State constitution
Constitution of Colorado
Data from Colorado General Assembly
Full structure of Articles I-XXIX with condensed section text. Article II (Bill of Rights) is close to the section headings; the long Article V (Legislative, incl. initiative/referendum) and Article XX (Home Rule) show principal sections and are abbreviated rather than listed section-by-section. Repealed Articles XXII and XXIII are noted as repealed. Read the complete, verbatim constitution at the source link.
Article Pr. Preamble
§ — Preamble
The people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and in order to form a more independent and perfect government, ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article I Boundaries
§ 1 State boundaries
The boundaries of the State of Colorado are the lines described by the enabling act, defining the rectangular territory of the State.
Article II Bill of Rights
§ 1 Vestment of political power
All political power is vested in and derived from the people, and all government is founded on their authority and instituted for their good.
§ 2 People may alter or abolish government
The people have the sole and exclusive right to govern themselves and to alter or abolish their form of government whenever they may deem it necessary.
§ 3 Inalienable rights
All persons have certain natural, essential, and inalienable rights, including enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring and protecting property, and seeking safety and happiness.
§ 4 Religious freedom
The free exercise of religion is guaranteed, no one may be compelled to support any place of worship against consent, and no religious test is required for office.
§ 5 Freedom of elections
All elections shall be free and open, and no power shall interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.
§ 6 Courts open; remedy
Courts of justice shall be open to every person, and a speedy remedy afforded for every injury to person, property, or character.
§ 7 Searches and seizures
The people are secure from unreasonable searches and seizures; warrants require probable cause supported by oath and must describe the place and persons or things.
§ 8 Prosecutions by indictment or information
Criminal offenses are prosecuted by indictment or information as provided by law.
§ 9 Treason defined
Treason against the State consists only in levying war against it or adhering to its enemies, and no one is convicted except on two witnesses to the same overt act or confession in open court.
§ 10 Freedom of speech and press
Every person may freely speak, write, and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty; truth is a defense in prosecutions for libel.
§ 11 Ex post facto laws; impairment of contracts
No ex post facto law, nor law impairing the obligation of contracts or retrospective in operation, shall be passed.
§ 12 No imprisonment for debt
No person shall be imprisoned for debt unless there is a strong presumption of fraud.
§ 13 Right to bear arms
The right of a person to keep and bear arms in defense of home, person, and property, and in aid of the civil power, shall not be called in question, but does not justify concealed carry.
§ 14 Taking property for private use
Private property shall not be taken for private use unless by consent of the owner, except for private ways of necessity and specified purposes.
§ 15 Taking property for public use; compensation
Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public or private use without just compensation, determined by a jury.
§ 16 Rights of the accused
In criminal prosecutions the accused has the right to appear and defend in person and by counsel, to demand the nature of the accusation, to confront witnesses, to compulsory process, and to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury.
§ 17 Imprisonment of witnesses and of the accused
No person may be detained as a witness longer than necessary, nor confined in any room with the accused.
§ 18 Self-incrimination; double jeopardy
No person shall be compelled to testify against themselves in a criminal case, nor be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense.
§ 19 Right to bail
All persons are bailable by sufficient sureties except for capital offenses and certain crimes of violence where the proof is evident or the presumption great, and pretrial detention is otherwise allowed only as the Constitution permits.
§ 20 Excessive bail, fines, and punishments
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
§ 21 Habeas corpus
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless the public safety requires it in case of rebellion or invasion.
§ 22 Military subordinate; quartering of troops
The military is in strict subordination to the civil power, and no soldier is quartered in any house without the owner's consent except as prescribed by law.
§ 23 Grand jury
The General Assembly may change, regulate, or abolish the grand jury system, and provides for the number of grand jurors.
§ 24 Right to assemble and petition
The people have the right peaceably to assemble for the common good and to apply to those in power for redress of grievances by petition or remonstrance.
§ 25 Due process of law
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
§ 26 Slavery prohibited
There shall never be in this State either slavery or involuntary servitude.
§ 27 Property rights of aliens
Aliens who are or may become bona fide residents of the State have the same property rights as native-born citizens.
§ 28 Rights reserved not disparaged
The enumeration of certain rights in this Constitution shall not be construed to deny, impair, or disparage others retained by the people.
§ 29 Equality of the sexes
Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the State or any of its political subdivisions on account of sex.
§ 30b Discrimination against persons; sexual orientation
A former provision restricting protected-class status based on sexual orientation was declared unconstitutional and is of no force; later provisions address personhood and related matters.
§ 31 Marriage (unenforceable)
A provision defining marriage as only a union of one man and one woman remains in the text but is unenforceable following federal constitutional decisions on marriage equality.
Article III Distribution of Powers
§ 1 Separation of powers
The powers of government are divided into legislative, executive, and judicial departments, and no person charged with the exercise of powers of one department may exercise those of another except as expressly permitted.
Article IV Executive Department
§ 1 Executive officers
The executive department consists of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General, each elected by the people.
§ 2 Supreme executive power; Governor
The supreme executive power is vested in the Governor, who takes care that the laws are faithfully executed.
