

fewer than 50 persons per square mile. The

court will order an incorporation election

after it determines that the proposed area for

incorporation satises statutory requirements.

Incorporation occurs if a majority of the

registered electors vote to approve the

incorporation.

If the area of proposed incorporation includes

fewer than 500 registered electors, the board

of county commissioners may refuse to permit

an incorporation election if it determines

the proposal fails to satisfy certain statutory

requirements. For example, the board may

refuse to permit an incorporation election if

the proposed incorporation is inconsistent

with a county or regional comprehensive plan.

Municipal powers. State law provides

statutory cities and towns a broad range of

powers to address the needs of their denser

populations through self-government,

including administrative, police, and nancial

powers. Administrative powers enable

municipalities to ll vacancies in municipal

oces, appoint a board of health, and provide

ambulance, hospital, and other services.

Police powers enable municipalities to

enforce local laws, as well as enact measures

to preserve and protect the safety, health,

and welfare of the community. These powers

enable municipalities to prohibit oensive or

unwholesome businesses within municipal

limits or to compel such businesses to abate

their impacts. For example, Amendment

64, approved by the voters in 2012, allows

towns and cities to either regulate or prohibit

the sale of recreational marijuana within

their boundaries. State laws also grant

municipalities broad nancial powers to

nance municipal activities. This includes the

ability to levy taxes, impose fees, and issue

bonds and other types of debt to fund various

public projects such as infrastructure and

public building improvements. Municipalities

are also granted signicant authority to

manage land use and growth.

Town governments. The legislative and

corporate authority of statutory towns is

vested in a board of trustees that consists of

a mayor and up to six trustees. The mayor

and members of the board of trustees are

Administrative powers

enable municipalities to ll

vacancies in municipal oces,

appoint a board of health, and

provide ambulance, hospital,

and other services. Police

powers enable municipalities

to enforce local laws, as well as

enact measures to preserve and

protect the safety, health, and

welfare of the community.

Local Government Handbook

elected from the town at large. The mayor

presides over board meetings and has the

same voting powers as other board members.

However, a town may adopt an ordinance that

limits mayors to voting only when there is a

tie vote of the board, provided the ordinance

also authorizes the mayor to veto spending

ordinances. This limit also provides that the

veto may be overruled by a two-thirds vote of

the board. The board of trustees is required to

appoint a clerk, treasurer, and town attorney,

or adopt an ordinance that provides for the

election of these oces. The clerk is the

custodian of municipal records. The board

may also appoint a town administrator to

oversee sta and the daily operations of the

town. Terms of the mayor and trustees are

two years, unless an ordinance is adopted to

extend the terms to four years. Because they

lack specic authority, statutory towns may

not adopt a city council-city manager form of

municipal government.

City governments. The legislative and

corporate authority of statutory cities are

vested in an elected mayor and city council.

The mayor presides over city council meetings

and has the same voting powers as other

board members. The mayor is responsible

for supervising the conduct of municipal

ocers and investigating complaints against

them. As with statutory towns, cities may

adopt an ordinance that limits mayors to

voting only when there is a tie vote of the

board. The ordinance must also authorize

the mayor to veto spending ordinances that

may be overruled by a two-thirds vote of

the board. Mayors are elected from the city

at large. Members of the council are elected

to represent a specic ward. The city clerk

and treasurer are elected from the city at

large. However, the city council may submit a

proposal to the registered electors to change

the city clerk and treasurer to appointive

oces. If approved by the voters, the

appointment of the city clerk and treasurer

would be made by the city council. The city

council may also submit a proposal to the

registered electors to return these oces to

elective oces.

City council-city manager governments.

Most Colorado municipalities with over 5,000

residents are organized as city council-city

manager municipalities. Under this form

of government, the mayor and the council

primarily address policy matters, and a

professional manager implements and

administers the council’s policies. At least 5

percent of a city’s registered electors must

sign a petition to cause an election to adopt

a city council-city manager form of municipal

government. This petition species whether

the mayor will be elected from among the

members of the city council or will be elected

from the city at large. If the voters approve

reorganizing as a city councilcity manager

form of municipal government, the council

appoints a city manager to supervise the

administration of the city and to ensure that

city ordinances are enforced. The council

must choose a manager based on his or her

executive and administrative qualications.

The city manager does not need be a resident

of the city or state at the time of appointment,

but may be required, by ordinance, to reside

in the city after appointment. The council

may not appoint a sitting council member as

city manager. The manager has the power

to appoint and remove all ocers and

employees in the administrative service of the

city. The council is prohibited from directing

the hiring or removal of administrative ocers

and employees.

Home Rule Municipalities

Overview. The Colorado Constitution allows

cities and towns to adopt a home rule charter.

Home rule charters have been adopted by

99 municipalities in Colorado. Home rule

municipalities can be seen in the maps 9 and

10 and are listed in Appendix A. A home rule

charter provides a city or town with greater

authority to regulate local and municipal

matters than is available to statutory

municipalities. Most home rule municipalities

have adopted the city council-city manager

form of municipal government.

Local Government Handbook

Map 10

Colorado Home Rule

Municipalities

Source: Department of Local Aairs

HolyokeHolyoke

Sterling

Yuma

Wray

Burlington

Fort Morgan

Lamar

La Junta

Pueblo

PuebloPuebloPueblo

Frisco

Dillon

Silverthorne

Vail

Avon

Minturn

Eagle

Gypsum

Glenwood

Springs

Glenwood

Springs

Cañon City

Aspen

Basalt

Carbondale

Parachute

Fruita

Snowmass Village

Fountain

Woodland Park

Gunnison

Montrose

Ridgway

Ouray

Ophir

Telluride

Crested

Butte

Crested

Butte

Cedaredge

Delta

Colorado

Springs

Colorado

Springs

Manitou

Springs

Manitou

Springs

Mount

Crested

Butte

Mount

Crested

Butte

Pagosa

Springs

Pagosa

Springs

Mountain

Village

Mountain

Village

Castle

Silt

Castle

Silt

Grand

Junction

Grand

Junction

New

Rifle

New

Rifle

Trinidad

SanfordSanford

Alamosa

Monte Vista

Rico

Cortez

Durango

Breckenridge

Winter Park

Map 9

Colorado Home Rule Municipalities

Front Range Zoom

KiowaKiowa

Morrison

Lakewood

Glendale

Aurora

Dacono

Johnstown

Evans

Greeley

Windsor

Loveland

Fort Collins

Timnath

Arvada

Westminster

Louisville

Lafayette

Boulder

Ward

Longmont

Federal

Heights

Federal

Heights

Thornton

Brighton

Northglenn

Commerce City

Mountain View

Edgewater

Wheat Ridge

Golden

Central City

Black Hawk

Winter Park

Parker

Lone Tree

Centennial

Littleton

Sheridan

Englewood

Greenwood

Village

Greenwood

Village

Cherry

Hills

Village

Cherry

Hills

Village

Larkspur

Castle Rock

Castle Pines

Local Government Handbook

Formation. The process for adopting,

amending, and repealing home rule charters

is specied in state law. Under state law, at

least 5 percent of the registered electors of a

municipality may petition the municipality’s

governing body to hold a charter commission

election. Alternatively, the governing body

may adopt an ordinance to cause a charter

commission election. If approved by the

voters, the charter commission has 120 days

to draft a home rule charter. The charter

identies the municipality’s powers, governing

structure, terms of elected oces, budget and

election procedures, procedures for initiative

and referendum of measures, and the process

for the recall of ocers.

Once approved by the commission, a charter

must be submitted to the voters for their

approval. If rejected by the voters, the

commission may draft another charter for

consideration at a future election. Rejection of

the second charter by the voters results in the

dissolution of the charter commission. Home

rule charters may be amended or repealed

through similar procedures as the creation of

a charter. State law also provides a process

for voters to adopt a home rule charter at the

time of incorporation.

Powers. A home rule charter provides a city

or town with the greatest authority to regulate

local and municipal matters. In general, a

home rule city’s ordinances pertaining to local

matters supersede conicting state laws. For

example, the courts have determined that

zoning is primarily a matter of local concern.

Consequently, a home rule municipality may

adopt its own procedures to rezone an area

instead of following the statutory requirement

pertaining to rezoning. State law also grants

home rule municipalities additional powers.

For example, the Local Government Land Use

Control Enabling Act allows home rule cities

and towns to regulate activities that impact

a community or surrounding area, to provide

planned and orderly use of land, and to

protect the environment.

Matters of local, state, and mixed concerns.

State laws may take precedence over

conicting home rule ordinances when such

issues are a matter of statewide concern.

For example, the Colorado Supreme Court

determined that a city ordinance requiring

a private use permit before occupying

or using public rights of way in the City

and County of Denver was illegal because

it conicted with “valid state statute on

matter of mixed state and local concern.”

According to a recent Colorado Supreme

Court decision, a standard test is not

available for determining whether a matter

is a local, state, or mixed concern. Rather,

the court has made such a determination on

an ad hoc basis, “considering the totality of

circumstances.” For example, the court has

identied several factors to be considered,

including the need for statewide uniformity

and the extraterritorial impacts of municipal

legislation. The court may also consider

whether the subject matter is traditionally

governed by state or local government

and any state constitutional provisions that

specically address the issue.

State laws may take

precedence over conicting

home rule ordinances when

such issues are a matter of

statewide concern.

Local Government Handbook

An enclave is an

unincorporated area entirely

contained within the boundaries

of a municipality. Once an

enclave has existed for three

years, it may be annexed by a

municipal ordinance.

The General Assembly has used

this constitutional authority

to create three annexation

procedures: annexation

initiative by petition of

landowners; annexation by

election; and annexation by

ordinance.

Annexation

Annexation is the process whereby land that is

adjacent to a municipality is incorporated into

the municipal boundaries. The Bill of Rights in

the Colorado Constitution limits the authority

of municipalities to annex lands. Annexation

of an unincorporated area may not occur

unless one of the following conditions is met:

• annexation has been approved by the

majority vote of the landowners and the

registered electors in the area proposed to

be annexed;

• the annexing municipality has received a

petition for annexation signed by more

than 50 percent of landowners who own

more than 50 percent of the area that is

proposed to be annexed; or

• the area is entirely surrounded by,

or is solely owned by, the annexing

municipality.

The constitution allows the General

Assembly to establish annexation procedures

under specic conditions. It has used

this authority to create three annexation

procedures: annexation initiative by petition

of landowners; annexation by election; and

annexation by ordinance. A brief description

of these procedures follows.

Requirements of land to be annexed.

