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Colorado Revised Statutes 2019
TITLE 7
CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
CORPORATIONS
Colorado Corporation Code
Editor's note: (1) Articles 1 to 10 were numbered as articles 1 to 10 of chapter 31,
C.R.S. 1963. For amendments to these articles prior to their repeal in 1993, effective July 1,
1994, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note and the table itemizing the
replacement volumes and supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page
vii in the front of this volume. A comparative table showing the relocation of subject matter to
articles 101 to 117 as a result of the recodification of the Colorado Corporation Code in 1993 is
found in the comparative tables located in the back of the index.
(2) Current provisions concerning the "Colorado Business Corporation Act" are located
in articles 101 to 117 of this title.
ARTICLE 1
Definitions and Application
7-1-101 to 7-1-108. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-1-108 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 2
Incorporation - Articles - Amendments
7-2-101 to 7-2-119. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-2-119 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 3
Corporate Powers and Limitations
7-3-101 to 7-3-119. (Repealed)
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Editor's note: Section 7-3-119 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 4
Shareholders and Shares of Stock
7-4-101 to 7-4-126. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-4-126 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 5
Directors - Officers - Records
7-5-101 to 7-5-120. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-5-120 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 6
Stated Capital - Amount and Reduction
7-6-101 to 7-6-107. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-6-107 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 7
Merger or Consolidation
7-7-101 to 7-7-109. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-7-109 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 8
Dissolution - Voluntary and Involuntary
7-8-101 to 7-8-126. (Repealed)
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Editor's note: Section 7-8-126 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 9
Foreign Corporations
7-9-101 to 7-9-120. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-9-120 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
ARTICLE 10
Reports, Fees, Licenses, Penalties
7-10-101 to 7-10-114. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-10-114 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1994. (See L. 93, p. 866.)
Nonprofit Corporations
Editor's note: (1) Articles 20 to 29 were numbered as article 24 of chapter 31, C.R.S.
1963. For amendments to these articles prior to their repeal in 1997, effective July 1, 1998,
consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement
volumes and supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the
front of this volume.
(2) Current provisions concerning nonprofit corporations are located in articles 121 to
137 of this title.
ARTICLE 20
Definitions and Application
7-20-101 to 7-20-109. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-20-109 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 21
Incorporation - Articles - Amendments
7-21-101 to 7-21-116. (Repealed)
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Editor's note: Section 7-21-116 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 22
Corporate Powers and Limitations
7-22-101 to 7-22-110. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-22-110 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 23
Members
7-23-101 to 7-23-111. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-23-111 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 24
Directors - Officers - Records
7-24-101 to 7-24-113. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-24-113 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 25
Merger or Consolidation
7-25-101 to 7-25-108. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-25-108 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 26
Dissolution - Voluntary and Involuntary
7-26-101 to 7-26-123. (Repealed)
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Editor's note: Section 7-26-123 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 27
Foreign Nonprofit Corporations
7-27-101 to 7-27-118. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-27-118 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 28
Reports - Fees
7-28-101 to 7-28-107. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-28-107 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 29
Secretary of State - Powers and Duties
7-29-101 to 7-29-109. (Repealed)
Editor's note: Section 7-29-109 provided for the repeal of this article, effective July 1,
1998. (See L. 97, p. 645.)
ARTICLE 30
Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit
Association Act
Editor's note: The governor signed S-94-168 which enacted this article on May 22,
1994. Section 7-30-117 sets forth July 1, 1994, as the date the article shall take effect.
Law reviews: For article, "Colorado Choice of Form of Organization and Structure
2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct. 2001); for article "Entity and Trade Name Registration: 2001
Update", see 30 Colo. Law. 81 (Oct. 2001); for article, "No Paper Required: Business Entity
Legislation Makes Life Easier for Business Lawyers", see 33 Colo. Law. 6 (June 2004); for
article, "Entity and Trade Name Registration: 2004 Update", see 34 Colo. Law. 11 (Jan. 2005).
7-30-101. Definitions. In this article:
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(1) "Member" means a person who, under the rules or practices of a nonprofit
association, may participate in the selection of persons authorized to manage the affairs of the
nonprofit association or in the development of policy of the nonprofit association or who is
considered to be a member by such person and the nonprofit association.
(2) "Nonprofit association" means an unincorporated organization consisting of two or
more members joined by mutual consent for a common, lawful, nonprofit purpose. However,
joint tenancy or tenancy in common does not by itself establish a nonprofit association, even if
the co-owners share use of the property for a nonprofit purpose. "Nonprofit association" includes
an acequia ditch association, whether or not the acequia ditch association is formed as an acequia
ditch association as contemplated by section 7-42-101.5 (3) or is a ditch association operating as
an acequia ditch association as contemplated by section 7-42-101.5 (3).
(3) and (4) Repealed.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1271, § 1, effective May 22. L. 2003: (3)(b) and
(4)(b) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348. L. 2013: (2) amended, (HB 13-1168), ch.
87, p. 280, § 2, effective August 7.
Editor's note: Subsections (3)(b) and (4)(b) provided for the repeal of subsections (3)
and (4) respectively, effective July 1, 2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-30-101.1. Suspended, defunct, and dissolved nonprofit corporations. Any nonprofit
corporation other than a nonprofit corporation that is governed by the "Colorado Revised
Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of this title, that was suspended, declared
defunct, administratively dissolved, or dissolved by operation of law, and the business or affairs
of which are continued for nonprofit purposes, with or without knowledge of the suspension,
declaration, or dissolution, and the business and affairs of which are not wound up, shall be
deemed an unincorporated organization that qualifies as a nonprofit association for purposes of
sections 7-30-101.2 and 7-30-106, unless such nonprofit corporation is reinstated as provided in
part 10 of article 90 of this title.
Source: L. 97: Entire section added, p. 645, § 2, effective July 1, 1998. L. 2006: Entire
section amended, p. 848, § 1, effective July 1.
7-30-101.2. Charitable nonprofit corporations - private foundations. (1) As used in
this section, "charitable purposes" means one or more charitable purposes enumerated in section
501(c)(3) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended, hereinafter referred to as
"the internal revenue code" and formed exclusively for one or more charitable purposes.
(2) In the case of a deemed unincorporated organization, its articles of incorporation
shall be presumed to be its principal governing document for the purposes of this section.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in its constitution, articles of association, or other
principal governing document, the purposes of a charitable nonprofit association and the
disposition of its assets upon liquidation shall be limited to charitable purposes.
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(4) Except as otherwise expressly provided in its constitution, articles of association, or a
principal governing document, or otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, a
charitable nonprofit association that is also a private foundation within the meaning of section
509 (a) of the internal revenue code:
(a) Shall distribute such amounts for each taxable year at such time and in such manner
as not to subject the nonprofit corporation to tax under section 4942 of the internal revenue code;
(b) Shall not engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in section 4941(d) of the
internal revenue code;
(c) Shall not retain any excess business holdings as defined in section 4943(c) of the
internal revenue code;
(d) Shall not make any investments that would subject the nonprofit association to
taxation under section 4944 of the internal revenue code;
(e) Shall not make any taxable expenditures as defined in section 4945(d) of the internal
revenue code.
Source: L. 97: Entire section added, p. 645, § 2, effective July 1, 1998. L. 98: (4)(d)
amended, p. 611, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2202, § 1, effective July 1,
2004.
7-30-102. Supplementary general principles of law and equity. Principles of law and
equity supplement this article unless displaced by a particular provision of it.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1272, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-103. Territorial application. Real and personal property in this state may be
acquired, held, encumbered, and transferred by a nonprofit association, whether or not the
nonprofit association or a member has any other relationship to this state.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1272, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-104. Real and personal property - nonprofit association as legatee, devisee, or
beneficiary. (1) A nonprofit association in its name may acquire, hold, encumber, or transfer an
estate or interest in real or personal property.
(2) A nonprofit association may be a legatee, devisee, or beneficiary of a trust or
contract.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1272, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-105. Statement of authority as to real property. (1) A nonprofit association is an
entity for purposes of, and may execute and record a statement of authority pursuant to, section
38-30-172, C.R.S.
(2) In addition to the matters required or permitted to be contained therein pursuant to
section 38-30-172, C.R.S., a statement of authority executed and recorded on behalf of a
nonprofit association shall state any limitation that may exist upon the authority of the person
named in the statement of authority, or holding the position described in the statement of
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authority, to execute instruments encumbering, conveying, or otherwise affecting title to the real
property on behalf of the nonprofit association.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1272, § 1, effective May 22. L. 2003: Entire
section R&RE, p. 2202, § 2, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: Colorado amended subsection (1) (numbered as subsection (a) in the
uniform act) to require the execution and recording of the statement of authority, and, in
subsection (2) (numbered as subsection (b) in the uniform act), required that the statement be
recorded in the county in which the property is situated. Further, Colorado amended § 7-30-105
to specify that property may be encumbered in addition to being transferred, whereas the
uniform act refers only to transferring. The official comment should be read with these changes
in mind.
7-30-106. Liability in contract and tort. (1) A nonprofit association is a legal entity
separate from its members for the purposes of determining and enforcing rights, duties, and
liabilities in contract and tort.
(2) A person is not liable for a breach of a nonprofit association's contract merely
because the person is a member of the nonprofit association, is authorized to participate in the
management of the affairs of the nonprofit association, or is a person considered to be a member
by the nonprofit association.
(3) A person is not liable for a tortious act or omission for which a nonprofit association
is liable merely because the person is a member of the nonprofit association, is authorized to
participate in the management of the affairs of the nonprofit association, or is a person
considered to be a member by the nonprofit association.
(4) A tortious act or omission of a member or other person for which a nonprofit
association is liable is not imputed to a person merely because the person is a member of the
nonprofit association, is authorized to participate in the management of the affairs of the
nonprofit association, or is a person considered to be a member by the nonprofit association.
(5) A member of, or a person considered to be a member by, a nonprofit association may
assert a claim against the nonprofit association. A nonprofit association may assert a claim
against a member or a person considered to be a member by the nonprofit association.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1273, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-107. Capacity to assert and defend - standing. (1) A nonprofit association, in its
name, may institute, defend, intervene, or participate in a judicial, administrative, or other
governmental proceeding or in an arbitration, mediation, or any other form of alternative dispute
resolution.
(2) A nonprofit association may assert a claim in its name on behalf of its members if
one or more members of the nonprofit association have standing to assert a claim in their own
right, the interests the nonprofit association seeks to protect are germane to its purposes, and
neither the claim asserted nor the relief requested requires the participation of a member.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1274, § 1, effective May 22.
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7-30-108. Effect of judgment or order. A judgment or order against a nonprofit
association is not by itself a judgment or order against a member or a person considered to be a
member by the nonprofit association.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1274, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-109. Disposition of personal property of inactive nonprofit association. (1) If a
nonprofit association has been inactive for three years or longer, a person in possession or
control of personal property of the nonprofit association may transfer the property:
(a) If a document of the nonprofit association states a person to whom transfer is to be
made under those circumstances, to that person; or
(b) If no person is so stated, to a nonprofit association or nonprofit corporation pursuing
broadly similar purposes or to a government, governmental subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1274, § 1, effective May 22. L. 2003: Entire
section amended, p. 2203, § 3, effective July 1, 2004.
7-30-110. Appointment of agent to receive service of process. (1) A nonprofit
association may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this
title, a statement appointing an agent authorized to receive service of process. If a nonprofit
association has such an agent, part 7 of article 90 of this title shall apply as if the agent were a
registered agent required to be appointed pursuant to said part.
(2) A statement appointing an agent authorized to receive service of process shall state:
(a) The true name of the nonprofit association;
(b) The principal office address of the principal office of the nonprofit association;
(c) The registered agent name and registered agent address of the agent; and
(d) A statement that the agent has consented to being so appointed.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2203, § 4, effective July 1, 2004.)
(4) to (6) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1810, § 3, effective July 1, 2002; p. 1674,
§ 1, effective October 1, 2002.)
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1274, § 1, effective May 22. L. 2002: (1) and (3)
to (6) amended, p. 1810, § 3, effective July 1; (1) and (3) to (6) amended, p. 1674, § 1, effective
October 1. L. 2003: (1), (2), and (3) amended, p. 2203, § 4, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)
and (2)(b) amended, p. 1399, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: Colorado amended § 7-30-110 (numbered as Section 10 in the uniform
act) by deleting the requirement for "acknowledgment" in subsection (3) (numbered as
subsection (c) in the uniform act) and adding new language as set forth in subsection (6).
7-30-111. Claim not abated by change of members or officers. A claim for relief
against a nonprofit association does not abate merely because of a change in its members,
persons authorized to manage the affairs of the nonprofit association, or persons considered by
the nonprofit association to be members.
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Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1275, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-112. Venue. For purposes of venue, a nonprofit association is a resident of a county
or city and county in which it has an office.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1275, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-113. Summons and complaint - service on whom. In an action or proceeding
against a nonprofit association, a summons and complaint must be served on an agent authorized
by appointment to receive service of process, an officer, a managing or general agent, or a
person authorized to participate in the management of its affairs. If none of them can be served,
service may be made on a member who may participate in the selection of persons authorized to
manage the affairs of the nonprofit association or in the development of policy of the nonprofit
association.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1275, § 1, effective May 22.
Editor's note: Colorado amended § 7-30-113 (numbered as Section 13 in the uniform
act) by adding a qualification in the last sentence that service may be made on a member "who
may participate in the selection of persons authorized to manage the affairs of the nonprofit
association or in the development of policy of the nonprofit association".
7-30-114. Uniformity of application and construction. This article shall be applied
and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the
subject of this article among states enacting it.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1275, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-115. Short title. This article may be cited as the "Uniform Unincorporated
Nonprofit Association Act".
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1275, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-116. Severability clause. If any provision of this article or its application to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect any other provisions or
applications of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,
and to this end the provisions of this article are severable.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1275, § 1, effective May 22.
7-30-117. Effective date. This article shall take effect July 1, 1994.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1276, § 1, effective May 22.
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7-30-118. Transition concerning real and personal property. If, before July 1, 1994,
an estate or interest in real or personal property was purportedly transferred to a nonprofit
association, on July 1, 1994, the estate or interest vests in the nonprofit association, unless the
parties had treated the transfer as ineffective. No such purported transfer of real property shall
impart notice pursuant to section 38-35-109, C.R.S., until the date after July 1, 1994, a deed or
other proper instrument conveying such estate or interest in real property is recorded in the office
of the clerk and recorder of the county or city and county in which such real property is located.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1276, § 1, effective May 22.
Editor's note: Colorado amended § 7-30-118 (numbered as Section 19 in the uniform
act) by adding a provision that specifies that the transfer of real property will not impart notice
until the date a deed or other proper instrument is recorded after July 1, 1994, whether such
transfer was effective prior to July 1, 1994, and by removing the language found in subsection
(b) in the uniform act. The official comment should be read with these changes in mind.
7-30-119. Savings clause. Except to the extent set forth in section 7-30-118, this article
does not affect any right accrued before July 1, 1994, or any action or proceeding then pending.
Source: L. 94: Entire article added, p. 1276, § 1, effective May 22.
Editor's note: Colorado amended § 7-30-119 (numbered as Section 20 in the uniform
act) by adding an exception to the savings clause to accommodate the provision added to § 7-30118. The official comment should be read with this change in mind.
Special Purpose Corporations
ARTICLE 40
Corporations Not For Profit
Cross references: For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-40-101. Who may organize - certificate - fees. (1) (a) Any three or more persons,
who may or may not be residents of the state of Colorado, may associate themselves together to
establish a corporation not for profit for any lawful business or to promote any legitimate object
or purpose and may make, sign, and acknowledge and file in the office of the secretary of state
of the state of Colorado and record in the office of the recorder of each county in which said
corporation owns real estate in the state of Colorado a certificate in writing, setting forth the
name of such corporation, the business, objects, or purposes for which it is formed, and the
names of the first directors, trustees, or managers. The department of revenue shall collect a fee
of five dollars for filing said certificate.
(b) Notwithstanding the amount specified for the fee in paragraph (a) of this subsection
(1), the executive director of the department of revenue by rule or as otherwise provided by law
may reduce the amount of the fee if necessary pursuant to section 24-75-402 (3), C.R.S., to
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reduce the uncommitted reserves of the fund to which all or any portion of the fee is credited.
After the uncommitted reserves of the fund are sufficiently reduced, the executive director by
rule or as otherwise provided by law may increase the amount of the fee as provided in section
24-75-402 (4), C.R.S.
(2) The provisions of this article shall not apply to any nonprofit corporation formed
after December 31, 1967, nor shall they apply to any corporation not for profit formed prior to
January 1, 1968, which is subject to the provisions of articles 121 to 137 of this title.
Source: G.L. § 224. G.S. § 367. R.S. 08: § 1013. C.L. § 2379. L. 31: p. 248, § 22. CSA:
C. 41, § 172. L. 51: p. 282, § 1. CRS 53: § 31-20-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-1. L. 67: p. 658, § 10.
L. 68: p. 2, § 2. L. 97: (2) amended, p. 756, § 7, effective July 1, 1998. L. 98: (1) amended, p.
1320, § 14, effective June 1.
7-40-102. Powers. A corporation not for profit shall be a body corporate in the name
stated in its certificate and may sue and be sued; make and enforce contracts in relation to its
business, powers, and objects; have a seal; acquire, hold, encumber, and dispose of property,
real, personal, or mixed; adopt and alter bylaws; amend its certificate of incorporation;
consolidate or merge with any other corporation; have different classes of members with or
without voting rights; and exercise every right and privilege necessary, incident, or appertaining
to its business, objects, and purposes. Associations and societies which are intended to benefit
the widows, orphans, heirs, and devisees of deceased members thereof, where the members
thereof receive no money as profit or otherwise, shall not be deemed insurance companies.
Source: G.L. § 226. G.S. § 369. R.S. 08: § 1015. C.L. § 2381. CSA: C. 41, § 174. L.
51: p. 282, § 2. CRS 53: § 31-20-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-2.
7-40-103. Contents of certificate or bylaws. (1) The certificate of incorporation or
bylaws of the corporation shall provide:
(a) The number and term of office of trustees, directors, or managers of the corporation
and the manner of their selection or election;
(b) The officers of the corporation and their term of office and the manner of their
designation or selection;
(c) The kinds and classes of members and the rights and privileges of each; and
(d) The authority under which conveyance or encumbrance of all or any part of the
corporate property may be made, and the persons who are authorized to execute the instruments
of conveyance or encumbrance; and, if not contained in the certificate of incorporation or any
amendment thereof, a certified copy of this authority shall be recorded in each county in which
the corporation owns real estate.
Source: G.L. § 227. G.S. § 370. R.S. 08: § 1016. C.L. § 2382. CSA: C. 41, § 175. L.
51: p. 283, § 3. CRS 53: § 31-20-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-3. L. 2003: (1)(d) amended, p. 2203,
§ 5, effective July 1, 2004.
7-40-104. Additional powers - indemnification - liability. (1) The certificate of
incorporation or the bylaws of the corporation may provide the authority for the amendment of
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the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, for the merging or consolidation of the corporation
with another corporation, and for the exercising of any corporate function, power, right, duty, or
privilege.
(2) (a) The certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of the corporation may set forth a
provision limiting or eliminating the personal liability of directors to the same extent and in the
same manner as is provided for cooperative associations in section 7-55-107 (1)(h).
(b) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (2)(b) is effective until July 1, 2020.] Any
such corporation shall have the same powers, rights, and obligations and shall be subject to the
same limitations as those that apply to domestic corporations, as set forth in article 109 of this
title. Corporation directors, officers, employees, and agents shall have the same rights as
directors, officers, employees, and agents, respectively, of domestic corporations, as set forth in
article 109 of this title. Corporation directors and officers shall have the benefit of the same
limitations on personal liability for any injury to person or property arising out of a tort, as set
forth in section 7-108-402 (2), for directors and officers, respectively, of domestic corporations.
Any reference in said sections to shareholders shall be construed to refer to voting members or
voting stockholders, if any, for the purpose of this section.
(b) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (2)(b) is effective July 1, 2020.] Any
such corporation shall have the same powers, rights, and obligations and shall be subject to the
same limitations as those that apply to domestic corporations, as set forth in article 109 of this
title 7. Corporation directors, officers, employees, and agents shall have the same rights as
directors, officers, employees, and agents, respectively, of domestic corporations, as set forth in
article 109 of this title 7. Corporation directors and officers shall have the benefit of the same
limitations on personal liability for any injury to person or property arising out of a tort, as set
forth in section 7-108-403, for directors and officers, respectively, of domestic corporations. Any
reference in said sections to shareholders shall be construed to refer to voting members or voting
stockholders, if any, for the purpose of this section.
Source: L. 51: p. 283, § 4. CSA: C. 41, § 175(1). CRS 53: § 31-20-4. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-19-4. L. 88: Entire section amended, p. 405, § 3, effective May 17. L. 93: (2)(b) amended, p.
855, § 7, effective July 1, 1994. L. 2003: (2)(b) amended, p. 2204, § 6, effective July 1, 2004. L.
2019: (2)(b) amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1964, § 62, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-40-105. Amendments - where filed - fees. (1) (a) All amendments to the certificate
of incorporation shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state of Colorado and recorded in
the office of the recorder of each county in which said corporation owns real estate in the state of
Colorado. The department of revenue shall collect a fee of five dollars for the filing of each
amendment.
(b) Notwithstanding the amount specified for the fee in paragraph (a) of this subsection
(1), the executive director of the department of revenue by rule or as otherwise provided by law
may reduce the amount of the fee if necessary pursuant to section 24-75-402 (3), C.R.S., to
reduce the uncommitted reserves of the fund to which all or any portion of the fee is credited.
After the uncommitted reserves of the fund are sufficiently reduced, the executive director by
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rule or as otherwise provided by law may increase the amount of the fee as provided in section
24-75-402 (4), C.R.S.
(2) If a true copy of the certificate of incorporation of the corporation or any amendment
to the certificate is presented to the secretary of state with a request that the same be certified,
the secretary of state shall certify the same for a fee that shall be determined and collected
pursuant to section 24-21-104 (3), C.R.S., which certificate or amendment shall contain, in
addition to the usual statement, a statement that the same is a true copy of the original certificate
or amendment, as the case may be, on file in the records of the secretary of state and a statement
as to the date of filing of the original certificate or amendment.
Source: L. 51: p. 283, § 4. CSA: C. 41, § 175(2). CRS 53: § 31-20-5. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-19-5. L. 83: (2) amended, p. 869, § 19, effective July 1. L. 98: (1) amended, p. 1321, § 15,
effective June 1. L. 2003: (2) amended, p. 2204, § 7, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (2)
amended, p. 1399, § 2, effective July 1.
7-40-106. Associations which can be formed. Religious, educational, benevolent,
charitable, and other nonprofit associations may incorporate under the provisions of this article
or any other applicable law authorizing such incorporation.
Source: L. 51: p. 284, § 4. CSA: C. 41, § 175(3). CRS 53: § 31-20-6. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-19-6.
7-40-107. Dividend only on dissolution. No dividend or distribution of the property of
any such corporation, association, or society shall be made until all debts are fully paid and then
only upon its final dissolution and surrender of organization and name, nor shall any distribution
be made except by a vote of a majority of the members. When a distribution of any of their
property is contemplated, the directors, trustees, or managers shall file a statement, under oath, in
the office of the recorder of deeds in the county in which the business office is located that all
debts of the corporation, association, or society are paid, and, in case a distribution is made
before filing this statement under oath or if the statement is willfully false, said directors,
trustees, or managers shall be jointly and severally liable for the debts of such corporation,
association, or society. When a final dissolution of any such corporation, association, or society,
formed by virtue of law, has been agreed upon, the directors, trustees, or managers shall file, in
the office of the secretary of state, a certificate thereof under seal of the corporation, association,
or society, and upon filing this certificate the organization shall cease to exist.
Source: G.L. § 228. G.S. § 371. R.S. 08: § 1017. C.L. § 2383. CSA: C. 41, § 176. CRS
53: § 31-20-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-7. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2204, § 8, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-40-108. Procedure for merger. (Repealed)
Source: L. 59: p. 322, § 1. CRS 53: § 31-20-14. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-8. L. 2003: IP(2)
amended, p. 2204, § 9, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 1400, § 3,
effective July 1.
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7-40-109. Procedure for consolidation. (Repealed)
Source: L. 59: p. 322, § 1. CRS 53: § 31-20-15. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-9. L. 2003: IP(2)
amended, p. 2205, § 10, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 1400, § 4,
effective July 1.
7-40-110. Approval of merger or consolidation. (Repealed)
Source: L. 59: p. 323, § 1. CRS 53: § 31-20-16. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-10. L. 2003:
(1)(b) and (1)(c) amended, p. 2205, § 11, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section
repealed, p. 1400, § 5, effective July 1.
7-40-111. Certificate of merger or consolidation. (Repealed)
Source: L. 59: p. 323, § 1. CRS 53: § 31-20-17. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-11. L. 83: (2) and
(3) amended, p. 869, § 20, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(1) and (2) to (4) amended, p. 1810, § 4,
effective July 1; IP(1) and (2) to (4) amended, p. 1675, § 2, effective October 1. L. 2003: IP(1)
amended, p. 2205, § 12, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 1401, § 6,
effective July 1.
7-40-112. Effect of merger or consolidation. (Repealed)
Source: L. 59: p. 324, § 1. CRS 53: § 31-20-18. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-12. L. 2002: (1)
amended, p. 1811, § 5, effective July 1; (1) amended, p. 1675, § 3, effective October 1. L. 2004:
Entire section repealed, p. 1401, § 7, effective July 1.
7-40-113. Merger and consolidation with religious, educational, and benevolent
societies. (Repealed)
Source: L. 59: p. 324, § 1. CRS 53: § 31-20-19. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-19-13. L. 2003:
Entire section amended, p. 2205, § 13, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section repealed,
p. 1402, § 8, effective July 1.
ARTICLE 41
Telegraph Companies
7-41-101 to 7-41-104. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire article repealed, p. 192, § 3, effective April 13.
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 13 of chapter 31, C.R.S. 1963. For
amendments to this article prior to its repeal in 1995, consult the Colorado statutory research
explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the
original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.
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Cross references: For current information relating to telegraph messages, see § 18-9306.
ARTICLE 42
Ditch and Reservoir Companies
Cross references: For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
Law reviews: For article, "Cities and Ditch Companies: Can They Live Together? -Parts I and II", see 16 Colo. Law. 815 and 996 (1987); for article, "Ownership of Mutual Ditch
Company Assets", see 20 Colo. Law. 2081 (1991); for article, "Title Fight Avoiding a Water
Right Conveyancing TKO", see 44 Colo. Law. 41 (March 2015).