§ 3 Election and terms
Executive officers are elected at the general election and hold office for four-year terms, subject to term limits.
§ 5 Qualifications
No person is eligible to an executive office who has not attained the required age and been a citizen and resident of the State for the required period.
§ 7 Commander-in-chief
The Governor is commander-in-chief of the State's military forces except when they are called into federal service.
§ 9 Messages to the Assembly
The Governor informs the General Assembly of the condition of the State and recommends measures.
§ 11 Veto power
Every bill is presented to the Governor, who may sign it, veto it, or veto individual items of an appropriation bill; a veto may be overridden by two-thirds of each house.
§ 13 Succession
In case of a vacancy or disability in the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and then other officers succeed as provided.
§ 14 Reprieves and pardons
The Governor may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons after conviction, except in cases of impeachment, subject to regulation by law.
Article V Legislative Department
§ 1 Legislative power; initiative and referendum
The legislative power is vested in the General Assembly, but the people reserve the power to propose laws and amendments by initiative and to approve or reject legislation by referendum.
§ 2 General Assembly
The General Assembly consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
§ 3 Terms of members
Senators serve four-year terms and Representatives two-year terms, subject to term limits.
§ 6 Classification and number of members
The Senate has not more than thirty-five members and the House not more than sixty-five, apportioned among districts.
§ 20 Passage of bills; single subject
No bill shall contain more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title, and bills are read and considered as prescribed.
§ 44 Legislative districts; reapportionment
Senate and House districts are drawn by an independent redistricting commission after each federal census, as nearly equal in population as practicable.
Article VI Judicial Department
§ 1 Judicial power; courts
The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals, district courts, county courts, and such other courts as may be provided by law.
§ 2 Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the State's court of last resort, with general appellate and supervisory authority over all courts.
§ 20 Selection of judges
Justices and judges are initially appointed by the Governor from nominees of a nonpartisan commission and thereafter face retention elections by the voters.
§ 23 Tenure and retention
Justices and judges serve fixed terms and are subject to retention elections and a mandatory retirement age.
§ 24 Discipline and removal
Justices and judges are subject to discipline, suspension, or removal by the Supreme Court on recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Discipline, or by impeachment.
Article VII Suffrage and Elections
§ 1 Qualifications of electors
Every U.S. citizen at least eighteen years old who meets the residence and registration requirements is entitled to vote at all elections.
§ 2 Residence
Rules for gaining or losing residence for voting purposes are established, and certain absences do not affect residence.
§ 8 Secret ballot
All elections by the people are by secret ballot or by a voting method that preserves secrecy.
§ 11 Registration and election laws
The General Assembly enacts laws for the registration of electors and the regulation of elections.
Article VIII State Institutions
§ 1 Public institutions
Educational, penal, reformatory, and charitable institutions are established, supported, and controlled by the State as provided by law.
§ 2 Seat of government
The seat of government is at the City of Denver, subject to change only as the Constitution allows.
Article IX Education
§ 1 State Board of Education
The general supervision of the public schools is vested in a State Board of Education.
§ 2 Free public schools
The General Assembly shall establish and maintain a thorough and uniform system of free public schools throughout the State.
§ 5 School fund inviolate
The public school fund is perpetual and inviolate, and its interest and income are applied to the support of public schools.
§ 7 No sectarian aid
No public money or property shall be appropriated to support any church, sectarian society, or denominational school.
Article X Revenue
§ 1 Fiscal year; taxation
The fiscal affairs of the State are conducted as provided, and taxes are levied and collected under general laws.
§ 3 Uniform taxation; valuation
Property is taxed uniformly and assessed at its actual value as provided by law, with specified classifications and exemptions.
§ 20 Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR)
State and local government tax increases, new taxes, and revenue or spending increases beyond stated limits require voter approval, and excess revenue must be refunded unless voters permit its retention.
Article XI Public Indebtedness
§ 1 No lending of state credit
Neither the State nor any political subdivision shall lend or pledge its credit to or in aid of any person, company, or corporation.
§ 3 Limit on state debt
The State may contract debt only in limited amounts and for defined purposes, or as approved by the voters.
§ 6 Local government debt
Counties, cities, and other local governments may incur debt only within constitutional limits and, where required, with voter approval.
Article XII Officers
§ 1 Officers to hold over
Officers hold office until their successors are duly qualified, unless otherwise provided.
§ 8 Oath of office
Officers take an oath to support the U.S. and State Constitutions and to faithfully perform their duties.
§ 13 State personnel system
A merit-based state personnel system governs the appointment and tenure of civil servants based on competence.
Article XIII Impeachments
§ 1 Power of impeachment
The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment, and the Senate the sole power to try impeachments.
§ 2 Officers liable; judgment
The Governor and other state and judicial officers are liable to impeachment for high crimes, misdemeanors, or malfeasance; judgment extends only to removal and disqualification.
Article XIV Counties
§ 1 Counties established
The existing counties are recognized, and the General Assembly provides for the organization and government of counties.
§ 6 County officers
Each county elects the commissioners and other officers provided by law, whose duties and terms are fixed by law.