State laws limit the type of land that may

be annexed. The land should share at least

one-sixth of its border with the existing

municipal boundary. The land must also share

a community of interest with the annexing

municipality; be urban or likely to become

urban; and be capable of being integrated

with the annexing municipality. Consent of a

land owner is required if his or her land will be

divided by annexation. A school district may

be required to approve the annexation if the

annexation divides the district. Additionally,

an annexation may not occur if it will extend

a municipal boundary more than three miles

in any one year. The law also establishes a

process for annexing a parcel of land that is

sought by dierent municipalities.

Petition for annexation by landowners. A

group of individuals comprising more than

50 percent of the landowners and owning

more than 50 percent of an area of land may

petition the governing body of a municipality

to annex their land. The municipality’s

governing body must then determine if

the proposed annexation satises statutory

requirements. If the petition is found to be in

compliance, the governing body establishes a

date for a public hearing on the annexation.

At least 25 days prior to that hearing, the

municipality must prepare an impact report

Local Government Handbook

that includes maps, plans to nance the

annexation, plans to extend municipal services

to the area, and the eects of the annexation

on local public school systems. After the

public hearing, if the governing body

determines that all statutory requirements

have been met, it may annex the territory

without an election.

Petition for annexation election. Annexation

may also occur by election in the area

proposed for annexation. Either 75 qualied

electors or 10 percent of the qualied electors

of an area, whichever is less, may petition the

governing body of a municipality to hold an

annexation election. The petition, maps, and

statements regarding the area to be annexed

must be led with the municipal clerk. The

petition is reviewed by the governing body

to determine if it complies with state law. If

the petition complies with all requirements,

a public hearing is set and an impact

report is created by the municipality. The

governing body may then call the annexation

election. The district court will appoint three

commissioners to oversee the annexation

election. For the commissioners, one must

be nominated by the municipality, one must

be a land owner in the area proposed for

annexation, and the third must be accepted

by the two. Notice of the election must be

published at designated polling places and

once a week for four weeks in a newspaper of

general circulation. All landowners, including

corporate landowners, who are registered

electors in the area proposed to be annexed

may vote in the annexation election.

Annexation by ordinance. State law creates

a streamlined process for annexing enclaves

and lands that are owned by the municipality.

An enclave is an unincorporated area

entirely contained within the boundaries of a

municipality. Once an enclave has existed for

three years, it may be annexed by a municipal

ordinance. Annexation may only occur after

notice of the annexation is published in a

newspaper of general circulation in the area

proposed to be annexed once a week for

Local Government Handbook

four weeks, with the rst notice published

at least 30 days prior to the adoption of

the ordinance. A municipality must satisfy

additional requirements to annex an enclave

with a population over 100 people and

more than 50 acres. To annex such areas,

the municipality must form a nine-member

annexation transition committee to facilitate

communication among the annexing

municipality, aected counties, and residents,

business owners, and property owners within

the enclave. The committee must include two

representatives of the annexing municipality,

two representatives from the county or

counties where the enclave is situated, and

ve members who live, own a business, or

own real property within the enclave.

Discontinuance of Incorporation

Unless otherwise provided for in a home rule

city’s charter, state law outlines the process

for how a home rule or statutory city may

discontinue its incorporation. The proceedings

for discontinuance of incorporation begin

when a petition for discontinuance is led

with the district court of the county where

the municipality exists. The petition must

be signed by at least 25 percent of the

registered electors of the municipality. Upon

verication of the petition, the court will

notify the electors of the municipality of a

vote at the next regular election on whether

or not to discontinue the incorporation of the

municipality.

At least two-thirds of the electorate must

vote to discontinue incorporation. After

an armative vote of the electorate, the

governing body of the municipality is to make

sure that all of the debts of the municipality

are paid and deposit any municipal

documents or records with the county clerk

and recorder for safekeeping. The county

clerk and recorder must then certify the

discontinuance of incorporation with the

Secretary of State and provide notice within

the county of the discontinuance. An instance

of a discontinuance of incorporation occurred

in 2006 with the town of Watkins, located in

the Adams and Arapahoe counties.

Abandoned Municipalities

If a municipality has failed to hold elections

or have any government activity for a period

of ve years, the county attorney may ask

the Secretary of State to determine the

municipality abandoned and discontinue

its incorporation. If the Secretary of

State determines that the municipality is

abandoned, the county clerk and recorder

of the county in which the abandoned

municipality is located must provide notice

of its discontinuance within the county and

maintain any of the municipality’s documents

for safekeeping. An example of a town

General obligation

bonds are secured by the

municipality’s authority to levy

property taxes… Revenue bonds

are repaid using the income

generated by the project.

Local Government Handbook

that was declared abandoned using this

process is Keota in Weld County, which was

discontinued in 1991.

Financial Powers of Municipalities

Overview. State law provides municipalities

with a variety of revenue-raising mechanisms

to pay for municipal expenses and

infrastructure improvements. Municipal

revenue sources primarily include sales and

use taxes and property taxes. Municipalities

also may employ debt nancing tools

authorized in state law.

Sales and use taxes. Sales and use taxes are

the primary revenue sources for Colorado

municipalities. A sales tax is a tax levied on the

sale of goods and services. A use tax is levied

on the retail purchase price of certain tangible

personal property outside a taxing jurisdiction

but stored, used, or consumed within that

jurisdiction. State law allows municipalities to

collect a sales or use tax if approved by their

residents at an election. Most municipalities

that collect a sales tax also collect a use tax.

Property taxes. Most Colorado municipalities

assess a property tax. According to the

Department of Local Aairs’ Division of

Property Taxation, municipal governments

collect 4.9 percent of the property tax

collected in the state. A property tax is

determined by multiplying a property’s

assessed value by a mill levy. A mill is one-

tenth of a cent; or $1 of taxes for each $1,000

of assessed value. County assessors determine

property values, and municipalities set the

mill levies.

General obligation and revenue bonds.

Municipalities may issue general obligation

and revenue bonds to nance buildings,

recreational facilities, and other public

infrastructure improvements. General

obligation bonds are secured by the

municipality’s authority to levy property taxes.

In the event of default, holders of general

obligation bonds may compel a tax levy to

satisfy the issuer’s obligation on the defaulted

bonds. Revenue bonds are used to pay for

projects that generate income, such as water

infrastructure improvements. Revenue bonds

are repaid using the income generated by

the project. Municipalities may also issue

sales and use tax revenue bonds. These

bonds are special, limited obligations that are

payable solely from the revenue derived from

a municipality’s sales and use tax. General

obligation securities are considered more

secure than revenue bonds because of the

municipality’s obligation to repay the debt.

Interest received from municipal bonds is

exempt from federal and Colorado income

tax.

Certicates of participation. Certicates

of participation (COPs) may also be used

by municipalities to pay for infrastructure

improvements. COPs are a type of municipal

debt that can be contracted by cities

without voter approval. Courts have ruled

that, because of their structure, COPs do

not constitute long-term obligations of the

issuing authority, and are therefore exempt

from state and local laws that require voter

approval of long-term debt. COPs are leases

divided or “certicated” into shares. These

shares are the certicates of participation

that are sold to investors and represent a

proportionate interest in the right to receive

revenues paid by the lessee (a municipality)

to the lessor/vendor. COPs, compared to

other lease-purchases, are for a larger dollar

amount, with a longer term, and are usually

rated by bond rating agencies.

Municipal revenue and expenses. Colorado

municipalities receive most of their revenue

from sales and use taxes. Other sources

of revenue include property taxes; service

charges, licenses, and fees; and agreements

with other government entities. Revenue is

predominantly spent on public safety and

capital outlays. Capital outlay includes assets,

such as equipment or buildings and repairs or

maintenance to those assets.

Local Government Handbook

Section IV: City and County Governments

Currently, Denver and

Broomeld are the only city

and county governments in

Colorado.

A city and county is a distinct entity

established under Article XX of the state

constitution that operates under a home rule

charter and exercises the powers of municipal

and county government. These entities have

powers similar to home rule municipalities to

regulate local and municipal matters. City and

county governments are also responsible for

providing the services required of counties

and county ocers. Currently, Denver and

Broomeld are the only city and county

governments in Colorado.

Establishment. The establishment of a

city and county occurs by a constitutional

amendment. The General Assembly may refer

a constitutional amendment to the voters by

passing a concurrent resolution, or citizens

may place a measure on a statewide ballot

through the initiative process. For example,

state voters approved a referendum to form

the City and County of Broomeld in 1998,

which consolidated areas previously located in

four counties: Adams, Boulder, Jeerson, and

Weld.

Revenues and Expenditures

Figure 5 shows the total amounts of revenue

received by city and county governments

in 2020, including 34 percent from sales

and use taxes, 22 percent from general

property taxes, and 10 percent from service

charges. Figure 6 shows the total amounts of

expenditures spent by these governments in

2020, including 25 percent on public safety,

17 percent on capital outlay, and 7 percent on

culture and recreation.

