Taxation and Finance

C.R.S. tit. 31, art. 20
in effect

C.R.S. § 31-20-101 Power to levy taxes - on what property

31-20-101. Power to levy taxes - on what property. The governing body of any municipality has the power to levy taxes, the same kinds and classes, upon taxable property, real, personal, and mixed, within the municipal limits as are subject to taxation for state or county purposes in accordance with the laws of this state.

C.R.S. § 31-20-101.3 Incentives for installation of renewable energy fixtures - definitions

31-20-101.3. Incentives for installation of renewable energy fixtures - definitions. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a governing body of any municipality may offer an incentive, in the form of a municipal property tax or sales tax credit or rebate, to a residential or commercial property owner who installs a renewable energy fixture on his or her residential or commercial property. (2) For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "renewable energy fixture" means any fixture, product, system, device, or interacting group of devices that produces energy, including but not limited to alternating current electricity, from renewable resources, including, but not limited to, photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, small wind systems, biomass systems, or geothermal systems.

C.R.S. § 31-20-101.7 Property tax incentive programs for areas of specific local concern - definitions

31-20-101.7. Property tax incentive programs for areas of specific local concern - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) (I) "Area of specific local concern" means a use of real property in a municipality that is determined by the governing body of the municipality to be diminishing or unavailable based on verifiable data and which use the governing body of the municipality finds and declares necessary for the preservation of the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of the municipality, including as to matters of equity, access to housing, and access to education. (II) "Area of specific local concern" does not include a use of real property in a municipality that harms or may reasonably be expected to harm a disproportionately impacted community as defined in section 24-4-109 (2)(b)(II). (III) "Area of specific local concern" does not include a use of real property in a municipality that prevents or may reasonably be expected to prevent meeting the minimum greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and deadlines established in section 25-7-102 (2)(g). (b) "Governing body" has the same meaning as set forth in section 31-1-101 (4). (c) "Incentive program" means a property tax credit or rebate program intended and designed to directly incentivize improvement in an area of specific local concern as specified in an ordinance adopted by a governing body of a municipality. (d) "Municipal property tax credit or rebate" means a partial or full credit or refund of municipal property taxes owed or paid by a program participant in accordance with a municipal property tax levy. (e) "Municipality" has the same meaning as set forth in section 31-1-101 (6). (f) "Program participant" means an owner of real property in the municipality that has applied and meets the criteria set forth by ordinance adopted by the governing body of a municipality to participate in an incentive program and that in fact participates in the incentive program. (2) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a municipality may offer an incentive, in the form of a municipal property tax credit or rebate, to a property owner that is a program participant in an incentive program established in accordance with this section. (3) (a) An incentive program must be established by ordinance adopted by a governing body of a municipality at a hearing that is open to the public and that includes an opportunity for public testimony. The municipality must notify the clerk and recorder of each county that includes all or any portion of the municipality and that may be impacted by the incentive program of the hearing at least thirty days in advance. The notice must describe the specific area of local concern, including the use of real property, addressed by the incentive program and the proposed municipal property tax credit or rebate. Each county must have an opportunity to submit written comments and provide testimony at the hearing. (b) An ordinance adopted by a governing body of a municipality must include: (I) The governing body's findings and determinations regarding the diminishment or unavailability of a use of real property in the municipality that gives rise to an area of specific local concern that is the basis for the incentive program; and (II) Specific criteria for the qualification of program participants. (4) The opportunity to be a program participant must be equally available to all owners of the same class of real property located in the municipality whose use of their property is an area of specific local concern. (5) (a) The governing body of a municipality shall, on an annual basis, evaluate each incentive program established pursuant to this section to determine its effectiveness in improving each area of specific local concern identified in the ordinance creating the incentive program. e class of real property located in the municipality whose use of their property is an area of specific local concern. (5) (a) The governing body of a municipality shall, on an annual basis, evaluate each incentive program established pursuant to this section to determine its effectiveness in improving each area of specific local concern identified in the ordinance creating the incentive program. (b) The governing body of a municipality shall, on an annual basis, publicize the results of the evaluation of each incentive program established pursuant to this section at a hearing that is open to the public and that includes an opportunity for public testimony. (c) The governing body of a municipality may renew an incentive program for not more than one year if the governing body of the municipality determines that the incentive program has been and is likely to continue to be effective in addressing each area of specific local concern identified in the ordinance creating the incentive program.

