C.R.S. Section 32-1-103
Definitions


As used in this article 1, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)

“Ambulance district” means a special district which provides emergency medical services and the transportation of sick, disabled, or injured persons by motor vehicle, aircraft, or other form of transportation to and from facilities providing medical services. For the purpose of this subsection (1), “emergency medical services” means services engaged in providing initial emergency medical assistance, including, but not limited to, the treatment of trauma and burns and respiratory, circulatory, and obstetrical emergencies.

(1.5)

“Board” means the board of directors of a special district.

(2)

“Court” means the district court in any county in which the petition for organization of the special district was originally filed and which entered the order organizing said district or the district court to which the file pertaining to the special district has been transferred pursuant to section 32-1-303 (1)(b).

(2.5)

“Depository institution” means:

(a)

A person that is organized or chartered, or is doing business or holds an authorization certificate, under the laws of a state or of the United States which authorize the person to receive deposits, including deposits in savings, shares, certificates, or other deposit accounts, and that is supervised and examined for the protection of depositors by an official or agency of a state or the United States; and

(b)

A trust company or other institution that is authorized by federal or state law to exercise fiduciary powers of the type that a national bank is permitted to exercise under the authority of the comptroller of the currency and that is supervised and examined by an official or agency of a state or the United States. The term does not include an insurance company or other organization primarily engaged in the insurance business.

(3)

“Director” means a member of the board.

(4)

“Division” means the division of local government in the department of local affairs.

(4.5)

“Early childhood development service district” means a special district created pursuant to article 21 of this title 32 to provide, directly or indirectly, early childhood development services to children from birth through eight years of age.

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

“Eligible elector” means a person who, at the designated time or event, is registered to vote pursuant to the “Uniform Election Code of 1992”, articles 1 to 13 of title 1, C.R.S., and:

(I)

Who is a resident of the special district or the area to be included in the special district; or

(II)

Who, or whose spouse or civil union partner, owns taxable real or personal property situated within the boundaries of the special district or the area to be included in the special district, whether said person resides within the special district or not.

(b)

A person who is obligated to pay taxes under a contract to purchase taxable property situated within the boundaries of the special district or the area to be included within the special district shall be considered an owner within the meaning of this subsection (5).

(c)

Repealed.

(d)

For all elections and petitions that require ownership of real property or land, the ownership of a mobile home as defined in section 38-12-201.5 (5) or 5-1-301 (29), or a manufactured home as defined in section 42-1-102 (48.8), is sufficient to qualify as ownership of real property or land for the purpose of voting rights and petitions.

(e)

In the event that the board, by resolution, ends business personal property taxation by the district pursuant to subsection (8)(b) of section 20 of article X of the state constitution, persons owning such property and spouses or civil union partners of such persons shall not be eligible electors of the district on the basis of ownership of such property.

(6)

Repealed.

(6.5)

“Financial institution or institutional investor” means any of the following, whether acting for itself or others in a fiduciary capacity:

(a)

A depository institution;

(b)

An insurance company;

(c)

A separate account of an insurance company;

(d)

An investment company registered under the federal “Investment Company Act of 1940”;

(e)

A business development company as defined in the federal “Investment Company Act of 1940”;

(f)

Any private business development company as defined in the federal “Investment Company Act of 1940”;

(g)

An employee pension, profit-sharing, or benefit plan if the plan has total assets in excess of five million dollars or its investment decisions are made by a named fiduciary, as defined in the federal “Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974”, that is a broker-dealer registered under the federal “Securities Exchange Act of 1934”, an investment adviser registered or exempt from registration under the federal “Investment Advisers Act of 1940”, a depository institution, or an insurance company;

(h)

An entity, but not an individual, a substantial part of whose business activities consists of investing, purchasing, selling, or trading in securities of more than one issuer and not of its own issue and that has total assets in excess of five million dollars as of the end of its last fiscal year; and

(i)

A small business investment company licensed by the federal small business administration under the federal “Small Business Investment Act of 1958”.

(7)

“Fire protection district” means a special district which provides protection against fire by any available means and which may supply ambulance and emergency medical and rescue services.

(7.5)

“Forest improvement district” means a special district created pursuant to article 18 of this title that protects communities from wildfires and improves the condition of forests in the district.

(8)

“Governing body” means a city council or board of trustees and includes a body or board where the operation and management of service is under the control of a municipal body or board other than a city council or board of trustees.

(8.5)

“Health assurance district” means a special district that is created to organize, operate, control, direct, manage, contract for, furnish, or provide, directly or indirectly, health-care services to residents of the district and family members of such residents who are in need of such services.