Broomeld, CO

Local Government Handbook

Table 11

2020 Revenue Totals for Colorado

City and County Governments

Revenue Sources Amount % of Total

Franchise $17 1.00%

Specific Ownership $29 1.00%

Employment Occupation $51 2.00%

Other $51 2.00%

General Property $552 22.00%

General Sales and Use $870 34.00%

Conservation Trust Fund $8 Less than 1.0%

Highway Users Tax $22 1.00%

Social Services $105 4.00%

Other Intergovernmental Sources $285 11.00%

Enterprise Transfers $8 less than 1%

Fines and Forfeits $31 1.00%

Licenses, Permits, and Capital Fees $71 3.00%

Miscellaneous $187 7.00%

Service Charges $263 10.00%

$560

Total Revenue $2,548 100.00%

Total Local Revenue $1,568 16.00%

Total Other Tax Revenue $560 22.00%

Total Intergovernmental Revenue $420 62.00%

Other Tax Revenue

Intergovernmental Revenue

Local Tax Revenue

Total Local Revenue

$1,568

Total Other Tax

Revenue

$560

Total

Intergovernmental

Revenue

$420

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

$17

$29

$51

$552

$870

General Sales and Use

General Property

Other

Employment Occupation

Specific Ownership

Franchise

$22

$105

$285

Other Intergovernmental Sources

Social Services

Highway Users Tax

Conservation Trust Fund

$31

$71

$187

$263

Service Charges

Miscellaneous

Licenses, Permits, and Capital Fees

Fines and Forfeits

Enterprise Transfers

Table 11

2020 Revenue Totals for Colorado

City and County Governments

Revenue Sources Amount % of Total

Franchise $17 1.00%

Specific Ownership $29 1.00%

Employment Occupation $51 2.00%

Other $51 2.00%

General Property $552 22.00%

General Sales and Use $870 34.00%

Conservation Trust Fund $8 Less than 1.0%

Highway Users Tax $22 1.00%

Social Services $105 4.00%

Other Intergovernmental Sources $285 11.00%

Enterprise Transfers $8 less than 1%

Fines and Forfeits $31 1.00%

Licenses, Permits, and Capital Fees $71 3.00%

Miscellaneous $187 7.00%

Service Charges $263 10.00%

$560

Total Revenue $2,548 100.00%

Total Local Revenue $1,568 16.00%

Total Other Tax Revenue $560 22.00%

Total Intergovernmental Revenue $420 62.00%

Other Tax Revenue

Intergovernmental Revenue

Local Tax Revenue

Total Local Revenue

$1,568

Total Other Tax

Revenue

$560

Total

Intergovernmental

Revenue

$420

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

$17

$29

$51

$552

$870

General Sales and Use

General Property

Other

Employment Occupation

Specific Ownership

Franchise

$22

$105

$285

Other Intergovernmental Sources

Social Services

Highway Users Tax

Conservation Trust Fund

$31

$71

$187

$263

Service Charges

Miscellaneous

Licenses, Permits, and Capital Fees

Fines and Forfeits

Enterprise Transfers

Table 11

2020 Revenue Totals for Colorado

City and County Governments

Revenue Sources Amount % of Total

Franchise $17 1.00%

Specific Ownership $29 1.00%

Employment Occupation $51 2.00%

Other $51 2.00%

General Property $552 22.00%

General Sales and Use $870 34.00%

Conservation Trust Fund $8 Less than 1.0%

Highway Users Tax $22 1.00%

Social Services $105 4.00%

Other Intergovernmental Sources $285 11.00%

Enterprise Transfers $8 less than 1%

Fines and Forfeits $31 1.00%

Licenses, Permits, and Capital Fees $71 3.00%

Miscellaneous $187 7.00%

Service Charges $263 10.00%

$560

Total Revenue $2,548 100.00%

Total Local Revenue $1,568 16.00%

Total Other Tax Revenue $560 22.00%

Total Intergovernmental Revenue $420 62.00%

Other Tax Revenue

Intergovernmental Revenue

Local Tax Revenue

Total Local Revenue

$1,568

Total Other Tax

Revenue

$560

Total

Intergovernmental

Revenue

$420

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

$17

$29

$51

$552

$870

General Sales and Use

General Property

Other

Employment Occupation

Specific Ownership

Franchise

$22

$105

$285

Other Intergovernmental Sources

Social Services

Highway Users Tax

Conservation Trust Fund

$31

$71

$187

$263

Service Charges

Miscellaneous

Licenses, Permits, and Capital Fees

Fines and Forfeits

Enterprise Transfers

Figure 5

2020 Revenue Totals for Colorado

City and County Governments

Total Local Revenue

Total Revenue

Total Other Tax Revenue

Total Intergovernmental Revenue

Local Government Handbook

Figure 6

2020 Expenditure Totals for Colorado

City and County Governments

Table 12

2020 Expenditure Totals for Colorado

City and County Governments

Local Expenditures Amount

% of

Total

Miscellaneous $28 1.00%

Judicial $59 2.00%

Health $98 3.00%

Social Services $165 6.00%

Public Works $176 6.00%

Culture and Recreation $197 7.00%

General Government $626 22.00%

Public Safety $698 25.00%

Total Operating Expenditures $2,043 72.00%

Transfers to Enterprises and Outside Entities $44 9.00%

Debt Service $241 17.00%

Capital Outlay $473 2.00%

Total Other Expenditures $758 28.00%

Total Expenditures $2,801 100.00%

Total Operating Expenditures $2,043 72.00%

Total Other Expenditures $758 28.00%

Other Expenditures

Operating Expenditures

Total Operating

Expenditures

$2,043

Total Other

Expenditures

$758

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

$44

$241

$473

Capital Outlay

Debt Service

Transfers to Enterprises

and Outside Entities

$28

$59

$98

$165

$176

$197

$626

$698

Public Safety

General Government

Culture and Recreation

Public Works

Social Services

Health

Judicial

Miscellaneous

Table 12

2020 Expenditure Totals for Colorado

City and County Governments

Local Expenditures Amount

% of

Total

Miscellaneous $28 1.00%

Judicial $59 2.00%

Health $98 3.00%

Social Services $165 6.00%

Public Works $176 6.00%

Culture and Recreation $197 7.00%

General Government $626 22.00%

Public Safety $698 25.00%

Total Operating Expenditures $2,043 72.00%

Transfers to Enterprises and Outside Entities $44 9.00%

Debt Service $241 17.00%

Capital Outlay $473 2.00%

Total Other Expenditures $758 28.00%

Total Expenditures $2,801 100.00%

Total Operating Expenditures $2,043 72.00%

Total Other Expenditures $758 28.00%

Other Expenditures

Operating Expenditures

Total Operating

Expenditures

$2,043

Total Other

Expenditures

$758

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

$44

$241

$473

Capital Outlay

Debt Service

Transfers to Enterprises

and Outside Entities

$28

$59

$98

$165

$176

$197

$626

$698

Public Safety

General Government

Culture and Recreation

Public Works

Social Services

Health

Judicial

Miscellaneous

Total Operating Expenditures

Total Expenditures

Total Other Expenditures

Local Government Handbook

…state law grants

both municipal and county

governments the authority

to regulate impacts of new

developments that aect state

interests, such as large water

projects and natural hazards,

including ood plains and

avalanche paths.

Section V: Local Government Land Use and Planning Powers

Overview. In general, home rule governments

have greater authority over land use and

other types of local matters than statutory

local governments. However, state laws grant

land use and planning powers to both home

rule and statutory municipal and county

governments. For example, state law grants

both municipal and county governments

the authority to regulate impacts of new

developments that aect state interests, such

as large water projects and natural hazards,

including ood plains and avalanche paths.

General Land Use and Planning Laws

for Local Governments

Local Government Land Use Control

Enabling Act. This act allows counties and

municipalities to regulate activities that

impact a community or surrounding area to

provide for the planned and orderly use of

land, and to protect the environment. The

law also allows a local government to provide

for the phased development of services

and regulate the location of activities and

development that may cause signicant

changes in population density.

House Bill 1041 powers. In 1974, the General

Assembly enacted House Bill 1041, the Areas

and Activities of State Interest Act, to ensure

that the impacts of new developments that

aect state interests are considered and

mitigated. Areas of state interest include

natural hazards and signicant historical,

natural, or archeological resources. Activities

of state interest include the construction

of major new domestic water and sewage

treatment systems, waste disposal sites,

and highways. The act authorizes local

governments, specically statutory and home

rule municipalities and counties, to determine

whether a development impacts an area or

activity of state interest and to regulate the

development of such projects according to

legislatively dened criteria.

Silverton, CO

Local Government Handbook

Municipal Land Use and Planning

Powers

Statutory municipalities. Statutory

municipalities are granted zoning and

planning powers that are similar to those

granted to counties. For example, a municipal

government may divide the city into

districts and regulate the location and use

of buildings, structures, and land for trade,

industry, and other purposes.

Home rule municipalities. The state

constitution provides the authority for a

home rule municipality to regulate local and

municipal matters. State law further provides

that a home rule city’s ordinances pertaining

to local matters supersede conicting state

laws, and the courts have determined that

zoning is primarily a matter of local concern.

Consequently, a home rule municipality

may adopt its own procedures for zoning.

In general, a home rule city’s ordinances

that conict with matters of state interest

may be invalid. For example, the courts

have determined that telecommunications

providers may occupy public rights-of-way

without additional authorization.

County Land Use and Planning

Powers

Zoning. A board of county commissioners

may establish zoning for all or part of

the unincorporated area of a county by

dividing and classifying land according to its

intended use (e.g., residential, commercial, or

agricultural). This is accomplished by having

the county planning commission recommend

a zoning plan for consideration by the board.

Once a zoning plan is approved, the board

can amend any provision of the county

zoning regulations after submitting changes

to the planning commission for review and

suggestions.

State law authorizes a county planning

commission to enact a zoning plan for all

or any part of the unincorporated territory

within the county. County zoning regulations

promulgated under the county planning code

may include the classication of land uses and

the distribution of land development. Zoning

plans typically identify the type and density

of use that is appropriate for a specic area.

For example, a county may zone an area for

agricultural activities. Other activities, such

as a commercial development, would be

required to obtain a special use permit to

be constructed in that area. All counties are

prohibited from adopting an ordinance that

is in conict with any state statute; however, a

county ordinance and statute may coexist as

long as they do not contain express or implied

conditions that are in conict with each

other. If a conict does exist, the ordinance is

preempted by state law.

County comprehensive plans. A county

comprehensive plan or “master plan” is

a planning document intended to guide

the growth and long-term development

of the unincorporated areas of a county.

County comprehensive plans are advisory

documents only and cannot bind decisions

made by a county planning commission or

the board of county commissioners. State

County zoning regulations

promulgated under the county

planning code may include

the classication of land uses

and the distribution of land

development.

Local Government Handbook

law requires counties to adopt master plans

if the county has a population of 100,000

or more, or a population over 10,000 and a

10 percent growth rate in a ve-year period.

The advisory nature of a comprehensive plan

does not prohibit a county from denying a

specic development application based on

noncompliance with the comprehensive plan,

provided the plan is adopted legislatively by

the board and the plan is suciently specic

to ensure consistent application. Additionally,

a county comprehensive plan can be a

binding document if the board authorizes a

comprehensive plan, or any part of the plan

through zoning, regulations, or land use

codes.

Local Governments and the Power of

Eminent Domain

The Colorado Constitution permits the

taking of private property provided that just

compensation is awarded to the property

owners and the taking is determined to be

for a public use. State law provides eminent

domain powers to cities, towns, counties,

urban renewal authorities, and various utilities

and corporations for the purpose of providing

public services through the construction,

improvement, or maintenance of public

utilities and infrastructure. For example, state

law allows a city, town, or city and county,

to pass a resolution to establish, construct,

extend, open, widen, or alter any street, lane,

bridge, sewer, tunnel, or subway; or to build,

acquire, construct, or establish any public

building, public work, or public improvement.

To do this, governmental entities have the

right of eminent domain to take, damage,

condemn, or appropriate an individual’s

private property.