C.R.S. § 31-20-102 Assessor to designate property

31-20-102. Assessor to designate property. It is the duty of the county assessor each year, in making his return, to designate the property situated within the limits of any municipality in such county.

C.R.S. § 31-20-103 Committee to appear before board of equalization

31-20-103. Committee to appear before board of equalization. Any governing body of any municipality has the authority to appoint a committee from its members to appear before the board of county commissioners, sitting as a board of equalization, and to recommend to said board such amendments and additions to or changes in the assessment made by the county assessor of the property or any portion thereof within the limits of such municipality as such committee may deem just.

C.R.S. § 31-20-104 Assessor to extend taxes - warrant

31-20-104. Assessor to extend taxes - warrant. It is the duty of the county assessor, when the assessment roll is prepared each year for the extension of the taxes, to extend the municipal tax upon the tax list in the same manner as other taxes are extended, carrying said municipal tax into the general total of all taxes for the year, and to include said municipal taxes in his general warrant to the county treasurer for collection.

C.R.S. § 31-20-105 Municipality may certify delinquent charges

31-20-105. Municipality may certify delinquent charges. Any municipality, in addition to the means provided by law, if by ordinance it so elects, may cause any or all delinquent charges, assessments, or taxes made or levied to be certified to the treasurer of the county and be collected and paid over by the treasurer of the county in the same manner as taxes are authorized to be by this title.

C.R.S. § 31-20-106 County treasurer to collect municipal taxes - liens - publication

31-20-106. County treasurer to collect municipal taxes - liens - publication. (1) (a) It is the duty of the treasurer of said county and he is authorized to collect the municipal taxes in the same manner and at the same time as other taxes upon the same tax list are collected. The expense of construction and repair of sidewalks, streets, paving of streets, curb and gutter, drainage facilities, or other improvements, which are placed upon municipal streets, other than pursuant to part 5 of article 25 of this title, shall be assessed in the manner prescribed by the ordinance of any such municipality upon the property fronting upon the same. Except for the construction and repair of sidewalks, no such assessments for other construction shall be made by the municipality unless approved by petition signed by not less than sixty percent of the owners of property fronting upon the same and owning at least sixty percent of the property fronting thereon. Such assessment shall be a lien upon said property until it is paid. In case of failure to pay such assessment in a reasonable time, to be specified by ordinance, the assessment, at any time after such failure, may be certified by the clerk of such municipality to the officer having the custody of the tax list at the time such certification is made to be placed by him upon such tax list for the current year and collected in the same manner as other taxes are collected, with ten percent penalty thereon to defray the cost of collection. All the laws of the state for the assessment and collection of general taxes, including the laws for the sale of property for taxes and their redemption of the same, shall apply and have as full effect for the collection of all such municipal taxes as for such general taxes, except as modified by this title. (b) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) shall be construed to repeal existing statutes concerning the power to levy taxes, charges, and assessments and the procedures for the assessments and collection thereof. (2) The county treasurer, at the close of every month and more often if the governing body of said municipality requires, shall pay over to the municipal treasurer all moneys collected by him upon the presentation to him of an order signed by the mayor and clerk of such municipality. Any such county treasurer shall be liable on his official bond for the faithful discharge of all the duties and obligations imposed upon him. (3) In case of sale of any lot or tract of ground for delinquent sidewalk tax, the same shall be advertised and sold for such tax, and the certificate of sale and deed therefor shall be made separate from the sale certificate and deed for other taxes. The amount of sidewalk tax so assessed shall not be certified to the county clerk and recorder until notice of such assessment has been published for ten days in some newspaper published in such municipality as provided by the ordinance of such municipality, giving the lot owner an opportunity to be heard before the governing body, at the time and place designated, as to the justness and correctness of the amount so assessed. The provisions of this title relating to collecting the expense of construction and repairs of sidewalks shall be construed to be for the purpose of carrying into effect the police powers of municipalities as to such construction and repairs of sidewalks and shall not be construed as imposing a special tax under the taxing power. The ordinance of such municipality shall provide for a reasonable time after the order of such municipality for the construction or repairs of such sidewalks for the owners of such lots to construct or repair such sidewalks. In case any such owners fail to so construct or repair such sidewalk in the time and manner prescribed by said ordinances, such municipality may proceed to construct or repair such sidewalk and charge such owners as prescribed by ordinance and in the manner described in this section.

