The
Government of Colorado is guarded and established by the Colorado Constitution. Colorado became a 38th state of the United States on August 1, 1876
[1]. The government of Colorado is divided into three distinct branches, namely the Executive branch, the Legislative branch and the Judicial branch.
Executive Branch of Colorado
The Colorado Executive Branch is a well functioning body of the government of Colorado and several state government departments work under the executive branch. The
Governor of Colorado leads the government as well as the state as the chief executive head. The governor may serve the State for a four year term. He/she must be at least 30 years of age prior to election and must be a citizen of the United States. Additionally he/she must be Colorado's resident for minimum 2 years prior the election. The governor as the state’s chief administrator is responsible to oversee the proper functioning of all the state departments and offices. The governor of Colorado also has the unilateral power to forbid the law enacted by the state legislature which can be accomplished by attaining simple majority within the upper house and the lower house.
Office of the Governor136 State Capitol Bldg
Denver, CO 80203
Constituent Help Line: (303) 866-2885
Governor's Front Office: (303) 866-2471
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovHickenlooper/CBON/1249674240538 The
Lieutenant governor of Colorado may exercise the governor’s duties only in situations when the governor is incapable of performing his/her duties due to death, resignation, impeachment, termination from office, or other disability. Based on whether he/she is a member of the cabinet of the governor, executive authority may or may not be rendered to the lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor is also elected for a four year term.
Office of the Lieutenant Governor130 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-2087
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/LtGovGarcia/CBON/1249674703146 The other elected executive officials are Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State. Each may serve the state for a four-year term.
Attorney General
The Attorney General is the highest ranking law enforcement officer for the state. He/she is the head of the Department of Law, and is regarded as the State's chief legal officer. He/she is a representative of the state and its agencies in court cases, renders legal counsel to state agencies and is also answerable in written format to the state official's questions of law.
Contact Details:Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center
1300 Broadway, 10th Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: 720-508-6000
Fax: 720-508-6030
Email: Attorney.General@state.co.us
Consumer Line: 800-222-4444
Website:
http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/
Secretary of StateThe Secretary of State is a constitutionally elected official in the executive branch of state government. The secretary has many duties and responsibilities to fulfill for the state, including administration of elections and providing certain business services to the public. The Business Services Division of the Secretary of State must perform the duties of filing varied statutorily required documents.
Colorado Department of State
1700 Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80290
Phone: 303-894-2200
Website:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/Treasurer of StateThe State Treasurer is responsible to efficiently manage the finances and public resources. The Treasurer also has the responsibility to overview cash management, debt management, pension funds etc. of the state. He/she is the state’s cash manager and is responsible to coordinate the financial services that are utilized by various state agencies and must hold strict custody of state funds.
Office of the Treasurer
Hon. Walker R. Stapleton
200 East Colfax Avenue
State Capitol, Suite 140
Denver, CO 80203-1722
Phone: (303) 866-2441
Fax: (303) 866-2123
Email: treasurer.stapleton@state.co.us
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/treasury/
Legislative Branch of Colorado
The Legislative Branch of Colorado is a bicameral body which is called the Colorado General Assembly. The general assembly is divided into two separate bodies, namely
Colorado Senate and
Colorado House of Representatives. All legislators must reside in their respective districts they represent. The two legislatures meet in the Legislative Building at the Capitol in Denver.
Learn more: Colorado General Assembly The
Colorado Senate, consisting of 35 state senators, is the upper House of the legislature. Each senator may serve for a four year term with 2 consecutive terms limit and half of the senate are elected in each general election. The state's senator must be minimum 30 years of age, an Colorado citizen and must reside in their particular district for a minimum of one year before the election.
The
House of Representatives, consisting of 65 members, is the lower house of the legislature. Each member represents each district and he/she may serve for two-year terms in the house with 4 consecutive terms limit.
The
Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the assembly who is elected by the members of the house through a House resolution. It is a leadership position and he/she must administer the majority party agenda and delegate the duty to the members of the house.
Judicial Branch of Colorado
Under the Colorado Constitution, the Judiciary branch applies and interprets laws and regulations to ensure justice in the state. The judicial system of Colorado is served by numerous efficient professionally trained judges. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court heads the Colorado’s court system. The state court system is classified into Colorado Supreme Court, Colorado Court of Appeals, Colorado district courts, Colorado county courts, Colorado water courts. There is also a municipal court which is not under the state court system.