Colorado Urban Renewal Law. The Urban

Renewal Law also grants eminent domain

authority to the state and local governments

in order to prevent, remedy, or eliminate areas

that are designated as a slum or as blighted.

A blighted area is dened as an area that

“substantially impairs or arrests the sound

growth of a municipality, retards the provision

of housing accommodations, or constitutes an

economic or social liability, and is a menace to

the public health, safety, morals, or welfare.”

At the local level, the power of eminent

domain may be exercised through an

urban renewal authority or a downtown

development authority, established by a

municipality to prevent blight or slums

for public benet. An authority may not

acquire real property for an urban renewal

project unless the local governing body has

approved an urban renewal plan. Additionally,

in order to authorize the use of eminent

domain as a means to acquire property for

an urban renewal project, a governing body

must prove that blight or slum conditions

exist without regard to the economic

performance of the property. A nding of

blight by a local governing body must be

determined according to the presence of at

least four factors specied in law, and the

use of eminent domain by an authority to

acquire private property for the purpose of

transferring the property to a private party

requires the presence of at least four factors.

Some of the factors that indicate blight

include:

• deteriorated structures;

• unsanitary or unsafe conditions;

• deterioration of a site or improvements;

• environmental contamination;

• conditions that endanger life or property

by re or other causes; or

• defects in the title of a property, making it

unmarketable

A determination of blight made by the

governing body may be challenged by ling a

civil action in the district court where the area

is located.

Local Government Handbook

Act, in Title 32, C.R.S., comprises the legal

framework for many dierent types of special

districts and species the services that may

be provided. It also species the procedures

to form a district and district funding sources,

and denes the composition of special

district governing bodies. According to DOLA,

there were 2,843 Title 32 special districts in

Colorado as of November 2022, though the

number regularly uctuates as districts are

created and dissolved.

There are several reasons why special

districts are created. Typically, special districts

are created to evenly divide the costs of

services between all property owners and

residents within the district. Special districts

also provide the ability to nance larger

infrastructure and public facility projects, and

the costs are repaid over time as development

occurs and property values increase. Lastly,

special districts provide more autonomy than

local improvement districts that are directly

created by a county or municipality to address

more short-term problems.

Initially, voters decide whether a special

district should be formed and who will serve

on the board of directors. Once a special

district is created, the district’s board may levy

taxes and charge fees— consistent with the

provisions of TABOR.

Types of Special Districts

State law provides for several types of special

districts, both general and specic. Table 2

lists the general types of special districts with

general authority under the Special District

Act. There are also statutory districts that have

been added to Title 32 to serve specic areas

for a specic purpose outlined in state law.

Table 3 lists these types of districts that have

been legislatively established under Title 32.

Overview. Special districts are local

governments that provide services or

infrastructure to promote the health, safety,

prosperity, security, and general welfare of the

inhabitants of the district. The Special District

Section VI: Special Districts

Typically, special districts

are created to evenly divide the

costs of services between all

property owners and residents

within the district.

Brainard Lake

Local Government Handbook

Special Districts Listings

Source: Section 32-1-103, C.R.S

Ambulance Districts

Early Childhood Development Service Districts

Fire Protection Districts

Health Assurance Districts

Health Service Districts

Mental Health-Care Service Districts

Metropolitan Districts

Park and Recreation Districts

Sanitation Districts

Tunnel Districts

Water Districts

Water and Sanitation Districts

Table 2

General Types of Special Districts Under the Special District Act

The Special District Act denes types of districts, as well as the authority of each type of

district. For example, an ambulance district provides emergency medical services and

transports sick, disabled, or injured persons to and from medical facilities.

Local Government Handbook

Moatt Tunnel Improvements District

Regional Transportation District

Mass Transportation Districts

Three Lakes Water and Sanitation District

Urban Drainage and Flood Control District

Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control,

and Greenway District

Rail Districts

Scientic and Cultural Facilities District

Denver Metropolitan Major League

Baseball Stadium District

Colorado New Energy Improvement Districts

Front Range Passenger Rail District

Table 3

Other Statutory Special Districts Under the Special Distric Act

Special Statutory Districts are specically dened in Colorado law, including the purpose

and powers of each statutory district. For example, the Moat Tunnel Improvement

District was established to facilitate transportation and communication between the

eastern and western parts of the state through the operation and maintenance of the

Moat Tunnel.

Source: Legislative Council Sta.

Special Districts Listings

Local Government Handbook

Business Improvement Districts

Cemetery Districts

Conservation Districts

Downtown Development Authorities

Irrigation Districts

Library Districts

Local Improvement Districts

Pest Control Districts

Public Improvement Districts

Special Improvement Districts

Urban Renewal Authorities

Water Conservancy Districts

Table 4

Types of Districts Not Governed by the Special District Act

Other districts not governed by the Special District Act are dened in Colorado local

government law, including district powers. For example, Colorado Urban Renewal Law

denes municipal urban renewal authorities and outlines specic powers to

redevelop land.

Source: Legislative Council Sta.

Special Districts Listings

Local Government Handbook

Metropolitan districts. A metropolitan

district is a type of special district that

provides at least two of the following services:

• re protection;

• mosquito control;

• parks and recreation;

• safety protection;

• sanitation;

• solid waste disposal facilities or collection

and transportation of solid waste;

• street improvement;

• television relay and translation;

• transportation; or

• water.

Currently, Colorado has over 2,300

metropolitan districts, with an average of

about 100 new metropolitan districts formed

annually over the last ve years. This growth

mirrors the state’s rapid population growth

over the past decade.

Organization and Oversight of

Special Districts

Approval of service plans. Under state law,

anyone interested in creating a special district

must submit a service plan to any governing

body that would be included in the district. A

service plan outlines the proposed services,

the plan for nancing the services, estimated

capital costs, and proposed indebtedness. The

municipality or county where the proposed

district is located is statutorily charged with

reviewing and approving a district’s service

plan. The board of county commissioners

or the governing body of the municipality,

whichever is applicable, is required to conduct

public hearings and make its decision in

accordance with statutory requirements.

A resolution to approve a special district

must be adopted by any applicable board

of county commissioners or governing body

of a municipality. A decision of a board of

county commissioners or a governing body

of a municipality regarding a special district’s

service plan is subject to judicial review.

Specically, a service plan must include:

• a description of the proposed services;

• a nancial plan showing how proposed

services are to be nanced, including

the proposed operating revenue from

property taxes for the rst budget year;

• a schedule showing the years in which the

district debt will be issued;

• a map of the district’s boundaries;

• an estimate of population and valuation

for assessment within the district;

• a description of facilities to be

constructed;

• an estimate of costs (land acquisition,

engineering and legal services,

administrative services, proposed

debt and interest rates, and other

organizational and operational expenses);

and

• proposed intergovernmental agreements

for services.

Additional information may be required by

the local government or because of the type

of district, for example a mental health-care

service district.

Once approved, the service plan is a binding

agreement between the district and the

approving local government that spans the

life of the district. Any major modications to

the original service plan must be authorized

by the approving local government.

Special district board meetings. Ocial

business of a special district board of directors

must be conducted in meetings that are

open to the public and when a quorum of the

board is present. To meet requirements for

posting notices of board of director meetings,

notices must be posted on the district website

no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Meeting notices may also be posted in other

locations, such as the oce of the clerk and

recorder in the county or counties where the

district is located.

Local Government Handbook

Elections. District board members must be

eligible electors and are elected by other

eligible electors of the special district. An

eligible elector of a special district is a person

who has been registered to vote within the

special district and he or she or their spouse

owns taxable real or personal property within

the boundaries of a special district. Eligible

electors are entitled to sign the petition

for organization, vote on the formation of

the district, and be elected to the board of

directors. District elections are nonpartisan,

must be held on the Tuesday succeeding

the rst Monday of May in odd-numbered

years, and must be conducted pursuant to the

provisions of Colorado election laws.

Term limits for special district boards of

directors. Under term limit provisions in the

Colorado Constitution, members of special

district boards of directors may not serve

more than two consecutive four-year terms.

The voters of any political subdivision,

including special districts, may lengthen,

shorten, or eliminate the limitations on terms

of oce imposed by the constitution.

Recall of special district directors. A recall

election allows voters to remove and replace

an elected ocial prior to the end of the

ocial’s term. A special district director

must hold oce for at least six months

before being subject to a recall election.

Recall elections for special district boards

of directors are triggered when a petition is

signed by the lesser of 300 eligible electors or

40 percent of the eligible electors demanding

the recall of the board member named in the

petition. The grounds for the recall are not

open to judicial review.

Proponents have up to 60 days to gather

signatures after a recall petition form is

approved by the election ocial. If the

election ocial determines that a recall

petition suciently meets all of the

requirements outlined in state law, it must

be submitted to the special district’s board

of directors at a regular or special meeting.

The recall election must be held 75 to 90 days

after the date of this meeting; if the meeting

is held within 180 days of the regular special

district election, it must be held as a part of

the regular election.

Annual budget. Each special district must

submit a budget to the Division of Local

Government on an annual basis. The budget

must contain revenues, expenditures, and

fund balances. Each budget must also contain

a message regarding the signicant budget

issues for the year, the basis of accounting,

and a description of leases to which the

district is a party. A draft budget must be

presented to a district’s board of directors

by October 15, followed by a public hearing.

The budget document must then be adopted

by December 31 — or December 15 if the

district levies a property tax — and submitted

to the Division of Local Government by

January 31 of the budget year. Special district

budgets are available for review at the special

district’s oce and at the Division of Local

Government’s Denver oce.

Local Government Handbook

Inactive districts. State law allows a special

district to become inactive and later

reactivate. However, a special district

may only designate itself as inactive if it is in a

predevelopment stage and the district has no:

• residents within its boundaries, other than

those living within the boundaries prior to

the formation of the district;

• business or commercial ventures within its

During the period that

a district is inactive, the

district is exempt from certain

requirements, such as submitting

an annual budget, audit reports,

and service plans to state and

local entities.

boundaries;

• general obligation or revenue debt;

• property tax mill levy in that scal year; or

• outstanding nancial obligations or

contracts.

During the period that a district is inactive, the

district is exempt from certain requirements,

such as submitting an annual budget, audit

reports, and service plans to state and local

entities. Under state law, inactive districts

may not issue any debt, impose a mill levy,

or conduct any ocial business other than

to conduct elections and to undertake

procedures necessary to return to active

status.