(9)

“Health service district” means a special district that may establish, maintain, or operate, directly or indirectly through lease to or from other parties or other arrangement, public hospitals, convalescent centers, nursing care facilities, intermediate care facilities, emergency facilities, community clinics, or other facilities licensed or certified pursuant to section 25-1.5-103 (1)(a), C.R.S., providing health and personal care services and may organize, own, operate, control, direct, manage, contract for, or furnish ambulance service.

(9.3)

“Inactive special district” means a special district in a predevelopment stage that has no residents other than those who lived within the district boundaries prior to the formation of the district, no business or commercial ventures or facilities within its boundaries, has not issued any general obligation or revenue debt and does not have any financial obligations outstanding or contracts in effect that require performance by the district during the time the district is inactive, has not imposed a mill levy for tax collection in that fiscal year, anticipates no receipt of revenue and has no planned expenditures, except for statutory compliance, in that fiscal year, has no operation or maintenance responsibility for any facilities, has initially filed a notice of inactive status pursuant to section 32-1-104 (3), and, each year thereafter, has filed a notice of continuing inactive status pursuant to section 32-1-104 (4).

(9.5)

“Mental health-care service district” means a special district created pursuant to this article to provide, directly or indirectly, mental health-care services to residents of the district who are in need of mental health-care services and to family members of such residents.

(10)

“Metropolitan district” means a special district that provides for the inhabitants thereof any two or more of the following services:

(a)

Fire protection;

(b)

Mosquito control;

(c)

Parks and recreation;

(d)

Safety protection;

(e)

Sanitation;

(f)

Solid waste disposal facilities or collection and transportation of solid waste;

(g)

Street improvement;

(h)

Television relay and translation;

(i)

Transportation;

(j)

Water.

(11)

“Municipality” means a municipality as defined in section 31-1-101 (6), C.R.S.

(12)

“Net effective interest rate” means the net interest cost of securities issued by a public body divided by the sum of the products derived by multiplying the principal amount of the securities maturing on each maturity date by the number of years from their date to their respective maturities. In all cases, net effective interest rate shall be computed without regard to any option of redemption prior to the designated maturity dates of the securities.

(13)

“Net interest cost” means the total amount of interest to accrue on securities issued by a public body from their date to their respective maturities, less the amount of any premium above par, or plus the amount of any discount below par, at which said securities are being or have been sold. In all cases net interest cost shall be computed without regard to any option of redemption prior to the designated maturity dates of the securities.

(14)

“Park and recreation district” means a special district which provides parks or recreational facilities or programs within said district.

(14.5)

“Property owners list” means the list furnished by the county assessor in accordance with section 1-5-304, 1-13.5-204, or 1-13.5-1105 (2)(a) and (2)(b) showing each property owner within the district, as shown on a deed or contract of record.

(15)

“Publication” means printing one time, in one newspaper of general circulation in the special district or proposed special district if there is such a newspaper, and, if not, then in a newspaper in the county in which the special district or proposed special district is located. For a special district with territory within more than one county, if publication cannot be made in one newspaper of general circulation in the special district, then one publication is required in a newspaper in each county in which the special district is located and in which the special district also has fifty or more eligible electors.

(16)

“Quorum” means more than one-half of the number of directors serving on the board of a special district.

(17)

“Regular special district election” means the election on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of May in every odd-numbered year, held for the purpose of electing members to the boards of special districts and for submission of other public questions, if any.
(17.5)(Deleted by amendment, L. 92, p. 874, § 105, effective January 1, 1993.)(18) “Sanitation district” means a special district that provides for storm or sanitary sewers, or both, flood and surface drainage, treatment and disposal works and facilities, or solid waste disposal facilities or waste services, and all necessary or proper equipment and appurtenances incident thereto.

(19)

“Secretary” means the secretary of the board.

(19.5)

“Solid waste” shall have the same definition as specified in section
30-20-101 (6), C.R.S.

(20)

“Special district” means any quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision organized or acting pursuant to the provisions of this article. “Special district” does not include any entity organized or acting pursuant to the provisions of article 8 of title 29, article 20 of title 30, article 25 of title 31, or articles 41 to 50 of title 37, C.R.S.

(21)

“Special election” means any election called by the board for submission of public questions and other matters. The election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February, May, October, or December, in November of even-numbered years or on the first Tuesday in November of odd-numbered years. Any special district may petition a district court judge who has jurisdiction in such district for permission to hold a special election on a day other than those specified in this subsection (21). The district court judge may grant permission only upon a finding that an election on the days specified would be impossible or impracticable or upon a finding that an unforeseeable emergency would require an election on a day other than those specified.

(22)

“Taxable property” means real or personal property subject to general ad valorem taxes. “Taxable property” does not include the ownership of property on which a specific ownership tax is paid pursuant to law.