7-42-101. Additional statements in certificates. (1) When three or more persons
associate under the provisions of law to form a corporation for the purpose of constructing a
ditch, reservoir, pipeline, or any part thereof to convey water from any natural or artificial
stream, channel, or source whatever to any mines, mills, or lands or for storing the same, they
shall in their articles of incorporation, in addition to the matters otherwise required, state: The
stream, channel, or source from which the water is to be taken; the point or place at or near
which the water is to be taken; the location, as near as may be, of any reservoir intended to be
constructed; the line, as near as may be, of any ditch or pipeline intended to be constructed; and
the use to which the water is intended to be applied.
(2) A corporation formed under the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act",
articles 121 to 137 of this title, shall have all of the rights and powers granted by this article to
the extent not inconsistent with said act, if such nonprofit corporation otherwise complies with
the terms and provisions of this article.
(3) In the case of a municipal corporation, county, special district, or entity, as that term
is defined in section 7-90-102, that is a member or stockholder of a corporation described in
subsection (1) or (2) of this section, an individual officer, partner, member, manager, agent, or
employee of the municipal corporation, county, special district, or entity as designated by the
municipal corporation, county, special district, or entity is eligible for election to serve as a
director of the corporation irrespective of the fact that such individual is not a member or
stockholder of the corporation.
Source: G.L. § 274. G.S. § 308. L. 1891: p. 97, § 1. R.S. 08: § 988. C.L. § 2353. CSA:
C. 41, § 141. CRS 53: § 31-14-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-1. L. 67: p. 656, § 5. L. 92: Entire
section amended, p. 248, § 1, effective March 24. L. 97: (2) amended, p. 756, § 8, effective July
1, 1998. L. 2003: (1) and (2) amended, p. 2205, § 14, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2009: (3)
amended, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1136, § 23, effective May 14.
7-42-101.5. Acequia ditch corporation - definition - powers. (1) For purposes of this
section, "acequia" means a ditch that:
(a) Originated prior to Colorado's statehood;
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(b) Has historically treated water diverted by the acequia as a community resource and
has therefore attempted to allocate water in the acequia based upon equity in addition to priority;
(c) Relies essentially on gravity-fed surface water diversions;
(d) Repealed.
(e) Has historically been operated pursuant to a one landowner-one vote system; and
(f) Has historically relied on labor supplied by the owners of irrigated land served by the
acequia.
(2) Subject to any contrary provision of subsection (3) of this section, the procedural and
substantive requirements of this article other than this section that apply to the creation, powers,
duties, and governance of a ditch corporation subject to this article shall be deemed to apply to
the creation, powers, duties, and governance of an acequia ditch corporation.
(3) An acequia ditch corporation may be organized pursuant to this article, a ditch
corporation organized pursuant to this article may convert to an acequia ditch corporation, an
unincorporated acequia ditch association may be formed, and an unincorporated ditch
association may operate as an unincorporated acequia ditch association, if the ditch meets the
definition of an acequia ditch and, as applicable:
(a) Repealed.
(b) Surface water rights provide all of the water rights used for irrigation in the ditch,
and such water rights have had substantially uninterrupted use since before Colorado's statehood;
(c) The irrigated land served by the ditch is located wholly in one or more of the
counties of Costilla, Conejos, Huerfano, and Las Animas; and
(d) Either:
(I) As required pursuant to section 7-42-101, the stockholders of the ditch file articles of
incorporation, or an amendment to the articles of incorporation, that state the stockholders'
intention to create or convert to an acequia ditch corporation; or
(II) The members of an unincorporated ditch association have agreed to operate in
accordance with this section.
(4) An acequia ditch corporation, if its articles of incorporation so state, or an
unincorporated acequia ditch association, may specify in its bylaws that:
(a) Its elections may be held pursuant to a one landowner-one vote system;
(b) Owners of land irrigated by the ditch can be required to contribute labor to the
maintenance and repair of the acequia or, in the alternative, to pay an assessment in lieu of such
labor;
(c) Water in the ditch may be allocated on a basis other than pro rata ownership of the
corporation; and
(d) The corporation or association has a right of first refusal regarding the sale, lease, or
exchange of any surface water right that has historically been used to irrigate land by the
acequia.
Source: L. 2009: Entire section added, (HB 09-1233), ch. 168, p. 739, § 2, effective
April 22. L. 2013: (1)(d) and (3)(a) repealed and IP(3), (3)(d), IP(4), and (4)(d) amended, (HB
13-1168), ch. 87, p. 279, § 1, effective August 7.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 2009 act adding this
section, see section 1 of chapter 168, Session Laws of Colorado 2009.
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7-42-102. Work after organization. (1) Any corporation formed under the provisions
of law for the purpose of constructing any ditch, flume, bridge, ferry, or telegraph line, within
ninety days from the effective date of its articles of incorporation, shall commence work on such
ditch, flume, bridge, ferry, or telegraph line, as shall be named in the articles, and shall complete
the work with due diligence. The time of the completion of any such ditch, bridge, ferry, or
telegraph line shall not be extended beyond a period of two years from the time work was
commenced.
(2) Any corporation failing to commence work within ninety days after the effective date
of the articles of incorporation, or failing to complete the same within two years after the time of
commencement, shall forfeit all right to the water so claimed, and the same shall be subject to be
claimed by any other company. The time for the completion of any flume constructed under the
provisions of law shall not be extended beyond a period of four years.
(3) This section shall not apply to any ditch or flume for mining or other purposes
constructed through and upon any grounds owned by the corporation. Any company formed to
construct a ditch for domestic, agricultural, irrigating, milling, and manufacturing purposes or
any of them shall have three years from the time of commencing work thereon within which to
complete the same but no longer.
Source: G.L. § 296. G.S. § 314. R.S. 08: § 989. C.L. § 2354. CSA: C. 41, § 142. CRS
53: § 31-14-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-2. L. 2008: (1) and (2) amended, p. 22, § 11, effective
August 5.
7-42-103. Right-of-way. Any ditch, reservoir, or pipeline corporation formed under the
provisions of law shall have the right-of-way over the line named in the articles of incorporation,
and shall also have the right to run water from the stream, channel, or water source, whether
natural or artificial, named in the articles through its ditch or pipeline, and store the same in any
reservoir of the company when not needed for immediate use. The line proposed shall not
interfere with any other ditch, pipeline, or reservoir having prior rights, except the right to cross
by pipe or flume; nor shall the water of any stream, channel, or other water course, whether
natural or artificial, be diverted from its original channel or source to the detriment of any person
or persons having priority of right thereto, but this shall not be construed to prevent the
appropriation and use of any water not utilized and applied to beneficial uses.
Source: G.L. § 275. G.S. § 309. L. 1891: p. 98, § 2. R.S. 08: § 990. C.L. § 2355. CSA:
C. 41, § 143. CRS 53: § 31-14-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-3. L. 2008: Entire section amended, p.
22, § 12, effective August 5.
7-42-104. Assessment on stock. (1) If any corporation owning any ditch or canal for
conveying or reservoir for storing water for irrigation purposes deems it necessary to raise funds
to keep its ditch, canal, or reservoir in good repair or to pay any indebtedness theretofore
contracted or the interest thereon, the corporation shall have power to make an assessment on the
capital stock thereof, to be levied pro rata on the shares of stock payable in money, labor, or
both, for the purpose of keeping the property of the corporation in good repair and for the
payment of any indebtedness or interest thereon.
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(2) But no such assessment shall be made unless the question of making the assessment
is first submitted to the stockholders of the corporation at an annual meeting or at a special
meeting called for that purpose, if a quorum is present, and the majority of stock represented at
such meeting, either by the owner in person or by proxy, entitled to vote thereon shall vote in
favor of making such assessment; and if said stockholders fail to hold any such meeting or fail to
make or authorize any assessment within ninety days after the close of the company's fiscal year,
the directors shall have power to make any such assessment at any regular or special meeting
called therefor for that year.
(3) Such corporation may provide for the sale and forfeiture of shares of stock for such
assessment as provided in subsection (4) of this section and may have the benefit of said
subsection (4) for the recovery of such assessments by forfeiture or sale of the stock in default,
and such corporation shall have a perpetual lien upon such shares of stock and the water rights
represented by the same for any and all such assessments until the same are fully paid. Such
corporation may also provide that no water shall be delivered until all assessments are paid.
(4) The shares of stock shall be deemed personal property and transferable as such in the
manner provided by the bylaws, and subscriptions thereof shall be made payable to the
corporation and shall be payable in such installments and at such times as shall be determined by
the directors or trustees. An action may be maintained in the name of the corporation to recover
any installment which shall remain due and unpaid for the period of twenty days after personal
demand therefor or, if personal demand is not made, within thirty days after a written or printed
demand has been deposited in the post office properly addressed to the post office address of the
delinquent stockholder. The directors or trustees may prescribe by bylaws for a forfeiture or sale
of stock on failure to pay the installments or assessments that from time to time may become
due, but no forfeiture of stock or of the amount paid thereon shall be declared as against any
estate or against any stockholder before demand has been made for the amount due thereon
either in person or by written or printed notice duly mailed to the last known address of such
stockholder at least thirty days prior to the time the forfeiture is to take effect; but the proceeds
of any sale, over and above the amount due on said shares, shall be paid to the delinquent
stockholder.
Source: G.L. § 276. G.S. § 310. R.S. 08: § 991. L. 17: p. 149, § 1. C.L. § 2356. L. 27:
p. 263, § 1. CSA: C. 41, § 144. CRS 53: § 31-14-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-4. L. 65: p. 443, § 1.
L. 79: (2) R&RE, p. 333, § 1, effective June 15.
7-42-105. Right to purchase own stock. (1) It is lawful for any corporation owning any
ditch or canal for conveying or reservoir for storing water for irrigation purposes for its
stockholders to purchase and acquire any of its outstanding capital stock, but no purchase of or
payment for its own shares shall be made at a time when the purchase or payment would make it
insolvent.
(2) Any sale, exchange, lease, or other disposition of any part or all of the business,
assets, property, or franchise of any such corporation to any conservancy district, irrigation
district, or to the United States or any agency of the United States shall be deemed to be in the
usual course of the corporation's business.
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Source: L. 21: p. 212, § 1. C.L. § 2357. CSA: C. 41, § 145. CRS 53: § 31-14-5. C.R.S.
1963: § 31-14-5. L. 67: p. 312, § 1.
7-42-106. Assessments to pay purchase price. When any such stock has been
purchased or contract entered into for the purchase of the same, the corporation shall have the
power to use its funds and to levy and collect assessments on the remaining outstanding capital
stock in the manner provided by law for the payment of any other indebtedness, for the purpose
of paying the purchase price of the stock so purchased.
Source: L. 21: p. 212, § 2. C.L. § 2358. CSA: C. 41, § 146. CRS 53: § 31-14-6. C.R.S.
1963: § 31-14-6.
7-42-107. Shall furnish water to whom - rate. Any corporation constructing a ditch
under the provisions of law shall furnish water to the class of persons using the water in the way
named in the articles of incorporation, in the way the water is designated to be used, whether to
miners, millmen, farmers, or for domestic use, whenever it has water in its ditch unsold, and it
shall at all times give the preference to use of the water in said ditch to the class named in the
articles. The rates at which water shall be furnished are to be fixed by the board of county
commissioners as soon as the ditch is completed and prepared to furnish water.
Source: G.L. § 277. G.S. § 311. R.S. 08: § 992. C.L. § 2359. CSA: C. 41, § 147. CRS
53: § 31-14-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-7. L. 2008: Entire section amended, p. 22, § 13, effective
August 5.
Cross references: For the duty of county commissioners to fix rates for water, see Colo.
Const., art. XVI, § 8; for the right to continue purchasing water, see § 37-85-102 et seq.
7-42-108. Shall keep ditch in repair. Every ditch corporation formed under the
provisions of law shall be required to keep its ditch in good condition so that the water shall not
be allowed to escape from the same to the injury of any mining claim, road, ditch, or other
property. If it is necessary to convey any ditch over, across, or above any lode or mining claim or
to keep the water so conveyed therefrom, the corporation, if necessary to keep the water of the
ditch out or from any claim, shall flume the ditch so far as necessary to protect the claim or
property from the water of said ditch.
Source: G.L. § 278. G.S. § 312. R.S. 08: § 993. C.L. § 2360. CSA: C. 41, § 148. CRS
53: § 31-14-8. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-8. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2206, § 15, effective
July 1, 2004.
Cross references: For the duty to maintain ditch in good repair, see § 37-84-119; for the
duty to keep embankments in repair, see §§ 37-84-101 and 37-84-107.
7-42-109. Penalty for damage. Any person who willfully or maliciously damages or
interferes with any road, ditch, flume, bridge, ferry, railroad, or telegraph line or any of the
fixtures, tools, implements, appurtenances, or property of any corporation that is formed under
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the provisions of law is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished
by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not
more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any such fine shall be paid into the
county treasury, and the offender shall also pay all damages that any such corporation sustains,
together with costs of suit.
Source: G.L. § 297. G.S. § 315. R.S. 08: § 994. C.L. § 2361. CSA: C. 41, § 149. CRS
53: § 31-14-9. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-9. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2206, § 16, effective
July 1, 2004.
Cross references: For the penalty for damaging a ditch or flume, see § 37-89-101.
7-42-110. Consolidation of ditch companies - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 1876: p. 68, § 1. G.L. omitted. G.S. § 313. R.S. 08: § 995. C.L. § 2362.
CSA: C. 41, § 150. CRS 53: § 31-14-10. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-10. L. 2002: Entire section
amended, p. 1811, § 6, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1675, § 4, effective October
1. L. 2003: (2) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-42-111. Extension of term. When the term of years for which any corporation has
been incorporated as a ditch company for the purpose of carrying water for irrigation purposes or
as a reservoir company for the storage of water for irrigation purposes has expired or is about to
expire by lawful limitation, and such corporation has not been administered upon as an expired
corporation or gone into liquidation and settlement and division of its affairs, it may have its
term of incorporation extended and continued the same as if originally incorporated, as provided
in section 7-42-112.
Source: L. 1891: p. 96, § 1. R.S. 08: § 996. C.L. § 2363. CSA: C. 41, § 151. CRS 53: §
31-14-11. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-11.
7-42-112. Procedure to extend term. (1) Whenever the corporate life of any such ditch
or reservoir company has expired or is about to expire, the stockholders may vote upon the
question of extending the life of such company for another twenty years, or for any other term
provided by statute, by first giving notice of such intention by publication for two successive
weeks in the newspaper printed nearest the place where the principal operations of said company
are carried on. Such notice shall be signed by stockholders owning at least ten percent of the
entire capital stock of said company, and shall state the place where and the time when the
question of renewal shall be submitted to the votes of the stockholders of said company at the
meeting held in pursuance of such notice, if a majority of the stock of the corporation is
represented.
(2) The votes shall be taken by ballot, and each stockholder shall be entitled to as many
votes as the stockholder owns shares of stock in the company or holds proxies therefor. If a
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majority of the votes cast is in favor of a renewal of the corporation, the president and secretary
of the company, under the corporate seal of the company, shall certify the fact, and shall make as
many certificates as may be necessary. The company shall record one certificate in the office of
the recorder of deeds in each county in which the company does business and shall deliver to the
secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title a statement of extension of
term that states that the term of the company has been extended, the principal office address of
the company, and the registered agent name and registered agent address of the company. The
corporate life of the company shall be renewed upon such recording and filing of the declaration,
and all stockholders shall have the same rights in the renewed corporation as they had in the
company as originally formed.
Source: L. 1891: p. 96, § 2. R.S. 08: § 997. C.L. § 2364. L. 31: p. 247, § 21. CSA: C.
41, § 152. CRS 53: § 31-14-12. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-14-12. L. 83: (2) amended, p. 870, § 21,
effective July 1. L. 2002: (2) amended, p. 1811, § 7, effective July 1; (2) amended, p. 1676, § 5,
effective October 1. L. 2003: (2) amended, p. 2206, § 17, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (2)
amended, p. 1402, § 9, effective July 1. L. 2009: (2) amended, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1128,
§ 1, effective December 1.
7-42-113. Duplicate certificate issued - when. Any owner of capital stock, as shown by
the records of a corporation formed under the law of this state, entitling the stockholder to the
services of a ditch or to the use of water subject to the payment of assessments, the legal
representative or assignee of any such stockholder, or any lienholder named in the books of the
corporation as a lienholder on the lost certificate, whose stock certificate has been lost, mislaid,
or destroyed, may have a duplicate certificate issued in accordance with sections 7-42-114 to 742-117.
Source: L. 51: p. 278, § 1. CSA: C. 41, § 152(1). CRS 53: § 31-14-13. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-14-13. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2207, § 18, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2012: Entire
section amended, (HB 12-1010), ch. 12, p. 30, § 1, effective August 8.
7-42-114. Statement of loss. If a certificate of capital stock has been lost, mislaid, or
destroyed, and the stockholder, legal representative, or assignee has paid all assessments levied
by the corporation against the stock, the stockholder, the stockholder's legal representative or
assignee, and any lienholder named in the books of the corporation as a lienholder on the lost
certificate may file with the secretary of the corporation a statement under oath that the
certificate of stock has been lost, mislaid, or destroyed and that the certificate is the property of
the person making the statement and has not been transferred or hypothecated by the
stockholder, and demand the issuance of a duplicate certificate in accordance with this section
and sections 7-42-115 to 7-42-117.
Source: L. 51: p. 278, § 2. CSA: C. 41, § 152(2). CRS 53: § 31-14-14. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-14-14. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1402, § 10, effective July 1. L. 2012: Entire
section amended, (HB 12-1010), ch. 12, p. 30, § 2, effective August 8.
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7-42-115. Publication of notice of demand. Upon receipt of a demand pursuant to
section 7-42-114, the corporation shall publish, at the expense of the person making the demand,
at least once a week for five successive weeks, the fifth publication being on the twenty-eighth
day after the first publication, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the
principal office of the corporation is located or, if there is no newspaper in such county, then in
such a newspaper of an adjoining county, a notice that such a demand has been filed with the
corporation in accordance with sections 7-42-114 to 7-42-117, stating the demand in full and
stating that the corporation will issue, on or after a date therein stated, following the last
publication of the notice by at least thirty days, a duplicate certificate to the registered owner, the
registered owner's legal representative or assignee, or any lienholder named in the books of the
corporation as a lienholder on the lost certificate unless a contrary claim is filed with the
corporation prior to the date stated in the notice.
Source: L. 51: p. 278, § 3. CSA: C. 41, § 152(3). CRS 53: § 31-14-15. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-14-15. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2207, § 19, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1403, § 11, effective July 1. L. 2012: Entire section amended, (HB 121010), ch. 12, p. 31, § 3, effective August 8.
7-42-116. Duplicate conclusive against original. If no claim of interest or ownership
other than that made by the person filing a notice pursuant to section 7-42-114 or such person's
legal representative or assignee is on file in the records of the secretary of the corporation prior
to the date stated in the notice, the corporation shall issue, on or after said date, a duplicate
certificate to the person, the person's legal representative or assignee, or any lienholder named in
the books of the corporation as a lienholder on the lost certificate. All rights under the original
certificate shall immediately cease and no person shall at any time thereafter assert any claim or
demand against the corporation or any other person on account of the original certificate.
Source: L. 51: p. 279, § 4. CSA: C. 41, § 152(4). CRS 53: § 31-14-16. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-14-16. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p. 1812, § 8, effective July 1; entire section
amended, p. 1676, § 6, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2207, § 20,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1403, § 12, effective July 1. L. 2012:
Entire section amended, (HB 12-1010), ch. 12, p. 31, § 4, effective August 8.
7-42-117. Proof of right to certificate. The corporation may require any legal
representative or assignee of a stockholder of record to prove the stockholder's legal right to such
certificate as a legal representative or assignee of the stockholder of record. The corporation may
require any lienholder named in the books of the corporation as a lienholder on the lost
certificate to prove the lienholder's legal right to such certificate.
Source: L. 51: p. 279, § 5. CSA: C. 41, § 152(5). CRS 53: § 31-14-17. C.R.S. 1963: §
31-14-17. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1403, § 13, effective July 1. L. 2012: Entire
section amended, (HB 12-1010), ch. 12, p. 31, § 5, effective August 8.
7-42-118. Liability of stockholders, directors, and officers. Stockholders, directors,
and officers of corporations formed under the provisions of this article shall enjoy the same
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measure of immunity from liability for corporate acts or omissions as stockholders, directors,
and officers of corporations formed under the "Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101
to 117 of this title, or as members, directors, and officers of nonprofit corporations formed under
the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of this title.
Source: L. 86: Entire section added, p. 1092, § 2, effective May 16. L. 93: Entire section
amended, p. 855, § 8, effective July 1, 1994. L. 97: Entire section amended, p. 756, § 9, effective
July 1, 1998.
ARTICLE 43
Flume and Pipeline Companies
Cross references: For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-43-101. Certificate for flume companies. (Repealed)
Source: G.L. § 279. G.S. § 316. R.S. 08: § 998. C.L. § 2365. CSA: C. 41, § 153. CRS
53: § 31-15-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-15-1. L. 69: p. 218, § 1. L. 96: Entire section repealed, p. 554,
§ 2, effective April 24.
7-43-102. Certificate for pipeline companies. Whenever any three or more persons
associate under the provisions of law to form a corporation for the purpose of constructing a
pipeline for the conveyance of gas, water, or oil, they, in the articles of incorporation, in addition
to the matters otherwise required, shall state the places from and to which it is intended to
construct the proposed line. Any pipeline corporation formed under the provisions of law shall
have the right-of-way over the line named in the articles and shall also have the right to convey
gas, water, or oil by said line, as stated in the articles, through lands of the state of Colorado and
lands of any persons, and to erect pump stations, storage tanks, and other buildings necessary for
such business. If a corporation is unable to agree with the persons owning any of the lands for
the purchase of any real estate required for the purpose of any such corporation or company, or
the transaction of the business of the same, or for right-of-way, or any other lawful purpose
connected with or necessary to the operation of said company, the corporation may acquire such
title in the manner provided by law.
Source: L. 1891: p. 94, § 1. R.S. 08: § 999. C.L. § 2366. CSA: C. 41, § 154. CRS 53: §
31-15-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-15-2. L. 69: p. 218, § 2. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2207, §
21, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2008: Entire section amended, p. 22, § 14, effective August 5.
Cross references: For the power of pipeline companies to exercise the power of eminent
domain, see § 38-2-101; for pipeline company rights-of-way, see § 38-4-102.
7-43-103. Nonprofit corporations - powers. A nonprofit corporation subject to the
"Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of this title, shall have all of
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the rights and powers granted by this article to the extent not inconsistent with said act, if such
nonprofit corporation otherwise complies with the terms and provisions of this article.
Source: L. 67: p. 657, § 6. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-15-3. L. 97: Entire section amended, p.
756, § 10, effective July 1, 1998.
ARTICLE 44
Water Users' Associations
Cross references: For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-44-101. Tax exemptions - fees. Any water users' association that is organized in
conformity with the requirements of the United States under the reclamation act of June 17,
1902, and that, under its articles of incorporation, is authorized to furnish water only to its
stockholders, shall be exempt from the payment of any income tax and from the payment of any
annual franchise tax but shall be required to pay, as preliminary to its incorporation, a fee that
shall be determined and collected pursuant to section 24-21-104 (3), C.R.S., for the filing and
recording of its articles of incorporation.
Source: L. 05: p. 360, § 1. R.S. 08: § 1000. C.L. § 2367. CSA: C. 41, § 155. CRS 53: §
31-16-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-16-1. L. 81: Entire section amended, p. 430, § 4, effective July 1. L.
2008: Entire section amended, p. 23, § 15, effective August 5.
Cross references: For the "Reclamation Act of 1902", see 43 U.S.C. § 371 et seq.
7-44-102. Stock subscription record. Any water users' association organized in
conformity with the requirements of the United States under the reclamation act of June 17,
1902, with the consent of the board of county commissioners, may furnish the clerk and recorder
of any county in Colorado a book containing printed copies of its articles of incorporation and
forms of subscription for stock; and the county clerk and recorder to whom such book is
furnished shall use the same for recording the stock subscriptions in such association, and the
charges for the recording thereof shall be made on the basis of the number of words actually
written therein.
Source: L. 05: p. 361, § 2. R.S. 08: § 1001. C.L. § 2368. CSA: C. 41, § 156. CRS 53: §
31-16-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-16-2.
Cross references: For the "National Irrigation Act of 1902", also known as the
"Reclamation Act" or the "Newlands Reclamation Act", see 43 U.S.C. § 371 et seq.
7-44-103. Organization - assessments. A corporation known as a water users'
association may be formed under the "Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117
of this title, or formed under or elect to be governed by the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit
Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of this title, for the purpose of dealing, contracting, or
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cooperating with the United States under the provisions of the act of congress of June 17, 1902,
and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto for the securing of a water supply or
irrigation works, or both. It has, in addition to the powers conferred by law upon ditch, canal, or
irrigation companies, the power to make assessments other than on a pro rata basis for the
purpose of raising funds to accomplish the purposes for which formed, or to pay its debts or
obligations, or to secure reduction in the principal debt due the United States of America for
reclamation project construction cost, or delinquent assessments, or charges already due and
payable, when the articles of incorporation so permit, or when required under existing or future
contracts between the United States and the association or between the association and its
stockholders, or under any laws or regulations of the United States.
Source: L. 29: p. 291, § 1. CSA: C. 41, § 157. CRS 53: § 31-16-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 3116-3. L. 67: p. 657, § 7. L. 97: Entire section amended, p. 757, § 11, effective July 1, 1998. L.
2003: Entire section amended, p. 2208, § 22, effective July 1, 2004.
Cross references: For the "National Irrigation Act of 1902", also known as the
"Reclamation Act" or the "Newlands Reclamation Act", see 43 U.S.C. § 371 et seq.
7-44-104. Directors may file petition in district court. (1) The board of directors of
any water users' association formed under section 7-44-103 at any time may file a petition in the
district court of the county in which the office of such water users' association is situated praying
a judicial examination and determination of the question of the validity of the organization of the
association, or of any power conferred by the articles of incorporation, or of any amendment to
the articles of incorporation, or of any assessment levied, or of any act, proceeding, or contract
of the association. Such petition shall state the facts wherein the validity of such organization,
power conferred by the articles of incorporation, amendment to the articles of incorporation,
assessment, act, proceeding, or contract is founded and shall be verified by a member of the
board. Thereupon a notice in the nature of a summons shall issue under the hand and seal of the
clerk of said court, directed to all stockholders, creditors, or other persons interested in said
water users' association, naming it, which designation shall be deemed sufficient to give the
court jurisdiction of all matters and parties involved and interested. Service shall be obtained by
publication of such notice as in the case of publication of summons in an action to quiet title to
real property.
