NATURAL AREAS

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 39, art. VIII

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 39-191 Definitions.

Sec. 39-191. - Definitions. The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them: (1) Natural area. A geographical area of land of either geologic or biologic significance which retains, has had reestablished, or has the potential to reestablish many aspects of its natural character. Such an area could now or in the future support native vegetation, associated biological and geological features, or provide habitat for indigenous wildlife or plant species. Such an area could host geological, scenic, or other natural features of scientific, aesthetic, or educational value. (2) City park land. Any parks, parkways, mountain parks and other recreational facilities, as well as other land, waterways and water bodies, owned, operated or controlled by the department of parks and recreation. (3) City property. Any land, waterways and water bodies owned, operated, or controlled by any department, office, agency, board, or other subsidiary of the City and County of Denver, except the department of parks and recreation. (4) Other governmental property. Any land, waterways and water bodies owned, operated, or controlled by any governing body, department, agency or political subdivision of the federal government and the state or of any county, municipality, school district, special district, authority, or other public entity, except the City and County of Denver. (5) Conservation easement. As defined and provided for in Article 30.5 of Title 38 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. (6) Cooperative agreement. As provided for in section A4.4-6 of the City Charter. (Ord. No. 764-97, § 1, 11-3-97)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 39-192 Natural area designation and preservation.

Sec. 39-192. - Natural area designation and preservation. (a) Under section A4.4-1 of the City Charter, the manager of parks and recreation has the power and authority to adopt rules and regulations for the management, operation and control of city park land, including the power to adopt rules and regulations for the designation and preservation of natural areas contained within said city park land. (b) Subject to any executive order or interdepartmental agreements directing or allowing the designation and preservation of city property as natural areas, the manager of parks and recreation shall have the power and authority to adopt rules and regulations for the designation and preservation of natural areas contained within said city property. (c) Subject to any cooperative agreements of an intergovernmental nature entered regarding the designation and preservation of other governmental property as natural areas, the manager of parks and recreation shall have the power and authority to adopt rules and regulations for the designation and preservation of natural areas contained within said other governmental property. (d) Subject to any private easements or agreements, conservation easements, or cooperative agreements entered regarding the designation and preservation of private property as natural areas, the manager of parks and recreation shall have the power and authority to adopt rules and regulations for the designation and preservation of natural areas contained within said private property. (e) All rules and regulations authorized by the City Charter or under this section shall be adopted in accordance with section 39-2 of the Revised Municipal Code and shall be enforced in accordance with sections 39-1 and 39-3 through 39-22, inclusive, of the Revised Municipal Code. Notwithstanding any provision of Article I of this chapter to the contrary, sections 39-1 through 39-22, inclusive, shall be applicable to, and enforceable upon, all property designated as natural areas, subject to any limitations set forth in this article. The rules and regulations may set forth classifications, criteria, procedures, and public process for designating and preserving natural areas as well as regulatory requirements controlling public access to and use of the natural areas. (f) Any rule or regulation adopted by the manager of parks and recreation and applicable to properties other than city park land may not supersede existing contract rights or property interests, including easements and leases, and may not be enforced in any manner that interferes with existing uses or purposes of the properties except as expressly provided in any applicable executive order, interdepartmental agreement, cooperative agreement, conservation easement, or private easement or agreement. (Ord. No. 764-97, § 1, 11-3-97)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 39-193 Park and open space preservation.

Sec. 39-193. - Park and open space preservation. (a) (1) Construction of any commercial or residential building on land designated as a city park or protected by a city-owned conservation easement and (2) any partial or complete termination, release, extinguishment, or abandonment of a city-owned conservation easement are prohibited without the approval of a majority of the registered electors voting in a regularly scheduled or special municipal election. (b) The prohibitions of this section 39-193 do not apply to: (1) construction of and/or improvements to buildings used for limited commercial purposes related to cultural facilities or for park or recreational purposes, and (2) construction of and/or improvements to infrastructure on land protected by a city-owned conservation easement for limited commercial purposes consistent with the conservation easement, and (3) conservation easement cancellation related to the city's acquisition of the protected land for designated park purposes. (c) If any section, paragraph, clause or other portion of this section is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the validity of the remaining portions of this section shall not be affected. (Ord. No. 301-21, § 1, 11-19-21)

Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH39PARE_ARTVIIINAARFetched: 10/27/2026