Organization of Administrative Departments

C.R.S. tit. 24, art. 2
in effect

C.R.S. § 24-2-101 Application

24-2-101. Application. The provisions of this article, parts 2 and 11 of article 30, and articles 31, 35, and 36 of this title shall not be construed to apply to the judiciary nor the legislature, except when expressly specified.

C.R.S. § 24-2-102 Appointment of officers and employees

24-2-102. Appointment of officers and employees. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, such officers and employees as may be necessary in each principal department or institution of higher education shall be appointed by the head of each such department or institution in conformity with section 13 of article XII of the constitution of the state and the laws enacted in accordance therewith. (2) The head of each principal department shall certify to the governor the number of officers and employees needed or required for the operation of his or her department for the ensuing twelve-month period in accordance with article 37 of this title. (3) If, after appointments have been made to any principal department, the governor is of the opinion that the appointed personnel of any such department is in excess of its needs, the governor may require the separation of any of said appointees if ten days' prior notice of the proposed action is given by the governor to the head of any such department affected and opportunity given to such head within said ten-day period to be heard as to the necessity for the retention of all or any of said appointees proposed to be separated. The decision of the governor after such hearing shall be final and conclusive. (4) If, during any fiscal period, there are not sufficient revenues available for expenditure during such period to carry on the functions of the state government and to support its agencies and institutions and such fact is made to appear to the governor, in the exercise of his discretion, by executive order, he may suspend or discontinue, in whole or in part, the functions or services of any department, board, bureau, or agency of the state government; except that the authority of the governor to restrict the expenditure of moneys appropriated from the capital construction fund shall be determined by the provisions of section 24-75-201.5. Such discontinuance or suspension shall become effective upon the first day of the calendar month following the entry of such executive order and shall continue for such period of time, not to exceed three months, as shall be determined by such executive order. If, during any such period of time, it again appears to the governor that such deficiency of revenues still persists, from time to time, he may extend the operation of such executive order for a like period of time not to exceed three months; but the state shall not be liable for the payment of any claim for salaries or expenses purporting to have accrued against any such department, board, bureau, or agency during any such period of suspension, and the controller shall not issue nor may the state treasurer honor any warrant therefor. Elective officers shall not be subject to the provisions of this article, parts 2 and 11 of article 30, and articles 31, 35, 36, and 101 to 111 of this title.

C.R.S. § 24-2-103 Compensation of heads of departments and other officers and employees

24-2-103. Compensation of heads of departments and other officers and employees. (1) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), officers and employees of the state who are exempt from the state personnel system shall receive compensation as fixed by law. Any officer or employee who receives compensation as fixed by law shall not receive compensation or fees from more than one department or institution of higher education or in more than one capacity; except that the lieutenant governor may be compensated for any additional duties and functions relating to a department or institution of higher education as may be authorized by law. (b) If the compensation of an officer or employee who is exempt from the state personnel system is not fixed by law, the officer's or employee's compensation shall be determined as follows: (I) The governor shall determine the compensation for the head of each principal department, and the head of each principal department shall determine the compensation for officers and employees of the department. (II) The governing board of each institution of higher education, including the Auraria higher education center established in article 70 of title 23, C.R.S., shall determine the compensation for the head of the institution, and the head of each institution shall determine the compensation for officers and employees of the institution. (c) Officers and employees in the state personnel system shall receive compensation pursuant to section 13 of article XII of the state constitution and the compensation system established by the state personnel director pursuant to article 50 of this title. Officers and employees in the state personnel system shall not receive compensation or fees from more than one department or institution of higher education except as permitted by rules adopted by the state personnel director in accordance with article 4 of this title that are consistent with the overtime provisions of section 24-50-104.5. (d) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall prevent departments and institutions of higher education, including the Auraria higher education center established in article 70 of title 23, C.R.S., from sharing personnel if the terms and conditions of the personnel sharing agreement are in writing and include a provision concerning the distribution of compensation. (2) Upon declaration of a fiscal emergency made pursuant to section 24-50-109.5 (1) and the subsequent imposition of mandatory furloughs or other measures to reduce personnel expenditures, such measures shall apply not only to state personnel system employees but shall be likewise imposed upon all other officers and employees of the executive branch, if exempt from the state personnel system, except as otherwise provided by law or prohibited by contract.

C.R.S. § 24-2-105 Rules and regulations

24-2-105. Rules and regulations. The head of each principal department is empowered, subject to the written approval of the governor, to prescribe rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, for the government of his department, the conduct of its employees, the distribution and performance of its business, and the custody, use, and preservation of the records, papers, books, documents, and property pertaining thereto.

C.R.S. § 24-2-106 Restriction of number of employees

24-2-106. Restriction of number of employees. It is the duty of the governor as the supreme executive power of the state to restrict the number of employees in the various offices, boards, divisions, and agencies of the executive department to the lowest number required for efficient operation thereof. In making any appointment or in approving any appointment made by any other official of the executive department, the governor shall certify in writing that he deems such appointment necessary and for the best interests of the public service. In the exercise of his responsibility, the governor may delegate in writing to some other official the power to approve or disapprove appointments made by other officials of the executive department, subject always to final review by the governor at his option.

C.R.S. § 24-2-107 Transfer of employees

24-2-107. Transfer of employees. For the purpose of providing necessary flexibility to meet working conditions and seasonal demands, the governor has power, when he is of the opinion and so certifies in writing that it is necessary or desirable so to do, to transfer any employee of any office, board, division, or agency of the state government to any other office, board, division, or agency of the state government for such time as in the opinion of the governor is necessary.

C.R.S. § 24-2-108 Departments to share information and mailings

24-2-108. Departments to share information and mailings. For the convenience of the citizens of this state and to promote economy in state government, it is the intent of the general assembly that all principal departments, when feasible and not contrary to federal or state law, shall share as much information as possible and, when reasonably feasible to do so, shall coordinate forms, both federal and state, and shall eliminate multiple mailings to addressees.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-24.docxFetched: 10/6/2026