C.R.S. § 31-20-107 Municipality to pay share of county expenses

31-20-107. Municipality to pay share of county expenses. The governing body of said municipality shall make in each year such allowance to be paid out of the general fund to the county as shall be a reasonable and just compensation for the extra labor imposed by this part 1 and shall also make an allowance, to be paid out of the general fund to the county in which said municipality is located, for the municipality's proportion of the expense of advertising the sale of lands for delinquent taxes in each year, the amount to be certified to the governing body by the county clerk and recorder of the proper county.

C.R.S. § 31-20-201 Fiscal procedures - budgeting - appropriations

31-20-201. Fiscal procedures - budgeting - appropriations. The provisions of part 1 of article 1 of title 29, C.R.S., shall govern fiscal procedures, budgeting, and appropriations of towns and cities organized under this title.

C.R.S. § 31-20-202 Publication - penalty

31-20-202. Publication - penalty. (1) It is the duty of the governing body of each city and town, except cities over ten thousand population, those operating under special charters, and those which have determined by election pursuant to subsection (1.5) of this section not to publish, to publish such of their proceedings as relate to the payment of bills, stating for what the same are allowed, the name of the person to whom allowed, and to whom paid. They shall also publish a statement concerning all contracts awarded and rebates allowed. (1.5) Any city or town subject to this section may determine at a regular or special election not to publish their proceedings relating to payment of bills and statements concerning their contracts. However, no city or town shall call a special election for the sole purpose of determining whether the city or town shall publish their proceedings relating to payment of bills and statements concerning their contracts. Any city or town whose citizens elect not to publish may provide an alternative for distribution of the information. (2) Such publication shall be made within twenty days after the adjournment of each regular or special meeting in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city or town where such meeting is held. If there is no reliable newspaper published within said city or town, said publication shall be made in some newspaper of general circulation nearest to said city or town within the county and the clerk shall furnish copy of such proceedings for publication. (3) Any mayor, member of the governing body, or clerk who fails or refuses to make such publication shall be subject to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than three hundred dollars and the costs of the suit for each offense; except that these penalties do not apply to the officials of any city or town which has elected pursuant to subsection (1.5) of this section not to make such publication.

C.R.S. § 31-20-301 Bond of treasurer - waiver - duties

31-20-301. Bond of treasurer - waiver - duties. (1) The treasurer shall give a bond to the city or town in its corporate name with good and sufficient sureties, to be approved by vote of the governing body in such sum as it requires, conditioned on the faithful performance of his duties as treasurer of such city or town so long as he shall serve as such treasurer and requiring that, when he vacates such office, he will turn over and deliver to his successor all moneys, books, papers, property, or things belonging to such city or town and remaining in his charge as such treasurer. The governing body of the city or town may waive the requirement of a bond. (2) The treasurer shall: (a) Receive all moneys belonging to the city or town and shall keep his books and accounts in such manner as may be prescribed by ordinance. Such books and accounts shall always be subject to the inspection of any member of the governing body. (b) Keep a separate account of each fund or appropriation and the debits and credits belonging thereto; (c) Give every person paying money into the treasury a receipt therefor specifying the date of payment and upon what account paid, and he shall also file statements of such receipts with the city or town clerk on the date of his monthly report; (d) Render an account to the governing body or such officer as may be designated by ordinance, at the end of each month and more often if required, showing the state of the treasury at the date of such account and the balance of money in the treasury. He shall also accompany such accounts with a statement of all moneys received into the treasury and on what account during the preceding month, together with all warrants redeemed and paid by him. Said warrants, with any vouchers held by the treasurer, shall be delivered to the clerk and filed with his account in the clerk's office upon every day of such statement. He shall return all warrants paid by him stamped or marked "paid". He shall keep a register of all warrants redeemed and paid, which shall describe such warrants and show the date, amount, number, the fund from which paid, and the name of the person to whom and when paid.

C.R.S. § 31-20-302 Penalty for using municipal funds

31-20-302. Penalty for using municipal funds. The treasurer is expressly prohibited from using, either directly or indirectly, the municipal money or warrants in his custody and keeping them for his own use or benefit or that of any other person. Any violation of this provision shall subject him to immediate removal from office by the governing body which is authorized to declare said office vacant, in which case his successor shall be appointed and shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term of such officer so removed.