Dissolution of Special Districts

Dissolution by petition. Special district

electors may petition the district’s board of

directors to hold an election to determine

whether to dissolve the district. The petition

must be signed by at least 5 percent of the

district’s eligible electors or 250 eligible

electors, whichever is less. For districts with

a population of at least 25,000, at least 3

percent of the eligible electors must sign the

Near Leadville, CO

Local Government Handbook

Reporting Requirements

Annual report on implementation of the

service plan. Special districts created after

July 1, 2000, must le an annual report for the

preceding calendar year, including:

• boundary changes;

• information about intergovernmental

agreements;

• how to obtain a copy of district rules and

regulations;

• a summary of public improvement

construction and litigation;

• facilities or improvements made that were

conveyed to the county or municipality;

• nal assessed value as of December 31 of

the reporting year for the district;

• a copy of the current year budget;

• a copy of audited nancial statements;

• notice of uncured defaults; and

• any inability of the district to pay

obligations.

The annual report must be led with the

county and/or municipality with jurisdiction

over the district, the Division of Local

Government in the Department of Local

Aairs, and the Oce of the State Auditor.

The State Auditor is required to review the

annual report and report to the Division of

Local Government any apparent decrease in

the nancial ability of the district to discharge

its existing or proposed indebtedness in

accordance with the service plan. The division

must confer with the district and the county

or municipal governing body regarding its

nancial condition.

Report to the State Auditor. Under the Local

Government Audit Law, an annual audit of the

nancial aairs of a special district must be

completed by June 30 of each year and led

with the Oce of the State Auditor by July 30.

This audit must include a nancial statement

that conforms with generally accepted

governmental accounting principles.

petition to cause a dissolution election. The

district court will issue an order dissolving

the district if a majority of voters within the

district approve the dissolution.

A majority of a special district’s board of

directors may also petition the court to

dissolve the district. The court may enter

an order dissolving the district without an

election if the district lies wholly within the

city limits of a municipality or county; has

no nancial obligations; and the board and

governing body of the municipality or county

consent to the dissolution. However, the

court must order a dissolution election if the

lesser of 10 percent or 100 voters within the

district request an election. The court may

also order a dissolution election for a district

that has outstanding nancial obligations if

it determines that the plan for dissolution

adequately provides for settlement of the

outstanding debt.

Dissolution by administrative action.

The Division of Local Government may

initiate the dissolution of a special district

that fails to perform its statutory or service

responsibilities. If a district has no outstanding

nancial obligations, the division may initiate

the dissolution of a district that fails to:

• hold or properly cancel a regular board of

director’s election;

• adopt a budget for two consecutive years;

• comply with the Local Government Audit

Law for two consecutive years; or

• provide, or attempt to provide, any of

the services for which the district was

organized for two consecutive years.

If the district fails to demonstrate that

it has satised its statutory or service

responsibilities, the division must submit

a declaration of dissolution to the district

court. The court must determine whether to

certify the district dissolved within 30 days of

receiving the division’s declaration.

Local Government Handbook

self-nomination form for election to the

board;

• the address of any website on which the

special district’s election results will be

posted; and

• information on the procedure for an

eligible elector to apply for a permanent

absentee voter status with the special

district.

Other types of improvement districts.

Special districts that are created under the

Special District Act are often confused with

other types of improvement districts formed

by municipalities and counties to provide

certain amenities, like sidewalks. Unlike

improvement districts, special districts have

political autonomy and may exist indenitely

while improvement districts are typically

dissolved once the improvement is complete

and any debt incurred is paid o. For example,

special improvement districts (formed by

municipalities) and local improvement districts

(formed by counties) provide a particular

amenity in a localized area, and the costs

of the improvements are assessed directly

against the benetting property owners. A

board of county commissioners or the city

council serves as the governing body of an

improvement district, and the district typically

dissolves as soon as any debt incurred by the

county or municipality on behalf of the district

is paid o.

Table 4 identies some improvement districts

that are not governed by the Special District

Act, but are often confused with special

districts. Business improvement districts,

downtown development authorities, and

urban renewal authorities are formed as

adjunct entities by municipalities. Cemetery

districts, library districts, pest control

districts, and weed control districts are

formed by counties. Irrigation districts, water

conservancy districts, and water conservation

districts are formed and governed by

landowners. All of these types of districts are

governed by specic statutes and procedures

distinct from the Special District Act.

Five-year report. State law allows an

approving local government to request special

districts to submit a detailed report on debt

issuance and authorization activities every

ve years. This report is described in state

law as the “application for a quinquennial

nding of reasonable diligence.” According

to this law, an approving local government

can prohibit a special district from issuing

new debt by reviewing the ve-year report

and determining that the service plan will not

result in the timely and reasonable discharge

of the special district’s general obligation

debt.

Information provided to the electors of

special districts. Each year a special district

is required to le a current and accurate map

of its boundaries with the county clerk and

recorder in each of the counties in which the

special district is located.

By January 15 of each year, the board of a

special district must also provide notice to

eligible electors that includes the following

information:

• the address and telephone number of the

principal business oce of the special

district;

• the name and business telephone number

of the manager or other primary contact

person of the special district;

• the names of the members of the special

district board, indicating each member

whose oce will be on the ballot at the

next regular special district election;

• the times and places designated for

regularly scheduled meetings of the board

during the year and the place where

notice of board meetings is posted;

• the current mill levy of the special district

and the total ad valorem tax revenue

received by the district during the prior

year;

• the date of the next regular special district

election at which members of the board

will be elected;

• the procedure and time for an eligible

elector of the special district to submit a

Local Government Handbook

Section VII: Public Schools

School Districts

School districts are local government entities

that provide educational services for children

in preschool through 12th grade throughout

the state. The Colorado Constitution requires

the General Assembly to provide for the

establishment and maintenance of a thorough

and uniform system of free public schools

throughout the state for all residents between

the ages of 6 and 21 years, and provides

that one or more public schools must be

maintained in each school district within the

state for at least three months in each year.

In 2022-23, there are currently 178 school

districts in the state, with a funded pupil count

of 883,264. A list of Colorado school districts

can be found in Appendix B.

School boards. Each school district is

overseen by a school board elected by the

There are currently 178

school districts in the state, with

a funded pupil count of 883,264.

school district voters. The board determines

the curriculum and standards for the public

schools within the district. Specic duties

of the board include adopting policies and

prescribing rules and regulations that are

necessary for the ecient administration

of the aairs of the district. The school

board hires a superintendent to handle

the administration of the district’s policies,

approves the district’s annual budget, and

submits it to the appropriate county in

order for sucient property taxes to be

levied to fund the annual budget. Except for

a few cases, school district boundaries are

not contiguous with municipal or county

boundaries.

Funding for school districts. School districts

are funded from a combination of federal,

state, and local sources, as illustrated in

Figure16. The School Finance Act of 1994

establishes a formula that calculates a per

pupil funding amount for each school district

based on the individual characteristics of the

district, such as the cost to live in the district

and the number of students enrolled. Under

the act, each district’s local portion, which is

funded by local property taxes and specic

ownership taxes, is calculated rst. Other local

tax revenue may fund a portion of a school

district’s operations and capital expenditures.

The state provides equalization funding that

makes up the dierence between the local

portion and the total funding amount set by

the General Assembly through the formula.

The state also provides additional funding for

specic programs including, but not limited

to, special education, gifted and talented,

transportation, and competitive grant

programs. Federal funds are typically used

to support specic programs or activities,

such as special education, English language

prociency, or student assessments. The

following tables illustrate Colorado school

district revenues and expenditures in FY

2020-21.

Local Government Handbook

Source: Colorado Department of Education.

Revenue Sources Revenue % of All Funds

Property Taxes $5.5 billion 41%

Specific Ownership Taxes and Other Local Revenue $1.2 billion 9%

State Share of School Finance $4.2 billion 32%

Other State Revenue $845 million 6%

Total Federal Revenue $1.6 billion 12%

Total School District Revenue $13.4 billion 100%

Total Local Revenue $6.7 billion 50%

Total State Revenue $5.1 billion 38%

Total Federal Revenue $1.6 billion 12%

Local Revenue

State Revenue

Federal Revenue

Total Local Revenue

$6.7 billion

Total State Revenue

$5.1 billion

Total

Federal

Revenue

$1.6 billion

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Total School District

Revenue $13.4

billion

41%

32%

12%

Property Taxes

Specific Ownership Taxes and

Other Local Revenue

State Share of School Finance

Other State Revenue

Total Federal Revenue

$1.6 billion

$845 million

$4.2 billion

$1.2 billion

$5.5 billion

Revenue Sources Revenue % of All Funds

Property Taxes $5.5 billion 41%

Specific Ownership Taxes and Other Local Revenue $1.2 billion 9%

State Share of School Finance $4.2 billion 32%

Other State Revenue $845 million 6%

Total Federal Revenue $1.6 billion 12%

Total School District Revenue $13.4 billion 100%

Total Local Revenue $6.7 billion 50%

Total State Revenue $5.1 billion 38%

Total Federal Revenue $1.6 billion 12%

Local Revenue

State Revenue

Federal Revenue

Total Local Revenue

$6.7 billion

Total State Revenue

$5.1 billion

Total

Federal

Revenue

$1.6 billion

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Total School District

Revenue $13.4

billion

41%

32%

12%

Property Taxes

Specific Ownership Taxes and

Other Local Revenue

State Share of School Finance

Other State Revenue

Total Federal Revenue

$1.6 billion

$845 million

$4.2 billion

$1.2 billion

$5.5 billion

Revenue Sources Revenue % of All Funds

Property Taxes $5.5 billion 41%

Specific Ownership Taxes and Other Local Revenue $1.2 billion 9%

State Share of School Finance $4.2 billion 32%

Other State Revenue $845 million 6%

Total Federal Revenue $1.6 billion 12%

Total School District Revenue $13.4 billion 100%

Total Local Revenue $6.7 billion 50%

Total State Revenue $5.1 billion 38%

Total Federal Revenue $1.6 billion 12%

Local Revenue

State Revenue

Federal Revenue

Total Local Revenue

$6.7 billion

Total State Revenue

$5.1 billion

Total

Federal

Revenue

$1.6 billion

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Total School District

Revenue $13.4

billion

41%

32%

12%

Property Taxes

Specific Ownership Taxes and

Other Local Revenue

State Share of School Finance

Other State Revenue

Total Federal Revenue

$1.6 billion

$845 million

$4.2 billion

$1.2 billion

$5.5 billion

Figure 7

Colorado School District Revenues, FY 2020-21

Local Government Handbook

Expenditures Expenditure amount % of Total

Instruc�on $6.6 billion 47.00%

Other Expenditures $2.9 billion 21.00%

Opera�ons and Maintenance $1.1 billion 8.00%

Other Support Services $1.1 billion 8.00%

General Administra�on $1.0 billion 7.00%

Student Support Services $773.3 million 5.00%

Food Services $286.9 million 2.00%

Pupil Transporta�on $295 million 2.00%

Total School District Expenditures $14.0 billion 100.00%

Food Services

$287 million

Pupil Transportation

$295 million

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Total School

District

Expenditures

$14 billion

100%

Instruction

$6.6 billion

Other Expenditures

$2.9 billion

Operations and Maintenance

$1 billion

Other Support Services

$1 billion

General Administration

$1 billion

Student Support Services

$773 million

Figure 8

Colorado School District Expenditures, FY 2020-21

Source: Colorado Department of Education.

