Constitution of the State of Colorado

• PreamblePlain English

Article I. Boundaries

• Article I. Boundaries

Article II. Bill of Rights

• Article II, PreamblePlain English
• Article II, Section 1. Vestment of political powerPlain English
• Article II, Section 2. People may alter or abolish form of government - provisoPlain English
• Article II, Section 3. Inalienable rightsPlain English
• Article II, Section 4. Religious freedomPlain English
• Article II, Section 5. Freedom of electionsPlain English
• Article II, Section 6. Equality of justicePlain English
• Article II, Section 7. Security of person and property - searches - seizures - warrantsPlain English
• Article II, Section 8. Prosecutions - indictment or informationPlain English
• Article II, Section 9. Treason - estates of suicidesPlain English
• Article II, Section 10. Freedom of speech and pressPlain English
• Article II, Section 11. Ex post facto lawsPlain English
• Article II, Section 12. No imprisonment for debtPlain English
• Article II, Section 13. Right to bear armsPlain English
• Article II, Section 14. Taking private property for private usePlain English
• Article II, Section 15. Taking property for public use - compensation, how ascertainedPlain English
• Article II, Section 16. Criminal prosecutions - rights of defendantPlain English
• Article II, Section 16a. Rights of crime victimsPlain English
• Article II, Section 17. Imprisonment of witnesses - depositions - formPlain English
• Article II, Section 18. Crimes - evidence against one's self - jeopardyPlain English
• Article II, Section 19. Right to bail - exceptionsPlain English
• Article II, Section 20. Excessive bail, fines or punishmentPlain English
• Article II, Section 21. Suspension of habeas corpusPlain English
• Article II, Section 22. Military subject to civil power - quartering of troopsPlain English
• Article II, Section 23. Trial by jury - grand juryPlain English
• Article II, Section 24. Right to assemble and petitionPlain English
• Article II, Section 25. Due process of lawPlain English
• Article II, Section 26. Slavery prohibitedPlain English
• Article II, Section 27. Property rights of aliensPlain English
• Article II, Section 28. Rights reserved not disparagedPlain English
• Article II, Section 29. Equality of the sexesPlain English
• Article II, Section 30. Right to vote or petition on annexation - enclavesPlain English
• Article II, Section 30a. Official languagePlain English
• Article II, Section 30b. No Protected Status Based on Homosexual, Lesbian or Bisexual OrientationPlain English
• Article II, Section 31. Marriages - valid or recognizedPlain English
• Article II, Section 32. AbortionPlain English

Article III. Distribution of Powers

• Article III. Distribution of Powers

Article IV. Executive Department

• Article IV, Section 1. Officers - terms of office
• Article IV, Section 2. Governor supreme executive
• Article IV, Section 3. State officers - election - returns
• Article IV, Section 4. Qualifications of state officers
• Article IV, Section 5. Governor commander-in-chief of militia
• Article IV, Section 6. Appointment of officers - vacancy
• Article IV, Section 7. Governor may grant reprieves and pardons
• Article IV, Section 8. Governor may require information from officers - message
• Article IV, Section 9. Governor may convene legislature or senate
• Article IV, Section 10. Governor may adjourn legislature
• Article IV, Section 11. Bills presented to governor - veto - return
• Article IV, Section 12. Governor may veto items in appropriation bills - reconsideration
• Article IV, Section 13. Succession to the office of governor and lieutenant governor
• Article IV, Section 14. Lieutenant governor president of senate
• Article IV, Section 15. No lieutenant governor - who to act as governor
• Article IV, Section 16. Account and report of moneys
• Article IV, Section 17. Executive officers to make report
• Article IV, Section 18. State seal
• Article IV, Section 19. Salaries of officers - fees paid into treasury
• Article IV, Section 20. State librarian
• Article IV, Section 21. Elected auditor of state - powers and duties
• Article IV, Section 22. Principal departments
• Article IV, Section 23. Commissioner of insurance