§ 16 County home rule
Counties may adopt home-rule charters and thereby exercise the powers of self-government granted by the Constitution and laws.
Article XV Corporations
§ 2 Formation under general laws
Corporations are formed under general laws, and no charter is granted or amended by special act.
§ 3 Alteration of charters
The General Assembly may alter, revoke, or annul any corporate charter when injurious to the public, in a manner that does not unjustly impair vested rights.
§ 8 Eminent domain by corporations
The right of eminent domain is not abridged, and corporations exercising it must make just compensation.
Article XVI Mining and Irrigation
§ 1 Bureau of mines; regulation
The General Assembly provides for the regulation of mining and the protection of the health and safety of miners.
§ 5 Water is public property
The water of every natural stream is declared to be the property of the public, dedicated to the use of the people, subject to appropriation.
§ 6 Right to appropriate water; priority
The right to divert unappropriated water for beneficial use shall never be denied, with priority given to those first in time (prior appropriation).
Article XVII Militia
§ 1 Composition of the militia
The militia consists of all able-bodied residents of the State subject to service as provided by law, with exemptions permitted.
§ 2 Organization and officers
The General Assembly provides for the organization, discipline, and officering of the militia consistent with federal law.
Article XVIII Miscellaneous
§ 1 Publication of laws
All laws are published as provided, and their operation depends on due publication.
§ 2 Lotteries; gaming
Lotteries are generally prohibited, but the Constitution authorizes a state-supervised lottery and limited gaming in specified locations.
§ 9 Limited gaming
Limited gaming is authorized in designated cities, with taxes and regulation as provided, and proceeds dedicated to specified purposes.
§ 14 Medical use of marijuana
The use of marijuana for medical purposes by qualified patients is permitted under a constitutional framework.
§ 16 Personal use and regulation of marijuana
The personal use, possession, and regulated commercial sale of marijuana by adults is authorized and taxed as provided.
Article XIX Amendments
§ 1 Constitutional conventions
The General Assembly may submit to the voters the question of calling a convention to revise or amend the Constitution.
§ 2 Amendments by initiative or legislature
Amendments may be proposed by the General Assembly or by citizen initiative, and take effect when approved by the voters, with a supermajority required for measures that add or modify constitutional provisions.
Article XX Home Rule Cities and Towns
§ 1 City and County of Denver
The City and County of Denver is created as a consolidated municipality with home-rule authority over local matters.
§ 6 Home rule for cities and towns
Any city or town may adopt a home-rule charter and thereafter exercise all powers of local self-government not denied by the Constitution or by conflicting state law on matters of statewide concern.
Article XXI Recall from Office
§ 1 Recall of state officers
Every elective public officer is subject to recall by the voters, upon a petition signed by the required number of electors, followed by a recall election.
§ 4 Recall of local officers
The recall power extends to elected officers of counties, cities, towns, and other political subdivisions.
Article XXII Intoxicating Liquors (Repealed)
§ — Repealed
This article, which formerly prohibited intoxicating liquors, has been repealed; the regulation of alcoholic beverages is now governed by statute.
Article XXIII Publication of Legal Advertising (Repealed)
§ — Repealed
This article concerning the publication of legal advertising has been repealed.
Article XXIV Old Age Pensions
§ 1 Old age pension fund
A fund is established from designated excise and other tax revenues to provide pensions to qualified elderly residents.
§ 2 Eligibility and administration
Persons who meet the age and residence qualifications are entitled to a pension, administered as provided by law.
Article XXV Public Utilities
§ — Public Utilities Commission authority
All power to regulate public utilities is vested in the Public Utilities Commission, subject to the authority of the General Assembly and to home-rule cities' powers over municipally owned utilities.
Article XXVI Nuclear Detonations
§ 1 Voter approval of nuclear detonations
No nuclear detonation may be conducted within the State unless first approved by a majority of the voters.
Article XXVII Great Outdoors Colorado Program
§ 1 Lottery proceeds for wildlife and parks
Net proceeds of the state lottery are dedicated to the Great Outdoors Colorado Program to preserve, protect, and enhance wildlife, parks, rivers, trails, and open space.
§ 6 Trust fund and board
A trust fund is created and administered by an appointed board to make grants for these conservation and recreation purposes.
Article XXVIII Campaign and Political Finance
§ 1 Purposes
The article limits the influence of large campaign contributions in state elections and requires full and timely disclosure.
§ 3 Contribution limits
Contributions to candidates and committees are limited to the amounts set by the Constitution, adjusted for inflation.
§ 9 Enforcement
Violations are enforced through complaints, administrative proceedings, and penalties as provided.
Article XXIX Ethics in Government
§ 1 Purposes and findings
Public officers, members of the General Assembly, and government employees are required to hold the public trust and avoid conflicts of interest and improper gifts.
§ 3 Gift ban
Covered officials and their families are prohibited from accepting gifts above a nominal value from lobbyists and interested parties.
§ 5 Independent Ethics Commission
An Independent Ethics Commission hears complaints and issues advisory opinions on ethics standards for covered persons.
Full, verbatim text at Colorado General Assembly