(2) Any stockholder, creditor, or other interested person may answer such petition within
the time allowed therefor. All persons filing answers shall be entered as defendants in the cause
and their several defenses consolidated for hearing or trial. Upon hearing, the court shall
examine all things affecting the validity of the matter in controversy, shall make a finding with
reference thereto, and shall enter judgment and decree as the case warrants. In reaching its
conclusions in such causes, the court shall follow a liberal interpretation of the law and shall
disregard informalities or omissions not affecting the substantial rights of the parties, unless it is
affirmatively shown that such informalities or omissions led to a different result than would have
been otherwise obtained. The Colorado rules of civil procedure shall govern matters of pleading
and practice as nearly as may be. Costs may be assessed or apportioned among contesting parties
in the discretion of the trial court. Review of judgments of the district court shall be as provided
by law and the Colorado appellate rules.
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Source: L. 29: p. 292, § 2. CSA: C. 41, § 158. CRS 53: § 31-16-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 3116-4. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2208, § 23, effective July 1, 2004.
7-44-105. Application to prior associations. Sections 7-44-103 and 7-44-104 also
apply to any water users' association formed under the law of this state prior to February 18,
1929.
Source: L. 29: p. 293, § 3. CSA: C. 41, § 159. CRS 53: § 31-16-5. C.R.S. 1963: § 3116-5. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2208, § 24, effective July 1, 2004.
7-44-106. Water users' association petition in district court - when. (1) Where any
water users' association formed under the law of this state has entered into or proposes to enter
into a contract with the United States for the payment by the association of the construction and
other charges of a federal reclamation project constructed or under construction within this state,
and where the funds for the payment of such charges are to be obtained by the association from
assessments levied upon the stock of such association and constituting liens upon the lands of
such stockholders, the association, in any case where the said contract or proposed contract
would modify or affect any individual contracts between the United States and such stockholders
or between the association and such stockholders, may file in the district court of the county in
which the office of such water users' association is situated, a petition entitled "........ water users'
association against the stockholders of said association and the owners and mortgagees of land
within the ........ federal reclamation project". No other or more specific description of the
defendants shall be required.
(2) In the petition it may be stated that the association has entered into or proposes to
enter into a contract with the United States, to be set out in full in said petition, with a prayer that
the court find the contract to be valid, and a modification of any individual contracts between the
United States and the stockholders of said association or between the association and its
stockholders, insofar as any individual contracts are at variance with such association contract.
Thereupon a notice in the nature of a summons shall issue under the hand and seal of the clerk of
the court stating in brief outline the contents of said petition and showing where a full copy of
the contract or proposed contract may be examined, such notice to be directed to the said
defendants under the same general designations, which shall be deemed sufficient to give the
court jurisdiction of all matters involved and parties interested.
(3) Service shall be obtained by publication of this notice as in the case of publication of
summons in an action to quiet title to real property and by the posting of the notice and complete
copy of the contract or proposed contract in the office of the association and at three other public
places within the boundaries of such federal reclamation project. Any stockholder in the plaintiff
association or owner or mortgagee of land within a federal reclamation project affected by the
contract proposed to be made by the association may answer said petition within twenty days or
such further time as may be allowed therefor by the court. The failure of any person affected by
the said contract to answer shall be construed, so far as that person is concerned, as an
acknowledgment of the validity of the said association contract and as a consent to the
modification of the said individual contracts with the association or with the United States, to the
extent that such modification is required to cause the said individual contracts to conform to the
terms of the contract or proposed contract between the plaintiff and the United States. All
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persons filing answers shall be entered as defendants in said cause and their defenses
consolidated for hearing or trial.
(4) At the hearing the court shall examine all matters in controversy and shall enter
judgment and decree as the case warrants, showing how and to what extent, if any, the individual
contracts of the defendants or under which they claim are modified by the association's contract
or proposed contract with the United States. In reaching its conclusions in such causes, the court
shall follow a liberal interpretation of the law and shall disregard informalities or omissions not
affecting the substantial rights of the parties, unless it is affirmatively shown that these
informalities or omissions led to a different result than would have been obtained otherwise. The
Colorado rules of civil procedure shall govern matters of pleading and practice as nearly as may
be. Costs may be assessed or apportioned among contesting parties in the discretion of the trial
court. Review of the judgment of the district court shall be as provided by law and the Colorado
appellate rules.
Source: L. 31: p. 265, § 1. CSA: C. 46, § 160. CRS 53: § 31-16-6. C.R.S. 1963: § 3116-6. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2208, § 25, effective July 1, 2004.
7-44-107. Associations may extend corporate life. Any water users' association formed
under the law of this state may amend its articles of incorporation so as to extend the life of the
association to any date not later than one hundred years from the date of the approval, February
13, 1931.
Source: L. 31: p. 268, § 2. CSA: C. 41, § 161. CRS 53: § 31-16-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 3116-7. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2209, § 26, effective July 1, 2004.
ARTICLE 45
Toll Road Companies
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 17 of chapter 31, C.R.S. 1963. The
substantive provisions of this article were repealed and reenacted in 2006, resulting in the
addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to
this article prior to 2006, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note and the table
itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973
beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.
Cross references: (1) For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
(2) For provisions regarding private toll roads, see part 3 of article 3 of title 43.
7-45-101. Formation of toll road or toll highway company - description of corridor.
(1) A toll road or toll highway company shall be formed under Colorado law. On and after June
2, 2008, a toll road or toll highway company may not specify and map a transportation corridor
in its filed formation document, and any corridor included in a filed formation document filed
before June 2, 2008, shall not be deemed to give the filing toll road or toll highway company any
property right or exclusive development right of any kind within the corridor other than as
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specified in section 7-45-103. If a toll road or toll highway company complies with the
provisions of this article, it shall have the power to erect toll gates and set and collect tolls.
(2) The secretary of state shall maintain a list of all toll road and toll highway companies
and shall make the list and the filed formation documents for all toll road and toll highway
companies available to the public. To allow the secretary of state to efficiently compile and
maintain an accessible list, a toll road or toll highway company shall include the designation
"PTR" in its official name as specified in its filed formation document.
(3) and (4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2008, p. 1707, § 1, effective June 2, 2008.)
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1760, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: (1), (3),
and (4) amended, p. 1707, § 1, effective June 2.
7-45-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Associated rail corridor" means a corridor for a proposed rail line and any related
rail facilities necessary for the operation of a rail line that are to be located in the right-of-way of
a toll road or toll highway.
(2) "Associated service area" means a gas station, restaurant, or other travel-related
service that serves motorists using a toll road or toll highway.
(3) "Associated utility corridor" means a utility line or system and any related
infrastructure used to convey gas, electricity, water, sewage, telecommunications signals, data,
or other media located or to be located in the right-of-way of a toll road or toll highway.
(4) "Commenting state agencies" means the department of transportation, the department
of public health and environment, the department of natural resources, the department of
agriculture, and the department of local affairs.
(5) "Commercial, residential, and industrial development" means the development of
offices, shops, stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, warehouses, factories, houses, apartments,
condominiums, and other buildings and structures used for the sale and rental of goods or
services, for the manufacture, fabrication, assembly, or storage of products, or for sleeping or
dwelling.
(6) "Company" means a domestic corporation, general partnership, limited partnership,
limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited liability limited partnership,
limited partnership association, nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, cooperative, or
other organization or association that is created under a statute or common law of this state and
that is recognized under the law of this state as a separate legal entity.
(7) "Filed formation document" means articles of incorporation, articles of organization,
a certificate of limited partnership, articles of association, a statement of registration, or any
other document of similar import filed by an entity with the secretary of state under which the
entity is formed or obtains its legal status in this state.
(7.3) "New toll road or toll highway company" means a toll road or toll highway
company that, as of June 2, 2008, has not specified and mapped a three-mile corridor in its filed
formation document as was required by section 7-45-101 (1) before June 2, 2008.
(7.5) "Preexisting toll road or toll highway company" means a toll road or toll highway
company that, as of June 2, 2008, had specified and mapped a three-mile corridor in its filed
formation document as was required by section 7-45-101 (1) before June 2, 2008.
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(8) "Toll road" or "toll highway" means a series of improvements, including but not
limited to paving, grading, landscaping, curbs, gutters, culverts, sidewalks, bikeways, lighting,
bridges, overpasses, underpasses, frontage roads, access roads, interchanges, drainage facilities,
mass transit lanes, park and ride facilities, toll collection facilities, administrative or maintenance
facilities, and emergency response and law enforcement services. Nothing in this article shall be
construed to affect any common carrier, as defined in section 40-1-102 (3), C.R.S., including,
but not limited to, any railroad. Any utility line, system, or infrastructure shall be subject to a
reasonable fee and reasonable relocation provisions.
(9) "Toll road or toll highway company" means a company that proposes to construct a
toll road or toll highway in this state under the provisions of this article.
(10) "Toll road or toll highway project" or "project" means a proposed toll road or toll
highway together with any associated rail corridor, associated service area, or associated utility
corridor.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1761, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: (7.3) and
(7.5) added, p. 1708, § 2, effective June 2.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-45-103. Deadline to commence work - maintenance of effort requirement. A
preexisting toll road or toll highway company shall commence work, including but not limited to
planning, design, environmental mitigation, and other preconstruction work, on the toll road or
toll highway proposed in its filed formation document no later than three years after the filing of
the document or within one year after receiving all necessary approvals for construction. If any
necessary approval is the subject of administrative or judicial review, then the one-year period
shall be automatically extended until one year after all administrative or judicial review has been
concluded. The preexisting toll road or toll highway company and any successor toll road or toll
highway company shall continue the work from day to day until at least five hundred thousand
dollars have been expended on the toll road or toll highway. If the preexisting toll road or toll
highway company fails to perform the required work, it shall forfeit all rights to develop and
construct the proposed toll road or toll highway. If the preexisting toll road or toll highway
company performs the required work, it shall have the exclusive right to seek approval to
develop a toll road or toll highway within the three-mile corridor specified in its filed formation
document as required by section 7-45-101 (1) before June 2, 2008, and, only if such approval is
granted, the exclusive right to develop a toll road or toll highway within the corridor.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1762, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: Entire
section amended, p. 1708, § 3, effective June 2.
7-45-104. Acquisition of right-of-way. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section
38-2-101, C.R.S., on and after June 6, 2006, a preexisting toll road or toll highway company
shall not have the power to exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire any part of the rightof-way of the three-mile corridor of a proposed toll road or toll highway specified in the filed
formation document of the company as required by section 7-45-101 (1) and a new toll road or
toll highway company shall not have the power to exercise the right of eminent domain to
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acquire any part of the right-of-way of a toll road or toll highway it proposes to construct.
Nothing herein shall prohibit a preexisting or new toll road or toll highway company from
entering into a public-private initiative with the department of transportation in accordance with
the provisions of part 12 of article 1 of title 43, C.R.S., and as authorized in section 7-45-111 for
the purpose of enabling the construction of a toll road or toll highway, but in such a case the
power of eminent domain shall not be exercised by the toll road or toll highway company and
may be exercised by the department only for purposes of acquiring property and rights-of-way
necessary for the completion of a toll road or toll highway open to the public that is incorporated
into the comprehensive statewide transportation plan prepared pursuant to section 43-1-1103 (5),
C.R.S. The department may not use the power of eminent domain provided in this section to
acquire a cemetery, as defined in section 10-15-102 (2), C.R.S., or property owned by or
primarily used by a religious organization. In exercising the power of eminent domain, the
department shall comply with all laws and administrative rules that govern the department's use
of eminent domain for state highway projects, and the rights-of-way acquired shall form a
corridor no larger than that approved by all affected metropolitan planning organizations,
regional planning commissions, and the transportation commission pursuant to sections 7-45-105
and 7-45-106. In accordance with section 43-1-1204 (3)(b), C.R.S., the department may not sell
or otherwise transfer ownership of property or rights-of-way acquired through the exercise of the
power of eminent domain as authorized by this section to a toll road or toll highway company.
(2) As used in this section, "religious organization" means any organization, church,
body of communicants, or group, not for pecuniary profit, gathered in common membership for
mutual support and edification in piety, worship, and religious observances or a society, not for
pecuniary profit, of individuals united for religious purposes at a definite place.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1763, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: (1)
amended, p. 1709, § 4, effective June 2.
Editor's note: This section was enacted by Senate Bill 06-078 prior to the repeal and
reenactment of this article by House Bill 06-1003. For the text of this section in effect from
March 31, 2006, to June 6, 2006, see section 1 of chapter 74, Session Laws of Colorado 2006.
7-45-105. Planning standards and project review. (1) A preexisting or new toll road
or toll highway company shall not commence the construction of a toll road or toll highway or of
any other element of a toll road or toll highway project until the toll road or toll highway or other
element has been reviewed by every metropolitan planning organization or regional planning
commission that is located in whole or in part within the three-mile corridor designated by the
preexisting toll road or toll highway company as required by section 7-45-101 (1) before June 2,
2008, or that is located in whole or in part within the proposed route of the toll road or toll
highway proposed by the new toll road or toll highway company and has been included in the
regional transportation plan in effect for the region pursuant to section 43-1-1103, C.R.S., and in
the comprehensive statewide transportation plan required pursuant to section 43-1-1103 (5),
C.R.S. In designated nonattainment areas for any pollutant pursuant to the federal "Clean Air
Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 7401 et seq., as amended, a metropolitan planning organization or regional
planning commission shall not include a toll road or toll highway project in the regional
transportation plan unless the organization or commission has performed an emissions analysis
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that demonstrates that regional emissions and local project emissions will continue to conform to
the state implementation plan if the project is added to the regional transportation plan. The toll
road or toll highway company shall pay the reasonable actual costs for the emissions analysis.
Each organization or commission may condition its addition of a toll road or toll highway project
into the regional transportation plan upon acceptable environmental mitigation activities and
commitments to offset incremental costs of public services that will be necessary as a result of
development of the project within the planning region.
(2) At least thirty days before a metropolitan planning organization or regional planning
commission may amend its regional transportation plan pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section, a toll road or toll highway company shall provide the organization or commission
information on the toll road or toll highway project being considered for addition to the plan that
includes the final environmental documentation required by section 7-45-106 (1)(b)(IV), the
operating plan for the project, the technology to be utilized, an assessment of project feasibility,
and an assessment of the long-term viability of the project.
(3) (a) At the discretion of a metropolitan planning organization or regional planning
commission, a regional plan may initially be amended to include only environmental and
preconstruction activities, excluding right-of-way acquisition, relating to a toll road or toll
highway project and may later be amended to include actual construction and right-of-way
acquisition of the project following agreement by the metropolitan planning organization or
regional planning commission that acceptable environmental mitigation activities and
commitments to offset incremental costs of public services are included in the project plans.
(b) Upon request of a local government located in whole or in part within the three-mile
corridor of a proposed toll road or toll highway or toll road or toll highway project specified and
mapped by a preexisting toll road or toll highway company in its filed formation document as
required by section 7-45-101 (1) before June 2, 2008, or located in whole or in part within the
proposed route of a toll road or toll highway proposed by a new toll road or toll highway
company, a preexisting or new toll road or toll highway company shall consult with
representatives from the local government and shall consider available mitigation of
demonstrable negative impacts on the local government or its citizens that would result from the
construction, operation, or financing of the toll road or toll highway or project.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1763, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: (1) and
(3)(b) amended, p. 1709, § 5, effective June 2.
7-45-106. Environmental standards and review. (1) (a) Before constructing and
operating a toll road or toll highway or any other element of a toll road or toll highway project, a
toll road or toll highway company shall prepare, at its own expense, environmental
documentation that complies with the environmental stewardship guide approved by the
transportation commission in May 2005. The documentation shall describe the environmental,
social, and economic effects of the proposed toll road, toll highway, or project, identify feasible
measures to avoid or otherwise mitigate the adverse effects of the project, and estimate the
financial costs to implement mitigation measures that are included in the project or have been
previously recommended in writing by the commenting state agencies or an affected
metropolitan planning organization or regional transportation commission and comply with
federal and state air and water quality standards, approvals, and permits.
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(b) (I) A toll road or toll highway company shall not begin work on environmental
documentation required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) until it has obtained preliminary
approval from the executive director of the department of transportation that the scope of the
planned environmental documentation is consistent with the environmental stewardship guide
issued by the department in May 2005 and all other requirements of paragraph (a) of this
subsection (1).
(II) A toll road or toll highway company shall provide a copy of any draft environmental
documentation it prepares as required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) to the commenting
state agencies, affected metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning commissions,
and affected local governments. The toll road or toll highway company shall also make the draft
environmental documentation electronically or otherwise available to the public. The
commenting state agencies may, within sixty days, provide the toll road or toll highway
company and affected metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning commissions
with their analyses of the adequacy of the environmental documentation and shall make the
analyses available to the public.
(III) Each of the commenting agencies may charge a fee to a toll road or toll highway
company to cover the reasonable expenses that it incurred in fulfilling the requirements of
subparagraphs (I) and (II), as applicable, of this paragraph (b).
(IV) A toll road or toll highway company shall prepare final environmental
documentation that addresses comments received from the commenting state agencies,
metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning commissions, and other interested
parties. The final environmental documentation shall be made available to the department of
transportation and the public at least thirty days prior to publication of any notice of hearing
scheduled by the commission pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The transportation commission created in section 43-1-106, C.R.S., shall not revise
the comprehensive statewide transportation plan prepared pursuant to section 43-1-1103 (5),
C.R.S., to include a toll road, toll highway, or toll road or toll highway project subject to the
requirements of this section unless the commission, after holding a public hearing, determines
that:
(a) The requirements of section 7-45-105 and subsection (1) of this section have been
met;
(b) The toll road, toll highway, or project is:
(I) Necessary to meet the transportation needs of the state;
(II) Consistent with section 43-1-1103 (5), C.R.S., and the policies of the transportation
commission;
(III) Consistent with 23 U.S.C. sec. 135; and
(IV) In the public interest;
(c) The toll road, toll highway, or project sponsor has established a reserve fund,
performance bond, or other appropriate mechanism to ensure full payment of the costs of
compliance with federal and state air and water quality standards, other federal and state
environmental requirements, and mitigation measures included in the toll road, toll highway, or
project or required by the transportation commission, a metropolitan planning organization, or a
regional planning commission; and
(d) The toll road, toll highway, or project sponsor has entered into enforceable
agreements with the department of transportation, or agreements with affected local
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governments that are acceptable to the transportation commission, to ensure that mitigation
measures included in the project or required by the transportation commission, a metropolitan
planning organization, or a regional planning commission will be implemented.
(3) The transportation commission may condition its addition of a toll road or toll
highway or a toll road or toll highway project into the comprehensive statewide transportation
plan upon additional mitigation measures if the commission determines that the mitigation
measures are in the best overall public interest taking into consideration:
(a) The need for fast, safe, and efficient transportation;
(b) Public services;
(c) The costs of eliminating or minimizing the adverse effects for which the mitigation
measures are proposed;
(d) Environmental, social, and economic values; and
(e) The financial feasibility of the toll road, toll highway, or project.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1764, § 1, effective June 6.
7-45-107. Construction safety standards. When constructing and maintaining a toll
road or toll highway or any other element of a toll road or toll highway project, a toll road or toll
highway company shall comply with all department of transportation safety standards for state
transportation projects.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1767, § 1, effective June 6.
7-45-108. Notice requirements for proposed toll roads and toll highways - removal
from titles and voiding of previously filed and recorded documents. (1) (a) Within ninety
days of June 2, 2008:
(I) The county clerk and recorder of each county in which a preexisting toll road or toll
highway company filed a disclaimer of interest and map pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
subsection (1), as said paragraph (b) existed before June 2, 2008, shall transfer the map, but not
the disclaimer of interest, to the board of county commissioners of the county; and
(II) A preexisting toll road or toll highway company shall provide a copy of the map, but
not the disclaimer of interest, that the company filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection
(1), as said paragraph (b) existed before June 2, 2008, to the governing body of each
municipality that is included within the three-mile corridor specified and mapped in the
company's filed formation document.
(b) (I) Any properly authorized written notice, disclaimer of interest, or map filed or
recorded by a preexisting toll road or toll highway company as required by subsection (1) of this
section, as said subsection (1) existed before June 2, 2008, is hereby declared void and of no
effect. The voiding of a written notice, disclaimer of interest, or map pursuant to this paragraph
(b) conclusively establishes that the written notice, disclaimer of interest, or map does not affect
the title to any property or have any other legal effect, and a title insurance company or title
insurance agent shall exclude a void written notice, disclaimer of interest, or map from any
documents it prepares on or after June 2, 2008.
(II) No cause of action at law or in equity shall be maintained based upon:
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(A) The act of preparing, filing, or recording a written notice, disclaimer of interest, or
map filed or recorded by a preexisting toll road or toll highway company pursuant to subsection
(1) of this section, as said subsection (1) existed before June 2, 2008, that was subsequently
voided pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b);
(B) The voiding of such a written notice, disclaimer of interest, or map; or
(C) The inclusion or exclusion of such a written notice, disclaimer of interest, or map
from any document prepared by a title insurance company or title insurance agent.
(2) Within ninety days of the inclusion of a toll road or toll highway or any other
element of a toll road or toll highway project proposed by a preexisting or new toll road or toll
highway company in the comprehensive statewide transportation plan as required by section 745-105 (1), the toll road or toll highway company shall send written notice to each person who
owns real property within the proposed route of the proposed toll road, toll highway, or project
of the intent of the toll road or toll highway company to construct the proposed toll road, toll
highway, or element of the project. The toll road or toll highway company shall send the notice
by certified mail and shall describe the proposed toll road, toll highway, or project, including its
location, termini, improvements, and operation.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1767, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: Entire
section R&RE, p. 1710, § 6, effective June 2.
7-45-109. Use of land by toll road or toll highway company - right to repurchase
unneeded condemned property. Any interest in real property that is obtained by a preexisting
toll road or toll highway company, other than a leasehold interest in property or rights-of-way
acquired and owned by the department of transportation as authorized in section 7-45-104,
within the three-mile corridor specified and mapped in its filed formation document as was
required by section 7-45-101 (1) before June 2, 2008, and any interest in real property that is
obtained by a new toll road or toll highway company, other than a leasehold interest in property
or rights-of-way acquired and owned by the department of transportation as authorized in section
7-45-104, within the proposed route of the toll road or toll highway proposed by the new toll
road or toll highway company on or after June 2, 2008, and that is not used for a toll road or toll
highway project shall not be used for commercial, residential, or industrial development; except
that this limitation on use shall apply only during the period in which the toll road or toll
highway company is developing or operating a toll road or toll highway within the corridor or
proposed route. If the development or operation of a toll road or toll highway ceases after the
department has exercised the power of eminent domain to acquire property deemed at the time of
acquisition to be necessary for the completion of the toll road or toll highway as authorized in
section 7-45-104, a person from whom the department acquired property through the exercise of
eminent domain has an exclusive option to repurchase the property acquired at the price paid for
the property as just compensation by the department. The person may exercise the option within
eighteen months following the cessation of the development or operation of the toll road or toll
highway.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1767, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: Entire
section amended, p. 1711, § 7, effective June 2.
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7-45-110. Sale of interest in or assets of a toll road or toll highway company. (1) If
any interest in a preexisting or new toll road or toll highway company is sold or transferred, the
toll road or toll highway company shall continue to comply with the limitations set forth in
section 7-45-109.
(2) If a preexisting or new toll road or toll highway company sells or transfers any
interest in its real property within the three-mile corridor specified in the filed formation
document of the preexisting toll road or toll highway company or within the proposed route of
the toll road or toll highway proposed by the new toll road or toll highway company that is not
used for the toll road or toll highway, then the purchaser shall comply with the limitations set
forth in section 7-45-109.
(3) If a toll road, toll highway, or toll road or toll highway project is included in the
comprehensive statewide transportation plan required pursuant to section 43-1-1103 (5), C.R.S.,
before the toll road or toll highway company completes a subsequent sale or transfer of assets or
rights generating more than twenty percent of the current revenue from the toll road, toll
highway, or project, the purchaser must demonstrate to the transportation commission, and the
commission must determine, that following the sale or transfer the resources needed to comply
with federal and state water quality standards and other federal and state environmental
requirements and to implement mitigation measures that were included in the toll road or toll
highway project description or required by a metropolitan planning organization, a regional
planning commission, or the transportation commission will still be available for those purposes.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1768, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2008: (1) and
(2) amended, p. 1712, § 8, effective June 2.
7-45-111. Public-private initiatives. Nothing contained in this article shall prohibit a
toll road or toll highway company from entering into a public-private initiative with the
department of transportation in accordance with the provisions of part 12 of article 1 of title 43,
C.R.S., for the purpose of enabling the construction of a toll road, toll highway, or project. Any
such project shall comply with the requirements of this article.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 1768, § 1, effective June 6.
ARTICLE 46
Bridge and Ferry Companies
7-46-101 to 7-46-103. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire article repealed, p. 193, § 4, effective April 13.
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 18 of chapter 31, C.R.S. 1963. For
amendments to this article prior to its repeal in 1995, consult the Colorado statutory research
explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the
original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.
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ARTICLE 47
Cemetery Companies
Cross references: (1) For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
(2) For preneed funeral contracts, see article 15 of title 10; for mortuaries, see article 54
of title 12.
7-47-101. Who may organize - powers. (1) Three or more persons may associate
themselves together under the provisions of law, for the purpose of procuring and establishing a
cemetery or place of sepulture, and they shall, upon association and compliance with the
provisions of law, be a body politic and corporate; may sue and be sued; may have a common
seal that may be altered at pleasure; may purchase, hold, and convey real and personal estate;
may choose a president and other officers; may enact bylaws for regulating the affairs of the
corporation, not inconsistent with the law of this state, and compel the observance thereof by
suitable penalties; and may do all acts necessary for the well ordering of the affairs of such
corporation.
(1.5) (a) A board of directors for a nonprofit cemetery corporation shall include at least
one director who owns a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt. If such an owner cannot be found to
serve as a director, the board of directors shall maintain a vacancy until the director position can
be filled with such an owner. A nonprofit cemetery corporation may wait until the first vacancy
on the board of directors occurs after January 1, 2013, before appointing a director who owns a
lot, grave space, niche, or crypt.
