Colorado § 44-7-105 - Enforcement - fines - suspension and revocation - injunctive relief - hearings - appeals.

§ 44-7-105. Enforcement - fines - suspension and revocation - injunctive relief - hearings - appeals.

(1) (a) (I) Subject to the fine limitations contained in section 44-7-106, the division, on its own motion or on a complaint from another governmental agency responsible for the enforcement of laws relating to the prohibition of the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine products to minors, may penalize retailers for violations of this article 7.

(II) The division, in the name of the people of the state of Colorado and through the attorney general of the state of Colorado, may apply for an injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any person from committing an act prohibited by this article 7. If the division establishes that the defendant has been or is committing an act prohibited by this article 7, the court shall enter a decree enjoining the defendant from further committing the act. An injunctive proceeding may be brought pursuant to this article 7 in addition to, and not in lieu of, penalties and other remedies provided in this article 7 and the rules promulgated pursuant to this article 7 or otherwise provided by law.

(b) In addition to any other sanctions prescribed by this article 7 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 7, the division may, after investigation and a public hearing at which a retailer must be afforded an opportunity to be heard, fine a retailer or, if the retailer holds a state license, suspend or revoke the retailer's state license for a violation of this article 7 or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article 7 committed by the retailer or by any agent or employee of the retailer.

(2) (a) A retailer accused of violating this article 7 or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article 7 is entitled to written notice of the time and place of the hearing personally delivered to the retailer at the actual retail location or mailed to the retailer at the last-known address as shown by the records of the division. The retailer is also entitled to be represented by counsel, to present evidence, and to cross-examine witnesses.

(b) A retailer that does not claim an affirmative defense pursuant to section 44-7-106 (2) may waive its right to a hearing and pay the appropriate fine.

(3) A hearing pursuant to this section shall be conducted at a location designated by the division before a hearing officer. The hearing officer may administer oaths and issue subpoenas to require the presence of persons and the production of documents relating to any alleged violation of this article 7 or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article 7.

(4) If the hearing officer finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the retailer violated this article 7 or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article 7, the hearing officer may issue a written order to suspend or revoke the retailer's state license or to levy a fine against the retailer in accordance with section 44-7-106.

(5) The decision of the hearing officer is a final agency action. Any appeal of the decision of the hearing officer shall be filed with a district court of competent jurisdiction.

(6) Any unpaid fine levied pursuant to this section, together with reasonable attorney fees, may be collected in a civil action filed by the attorney general.

(7) The division shall forward any fines collected for violations of this article 7 or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article 7 to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the cigarette, tobacco product, and nicotine product use by minors prevention fund created in section 44-7-107.

(8) Nothing in this section or section 44-7-106 prohibits a local government from imposing sanctions on a retailer for a violation of a local ordinance or resolution.

Source: L. 2018: Entire article added with relocations, (SB 18-036), ch. 34, p. 375, § 2, effective October 1. L. 2020: Entire section amended, (HB 20-1001), ch. 302, p. 1513, § 11, effective July 14.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 24-35-505 as it existed prior to 2018.