§ 33-33-101. Short Title
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Colorado Natural Areas Act”. Source: L. 88: Entire article added, p. 1174, § 1, effective March 23.
§ 33-33-102. Legislative Declaration
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that certain lands and waters of this state representing diverse ecosystems, ecological communities, and other natural features or phenomena, which are our natural heritage, are increasingly threatened with irreversible change and are in need of special identification and protection and that it is in the public interest of […]
§ 33-33-103. Definitions
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires: “Articles” or “articles of designation” means the documents filed by or at the direction of the owner of a natural area or a government agency having ownership or control thereof with the commission and accepted by the commission in the process of the designation of […]
§ 33-33-104. Colorado Natural Areas Program
There is hereby established a statewide Colorado natural areas program to implement the intent and provisions of this article. The program shall be administered by the commission through the division with the advice of the council. The program shall identify and protect certain natural areas in this state which provide, among other benefits, the following […]
§ 33-33-105. Powers and Duties of the Commission – Rules
The commission, through the division and with the advice of the council, shall administer the program in accordance with this article and has the following additional powers and duties: To establish and continue an inventory and a registry; To establish criteria by which inventoried natural areas can be evaluated and selected for the registry and […]
§ 33-33-106. Colorado Natural Areas Council
There is hereby created the Colorado natural areas council as an advisory council to the commission. The council shall advise the commission on the administration of the program and shall approve the registry and recommend the designation of natural areas by the commission. The council consists of the following seven members: One member each from […]
§ 33-33-107. Responsibilities of the Council
The council has the following responsibilities: To establish procedures for the conduct of council business; To review the inventory and to approve the registry; To review and make recommendations on the commission’s criteria for and selection of natural areas to be included in the registry and the system; except that no area shall be included […]
§ 33-33-108. Designation of a Natural Area
A natural area that has been found by the commission, pursuant to its criteria, to be desirable for inclusion within the system and which inclusion has been approved by the owner of the land, becomes a designated natural area when articles of designation have been filed with the commission by the owner of the land […]
§ 33-33-109. Effect of Article – Rights of Property Owners – Water Rights – Prior Designations
Nothing in this article shall be construed as: Diminishing the rights of owners of property as provided in the constitution of this state or in the constitution of the United States; Modifying or amending existing laws or court decrees with respect to the determination or administration of water rights; Affecting any previous designation of an […]
§ 33-33-110. Public Entities Urged to Encourage Designation of Natural Areas
State agencies, counties, municipalities, institutions of higher education, and all other entities and institutions of the state and its political subdivisions are empowered and urged to recommend to the commission natural areas within their jurisdictions for inclusion in the system. Source: L. 88: Entire article added, p. 1179, § 1, effective March 23. L. 2012: […]
§ 33-33-111. Periodic Evaluation to Be Made by Commission
The commission shall make an evaluation of each designated natural area every three years, or more often as it deems necessary, to determine whether it is being administered in accordance with the conditions and provisions of the articles of designation. If such conditions and provisions are not being met, the commission may remove the area […]
§ 33-33-112. Supplemental Protection
The provisions of this article shall supplement and not replace or otherwise affect any existing protective status that a designated natural area may have under any other law. Source: L. 88: Entire article added, p. 1179, § 1, effective March 23.
§ 33-33-113. Legislative Review – Termination
The council terminates on September 1, 2024, unless the general assembly votes to renew the legislative mandate of this article. Absent a vote to renew the legislative mandate of this article, the council shall cease all operations within a twelve-month period after September 1, 2024. Prior to the termination, the department of regulatory agencies shall […]