(b) This subsection (1.5) applies only to cemeteries as defined in section 6-24-101 (2).
(2) A nonprofit corporation subject to the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation
Act", articles 121 to 137 of this title, shall have all of the rights and powers granted by this
article to the extent not inconsistent with said act, if such nonprofit corporation otherwise
complies with the terms and provisions of this article.
Source: G.L. § 236. G.S. § 379. R.S. 08: § 1047. C.L. § 2430. CSA: C. 41, § 227. CRS
53: § 31-26-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-1. L. 67: p. 659, § 13. L. 97: (2) amended, p. 757, § 14,
effective July 1, 1998. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2209, § 28, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2012:
(1.5) added, (HB 12-1068), ch. 229, p. 1008, § 1, effective August 8. L. 2017: (1.5)(b) amended,
(HB 17-1244), ch. 239, p. 983, § 2, effective August 9.
7-47-102. May acquire land. Any corporation formed under the law of this state to
establish and maintain a cemetery or burial place for the dead may acquire suitable and sufficient
land therefor in the manner provided by articles 1 to 7 of title 38, C.R.S.
Source: L. 1887: p. 70, § 1. R.S. 08: § 1048. C.L. § 2431. CSA: C. 41, § 228. CRS 53:
§ 31-26-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-2. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2209, § 29, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-47-103. Land surveyed and platted. Such corporation shall cause its land, or such
portion thereof as may, from time to time, become necessary for that purpose, to be surveyed
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into lots, avenues, and walks, and to be platted. The plat of ground as surveyed shall be
acknowledged by some officer of the corporation and filed in the office of the recorder of the
county in which the land is situated. Each lot shall be regularly numbered by the surveyor, and
such number shall be marked on the plat.
Source: L. 1887: p. 70, § 2. R.S. 08: § 1049. C.L. § 2432. CSA: C. 41, § 229. CRS 53:
§ 31-26-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-3.
7-47-104. Disposition of proceeds of sales of lots. The net proceeds arising from the
sale of lots by such corporation and all other income and revenue thereof, after paying for
cemetery ground, shall be exclusively applied, appropriated, and used in improving, preserving,
and embellishing the cemetery and its appurtenances, and to paying the necessary expenses of
the corporation, and shall not be appropriated for any purpose of profit to the corporation or its
members.
Source: L. 1887: p. 70, § 3. R.S. 08: § 1050. C.L. § 2433. CSA: C. 41, § 230. CRS 53:
§ 31-26-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-4.
7-47-104.5. Reports. (1) Each nonprofit cemetery corporation shall keep in its principal
office and, upon reasonable request, shall make available for inspection and study to the owner
of any grave space, niche, or crypt, or to a duly authorized representative of the owner, the
following:
(a) An annual written report setting forth the number of interments and entombments
maintained by the nonprofit cemetery corporation, the number of interments and entombments
for the preceding year, and any other facts necessary to show the actual financial condition of the
nonprofit cemetery corporation;
(b) A complete and current copy of any bylaws or articles of incorporation adopted by
the board of directors;
(c) A copy of the minutes of each meeting of the board of directors for the last three
years;
(d) A copy of each periodic report filed during the last three years with the Colorado
secretary of state in accordance with section 7-90-501;
(e) A copy of internal revenue service form 990 reports, or any successor form or report,
for the last three years; and
(f) A copy of the corporation's current balance sheet, income statement, and cash-flow
statement.
(2) To comply with this section, the report must be attested to by the accountant, auditor,
or other person preparing the report and verified by a vote of the board of directors.
(3) Upon written request for a specific list of documents, the nonprofit cemetery shall
provide to any owner of a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt electronic or physical copies of any
reports required by this section. The nonprofit cemetery shall fulfill the request within seven
days after receipt of the request and payment of a copying charge, if paper copies are required or
requested, not to exceed twenty-five cents per physical copied page. The nonprofit cemetery
shall not charge for electronic copies.
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Source: L. 2012: Entire section added, (HB 12-1068), ch. 229, p. 1008, § 2, effective
August 8.
7-47-105. Rights of lot owners. (1) If the grounds purchased or otherwise acquired for
cemetery purposes have been previously used as a burial ground, those who are lot owners at the
time of the purchase continue to own the lots and are members of the corporation.
(2) An owner of a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt may attend any meeting of the board
of directors. The board of directors shall provide reasonable notice of any board meeting to
owners of a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt, who may not participate in meetings of the board of
directors without permission of the chairperson.
Source: L. 1887: p. 70, § 4. R.S. 08: § 1051. C.L. § 2434. CSA: C. 41, § 231. CRS 53:
§ 31-26-5. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-5. L. 2012: Entire section amended, (HB 12-1068), ch. 229, p.
1009, § 3, effective August 8.
7-47-106. Property exempt from taxes - attachment. All the property of such
corporation used or owned for the purposes of this article shall be exempt from taxation,
assessment, lien, attachment, and levy and sale upon execution, except for the purchase price of
the property.
Source: L. 1887: p. 71, § 5. R.S. 08: § 1052. C.L. § 2435. CSA: C. 41, § 232. CRS 53:
§ 31-26-6. L. 59: p. 532, § 7. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-6.
Cross references: For mortuaries located in cemeteries, see § 12-54-201.
7-47-107. Property not exempt - when. The property of any corporation or association
formed under the law of this state to establish and maintain a cemetery for the purposes of profit
shall not be exempt from taxation, liens, or levy and sale until actually sold or disposed of for
cemetery purposes; and when any block, lot, or parcel of land has been disposed of for cemetery
purposes or burial sites for the dead, the same, with streets, walks, and avenues leading thereto,
shall be exempt as provided by section 7-47-106.
Source: L. 1891: p. 58, § 1. R.S. 08: § 1053. C.L. § 2436. CSA: C. 41, § 233. CRS 53:
§ 31-26-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-7. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2210, § 30, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-47-108. Not applicable - when. The provisions of section 7-47-104 shall not apply to
any association or corporation formed under the law of this state to maintain a cemetery for
profit.
Source: L. 1891: p. 58, § 1. R.S. 08: § 1054. C.L. § 2437. CSA: C. 41, § 234. CRS 53:
§ 31-26-8. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-22-8. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2210, § 31, effective
July 1, 2004.
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7-47-109. Abandoned graves - right to reclaim. (1) If there is a lot, grave space,
niche, or crypt in a cemetery in which no remains have been interred, no burial memorial has
been placed, and no other improvement has been made for a continuous period of no less than
seventy-five years, the corporation that established or maintains the cemetery, referred to in this
section as the "corporation", may initiate the process of reclaiming title to the lot, grave space,
niche, or crypt in accordance with this section.
(2) A corporation seeking to reclaim a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt shall:
(a) Send written notice of the corporation's intent to reclaim title to the lot, grave space,
niche, or crypt to the owner's last-known address by first-class mail; and
(b) Publish a notice of the corporation's intent to reclaim title to the lot, grave space,
niche, or crypt in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the cemetery is located
once per week for four weeks.
(3) The notice required by subsection (2) of this section shall clearly indicate that the
corporation intends to terminate the owner's rights and title to the lot, grave space, niche, or
crypt and include a recitation of the owner's right to notify the corporation of the owner's intent
to retain ownership of the lot, grave space, niche, or crypt.
(4) If the corporation does not receive from the owner of the lot, grave space, niche, or
crypt a letter of intent to retain ownership of the lot, grave space, niche, or crypt within sixty
days after the last publication of the notice required by paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this
section, all rights and title to the lot, grave space, niche, or crypt shall transfer to the corporation.
The corporation may then sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the lot, grave space, niche, or
crypt without risk of liability to the prior owner of the lot, grave space, niche, or crypt.
(5) A corporation that reclaims title to a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt in accordance
with this section shall retain in its records for no less than one year a copy of the notice sent
pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section and a copy of the notice published
pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section.
(6) If a person submits to a corporation a legitimate claim to a lot, grave space, niche, or
crypt that the corporation has reclaimed pursuant to this section, the corporation shall transfer to
the person at no charge a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt that, to the extent possible, is
equivalent to the reclaimed lot, grave space, niche, or crypt.
(7) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, on and after August 7, 2006, a
corporation shall not convey title to the real property surveyed as a lot in a cemetery for use as a
burial space. A corporation may grant interment rights to a lot, grave space, niche, or crypt in a
cemetery.
Source: L. 2006: Entire section added, p. 441, § 1, effective August 7.
ARTICLE 48
Business Development Corporations
7-48-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Business Development Corporation Act".
Source: L. 65: p. 447, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-1.
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7-48-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Board of directors" means the board of directors of a corporation created under this
article.
(2) "Corporation" means a Colorado business development corporation created under the
provisions of this article.
(3) "Financial institution" means any bank, trust company, savings and loan association,
public or private pension or retirement fund, insurance company or related corporation,
partnership, foundation, or other institution engaged in lending or investing funds.
(4) "Loan limit" for any member means the maximum amount permitted to be
outstanding at one time on loans made by such member to a corporation as determined under the
provisions of this article.
(5) "Member" means any financial institution which undertakes to lend money to a
corporation created under this article, upon its call and in accordance with the provisions of this
article.
Source: L. 65: p. 447, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-2 .L. 2013: (3) amended, (SB 13-154),
ch. 282, p. 1469, § 23, effective July 1.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-48-103. Incorporation - applicability of "Colorado Business Corporation Act". A
business development corporation may be incorporated in this state pursuant to the provisions of
article 102 of this title, and all the provisions of the "Colorado Business Corporation Act",
articles 101 to 117 of this title, not in conflict with or inconsistent with the provisions of this
article shall apply to such corporation except as otherwise provided in this article. The purpose
clause of the articles of incorporation shall recite that the purposes for which the corporation is
formed are to stimulate and promote the business prosperity and economic welfare of this state
and its citizens; to encourage and assist, through financial aid, advice, technical assistance, and
other appropriate means, the location of new businesses and industries and the rehabilitation,
improvement, and expansion of existing businesses and industries throughout the state; and, in
furtherance of these purposes, to cooperate with the division of commerce and development of
this state and with other organizations, public and private.
Source: L. 65: p. 448, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-3. L. 93: Entire section amended, p.
856, § 10, effective July 1, 1994.
7-48-104. Domestic entity name. In addition to complying with part 6 of article 90 of
this title, providing for entity names, each corporation created under this article shall have as part
of its domestic entity name the words "Business Development".
Source: L. 65: p. 448, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-4. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p.
2210, § 32, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1403, § 14, effective July
1.
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7-48-105. Approval of governor. The articles of incorporation shall not be filed by the
secretary of state unless approved by the governor in writing. This approval shall not be given by
the governor until the governor first has sought the advice of the division of commerce and
development.
Source: L. 65: p. 448, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-5. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p.
1404, § 15, effective July 1.
7-48-106. Restrictions on powers. (1) The powers of a corporation shall be subject to
the following restrictions:
(a) It shall not approve any application for a loan until the applicant shall have shown
that the applicant has applied to a financial institution that could lawfully lend the amount of
money sought and that the financial institution has refused in writing to make the requested loan.
(b) It shall not incur any secondary liability for the debts of others but may assume
primary liability therefor.
(c) It shall not give security for any loan made to it unless all loans to it are secured
ratably in proportion to unpaid balances due.
Source: L. 65: p. 449, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-6. L. 2004: (1)(a) amended, p. 1404, §
16, effective July 1.
7-48-107. Acquisition or disposition of securities and capital stock. Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, any person, corporation, public utility, financial institution, or labor
union may acquire, hold, sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any
bonds, notes, debentures, securities, or other evidences of indebtedness or the shares of capital
stock of a corporation created under this article; but the amount of capital stock which may be
acquired by any member of such corporation shall not exceed ten percent of the loan limit of that
member.
Source: L. 65: p. 449, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-7.
7-48-108. Membership - loans from members. (1) Any financial institution is
authorized to become a member of a corporation by making application to the board of directors
on such form and in such manner as the board of directors may require, and membership shall
become effective upon acceptance of the application by said board. Membership shall be for the
duration of the corporation; but upon written notice given to the corporation two years in
advance, a member may withdraw from membership at the expiration date of the notice and shall
not thereafter be obligated to make any loans to the corporation.
(2) Every member shall make loans to the corporation as and when called upon by it to
do so, upon such terms and conditions as approved from time to time by the board of directors,
subject to the following conditions:
(a) All loans shall be evidenced by negotiable instruments of the corporation and shall
bear interest at a rate of not less than one-half of one percent in excess of the rate of interest
determined by the board of directors to be the prime rate on unsecured commercial loans as of
the date of the loan.
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(b) All loan limits shall be established at the thousand dollar amount nearest to the
amount computed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(c) No loan to a development corporation shall be made if immediately thereafter the
total amount of the obligations of the said corporation would exceed ten times the amount then
paid in on its outstanding capital stock.
(d) (I) The total amount outstanding at any one time on loans to a development
corporation made by any member must not exceed the lesser of twenty percent of the total
amount then outstanding on loans to such development corporation by all members thereof, two
hundred fifty thousand dollars, or the following limit to be determined as of the time a member
becomes a member on the basis of figures contained in the most recent year-end statement prior
to its application for membership:
(A) Three percent of the capital and permanent surplus of banks and trust companies;
(B) Three percent of the total reserve and surplus accounts of a savings and loan
association;
(C) One percent of the capital and unassigned surplus of stock insurance companies,
except fire insurance companies;
(D) One percent of the unassigned surplus of mutual insurance companies, except fire
insurance companies;
(E) One-tenth of one percent of the assets of fire insurance companies; and
(F) Comparable limits for other financial institutions as established by the board of
directors of the development corporation.
(II) All loan limits shall be recomputed as of the first day of January of each evennumbered year, but no member's loan limit shall be increased as the result of such recomputation
without the consent of the member.
(e) Each call for loans made by the corporation shall be prorated among the members of
the corporation in substantially the same proportion that the adjusted loan limit of each member
bears to the aggregate of the adjusted loan limits of all members. The "adjusted loan limit" of a
member shall be the amount of such member's loan limit reduced by the balance of outstanding
loans made by the member to the corporation and the investment of such member in capital
stock of the corporation at the time of the call.
(f) A member of a corporation created under this article shall not be a member of more
than one such corporation.
Source: L. 65: p. 449, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-8. L. 2013: IP(2) and (2)(d) amended,
(SB 13-154), ch. 282, p. 1469, § 24, effective July 1.
7-48-109. Capital stock - stockholders and members. (1) Each share of stock of a
corporation shall have a par value of one hundred dollars and shall be issued for cash. No
preferred stock shall be issued. At least one hundred thousand dollars shall be paid into the
treasury for capital stock before the corporation shall be authorized to transact any business other
than that which relates to its organization.
(2) Each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share
of capital stock held, and each member shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for
each one thousand dollars of the authorized loan limit of such member as determined under
section 7-48-108 (2).
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(3) The rights given by the "Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of
this title, to stockholders to attend meetings and to receive notice thereof and exercise voting
rights shall apply to members as well as to stockholders of a corporation created under this
article. The voting rights of the members shall be the same as if they were a separate class of
stockholders, and stockholders and members shall in all cases vote separately by classes. A
quorum at a meeting shall require the presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the holders
of the voting rights of each class.
Source: L. 65: p. 451, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-9. L. 2003: (3) amended, p. 2210, § 33,
effective July 1, 2004.
7-48-110. Directors. The business and affairs of a corporation shall be conducted by a
board of directors. The number of directors shall be a multiple of three. Two-thirds of the
directors shall be elected by the members and one-third shall be elected by the stockholders. Any
vacancy in the office of a director elected by the members shall be filled by the directors elected
by the members, and any vacancy in the office of a director elected by the stockholders shall be
filled by the directors elected by the stockholders.
Source: L. 65: p. 451, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-10.
7-48-111. Amendments to articles of incorporation. No amendment to the articles of
incorporation shall be made which increases the obligation of a member to make loans to the
corporation or which makes any change in the principal amount, interest rate, maturity date, or
security or credit position of any outstanding loan made by a member to the corporation or
which affects the right of a member to withdraw from membership or the voting rights of such
member, without the consent of each member who would be affected by such amendment.
Source: L. 65: p. 451, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-11.
7-48-112. Earned surplus. Each year the corporation shall set apart as earned surplus
not less than ten percent of its net earnings for the preceding fiscal year until such surplus is
equal in value to one-half of the amount paid in on the capital stock then outstanding. If the
amount of surplus so established becomes impaired, it shall be built up again to the required
amount in the manner provided for its original accumulation.
Source: L. 65: p. 452, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-12.
7-48-113. Members to have rights of stockholders. The rights given to stockholders
under the provisions of sections 7-102-106, 7-103-104, 7-110-203, and 7-114-102 shall apply to
members as well as to stockholders of a corporation created under this article.
Source: L. 65: p. 452, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-13. L. 93: Entire section amended, p.
856, § 11, effective July 1, 1994. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1404, § 17, effective July
1.
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7-48-114. Deposit of funds. No corporation formed under the provisions of this article
shall at any time be authorized to receive money on deposit. The corporation shall not deposit
any of its funds in any banking institution unless such institution has been designated as a
depository by a vote of a majority of the directors present at an authorized meeting of the board
of directors, exclusive of any director who is an officer or director of the depository so
designated.
Source: L. 65: p. 452, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-14. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p.
2210, § 34, effective July 1, 2004.
7-48-115. Books and records. A corporation shall keep, in addition to the books and
records required by sections 7-116-101 and 7-116-102, a record showing the names and
addresses of all members of the corporation and the current status of loans made by each to the
corporation. Members shall have the same rights with respect to such books and records as are
given to stockholders by sections 7-116-101 to 7-116-106.
Source: L. 65: p. 452, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-15. L. 93: Entire section amended, p.
856, § 12, effective July 1, 1994.
7-48-116. Credit of state not pledged. Under no circumstances is the credit of the state
pledged in this article.
Source: L. 65: p. 452, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-23-16.
ARTICLE 49
Older Housing
7-49-101. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares
that:
(a) There exists in both the urban and rural areas of the state a substantial quantity of
older houses which, while still structurally sound and safe, are in danger of deteriorating due to
the lack of available private investment capital which would help ensure their purchase or
rehabilitation;
(b) The purchase, repair, and restoration of such houses by interested persons will tend
to stabilize the physical and social environment of the area in which such houses are located,
preserve the economic base of the community of which they are a part, and help prevent the
spread of blighted houses;
(c) A need exists for assistance to individuals and families in securing financing to
purchase or rehabilitate such housing; that such purpose can best be met by coordination and
cooperation among private lenders and insurers with state and local governments; that such
assistance can be provided by stimulating the flow of private investment capital into the
financing of such houses by providing a program of mortgage lending and insurance specifically
designed to provide loans or insurance to individuals or families who would otherwise qualify
for mortgage loans in areas of newer housing; and that local governments can further stimulate
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the upgrading of endangered older houses by minimizing the problems associated with overrestrictive and narrowly-defined and administered building codes and inspection procedures.
(2) It is further declared that a general law cannot be made applicable to the corporation
authorized by this article because of the atypical and special nature of the corporation's powers,
duties, privileges, rights, and liabilities.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 264, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Corporation" means the Colorado older housing preservation corporation authorized
to be created in this article.
(2) "Eligible housing structure" or "eligible housing" means a structure occupied by the
owner and used primarily for residential purposes, consisting of eight or less units, thirty years of
age or older, and on land located in a recorded subdivision plat in which fifty percent or more of
the residential housing structures are thirty years of age or older.
(3) "Financial institution", "member institution", or "institution" means any bank, trust
company, savings and loan association, credit union, public or private pension or retirement
fund, insurance company or corporation related thereto, partnership, foundation, or any other
financial institution authorized to invest in or make mortgage loans or to provide insurance for
mortgage loans.
(4) "Insured lender" or "lender" means any financial institution which makes a loan
which is insured under this article.
(5) "Mortgage" means a written instrument evidencing or creating a lien against real
property for the purpose of providing security for the repayment of a debt. For the purposes of
this article, the term includes a deed of trust.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 265, § 1, effective June 29. L. 2013: (3) amended,
(SB 13-154), ch. 282, p. 1470, § 25, effective July 1.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-49-103. Corporation authorized. A corporation, for the purposes enumerated in this
article, may be incorporated upon approval of the governor and the state treasurer. The
provisions of the "Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title, not in
conflict with or inconsistent with the provisions of this article shall apply to such corporation.
The purpose clause of the articles of incorporation shall recite that the purposes for which the
corporation is formed are to stimulate the flow of private investment capital for the purchase and
rehabilitation of eligible housing; to encourage and assist through financial aid, advice, technical
assistance, and other appropriate means the improvement of existing housing throughout the
state; and, in furtherance of these purposes, to cooperate with the division of housing of the
department of local affairs and the Colorado housing and finance authority and with other
organizations, public and private.
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Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 265, § 1, effective June 29. L. 87: Entire section
amended, p. 1196, § 15, effective May 20. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 856, § 13, effective
July 1, 1994.
7-49-104. Corporate name. The corporation shall be called the Colorado older housing
preservation corporation.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 265, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-105. Approval of governor and state treasurer. The articles of incorporation
shall not be delivered to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this
title, unless the governor and the state treasurer have approved in writing the method for
selection of public members of the board of directors and the creation of the corporation.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 266, § 1, effective June 29. L. 2002: Entire
section amended, p. 1812, § 9, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1676, § 7, effective
October 1.
7-49-106. Election of board of directors. (1) The business and affairs of the
corporation shall be conducted by a board of directors comprised of:
(a) Four members elected by a vote of the eight participating financial institutions who
have made or committed the largest contributions to the loan and insurance funds provided for in
sections 7-49-108 and 7-49-109; and
(b) Two members elected by the remaining participating financial institutions; and
(c) Three members, elected under procedures established in the articles of incorporation
at the time of incorporation and approved by the governor and state treasurer, representing the
general public; and
(d) The executive director of the department of local affairs or the executive director's
designee, the chairperson of the banking board, the commissioner of insurance, the executive
director of the Colorado housing and finance authority, and the state treasurer, who shall serve as
ex officio voting members of the board of directors.
(2) Except for the ex officio members, the terms of office for each member shall be four
years; except that, at the time of incorporation, a majority of the members of the initial board
shall be elected for four-year terms and the remainder for two-year terms. Any vacancy shall be
filled in the same manner as the original election but shall be for the unexpired term.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 266, § 1, effective June 29. L. 87: (1)(d) amended,
p. 1196, § 16, effective May 20. L. 88: (1)(d) amended, p. 417, § 8, effective April 11. L. 2004:
(1)(d) amended, p. 1404, § 18, effective July 1.
7-49-107. Restrictions on powers. (1) The powers of the corporation shall be subject to
the following restrictions:
(a) It shall not approve any application for a loan until the applicant has shown that the
applicant has applied to two or more financial institutions that could lawfully lend the amount of
money sought and that the financial institutions have refused in writing to make the requested
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loan or would only make such loan under conditions substantially different from the prevailing
rates and conditions available to persons borrowing for the purchase or remodeling of newer
homes;
(b) It shall not give security for any loan made unless all loans are secured ratably in
proportion to unpaid balances due.
(2) Nothing in this article shall be construed to empower the board of directors to adopt
rules or regulations that are inconsistent with federal law governing financial institutions or any
federal rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to such federal law.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 266, § 1, effective June 29. L. 2003: (2) amended,
p. 2210, § 35, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(a) amended, p. 1404, § 19, effective July 1.
7-49-108. Membership - loans from members. (1) Any financial institution is
authorized to become a member of the corporation by making application to the board of
directors on such form and in such manner as the board of directors may by rule require, and
membership shall become effective upon approval of the application by said board. Membership
shall be for the duration of the corporation; but, upon written notice given to the corporation two
years in advance, a member may withdraw from membership at the expiration of the notice and
shall not thereafter be obligated to make any loans as a member of the corporation.
(2) Every member shall agree to make, pledge, or commit loans to the corporation or to
other borrowers as provided in this section when called upon by it to do so, upon such terms and
conditions as shall be approved by rule from time to time by the board of directors.
(3) (a) Pursuant to procedures established by rule at the time of incorporation, or as from
time to time modified by the board of directors with the approval of a majority of the member
institutions, the corporation shall have the right to ask every member to make, pledge, or commit
loans up to two-tenths of one percent of its assets (or more if a greater amount is subsequently
authorized) for rehabilitation, refinancing, or acquisition loans made under this article. A
member's obligation to make, pledge, or commit loans in excess of two-tenths of one percent of
its assets arises only with the consent of the individual member.
(b) Such request may be made by the corporation to a member institution asking that the
member fulfill its obligations by making an insured loan to finance rehabilitation work,
refinancing, or acquisition.
(c) If a member institution has made loans insured under this article, outstanding
principal amounts of which equal or exceed two-tenths of one percent of such lending
institution's assets or the amount of funds pledged, the institution may assign a loan application
qualified under this article to another member institution which has not made loans insured
under this article equal to the amount of funds pledged or committed to the corporation or twotenths of one percent of its assets, and the member institution to which the assignment has been
made will, if such member institution approves, make the insured loan.
(d) In the alternative, a member institution which has exceeded its two-tenths of one
percent quota may place a loan application qualified under this article with the corporation
which shall have the authority to assign such qualified loan application to any member
institution which has not exceeded its commitments, and such institution shall make such loan if
it approves thereof. The member institution to which such assignment is made need not be
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located in the municipality in which the housing facility mortgaged or to be mortgaged pursuant
to such assigned loan is located.
(e) Each loan shall be subject to reasonable administrative discretion and approval by the
lender, under rules established by the corporation, as to the structural soundness of the housing
structure and the economic soundness of the proposed loan.
(f) If loans are made directly to the corporation by a member institution for use by the
corporation pursuant to procedures established at the time of incorporation, the corporation may
transfer amounts to each member institution for the purpose of making loans as provided in this
article. Each such loan shall be subject to reasonable administrative discretion by the lender as to
the structural soundness of the housing structure and the economic soundness of the proposed
loan.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 266, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-109. Loan insurance fund established. (1) The articles of incorporation shall
include provisions for the establishment of a loan insurance fund as follows:
(a) At the time of incorporation, and prior to initiating any loans under section 7-49-108,
the corporation may call upon each member institution to contribute to the loan insurance fund.