(23)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

“Taxpaying elector” means an eligible elector of a special district who, or whose spouse or civil union partner, owns taxable real or personal property within the special district or the area to be included in or excluded from the special district, whether the person resides within the special district or not.

(b)

A person who is obligated to pay taxes under a contract to purchase taxable property within the special district shall be considered an owner within the meaning of this subsection (23).

(c)

For all elections and petitions that require ownership of real property or land, the ownership of a mobile home as defined in section 38-12-201.5 (5) or 5-1-301 (29), or a manufactured home as defined in section 42-1-102 (48.8), is sufficient to qualify as ownership of real property or land for the purpose of voting rights and petitions.

(23.2)

“Tunnel” means one or more holes under or through the ground, mountains, rock formations, or other natural or man-made material, including roads, railroads, pipelines, and other means of transporting vehicles, people, or goods through any such tunnel, whether located in the tunnel or, to the extent the same connects the tunnel to other similar facilities, located outside the tunnel. “Tunnel” also means any ventilation, drainage, and support facilities, toll collection facilities, administrative facilities, and other facilities necessary or convenient to the acquisition, construction, improvement, equipping, operation, or maintenance of the tunnel or to the operation of the tunnel district, whether located within or without the tunnel.

(23.5)

“Tunnel district” means a special district which provides a tunnel.

(24)

“Water and sanitation district” means a special district which provides both water district and sanitation district services.

(25)

“Water district” means a special district which supplies water for domestic and other public and private purposes by any available means and provides all necessary or proper reservoirs, treatment works and facilities, equipment, and appurtenances incident thereto.

Source: Section 32-1-103 — Definitions, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-32.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

