Colorado Code § 30-15-401

General regulations - definitions
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(1) In addition to those powers granted
by sections 30-11-101 and 30-11-107 and by parts 1, 2, and 3 of this article 15, the board of
county commissioners may adopt ordinances for control or licensing of those matters of purely
local concern that are described in the following enumerated powers:
(a) (I) (A) To provide for and compel the removal of rubbish, including trash, junk, and
garbage, from lots and tracts of land within the county, except industrial tracts of ten or more
acres and agricultural land currently in agricultural use as the term agricultural land is defined in
section 39-1-102 (1.6), C.R.S., and from the alleys behind and from the sidewalk areas in front
of such property at such time, upon such notice, and in such manner as the board of county
commissioners may prescribe by ordinance, including removal performed by the county upon
notice to and failure of the property owner to remove such rubbish, and to assess the reasonable
cost thereof, including five percent for inspection and other incidental costs in connection
therewith, upon the lots and tracts from which such rubbish has been removed. Ordinances
passed by a board of county commissioners for the removal of rubbish pursuant to this sub-
subparagraph (A) shall include provisions for applying for and exercising an administrative entry
and seizure warrant issued by a county or district court having jurisdiction over the property
from which rubbish shall be removed. Any assessment pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (A)
shall be a lien against such lot or tract of land until paid and shall have priority over all other
liens except general taxes and prior special assessments. In case such assessment is not paid
within a reasonable time specified by ordinance, it may be certified by the clerk to the county
treasurer, who shall collect the assessment, together with a ten percent penalty for the cost of
collection, in the same manner as other taxes are collected. The laws of this state for assessment
and collection of general taxes, including the laws for the sale and redemption of property for
taxes, shall apply to the collection of assessments pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (A).
(B) A county court or district court having jurisdiction over property from which rubbish
shall be removed pursuant to the ordinances authorized by sub-subparagraph (A) of this
subparagraph (I) shall issue an administrative entry and seizure warrant for the removal of such
rubbish. Such warrant shall be issued upon presentation by a county of ordinance provisions
which meet the requirements of sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (I) and a sworn or
affirmed affidavit stating the factual basis for such warrant, evidence that the property owner has
received notice of the violation and has failed to remove the rubbish within a reasonable
prescribed period of time, a general description of the location of the property which is the
subject of the warrant, a general list of any rubbish to be removed from such property, and the
proposed disposal or temporary impoundment of such rubbish, whichever the court deems
appropriate. Within ten days following the date of issuance of an administrative entry and
seizure warrant pursuant to the provisions of this sub-subparagraph (B), such warrant shall be
executed in accordance with directions by the issuing court, a copy of such issued warrant shall
be provided or mailed to the property owner, and proof of the execution of such warrant,
including a written inventory of any property impounded by the executing authority, shall be
submitted to the court by the executing authority.
(I.5) (A) To provide for and compel the removal of weeds and brush from lots and tracts
of land within the county except agricultural land currently in agricultural use as the term
agricultural land is defined in section 39-1-102 (1.6), C.R.S., and from the alleys behind and
from the sidewalk areas in front of such property at such time, upon such notice, and in such
manner as the board of county commissioners may prescribe by ordinance, including removal
performed by the county upon notice to and failure of the property owner to remove such weeds
and brush, and to assess the reasonable cost thereof, including ten percent for inspection and
other incidental costs in connection therewith, upon the property from which such weeds have
been removed. Ordinances passed by a board of county commissioners for the removal of weeds
and brush pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (A) shall include provisions for applying for and
exercising an administrative entry and seizure warrant issued by a county or district court having
jurisdiction over the property from which weeds and brush shall be removed. Any assessment
pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (A) shall be a lien against such property until paid and shall
have priority based on its date of recording. A county shall not compel the removal of weeds and
brush pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (A) upon any lot or tract of land within the county
during such time that a mortgage or deed of trust secured by the lot or tract of land is being
foreclosed upon.
(B) In case such assessment is not paid within a reasonable time specified by ordinance,
it may be certified by the clerk to the county treasurer, who shall collect the assessment, together
with a ten percent penalty for the cost of collection, in the same manner as other taxes are
collected. The laws of this state for assessment and collection of general taxes, including the
laws for the sale and redemption of property for taxes, shall apply to the collection of such
assessments pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (B).
(C) A county court or district court having jurisdiction over property from which weeds
and brush shall be removed pursuant to the ordinances authorized by sub-subparagraph (A) of
this subparagraph (I.5) shall issue an administrative entry and seizure warrant for the removal of
such weeds and brush. Such warrant shall be issued upon presentation by a county of ordinance
provisions which meet the requirements of sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (I.5) and a
sworn or affirmed affidavit stating the factual basis for such warrant, evidence that the property
owner has received notice of the violation and has failed to remove the weeds and brush within a
reasonable prescribed period of time, a general description of the location of the property which
is the subject of the warrant, and the proposed disposal of such weeds and brush. Within ten days
following the date of issuance of an administrative entry and seizure warrant pursuant to the
provisions of this sub-subparagraph (C), such warrant shall be executed in accordance with
directions by the issuing court, a copy of such issued warrant shall be provided or mailed to the
property owner, and proof of the execution of such warrant shall be submitted to the court by the
executing authority.