Article V. Legislative Department

• Article V, Section 1. General assembly - initiative and referendum
• Article V, Section 2. Election of members - oath - vacancies
• Article V, Section 3. Terms of senators and representatives
• Article V, Section 4. Qualifications of members
• Article V, Section 5. Classification of senators
• Article V, Section 6. Salary and expenses of members
• Article V, Section 7. General assembly - shall meet when - term of members - committees
• Article V, Section 8. Members precluded from holding office
• Article V, Section 9. Increase of salary - when forbidden
• Article V, Section 10. Each house to choose its officers
• Article V, Section 11. Quorum
• Article V, Section 12. Each house makes and enforces rules
• Article V, Section 13. Journal - ayes and noes to be entered - when
• Article V, Section 14. Open sessions
• Article V, Section 15. Adjournment for more than three days
• Article V, Section 16. Privileges of members
• Article V, Section 17. No law passed but by bill - amendments
• Article V, Section 18. Enacting clause
• Article V, Section 19. When laws take effect - introduction of bills
• Article V, Section 20. Bills referred to committee - printed
• Article V, Section 21. Bill to contain but one subject - expressed in title
• Article V, Section 22. Reading and passage of bills
• Article V, Section 22a. Caucus positions prohibited - penalties
• Article V, Section 22b. Effect of sections 20 and 22a
• Article V, Section 23. Vote on amendments and report of committee
• Article V, Section 24. Revival, amendment or extension of laws
• Article V, Section 25. Special legislation prohibited
• Article V, Section 25a. Eight-hour employment
• Article V, Section 26. Signing of bills
• Article V, Section 27. Officers and employees - compensation
• Article V, Section 28. Extra compensation to officers, employees, or contractors forbidden
• Article V, Section 29. Contracts for facilities and supplies
• Article V, Section 30. Salary of governor and judges to be fixed by the legislature - term not to be extended or salaries increased or decreased
• Article V, Section 31. Revenue bills
• Article V, Section 32. Appropriation bills
• Article V, Section 33. Disbursement of public money
• Article V, Section 34. Appropriations to private institutions forbidden
• Article V, Section 35. Delegation of power
• Article V, Section 36. Laws on investment of trust funds
• Article V, Section 37. Change of venue
• Article V, Section 38. No liability exchanged or released
• Article V, Section 39. Orders and resolutions presented to governor
• Article V, Section 40. Bribery and influence in general assembly
• Article V, Section 41. Offering, giving, promising money or other consideration
• Article V, Section 42. Corrupt solicitation of members and officers
• Article V, Section 43. Member interested shall not vote
• Article V, Section 44. Representatives in congress - congressional districts - commission created
• Article V, Section 44.1. Commission composition and appointment - vacancies
• Article V, Section 44.2. Commission organization - procedures - transparency - voting requirements
• Article V, Section 44.3. Criteria for determinations of congressional districts - definition
• Article V, Section 44.4. Preparation, amendment, and approval of plans - public hearings and participation
• Article V, Section 44.5. Supreme court review
• Article V, Section 44.6. Severability
• Article V, Section 45. General assembly
• Article V, Section 46. Senatorial and representative districts - commission created
• Article V, Section 47. Commission composition and appointment - vacancies
• Article V, Section 48. Commission organization - procedures - transparency - voting requirements
• Article V, Section 48.1. Criteria for determination of legislative districts - definition
• Article V, Section 48.2. Preparation, amendment, and approval of plans - public hearings and participation
• Article V, Section 48.3. Supreme court review
• Article V, Section 48.4. Severability
• Article V, Section 49. Appointment of state auditor - term - qualifications - duties
• Article V, Section 50. Public funding of abortion forbidden

