Colorado § 38-5.5-104.5 - Use of local government entity structures.

§ 38-5.5-104.5. Use of local government entity structures.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section and subject to the requirements and limitations of this article 5.5, part 4 of article 27 of title 29, and a local government entity's police powers, a telecommunications provider or a broadband provider has the right to locate or collocate small cell facilities or small cell networks on the light poles, light standards, traffic signals, or utility poles in the rights-of-way owned by the local government entity; except that a small cell facility or a small cell network shall not be located or mounted on any apparatus, pole, or signal with tolling collection or enforcement equipment attached.

(2) If, at any time, the construction, installation, operation, or maintenance of a small cell facility on a local government entity's light pole, light standard, traffic signal, or utility pole fails to comply with applicable law, the local government entity, by providing the telecommunications provider or the broadband provider notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure the noncompliance, may:

(a) Cause the attachment on the affected structure to be removed; and

(b) Prohibit future, noncompliant use of the light pole, light standard, traffic signal, or utility pole.

(3) (a) Except as provided in subsections (3)(b) and (3)(c) of this section, a local government entity shall not impose any fee or require any application or permit for the installation, placement, operation, maintenance, or replacement of micro wireless facilities that are suspended on cable operator-owned cables or lines that are strung between existing utility poles in compliance with national safety codes.

(b) A local government entity with a municipal or county code that requires an application or permit for the installation of micro wireless facilities may, but is not required to, continue the application or permit requirement subsequent to July 1, 2017.

(c) A local government entity may require a single-use right-of-way permit if the installation, placement, operation, maintenance, or replacement of micro wireless facilities:

(I) Involves working within a highway travel lane or requires the closure of a highway travel lane;

(II) Disturbs the pavement or a shoulder, roadway, or ditch line;

(III) Includes placement on limited access rights-of-way; or

(IV) Requires any specific precautions to ensure the safety of the traveling public; the protection of public infrastructure; or the operation of public infrastructure; and such activities either were not authorized in, or will be conducted in a time, place, or manner that is inconsistent with, the approval terms of the existing permit for the facility or structure upon which the micro wireless facility is attached.

Source: L. 2017: Entire section added, (HB 17-1193), ch. 143, p. 478, § 8, effective July 1. L. 2025: (1) amended, (HB 25-1056), ch. 434, p. 2509, § 5, effective January 1, 2026.