(II) To inspect vehicles proposed to be operated in the conduct of the business of
transporting ashes, trash, waste, rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste products or any other
discarded materials and to determine, among other things, that any such vehicle has the
following:
(A) A permanent cover of canvas or equally suitable or superior material designed to
cover the entire open area of the body of such vehicle;
(B) A body so constructed as to be permanently leakproof as to such discarded materials;
(C) Extensions of sideboards and tailgate, if any, constructed of permanent materials;
(III) To contract with persons in the business of transporting and disposing of ashes,
trash, waste, rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste products or any other discarded materials to
provide such services, but in no event on an exclusive territorial basis, to every lot and tract of
land requiring such services within the unincorporated area of the county or in conjunction with
the county on such terms as shall be agreed to by the board of county commissioners. Nothing in
this subparagraph (III) shall be deemed to preclude the owner or tenant of any such lot or tract
from removing discarded materials from his lot, so long as appropriate standards of safety and
health are observed.
(IV) To regulate the activities of persons in the business of transporting ashes, trash,
waste, rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste products or any other discarded materials within the
unincorporated area by requiring each such person to secure a license from the county and
charging a fee therefor to cover the cost of administration and enforcement and by requiring
adherence to such reasonable standards of health and safety as may be prescribed by the board of
county commissioners and to prohibit any person from commercially collecting or disposing of
ashes, trash, waste, rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste products or any other discarded
materials within the unincorporated area without a license and when not in compliance with such
standards of health and safety as may be prescribed by the board;
(V) To do all acts and make all regulations which may be necessary or expedient for the
promotion of health or the suppression of disease, limited to the following:
(A) In addition to the authority given counties under section 18-4-511, C.R.S., to
restrain, fine, and punish persons for dumping rubbish, including trash, junk, and garbage, on
public or private property;
(B) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2008, p. 2054, § 11, effective July 1, 2008.)
(C) To adopt reasonable regulations for controlling pollution caused by wood smoke;
(D) In addition to the authority given counties under article 5 of title 35, C.R.S., to
establish mosquito control areas, to assess the whole cost thereof against those persons
especially benefitted by the service, and, if a person's portion of the assessment is not paid within
a reasonable time as specified by ordinance, to direct that the assessment, which shall be a lien
against the property of such person, be certified by the county clerk and recorder to the county
treasurer for collection in the same manner as other taxes are collected;
(VI) To require every person in the business of transporting ashes, trash, waste, rubbish,
garbage, or industrial waste products or any other discarded materials to and from disposal sites
to have, before commencing such operations, in such motor vehicle a motor vehicle liability
insurance policy or evidence of such policy issued by an insurance carrier or insurer authorized
to do business in the state of Colorado in the sum of not less than one hundred fifty thousand
dollars for damages for or on account of any bodily injury to or the death of each person as the
result of any one accident, in the sum of not less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars for
damages to the property of others as the result of any one accident, and in the total sum of not
less than four hundred thousand dollars for damages for or on account of any bodily injury to or
the death of all persons and for damages to the property of others. Any liability for failure to
comply with the requirements of this subparagraph (VI) shall be borne by the individual,
partnership, or corporation who owns such vehicle.
(b) To prevent and suppress riots, routs, affrays, disturbances, and disorderly assemblies
in any public or private place;
(c) To suppress bawdy and disorderly houses and houses of ill fame or assignation; to
suppress gaming and gambling houses, lotteries, and fraudulent devices and practices for the
purpose of gaining or obtaining money or property; and to regulate the promotion or wholesale
promotion of obscene material and obscene performances, as defined in part 1 of article 7 of title
18, C.R.S.;
(d) To restrain and punish loiterers and prostitutes;
(d.5) To discourage juvenile delinquency through the imposition of curfews applicable
to juveniles, the restraint and punishment of loitering by juveniles, and the restraint and
punishment of defacement of, including the affixing of graffiti to, buildings and other public or
private property by juveniles by means that may include restrictions on the purchase or
possession of graffiti implements by juveniles. The board of county commissioners, when
enacting an ordinance to carry out the powers granted by this subsection (1)(d.5), may make it
unlawful for a retailer to sell graffiti implements to juveniles but shall not dictate the manner in
which the retailer displays graffiti implements. For purposes of this subsection (1)(d.5),
"juvenile" means a juvenile as defined in section 19-2.5-102 and "graffiti implement" means an
aerosol paint container, broad-tipped marker, gum label, paint stick or graffiti stick, or etching
equipment.