Article VI. Judicial Department

• Article VI, Section 1. Vestment of judicial power
• Article VI, Section 2. Appellate jurisdiction
• Article VI, Section 3. Original jurisdiction - opinions
• Article VI, Section 4. Terms
• Article VI, Section 5. Personnel of court - departments - chief justice
• Article VI, Section 6. Election of judges
• Article VI, Section 7. Term of office
• Article VI, Section 8. Qualifications of justices
• Article VI, Section 9. District courts - jurisdiction
• Article VI, Section 10. Judicial districts - district judges
• Article VI, Section 11. Qualifications of district judges
• Article VI, Section 12. Terms of court
• Article VI, Section 13. District attorneys - election - term - salary - qualifications
• Article VI, Section 14. Probate court - jurisdiction - judges - election - term - qualifications
• Article VI, Section 15. Juvenile court - jurisdiction - judges - election - term - qualifications
• Article VI, Section 16. County judges - terms - qualifications
• Article VI, Section 17. County courts - jurisdiction - appeals
• Article VI, Section 18. Compensation and services
• Article VI, Section 19. Laws relating to courts - uniform
• Article VI, Section 20. Vacancies
• Article VI, Section 21. Rule-making power
• Article VI, Section 22. Process - prosecution - in name of people
• Article VI, Section 23. Retirement and removal of justices and judges
• Article VI, Section 24. Judicial nominating commissions
• Article VI, Section 25. Election of justices and judges
• Article VI, Section 26. Denver county judges

Article VII. Suffrage and Elections

• Article VII, Section 1. Qualifications of elector
• Article VII, Section 1a. Qualifications of elector - residence on federal land
• Article VII, Section 2. Suffrage to women
• Article VII, Section 3. Educational qualifications of elector
• Article VII, Section 4. When residence does not change
• Article VII, Section 5. Privilege of voters
• Article VII, Section 6. Electors only eligible to office
• Article VII, Section 7. General election
• Article VII, Section 8. Elections by ballot or voting machine
• Article VII, Section 9. No privilege to witness in election trial
• Article VII, Section 10. Disfranchisement during imprisonment
• Article VII, Section 11. Purity of elections
• Article VII, Section 12. Election contests - by whom tried

Article VIII. State Institutions

• Article VIII, Section 1. Established and supported by state
• Article VIII, Section 2. Seat of government - where located
• Article VIII, Section 3. Seat of government - how changed - definitions
• Article VIII, Section 4. Appropriation for capitol building
• Article VIII, Section 5. Educational institutions

Article IX. Education

• Article IX, Section 1. Supervision of schools - board of education
• Article IX, Section 2. Establishment and maintenance of public schools
• Article IX, Section 3. School fund inviolate
• Article IX, Section 4. County treasurer to collect and disburse
• Article IX, Section 5. Of what school fund consists
• Article IX, Section 6. County superintendent of schools
• Article IX, Section 7. Aid to private schools, churches, sectarian purpose, forbidden
• Article IX, Section 8. Religious test and race discrimination forbidden - sectarian tenets
• Article IX, Section 9. State board of land commissioners
• Article IX, Section 10. Selection and management of public trust lands
• Article IX, Section 11. Compulsory education
• Article IX, Section 12. Regents of university
• Article IX, Section 13. President of university
• Article IX, Section 14. Control of university
• Article IX, Section 15. School districts - board of education
• Article IX, Section 16. Textbooks in public schools
• Article IX, Section 17. Education - Funding

Article X. Revenue

• Article X, Section 1. Fiscal year
• Article X, Section 2. Tax provided for state expenses
• Article X, Section 3. Uniform taxation - exemptions
• Article X, Section 3.5
• Article X, Section 4. Public property exempt
• Article X, Section 5. Property used for religious worship, schools and charitable purposes exempt
• Article X, Section 6. Self-propelled equipment, motor vehicles, and certain other movable equipment
• Article X, Section 7. Municipal taxation by general assembly prohibited
• Article X, Section 8. No county, city, town to be released
• Article X, Section 9. Relinquishment of power to tax corporations forbidden
• Article X, Section 10. Corporations subject to tax
• Article X, Section 11. Maximum rate of taxation
• Article X, Section 12. Public funds - report of state treasurer
• Article X, Section 13. Making profit on public money - felony
• Article X, Section 14. Private property not taken for public debt
• Article X, Section 15. Boards of equalization - duties - property tax administrator
• Article X, Section 16. Appropriations not to exceed tax - exceptions
• Article X, Section 17. Income tax
• Article X, Section 18. License fees and excise taxes - use of
• Article X, Section 19. State income tax laws by reference to United States tax laws
• Article X, Section 20. The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights
• Article X, Section 21. Tobacco Taxes for Health Related Purposes

