C.R.S. Section 24-1-124
Department of natural resources

  • creation
  • divisions

(1)

There is hereby created a department of natural resources, the head of which shall be the executive director of the department of natural resources, who shall be the commissioner of mines. The executive director shall be appointed by the governor pursuant to law.

(2)

The office of the executive director, created in article 33 of this title 24, is a
type 2
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources.

(2.1)

The department of natural resources includes, as a part of the office of the executive director:

(a)

The office of commissioner of mines, created in section 1 of article XVI of the state constitution. The office of commissioner of mines is a
type 2
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources.

(b)

Repealed.

(c)

The Colorado avalanche information center, created pursuant to section 24-33-116. The Colorado avalanche information center is a
type 2
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources.

(3)

The department of natural resources consists of the following divisions:

(a)

The division of water resources, the head of which is the state engineer, as described in subsection (4) of this section;

(b)

The Colorado water conservation board and the office of director thereof, created in article 60 of title 37. The Colorado water conservation board and the office of the director are
type 1
entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their powers and perform their duties and functions under the department of natural resources as a division thereof.
(c)(Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 556, § 3, effective July 1, 2000.)(d) The state board of land commissioners, created in section 9 of article IX of the state constitution. The state board of land commissioners is a
type 1
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources as a division thereof, subject to the state constitution.

(e)

The division of reclamation, mining, and safety, created in section 34-20-103, the head of which is the director of the division of reclamation, mining, and safety, under the supervision of the executive director of the department of natural resources. The division and director are
type 2
entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their powers and perform their duties and functions as prescribed by law under the department of natural resources and the executive director thereof. The division of reclamation, mining, and safety includes the following:

(I)

The coal mine board of examiners, created in article 22 of title 34. The coal mine board of examiners is a
type 2
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources as a section of the division of reclamation, mining, and safety.

(II)

The mined land reclamation board and the office of mined land reclamation, created in article 32 of title 34. The mined land reclamation board is a
type 1
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources and is allocated to the division of reclamation, mining, and safety. The office of mined land reclamation is a
type 2
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources and is allocated to the division of reclamation, mining, and safety as a section thereof.

(III)

The office of active and inactive mines, created in article 21 of title 34. The office of active and inactive mines is a
type 2
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions as prescribed by law under the department of natural resources and is allocated to the division of reclamation, mining, and safety as a section thereof.
(IV)(Deleted by amendment, L. 2005, p. 1462, § 1, effective July 1, 2005.)(V) Repealed.

(f)

The energy and carbon management commission created in section 34-60-104.3 (1) and the office of the director of the commission, created in article 60 of title 34. The commission and the office of the director are
type 1
entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their powers and perform their duties and functions under the department of natural resources as a division of the department.

(g)

Repealed.

(h)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

and (II)(Deleted by amendment, L. 2011, (SB 11-208), ch. 293, p. 1382, § 3, effective July 1, 2011.)(III) Repealed.
(i)(Deleted by amendment, L. 2011, (SB 11-208), ch. 293, p. 1382, § 3, effective July 1, 2011.)(j) The division of forestry, created in section 24-33-201 (1), the head of which is the state forester, appointed pursuant to section 23-31-207. The division of forestry and the state forester are
type 2
entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their powers and perform their duties and functions as prescribed by law under the department of natural resources and the executive director thereof.
(k)(I)(A) The parks and wildlife commission, created in article 9 of title 33. The powers, duties, and functions of the parks and wildlife commission include the powers, duties, and functions of the wildlife commission and the board of parks and outdoor recreation. The parks and wildlife commission is a
type 1
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105.

(B)

The parks and wildlife commission includes, as an advisory council, the Colorado natural areas council created in article 33 of title 33.

(II)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

The division of parks and wildlife, the head of which is the director of the division of parks and wildlife, created in section 33-9-104. The division of parks and wildlife and the office of the director of the division of parks and wildlife are
type 1
entities, as defined in section 24-1-105.

(B)

The division of parks and wildlife includes the fish health board created in article 5.5 of title 33. The fish health board is a
type 2
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions as specified by law under the department of natural resources and the executive director of the department of natural resources.

(4)

The division of water resources includes the following:

(a)

The office of the state engineer, created in article 80 of title 37. The office of the state engineer is a
type 1
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources and is allocated to the division of water resources as a section thereof.

(b)

The division engineers, created in part 2 of article 92 of title 37. The division engineers are
type 1
entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their powers and perform their duties and functions under the department of natural resources and are allocated to the division of water resources as a section thereof.

(c)

The ground water commission, created in article 90 of title 37. The ground water commission is a
type 1
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources and is allocated to the division of water resources as a section thereof.

(d)

The state board of examiners of water well construction and pump installation contractors, created in article 91 of title 37. The state board of examiners of water well construction and pump installation contractors is a
type 1
entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of natural resources and is allocated to the division of water resources as a section thereof.

(e)

Repealed.

(5)

Repealed.

Source: Section 24-1-124 — Department of natural resources - creation - divisions, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-24.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

24‑1‑101
Legislative declaration 24‑1‑102
Short title 24‑1‑103
Head of department defined 24‑1‑104.1
State education standards review - review committees convened by department of education - youth participation - definition 24‑1‑105
Types of entities defined - creation of new entities - transfers of existing entities 24‑1‑106
Agencies not enumerated - continuation 24‑1‑107
Internal organization of department - allocation and reallocation of powers, duties, and functions - limitations 24‑1‑107.5
Nonprofit entities created or supported by state agencies and state-level authorities - requirements - legislative declaration 24‑1‑108
Appointment of officers and employees - repeal 24‑1‑109
Office of the governor 24‑1‑110
Principal departments 24‑1‑111
Department of state - creation 24‑1‑112
Department of the treasury - creation 24‑1‑113
Department of law - creation 24‑1‑114
Department of higher education - creation 24‑1‑115
Department of education - creation 24‑1‑117
Department of revenue - creation 24‑1‑119
Department of public health and environment - creation 24‑1‑119.5
Department of health care policy and financing - creation 24‑1‑120
Department of human services - creation 24‑1‑120.5
Department of early childhood - creation 24‑1‑121
Department of labor and employment - creation 24‑1‑122
Department of regulatory agencies - creation 24‑1‑123
Department of agriculture - creation 24‑1‑124
Department of natural resources - creation - divisions 24‑1‑125
Department of local affairs - creation 24‑1‑127
Department of military and veterans affairs - creation 24‑1‑128
Department of personnel - creation 24‑1‑128.5
Department of corrections - creation 24‑1‑128.6
Department of public safety - creation 24‑1‑128.7
Department of transportation - creation 24‑1‑130
Actions, suits, or proceedings not to abate by reorganization - maintenance by or against successors 24‑1‑131
Rules, regulations, and orders adopted prior to article - continuation 24‑1‑132
Transfer of officers and employees 24‑1‑133
Transfer of property and records 24‑1‑134
Subsequent powers and functions - assignment 24‑1‑135
Effect of congressional redistricting on boards and commissions - definition 24‑1‑135.5
Boards and commissions - definitions 24‑1‑136
“Information Coordination Act” - policy - functions of the heads of principal departments 24‑1‑136.5
Long-range planning for capital construction, controlled maintenance, capital renewal - policy - heads of principal departments 24‑1‑138
Mandatory donation of services prohibited
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 24-1-124’s source at colorado​.gov