(e) To control unleashed or unclaimed animals, except those animals defined in section
35-44-101 (1), C.R.S.;
(f) To use the county jail for the confinement or punishment of offenders, subject to such
conditions as are imposed by law and with the consent of the board of county commissioners;
(g) To authorize the acceptance of a bail bond when any person has been arrested for the
violation of any ordinance and a continuance or postponement of trial is granted. When such
bond is accepted, it shall have the same validity and effect as bail bonds provided for under the
criminal statutes of this state.
(h) (I) To control and regulate the movement and parking of vehicles and motor vehicles
on public property; except that:
(A) Misdemeanor traffic offenses and the posted speed limit on any state highway
located within the county are matters of statewide interest;
(B) For the purposes of any minimum parking requirement a board of county
commissioners imposes, the board of county commissioners is subject to article 35 of title 29
and section 30-28-140; and
(C) For the purpose of regulating the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, the
board of county commissioners is subject to section 30-28-212.
(II) The county may establish fire lanes and emergency vehicle access on public or
private property zoned commercial or residential and provide for fines and punishment of
violators;
(i) To regulate and license escort bureaus, escorts, and escort bureau runners to the
extent permitted under article 11.8 of title 29;
(j) To regulate and license secondhand dealers to the extent permitted under article 13 of
title 18, C.R.S.;
(k) To regulate and license pawnbrokers as provided in section 29-11.9-102;
(k.5) To require registration of persons who engage in door-to-door selling of
merchandise or goods and the delivery thereof within the county; except that nonprofit
organizations which are exempt from the income tax imposed under article 22 of title 39, C.R.S.,
and schools shall not be subject to county requirements imposed under this paragraph (k.5);
(l) (I) To adopt reasonable regulations for the operation of establishments open to the
public in which persons appear in a state of nudity for the purpose of entertaining the patrons of
such establishment; except that such regulations shall not be tantamount to a complete
prohibition of such operation. Such regulations may include the following:
(A) Minimum age requirements for admittance to such establishments;
(B) Limitations on the hours during which such establishments may be open for
business; and
(C) Restrictions on the location of such establishments with regard to schools, churches,
and residential areas.
(II) The board of county commissioners may enact ordinances which provide that any
establishment which engages in repeated or continuing violations of regulations adopted by the
board shall constitute a public nuisance. The county attorney of such county, or the district
attorney acting pursuant to section 16-13-302, C.R.S., may bring an action in the district court of
such county for an injunction against the operation of such establishment in a manner which
violates such regulations.
(III) Nothing in the regulations adopted by the board of county commissioners pursuant
to this paragraph (l) shall be construed to apply to the presentation, showing, or performance of
any play, drama, ballet, or motion picture in any theater, concert hall, museum of fine arts,
school, institution of higher education, or other similar establishment as a form of expression of
opinion or communication of ideas or information, as differentiated from the promotion or
exploitation of nudity for the purpose of advancing the economic welfare of a commercial or
business enterprise.
(m) (I) In addition to the authority given counties in article 12 of title 25, C.R.S., to enact
ordinances which regulate noise on public and private property except as provided in
subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (m); prohibit the operation of any vehicle that is not equipped
with a muffler in constant operation and is not properly maintained to prevent an increase in the
noise emitted by the vehicle above the noise emitted when the muffler was originally installed;
and prohibit the operation of any vehicle having a muffler that has been equipped or modified
with a cutoff and bypass or any similar device or modification. For the purposes of this
paragraph (m), "vehicle" shall have the same meaning as that set forth in section 42-1-102 (112),
C.R.S.
(II) Ordinances enacted to regulate noise on public and private property pursuant to
subsection (1)(m)(I) of this section do not apply to:
(A) Property used for purposes which are exempt, pursuant to section 25-12-103, C.R.S.,
from noise abatement; and
(B) Property used for: Manufacturing, industrial, or commercial business purposes; and
public utilities regulated pursuant to title 40.
(n) To provide for and compel the removal of snow on sidewalks within the county, at
such time, upon such notice, and in such manner as the board of county commissioners may
prescribe by ordinance, including removal performed by the county upon notice to and failure of
the property owner to remove such snow and to assess the whole cost thereof, and other
incidental costs in connection therewith, upon the property from which such snow has been
removed;
(n.5) (I) To ban open fires to a degree and in a manner that the board of county
commissioners deems necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires within those portions of the
unincorporated areas of the county where the danger of forest or grass fires is found to be high
based on competent evidence.