Article XI. Public Indebtedness

• Article XI, Section 1. Pledging credit of state, county, city, town or school district forbidden
• Article XI, Section 2. No aid to corporations - no joint ownership by state, county, city, town, or school district
• Article XI, Section 2a. Student loan program
• Article XI, Section 3. Public debt of state - limitations
• Article XI, Section 4. Law creating debt
• Article XI, Section 5. Debt for public buildings - how created
• Article XI, Section 6. Local government debt
• Article XI, Section 7. State and political subdivisions may give assistance to any political subdivision
• Article XI, Section 8. City indebtedness; ordinance, tax, water obligations excepted
• Article XI, Section 9. This article not to affect prior obligations

Article XII. Officers

• Article XII, Section 1. When office expires - suspension by law
• Article XII, Section 2. Personal attention required
• Article XII, Section 3. Defaulting collector disqualified from office
• Article XII, Section 4. Disqualifications from holding office of trust or profit
• Article XII, Section 5. Investigation of state and county treasurers
• Article XII, Section 6. Bribery of officers defined
• Article XII, Section 7. Bribery - corrupt solicitation
• Article XII, Section 8. Oath of civil officers
• Article XII, Section 9. Oaths - where filed
• Article XII, Section 10. Refusal to qualify - vacancy
• Article XII, Section 11. Elected public officers - term - salary - vacancy
• Article XII, Section 12. Duel - disqualifies for office
• Article XII, Section 13. State personnel system - merit system
• Article XII, Section 14. State personnel board - state personnel director
• Article XII, Section 15. Veterans' preference

Article XIII. Impeachments

• Article XIII, Section 1. House impeach - senate try - conviction - when chief justice presides
• Article XIII, Section 2. Who liable to impeachment - judgment - no bar to prosecution
• Article XIII, Section 3. Officers not subject to impeachment subject to removal

Article XIV. Counties

• Article XIV, Section 1. Counties of state
• Article XIV, Section 2. Removal of county seats
• Article XIV, Section 3. Striking off territory - vote
• Article XIV, Section 4. New county shall pay proportion of debt
• Article XIV, Section 5. Part stricken off - pay proportion of debt
• Article XIV, Section 6. County commissioners - election - term
• Article XIV, Section 7. Officers compensation
• Article XIV, Section 8. County officers - election - term - salary
• Article XIV, Section 8.5. Sheriff - qualifications
• Article XIV, Section 8.7. Coroner - qualifications
• Article XIV, Section 9. Vacancies - how filled
• Article XIV, Section 10. Elector only eligible to county office
• Article XIV, Section 11. Justices of the peace - constables
• Article XIV, Section 12. Other officers
• Article XIV, Section 13. Classification of cities and towns
• Article XIV, Section 14. Existing cities and towns may come under general law
• Article XIV, Section 15. Compensation and fees of county officers
• Article XIV, Section 16. County home rule
• Article XIV, Section 17. Service authorities
• Article XIV, Section 18. Intergovernmental relationships

Article XV. Corporations

• Article XV, Section 1. Unused charters or grants of privilege
• Article XV, Section 2. Corporate charters created by general law
• Article XV, Section 3. Power to revoke, alter or annul charter
• Article XV, Section 4. Railroads - common carriers - construction - intersection
• Article XV, Section 5. Consolidation of parallel lines forbidden
• Article XV, Section 6. Equal rights of public to transportation
• Article XV, Section 7. Existing railroads to file acceptance of constitution
• Article XV, Section 8. Eminent domain - police power - not to be abridged
• Article XV, Section 9. Fictitious stock, bonds - increase of stock
• Article XV, Section 10. Foreign corporations - place - agent
• Article XV, Section 11. Street railroads - consent of municipality
• Article XV, Section 12. Retrospective laws not to be passed
• Article XV, Section 13. Telegraph lines - consolidation
• Article XV, Section 14. Railroad or telegraph companies - consolidating with foreign companies
• Article XV, Section 15. Contracts with employees releasing from liability - void