C.R.S. § 31-20-303 Deposits - investments - interest - no liability

31-20-303. Deposits - investments - interest - no liability. (1) (a) As used in this subsection (1), the term "resolution" means a written resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the governing body, which vote is entered in its minutes. (b) Subject to the requirements of part 6 of article 75 of title 24, C.R.S., in all cities and towns in this state, the treasurer shall deposit all the funds and moneys that come into his possession by virtue of his office, in his name as treasurer or in the name of such other custodian as has been appointed by resolution, in one or more state banks, national banks having their principal office in this state, or, in compliance with the provisions of article 47 of title 11, C.R.S., savings and loan associations having their principal offices in this state which have been approved and designated by resolution. The governing body by resolution may authorize the investment of all or any part of such funds and moneys in any type of security or form of investment authorized by part 6 of article 75 of title 24, C.R.S., or by any other law of this state. All securities so purchased shall be duly registered in the name of the treasurer or other custodian appointed by resolution and, if issued in a form so permitting, shall be deposited and safely kept by him in the custody of some state or national bank located in this state. The governing body, by resolution, shall establish requirements for the sale or other disposal of securities and for the deposit or reinvestment of any proceeds, subject to the restrictions set forth in this section. For the purposes of investment of funds of the city or town, the governing body of the city or town, by resolution, may appoint one or more custodians of the funds and moneys, and such persons shall give surety bonds in such amount and form and for such purposes as the governing body may require. (2) Such funds and moneys may be deposited in said banks and savings and loan associations in demand accounts, in interest-bearing savings accounts, or in certificates of deposit for fixed periods of time at such rates of interest as may be negotiated from time to time. All interest credited or received on such deposits shall become a part of the general fund of the city or town or of such other fund as the governing body designates. (3) No city or town treasurer or member of the governing body who acts in good faith in approving and designating such depository shall be liable for loss of public funds deposited by such treasurer or his deputies by reason of default or insolvency of such depository; nor shall any such treasurer who invests any such funds as provided in this section or any member of the governing body who in good faith authorizes such investment be liable for any loss on account of such investment. (4) Subject to the requirements of part 7 of article 75 of title 24, C.R.S., funds of the city or town may be pooled for investment with the funds of other local government entities.

C.R.S. § 31-20-304 Reports - annual account - publication

31-20-304. Reports - annual account - publication. The treasurer shall report to the governing body, as often as required, a full and detailed account of all receipts and expenditures of the city or town as shown by his books up to the time of said report. Annually, by March 1 after the close of the fiscal year, he shall make out and file with the clerk a full and detailed account of all such receipts and expenditures and of all his transactions as such treasurer during the preceding fiscal year and shall show in such account the state of the treasury at the close of the fiscal year, which account the clerk shall immediately cause to be published in a newspaper printed in such city or town if there is one and, if not, by posting the same in a public place in the clerk's office.

C.R.S. § 31-20-305 Collector to keep warrants - books - pay over weekly - receipt

31-20-305. Collector to keep warrants - books - pay over weekly - receipt. It is the duty of the collector, if anyone except the treasurer is specially appointed, or the person acting in that capacity to preserve all warrants returned into his hands, and he shall keep such books and his accounts in such manner as the governing body prescribes. Such warrants, books, and all papers pertaining to his office at all times shall be open to the inspection of and subject to the examination of the mayor, any member of the governing body, or any committee thereof. He shall pay over to the treasurer weekly, and more often if required by the governing body, all moneys collected by him, taking such treasurer's receipt therefor, which receipt he shall immediately file with the clerk. The clerk, at the time of filing or on demand, shall give such collector a copy of any such receipt so filed.

C.R.S. § 31-20-306 Collector to report - annual statement - publication

31-20-306. Collector to report - annual statement - publication. The collector shall make a written report to the governing body, or any officer designated by it, of all moneys collected by him, the account whereon collected, or of any other matter connected with his office when required by the governing body or by any ordinance of the town or city. He shall also annually, by March 1 after the close of the fiscal year, file with the clerk a statement of all moneys collected by him during the year, the particular warrant, special assessment, or account on which collected, the balance of moneys uncollected on all warrants in his hands, and the balance remaining uncollected at the time of the return on all warrants which he returned during the preceding fiscal year to the clerk. The clerk shall publish or post the same as required to be done by section 31-20-304 in regard to the annual report of the treasurer.