(II) Subject to subparagraph (IV) of this paragraph (n.5), the board of county
commissioners in each county that has a substantial forested area shall, by January 1, 2012,
develop an open burning permit system for the purpose of safely disposing of slash. In
developing an open burning permit system, the board is encouraged to consult with the division
of fire prevention and control, established in section 24-33.5-1201, C.R.S., and shall:
(A) Collaborate with county and local jurisdictions such as the sheriff's office and fire
protection districts, identify the agencies responsible for burner education, permitting, and
compliance, and consider developing an education plan to inform private property owners of the
benefits, criteria, and required processes for slash pile burning;
(B) Consider and be consistent with existing laws and processes that ban, regulate, or
have developed recommendations concerning open burning, including sections 18-13-109, 18-
13-109.5, 23-31-312, 23-31-313 (6)(a)(II) and (6)(a)(III), 25-7-106 (7) and (8), 25-7-123, 29-20-
105.5, and 30-11-124, C.R.S.;
(C) Consider existing county ordinances;
(D) Consider existing scientific and applied knowledge of safe burning conditions,
including consideration of, and the advisability of specifying permit limitations concerning, the
number of slash piles that may be burned at one time per person who is monitoring the burn, the
size of slash piles, temperature, humidity, snow cover, wind conditions, overhead and other
types of electric utility facilities, including adequate distances from such facilities, fuel type and
moisture content, slope, and setbacks from real estate improvements;
(E) Exempt broadcast burns conducted within federal and state guidelines that have a
written prescribed fire plan and agricultural burns; and
(F) Include mechanisms to notify individuals with respiratory conditions, if requested by
the individual, and contiguous landowners of the date, time, and location of slash pile burns.
(III) Nothing in this paragraph (n.5) infringes upon or otherwise affects the ability of
agricultural producers to conduct burning on their property.
(IV) A board of county commissioners that has an open burning permit system on April
13, 2011, need not comply with the requirements of subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (n.5)
until the board materially alters the system.
(V) For purposes of this subsection (1)(n.5):
(A) "Competent evidence" includes the use of the national fire danger rating system,
predictions of future fire danger such as those issued by the national interagency coordination
center or any successor entity, localized evidence of low fuel moisture content, and any other
similar indices or information.
(B) "County that has a substantial forested area" means a county that has at least forty-
four percent forest cover as determined by the state forester appointed pursuant to section 23-31-
207, C.R.S.
(C) "Open burning" means fire that a person starts and that is intentionally used for
forest management.
(D) "Slash" means woody material less than six inches in diameter consisting of limbs,
branches, and stems that are free of dirt. "Slash" does not include tree stumps, roots, or any other
material.
(n.7) To prohibit or restrict the sale, use, and possession of fireworks, including
permissible fireworks, as defined in section 24-33.5-2001 (5) and (11), for a period no longer
than one year within all or any part of the unincorporated areas of the county. Such an ordinance
shall be in effect for the period between May 31 and July 5 of any year only if the county adopts
a resolution specifying that the ordinance remains in effect for such period, which resolution
includes an express finding of high fire danger, based on competent evidence, as defined in
subsection (1)(n.5) of this section. However, if the county adopts a resolution specifying that the
ordinance remains in effect for such period, or any portion of such period, and subsequent to the
adoption of the resolution, a change in the weather occurs resulting in competent evidence that
the high fire danger is not present and no longer will be present during the remainder of the
period, the county shall endeavor to promptly consider whether to exercise its legislative
discretion to rescind the restrictions it has adopted on the sale, use, and possession of fireworks.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection (1)(n.7), the ordinance remains in effect
and is fully enforceable until the restrictions have been rescinded.
(o) In addition to the authority given counties under sections 30-10-513.5 and 30-15-
401.5, to enact ordinances to restrain and punish any person who gives, makes, or causes to be
given a false alarm of fire and to assess costs associated with such false alarms;
(o.5) To provide by ordinance for the regulation and licensing of alarm systems which
transmit information to law enforcement or other public safety officials located within the
county;
(p) In addition to the authority given counties under article 7 of title 29, C.R.S., and part
7 of article 20 of this title, to establish by ordinance and regulation the fees for certificates,
permits, licenses, and passes for users in order to provide the funds for recreational facility
development and to offset the costs of emergency search and rescue operations on public lands
and the construction, operation, and maintenance of recreation paths on public property; except
that areas, lakes, properties, and facilities under the control and management of the division of
parks and wildlife shall be exempt from any such fees for certificates, permits, licenses, passes,
or any other special charges;
(q) To provide for and compel the removal of any building or structure, except for a
building or structure on affected land subject to the "Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act", as
the term "affected land" is defined in section 34-32-103 (1.5), C.R.S., or on lands subject to the
"Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act", pursuant to article 33 of title 34, C.R.S., the
condition of which presents a substantial danger or hazard to public health, safety, or welfare, or
any dilapidated building of whatever kind which is unused by the owner, or uninhabited because
of deterioration or decay, which condition constitutes a fire hazard, or subjects adjoining
property to danger of damage by storm, soil erosion, or rodent infestation, or which becomes a
place frequented by trespassers and transients seeking a temporary hideout or shelter, at such
time, upon such notice, and in such manner as the board of county commissioners may prescribe
by ordinance, including the removal performed by the county upon notice to and failure of the
property owner to remove such building or structure, and to assess the whole cost of such
removal, including incidental costs and a reasonable fee for inspection which fee shall not
exceed five percent of the total amount due in connection therewith, upon the property from
which such building or structure has been removed. Any assessment pursuant to this paragraph
(q) shall be a lien against such property until paid. If such assessment is not paid within a
reasonable time as specified by ordinance, it may be certified by the clerk and recorder to the
county treasurer, who shall collect the assessment, together with a ten percent penalty for the
cost of collection, in the same manner as other taxes are collected.