Article XVI. Mining and Irrigation

• Article XVI, Section 1. Commissioner of mines
• Article XVI, Section 2. Ventilation - employment of children
• Article XVI, Section 3. Drainage
• Article XVI, Section 4. Mining, metallurgy, in public institutions
• Article XVI, Section 5. Water of streams public property
• Article XVI, Section 6. Diverting unappropriated water - priority preferred uses
• Article XVI, Section 7. Right-of-way for ditches, flumes
• Article XVI, Section 8. County commissioners to fix rates for water, when

Article XVII. Militia

• Article XVII, Section 1. Persons subject to service
• Article XVII, Section 2. Organization - equipment - discipline
• Article XVII, Section 3. Officers - how chosen
• Article XVII, Section 4. Armories
• Article XVII, Section 5. Exemption in time of peace

Article XVIII. Miscellaneous

• Article XVIII, Section 1. Homestead and exemption laws
• Article XVIII, Section 2. Lotteries prohibited - exceptions
• Article XVIII, Section 3. Arbitration laws
• Article XVIII, Section 4. Felony defined
• Article XVIII, Section 5. Spurious and drugged liquors - laws concerning
• Article XVIII, Section 6. Preservation of forests
• Article XVIII, Section 7. Land value increase - arboreal planting exempt
• Article XVIII, Section 8. Publication of laws
• Article XVIII, Section 9. Limited gaming permitted
• Article XVIII, Section 9a. U
• Article XVIII, Section 10. Severability of constitutional provisions
• Article XVIII, Section 11. Elected government officials - limitation on terms
• Article XVIII, Section 12
• Article XVIII, Section 12a. Congressional Term Limits Declaration
• Article XVIII, Section 12b. Prohibited methods of taking wildlife
• Article XVIII, Section 14. Medical use of marijuana for persons suffering from debilitating medical conditions
• Article XVIII, Section 15. State minimum wage rate
• Article XVIII, Section 16. Personal use and regulation of marijuana

Article XIX. Amendments

• Article XIX, Section 1. Constitutional convention - how called
• Article XIX, Section 2. Amendments to constitution - how adopted

Article XX. Home Rule Cities and Towns

• Article XX, Section 1. Incorporated
• Article XX, Section 2. Officers
• Article XX, Section 3. Establishment of government civil service regulations
• Article XX, Section 4. First charter
• Article XX, Section 5. New charters, amendments or measures
• Article XX, Section 6. Home rule for cities and towns
• Article XX, Section 7. City and county of Denver single school district - consolidations
• Article XX, Section 8. Conflicting constitutional provisions declared inapplicable
• Article XX, Section 9. Procedure and requirements for adoption
• Article XX, Section 10. City and county of Broomfield - created
• Article XX, Section 11. Officers - city and county of Broomfield
• Article XX, Section 12. Transfer of government
• Article XX, Section 13. Sections self-executing - appropriations

Article XXI. Recall from Office

• Article XXI, Section 1. State officers may be recalled
• Article XXI, Section 2. Form of recall petition
• Article XXI, Section 3. Resignation - filling vacancy
• Article XXI, Section 4. Limitation - municipal corporations may adopt, when

Article XXIII. Publication of Legal Advertising

• Article XXIII, Section 1. Publication of proposed constitutional amendments and initiated and referred bills

Article XXIV. Old Age Pensions

• Article XXIV, Section 1. Fund created
• Article XXIV, Section 2. Moneys allocated to fund
• Article XXIV, Section 3. Persons entitled to receive pensions
• Article XXIV, Section 4. The state board of public welfare to administer fund
• Article XXIV, Section 5. Revenues for old age pension fund continued
• Article XXIV, Section 6. Basic minimum award
• Article XXIV, Section 7. Stabilization fund and health and medical care fund
• Article XXIV, Section 8. Fund to remain inviolate
• Article XXIV, Section 9. Effective date