The contribution of each institution shall not exceed two-one hundredths of one percent of its
assets, unless a greater amount is contributed voluntarily by a member institution or unless a
greater amount is stated at the time of incorporation. The corporation may call for contributions
to the loan insurance fund only as needed to meet its insurance obligations on loans insured
under this article that are in default and for the purpose of maintaining a fund of cash in the loan
insurance fund of five hundred thousand dollars. Calls for contributions shall be made upon each
of the member institutions in an amount that bears, at the date of the call, the same proportion to
the loan insurance fund as such institution's assets bear to the total assets owned by the
institutions.
(b) The loan insurance fund may be maintained by mortgage insurance fees not to
exceed one-half of one percent above the rate charged for the mortgage or rehabilitation loan.
(2) In the alternative, mortgage insurance may also be provided under the provisions of
section 10-4-106, C.R.S.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 267, § 1, effective June 29. L. 2003: (1)(a)
amended, p. 2211, § 36, effective July 1, 2004.
7-49-110. Mortgage loans eligible for insurance. (1) Fund insurance may be made
available under the following conditions:
(a) Fund insurance is applicable to loans originated by mortgagees approved by the
corporation.
(b) Mortgage loans must be a first lien against subject property.
(c) Mortgage loans involving leaseholds must have a remaining lease term of not less
than the mortgage term plus ten years.
(d) Mortgage loans on one- to eight-family properties are eligible only if owneroccupied.
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(e) All mortgage loans shall bear interest at the rate agreed upon by the mortgagor and
the corporation if the loan is made directly from funds held by the corporation and transferred to
a participating lender, or by the mortgagor and the lending institution if the loan is made by the
institution on call from the corporation.
(f) No mortgage loan shall be insured for a term in excess of forty years.
(g) The mortgage loan must contain amortization provisions satisfactory to the
corporation for the complete amortization of the loan in monthly installments. Generally, the
sum of principal and interest payments shall be substantially the same from month to month;
however, special amortization programs involving increasing or decreasing monthly payments
may be considered for insurance by the corporation.
(h) Mortgage loans submitted for insurance consideration to the corporation must
conform to the exhibits, documentation, and eligibility criteria as required under the loan
insurance program for which approval is being requested. The corporation may establish, from
time to time, the maximum interest rate and term of the loan which it will permit as to any loan it
will insure.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 268, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-111. Percentage of insurance. (1) The corporation may insure:
(a) Up to one hundred percent of the unpaid principal amount of loans for the purpose of
purchasing, rehabilitating, or repairing eligible housing;
(b) Up to thirty percent of the original principal amount of refinancing loans, if the funds
in excess of those required to discharge existing mortgages are used for rehabilitation of all
dwelling units in structures refinanced and for no other purpose; and
(c) Up to thirty percent of the original principal amount of acquisition loans, if the
insured loan together with other resources of the borrower is sufficient to acquire the property
and to complete rehabilitation in accordance with the standards of this article. When the
borrower of such an insured loan has repaid to the lender thirty percent of the original principal
balance, the loan shall cease to be insured, and thereafter the borrower shall no longer be
required to make mortgage insurance payments to the corporation.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 268, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-112. Processing loans for insurance. (1) Insurance on a loan qualifying for
mortgage insurance under this article shall be in effect as of the date on which the lender has
made a report to the corporation which shall document:
(a) The estimated cost of the rehabilitation work to be done;
(b) In the case of a refinancing loan or acquisition loan, that such loan shall not exceed
one hundred percent of the fair market value of the property to be refinanced or acquired after
rehabilitation work has been completed;
(c) That the estimated useful life of the housing accommodation, after rehabilitation, in
the case of a rehabilitation loan, is greater than the term of the insurable mortgage;
(d) That the housing facility after purchase or rehabilitation will not contain any
substantial violation of housing, building, or sanitary codes which would make the housing so
unsafe that it presents a danger to the occupants or the public health or safety.
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Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 269, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-113. Eligible properties. (1) Property which is the subject of mortgage insurance
or a mortgage or rehabilitation loan must:
(a) Meet the provisions of section 7-49-102 (2);
(b) Be located in this state;
(c) Be primarily residential in nature and use.
(2) If the housing facility includes three or more units, the corporation or lending
institution may require appraisal as an investment and include an income and operating
statement. Approval may also be subject to satisfactory leases.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 269, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-114. Working capital fund. (1) The corporation shall, at the time of
incorporation, establish a general fund, referred to in this article as the "working capital fund",
and shall pay into such working capital fund any other moneys which may be available to the
corporation for its general purposes from any source.
(2) All moneys held in the working capital fund, including, without limitation, any cash
funds transferred directly to the corporation and any income or interest earned by or increment to
such fund, shall be used by the corporation for its general purposes, and, to the extent authorized
by it, any such moneys in excess of the amount required to make and keep the corporation selfsupporting and to repay loans from member institutions shall be made available for the purposes
of loans or for the loan insurance fund.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 269, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-115. Division of housing - assistance. (1) The division of housing of the
department of local affairs is hereby authorized to assist individuals and the corporation as to:
(a) The nature, extent, and manner of repairs, remodeling, or rehabilitation financed
under this article and the nature, extent, and manner of repairs required to ensure that the
dwelling structure will not be structurally unsound and unsafe after such work is completed;
(b) The manner, method, or mode by which the mortgage recipient could undertake all
or any portion of the work; and
(c) The progress of the work, including technical assistance regarding the quality of such
work.
(2) The corporation may establish rules and regulations providing a schedule of the
amount or percentage of the cost or any technical assistance provided by a lender or which may
be done under contract to the division of housing of the department of local affairs or by a
private firm. Said amount may be included in the loan; except that the total amount to be charged
shall not exceed one-half of one percent of the total amount of a loan to finance repair or
rehabilitation work only or one-half of one percent of the cost of the repair or rehabilitation work
to be undertaken in conjunction with the refinancing of an existing mortgage or the financing of
the acquisition of a housing facility.
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Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 270, § 1, effective June 29. L. 2004: (1)(b)
amended, p. 1405, § 20, effective July 1.
7-49-116. Nonliability of state for mortgage insurance commitments. This state shall
not be liable for mortgage insurance commitments of the fund beyond the reserves and fee
revenues of the fund. The mortgage insurance commitments issued on the fund shall contain a
statement to that effect.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 270, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-117. Deposit of funds. The corporation shall not deposit any of its funds in any
banking institution unless such institution has been designated as a depository by a vote of a
majority of the directors present at an authorized meeting of the board of directors, exclusive of
any director who is an officer or director of the depository so designated.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 270, § 1, effective June 29.
7-49-118. Books and records. In addition to the books and records required by sections
7-116-101 to 7-116-105, the corporation shall keep a record showing the names and addresses of
all members of the corporation and the current status of loans made by each to the corporation.
Members shall have the same rights with respect to such books and records as are given to
stockholders by sections 7-116-101 to 7-116-106.
Source: L. 75: Entire article added, p. 270, § 1, effective June 29. L. 93: Entire section
amended, p. 857, § 14, effective July 1, 1994.
ARTICLE 49.5
Foreign-trade Zones
7-49.5-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Foreign-trade Zones Act".
Source: L. 80: Entire article added, p. 447, § 1, effective March 26.
7-49.5-102. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby finds and declares
that it is in the best interests of the state of Colorado to maintain this state's economic and
commercial viability in the world of national and international commerce by providing
incentives to encourage growth in existing industries and to attract new industry. To that end,
foreign-trade zones are established, operated, and maintained pursuant to a grant of privilege
from the foreign-trade zones board upon proper application in accordance with the "Foreigntrade Zones Act of 1934", 19 U.S.C. sec. 81. This article is enacted to allow designated
corporations, including the city and county of Denver, to make application for such grant of the
privilege to establish such a foreign-trade zone in Colorado.
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Source: L. 80: Entire article added, p. 447, § 1, effective March 26.
7-49.5-103. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Act" means the congressional act commonly known as the "Foreign-trade Zones Act
of 1934", 19 U.S.C. sec. 81.
(2) "Corporation" means a public corporation or a private corporation.
(3) "Foreign merchandise" means merchandise of any class that would be subject to
United States customs law if and when entered into United States customs territory.
(4) "Foreign-trade zone" means a foreign-trade zone established under a grant of
privilege from the foreign-trade zones board, as defined in the act, and includes foreign-trade
subzones as designated by the United States department of commerce.
(5) "Private corporation" means any corporation (other than a public corporation) formed
for the purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining a foreign-trade zone in the state of
Colorado under this article, in accordance with the act.
(6) "Public corporation" means the state of Colorado, any political subdivision,
municipality, or city and county thereof, any public agency of the state of Colorado, any political
subdivision, municipality, or city and county thereof, or any corporate municipal instrumentality
of the state of Colorado or of the state of Colorado and one or more other states.
Source: L. 80: Entire article added, p. 447, § 1, effective March 26. L. 2003: (3) and (5)
amended, p. 2211, § 37, effective July 1, 2004.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-49.5-104. Foreign-trade zone - authority to establish, operate, and maintain. Any
corporation may apply for a grant of the privilege to establish, operate, and maintain a foreigntrade zone. If such grant of privilege is made, such corporation may accept the grant and do all
things necessary and proper in furtherance of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of
the foreign-trade zone. Any action taken under this section shall be in accordance with the act
and any rules and regulations as may be promulgated thereunder.
Source: L. 80: Entire article added, p. 448, § 1, effective March 26.
7-49.5-105. Foreign-trade zone - site. Any corporation making an application for a
grant of the privilege to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign-trade zone may select and
describe the site of such foreign-trade zone in accordance with the act and rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Source: L. 80: Entire article added, p. 448, § 1, effective March 26.
7-49.5-106. Taxation of merchandise. Freeport merchandise and stocks of merchandise
as defined in section 39-1-102 (15), C.R.S., brought as foreign merchandise into a foreign-trade
zone, established pursuant to a grant of privilege under this article, are exempt from taxation by
the state of Colorado or any political subdivision thereof to the extent that such taxation is
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inhibited by provisions of the United States constitution or law enacted thereunder pertaining to
goods in international commerce.
Source: L. 80: Entire article added, p. 448, § 1, March 26. L. 83: Entire section
amended, p. 1487, § 2, effective June 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2211, § 38,
effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: Section 39-1-102 (15), which defined "stocks of merchandise", was
repealed by section 11 of chapter 425, Session Laws of Colorado 1983.
Cross references: For exemption from property tax of inventories of merchandise and
materials and supplies that are held for consumption by a business or are held primarily for sale,
see § 39-3-119.
7-49.5-107. Severability. If any provision of this article or the application thereof to any
person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of the article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,
and to this end the provisions of this article are declared to be severable.
Source: L. 80: Entire article added, p. 448, § 1, effective March 26.
Religious and Benevolent Organizations
ARTICLE 50
Religious, Educational, and Benevolent Societies
Cross references: For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-50-101. How organized. (1) Any church, congregation, or society for religious,
educational, or benevolent purposes may also become incorporated under this article by electing,
appointing, or selecting, at a meeting held for the purpose, two or more of its members as
directors, trustees, wardens, vestrymen, or other officers whose powers and duties are similar to
those of trustees or directors of a corporation organized for profit, referred to in this article as the
"governing board". Said organization may adopt a domestic entity name that complies with part
6 of article 90 of this title and a seal, and, upon the filing of an affidavit with the secretary of
state substantially as provided in section 7-50-102, shall become a body politic and corporate by
the domestic entity name adopted.
(2) The provisions of this article shall not apply to any religious, educational, or
benevolent society formed after December 31, 1967, nor to any religious, educational, or
benevolent society or corporation formed prior to January 1, 1968, which has elected to accept
the provisions of articles 121 to 137 of this title.
Source: G.L. § 229. G.S. § 372. R.S. 08: § 1018. C.L. § 2384. CSA: C. 41, § 177. CRS
53: § 31-21-1. L. 55: p. 240, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-1. L. 67: p. 658, § 11. L. 68: p. 2, § 3. L.
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97: (2) amended, p. 758, § 15, effective July 1, 1998. L. 2000: (1) amended, p. 948, § 1,
effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2211, § 39, effective July 1, 2004.
7-50-102. Affidavit of chairperson. (1) The chairperson or secretary of such meeting,
within a reasonable time after the meeting, shall file in the office of the secretary of state an
affidavit substantially in the following form:
STATE OF COLORADO
)
) ss.
County of ................................................)
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that at a meeting of the members of the (here insert the
name used by the church, congregation, or society before the incorporation) held at .........., in the
county of .........., and State of Colorado, on the ........ day of ........, A.D. 20...., the following
persons (here insert the names) were elected, appointed, or selected as members of the governing
board (under whatever title the organization designates said members, whose powers and duties
are similar to those of trustees or directors of a corporation organized for profit), adopted as its
corporate name (here insert the name), and at said meeting this affiant acted as chairperson (or
secretary, as the fact may be).
...............................................
(Name of affiant)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ............. day of ........., A.D. 20....
(2) A fee that shall be determined and collected pursuant to section 24-21-104 (3),
C.R.S., shall be charged for filing the affidavit of incorporation. When a true copy of such
affidavit is presented to the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall certify it for a fee that
shall be determined and collected pursuant to section 24-21-104 (3), C.R.S., as a true copy of the
original affidavit on file in the records of the secretary of state, showing the date the original
affidavit was filed.
(3) A certified copy of such affidavit shall be recorded in the office of the clerk and
recorder of the county in which the corporation was organized and also in every county in which
the corporation owns real estate. The affidavit of incorporation may also contain other provisions
for the management and conduct of the affairs of the corporation, creating, defining, limiting,
and regulating the powers of the corporation, the governing board, officers, and members
thereof.
Source: G.L. § 230. L. 1879: p. 32, § 1. G.S. § 373. R.S. 08: § 1019. C.L. § 2385. L.
31: p. 249, § 24. CSA: C. 41, § 178. CRS 53: § 31-21-2. L. 55: p. 240, § 2. C.R.S. 1963: § 3120-2. L. 83: (2) amended, p. 870, § 22, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) and (3) amended, p. 2212, §
40, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) and (2) amended, p. 1405, § 21, effective July 1.
7-50-103. Bylaws. The directors, trustees, wardens, or vestrymen of any such
corporation shall adopt necessary bylaws to provide for the election of directors, trustees,
wardens, or vestrymen and other officers and for the proper government in all respects of the
congregation, church, or society, unless such corporation, in its articles of incorporation, reserves
to itself the right to make and adopt such prudential bylaws as it deems necessary to provide for
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the election of directors, trustees, wardens, or vestrymen and other officers and for the proper
government in all respects of such congregation, church, or society.
Source: G.L. § 231. L. 1881: p. 66, § 1. G.S. § 374. R.S. 08: § 1020. C.L. § 2386. CSA:
C. 41, § 179. CRS 53: § 31-21-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-3.
Cross references: For bylaws of joint stock companies incorporated for religious,
educational, and benevolent purposes, see § 7-51-103.
7-50-104. Trustees of educational institution. Any corporation existing for educational
purposes under the law of this state that maintains one or more institutions of higher education of
the grade of a university or college shall be governed and controlled by its board of trustees,
wardens, or directors, as the case may be, who shall have power at any time, by a vote of twothirds of the full board of trustees elected, to increase the board of directors, trustees, or wardens
to any number that they see fit and shall also have the power to decrease the same to any number
not less than three. The terms of office of such directors, wardens, or trustees may be determined
by said board of trustees, wardens, or directors as shall be adopted by them by a bylaw in which
two-thirds of the whole number shall concur before the same shall be binding upon the board of
trustees, directors, or wardens, as the case may be.
Source: L. 1893: p. 92, § 1. R.S. 08: § 1021. C.L. § 2387. CSA: C. 41, § 180. CRS 53:
§ 31-21-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-4. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2212, § 41, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-50-105. Educational institution may confer degrees. Any corporation existing for
educational purposes under the law of this state that maintains one or more institutions of higher
education of the grade of a university or college shall have authority, by its directors, board of
trustees, or such person or persons as may be designated by its constitution or bylaws, to confer
degrees and grant diplomas and other marks of distinction as are usually conferred and granted
by other universities and colleges of like grade.
Source: L. 1889: p. 121, § 1. R.S. 08: § 1022. C.L. § 2388. CSA: C. 41, § 181. CRS 53:
§ 31-21-5. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-5. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2212, § 42, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-50-106. Property vests in corporation. Upon the due and lawful incorporation of any
congregation, parish, church, or society, such corporation shall be entitled to all the real and
personal property held by any person or trustees in trust for the use of the members thereof and
immediately upon incorporation shall be entitled to a deed of conveyance to be executed by the
person holding such property in trust, in order to vest the title thereto in the corporation. Such
deed of conveyance shall state the object and purposes of the trust to be carried out according to
the purpose and intent of its creation, which deed shall be recorded after the manner of
conveyances in general, so that the title and trust declared may duly appear of record. Any selfsupporting congregation, parish, church, or society may vest its real estate and personal property
in such general incorporations as are provided for in section 7-50-109; except that, if the
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authorities of any church, sect, or religious body have caused a corporation to be formed for
general missions and other purposes, as provided in this article, and it is in accordance with the
usages and customs of the church, sect, or religious body to vest the property of mission stations
in such corporation, then all such property that may have been held by any person or trustees for
the use of the mission stations shall be vested in said general corporation; and whenever any
mission station, from change of population or other cause, is suspended or abandoned, the
general corporation, in its discretion, may sell or otherwise dispose of all such mission property,
the proceeds of such sale or disposal to be used for the benefit of said church, sect, or religious
body in the state of Colorado.
Source: G.L. § 232. L. 1881: p. 65, § 1. G.S. § 375. R.S. 08: § 1023. C.L. § 2389. CSA:
C. 41, § 182. CRS 53: § 31-21-6. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-6. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p.
2212, § 43, effective July 1, 2004.
7-50-107. May take, hold, and convey property. Domestic and foreign religious,
educational, charitable, and literary corporations or associations operating within the state may
take by gift, devise, or purchase, and hold and convey real and personal property. All gifts,
devises, and grants made prior to March 14, 1877, to such corporations or associations are
hereby ratified.
Source: G.L. § 235. G.S. § 378. R.S. 08: § 1024. C.L. § 2390. CSA: C. 41, § 183. CRS
53: § 31-21-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-7.
7-50-108. New corporation formed - when. Any congregation, church, or society
incorporated prior to March 14, 1877, under the provisions of any law for the incorporation of
religious, educational, or benevolent societies may become incorporated under the provisions of
articles 30 to 52 and 121 to 137 or articles 101 to 117 of this title, relative to religious,
educational, and benevolent societies in the same manner as if it had not previously been
incorporated, in which case the new corporation shall be entitled to and invested with all the real
and personal estate of the old corporation, in like manner and to the same extent as the old
corporation, subject to all the debts, contracts, and liabilities. The word "trustees", as used in
articles 30 to 52 and 121 to 137 or articles 101 to 117 of this title relative to religious bodies,
shall be construed to include wardens, vestrymen, or such other officers as perform the duties of
trustees.
Source: G.L. § 233. G.S. § 376. R.S. 08: § 1025. C.L. § 2391. CSA: C. 41, § 188. CRS
53: § 31-21-8. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-8. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 857, § 15, effective
July 1, 1994. L. 97: Entire section amended, p. 758, § 16, effective July 1, 1998.
Cross references: For joint stock companies for religious, educational, and benevolent
purposes, see § 7-51-112.
7-50-109. Incorporation of Christian governing organizations. If any body of
Christians has an organization according to its order or mode of government, whether known as
synod, presbytery, conference, episcopate, or other name, with ecclesiastical or spiritual
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jurisdiction over its members throughout this state, and its authorities desire to engage in works
of education, benevolence, charity, and missions, which works shall be of like extensive
operation and benefit and not of limited or local service, and they shall deem an incorporation
convenient for the more successful administration of said works, its said authorities, with such
persons as they may associate with them, may cause such incorporation to be formed in the
manner and with the powers provided for the incorporation of a church, congregation, or society.
Source: G.L. § 234. G.S. § 377. R.S. 08: § 1026. C.L. § 2392. CSA: C. 41, § 189. CRS
53: § 31-21-9. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-9.
Cross references: For the incorporation of joint stock companies for religious,
educational, and benevolent purposes, see § 7-51-113.
7-50-110. Quorum of directors. The bylaws of any such charitable corporation
organized under the law of this state may declare the number of trustees or managers necessary
to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board.
Source: L. 1883: p. 115, § 4. G.S. § 383. R.S. 08: § 1030. C.L. § 2396. CSA: C. 41, §
193. CRS 53: § 31-21-10. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-10. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2213, §
44, effective July 1, 2004.
7-50-111. Amendment of articles. Any corporation organized under this article may
amend its affidavit of incorporation at any regular or special meeting of its governing board by a
two-thirds vote of the board members present.
Source: L. 07: p. 312, § 1. R.S. 08: § 1031. C.L. § 2397. CSA: C. 41, § 194. CRS 53: §
31-21-11. L. 55: p. 241, § 3. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-11.
7-50-112. Amendment filed before effective. (1) When the affidavit of incorporation is
amended, a copy of the amendment shall be delivered to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant
to part 3 of article 90 of this title, and upon such filing, the amendment shall become effective.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1812, § 10, effective July 1, 2002; p. 1676, § 8,
effective October 1, 2002.)
(3) A certified copy of the amendment shall be recorded in the office of the clerk and
recorder of the county in which the organization was organized and also in each county in which
the corporation owns real estate.
Source: L. 07: p. 312, § 2. R.S. 08: § 1032. C.L. § 2398. L. 31: p. 251, § 25. CSA: C.
41, § 195. CRS 53: § 31-21-12. L. 55: p. 242, § 4. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-12. L. 83: (2)
amended, p. 870, § 23, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p. 1812, § 10, effective
July 1; entire section amended, p. 1676, § 8, effective October 1. L. 2003: (3) amended, p. 2213,
§ 45, effective July 1, 2004.
7-50-113. Articles of amendment evidence of amendment. The articles of amendment,
or copy thereof, duly certified by the secretary of state or by the recorder, shall be received as
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evidence of the change, alteration, or amendment of the articles of incorporation of the
corporation.
Source: L. 07: p. 313, § 3. R.S. 08: § 1033. C.L. § 2399. CSA: C. 41, § 196. CRS 53: §
31-21-13. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-13. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p. 1812, § 11, effective
July 1; entire section amended, p. 1677, § 9, effective October 1. L. 2008: Entire section
amended, p. 23, § 16, effective August 5.
7-50-114. Dissolution. When a majority of the members of any corporation organized
pursuant to this article vote to dissolve the corporation, the corporation shall deliver to the
secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, an affidavit of dissolution.
Such affidavit shall state that all the debts of the corporation are fully paid or provided for. When
such affidavit has been filed, the corporation shall be forever dissolved. The president shall
obtain from the secretary of state a certified copy of the affidavit showing the filing date and
shall record a copy thereof in the office of the clerk and recorder of the county in which the
corporation was organized and also in every county in which the corporation owns real estate.
Source: L. 55: p. 242, § 5. CRS 53: § 31-21-14. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-20-14. L. 83: Entire
section amended, p. 870, § 24, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p. 1812, § 12,
effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1677, § 10, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire
section amended, p. 2213, § 46, effective July 1, 2004.
ARTICLE 51
Joint Stock Religious or Benevolent Associations
Cross references: For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-51-101. How organized. (1) Any joint stock company or association organized in this
state for religious, educational, or benevolent purposes may be incorporated under this article by
electing or appointing, according to its usages or customs at any meeting held for that purpose,
two or more of its members as directors, trustees, wardens, or vestrymen, or other officers whose
powers and duties are similar to those of trustees, who shall be agreeable to the usages and
customs and rules and regulation of the congregation, church, or society, and may adopt a
corporate name, and upon the filing of the affidavit as provided in section 7-51-102, it shall be a
body politic and corporate by the name so adopted.
(2) The provisions of this article shall not apply to any joint stock religious, educational,
or benevolent association formed after December 31, 1967, nor to any joint stock religious,
educational, or benevolent association formed prior to January 1, 1968, which is subject to the
provisions of articles 121 to 137 of this title.
Source: L. 1879: p. 33, § 1. G.S. § 384. R.S. 08: § 1034. C.L. § 2400. CSA: C. 41, §
197. CRS 53: § 31-22-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-1. L. 67: p. 658, § 12. L. 68: p. 2, § 4. L. 97: (2)
amended, p. 758, § 17, effective July 1, 1998.
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7-51-102. Affidavit of chairperson - where filed - effect. (1) The chairperson or
secretary of the meeting, as soon as may be after such meeting, shall make and file, in the office
of the recorder of deeds in the county in which the congregation, church, or society is organized,
an affidavit, substantially in the following form:
STATE OF COLORADO
)
)
ss. County of ................................................)
I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that at a meeting of the members of
the (here insert the name of the society as known before the incorporation), held at .........., in the
county of .........., and State of Colorado, on the ........ day of ........, A.D., 20...., for that purpose
the following persons were elected (or appointed) trustees (or wardens, vestrymen or other
officers of whatever name they choose to adopt), with powers and duties similar to trustees,
according to the rules and usages of such society, church, or congregation, viz.: (here insert the
names); that at such a meeting, such society, church, or congregation adopted as its corporate
name (here insert the name); that the amount of the capital stock of such society, church, or
congregation is .......... dollars, divided into .......... shares of .......... dollars each, and that at such
meeting this affiant acted as chairperson (secretary, as the case may be).
...............................................
(Name of affiant)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ......... day of........., A.D., 20....
(2) Such certificate, or a copy thereof duly certified by the recorder, shall be received as
evidence of the due incorporation of such society, church, or congregation.
Source: L. 1879: p. 34, § 2. G.S. § 385. R.S. 08: § 1035. C.L. § 2401. CSA: C. 41, §
198. CRS 53: § 31-22-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-2. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1405, § 22, effective
July 1.
7-51-103. Bylaws. The directors, trustees, wardens, or vestrymen of any such
corporation shall adopt necessary bylaws to provide for the election of directors, trustees,
wardens, or vestrymen and other officers and for the proper government in all respects of the
congregation, church, or society.
Source: L. 1879: p. 34, § 3. G.S. § 386. R.S. 08: § 1036. C.L. § 2402. CSA: C. 41, §
199. CRS 53: § 31-22-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-3.
Cross references: For bylaws of regular religious, educational, or benevolent societies,
see § 7-50-103.
7-51-104. Property vests in corporation. Upon the incorporation of any such
congregation, church, or society, all real and personal property held by any person or trustee for
the use of the members thereof shall immediately vest in such corporation and be subject to its
control, and may be used, mortgaged, sold, and conveyed the same as if it had been conveyed to
such corporation by deed.
