Article II. Bill of Rights
Article II, Section 30. Right to vote or petition on annexation - enclaves
Constitution of the State of Colorado
Official text
(1) No unincorporated area may be annexed to a municipality unless one of the following conditions first has been met:
(a) The question of annexation has been submitted to the vote of the landowners and the registered electors in the area proposed to be annexed, and the majority of such persons voting on the question have voted for the annexation; or
(b) The annexing municipality has received a petition for the annexation of such area signed by persons comprising more than fifty percent of the landowners in the area and owning more than fifty percent of the area, excluding public streets, and alleys and any land owned by the annexing municipality; or
(c) The area is entirely surrounded by or is solely owned by the annexing municipality. (2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to annexations to the city and county of Denver, to the extent that such annexations are governed by other provisions of the constitution. (3) The general assembly may provide by law for procedures necessary to implement this section. This section shall take effect upon completion of the canvass of votes taken thereon.
Source: Initiated 80: Entire section added, effective upon proclamation of the Governor, L. 81, p. 2055, December 19, 1980.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Constitution (Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services)
In plain English
Unincorporated land may be annexed to a city or town only if (a) the landowners and registered voters in the area approve it in an election, (b) more than half the landowners, owning more than half the land, petition for it, or (c) the area is entirely surrounded by or solely owned by the annexing municipality. Denver annexations governed by other constitutional provisions are excepted. Voters adopted this by initiative in 1980.
Plain-English summary drafted by Christian Vote USA; editor review pending. Always read the official text above.
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