32‑1‑101
Short title
32‑1‑102
Legislative declaration
32‑1‑103
Definitions
32‑1‑104
Establishment of a special districts file
32‑1‑104.5
Audit and budget requirements - election results - description on state websites
32‑1‑104.8
Information statement regarding taxes and debt
32‑1‑105
Notice of organization, dissolution, name change, or boundary change
32‑1‑106
Repetitioning of elections - time limits
32‑1‑107
Service area of special districts
32‑1‑108
Correction of faulty notices
32‑1‑109
Early hearings
32‑1‑110
Construction with other laws
32‑1‑111
Validation of special districts - bonds
32‑1‑112
Validation of boundaries of metropolitan districts
32‑1‑113
Liberal construction
32‑1‑201
Applicability
32‑1‑202
Filing of service plan required - report of filing - contents - fee
32‑1‑203
Action on service plan - criteria
32‑1‑204
Public hearing on service plan - procedures - decision
32‑1‑204.5
Approval by municipality
32‑1‑204.7
Approval by an annexing municipality
32‑1‑205
Resolution of approval required
32‑1‑206
Judicial review
32‑1‑207
Compliance - modification - enforcement
32‑1‑208
Statement of purposes - districts without service plans
32‑1‑209
Submission of information
32‑1‑301
Petition for organization
32‑1‑302
Bond of petitioners
32‑1‑303
Court jurisdiction - transfer of file - judge not disqualified
32‑1‑304
Notice of court hearing
32‑1‑304.5
Court hearing not required - health service district - health assurance district
32‑1‑305
Court hearing - election - declaration of organization
32‑1‑305.5
Organizational election - new special district - first directors
32‑1‑306
Filing decree
32‑1‑307
Park and recreation districts - metropolitan districts providing parks and recreational facilities or programs - exclusion proviso
32‑1‑308
Applicability of article to existing districts and validation - districts being organized
32‑1‑401
Inclusion of territory - procedure
32‑1‑401.5
Fire protection districts - inclusion of personalty
32‑1‑402
Effect of inclusion order
32‑1‑501
Exclusion of property by fee owners or board - procedure
32‑1‑502
Exclusion of property within municipality - procedure
32‑1‑503
Effect of exclusion order
32‑1‑601
Definitions
32‑1‑602
Procedure for consolidation
32‑1‑602.5
Consolidation and review by administrative action
32‑1‑603
Procedure after consolidation election
32‑1‑604
Advisory board members
32‑1‑605
Special election provisions for consolidated districts
32‑1‑606
Bonded indebtedness of consolidated districts
32‑1‑606.5
Elector approval of financial obligations of consolidating districts
32‑1‑607
Powers
32‑1‑608
Subsequent consolidations
32‑1‑701
Initiation - petition - procedure
32‑1‑702
Requirements for dissolution petition
32‑1‑703
Notice of filing petition
32‑1‑704
Conditions necessary for dissolution - permissible provisions - hearings - court powers
32‑1‑705
Election notice
32‑1‑706
Conduct of election
32‑1‑707
Order of dissolution - conditions attached
32‑1‑708
Disposition of remaining funds - unpaid tax or levies
32‑1‑709
Dissolution of health service district - limitation
32‑1‑710
Dissolution by administrative action
32‑1‑801
Legislative declaration - applicability
32‑1‑802
Acts and elections conducted pursuant to provisions which refer to qualified electors
32‑1‑803
Acts and elections conducted pursuant to provisions which refer to registered electors
32‑1‑803.5
Organizational election - new special district
32‑1‑804
Board to conduct elections - combined election - time for special election
32‑1‑805.5
Ranked voting methods
32‑1‑806
Persons entitled to vote at special district elections
32‑1‑807
Nonapplicability of criminal penalties
32‑1‑808
Transfer of property title to qualify electors - limitations - validation
32‑1‑809
Notice to electors
32‑1‑901
Oath or affirmation and bond of directors
32‑1‑902
Organization of board - compensation - disclosure
32‑1‑902.5
Increasing the number of board members
32‑1‑902.7
Director districts
32‑1‑903
Meetings - definitions
32‑1‑904
Office
32‑1‑905
Vacancies
32‑1‑906
Directors subject to recall - applicability of laws
32‑1‑907
Recall election - resignation
32‑1‑908
Recall procedures
32‑1‑909
Recall petition - designated election official - approval as to form - definition
32‑1‑910
Petition in sections - signing - affidavit - review - tampering with petition
32‑1‑911
Resignation - vacancy filled - election - ballot - nomination
32‑1‑912
Incumbent not recalled - reimbursement - definition
32‑1‑913
Second recall petition
32‑1‑914
Powers of designated election official and county clerk and recorder
32‑1‑915
Costs of recall
32‑1‑1001
Common powers - definitions
32‑1‑1002
Fire protection districts - additional powers and duties
32‑1‑1003
Health service districts - additional powers
32‑1‑1003.5
Health assurance districts - additional powers - legislative declaration - definitions
32‑1‑1004
Metropolitan districts - additional powers and duties
32‑1‑1005
Park and recreation districts - additional powers - limitations
32‑1‑1006
Sanitation, water and sanitation, or water districts - additional powers - special provisions
32‑1‑1007
Ambulance districts - additional powers - special provisions
32‑1‑1008
Tunnel districts - additional powers - special provisions
32‑1‑1009
Regional tourism projects
32‑1‑1101
Common financial powers - definition
32‑1‑1101.5
Special district debt - quinquennial findings of reasonable diligence
32‑1‑1101.7
Establishment of special improvement districts within the boundaries of a special district
32‑1‑1103
Special financial provisions - health service districts
32‑1‑1105
Special financial provisions - tunnel districts
32‑1‑1106
Special financial provisions - metropolitan districts that provide fire protection, parks or recreational facilities or programs, street improvement, safety protection, or transportation services
32‑1‑1201
Procedure
32‑1‑1202
County officers to levy and collect - lien
32‑1‑1203
Sale for delinquencies
32‑1‑1204
Liability of property included or excluded from district
32‑1‑1301
Legislative declaration - applicability
32‑1‑1302
Refunding bonds
32‑1‑1303
Limitations upon issuance
32‑1‑1304
Use of proceeds of refunding bonds
32‑1‑1305
Combination of refunding and other bonds
32‑1‑1306
Board’s determination final
32‑1‑1307
Construction of part 13
32‑1‑1401
Legislative declaration
32‑1‑1402
Definitions
32‑1‑1403
Petition
32‑1‑1403.5
Notice and hearing by board
32‑1‑1404
Powers
32‑1‑1405
Powers not limited by this part 14
32‑1‑1406
Validation of bankruptcy filings and approvals
32‑1‑1601
Legislative declaration
32‑1‑1602
Definitions
32‑1‑1603
Separate mill levies - certification to county commissioners
32‑1‑1604
Recording
32‑1‑1605
Limitations on actions - prior law
32‑1‑1701
Legislative declaration
32‑1‑1702
New business facilities - expanded or existing business facilities - incentives - limitations - authority to exceed revenue-raising limitation
32‑1‑1801
Short title
32‑1‑1802
Legislative declaration
32‑1‑1803
Definitions
32‑1‑1804
Integrated project delivery contracts - authorization - effect of other laws
32‑1‑1805
Integrated project delivery contracting process - prequalification of participating entities - apprentice training
32‑1‑1806
Requests for proposals - evaluation and award of integrated project delivery contracts
32‑1‑1807
Supplemental provisions
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 32-1-103’s source at colorado​.gov