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Source: L. 1879: p. 35, § 4. G.S. § 387. R.S. 08: § 1037. C.L. § 2403. CSA: C. 41, §
200. CRS 53: § 31-22-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-4.
7-51-105. Powers of corporation. (1) Corporations formed under this article:
(a) Shall be bodies corporate and politic in fact and in name, by the name stated in the
affidavit, and by that name have succession for the period for which they are organized;
(b) May sue and be sued in any court in this state;
(c) May have a common seal which they may alter or renew at pleasure by filing an
impression of the same in the office of the clerk and recorder of the county in which any such
corporation may be formed under this article;
(d) May own, possess, and enjoy so much real and personal property as is necessary for
the transaction of their business, whether acquired by purchase, grant, devise, gift, or otherwise;
(e) May from time to time sell and dispose of real and personal property or any part
thereof when not required for the use of the corporation; and
(f) May borrow money and pledge their franchises and property, both real and personal,
to secure the payment thereof and may exercise all the powers necessary and requisite to carry
into effect the object for which they may be formed under this article.
Source: L. 1879: p. 35, § 5. G.S. § 388. R.S. 08: § 1038. C.L. § 2404. CSA: C. 41, §
201. CRS 53: § 31-22-5. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-5.
7-51-106. Shares of stock. The shares of stock shall not be less than ten dollars nor
more than one hundred dollars each and shall be deemed personal property and transferable as
such in the manner provided by the bylaws. Subscriptions therefor shall be made payable in such
installments and at such time as shall be determined by the directors, trustees, or other similar
officers. The bylaws may provide for a forfeiture or sale of stock on failure to pay the
installments or assessments that may from time to time become due; but no forfeiture of stock or
of the amounts paid thereon shall be declared against any estate or stockholder before demand
has been made for the amount due.
Source: L. 1879: p. 35, § 6. G.S. § 389. R.S. 08: § 1039. C.L. § 2405. CSA: C. 41, §
202. CRS 53: § 31-22-6. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-6.
7-51-107. Board of directors. The corporate powers of any such corporation shall be
exercised by a board of directors, trustees, or other similar officers in the manner and for the
time that may be prescribed in the constitution and bylaws of the corporation, but the same shall
not be in conflict with any of the provisions of this article or the law of this state.
Source: L. 1879: p. 36, § 7. G.S. § 390. R.S. 08: § 1040. C.L. § 2406. CSA: C. 41, §
203. CRS 53: § 31-22-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-7. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2213, §
47, effective July 1, 2004.
7-51-108. Election of directors. If an election of directors, trustees, or other similar
officers is not held on the day designated by the constitution or bylaws, the company shall not be
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dissolved for that reason, but it shall be proper to elect such directors, trustees, or other officers
on any subsequent day as shall be prescribed by the constitution or bylaws.
Source: L. 1879: p. 36, § 8. G.S. § 391. R.S. 08: § 1041. C.L. § 2407. CSA: C. 41, §
204. CRS 53: § 31-22-8. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-8.
7-51-109. Liability of stockholders. Each stockholder shall be liable for the debts of the
corporation to the extent of the amount unpaid upon the stock held by the stockholder, to be
collected in the manner provided in this section. If any action is brought to recover any
indebtedness against the corporation, it shall be competent to proceed against any one or more of
the stockholders at the same time, to the extent of the balance unpaid by such stockholders upon
the stock owned by them respectively, as in cases of garnishment.
Source: L. 1879: p. 36, § 9. G.S. § 392. R.S. 08: § 1042. C.L. § 2408. CSA: C. 41, §
205. CRS 53: § 31-22-9. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-9. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1406, §
23, effective July 1.
7-51-110. Certificate of full paid stock. The president and a majority of the board of
trustees, directors, or other similar officers, after the payment of the last installment of capital
stock so fixed and limited by the company as required by this article, shall make a certificate
stating the amount of the capital stock so fixed and paid in, which certificate shall be signed and
sworn to by the president and a majority of the board of trustees, directors, or other similar
officers, and record the same in the office of the clerk and recorder of the county within which
the corporation is formed; and from the date of the recording of such certificate, the stockholders
of that company shall not be liable for any of the debts of such corporation.
Source: L. 1879: p. 36, § 10. G.S. § 393. R.S. 08: § 1043. C.L. § 2409. CSA: C. 41, §
206. CRS 53: § 31-22-10. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-10.
7-51-111. Purchase of property. The directors, trustees, or other similar officers of any
such corporation may purchase real and personal property necessary for their business and issue
stock to the amount of the value thereof in payment therefor; and the stock so issued shall be
declared to be full-paid stock and not liable to any further calls or assessments thereon nor for
any debt of the corporation.
Source: L. 1879: p. 37, § 11. G.S. § 394. R.S. 08: § 1044. C.L. § 2410. CSA: C. 41, §
207. CRS 53: § 31-22-11. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-11.
7-51-112. Any church may incorporate. Any congregation, church, or society
incorporated prior to February 20, 1879, under the provisions of any law for the incorporation of
religious, educational, or benevolent societies may become incorporated under the provisions of
this article in the same manner as if it had not been previously incorporated. The new
corporation shall be entitled to and invested with all the real and personal property of the old
corporation, subject to all its debts, contracts, and liabilities. The words "directors" and
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"trustees", as used in this article, shall be construed to include wardens, vestrymen, or such other
officers as perform the duties of trustees or directors.
Source: L. 1879: p. 37, § 12. G.S. § 395. R.S. 08: § 1045. C.L. § 2411. CSA: C. 41, §
208. CRS 53: § 31-22-12. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-12.
Cross references: For religious, educational, and benevolent societies, see § 7-50-108.
7-51-113. Incorporation of religious organization. If any body of Christians or other
religious denomination has an organization according to its mode of government, whether
known as synod, presbytery, conference, episcopate, or other name, with ecclesiastical or
spiritual jurisdiction over its members throughout this state and its authorities desire to engage in
works of education, benevolence, charity, and missions and deem an incorporation convenient
for the more successful administration of such works, its said authorities, with such persons as
they may associate with them, may cause such incorporation to be formed in the manner and
with the powers provided in this article for the incorporation of a church, congregation, or
society.
Source: L. 1879: p. 37, § 13. G.S. § 396. R.S. 08: § 1046. C.L. § 2412. CSA: C. 41, §
209. CRS 53: § 31-22-13. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-21-13.
Cross references: For religious, educational, and benevolent societies, see § 7-50-109.
ARTICLE 52
Officials of Churches and Religious Societies
Cross references: For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-52-101. Execution of articles of incorporation. The archbishop, bishop, president,
trustee in trust, president of stake, president of congregation, overseer, presiding elder, or
clergyman of any church or religious society who has been duly chosen, elected, or appointed in
conformity with the constitutions, canons, rites, regulations, or discipline of said church or
religious society and in whom shall be vested the legal title to the property of such church or
religious society may deliver articles of incorporation to the secretary of state for filing pursuant
to part 3 of article 90 of this title. The articles shall contain the name of the corporation, the
purpose of the corporation, and the name and title of the person in whom is vested the legal title
to the property.
Source: L. 67: p. 866, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-25-1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p.
2214, § 48, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1406, § 24, effective July
1.
7-52-102. Filing articles - corporate existence. Upon the filing of the articles of
incorporation with the secretary of state, the person subscribing the articles and the person's
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successor in office by the name or title stated in the articles is a corporation sole, with perpetual
succession.
Source: L. 67: p. 866, § 2. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-25-2. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p.
2214, § 49, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1406, § 25, effective July
1.
7-52-103. Corporate powers. A corporation sole may hold and maintain real, personal,
and mixed property; contract in the same manner and to the same extent as an individual; sue
and be sued; acquire real and personal property by purchase, devise, bequest, gift, or otherwise
and hold, own, use, lease, assign, convey, or otherwise dispose of the same in like manner and to
the same extent as an individual; borrow money, issue notes or other negotiable paper, and
secure the money borrowed by mortgage or by deed of trust on said real or personal property or
any part thereof; borrow money without security; and perform all other acts in furtherance of the
objects and purposes of the corporation not inconsistent with the statutes of this state.
Source: L. 67: p. 866, § 3. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-25-3. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p.
1407, § 26, effective July 1.
7-52-104. Succession to property upon death, resignation, or removal of person
incorporated as corporation sole. In the event of the death or resignation of the archbishop,
bishop, president, trustee in trust, president of stake, president of congregation, overseer,
presiding elder, or clergyman who has been incorporated as a corporation sole under sections 752-101 and 7-52-102, or such person's removal from office by the person or body having the
authority for such removal, the person's successor in office as the corporation sole shall be
vested with the title of all property held by the successor's predecessor with the same power and
authority over the property, subject to all the legal liabilities and obligations with reference to the
property, upon the filing by the secretary of state, pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, of a
certificate of the successor's commission or certified copy of the successor's letter of election or
appointment. In the interim between the appointment of a successor in office to the corporation
sole, the person who is charged by the church or religious society pursuant to its constitution,
canons, rites, regulations, or discipline to administer the church or religious society shall be
vested with the title to any property held by the corporation sole with like powers and authority
upon the filing by the secretary of state, pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, of a
certificate of the successor's commission or certified copy of the successor's letter of
appointment as such administrator.
Source: L. 67: p. 867, § 4. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-25-4. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p.
1813, § 13, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1677, § 11, effective October 1. L. 2004:
Entire section amended, p. 1407, § 27, effective July 1.
7-52-105. Succession to property on death, resignation, or removal of person not
incorporated as corporation sole. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of an archbishop,
bishop, president, trustee in trust, president of stake, president of congregation, overseer,
presiding elder, or clergyman who at the time of death, resignation, or removal was holding the
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title to trust property for the use or benefit of a church or religious society but was not
incorporated under this article as a corporation sole, the title to all such property held by such
person shall not revert to the grantor nor pass to the heirs of the deceased person but shall be
held in abeyance until the person's successor is appointed to fill the vacancy. Upon the
appointment of the successor, the title of all the property held by the predecessor immediately
vests in the person appointed to fill the vacancy.
Source: L. 67: p. 867, § 5. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-25-5. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p.
1407, § 28, effective July 1.
7-52-106. Applicability of revised nonprofit corporation act. Except as this article is
specifically in conflict therewith, the provisions of the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation
Act", articles 121 to 137 of this title, shall be applicable to this article.
Source: L. 67: p. 867, § 6. C.R.S. 1963: § 31-25-6. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p.
2214, § 50, effective July 1, 2004.
ASSOCIATIONS
ARTICLE 55
Cooperatives - General
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 1 of chapter 30, C.R.S. 1963. The
substantive provisions of this article were repealed and reenacted in 1973, resulting in the
addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to
this article prior to 1973, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on
page vii in the front of this volume.
Cross references: (1) For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
(2) For provisions concerning cooperative housing corporations, see article 33.5 of title
38; for provisions concerning regulation of cooperative electric associations, see article 9.5 of
title 40.
Law reviews: For article, "The Long and Winding Road to Public Benefit Corporations
in Colorado", see 43 Colo. Law. 39 (Jan. 2014).
7-55-101. Cooperative association defined. (1) The terms "cooperative association"
and "association" include any cooperative organization, association, company, or corporation
formed under this article and may be further defined as follows:
(a) The distribution of its earnings is made wholly or in part on the basis of, or in
proportion to, the amount of property bought from or sold to members, or to members and other
patrons, or of labor performed or other service rendered by the association, but such association
shall not deal in products, handle supplies, or provide services for nonmembers in an amount
greater in value than as are handled by it for members.
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(b) Dividends on stock or interest on equity capital shall be limited, as prescribed in the
bylaws of the association.
(c) Voting rights shall be limited to members of the association.
(d) Such association and its business shall not be carried on for profit but for the mutual
benefit of all the members. Any person, firm, or corporation of any other cooperative association
may become a member of such association upon meeting uniform terms and conditions stated in
its bylaws. The association shall issue a certificate of membership to all who become members,
which shall not be assignable or transferable except upon consent of the board of directors. The
association shall have the right by the bylaws to limit transfer or assignment of membership and
the terms and conditions upon which transfer shall be allowed.
(e) Any association formed pursuant to this article may admit to membership any other
association so formed or formed under the law of any other jurisdiction upon such terms and
conditions as may be provided by the bylaws. Any association formed under the provisions of
this article may acquire membership in any other association likewise formed under the
provisions of this article when, in the judgment of the directors, such membership shall promote
the interest and purpose for which such association is formed.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 428, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-1. L. 96: IP(1) amended, p. 543,
§ 4, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(a), (1)(d), and (1)(e) amended, p. 2214, § 51, effective
July 1, 2004. L. 2004: IP(1) amended, p. 1408, § 29, effective July 1.
7-55-101.5. Patronage capital for cooperative electric associations and cooperative
telephone associations defined. The term "patronage capital" includes any capital credit,
patronage dividend, or patronage refund allocated by a cooperative electric association or
cooperative telephone association to a member or patron thereof.
Source: L. 90: Entire section added, p. 413, § 1, effective March 9. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 330, § 1, effective March 29.
7-55-102. Articles of incorporation - filing. (1) Five persons or more, except as
specified elsewhere in this article, a majority of whom are residents of Colorado, may be
associated and incorporated pursuant to this article for the cooperative transaction of any lawful
business, except banking. Persons desiring to avail themselves of the provisions of this article
shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, articles
of incorporation stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the association, which domestic entity name shall
comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title;
(b) The purposes for which the association was formed;
(c) The principal office address of the association's principal office;
(c.5) The registered agent name and registered agent address of the association's initial
registered agent;
(d) Repealed.
(e) The number and terms of directors, which number shall be not less than three;
(f) The authorized capital stock, the number of shares into which said stock is divided,
and the par value of each;
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(g) The number of memberships authorized, the capital subscription of each, and the
method of determining property rights and interests of each member without capital stock;
(h) The true name and mailing address of each incorporator.
(1.5) The articles of incorporation may state a provision eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of a director as provided in section 7-55-107 (1)(h).
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 429, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-2. L. 87: (1.5) added, p. 370, §
12, effective May 20. L. 96: IP(1) amended, p. 543, § 5, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1)(a)
amended, p. 948, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(a), (1)(c), and (1.5) amended and
(1)(c.5) added, p. 2215, § 52, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(c) and (1)(d) amended, p.
1408, § 30, effective July 1. L. 2008: (1)(h) amended, p. 18, § 1, effective August 5. L. 2009:
(1)(d) repealed, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1128, § 2, effective December 1.
7-55-103. Bylaws. (1) Each association formed under this article shall, within thirty
days after filing its articles of incorporation with the secretary of state, adopt bylaws for the
government and management of its affairs that are not inconsistent with this article. Such bylaws
may be amended or modified in such manner as the bylaws may provide. Such bylaws may
include:
(a) The time, place, and manner of conducting its meetings;
(b) The number and term of directors and the time of their election;
(c) The mode and manner of removal of directors and the mode and manner of filling
vacancies in the board caused by death, resignation, or removal;
(d) The power and authority of directors and number which shall constitute a quorum,
which must be at least a majority;
(e) The compensation of directors and officers;
(f) The number of officers other than directors, if any, their term of office, the mode of
removal, and the method of filling a vacancy;
(g) The mode and manner of conducting business;
(h) The mode and manner of conducting elections and provisions for voting by ballots
forwarded by mail or otherwise;
(i) The qualifications for membership, manner of succession, and conditions for
withdrawal or expulsion;
(j) The amount of membership fee, conditions of membership, procedures for acquiring
capital, and the limitations of dividends on stock or interest on equity capital;
(k) The manner of collection or enforcement procedures and the forfeiture of property
rights and interests for nonpayment or nonperformance;
(l) The method of determination of property rights and interests and time by which it
shall be paid or delivered to such member or the member's representative upon withdrawal,
expulsion, or death;
(m) Such other things as may be proper to carry out the purpose for which the
association was formed.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 429, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-3. L. 96: IP(1) amended, p. 543,
§ 6, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1)(l) amended, p. 1408, § 31, effective July 1.
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7-55-104. Board of directors. The board of directors of a cooperative association shall
be stockholders or members of such association or the representatives duly authorized in writing
of a legal entity which is a stockholder or member of said cooperative association; except that
the articles of incorporation and bylaws may permit the election of any number of directors, less
than a majority, who are not stockholders or members, to be elected as stated in the bylaws.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 430, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-4.
7-55-105. Election of officers. The officers of an association formed under this article
shall consist of a president, one or more vice-presidents as may be prescribed by the bylaws, a
secretary, and a treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the board of directors at such time
and in such manner as may be prescribed by the bylaws, and none of whom are required to be
directors of such association unless the bylaws so provide. The bylaws may provide that any of
such officers may not be directors of such an association. The bylaws may provide for the
election by the board of directors, from among their number, of a chair of the board of directors
and one or more vice-chairs. Such other officers and assistant officers and agents as are
necessary may be elected or appointed by the board of directors or chosen in such manner as
may be prescribed by the bylaws. The board may combine the offices of secretary and treasurer
and designate the combined office as secretary-treasurer, or unite both functions and titles in one
person. The treasurer may be a bank or any depository, and, as such, shall not be considered as
an officer but as a function of the board of directors. In such case, the secretary shall perform the
usual accounting duties of the treasurer; except that the funds shall be deposited only as
authorized by the board of directors. All officers and agents of the association, as between
themselves and the association, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the
management of the association as may be provided in the bylaws, or as may be determined by
resolution of the board of directors not inconsistent with the bylaws.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 430, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-5. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2215, § 53, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1408, § 32,
effective July 1.
7-55-106. Power of directors. A majority of the board of directors of a cooperative
association has full power or authority to authorize the execution and delivery of mortgages or
deeds of trust upon, or the pledging of or encumbering of any or all of the property, assets,
licenses, franchises, and permits or other things of value of, such association or corporation,
whether acquired or to be acquired and wherever situated, as well as any revenues and incomes
therefrom, all upon such terms and conditions as such board of directors determines, to secure
any indebtedness of such corporation.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 430, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-6.
7-55-107. Powers. (1) Every cooperative association has the power:
(a) To have succession by its domestic entity name;
(b) To sue and be sued and to complain and defend in courts of law and equity;
(c) To make and use a common seal, and alter the same at its pleasure;
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(d) To hold such real and personal property as may be necessary for the legitimate
business of the corporation;
(e) To regulate and limit the right of stockholders or members to transfer their stock or
member equity;
(f) To appoint such subordinate officers and agents as the business of the corporation
shall require and to allow them suitable compensation therefor;
(g) To adopt bylaws for the management of its affairs and to provide therein for the
terms and limitations of stock ownership or membership and for the distribution of its earnings;
(h) If so provided in the articles of incorporation, to eliminate or limit the personal
liability of a director to the association or to its members or stockholders for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; except that such provision shall not eliminate or limit
the liability of a director for: Any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the association or its
members or stockholders; acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director to
the association or to its members or stockholders for monetary damages for any act or omission
occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.
(2) Every cooperative electric association or cooperative telephone association formed
pursuant to this article and any cooperative electric association or cooperative telephone
association that is subject to articles 121 to 137 of this title has the power to use patronage
capital that has been declared by such association to be distributable or payable to a member or
patron for expenditures associated with the provision of electric service or telephone service, as
the case may be, as directed by the board of directors of the association after the association has
given notice thereof. Such notice may consist of a negotiable instrument that has not been
claimed within three years of issuance or publication.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 431, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-7. L. 87: (1)(h) added, p. 370, §
13, effective May 20. L. 90: (2) added, p. 413, § 2, effective March 9. L. 94: (2) amended, p.
330, § 2, effective March 29. L. 97: (2) amended, p. 758, § 18, effective July 1, 1998. L. 2000:
(1)(a) amended, p. 948, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) amended, p. 2216, § 54, effective July
1, 2004.
7-55-107.5. Indemnification and personal liability of directors, officers, employees,
and agents. [Editor's note: This version of this section is effective until July 1, 2020.] The
association shall have the same powers, rights, and obligations and shall be subject to the same
limitations as apply to domestic corporations as set forth in article 109 of this title. Association
directors, officers, employees, and agents shall have the same rights as directors, officers,
employees, and agents, respectively, of domestic corporations as set forth in article 109 of this
title. Association directors and officers shall have the benefit of the same limitations on personal
liability for any injury to person or property arising out of a tort as set forth in section 7-108-402
(2) for directors and officers, respectively, of domestic corporations. Any reference in said
sections to shareholders shall be construed to refer to voting members or voting stockholders, if
any, for the purpose of this section.
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7-55-107.5. Indemnification and personal liability of directors, officers, employees,
and agents. [Editor's note: This version of this section is effective July 1, 2020.] The
association shall have the same powers, rights, and obligations and shall be subject to the same
limitations as apply to domestic corporations as set forth in article 109 of this title 7. Association
directors, officers, employees, and agents shall have the same rights as directors, officers,
employees, and agents, respectively, of domestic corporations as set forth in article 109 of this
title 7. Association directors and officers shall have the benefit of the same limitations on
personal liability for any injury to person or property arising out of a tort as set forth in section 7108-403 for directors and officers, respectively, of domestic corporations. Any reference in said
sections to shareholders shall be construed to refer to voting members or voting stockholders, if
any, for the purpose of this section.
Source: L. 87: Entire section added, p. 371, § 14, effective May 20. L. 93: Entire section
amended, p. 857, § 16, effective July 1, 1994. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2216, § 55,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2019: Entire section amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1964, § 63,
effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-55-108. Application of powers. The powers enumerated in section 7-55-107 shall vest
in every cooperative association in this state except those formed under or subject to article 56 of
this title, although such powers may not be stated in its charter or in its articles of incorporation.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 431, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-8. L. 96: Entire section
amended, p. 544, § 7, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2216, § 56, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-55-109. Amendment of articles. The articles of incorporation of a cooperative
association or corporation may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders
or members of such association. The proposed amendment must be first approved by a twothirds majority of the directors. The notice of such meeting shall state or have attached thereto
the proposed amendment and shall be mailed to each member of record at least ten days prior to
the meeting date; except that cooperative associations with less than one hundred members may
post notice of such meeting in a conspicuous place at its normal place of business for at least
thirty days prior to such meeting. The proposed amendment shall be approved by an affirmative
vote of a majority of the stockholders or members present or voting by mail. A certificate stating
such amendment and the adoption thereof shall be delivered to the secretary of state for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 431, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-9. L. 83: Entire section
amended, p. 871, § 25, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2216, § 57, effective
July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1409, § 33, effective July 1.
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7-55-110. Vote of stockholders or members. Stockholders or members of a cooperative
association may vote either in person or by mail as provided in the bylaws. Proxy or cumulative
voting shall be prohibited except as permitted by the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of
organizations incorporated prior to July 6, 1973.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 431, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-10.
7-55-111.
(Repealed)
Use of the term "cooperative" - penalty for unlawful use - repeal.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 431, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-11. L. 80: (1) amended, p. 706,
§ 4, effective July 1. L. 96: Entire section amended, p. 544, § 8, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1)
and (4) amended, p. 948, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2003: (5) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§
347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (5) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-55-112. Merger, conversion, or consolidation. Two or more corporations formed
under articles 30 to 55 or subject to articles 121 to 137 or articles 101 to 117 of this title, or a
similar law of any jurisdiction, may be merged or consolidated as a cooperative association, or
any cooperative association may convert into any form of entity permitted by section 7-90-201,
upon such terms and for such purpose and by such domestic entity name as may be agreed upon,
which domestic entity name shall comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title. Such agreement
shall also state all the matters necessary to a statement of merger, statement of conversion, or
articles of consolidation and shall be approved by a two-thirds majority of the members of the
boards of directors and a two-thirds majority vote of the members or stockholders of each
association, nonprofit corporation, or corporation present and voting in person or by mail ballot
at any regular or special meeting at which prior notice, with mail ballot attached, had been
mailed to each member or stockholder stating the plan of merger, conversion, or consolidation;
except that cooperative associations with less than one hundred members may post notice of
such plan of merger or consolidation in a conspicuous place at its normal place of business for at
least thirty days prior to such meeting. A statement of merger complying with section 7-90203.7, a statement of conversion complying with section 7-90-201.7, or articles of consolidation
shall be delivered to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title,
and a certificate of the secretary of state as to the fact of such filing shall be recorded in the
office of each county in which each party to the merger, conversion, or consolidation is situated.
From and after the filing of articles of consolidation, the former associations, nonprofit
corporations, or corporations comprising the component parts shall cease to exist, and the
consolidated cooperative association shall succeed to all rights, duties, and powers prescribed in
the agreement of consolidated associations, nonprofit corporations, or corporations, not
inconsistent with this article, and shall be subject to all liabilities and obligations of the former
component associations, nonprofit corporations, or corporations and succeed to all property and
interest thereof and may adopt bylaws and do all things permitted by this article. The effect of a
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conversion shall be as provided in section 7-90-202. The effect of a merger shall be as provided
in section 7-90-204.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 432, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-12. L. 83: Entire section
amended, p. 871, § 26, effective July 1. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 858, § 17, effective
July 1, 1994. L. 96: Entire section amended, p. 544, § 9, effective July 1. L. 97: Entire section
amended, p. 759, § 19, effective July 1, 1998. L. 2000: Entire section amended, p. 949, § 5,
effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p. 1813, § 14, effective July 1; entire section
amended, p. 1678, § 12, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2217, § 58,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2007: Entire section amended, p. 218, § 1, effective May 29.
7-55-113. Adoption of provisions of this article. Every cooperative association, as
defined in section 7-55-101 or formed or incorporated under any repealed Colorado statute
pertaining to cooperative associations, except corporations or associations formed or
incorporated under or subject to article 56 of this title, shall be conclusively presumed to have
accepted and adopted the provisions of this article and shall be governed by the provisions of
this article, unless such corporation or association or agricultural or livestock association has
delivered to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a copy of
a resolution adopted by its board of directors, its members, or its stockholders stating that it has
elected not to become subject to the provisions of this article. This section shall not apply to
cooperative associations formed and incorporated under or subject to article 56 of this title.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 432, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-13. L. 75: Entire section R&RE,
p. 272, § 1, effective June 29. L. 83: Entire section amended, p. 872, § 27, effective July 1. L.
96: Entire section amended, p. 545, § 10, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p.
1814, § 15, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1678, § 13, effective October 1. L. 2003:
Entire section amended, p. 2217, § 59, effective July 1, 2004.