(r) (I) To regulate distressed real property by requiring that such real property be
secured, maintained, and insured by the owner of such real property or, if applicable, by a holder
of a lien that has taken possession of such real property pursuant to part 6 of article 38 of title 38,
C.R.S., or any receiver appointed to take possession of or to preserve the real property. The
county may require that real property owners, a holder in possession pursuant to part 6 of article
38 of title 38, C.R.S., or any receiver appointed to preserve or take possession of real property
provide to the county planning and zoning department contact information for the person or
entity responsible for the preservation of the real property.
(II) For purposes of this paragraph (r), "distressed real property" means any real property
in foreclosure or any vacant or abandoned real property.
(s) (I) To license and regulate an owner or owner's agent who rents or advertises the
owner's lodging unit for a short-term rental, and to fix the fees, terms, and manner for issuing
and revoking licenses issued therefor. As used in this subsection (1)(s)(I), "owner's agent" does
not include a vacation rental service, except as set forth in subsection (1)(s)(IV) of this section.
(II) The licensing or regulation under the authority conferred in subsection (1)(s)(I) of
this section does not affect whether a lodging unit is a residential improvement, as defined in
section 39-1-102 (14.3).
(III) To regulate a vacation rental service; except that this authority is limited to:
(A) Requiring a vacation rental service that displays a short-term rental listing for a
lodging unit located in the county to require the lodging unit owner or owner's agent to include a
local short-term rental license or permit number, if applicable, in any listing for the short-term
rental on the vacation rental service's website or other digital platform; and
(B) Requiring a vacation rental service to remove a listing for a short-term rental from
the vacation rental service's website or other digital platform after notification by the county that
the owner of the listed lodging unit has had the owner's local short-term rental license or permit
suspended or revoked or has been issued a notice of violation or similar legal process for not
possessing a valid local short-term rental license or permit or that the county has a prohibition on
short-term rentals that applies to the lodging unit. The notification must identify the listing's
uniform resource locator (URL) or other specified digital location to be removed and state the
reason for the removal. The vacation rental service shall remove the listing from the website or
other digital platform within seven days of receiving the notification from the county.
(IV) If a vacation rental service provides additional services for the owner that are
related to the owner's lodging unit but unrelated to providing a means of offering the lodging
unit for short-term rentals through the person's website or other digital platform, then the board
of county commissioners may license or regulate the vacation rental service as an owner's agent
under subsection (1)(s)(I) of this section with respect to those additional services.
(V) To facilitate a vacation rental service's ability to comply with an ordinance adopted
by a county under the authority conferred by subsection (1)(s)(III) of this section, a county, upon
request of the owner of a hotel unit that is located in a building with one or more lodging units or
a vacation rental service on which a hotel unit that is located in a building with one or more
lodging units is listed, shall provide written verification that the hotel unit is exempt from the
ordinance because it is not a lodging unit. Multiple hotel units may be included in one request.
The written verification provided may include an exemption number or other type of identifier
for the hotel unit and a single exemption number or other type of identifier may be used for
multiple hotel units.
(s.5) As used in subsection (1)(s) of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(I) "Hotel unit" means a portion of a structure that is:
(A) Used by a business establishment to provide commercial lodging to the general
public for predominantly overnight or weekly stays;
(B) Classified as a hotel or motel for purposes of property taxation;
(C) Not a unit, as defined in section 38-33.3-103 (30), in a condominium; and
(D) Zoned or otherwise permitted by the local jurisdiction for the use specified in
subsection (1)(s.5)(I)(A) of this section.
(II) "Lodging unit" means any property or portion of a property that is available for
lodging; except that the term excludes a hotel unit.
(III) "Short-term rental" means the rental of a lodging unit for less than thirty days.
(IV) "Vacation rental service" means a person that operates a website or any other digital
platform that provides a means through which an owner or owner's agent may offer a lodging
unit, or portion thereof, for short-term rentals, and from which the person financially benefits;
(t) To require registration of businesses in the unincorporated portions of the county;
except that such power does not include the power to license, collect a fee, or collect fines for
such registrations. The county shall only publish registration information in a manner such that
the business type is aggregated and does not allow for segregation of individuals or business who
supplied the information.
(1.5) In addition to any other powers, the board of county commissioners has the power
to adopt a resolution or an ordinance to:
(a) Regulate the possession or sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine products,
as defined by section 18-13-121 (5), to a minor consistent with section 18-13-121 (3);
(b) Limit smoking, as defined in section 25-14-203 (16), in any manner that is no less
restrictive than the limitations set forth in the "Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act", part 2 of article
14 of title 25; and
(c) License or otherwise regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine
products.