Local Government Handbook

Types of Public Schools

Public schools in Colorado are authorized

to operate by either a school district or the

Charter School Institute (CSI). Online and

charter schools may also be authorized by a

district or the CSI. Additionally, schools may

be further designated as magnet schools,

contract schools, innovation schools, or

alternative education campuses under current

law or district practice.

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE)

is responsible for implementing state and

federal education laws, dispersing funds,

school accountability, and educator licensing

for Colorado’s schools. The State Board of

Education (SBE) is responsible for reviewing

the attainment levels on performance

indicators demonstrated by each public

school, each school district, and the CSI.

The governance and management of public

schools are controlled by either the local

board of education or the board of directors

of the charter school.

Online schools. Online schools deliver

educational services via the internet. There are

two main types of online schools in the state:

supplemental and full-time. Supplemental

online programs allow a traditional school

to oer a more diverse composition of

courses (e.g., a unique foreign language or

an advanced math topic). Full-time online

schools may deliver services as distinct

programs within traditional schools, or as

separate full-time schools that operate

exclusively in an online format. Full-time

online schools may be single-district schools

(i.e., the school oers educational services

primarily to students and families within the

school district), or as multi-district schools,

which enroll students statewide. Full-time

online education programs are authorized

either by a local school district, the CSI, or by

a board of cooperative educational services,

all of which must be accredited by the state.

The governance and

management of public schools

are controlled by either the

local board of education or the

board of directors of the charter

school.

Local Government Handbook

Charter schools. The Charter School Act gives

parents, teachers, and community members

the ability to create a partially autonomous

school within a school district. Charter schools

are governed by an independent board of

directors and generally have greater exibility

in curriculum, sta, scal management, and

school operations than traditional public

schools. According to CDE, there were 264

charter schools operating in Colorado in

2021-22, serving over 120,000 full-time

students and representing over 13 percent of

the total K-12 enrollment in

the state.

Magnet schools. Magnet schools are

administered by school districts to provide a

certain focus, such as music, math, or science,

or to provide a specic educational program,

such as a Montessori school.

Contract schools. Districts are allowed under

current law to contract with nongovernmental

entities to provide educational services.

Innovation schools. Innovation schools

were authorized to operate by the General

Assembly in 2008. This legislation specied

that any public school could submit an

innovation plan to its local school board to

implement innovative practices to improve

student outcomes and to be designated as

an innovation school. Innovation schools

can request waivers from some state laws

and regulations, which requires approval by

the SBE. They can also request waivers from

district policies, which requires approval of

their local school board. Collective bargaining

agreement provisions can also be waived

with approval from at least 60 percent of

the members of the collective bargaining

unit. Innovation schools remain under the

supervision of the local school board. There

were 107 innovation schools statewide as of

January 1, 2022. Denver Public Schools has

the largest number of innovation schools,

with 52.

Alternative education campuses. Certain

schools can be designated by the SBE as

alternative education campuses if they meet

criteria specied in state law. In general, these

schools have a specialized mission and serve

special needs or at-risk student populations.

Because of the unique circumstances and

challenges faced by students in these schools,

the accountability standards dier from other

public schools in the state. In FY 2022-23, 93

schools were designated alternative education

campuses.

Local Government Handbook

Municipal initiatives and referendum. The

Colorado Constitution reserves the initiative

and referendum powers for the registered

electors of municipalities. Municipalities

may regulate the process for exercising the

initiative and referendum process. However,

under the constitution, no city or town council

can require more than 10 percent of the

municipality’s registered electors to order a

referendum from the city or town council, and

no more than 15 percent of its electors may

be required to propose an initiative.

State law provides general requirements for

municipal initiatives, referenda, and referred

measures if the subject is not addressed

through a municipal charter, ordinance,

or resolution. According to state law, any

proposed measure can be submitted to the

legislative body of any municipality by ling

a petition signed by at least 5 percent of

the registered electors of a city or town. The

proposed measure may be adopted without

alteration by the legislative body or referred,

in its original form, to the registered electors

of the municipality at a regular or special

election. The measure takes eect if a majority

of the registered electors vote in

its favor.

State law further regulates the form of

petitions, petition circulation, protests,

and other elements of the initiative and

referendum process. Case law has held that

legislative actions are subject to initiative and

referendum provisions, while actions that are

administrative or quasi-judicial in nature

are not.

County initiatives and referendum. The

same initiative and referendum powers that

are provided for cities and towns are not

extended to Colorado counties. However,

any county home rule charter is required to

include initiative and referendum procedures

for a home rule county.

Additionally, state law specically allows

county voters, by initiative or referenda, to:

• determine whether a home rule charter

commission should be elected;

• amend a county home rule charter;

• change the method of electing county

commissioners in counties over 70,000 in

population; or

• increase or decrease the number of

county commissioners between three and

ve in counties over 70,000 in population.

A board of county commissioners may also

refer questions to county voters regarding

whether to prohibit the operation of

marijuana centers, approve the creation of

improvement districts within specic areas

of a county, or to determine whether certain

services, like a county library, should be

provided. A board of county commissioners is

also required to submit specic scal issues to

county voters. For example, a board of county

commissioners must seek voter approval on

questions related to county debt or questions

regarding retaining excess revenue under the

requirements of TABOR.

Section VIII: Initiative and Referendum Process for

Local Governments

Local Government Handbook

Section IX: Term Limits and Recall of Local Elected Ocials

Term Limits

Colorado voters approved a constitutional

amendment in 1994 that imposed term limits

on local ocials. This amendment limited any

non-judicial elected ocial of any county, city

and county, city, town, school district, service

authority, or any other political subdivision

State law allows voters to

lengthen, shorten, or eliminate

any term limits for elected

ocials through an election

coordinated with the county

clerk of each county in which the

local government is located.

of the state to no more than two consecutive

terms in oce, or no more than three

consecutive terms that are two years or less

in duration.

According to state law, county elected ocials

are elected for four-year terms. The elected

ocials of a statutory municipality are elected

to two-year terms, unless extended to four-

year terms through an ordinance. State

law allows voters to lengthen, shorten, or

eliminate any term limits for elected ocials

through an election coordinated with the

county clerk of each county in which the local

government is located. Also, any city, county,

or city and county with home rule authority

can determine whether term limits are placed

on elected ocials.

Recall

A recall election allows voters to remove and

replace an elected ocial prior to the end

of the ocial’s term. Eligible electors of any

political subdivision may initiate the recall of

an elected ocial by signing a petition that

calls for a recall and demands the election of a

successor to the ocer named in the petition.

While any local or state elected ocial in

Colorado may be recalled, recall elections

occur mostly at the local level.

Under state law, a recall petition must contain

a general statement explaining the reason for

the recall, which is not open to review. Local

elected ocers are not subject to recall until

they have held oce for at least six months

or if they are in the nal six months of their

term. Additionally, only one recall petition and

election can be led against the same ocial

during his or her term, unless a subsequent

petition gathers enough signatures to

equal 50 percent of the votes cast at the

last preceding general election for all of the

candidates for the oce held by the

current ocer.

Local Government Handbook

concluded within 30 days after the protest

is led.

In the case of recalling municipal ocers,

the governing body of a statutory city or

town must set a date for a recall election

between 30 to 90 days from when the petition

is deemed sucient. However, if a general

election is to be held within 180 days after

a petition is deemed sucient, the recall

election must be held as part of the

general election.

Other local governing boards must set a date

for a recall election between 45 to 75 days

from when the petition is deemed sucient.

However, if a general election is to be held

within 90 days after a petition is deemed

sucient, the recall election must be held as a

part of the general election.

Recall elections are triggered when the

required number of registered voters sign

a recall petition. For county and municipal

elected ocials, the required number of

signatures is 25 percent of the votes cast for

candidates for that oce in the preceding

election. In the case of a recall of nonpartisan

ocers in other political subdivisions, such

as special districts, a petition must be signed

by the lesser of 300 eligible electors or 40

percent of the eligible electors of the

political subdivision.

All recall proponents have up to 60 days to

gather signatures after a petition form is

approved by the appropriate election ocial.

Signatures on petitions can be protested,

which results in a hearing by the election

ocial, but any protest hearing must be

Creste Butte, Colorado

Local Government Handbook

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities

Consolidated City and County

City County

Broomeld Broomeld County

Denver Denver County

Home Rule Municipality

Municipality County

Alamosa Alamosa County

Arvada Adams County, Jeerson County

Aspen Pitkin County

Aurora Adams County, Arapahoe County, Douglas County

Avon Eagle County

Basalt Eagle County, Pitkin County

Black Hawk Gilpin County

Boulder Boulder County

Breckenridge Summit County

Brighton Adams County, Weld County

Burlington Kit Carson County

Canon City Fremont County

Carbondale Gareld County

Castle Pines Douglas County

Castle Rock Douglas County

Cedaredge Delta County

Centennial Arapahoe County

Central City Clear Creek County, Gilpin County

Cherry Hills Village Arapahoe County

Colorado Springs El Paso County

Commerce City Adams County

Cortez Montezuma County

Craig Moat County

Crested Butte Gunnison County

Dacono Weld County

Delta Delta County

Dillon Summit County

Durango La Plata County

Eagle Eagle County

Local Government Handbook

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities (Cont.)

Edgewater Jeerson County

Englewood Arapahoe County

Evans Weld County

Federal Heights Adams County

Fort Collins Larimer County

Fort Morgan Morgan County

Fountain El Paso County

Frisco Summit County

Fruita Mesa County

Glendale Arapahoe County

Glenwood Springs Gareld County

Golden Jeerson County

Grand Junction Mesa County

Greeley Weld County

Greenwood Village Arapahoe County

Gunnison Gunnison County

Gypsum Eagle County

Hayden Routt County

Holyoke Phillips County

Johnstown Larimer County, Weld County

Kiowa Elbert County

La Junta Otero County

Lafayette Boulder County

Lakewood Jeerson County

Lamar Prowers County

Larkspur Douglas County

Littleton Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Jeerson

County

Lone Tree Douglas County

Longmont Boulder County, Weld County

Louisville Boulder County

Loveland Larimer County

Manitou Springs El Paso County

Minturn Eagle County

Monte Vista Rio Grande County

Montrose Montrose County

Home Rule Municipality

Municipality County

Local Government Handbook

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities (Cont.)