Article XXV. Public Utilities

• Article XXV. Public Utilities

Article XXVI. Nuclear Detonations

• Article XXVI, Section 1. Nuclear detonations prohibited - exceptions
• Article XXVI, Section 2. Election required
• Article XXVI, Section 3. Certification of indemnification required
• Article XXVI, Section 4. Article self-executing
• Article XXVI, Section 5. Severability

Article XXVII. Great Outdoors Colorado Program

• Article XXVII, Section 1. Great Outdoors Colorado Program
• Article XXVII, Section 2. Trust Fund created
• Article XXVII, Section 3. Moneys allocated to Trust Fund
• Article XXVII, Section 4. Fund to remain inviolate
• Article XXVII, Section 5. Trust Fund expenditures
• Article XXVII, Section 6. The State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund
• Article XXVII, Section 7. No effect on Colorado water law
• Article XXVII, Section 8. No substitution allowed
• Article XXVII, Section 9. Eminent domain
• Article XXVII, Section 10. Payment in lieu of taxes
• Article XXVII, Section 11. Effective date

Article XXVIII. Campaign and Political Finance

• Article XXVIII, Section 1. Purposes and findings
• Article XXVIII, Section 2. Definitions
• Article XXVIII, Section 3. Contribution limits
• Article XXVIII, Section 4. Voluntary campaign spending limits
• Article XXVIII, Section 5. Independent expenditures
• Article XXVIII, Section 6. Electioneering communications
• Article XXVIII, Section 7. Disclosure
• Article XXVIII, Section 8. Filing - where to file - timeliness
• Article XXVIII, Section 9. Duties of the secretary of state - enforcement
• Article XXVIII, Section 10. Sanctions
• Article XXVIII, Section 11. Conflicting provisions declared inapplicable
• Article XXVIII, Section 12. Repeal of conflicting statutory provisions
• Article XXVIII, Section 13. APPLICABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE
• Article XXVIII, Section 14. Severability
• Article XXVIII, Section 15
• Article XXVIII, Section 16
• Article XXVIII, Section 17

Article XXIX. Ethics in Government

• Article XXIX, Section 1. Purposes and findings
• Article XXIX, Section 2. Definitions
• Article XXIX, Section 3. Gift ban
• Article XXIX, Section 4. Restrictions on representation after leaving office
• Article XXIX, Section 5. Independent ethics commission
• Article XXIX, Section 6. Penalty
• Article XXIX, Section 7. Counties and municipalities
• Article XXIX, Section 8. Conflicting provisions declared inapplicable
• Article XXIX, Section 9. Legislation to facilitate article

Schedule

• Article , Preamble
• Schedule, Section 1. All laws remain till repealed
• Schedule, Section 2. Contracts - recognizances - indictments
• Schedule, Section 3. Territorial property vests in state
• Schedule, Section 4. Duty of general assembly
• Schedule, Section 5. Supreme and district courts - transition
• Schedule, Section 6. Judges - district attorneys - term commence on filing oath
• Schedule, Section 7. Seals of supreme and district courts
• Schedule, Section 8. Probate court - county court
• Schedule, Section 9. Terms probate court, probate judge, apply to county court, county judge
• Schedule, Section 10. County and precinct officers
• Schedule, Section 11. Vacancies in county offices
• Schedule, Section 12. Constitution takes effect on president's proclamation
• Schedule, Section 13. First election, contest
• Schedule, Section 14. First election - canvass
• Schedule, Section 15. Senators - representatives - districts
• Schedule, Section 16. Congressional election - canvass
• Schedule, Section 17. General assembly, first session - restrictions removed
• Schedule, Section 18. First general election - canvass
• Schedule, Section 19. Presidential electors, 1876
• Schedule, Section 20. Presidential electors after 1876
• Schedule, Section 21. Expenses of convention
• Schedule, Section 22. Recognizances, bonds, payable to people continue

Signers

• Attestation and Signers