Home Rule Cities and Towns

This chapter explains Article XX of the Colorado Constitution, which establishes the right of home rule for cities and towns. Added in 1902, The article created the City and County of Denver, invested it with broad home rule powers and Colorado’s first initiative and veto referendum provisions, and authorized other cities to adopt home rule charters. A 1912 citizens’ initiative revised Section 6 to make home rule powers more specific and available to more municipalities. The 1970 addition of Section 16 authorized home rule for counties. Sections 10 through 13 were added in 1998 to establish the City and County of Broomfield. with powers and structure similar to Denver. The article’s terms leave much to judicial interpretation. Hotly contested issues have included oil and gas regulation, eminent domain powers, rent control, and gun control.