Morrison Jeerson County

Mount Crested Butte Gunnison County

Mountain View Jeerson County

Mountain Village San Miguel County

New Castle Gareld County

Northglenn Adams County, Weld County

Ophir San Miguel County

Ouray Ouray County

Pagosa Springs Archuleta County

Parachute Gareld County

Parker Douglas County

Pueblo Pueblo County

Rico Dolores County

Ridgway Ouray County

Rie Gareld County

Sanford Conejos County

Sheridan Arapahoe County

Silt Gareld County

Silverthorne Summit County

Snowmass Village Pitkin County

Steamboat Springs Routt County

Sterling Logan County

Telluride San Miguel County

Thornton Adams County, Weld County

Timnath Larimer County, Weld County

Trinidad Las Animas County

Vail Eagle County

Ward Boulder County

Westminster Adams County, Jeerson County

Wheat Ridge Jeerson County

Windsor Larimer County, Weld County

Winter Park Grand County

Woodland Park Teller County

Wray Yuma County

Yuma Yuma County

Aguilar Las Animas County

Home Rule Municipality

Municipality County

Local Government Handbook

Statutory Cities and Towns

City County

Akron Washington County

Alma Park County

Antonito Conejos County

Arriba Lincoln County

Ault Weld County

Bayeld La Plata County

Bennett Adams County, Arapahoe County

Berthoud Larimer County, Weld County

Bethune Kit Carson County

Blanca Costilla County

Blue River Summit County

Bonanza City Saguache County

Boone Pueblo County

Bow Mar Arapahoe County, Jeerson County

Branson Las Animas County

Brookside Fremont County

Brush Morgan County

Buena Vista Chaee County

Calhan El Paso County

Campo Baca County

Carbonate Gareld County

Center Rio Grande County, Saguache County

Cheraw Otero County

Cheyenne Wells Cheyenne County

Coal Creek Fremont County

Cokedale Las Animas County

Collbran Mesa County

Columbine Valley Arapahoe County

Crawford Delta County

City of Creede Mineral County

Crestone Saguache County

Cripple Creek Teller County

Crook Logan County

Crowley Crowley County

De Beque Mesa County

Deer Trail Arapahoe County

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities (Cont.)

Local Government Handbook

Del Norte Rio Grande County

Dinosaur Moat County

Dolores Montezuma County

Dove Creek Dolores County

Eads Kiowa County

Eaton Weld County

Eckley Yuma County

Elizabeth Elbert County

Empire Clear Creek County

Erie Boulder County, Weld County

Estes Park Larimer County

Fairplay Park County

Firestone Weld County

Flagler Kit Carson County

Fleming Logan County

Florence Fremont County

Fort Lupton Weld County

Fowler Otero County

Foxeld Arapahoe County

Fraser Grand County

Frederick Weld County

Garden City Weld County

Genoa Lincoln County

Gilcrest Weld County

Granada Prowers County

Granby Grand County

Grand Lake Grand County

Green Mountain Falls El Paso County, Teller County

Grover Weld County

Hartman Prowers County

Haswell Kiowa County

Haxtun Phillips County

Hillrose Morgan County

Holly Prowers County

Hooper Alamosa County

Hot Sulphur Springs Grand County

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities (Cont.)

Statutory Cities and Towns

City County

Local Government Handbook

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities (Cont.)

Hotchkiss Delta County

Hudson Weld County

Hugo Lincoln County

Idaho Springs Clear Creek County

Ignacio La Plata County

Ili Logan County

Jamestown Boulder County

Julesburg Sedgwick County

Keenesburg Weld County

Kersey Weld County

Kim Las Animas County

Kit Carson Cheyenne County

Kremmling Grand County

La Jara Conejos County

LaSalle Weld County

La Veta Huerfano County

Lake City Hinsdale County

Lakeside Jeerson County

Las Animas Bent County

Leadville Lake County

Limon Lincoln County

Lochbuie Adams County, Weld County

Log Lane Village Morgan County

Lyons Boulder County

Manassa Conejos County

Mancos Montezuma County

Manzanola Otero County

Marble Gunnison County

Mead Weld County

Meeker Rio Blanco County

Merino Logan County

Milliken Weld County

Moat Saguache County

Montezuma Summit County

Monument El Paso County

Naturita Montrose County

Statutory Cities and Towns

City County

Local Government Handbook

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities (Cont.)

Nederland Boulder County

Norwood San Miguel County

Nucla Montrose County

Nunn Weld County

Oak Creek Routt County

Olathe Montrose County

Olney Springs Crowley County

Orchard City Delta County

Ordway Crowley County

Otis Washington County

Ovid Sedgwick County

Palisade Mesa County

Palmer Lake El Paso County

Paoli Phillips County

Paonia Delta County

Peetz Logan County

Pierce Weld County

Pitkin Gunnison County

Platteville Weld County

Poncha Springs Chaee County

Pritchett Baca County

Ramah El Paso County

Rangely Rio Blanco County

Raymer Weld County

Red Cli Eagle County

Rockvale Fremont County

Rocky Ford Otero County

Romeo Conejos County

Rye Pueblo County

Saguache Saguache County

Salida Chaee County

San Luis Costilla County

Sawpit San Miguel County

Sedgwick Sedgwick County

Seibert Kit Carson County

Severance Weld County

Statutory Cities and Towns

City County

Local Government Handbook

Appendix A: Colorado Municipalities (Cont.)

