Emergency proceedings in court of record.
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-29
in effectSec. 27-29. - Emergency proceedings in court of record.
(1) If any owner or operator does not comply with an order of the manager, or if an emergency to public health exists, the manager may take whatever action as necessary to alleviate or eliminate the imminent hazard to public health, including without limitation, causing the demolition of any dwelling or part thereof concerned. Or, if any owner or operator does not comply with an order of the manager and causes or permits any such dwelling or part thereof concerned to remain vacant for a period of one (1) year, and the zoning administrator finds that such dwelling or part thereof cannot reasonably be utilized for any use by right lawful in the district in which the same is located, the zoning administration may join with the manager in causing the demolition of the dwelling or part thereof concerned. Or, if any owner or operator does not comply with an order of the manager and causes or permits any dwelling or part thereof concerned to remain vacant, and the chief of the fire department finds that such dwelling or part thereof constitutes a fire hazard, the chief of the fire department may join with the manager in causing the demolition of the dwelling or part thereof concerned and join in any other action determined necessary to alleviate or eliminate the imminent hazard to public health that requires assistance of the fire department.
(2) The manager, zoning administrator, or chief of the fire department must file an appropriate proceeding against the owner of the dwelling in district court in and for the city under these provisions before actual demolition commences. The city is entitled to recover costs arising out of the proceedings, including attorney's fees, and costs of demolition.
(3) The costs enumerated above, if not otherwise paid by the defendants or collected upon execution in the manner provided by law, shall constitute a debt owed to the city and be secured by a lien on the subject property until paid in full. In this event, the manager shall certify a statement thereof to the manager of finance, who shall record a notice of such lien with the clerk and recorder. The lien created hereby shall be superior and prior to all other liens, regardless of their dates of recordation, except liens for general taxes and special assessments. The manager of finance shall assess and charge the same against the property involved upon recordation, and such debt shall be immediately due and payable in full. If the debt remains unpaid, the manager of finance shall be authorized to collect the debt in the same manner as delinquent real property taxes.
(Ord. No. 997-95, § 1, 12-4-95; Ord. No. 1110-96, § 1, 12-16-96; Ord. No. 464-98, § 2, 7-6-98; Ord. No. 500, § 17, 9-17-07; Ord. No. 775-07, § 71, 12-26-07; Ord. No. 469-25, § 1, 5-19-25)
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_CH27HO_ARTIIHOCO_S27-29EMPRCOREFetched: 10/27/2026