Colorado Supreme Court
The Colorado Supreme Court is the state's court of highest appeal or final resort. The court comprises of a chief justice and six justices who are appointed by the governor and serve for 10 year terms. The state's District Courts decisions are reviewed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court under its own discretion may select and retain appeals which are of utmost importance and complex or which challenges a state law. All other cases are given to the Colorado Court of Appeals for review.
The Colorado Supreme Court has the exclusive judicial powers over death penalty cases, habeas corpus or great writ proceedings, cases involving adjudication of water rights, criminal and civil matters, Public Utilities Commission cases and also reviews all the decisions of the intermediate courts. The court also has the responsibility to overview the licensing and disciplining of attorneys, ratify state rules and regulations and apply practically across the entire state courts, and manages the functioning of the whole state court system.
Colorado Supreme Court
2 East 14th Avenue
Denver, CO 80203
720-625-5150
Colorado Court of Appeals
The Colorado Court of Appeals is the court of intermediate appeal and consists of 22 judges who are appointed by the governor. The judges are grouped as panels of 3 judges and they are responsible to make decisions on all appeals forwarded by the Colorado Supreme Court. Any unsatisfactory trial court's decisions are reviewed by the court of appeals. The Court of Appeals has authority over cases that are forwarded from the Colorado District Courts, Denver Juvenile Court, Denver Probate Court, and various state agencies cases.
Colorado Court of Appeals
2 East 14th Avenue
Denver, CO 80203
720-625-5150
Colorado District Court
District Court is the general jurisdiction court and also Colorado's trial courts. All civil and criminal cases are initially heard in trial courts and may be forwarded to the Colorado Court of Appeals or directly to the Colorado Supreme Court. The Colorado District Courts have legal authority in cases related to all civil, criminal, domestic, family, felony criminal cases, probate and juvenile cases. Colorado has 22 judicial circuits.
Contact Information by District Contact Office of the State Court Administrator
1300 Broadway, Suite 1200
Denver, CO 80203
720-625-5000
800-888-0001
Colorado Water Courts
The Colorado water courts are Colorado's special state courts and each of the state's 7 major river basins has a water court. The water courts come under the district courts located in each river basin and the each of Colorado's seven major river basins appoints the water judges.
The water courts have authority in matters related to water rights, water usage and administration and all water related issues and matters within the water division's authority.
The seven water courts are:
Water Division One - South Platte River Basin at the Weld County Courthouse in Greeley
Water Division Two - Arkansas River Basin at the Pueblo County Judicial Building in Pueblo
Water Division Three - Rio Grande River Basin at the Alamosa County Courthouse in Alamosa
Water Division Four - Gunnison River Basin at the Montrose County Justice Center in Montrose
Water Division Five - Colorado River Basin at the Pitkin County Courthouse in Aspen
Water Division Six - White River Basin at the Routt County Justice Center in Steamboat Springs
Water Division Seven - San Juan River Basin at La Plata Combined Courts in Durango
Other Important Contact Details: Denver Juvenile Court520 West Colfax Avenue Room 125
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-337-0570
Denver Juvenile Court Pro Se / Self-Help Resource Center: It offers general and procedural information to parties without attorneys on juvenile cases.
Contact Denver Juvenile Court Pro Se / Self-Help Resource Center
520 West Colfax Room 125
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-337-0583
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Denver Probate Court1437 Bannock St. Room 230
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 720-865-8310, option 1
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Denver Probate Court Pro Se Resource Center: Provides procedural and general information to parties without attorneys
Contact Denver Probate Court Pro Se Resource Center
1437 Bannock St. - Room 368
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 720-865-8746
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and closed for lunch from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm.
Colorado Taxation
The Colorado department of Revenue manages and administers a standard tax laws in the state. Tax laws include entire laws and taxes on income, sales, property, luxury, and estate. Colorado levies taxes on net individual's income, trusts and estates. The tax rate varies according to city, county or rural.
