2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 30 - Government - County
County Planning and Building Codes
Article 28 - County Planning and Building Codes
Part 1 - County Planning
§ 30-28-124.5. County court actions for civil penalties for zoning violations

(1) It is unlawful to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, or use any building, structure, or land in violation of any regulation in, or of any provisions of, any zoning resolution or any amendment thereof, enacted or adopted by the board of county commissioners under the authority of this part 1. In addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to section 30-28-124, any person, firm, or corporation violating any such regulation, provision, or amendment thereof or any provision of this part 1 may be subject to the imposition, by order of the county court, of a civil penalty in an amount of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars. It is within the discretion of the county attorney to determine whether to pursue the civil penalties set forth in this section, the remedies set forth in section 30-28-124, or both. Each day after the issuance of the order of the county court during which such unlawful activity continues shall be deemed a separate violation and shall, in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this section, be the subject of a continuing penalty in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars for each such day. Until paid, any civil penalty ordered by the county court and assessed under this subsection (1) shall, as of recording, be a lien against the property on which the violation has been found to exist. In case the assessment is not paid within thirty days, it may be certified by the county attorney to the county treasurer, who shall collect the assessment, together with a ten percent penalty for the cost of collection, in the same manner as other taxes are collected. The laws of this state for assessment and collection of general taxes, including the laws for the sale and redemption of property for taxes, shall apply to the collection of assessments pursuant to this subsection (1). Any lien placed against the property pursuant to this subsection (1) shall be recorded with the clerk and recorder of the county in which the property is located.

(2) (a) In the event any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, or used or any land is used in violation of any regulation or provision of any zoning resolution, or amendment thereto, enacted or adopted by any board of county commissioners under the authority granted by this part 1, the county attorney of the county in which such building, structure, or land is situated, in addition to other remedies provided by law, may commence a civil action in county court for the county in which such building, structure, or land is situated, seeking the imposition of a civil penalty in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) A county zoning official designated by resolution of the board of county commissioners shall, upon personal information and belief that a violation of any regulation or provision of any zoning resolution enacted under the authority of this part 1 has occurred, give written notice to the violator to correct the violation within ten days after the date of the notice. If the violator fails to correct the violation within the ten-day period or within any extension period granted by the zoning official, the zoning official, the sheriff of the county, or the county attorney may issue a summons and complaint to the violator, stating the nature of the violation with sufficient particularity to give notice of the charge to the violator.

(c) One copy of the summons and complaint issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (2) shall be served upon the violator in the manner provided by law for the service of a county court civil summons and complaint in accordance with the Colorado rules of county court civil procedure. The summons and complaint shall also be filed with the clerk of the county court and thereafter the action shall proceed in accordance with the Colorado rules of county court civil procedure.

(d) If the county court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a violation of any regulation or provision of a zoning resolution, or amendment thereto, as enacted and adopted by the board of county commissioners, has occurred, the court shall order the violator to pay a civil penalty in an amount allowed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The penalty shall be payable immediately by the violator to the county treasurer. In the event that the alleged violation has been cured or otherwise removed and the violator has notified the county zoning official of the cure or removal at least five business days prior to the appearance date in the summons, then the county attorney shall so inform the court and request that the action be dismissed without fine or appearance of the defendant.

(3) Upon the filing with the court of a receipt issued by the county treasurer showing payment in full of a civil penalty assessed pursuant to this section and upon the filing of an affidavit of the county zoning official that the violation has been cured, removed, or corrected, the court shall dismiss the action and issue a satisfaction in full of the judgment so entered. The court may also dismiss the action upon a motion of the county attorney indicating that the matter has been otherwise resolved.

(4) If a receipt showing full payment of the civil penalty or the affidavit or the motion by the county attorney required by subsection (3) of this section is not filed, the action shall continue and the court shall retain jurisdiction to impose an additional penalty against the violator in the amount specified in subsection (1) of this section. The additional penalty shall be imposed by the court upon motion filed by the county and proof that the violation has not been cured, removed, or corrected. Thereafter, the action shall continue until the filing with the court of a receipt issued by the county treasurer showing payment in full of the civil penalty and any additional penalties so assessed and the filing of an affidavit of the county zoning official that the violation has been cured, removed, or corrected, or until a motion by the county attorney to dismiss the action is granted by the court.