(1.7) In addition to any other powers, a board of county commissioners may charge a fee
for a local license and adopt resolutions or ordinances to establish requirements on businesses
engaged in the storage, extraction, processing, or manufacturing of industrial hemp, as defined in
section 35-61-101 (7), or hemp products, as defined in section 25-5-427 (2)(d). A county shall
not impose additional food production regulations on hemp processors or hemp products if the
regulations conflict with state law.
(2) (a) (I) Except as provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), the ordinances
described in subsection (1) of this section shall apply throughout the unincorporated area of the
county including public and state lands and to any incorporated town or city that elects by
ordinance or resolution to have the provisions thereof apply.
(II) The board of county commissioners may designate, by resolution, areas in the
unincorporated territory of the county exclusively within which an ordinance adopted pursuant
to this section shall apply. The board shall set forth a rational basis for the designation and hold a
public hearing prior to making the designation at which any interested person shall have an
opportunity to be heard.
(b) Any regulation imposed prior to January 1, 1980, by resolution adopted under any
provision of law may, upon suitable accommodation to the pertinent ordinance adoption
procedure set forth in this part 4, be reimposed by ordinance. In such cases the resolution shall
continue in force and effect until the ordinance which replaces it becomes effective.
(c) Nothing in this part 4 shall be construed to affect any proceeding arising under or
pursuant to the provisions of law in effect immediately prior to January 1, 1980.
(3) Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the transportation of
sludge and fly ash or to the transportation of hazardous materials, as defined in the rules and
regulations adopted by the chief of the Colorado state patrol pursuant to section 42-20-104 (1),
C.R.S.
(4) Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the transporting of
ashes, trash, waste, rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste products or any other discarded
materials which are collected by a city, county, city and county, town, or other local subdivision
within its jurisdictional limits, provided every vehicle so engaged in transporting the discarded
materials has conformed to vehicle standards at least as strict as those prescribed in
subparagraph (II) of paragraph (a) of subsection (1). Such governing body shall not grant an
exclusive territory or regulate rates for the collection and transportation of ashes, trash, waste,
rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste products or any other discarded materials.
(5) Any provision of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section to the contrary
notwithstanding, the governing body of a city and county shall not be precluded from adopting
ordinances, regulations, codes, or standards or granting permits issued pursuant to home rule
authority; except that such governing body shall not grant an exclusive territory or regulate rates
for the collection and transportation of ashes, trash, waste, rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste
products or any other discarded materials.
(6) If the board of county commissioners or the governing body of any other local
governmental entity is providing waste services, including the collection and transportation of
ashes, trash, waste, rubbish, garbage, or industrial waste products or any other discarded
materials, within the limits of any county or other local subdivision on or after April 19, 1994,
any private person seeking also to offer those services shall first give a one-year public notice
advising of the intent to offer the services. If a private person or persons are providing waste
services within the limits of any county or other local subdivision on or after April 19, 1994, any
board of county commissioners or the governing body of any other local governmental entity
seeking also to offer those services shall first give a one-year public notice advising of the intent
to offer the services. The public notice shall be given in a local newspaper of general circulation
in the area served by the waste service provider. The requirements of this subsection (6) shall not
apply to any municipality or city and county subject to subsection (7.5) of this section.
(7) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nothing in this section shall prohibit
the providing of waste services by a private person, if that person is in compliance with
applicable rules and regulations, within the limits of any municipality, city and county, or special
district operating pursuant to article 1 of title 32, if those services also are provided by a
governmental body within the limits of that governmental unit. The governmental body may not
compel industrial or commercial establishments or multifamily residences of eight or more units
to use or pay user charges for waste services provided by the governmental body in preference to
those services provided by a private person.
(b) Subject to the limitation set forth in subsection (6) of this section and
notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection (7) and subsection (7.5) of this section or any
other provision of law, nothing in this section shall prohibit the providing of waste services by a
private person within the limits of any county or other local subdivision if that person is in
compliance with applicable rules and regulations. If services also are provided by a
governmental body within the limits of the county or other local subdivision, the governmental
body shall not compel any resident, including, but not limited to, an owner or tenant of industrial
or commercial establishments or multifamily residences, to use or pay user charges for waste
services provided by the governmental body in preference to those services provided by a private
person.
(7.5) (a) Any requirement that municipal residents use or pay user charges for residential
waste services pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of this section may be affected by
utilization of the initiative and referendum power reserved to the municipal electors in section 1
(9) of article V of the Colorado constitution.
(b) The governing body of any municipality or city and county that chooses, after April
19, 1994, to require use of or to commence the imposition of a fee for residential waste services
pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of this section in all or any portion of the jurisdiction,
including any portion of the jurisdiction annexed after April 19, 1994, may do so subject to the
following requirements:
(I) The governing body shall provide written notice to any private person who lawfully
provides waste services within the jurisdiction and shall give a six-month public notice in a
newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction prior to requiring the use or initial
imposition of the fee. The notice shall include:
(A) The date upon which, and the area within the jurisdiction where, requiring use of or
billing for residential waste services will commence; and
(B) An explanation of the option to request an opportunity to submit a proposal to
provide residential waste services to that area.
