Colorado § 31-2-206 - Charter commission.

§ 31-2-206. Charter commission.

(1) The charter commission shall be comprised as follows:

(a) In municipalities having a population of less than two thousand, nine members; and

(b) In municipalities having a population of at least two thousand, nine members unless the initiating ordinance or petition establishes a higher odd-number of members not to exceed twenty-one members.

(c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 1191, § 89, effective July 1, 1994.)

(2) If the petition or ordinance initiating home rule proceedings pursuant to section 31-2-204 (1) or initiating proceedings for forming a new charter commission pursuant to section 31-2-210 (2) specifies that the members of the charter commission shall be elected by and from single- or multi-member districts or by a combination of such districts and at-large representation, the governing body, prior to publishing the notice provided for in section 31-2-204 (2) or 31-2-210 (4), shall divide the municipality into compact districts of approximately equal population. In such event the members of said charter commission shall be elected by and from districts, or partly by and from districts and partly at large, as specified in said petition or ordinance.

(3) Eligibility to serve on the charter commission shall extend to all registered electors of the municipality. Any vacancy on the charter commission shall be filled by appointment of the governing body.

(4) The charter commission shall meet at a time and date set by the governing body, which shall be not more than twenty days subsequent to the certification of the election, for the purpose of organizing itself. At such meeting, the commission members shall elect a chairman, a secretary, and such other officers as they deem necessary, all of which officers shall be members of the commission. The commission may adopt rules of procedure for its operations and proceedings. A majority of the commission members shall constitute a quorum for transacting business. Further meetings of the commission shall be held upon call of the chairman or a majority of the members. All meetings shall be open to the public.

(5) The commission may employ a staff; consult and retain experts; and purchase, lease, or otherwise provide for such supplies, materials, and equipment as it deems necessary. Upon completion of its work, the commission shall be dissolved, and all property of the commission shall become the property of the municipality.

(6) The governing body may accept funds, grants, gifts, and services for the commission from the state of Colorado, or the United States government, or any agencies or departments thereof, or from any other public or private source.

(7) Reasonable expenses of the charter commission shall be paid out of the general funds of the municipality, upon written verification made by the commission chairman and secretary, and the governing body shall adopt such supplemental appropriation ordinances as may be necessary to support such expenditures. Members of the commission shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(8) The charter commission may conduct interviews and make investigations in the preparation of a charter, and, to the fullest extent practicable, municipal officials and employees shall cooperate with the commission by providing information, advice, and assistance.

(9) The charter commission shall hold at least one public hearing in preparation of a proposed charter.

(10) Within one hundred eighty days after its election, the charter commission shall submit to the governing body a proposed charter.

Source: L. 75: Entire title R&RE, p. 1014, § 1, effective July 1. L. 81: (1)(b) amended and (1)(c) added, p. 1491, § 7, effective June 5. L. 94: (1) amended, p. 1191, § 89, effective July 1. L. 2009: (2) amended, (SB 09-292), ch. 369, p. 1977, § 106, effective August 5. L. 2011: (4) and (10) amended, (HB 11-1122), ch. 63, p. 164, § 1, effective September 1.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 31-2-106 as it existed prior to 1975.