Sheridan Lake Kiowa County

Silver Cli Custer County

Silver Plume Clear Creek County

Silverton San Juan County

Simla Elbert County

South Fork Rio Grande County

Springeld Baca County

Starkville Las Animas County

Stratton Kit Carson County

Sugar City Crowley County

Superior Boulder County, Jeerson County

Swink Otero County

Two Buttes Baca County

Victor Teller County

Vilas Baca County

Vona Kit Carson County

Walden Jackson County

Walsenburg Huerfano County

Walsh Baca County

Wellington Larimer County

Westclie Custer County

Wiggins Morgan County

Wiley Prowers County

Williamsburg Fremont County

Yampa Routt County

Georgetown Clear Creek County

Statutory Cities and Towns

City County

Territorial Charter Municipality

City County

Source: Department of Local Aairs

Local Government Handbook

Appendix B: Colorado School Districts

Academy El Paso

Adams 12 Adams, Boulder, Broomeld

Adams 14 Adams

Adams/Arapahoe 28J Adams, Arapahoe

Agate Elbert

Aguilar Las Animas

Akron Washington

Alamosa Alamosa, Conejos

Archuleta Archuleta, Hinsdale

Arickaree Washington

Arriba-Flagler Kit Carson, Lincoln

Aspen Pitkin

Ault-Hghlnd Weld

Bayeld La Plata

Bennett Adams, Arapahoe

Bethune Kit Carson

Big Sandy Elbert, El Paso

Boulder Boulder, Broomeld, Gilpin

Branson Las Animas

Briggsdale Weld

Brighton 27J Adams

Brush Morgan, Washington

Buena Vista Chaee

Bualo Logan, Morgan, Washington

Burlington Kit Carson, Yuma

Byers Adams, Arapahoe

Calhan Elbert, El Paso

Campo Baca

Canon City Fremont

Centennial Costilla

Center Saguache, Rio Genade, Alamosa

Cheraw Otero

Cherry Creek Arapahoe

Cheyenne Mountain El Paso

Cheyenne R-5 Cheyenne

Clear Creek Clear Creek

School District County

Local Government Handbook

Colorado Springs El Paso

Cotopaxi Fremont

Creede Mineral

Cripple Creek Teller

Crowley Crowley, Lincoln

Custer Custer

Debeque Mesa, Gareld

Deer Trail Adams, Arapahoe

Delta Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Mesa

Denver Denver

Dolores RE-2 Dolores, San Miguel

Dolores Montezuma

Douglas Douglas, Elbert

Durango La Plata

Eads Kiowa

Eagle Eagle, Gareld, Routt

East Grand Grand

East Otero Otero

Eaton Weld

Edison El Paso, Pueblo, Lincoln

Elbert Elbert

Elizabeth Elbert

Ellicott El Paso

Englewood Arapahoe

Estes Park Boulder, Larimer

Falcon (School District 49) El Paso

Fountain El Paso

Fowler Crowley, Otero, Pueblo

Fremont Custer, El Paso, Fremont

Frenchman Logan

Ft Morgan Morgan

Gareld RE-2 Gareld

Gareld 16 Gareld

Genoa-Hugo Lincoln

Gilpin Gilpin

Granada Prowers

Greeley Weld

Gunnison Gunnison, Saguache

Appendix B: Colorado School Districts

School District County

Local Government Handbook

Hanover El Paso

Harrison El Paso

Haxtun Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma

Hayden Routt

Hi Plains Kit Carson

Hinsdale Archuleta, Hinsdale

Hoehne Las Animas

Holly Prowers

Holyoke Phillips, Yuma

Huerfano Huerfano

Idalia Yuma

Ignacio Archuleta, La Plata

Jeerson Denver, Jeerson, Broomeld

Johnstown Weld

Julesburg Sedgwick

Karval Lincoln

Kim Las Animas

Kiowa Elbert

Kit Carson Cheyenne

La Veta Huerfano

Lake Lake

Lamar Prowers

Las Animas Bent

Lewis-Palmer El Paso

Liberty Kit Carson, Yuma

Limon Elbert, Lincoln

Littleton Arapahoe

Lone Star Washington

Mancos Montezuma

Manitou Springs El Paso

Manzanola Crowley, Otero

Mapleton Adams

Mcclave Bent

Meeker Rio Blanco

Mesa Valley Mesa

Miami-Yoder El Paso, Elbert, Lincoln

Moat County RE-1 Moat

Moat Saguache

Appendix B: Colorado School Districts

School District County

Local Government Handbook

Monte Vista Rio Grande

Montezuma Montezuma

Montrose Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray

Mtn Valley Saguache

North Conejos Alamosa, Conejos

North Park Jackson

Norwood Montrose, San Miguel

Otis Washington

Ouray Ouray

Park Park

Pawnee Weld

Peyton Elbert, El Paso

Plainview Kiowa

Plateau Logan

Plateau Valley Mesa

Platte Canyon Park

Platte Vly Sedgwick

Platte Vly RE-7 Weld

Poudre Larimer

Prairie Weld

Primero Las Animas

Pritchett Baca

Pueblo City Pueblo

Pueblo Rural Pueblo

Rangely Rio Blanco

Revere Sedgwick

Ridgway Ouray

Roaring Fork Eagle, Gareld, Pitkin

Rocky Ford Otero

Salida Chaee, Fremont

Sanford Alamosa, Conejos

Sangre Decristo Alamosa, Saguache

Sargent Alamosa, Rio Grande

Sheridan Arapahoe

Sierra Grande Costilla

Silverton San Juan

South Conejos Conejos

Appendix B: Colorado School Districts

School District County

Local Government Handbook

South Routt Routt

Springeld Baca

St. Vrain Boulder, Weld, Larimer, Broomeld

Steamboat Springs Routt

Strasburg Adams, Arapahoe

Stratton Kit Carson

Summit Summit

Swink Otero

Telluride San Miguel

Thompson Boulder, Larimer, Weld

Trinidad Las Animas

Upper Rio Grande Rio Grande

Valley Logan

Vilas Baca

Walsh Baca

Weld RE-1 Weld

Weld RE-3J Adams, Weld

Weld RE-8 Weld

Weldon Morgan

West End Montrose

West Grand Eagle, Grand, Summit

Westminster Adams

Wideeld El Paso

Wiggins Morgan, Weld

Wiley Bent, Prowers

Windsor Weld

Woodland Park Teller

Woodlin Washington

Wray Yuma

Yuma Yuma

Source: Colorado Department of Education

Appendix B: Colorado School Districts

School District County

Local Government Handbook

Lone Star

101

Lone Star

101

Moffat County

Re: No 1

Moffat County

Re: No 1

Meeker

RE1

Meeker

RE1

Rangely

RE-4

Rangely

RE-4

De Beque 49JTDe Beque 49JT

Garfield

RE-2

Garfield

RE-2

Plateau Valley 50Plateau Valley 50

Delta County 50(J)Delta County 50(J)

Gunnison

Watershed

RE1J

Gunnison

Watershed

RE1J

Hinsdale

County

RE 1

Hinsdale

County

RE 1

Mesa County Valley 51Mesa County Valley 51

West End

RE-2

West End

RE-2

Norwood

R-2J

Norwood

R-2J

Dolores County RE NO 2Dolores County RE NO 2

Dolores County

RE -4A

Dolores County

RE -4A

Mancos

RE-6

Mancos

RE-6

Montezuma-

Cortez

RE-1

Montezuma-

Cortez

RE-1

Durango

9-R

Durango

9-R

Ignacio

11 JT

Ignacio

11 JT

Bayfield

10-JT-R

Bayfield

10-JT-R

Silverton 1Silverton 1

Archuleta

County

50JT

Archuleta

County

50JT

South Conejos

RE-10

South Conejos

RE-10

North Conejos

RE-1J

North Conejos

RE-1J

Sanford

Centennial R-1Centennial R-1

Sierra

Grande

R-30

Sierra

Grande

R-30

Monte

Vista

C-8

Monte

Vista

C-8

Sargent

RE-33J

Sargent

RE-33J

Sangre De

Cristo

RE-22J

Sangre De

Cristo

RE-22J

La Veta

RE-2

La Veta

RE-2

Huerfano RE-1Huerfano RE-1

Aguilar

Reorganized

Aguilar

Reorganized

Hoehne

Reorganized

Hoehne

Reorganized

Trinidad

Primero

Reorganized

Primero

Reorganized

Branson

Reorganized

Branson

Reorganized

Kim

Reorganized

Kim

Reorganized

Pritchett

RE-3

Pritchett

RE-3

Springfield

RE-4

Springfield

RE-4

Camp

RE-6

Camp

RE-6

Vilas

RE-5

Vilas

RE-5

Walsh

RE-1

Walsh

RE-1

Holly

RE-3

Holly

RE-3

Plainview

RE-2

Plainview

RE-2

Eads RE-1Eads RE-1

Cheraw

Manzanola 3JManzanola 3J

East Otero

R-1

East Otero

R-1

Fowler

R-4J

Fowler

R-4J

Pueblo County 70Pueblo County 70

Pueblo

City

Pueblo

City

Agate 300Agate 300

Limon

RE-4J

Limon

RE-4J

Genoa-Hugo

C113

Genoa-Hugo

C113

Karval RE-23Karval RE-23

Kit Carson

R-1

Kit Carson

R-1

Cheyenne

County RE-5

Cheyenne

County RE-5

Wray

RD-2

Wray

RD-2

Arriba-

Flagler

C-20

Arriba-

Flagler

C-20

Hi-Plains

R-23

Hi-Plains

R-23

Stratton

R-4

Stratton

R-4

Bethune

R-5

Bethune

R-5

Burlington

RE-6J

Burlington

RE-6J

Idalia

RJ-3

Idalia

RJ-3

Liberty J-4Liberty J-4

Arickaree

R-2

Arickaree

R-2

Woodlin

R-104

Woodlin

R-104

Deer Trail

26J

Deer Trail

26J

Byers 32JByers 32J

Clear Creek

RE-1

Clear Creek

RE-1

Platte

Canyon 1

Platte

Canyon 1

Summit

RE-1

Summit

RE-1

Prairie

RE-11

Prairie

RE-11

Fort

Morgan

RE-3

Fort

Morgan

RE-3

Brush

RE-2(J)

Brush

RE-2(J)

Buffalo

RE-4J

Buffalo

RE-4J

Akron

R-1

Akron

R-1

Otis

R-3

Otis

R-3

Yuma 1Yuma 1

Haxtun

RE-2J

Haxtun

RE-2J

Frenchman

RE-3

Frenchman

RE-3

Valley

RE-1

Valley

RE-1

Plateau

RE-5

Plateau

RE-5

Pawnee

RE-12

Pawnee

RE-12

Ault-

Highland

RE-9

Ault-

Highland

RE-9

Poudre R-1Poudre R-1

Estes Park

R-3

Estes Park

R-3

East Grand 2East Grand 2

West Grand

1-JT

West Grand

1-JT

North Park

R-1

North Park

R-1

Steambboat

Springs

RE-2

Steambboat

Springs

RE-2

South Routt

RE 3

South Routt

RE 3

Eagle County

RE 50

Eagle County

RE 50

Roaring Fork

RE-1

Roaring Fork

RE-1

Aspen 1Aspen 1

Lake

County

R-1

Lake

County

R-1

Hayden

RE-1

Hayden

RE-1

Holyoke

RE-1J

Holyoke

RE-1J

Julesburg

RE-1

Julesburg

RE-1

Revere

School

District

Revere

School

District

Cotopaxi

RE-3

Cotopaxi

RE-3

Salida R-32Salida R-32

Mountain Valley

RE 1

Mountain Valley

RE 1

Creede

School

District

Creede

School

District

Moffat 2Moffat 2

Custer County

School District

C-1

Custer County

School District

C-1

Center

26 JT

Center

26 JT

Buena Vista

R-31

Buena Vista

R-31

Park County

RE-2

Park County

RE-2

Fremont

RE-2

Fremont

RE-2

Crowley

County

RE-1-J

Crowley

County

RE-1-J

Swink

Rocky

Ford

R-2

Rocky

Ford

R-2

Mc Clave

RE-2

Mc Clave

RE-2

Las

Animas

RE-1

Las

Animas

RE-1

Lamar

RE-2

Lamar

RE-2

Wiley

RE-13 JT

Wiley

RE-13 JT

Granada

RE-1

Granada

RE-1

Upper Rio

Grande

School

District

C-7

Upper Rio

Grande

School

District

C-7

Alamosa

RE-11J

Alamosa

RE-11J

Montrose County

RE-1J

Montrose County

RE-1J

Ridgway

R-2

Ridgway

R-2

Ouray

R-1

Ouray

R-1

Telluride

R-1

Telluride

R-1

Big

Sandy

100J

Big

Sandy

100J

Weldon

Valley

RE-10(J)

Weldon

Valley

RE-10(J)

Wiggins

RE-50(J)

Wiggins

RE-50(J)

Edison

54 JT

Edison

54 JT

Miami/

Yoder 60 JT

Miami/

Yoder 60 JT

Briggsdale

RE-10

Briggsdale

RE-10

Colorado School Districts Map

Source: Colorado Department of Education

Note: Red Box is zoomed in on following page.

Legislative Council Sta

Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature

Colorado School Districts Map

Calhan

RJ-1

Calhan

RJ-1

Kiowa C-2Kiowa C-2

Strasburg

31J

Strasburg

31J

Bennett

29J

Bennett

29J

School

District

27J

School

District

27J

School District 27JSchool District 27J

Adams

County 14

Adams

County 14

Adams-

Arapahoe

28J

Adams-

Arapahoe

28J

Denver

County 1

Denver

County 1

Englewood 1Englewood 1

Cherry Creek 5Cherry Creek 5

Littleton 6Littleton 6

Jefferson

County R-1

Jefferson

County R-1

Sheridan 2Sheridan 2

Mapleton 1Mapleton 1

Westminster 50Westminster 50

Adams 12

Five Star

Schools

Adams 12

Five Star

Schools

St. Vrain Valley

RE 1J

St. Vrain Valley

RE 1J

Weld

RE-8

Schools

Weld

RE-8

Schools

Weld County

School District

RE-3J

Weld County

School District

RE-3J

Weld

County

RE-1

Weld

County

RE-1

Greeley

Eaton RE-2Eaton RE-2

Thompson

R2-J

Thompson

R2-J

Platte

Valley

RE-7

Platte

Valley

RE-7

Elizabeth

School

District

Elizabeth

School

District

Elbert 200Elbert 200

Douglas County RE 1Douglas County RE 1

Hanover 28Hanover 28

Ellicott

Harrison 2Harrison 2

Peyton

23 JT

Peyton

23 JT

Widefield 3Widefield 3

Colorado

Springs 11

Colorado

Springs 11

Academy

District

Lewis-Palmer 38Lewis-Palmer 38

Manitou

Springs

Manitou

Springs

Fountain 8Fountain 8

Cheyenne Mountain 12Cheyenne Mountain 12

Canon City RE-1Canon City RE-1

Woodland

Park

RE-2

Woodland

Park

RE-2

Cripple

Creek-Victor

RE-1

Cripple

Creek-Victor

RE-1

Zoomed in area of Colorado

School Districts Map