C.R.S. § 31-20-307 Keeping moneys - inspection of books - paying over

31-20-307. Keeping moneys - inspection of books - paying over. The collector is expressly prohibited from keeping the moneys of the city or town in his hands or in the hands of any person for his use beyond the time prescribed for the payment of the same to the treasurer. Any violation of this provision will subject him to immediate removal from office. All the city or town collector's papers, books, warrants, and vouchers may be examined at any time by the mayor, clerk, or any member of the governing body. The collector shall pay over every two weeks, or more often if the governing body so directs, all money collected by him from any persons or associations to the treasurer taking his receipt therefor in duplicate, one of which receipts he shall at once file in the office of the clerk.

C.R.S. § 31-20-401 Warrants signed - countersigned - fund

31-20-401. Warrants signed - countersigned - fund. All warrants drawn upon the treasurer shall be signed by the mayor and countersigned by the clerk and shall state the particular fund or appropriation to which the same is chargeable and the person to whom payable. No money shall be drawn except as provided in this part 4; except that the governing body of a municipality may provide for the disbursement of money by check in lieu of by warrant.

C.R.S. § 31-20-402 Funds - how used

31-20-402. Funds - how used. All moneys received on any special assessment shall be held by the treasurer as a special fund to be applied to the payment of the improvement for which the assessment was made. Said money shall be used for no purpose whatever other than to reimburse the city or town for money expended for such improvement. All moneys received for account of the general fund shall be held by the treasurer in the general fund and shall be used for no purpose other than that for which they were appropriated, collected, or received except to reimburse any special fund to which the general fund may be indebted.

C.R.S. § 31-20-403 Warrant endorsed when no funds - new warrant

31-20-403. Warrant endorsed when no funds - new warrant. When a city or town warrant is received by the treasurer or collector and there is no money in the treasury to pay the same, he is directed to endorse on it the amount for which it was received and the date thereof, and from that date the warrant is to be regarded as canceled and cannot be reissued; but when the warrant amounts to more than is to be paid by the person presenting it, the treasurer or collector shall give him a certificate of the balance due him, which certificate, on presentation to the board authorized to audit claims for the city or town, entitles the holder to receive a new warrant for the amount specified therein.

C.R.S. § 31-20-404 Registry of orders - contents - inspection

31-20-404. Registry of orders - contents - inspection. Every treasurer of any city or town shall keep in his office a book, to be called the registry of city or town orders, in which shall be entered, at the date of the presentation thereof and without any interval or blank line between any such entry and the one preceding it, every city or town order, warrant, or other certificate of such town or city indebtedness presented to such town or city treasurer at any time for payment, whether the same is paid at the time of presentation or not, the number and date of such order, warrant, or certificate, the amount, the date of presentation, the name of the person presenting the same, and the particular fund, if any, upon which the order is drawn. Every such registry of city or town orders shall be open at all reasonable hours to the inspection and examination of any person desiring to inspect or examine the same.

C.R.S. § 31-20-405 Order warrants paid

31-20-405. Order warrants paid. Every fund in the hands of any treasurer of any such city or town of this state for disbursement shall be paid out in the order in which the orders drawn thereon, payable out of the same, are presented for payment.

C.R.S. § 31-20-406 Redemption of warrants

31-20-406. Redemption of warrants. When the treasurer of any city or town has any city or town funds on hand in cash to the amount of five hundred dollars or over, it is his duty to immediately apply all such funds to the redemption of an equal amount of such outstanding city or town warrants, certificates, or orders, with the interest due thereon, as may be entitled to a preference as to payment according to the order of time in which they were previously presented to the treasurer of such city or town, as evidenced by the registry of the orders of such city or town kept in his office as provided by law. For this purpose, he shall cause to be advertised for thirty days in some newspaper published in or nearest such city or town a notice that he will redeem such certain city or town orders, certificates, or warrants with interest due thereon, stating their number and amounts on presentation at the treasury of such city or town, and that, at the expiration of thirty days from the date of such notice, such orders, certificates, or warrants shall cease to bear interest.

C.R.S. § 31-20-407 Neglect in keeping register or paying - penalty

31-20-407. Neglect in keeping register or paying - penalty. Any city or town treasurer, or city or town treasurer's deputy, who fails or neglects to keep such registry or who fails or neglects to register any warrant or certificate of indebtedness of such city or town as is entitled to registry or neglects or refuses to pay such warrants or certificates in order of payments, there being then money in the treasury applicable to the payment thereof or from which the same ought to be paid, commits a class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-31.docxFetched: 10/6/2026

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