(II) Any person may, within thirty days following publication or receipt of the notice,
request in writing the opportunity to submit a proposal to provide residential waste services
within the portion of the jurisdiction where required use of those services or imposition of the
fee will commence. A request for an opportunity to submit a proposal shall suspend required use
of the services or imposition of the residential waste services fee until a request for proposal
process, as set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection (7.5), is completed. Any person who has
requested in writing an opportunity to submit a proposal to provide residential waste services
pursuant to this subparagraph (II) is eligible to participate in the proposal process. If no written
request is received within the time permitted, the governing body may proceed to require use of
or impose a fee for residential waste services without conducting a request for proposal process
as set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection (7.5).
(III) Any municipality or city and county that complies with paragraph (c) of this
subsection (7.5) shall not be subject to the provisions of section 31-12-119, C.R.S.
(IV) The requirements set forth in this subsection (7.5) shall not apply to any
municipality or city and county that is legally requiring use of or imposing a fee for residential
waste services within its jurisdiction pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of this section
on April 19, 1994, and, having complied with the notice requirements of subsection (6) of this
section applicable at the time of the initiation of such residential waste services, chooses to
extend the requirement for use of or imposition of the fee for residential waste services to areas
within the jurisdiction that have not been annexed after April 19, 1994.
(c) The governing body shall conduct any request for a proposal process required
pursuant to this subsection (7.5) as follows:
(I) The governing body shall mail a request for proposals to all private persons who are
eligible to submit a proposal. The request for proposals shall include a description of the portion
of the jurisdiction to which residential waste services will be provided and shall request a
proposed price of providing those services.
(II) When the jurisdiction issuing the request for proposals chooses to submit a proposal,
a certification of an independent auditor stating that the public entity's proposed price is not
based on subsidization from entity revenue streams or operations unrelated to the provision of
waste services shall be appended to the proposal.
(III) Following review of all proposals properly submitted, the governing body shall
award a contract for the provision of residential waste services based upon the criteria set forth
in the request for proposals.
(d) As used in this subsection (7.5), "residential waste services" means the collection and
transportation of ashes, trash, waste, rubbish, garbage or industrial waste products, or any other
discarded materials from sources other than industrial or commercial establishments or
multifamily residences of eight or more units.
(7.7) (a) If the governing body of a jurisdiction selects a proposal submitted by the
jurisdiction, any private person who submitted a proposal may request a review of the selection
as provided in this subsection (7.7). A request for review shall be submitted to the governing
body in writing within ten days following selection of the jurisdiction's proposal. The filing of a
request shall suspend the award until the completion of the review provided in this subsection
(7.7).
(b) (I) Upon receipt of a request, the governing body, or its designee, shall promptly
select a reviewing auditor to conduct the review. The reviewing auditor shall commence and
complete its review as expeditiously as practicable.
(II) As a part of that review, the reviewing auditor shall afford the person who submitted
the request for review the opportunity to present the reviewing auditor his or her views with
respect to the governing body's determination, subject to any reasonable procedures, guidelines,
and limitations as the reviewing auditor may prescribe, including but not limited to requiring that
those views be expressed in writing and submitted by a specific date and time. No person shall
be permitted to alter any previously submitted proposal in any respect.
(III) The reviewing auditor shall review each of the proposals submitted, but the review
shall be limited to determining:
(A) Whether the selection of the jurisdiction's proposal was made in a manner contrary
to the procedure set forth in subsection (7.5) of this section or in the request for proposals;
(B) Whether the selection of the jurisdiction's proposal was clearly erroneous in light of
the criteria set forth in the request for proposals; and
(C) Whether the certification of an independent auditor provided pursuant to
subparagraph (II) of paragraph (c) of subsection (7.5) of this section is materially inaccurate.
(IV) Should the reviewing auditor find that the governing body's selection of a proposal
was improper, the determination of the governing body shall be void, and the governing body
shall reconsider as expeditiously as is practicable all proposals timely submitted and determine
which proposals it will accept, giving due regard to the determination of the reviewing auditor.
No person shall be entitled to alter any previously submitted proposal in any respect. If the
reviewing auditor finds that the governing body's selection of a proposal was proper, the
selection shall be valid and conclusive and shall not be subject to further challenge or review.
(V) The reviewing auditor's fee for performing a review pursuant to this subsection (7.7)
shall be paid by the private person requesting the review; except that, if the governing body's
selection of a proposal is found to be improper by the reviewing auditor, the municipality or city
and county shall pay the fee.