7-55-114. Dissolution of association. Any association formed under this article may be
dissolved and its affairs terminated voluntarily by a two-thirds majority vote of the members
present and voting in person or by mail ballot at a regular or special meeting, if the meeting
notice, with a mail ballot attached, stated that dissolution would be discussed; except that
cooperative associations with less than one hundred members may post notice of the discussion
of such dissolution in a conspicuous place at their normal place of business for at least thirty
days prior to such meeting. The board of directors by a two-thirds majority vote of its members
shall first adopt a resolution recommending dissolution and submit it to the members, stating the
reasons why the termination of the affairs of the association is deemed advisable, the time by
which it should be accomplished, and shall also name three persons who are members of the
association to act as trustees in liquidation who shall have full power to do all things necessary in
liquidation and termination of the affairs of the association. Upon approval of the resolution to
dissolve by the members, the association shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant
to part 3 of article 90 of this title, articles of dissolution. A certified copy of the articles of
dissolution shall be filed with the county clerk in the county in which the principal business is
transacted. All power of the directors shall cease and the persons appointed shall proceed to
terminate the affairs of the association and realize upon its assets, pay its debts, and divide the
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remaining money among the members and holders of equity, as stated in the bylaws or, if not
stated, in proportion to their property interests.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 433, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-14. L. 83: Entire section
amended, p. 872, § 28, effective July 1. L. 96: Entire section amended, p. 545, § 11, effective
July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p. 1814, § 16, effective July 1; entire section amended,
p. 1679, § 14, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2218, § 60, effective July
1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1409, § 34, effective July 1.
7-55-115. Exemption from securities laws. Any security, patronage refund, per unit
retain certificate, or evidence of membership issued or sold by a cooperative association as an
investment in its stock or capital to the members of a cooperative association formed under this
article or a similar law of any other state and authorized to transact business or conduct activities
in this state is exempt from securities laws as contained in article 51 of title 11, C.R.S. Such
securities, patronage refunds, per unit retain certificates, or evidence of membership may be sold
lawfully by the issuer or its members or salaried employees without the necessity of being
registered as a broker or dealer under the "Colorado Securities Act", article 51 of title 11, C.R.S.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 433, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-15. L. 75: Entire section
amended, p. 272, § 2, effective June 29. L. 84: Entire section amended, p. 1116, § 1, effective
June 7. L. 90: Entire section amended, p. 740, § 2, effective July 1. L. 96: Entire section
amended, p. 546, § 12, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2218, § 61, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-55-116. Application of corporation laws. The provisions of articles 30 to 52, 101 to
117, and 121 to 137 of this title and all powers and rights thereunder shall apply to the
associations organized under this article, except where such provisions are in conflict with or
inconsistent with an express provision of this article.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 433, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-16. L. 93: Entire section
amended, p. 858, § 18, effective July 1, 1994. L. 97: Entire section amended, p. 759, § 20,
effective July 1, 1998. L. 2007: Entire section amended, p. 219, § 2, effective May 29.
7-55-117. Associations not in restraint of trade. No association formed under this
article shall be deemed to be in restraint of trade or an illegal monopoly, or an attempt to lessen
competition or to fix prices, nor shall the membership agreements or marketing contracts
between the association and its members be illegal or in unlawful restraint of trade, or in any
combination thereof to accomplish an improper or illegal purpose.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 433, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-17. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2219, § 62, effective July 1, 2004.
7-55-118. Associations of other jurisdictions. Any cooperative corporation or
association formed under generally similar law of another jurisdiction may carry on any proper
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activities, operations, and functions in this state upon compliance with part 8 of article 90 of this
title, with all rights of cooperative associations formed pursuant to this article.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 433, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-18. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2219, § 63, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1410, § 35,
effective July 1.
7-55-119. Quorum. A quorum for the election of directors, amending of the articles of
incorporation, and conducting normal business at all meetings of the stockholders or members
shall be five percent of the stockholders or members or fifty members or stockholders present in
person, whichever is less. Nothing shall prevent the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of
such association from requiring a larger percent as a quorum.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 433, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-19.
7-55-120. Incorporation fees. The fee for the incorporation of cooperative corporations
or associations shall be determined and collected pursuant to section 24-21-104 (3), C.R.S., if
formed with or without capital stock, payable to the secretary of state except as otherwise set
forth in this article.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 434, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-20. L. 81: Entire section
amended, p. 430, § 5, July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2219, § 64, effective July 1,
2004.
7-55-121. Periodic report. Part 5 of article 90 of this title, providing for periodic reports
from reporting entities, applies to associations formed under or subject to this article.
Source: L. 73: R&RE, p. 434, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 30-1-21. L. 83: Entire section
amended, p. 873, § 29, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2219, § 65, effective
July 1, 2004. L. 2010: Entire section amended, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1993, § 2, effective
August 11.
ARTICLE 56
Cooperatives
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 3 of chapter 30, C.R.S. 1963. The
substantive provisions of this article were repealed and reenacted in 1996, resulting in the
addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to
this article prior to 1996, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note and the table
itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973
beginning on page vii in the front of this volume. Former C.R.S. section numbers are shown in
editor's notes following those sections that were relocated.
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Law reviews: For article, "The New Colorado Cooperative Act: A Setting for a Business
Structure", see 25 Colo. Law. 3 (Dec. 1996); for article, "Colorado Choice of Entity 1998", see
27 Colo. Law. 5 (June 1998); for article, "Colorado Choice of Form of Organization and
Structure 2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct. 2001); for article, "Worker Cooperatives: Their
Time Has Arrived", see 40 Colo. Law. 33 (Sept. 2011); for article, "The Long and Winding Road
to Public Benefit Corporations in Colorado", see 43 Colo. Law. 39 (Jan. 2014).
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
7-56-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Cooperative Act".
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 478, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-101 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a) The cooperative form of doing business provides an efficient and effective method
for persons to market their goods and services and to obtain services and supplies and it is in the
best interests of the people of the state of Colorado to promote, foster, and encourage the
utilization of cooperatives in appropriate instances;
(b) The cooperative marketing law of the state of Colorado has provided for the
promotion, fostering, and encouragement of the intelligent and orderly marketing of agricultural
products through cooperation; has eliminated speculation and waste; has made distribution of
agricultural products between producer and consumer more efficient; has stabilized the
marketing of agricultural products; and has provided for the organization and incorporation of
cooperative marketing associations for the marketing of such products, all as contemplated at the
time of the original adoption of the cooperative marketing law;
(c) It is in the best interests of the people of the state of Colorado to preserve the
provisions of the cooperative marketing law as it has been in force and interpreted in the state
and to continue the provisions thereof for agriculture, but also to expand the provisions of the
law to provide greater direction and flexibility in its provisions and to enable all types of
industries and enterprises to avail themselves of the benefits of the cooperative form of doing
business in accordance with the provisions of this article;
(d) It is in the best interests of the people of the state of Colorado to allow those
cooperatives that have been formed under or are subject to other articles of this title, such as
article 55, to remain under said article or to elect to come under this article.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 478, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1)(d)
amended, p. 2219, § 66, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-102 as it existed prior to 1996.
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7-56-103. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Agricultural cooperative" means a cooperative in which the members, including
landlords and tenants, are all producers of agricultural products.
(2) "Agricultural products" means agronomic, horticultural, viticultural, aquacultural,
forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry, bee, and any other farm or ranch products.
(3) "Articles" means the articles of incorporation of a cooperative and includes amended
articles of incorporation, restated articles of incorporation, and other organizational documents
of other entities.
(4) "Board" or "board of directors" means the board of directors or other governing body
of a cooperative or other entity.
(5) "Bylaws" means the bylaws adopted by a cooperative and includes amended bylaws
and restated bylaws.
(6) "Cooperative" means any entity formed under or subject to this article by election or
otherwise, including a cooperative formed under comparable law of another jurisdiction doing
business in this state, and having the following characteristics:
(a) The business of the cooperative is operated at cost by adjusting the prices charged for
goods or services or by returning any net margins at the end of a fiscal year on a patronage basis
to members and other persons qualified to share in the net margins pursuant to the articles or
bylaws;
(b) Dividends on stock or interest on equity capital is limited, as prescribed in the
articles pursuant to section 7-56-201 or bylaws pursuant to section 7-56-208 of the cooperative;
(c) Voting rights are limited to members of the cooperative as prescribed in the articles
or bylaws of the cooperative;
(d) The cooperative's business is carried on for the mutual benefit of its members; and
(e) Members are not liable for any debt, obligation, or liability of the cooperative.
(7) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2219, § 67, effective July 1, 2004.)
(8) "Domestic", when referring to a cooperative or other entity, means an entity formed
under the law of this state.
(9) "Equity capital" means all investments in the cooperative except loans or other types
of indebtedness, whether made by direct investment, such as investment in stock or
memberships, or by retention of amounts of net savings, net margins, or net profits allocated to
members and other patrons of the cooperative, or charged to them as part of the transactions
between them and the cooperative.
(10) "Foreign", when referring to a cooperative or other entity, means an entity formed
under law other than the law of this state.
(11) "Member" means a person who has been received into the membership of a
cooperative without common stock or a person who has acquired common stock in a cooperative
formed with common stock and, in either case, is authorized to vote. This subsection (11) shall
not preclude a cooperative from designating persons as both members and stockholders.
(12) "Net margins" means the receipts from operations less the expenses thereof.
(13) "Patron" means a person who may, but need not, be a member of a cooperative who
utilizes the services of the cooperative through the purchase or sale of property or services to or
from the cooperative.
(14) "Patronage" means the volume or dollar value of business transacted with the
cooperative.
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(15) "Patronage refund" means a portion of a cooperative's net margins paid or allocated
to a patron based on the patron's patronage.
(16) "Per unit retain" means a deduction authorized by a patron to be made by the
cooperative from proceeds of sale of a product or service by the patron to the cooperative or by
the cooperative on behalf of the patron where the deduction is based on the value or quantity of
the product or service sold to the cooperative or on behalf of the patron and is deducted as a
contribution or investment by the patron in the capital of the cooperative.
(17) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2219, § 67, effective July 1, 2004.)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 479, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(6), (7), (8),
(10), (11), and (17) amended, p. 2219, § 67, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (10) amended, p.
1410, § 36, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-101 and 7-56-103 as they existed
prior to 1996.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-56-104. Filings by the secretary of state. (1) Part 3 of article 90 of this title,
providing for the filing of documents, applies to any document filed or to be filed by the
secretary of state pursuant to this article.
(2) Repealed.
(3) to (6) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1815, § 17, effective July 1, 2002; p.
1679, § 15, October 1, 2002.)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 481, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section
amended, p. 1815, § 17, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1679, § 15, effective
October 1. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2220, § 68, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (2) repealed, p.
1410, § 37, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-56-104 and 7-56-132 as they existed
prior to 1996.
7-56-105. Effective time and date of documents. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 482, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section
repealed, p. 1861, § 163, effective July 1; entire section repealed, p. 1728, § 163, effective
October 1.
7-56-106. Periodic and other reports. (1) Part 5 of article 90 of this title, providing for
periodic reports from reporting entities, applies to cooperatives formed under or subject to this
article.
(2) The commissioner of agriculture may, by regulation, require reports from any
cooperative formed pursuant to this article that limits its membership to agricultural producers.
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(3) Upon the dissolution of an agricultural cooperative formed under this article, the
cooperative shall provide a copy of the articles of dissolution of the cooperative to the
commissioner of agriculture.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 483, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2220, § 69, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) and (3) amended, p. 1410, § 38,
effective July 1. L. 2010: (1) amended, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1993, § 3, effective August 11.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-122 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-107. Cooperative records. (1) A cooperative shall keep as permanent records
minutes of all meetings of its members and of the board, a record of all actions taken by the
members or the board without a meeting by a written unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting,
and a record of all waivers of notices of meetings of the members and of the board.
(2) A cooperative shall maintain appropriate accounting records.
(3) A cooperative shall maintain its records in written form or in another form capable of
conversion into written form within a reasonable time.
(4) A cooperative shall keep a copy of each of the following records at its principal
office:
(a) Its articles of incorporation or other governing instrument;
(b) Its bylaws or other similar instrument;
(c) A record of the names and addresses of its members, in a form that permits
preparation of a list of members that is alphabetical and that shows each member's address and
the investment qualifying a member to vote held by each member;
(d) The minutes of members' meetings, and records of all actions taken by members
without a meeting by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting, for the past three years;
(e) All written communications within the past three years to members as a group or to
any class of members as a group;
(f) A list of the names and business addresses of its current board of directors and
officers;
(g) A copy of its most recent periodic report delivered to the secretary of state pursuant
to part 5 of article 90 of this title; and
(h) All financial statements prepared for periods ending during the last fiscal year.
(5) Except as otherwise limited by this article, the board of directors of a cooperative
shall have discretion to determine what records are appropriate for the purposes of the
cooperative, the length of time records are to be retained, and policies relating to the
confidentiality, disclosure, inspection and copying of the records of the cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 483, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: (4)(g)
amended, p. 950, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2003: (4)(g) amended, p. 2220, § 70, effective July 1,
2004. L. 2010: (4)(g) amended, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1994, § 4, effective August 11.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-122 as it existed prior to 1996.
PART 2
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INCORPORATION
7-56-201. Articles of incorporation. (1) A cooperative may be formed pursuant to this
article for the transaction of any lawful business. One or more persons may act as the
incorporator or incorporators of a cooperative by delivering articles for the cooperative to the
secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title. An incorporator who is an
individual shall be eighteen years of age or older.
(2) The articles shall state:
(a) The domestic entity name of the cooperative, which domestic entity name shall
comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title;
(b) The principal office address of the cooperative's principal office;
(c) The registered agent name and registered agent address of the cooperative's initial
registered agent;
(d) Repealed.
(e) If formed without common voting stock, whether the property rights and interests of
each member are equal or unequal and, if unequal, the general rule or rules applicable to all
members by which the property rights and interests of each member are determined and fixed;
provisions for the admission of new members who are entitled to share in the property of the
cooperative with the old members in accordance with such general rules; and whether the
cooperative is authorized to issue one or more classes of preferred stock or other equity interests
and, if so authorized, a statement as to the number of shares of stock of each class or other equity
interests and the nature and extent of the preferences, limitations, relative rights, and privileges
granted to each;
(f) If formed with stock, the classes of shares and the number of shares of each class the
cooperative is authorized to issue. The stock may be divided into preferred and common stock,
voting and nonvoting stock, or into any other class of stock. If so divided, the articles must
contain a statement as to the number of shares of stock in each class and the nature and extent of
the preferences, limitations, relative rights, and privileges granted to each.
(g) The true name and mailing address of each incorporator.
(3) The articles may state:
(a) A provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director as provided in
this article;
(b) A provision permitting proportional voting rights based solely upon the patronage of
a member with the cooperative, the amount of equity held by the member in the cooperative, or
some combination of these methods, as provided in section 7-56-305 (3);
(c) The number and terms of the board of directors, which number shall be not less than
three, together with the names and the street addresses of the initial directors. If the names of the
initial directors are not stated in the articles, the initial board of directors shall be designated by
the incorporator or incorporators following the delivery of the articles to the secretary of state for
filing.
(d) The purpose or purposes for which the cooperative is incorporated which may state
any lawful business;
(e) A par value for authorized shares of stock or classes of shares;
(f) Provisions defining, limiting, and regulating the powers of the cooperative, its board,
and its members;
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(g) Provisions limiting membership to producers of agricultural products;
(h) A limitation on the handling of products or services for its own members only, or for
members and nonmembers, and whether nonmembers are entitled to share in allocations of net
margins or are subject to per unit retains;
(i) Provisions for the removal for cause of any director by the members at any regular or
special members' meeting;
(j) A provision eliminating or limiting the indemnification of directors, officers,
employees, or agents of the cooperatives as otherwise provided in this article;
(k) Any provision that under this article is required or permitted to be stated in the
bylaws;
(l) Any other provision not inconsistent with law.
(4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1410, § 39, effective July 1, 2004.)
(5) When incorporated, no member or shareholder as such shall be liable directly or
indirectly, including by way of indemnification, contribution, or otherwise, under a judgment,
decree, or order of a court, or in any other manner, for a debt, obligation, or liability of or
chargeable to the cooperative.
(6) A member does not have any vested property right resulting from any provision in
the articles that may exist from time to time or at any time, including any provision relating to
management, control, capital structure, dividend entitlement, purpose, or duration of the
cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 484, § 1, effective July 1. L. 98: (3)(c) amended,
p. 611, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2000: (2)(a) amended, p. 950, § 7, effective July 1. L. 2002: (1)
amended, p. 1816, § 18, effective July 1; (1) amended, p. 1680, § 16, effective October 1. L.
2003: (1), IP(2), (2)(a) to (2)(f), IP(3), (3)(c), and (3)(k) amended, p. 2221, § 71, effective July 1,
2004. L. 2004: (1), (2)(b), (2)(d), (2)(g), and (4) amended, p. 1410, § 39, effective July 1. L.
2009: (2)(d) repealed, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1129, § 3, effective December 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-109 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-202. Amendment of articles. (1) A cooperative may amend its articles at any time
to add or change a provision that is required or permitted in the articles or to delete a provision
not required in the articles. Whether a provision is required or permitted in the articles is
determined as of the effective date of the amendment.
(1.5) If a cooperative has not issued memberships or shares of stock, its board of
directors or, if no directors have been designated or elected, its incorporators may adopt one or
more amendments to the articles of incorporation.
(2) The articles of a cooperative may be amended at any regular or special meeting of
the members of the cooperative. The proposed amendment must be first approved by a twothirds majority of the directors. The notice of the meeting of members shall state or have
attached to it the proposed amendment and shall be mailed to each member of record at least ten
days prior to the meeting date. The proposed amendment shall be approved by an affirmative
vote of a majority of the members present and voting in person or in any other manner
authorized by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1), unless a higher percentage of
approval is required in the articles.
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(3) Unless otherwise provided in the articles, the board may adopt, without shareholder
action, one or more amendments to the articles to:
(a) Delete the statement of names and addresses of the incorporators or of the initial
directors;
(b) Delete the statement of the registered agent name and registered agent address of the
initial registered agent or registered office, if a statement of change is on file in the records of the
secretary of state containing the registered agent name and registered agent address of the
cooperative's registered agent;
(b.5) Delete the statement of the names and addresses of any or all of the individuals
named in the articles, pursuant to section 7-90-301 (6), as being individuals who caused the
articles to be delivered for filing;
(c) Except as otherwise provided in section 9 of article XV of the state constitution,
change each issued and unissued share of a class into a greater number of whole shares if the
cooperative has only shares of that class outstanding; or
(d)
Change the cooperative's domestic entity name by substituting the word
"cooperative", "association", "incorporated", "company", or "limited", or any abbreviation
thereof for a similar word or abbreviation in the domestic entity name, or by adding, deleting, or
changing a geographical designation.
(4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1411, § 40, effective July 1, 2004.)
(5) A cooperative amending its articles shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, articles of amendment stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the cooperative; and
(b) The text of each amendment adopted.
(c) to (f) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1411, § 40, effective July 1, 2004.)
(6) Any amendment to the articles may not be invalidated because of the manner of its
adoption unless an action to do so is commenced within two years after the date of filing.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 486, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: (3)(d) and
(5)(a) amended, p. 950, § 8, effective July 1. L. 2002: (3)(b) and IP(5) amended, p. 1816, § 19,
effective July 1; (3)(b) and IP(5) amended, p. 1681, § 17, effective October 1. L. 2003: (2),
(3)(a), (3)(b), and IP(5) amended and (3)(b.5) added, p. 2222, § 72, effective July 1, 2004. L.
2004: (1.5) added and (3)(b), (3)(d), (4), and (5) amended, p. 1411, § 40, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-110 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-203. Restated articles. (1) The board may restate the articles at any time with or
without membership action.
(2) The restatement may include one or more amendments to the articles. If the
restatement includes an amendment requiring approval by the members, it shall be adopted as
provided in section 7-56-202.
(3) If the board submits a restatement for action by the members, the cooperative shall
give notice, in accordance with section 7-56-202, to each member entitled to vote on the
restatement at the members' meeting at which the restatement will be voted upon. The notice
shall state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the restatement,
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and the notice shall contain or be accompanied by a copy of the restatement that identifies any
amendment or other change it would make in the articles.
(4) A cooperative restating its articles shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, articles of restatement stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the cooperative; and
(b) The text of the restated articles of incorporation.
(c) and (d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1412, § 41, effective July 1, 2004.)
(e) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1817, § 20, effective July 1, 2002; p. 1681, § 18,
effective October 1, 2002.)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 487, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: (4)(a)
amended, p. 950, § 9, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(4) and (4)(e) amended, p. 1817, § 20,
effective July 1; IP(4) and (4)(e) amended, p. 1681, § 18, effective October 1. L. 2003: IP(4)
amended, p. 2222, § 73, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (4) amended, p. 1412, § 41, effective
July 1.
7-56-204. Cooperatives desiring to relinquish provisions of this article. (1) Any
cooperative formed under or that has elected to be subject to this article may relinquish being
bound by the provisions of this article by amending its articles in the manner provided in section
7-56-202 (2); except that the amendment shall be approved by a two-thirds majority of all the
members present and voting in person or in any other manner authorized by the cooperative
pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1) unless a greater vote is required by the articles or bylaws.
(2) The board shall present to the members for approval, as described in subsection (1)
of this section, a plan to relinquish the provisions of this article, including:
(a) A statement as to what type of business entity the cooperative is to become after the
plan has been adopted;
(b) A statement as to what will be the effect on equities of the cooperative after the plan
has been adopted; and
(c) A statement as to the procedures and mechanisms for changing the cooperative to
another type of entity.
(3) Amendments to the articles shall be delivered to the secretary of state for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 488, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: (3) amended,
p. 1817, § 21, effective July 1; (3) amended, p. 1681, § 19, effective October 1.
7-56-205. Entities formed under other law but subject to this article. Any domestic
entity or foreign entity authorized to transact business or conduct activities in this state and
engaged in any of the activities enumerated in this article but formed under any other law may be
considered for all purposes as subject to this article by amending its constituent operating
document as necessary to conform to this article and delivering to the secretary of state, for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement that the entity has determined to accept
the benefits of and to be bound by the provisions of this article and has amended its constituent
operating document as necessary to conform to this article by amendments adopted in
accordance with applicable law and its constituent operating document.
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Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 488, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section
amended, p. 1817, § 22, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1681, § 20, effective
October 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2222, § 74, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section amended, p. 1412, § 42, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-133 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-206. Cooperative name. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 489, § 1, effective July 1. L. 97: (1)(f) amended,
p. 759, § 21, effective July 1, 1998. L. 2000: Entire section repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective
July 1.
7-56-207. Use of the term "cooperative" - penalty for unlawful use. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 490, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: IP(1)
amended, p. 950, § 11, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1)(a) and (2) amended, p. 2223, § 75, effective
July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (2) amended, p. 1412, § 43, effective July 1; (1)(a) amended, p. 1010, §
18, effective August 4. L. 2008: Entire section repealed, p. 18, § 2, effective August 5.
Editor's note: This section was similar to former §§ 7-55-111 and 7-56-124 as they
existed prior to 1996.
7-56-208. Bylaws. (1) The initial board of each cooperative formed under this article
shall, within thirty days after the articles become effective, adopt bylaws for the government and
management of its affairs that are not inconsistent with law or the articles of the cooperative.
Such bylaws may be amended or modified in such manner as the bylaws may provide. If the
bylaws do not provide a manner for their amendment, the bylaws may be amended at any time
upon a majority vote of the members present and voting in person or in any other manner
authorized by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1) at a regular or special meeting,
the notice of which meeting shall have stated that consideration would be given at the meeting to
amending the bylaws and stating the proposed amendment or amendments.
(2) The bylaws of the cooperative shall prohibit the transfer of the voting common stock
or membership in the cooperative to persons not eligible to be a member of the cooperative and,
if the cooperative issues certificates of common stock or of membership, the restrictions must be
printed upon every certificate of stock or certificate of membership subject to the restrictions. At
the election of the cooperative, the restrictions may also be included in the articles.
(3) If not stated in the articles, the bylaws of the cooperative shall include:
(a) The qualifications for membership, manner of succession, and conditions for
suspension, withdrawal, or expulsion;
(b) The amount of any membership fee or capital subscription required by the
cooperative to become a member, conditions of membership, and procedures for acquiring and
repayment of membership capital;
(c) Any limitations on dividends on stock or interest on equity capital;
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(d) The time, place, and manner of conducting or determining membership meetings of
the cooperative which shall be at least annually;
(e) The number, terms, and time of the election of directors, or the manner for
determining the same;
(f) The number of directors that shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of the board,
which must be at least a majority;
(g) The number, terms, and titles of officers, their authority and duties as well as the
manner of election or appointment, the filling of vacancies, or removal of officers; and
(h) A requirement that the cooperative's business shall be conducted on a cooperative
basis for the mutual benefit of the cooperative's members.
(4) In addition to the provisions set forth in subsection (3) of this section, the bylaws
may include:
(a) The time, place, and manner of conducting its meetings;
(b) The mode and manner of removal of directors and the mode and manner of filling
vacancies on the board caused by death, resignation, or removal;
(c) The compensation of directors and officers or the manner for determining
compensation;
(d) The mode and manner of conducting business;
(e) The mode and manner of conducting elections and provisions for voting by ballots
forwarded by mail or otherwise;
(f) The manner of assignment and transfer of interests in the cooperative;
(g)
The manner of collection and enforcement for member nonpayment or
nonperformance, including forfeiture of property rights and interests;
(h) The method of determination of property rights and interests in the cooperative and
the value thereof;
(i) Methods and procedures for acquiring and returning equity capital to members and
other patrons of the cooperative;
(j) Procedures pursuant to section 7-56-501 (1)(q) for the handling of unclaimed equity
capital and other funds declared payable by the cooperative and unclaimed by the holder; and
(k) Such other things as may be proper to carry out the purpose for which the
cooperative was formed or the governance of the cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 490, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) and IP(3)
amended, p. 2223, § 76, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-111 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-209. Agricultural marketing cooperatives. (1) It is hereby recognized that
agriculture is characterized by individual production in contrast to the group or factory system
that characterizes other forms of industrial production; that the ordinary form of corporate
organization permits industrial groups to combine for the purpose of group production and the
ensuing group marketing and that the public has an interest in permitting producers of
agricultural products to bring to their industry the high degree of efficiency and merchandising
skill evidenced in the manufacturing industries; that the public interest urgently needs to prevent
the migration from rural to urban communities in order to enhance production of agricultural
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products and to preserve the agricultural supply of the nation; that the public interest demands
that producers of agricultural products be encouraged to attain a more efficient system of
marketing their products and procurement of the necessary equipment and supplies through
cooperatives.