Also read:Sales tax rates 2015 Individual Income TaxSales Tax Use Tax Tobacco Tax Liquor Tax Learn more: Colorado Department of Revenue
State Departments of Colorado
Several state departments, under the leadership of the governor of Colorado, operate to ensure progress and development of the state. Some of the main state departments of Colorado are:
Colorado Department of Education
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) operates to improve the public education system and also to enhance student academic achievements and outputs. The department’s mission is to provide world class education and best values to the students to ensure success in education, workplace and in every spheres of life. The department offers resources and support to all schools, teachers and administrators who are working to build a quality education platform in the state.
Contact Details:Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
Fax: 303-830-0793
Website:
http://www.cde.state.co.us/
Colorado Department of Higher Education
The Colorado
Department of Higher Education (DHE) has the responsibility to implement
the policy of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). The
department manages the functioning of the public colleges and
universities of the state including many private schools. There are many
divisions that operate under the Colorado Department of Higher
Education, namely College Assist, CollegeInvest, Colorado Challenge,
Colorado Gear Up, Colorado Historical Society, Division of Private
Occupational Schools.
Contact Details:Colorado Department of Higher Education
1560 Broadway
Suite 1600
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 866-2723
Fax: (303) 866-4266
Website:
http://highered.colorado.gov/
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is working diligently to improve the health and living standards of the community by implementing many health regulating services and policies. The department manages Child Health Plan Plus (CHP ), Medicaid and several health care programs for the community.
Contact Details:Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
1570 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203-1818
Phone: (303) 866-2993
Fax: (303) 866-4411
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/hcpf
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has the responsibility to assist the local government, manages property taxation, affordable housing, property assessment appeals and housing construction regulation. The department offers job opportunities to many job seekers and ensure to adopt fair labor laws to support and assist the workers and businesses.
Contact Details:Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 201
Denver, CO 80202-3660
Phone: 303-318-8000
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/cdle
Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
The Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a significant department which tends to the military and veteran affairs of the state. The department serves as the guardian of the state and works concurrently with the sub-departments, including Colorado Army National Guard, Colorado air national guards and other non military safety agencies. The department also tends to all veteran affairs of healthcare benefits, employment benefits, education benefits, real estate, permits etc.
Contact Details:Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
6848 South Revere Parkway
Centennial, CO 80112
Contact numbers https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmva/contact-us-47
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/dmva/
Colorado Department of Public Safety
The Colorado Department of Public Safety is the department which is responsible to protect the people, property and wildlife resources of the state. The department also regulates and maintains law and discipline in the state. There are many divisions that operate under the department to assist in state-wide law enforcement, namely Colorado Bureau of Investigation, division of Criminal Justice, Colorado State Patrol, division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Contact Details:Colorado Department of Public Safety
700 Kipling Street #1000
Denver, CO 80215 USA
CDPS Main Number: 303-239-4400 Fax: 303-239-4670
Website:
http://cdpsweb.state.co.us/
Colorado Department of Transportation
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) overviews the entire transportation network of the state to ensure safe and easy commuting of people and goods. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet owns, manages and maintains numerous lane-miles of primary and secondary roads, bridges, tunnels, interstate highways, parkways, railways.
Contact Details:Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 E , Arkansas Avenue
Denver CO. 80222
Phone: 303-757-9011
Website:
http://www.codot.gov/
Colorado Department of Agriculture
The Colorado Department of Agriculture oversees all areas of agriculture covering all aspects of livestock market, livestock brands, livestock dealers, fertilizer, seed, and feed. The department is a consumer protection and service agency that functions as a vital agency that directly or indirectly affects the lives of all residents of the state. The department strives to promote Colorado ’s agricultural market globally and also remove all unwanted barriers to agricultural trade.
Contact Details:Colorado Department of Agriculture
305 Interlocken Parkway
Broomfield, CO 80021
Phone: 303-869-9000
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/agmain
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources operates for the development and safe guarding of the natural resources of the state for the present and future generations. The department encompasses many divisions, such as Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Colorado State Land Board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Division of Forestry, Division of Water Resources, Division of Reclamation Mining & Safety and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
Contact Details:Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Executive Director's Office
1313 Sherman Street, Room 718
Denver, Colorado 80203
Telephone:(303) 866-3311 or 1-(800) 536-5308
E-mail: dnr.edoassist@state.co.us
Website:
http://dnr.state.co.us/Pages/DNRDefault.aspx
References:
- Colorado Statehood