(c) As used in this subsection (7.7), a reviewing auditor shall be a qualified, licensed,
independent public accountant or public accounting firm selected by the governing body and
shall certify to the governing body in writing that it is not being retained currently, has not been
retained within the previous five years, and currently has no basis for believing it will be retained
in the future by the governing body, any persons who have submitted proposals, or, to the
accountant's or firm's knowledge after due inquiry, any of the governing body's or person's
affiliates, partners, or relatives for the performance of accounting or other services.
(8) No ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, service, function, or exercise of an
authorized power pursuant to this section or section 30-11-101 (1)(f) or (1)(g) or 30-11-107
(1)(u), (1)(w), (1)(y), (1)(z), or (1)(bb) or 25-1-508 (5)(g) or (5)(j), C.R.S., shall apply within the
corporate limits of any incorporated municipality, nor to any municipal service, function,
facility, or property whether owned by or leased to the incorporated municipality, outside the
municipal boundaries, unless the municipality consents. If the municipality consents that any
ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, service, function, or exercise of an authorized power shall
apply within the municipality or to municipal services, functions, facilities, or property outside
the municipal boundaries, such ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, service, function, or
exercise of an authorized power shall be uniform within the municipality and the applicable
unincorporated areas of the county, unless the county and the municipality agree otherwise
pursuant to part 2 of article 1 of title 29, C.R.S.
(9) (a) No ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, service, function, or exercise of an
authorized power pursuant to this section shall apply within the jurisdictional boundaries of any
special district enumerated in this subsection (9), nor to any special district service, function,
facility, or property whether owned by or leased to the special district outside the special district
boundaries if such ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, service, function, or exercise of an
authorized power would duplicate or interfere with any service or facility authorized and
provided by such special district or contravene any power authorized and exercised by such
special district, unless the county is specifically empowered by law to exercise authority with
respect thereto, or the county and the special district agree otherwise pursuant to part 2 of article
1 of title 29, C.R.S.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (9), "special district" means any special district
established pursuant to article 1 of title 32, C.R.S., the three lakes water and sanitation district
established pursuant to article 10 of title 32, C.R.S., the urban drainage and flood control district
established pursuant to article 11 of title 32, C.R.S., any metropolitan sewage disposal district
established pursuant to part 4 of article 4 of title 32, C.R.S., any drainage district established
pursuant to article 20 of title 37, C.R.S., the Cherry Creek basin water quality authority
established pursuant to article 8.5 of title 25, C.R.S., any regional service authority established
pursuant to article 7 of title 32, C.R.S., and the regional transportation district established
pursuant to article 9 of title 32, C.R.S.
(10) Repealed.
(11) (a) (I) If a county is the permittee of a municipal separate storm sewer system
permit issued pursuant to part 5 of article 8 of title 25, C.R.S., the board of county
commissioners may adopt a storm water ordinance to develop, implement, and enforce the storm
water management program required by the permit.
(II) The storm water ordinance may specify that the county may:
(A) Provide for and compel the abatement of any condition that causes or contributes to
a violation of the permit or requirement from any property located within the unincorporated
portion of the county at such time, upon such notice, and in such manner consistent with the
terms of the permit as the board of county commissioners may prescribe by ordinance;
(B) Perform the abatement upon notice to and failure of the property owner to abate such
condition; and
(C) Assess the reasonable cost of the abatement, including five percent for inspection
and other incidental costs in connection therewith, upon the property from which such condition
has been abated.
(III) Storm water ordinances adopted pursuant to this subsection (11) shall include
provisions for applying for and exercising an administrative entry and seizure warrant issued by
a county or district court having jurisdiction over the property from which the condition is to be
abated. An assessment pursuant to this subsection (11) shall, once recorded, be a lien against
such property until paid and shall have priority based upon its date of recording. If the
assessment is not paid within a reasonable time specified by ordinance, the county clerk and
recorder may certify that fact to the county treasurer, who shall collect the assessment, together
with a ten percent penalty for the cost of collection, in the same manner as other taxes are
collected. The laws of this state for assessment and collection of general taxes, including the
laws for the sale and redemption of property for taxes, shall apply to the collection of
assessments pursuant to this subsection (11).
(b) (I) A county court or district court having jurisdiction over the property from which
such condition is to be abated pursuant to the storm water ordinance shall issue an administrative
entry and seizure warrant for the abatement of such condition upon presentation by a county of:
(A) Ordinance provisions that meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection
(11);
(B) A sworn or affirmed affidavit stating the factual basis for such warrant;
(C) Evidence that the property owner has received notice of the condition and has failed
to abate the condition within a reasonable prescribed period;
(D) A general description of the location of the property that is the subject of the
warrant; and
(E) A general list of corrective action needed.
(II) Within ten days after the date of issuance of an administrative entry and seizure
warrant pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b), the executing authority shall:
(A) Execute such warrant in accordance with directions by the issuing court;
(B) Provide or mail a copy of such warrant to the property owner; and
(C) Submit proof of the execution of such warrant, including a written inventory of any
property impounded by the executing authority, to the court.

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