(2) Upon written request to the commissioner of agriculture by any three persons, the
commissioner or a duly authorized representative of the commissioner may supply a written
summary of the most current survey prepared by the department of agriculture, if any exists, of
the business conditions affecting the proposed purposes of the cooperative, particularly the
commodities to be handled. When such a summary is supplied, the commissioner or a
representative of the commissioner may separately set forth an opinion, stating the reasons
therefor, regarding the viability of the proposed venture.
(3) In addition, the department of agriculture may, at the discretion of the commissioner
or a representative of the commissioner, provide other assistance to persons who seek to
organize an agricultural cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 492, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-56-105 and 7-56-106 as they existed
prior to 1996.
7-56-210. Renewable energy cooperatives. (1) It is the policy of this state to
encourage local ownership of renewable energy generation facilities to improve the financial
stability of rural communities.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this article, a renewable energy cooperative may be
organized for the purpose of promoting electric energy efficiency technologies to its members,
generating electricity from renewable resources and technologies, and transmitting and selling
the electricity at wholesale.
(3) For purposes of this section, "renewable resources or technologies" means biomass,
geothermal energy, solar energy, small hydroelectricity, and wind energy. Hydrogen derived
from biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small hydroelectricity, and wind energy is also
considered to be renewable energy for the purposes of this article. "Renewable resources or
technologies" does not include pumped storage facilities; hydroelectricity other than small
hydroelectricity; coal, natural gas, oil, propane, or any other fossil fuel; or nuclear energy.
"Renewable resources or technologies" also does not include hydrogen derived from pumped
storage facilities; hydroelectricity other than small hydroelectricity; coal, natural gas, oil,
propane, or any other fossil fuel; or nuclear energy.
Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1121, § 1, effective May 27.
PART 3
MEMBERS AND OWNERSHIP
7-56-301. Members. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section and under the terms
and conditions prescribed in the articles or bylaws adopted by it, a cooperative may limit
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admission as members or issue common stock only to persons engaged in the particular business
or utilizing the goods or services provided by or through the cooperative, including any entity
formed under the law of this state or any other jurisdiction, or may admit as members or issue
common stock to any person meeting uniform terms and conditions stated in its articles or
bylaws.
(2) When any required membership fee or payment for stock as required in the articles,
the bylaws, or a resolution of the board has been paid in full or a promissory note executed for
the required membership fee or capital subscription, a cooperative may issue a certificate of
membership or common stock evidencing the membership or ownership of the stock or may
evidence the same on the books or other records of the cooperative as determined by the articles,
the bylaws, or the board. Except for a cooperative formed with stock, promissory notes of
members may not be accepted by the cooperative as full or partial payment for stock unless
permitted by the bylaws and adequately secured. The cooperative shall hold the stock as security
for the payment of the note, but such retention as security shall not affect the member's right to
vote.
(3) No member shall have a right to vote until the required membership fee or payment
for stock has been paid in full.
(4) A cooperative, in its articles or bylaws, may limit the amount of common stock that a
member may own.
(5)
No member shall be liable directly or indirectly, including by way of
indemnification, contribution, or otherwise, under a judgment, decree, or order of a court, or in
any other manner, for a debt, obligation, or liability of or chargeable to the cooperative while it
is incorporated for an amount exceeding the sum remaining unpaid on the member's membership
fee or the member's subscription to the stock, including any unpaid balance on any promissory
note given in payment thereof; except that this subsection (5) shall not affect the liability of a
member who is also a member of the board or an officer for such member's negligence, wrongful
act, or misconduct in that capacity.
(6) A cooperative formed with or without capital stock under this article may issue or
accept investments in nonvoting stock or equity that may have such rights and preferences,
including being subject to per unit retains or allocations of net margins, as may be provided in
the articles, the bylaws, or by the board. Such nonvoting stock or equity may be issued and sold
by the cooperative to any person, including those persons not otherwise qualified to be members,
and may be redeemable or retireable by the cooperative on such terms and conditions as are
provided for in the articles, the bylaws, or a resolution of the board providing for the issuance of
or the investment in the nonvoting stock or equity. The terms and conditions of redemption shall
be printed on any certificate evidencing the stock or equity.
(7) A cooperative shall impose restrictions on the transfer of voting common stock or
membership in the cooperative in its bylaws in accordance with section 7-56-208 (2), and may
also impose such restrictions in its articles, and may impose restrictions on the transfer of other
equity investments in the cooperative in its articles, bylaws, or by resolution of its board. Any
such restriction shall be printed upon any certificate or other written evidence of the
membership, voting common stock, or other equity investment if one is issued.
(8) Subject to the provisions of section 7-56-406 (2)(c), a cooperative may, at any time
as stated in its articles, bylaws, or resolution of the board adopted at the time of issuance,
acquire, recall, redeem, exchange, or reissue its common stock, memberships, preferred stock,
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preferred equity, memberships, or other equity capital. Consideration paid for stock,
memberships, or other equity capital acquired, recalled, redeemed, exchanged, or reissued by the
cooperative shall be the par value, stated value, price originally paid, or book value, whichever is
less, as conclusively determined by the board, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, if any,
and, if the price originally paid for the stock, memberships, or other equity capital included an
additional amount based upon the right of the holder to engage in business with the cooperative,
the consideration shall include the additional amount. If stock, memberships, or other equity
capital acquired, recalled, redeemed, or exchanged does not have a par value, then the par value
shall not be considered in determining the consideration. The cooperative may set off against the
consideration to be paid obligations to it of the holder of stock, membership, or other equity
capital and shall have a continuing perfected security interest in the stock, membership, and
other equity capital of a member, stockholder, or holder of other equity capital to secure payment
of any indebtedness to the cooperative of the stockholder, member, or holder of other equity
capital, whenever indebtedness is incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
security interest shall take priority over all other perfected security interests. No acquisition,
recall, or redemption shall be made if the result of it would be to bring the value of the remaining
assets of the cooperative below the aggregate of its indebtedness. The articles or bylaws may
provide other limitations on the right of a cooperative to acquire, recall, redeem, exchange, or
reissue its stock, memberships, or other equity capital.
(9) If a member of a cooperative is other than an individual, such member may be
represented by any individual, associate, officer, manager, member, shareholder, or other equity
holder thereof duly authorized in writing by the member's board or other governing body having
the right to authorize the representation.
(10) If so prescribed in its articles or bylaws, a cooperative may group its members in
districts, or other units, or by types of goods or services utilized, for administration or otherwise
achieving the purposes of the cooperative.
(11) A cooperative, in its articles or bylaws, may limit the amount of common stock or
other equity capital held by members or other persons.
(12) Repealed.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 493, § 1, effective July 1. L. 98: (12) repealed, p.
612, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1), (2), (6), and (8) amended, p. 2224, § 77, effective July 1,
2004. L. 2004: (9) amended, p. 1413, § 44, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-56-108 and 7-56-116 as they existed
prior to 1996.
7-56-302. Member meetings - how called - notice. (1) In its bylaws, each cooperative
shall provide for one or more regular member meetings annually. Either the board or such
officers as are designated in the bylaws shall have the right to call a special meeting of the
members at any time, and the president, or other officer designated in the bylaws, shall call a
special meeting to be held within sixty days upon petition by ten percent of the total number of
members stating the specific business to be brought before the meeting. The board or the person
calling the special meeting shall determine the date, time, and place of the meeting.
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(2) Written notice of all member meetings shall be mailed to each member at that
member's last-known address or transmitted to each member in such other manner as may be
provided in the bylaws at least ten days prior to the meeting. Notice of any special meeting shall
include a statement of the purpose for the meeting. At all regular meetings of members of the
cooperative, any and all lawful business may be brought before the meeting regardless of
whether stated in the notice of the meeting; except that amendments to the articles or the bylaws
of the cooperative or other action required to be stated in the notice of the meeting by this article
shall not be subject to action unless notice thereof is stated in the notice of the meeting. At all
special meetings of the members of the cooperative, business brought before the meeting shall be
limited to the purpose stated in the notice.
(3) Actions taken or agreed to be taken during a member meeting shall not be
invalidated on account of any member's failure to receive notice of a meeting if reasonable effort
has been made to give notice in accordance with this section.
(4) Lawful actions or other membership votes may be taken by the cooperative in lieu of
or without a member meeting if all members entitled to act or vote with respect to the action
agree to that action by unanimous written consent.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 495, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) amended,
p. 2225, § 78, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-112 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-303. Members' list for meeting. (1) After fixing a record date for a meeting of the
membership, the cooperative shall prepare a list of the names and addresses of all its members
who are entitled to be given notice of the meeting. The members' list shall be available for
inspection by any member or member's agent or attorney, for a proper corporate purpose,
beginning the earlier of ten days before the meeting for which the list was prepared or two
business days after notice of the meeting is given and continuing through the meeting, and any
adjournment thereof. Section 7-56-307 is not applicable to this section.
(2) The cooperative shall make the members' list available at the meeting, and any
member or member's agent or attorney is entitled to inspect the list at any time and for a proper
corporate purpose during the meeting or any adjournment.
(3) If the cooperative refuses to allow a member or the member's agent or attorney to
inspect the members' list before or at the meeting, as permitted by subsection (1) or (2) of this
section, the member may apply to the district court for the county in this state in which the street
address of the cooperative's principal office is located or, if the cooperative has no principal
office in this state, to the district court for the county in which the street address of its registered
agent is located or, if the cooperative has no registered agent, to the district court for the city and
county of Denver for an order permitting the member or the member's agent or attorney to
inspect the members' list.
(4) The court may order inspection of the members' list pursuant to subsection (3) of this
section, unless the cooperative proves that it refused inspection or copying of the list in good
faith because it had a reasonable basis for doubt about the right of the member or the agent or
attorney of the member to inspect or copy the members' list. The court may also postpone or
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adjourn the meeting for which the list was prepared until the inspection ordered by the court is
complete. In any such action:
(a) The court may order the losing party to pay the prevailing party's reasonable costs,
including reasonable attorney fees;
(b) The court may order the losing party to pay the prevailing party for any damages the
prevailing party shall have incurred by reason of the subject matter of the litigation;
(c) If inspection or copying is ordered pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, the court
may order the cooperative to pay the member's inspection and copying expenses; and
(d) The court may grant either party any other remedy provided by law.
(5) If a court orders inspection of the members' list pursuant to subsection (3) of this
section, the court may impose reasonable restrictions on the use or distribution of the list by the
member.
(6) Failure to prepare or make available the members' list does not affect the validity of
action taken at the meeting.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 495, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (3) amended,
p. 2225, § 79, effective July 1, 2004.
Cross references: Section 7-56-307 (6) provides that the provisions of said section do
not apply to this section.
7-56-304. Quorum. (1) A quorum for conducting business at all meetings of the
members shall be five percent of the total number of members or thirty members present in
person at the meeting, whichever is less. Members present and voting in person or in any other
manner authorized by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1) shall be counted toward
the quorum with respect to that matter. Nothing shall prevent the articles or the bylaws of a
cooperative from requiring a greater number of members or percentage thereof as a quorum.
(2) An action by a cooperative is not valid in the absence of a quorum at the meeting at
which the action was taken, unless the action taken is subsequently ratified by the required
number of members.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 497, § 1, effective July 1.
7-56-305. Member voting. (1) (a) Members of a cooperative may vote either in person
or, if provided in the articles or the bylaws of the cooperative or a resolution of the board with
respect to a particular issue, by any of the following methods:
(I) Mail or electronic transmission if a means is provided to verify that a member so
voting has received the exact wording of the matter upon which the vote is to be taken;
(II) Telecommunication; or
(III) Any other means by which all persons in the meeting may communicate with each
other during the meeting.
(b) Whenever in this article reference is made to voting by membership, the vote may be
taken in any manner established pursuant to this section unless specifically provided otherwise in
this article or by the board with respect to a particular matter upon which the vote is to be taken.
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(c) With respect to a matter where a vote has been cast by an authorized means other
than the person being present and voting in person, the person casting the vote shall be counted
as present and voting for purposes of those provisions in this article that refer to persons "present
and voting".
(d) Proxy or cumulative voting shall be prohibited except as permitted by the articles or
bylaws of organizations incorporated prior to July 6, 1973; except that, where a member is other
than an individual, its vote may be cast by a representative authorized pursuant to this article.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, each member of a
cooperative formed under this article shall be entitled to one vote only.
(3) Any cooperative formed under this article may provide in its articles for proportional
voting rights allowing members more than one vote based upon the patronage of a member with
the cooperative, the amount of patronage equity held in the cooperative, or any combination of
these methods. However, no member may be entitled to more than one vote in any case where a
law of this state specifically requires otherwise. In no event shall any member have less than one
vote and no member may have more than two and one-half percent of the total votes of members
of the cooperative. If the number of members in the cooperative is such that, solely by virtue of
the number of members, one member may have more than two and one-half percent based on
proportional voting, then each member of the cooperative shall be entitled to one vote only.
(4) Unless otherwise provided in this article or in the cooperative's articles, when a
cooperative has provided for proportional voting, it shall be deemed to have intended that the
references in this article to a vote of a specified proportion of members or similar terminology as
necessary for approval of a matter submitted to a membership vote shall mean a determination
based on a proportion of the total votes entitled to be cast or actually cast by members as
applicable in the particular reference.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 497, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) and (3)
amended, p. 2225, § 80, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(d) amended, p. 1413, § 45, effective
July 1.
7-56-306. Reserves, distributions, and patronage refunds. (1) A cooperative shall
periodically set aside a portion of net margins, per unit retains, or other funds that is reasonable
as determined by the board or in accordance with the articles or bylaws, for reserves,
distributions, patronage refunds, capital, or other lawful business purposes.
(2) Net margins, after deductions for reasonable reserves and for allowances for income
tax, shall be calculated and allocated on a patronage basis at least once every twelve months to
members or to members and other qualified persons on an equitable basis as determined by the
board or in accordance with the articles or bylaws. This section shall not be construed as
prohibiting the retention of net margins, excess per unit retains, or other funds allocated to
members as a means of providing capital for the cooperative.
(3) If a cooperative has retained net margins or other funds allocated to members, the
board shall have the right in accordance with the articles, bylaws, and policies established by the
board to redeem or retire the net margins or other funds so retained. All decisions relating to the
redemption or retirement of such funds shall be made solely by the board.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 498, § 1, effective July 1.
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7-56-307. Inspection of cooperative records by member. (1) A member is entitled to
inspect and copy, at the member's expense, during regular business hours at a reasonable
location stated by the cooperative, any of the records described in section 7-56-107 (4) if the
member meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section and gives the cooperative
written demand at least five business days before the date on which the member wishes to
inspect and copy such records. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (1) or any
provisions of section 7-56-107 (4), no member shall have the right to inspect or copy any records
of the cooperative relating to the amount of equity capital in the cooperative held by any person
or any accounts receivable or other amounts due the cooperative from any person.
(2) To be entitled to inspect and copy permitted records, the member shall meet the
following requirements:
(a) The member has been a member for at least one year immediately preceding the
demand to inspect or copy or is a member holding at least five percent of all of the outstanding
equity interests in the cooperative as of the date the demand is made;
(b) The demand is made in good faith and for a proper corporate business purpose;
(c) The member describes with reasonable particularity the purpose and the records the
member desires to inspect; and
(d) The records are directly connected with the described purpose.
(3) The right of inspection granted by this section may not be abolished or limited by the
articles, bylaws, or any actions of the board or the members.
(4) This section does not affect:
(a) The right of a member to inspect records to the same extent as any other litigant if the
member is in litigation with the cooperative; or
(b) The power of a court to compel the production of the cooperative's records for
examination.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, if the records of the cooperative
to be inspected or copied are in active use or storage and, therefore, not available at the time
otherwise provided for inspection or copying, the cooperative shall notify the member of this
fact and shall set a date and hour within three business days of the date otherwise set in this
section for the inspection or copying.
(6) This section shall not apply to section 7-56-303.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 499, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended,
p. 2226, § 81, effective July 1, 2004.
7-56-308. Scope of member's inspection right. (1) A member's agent or attorney has
the same inspection and copying rights as the member.
(2) The right to copy records under section 7-56-307 includes, if reasonable, the right to
receive copies made by photographic, xerographic copying, or other means.
(3) The cooperative may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor and
material, for copies of any documents provided to the member. The charge may not exceed the
estimated cost of production and reproduction of the records.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 500, § 1, effective July 1.
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7-56-309. Court-ordered inspection. (1) If a cooperative refuses to allow a member, or
the member's agent or attorney, who complies with section 7-56-307 to inspect or copy any
records that the member is entitled to inspect or copy by said section within a prescribed time
limit or, if none, within a reasonable time, the district court for the county in this state in which
the street address of the cooperative's principal office is located or, if the cooperative has no
principal office in this state, the district court for the county in which the street address of its
registered agent is located or, if the cooperative has no registered agent, the district court for the
city and county of Denver, may, on application of the member, summarily order the inspection
or copying of the records demanded at the cooperative's expense.
(2) If a court orders inspection or copying of the records demanded, unless the
cooperative proves that it refused inspection or copying in good faith because it had a reasonable
basis for doubt about the right of the member or the member's agent or attorney to inspect or
copy the records demanded:
(a) The court may order the losing party to pay the prevailing party's reasonable costs,
including reasonable attorney fees;
(b) The court may order the losing party to pay the prevailing party for any damages the
prevailing party shall have incurred by reason of the subject matter of the litigation;
(c) If inspection or copying is ordered pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the court
may order the cooperative to pay the member's inspection and copying expenses notwithstanding
the provisions of section 7-56-307 (1); and
(d) The court may grant either party any other remedy provided by law.
(3) If a court orders inspection or copying of records demanded, it may impose
reasonable restrictions on the use or distribution of the records by the demanding member.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 500, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended,
p. 2226, § 82, effective July 1, 2004.
PART 4
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
7-56-401. Directors - elections - remuneration - vacancy. (1) The affairs of a
cooperative formed under or subject to this article shall be managed by a board of not less than
three directors as provided in the articles or bylaws elected by and from the members of the
cooperative or designated representatives of members who are not individuals. If authorized by
the articles or the bylaws, up to twenty percent of the board may consist of directors who are
neither members nor representatives of members. Directors who are not members of the
cooperative or representatives of members may be elected by a vote of two-thirds of the
cooperative members present and voting. Nominations for the position of director shall be
conducted in a manner provided in the bylaws or in a resolution of the board or of the members.
(2) The articles or bylaws may provide that the territory in which the cooperative has
members shall be divided into districts and that the directors shall be elected according to such
districts, either directly or by district delegates elected by the members in that district. In that
case the articles or bylaws shall state the number of directors to be elected by each district and
the manner and method of reapportioning the directors and of redistricting the territory covered
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by the cooperative. The bylaws may provide that primary elections shall be held in each district
to elect the directors apportioned to such districts and that the result of all such primary elections
shall be ratified at the next regular meeting of the cooperative or be considered final as to the
cooperative.
(3) A cooperative may provide a reasonable remuneration for the time actually spent by
its officers and directors in its service. No director, during the term of the director's office, shall
be a party to a contract for profit with the cooperative differing in any way from the business
relations accorded members of the cooperative.
(4) The articles or bylaws may limit directors from occupying any position in the
cooperative on a regular salary or substantially full-time pay. The articles or bylaws may provide
for an executive committee and may allot to the committee all the functions and powers of the
board, subject to the general direction and control of the board.
(5) When a vacancy on the board occurs other than by expiration of term, the remaining
members of the board, even though not a quorum, by a majority vote, shall fill the unexpired
term, unless the articles or bylaws provide for an election of directors by district, in which event,
unless the articles or bylaws provide for a different procedure, the board shall immediately call a
special meeting of the members in the district to fill the vacancy.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 501, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) and (2)
amended, p. 2226, § 83, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1413, § 46, effective
July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-113 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-402. Officers - titles - election - duties and authority - removal. (1) (a) The
bylaws shall provide for one or more officers and the titles of those officers. The offices may
include a board chair, one or more vice-chairs, a president, one or more vice-presidents, a
secretary, a treasurer, and assistant officers or other officers. The officers shall be elected by the
board or in any other manner prescribed in the bylaws. At least one officer shall be an individual
at least eighteen years of age. At least one officer shall be a member of the board. One individual
may simultaneously hold more than one office, but may not concurrently hold the offices of
president and secretary.
(b) The bylaws or board of each cooperative shall designate one or more officers
responsible for preparing and maintaining the minutes of board and membership meetings and
all records required to be kept by section 7-56-107 and for authenticating records.
(2) All officers and agents of the cooperative, as between themselves and the
cooperative, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the
cooperative as may be provided in the bylaws, or as may be determined by resolution of the
board of directors not inconsistent with federal, state, and local law, the articles, and the bylaws.
(3) Unless otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws, the board may remove any
officer at any time with or without cause.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 502, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1)(a)
amended, p. 1413, § 47, effective July 1.
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Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-403. Procedures for meetings of the board of directors. (1) The board shall
meet at least annually. The board may establish a time and place for regular board meetings and
then may hold regular board meetings at such times without notice.
(2) Special meetings of the board shall require at least two days' notice of the date, time,
and place. Unless otherwise provided by the articles or bylaws, purposes of a special meeting do
not have to be stated in the notice of any special meeting.
(3) A director's attendance at a special meeting constitutes waiver of the notice
requirement for that meeting unless the director objects to the lack of or method of notice and
does not thereafter participate in the meeting or if notice of the purpose of the meeting was
required but not given and the director objects to the transaction of business for that purpose and
does not thereafter participate in the meeting with respect to that purpose.
(4) A director is considered to have assented to an action of the board unless:
(a) The director votes against it or abstains and causes the abstention to be recorded in
the minutes of the meeting;
(b) The director objects at the beginning of the meeting and does not vote for it later;
(c) The director causes the director's dissent to be recorded in the minutes;
(d) The director does not attend the meeting at which the vote is taken; or
(e) The director gives notice of the director's objection in writing to the secretary within
twenty-four hours after the meeting.
(5) Unless otherwise provided by the articles or bylaws:
(a) The board may permit any or all directors to participate in a regular or special
meeting through the use of any means of communication by which all directors participating are
able to communicate simultaneously with each other during the meeting;
(b) Actions of the board may be taken without a meeting if the action is agreed to by all
members of the board and is evidenced by one or more written consents together signed by all
directors and filed with the corporate records reflecting the action taken;
(c) Purposes of a special meeting do not have to be stated in the notice of any special
meeting, but at least two days' notice of the date, time, and place shall be given.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 502, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2004: (4)(c) and
(4)(e) amended, p. 1413, § 48, effective July 1.
7-56-404. Removal of director by the membership or the board. (1) At a meeting
called expressly for that purpose, as well as any other proper purpose, a director may be removed
by the members in the manner provided in this section upon an affirmative vote of a majority of
the members present and voting in person or in any other manner authorized by the cooperative
pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1) or, if removal of a director is by the board, then by a majority of
the members of the board not subject to removal.
(2) The board may remove a director who does not meet the qualifications for board
membership stated in the articles and bylaws of the cooperative.
(3) The members may remove one or more directors only for cause unless the articles or
bylaws allow directors to be removed without cause.
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(4) Removal of directors by the vote of the members shall be initiated by written petition
signed by at least ten percent of the members stating the alleged causes or reasons for removing
the director. No petition shall seek removal of more than one director.
(5) Within ninety days after receipt of a petition meeting the requirements of subsection
(4) of this section, the board shall schedule the removal vote at a regular or special meeting of
the membership upon determination by the board, if necessary, that cause has been stated. Any
determination of cause shall be made by a majority of the directors not subject to removal
petitions. If more than a majority of the board is subject to removal petitions, then the matter
shall be promptly referred to an attorney who has been duly licensed to practice law in Colorado
for at least five years and who has not previously represented the cooperative. The attorney's
determination of whether cause has been stated shall be final for the purpose of whether to
schedule a vote on removal.
(6) Any director subject to a removal petition under any provision of this section shall be
promptly informed in writing by the board and shall have the opportunity, in person and by
counsel, to be heard and present evidence at the meeting called for the vote. The persons seeking
removal shall have the same opportunity.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 503, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) amended,
p. 2227, § 84, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-117 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-405. Removal of director by judicial proceeding. (1) A director may be removed
by the district court for the county in this state in which the street address of the cooperative's
principal office is located or, if the cooperative has no principal office in this state, by the district
court for the county in which the street address of its registered agent is located or, if the
cooperative has no registered agent, by the district court for the city and county of Denver, in a
proceeding commenced either by the cooperative or by at least ten percent of the members, if the
court finds that the director engaged in fraudulent or dishonest conduct or gross abuse of
authority or discretion with respect to the cooperative, and that removal is in the best interests of
the cooperative.
(2) If the members commence a proceeding under subsection (1) of this section, they
shall make the cooperative a party defendant.
(3) The court that removes a director may bar the director from reelection for a period
prescribed by the court.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 504, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended,
p. 2227, § 85, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1414, § 49, effective July 1.
7-56-406. Indemnification and personal liability of directors, officers, employees,
and agents. (1) Unless limited in the cooperative's articles, the cooperative shall have the same
powers, rights, and obligations and shall be subject to the same limitations with respect to
indemnification and personal liability of directors, officers, employees, and agents as apply to
domestic corporations as set forth in article 109 of this title. Cooperative directors, officers,
employees, and agents shall have the same rights as directors, officers, employees, and agents of
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domestic corporations as set forth in article 109 of this title. For purposes of this section, any
reference to shareholders having the right to vote in article 109 of this title shall be construed to
refer to members of the cooperative having the right to vote.
(2) (a) The articles may eliminate or limit the liability of a director of the cooperative to
the cooperative or its members for monetary damages for any breach of the duty of care arising
after the date the provision in the articles became effective, including the effective date of any
provision adopted under a prior statute, except any acts or omissions in bad faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit; any unlawful liquidating distributions of assets to
members, unlawful loans to directors, or unlawful guarantees of loans to directors; unlawful
dividends; unlawful stock or other equity repurchases; or any other unlawful distribution that
was voted for or assented to if the director did not act in conformance with the standard of care
as set forth in section 7-108-401.
(b) No provision pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) shall eliminate or limit
the liability of a director or officer to the cooperative or its members for monetary damages for
any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.
(c) A distribution of stock or other equity repurchase is unlawful if it renders the
cooperative unable to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business or, unless
the articles permit otherwise, causes the assets to be less than the liabilities plus the amount
necessary to satisfy the interests of the holders of securities or other equity capital preferential to
those receiving the distribution, if dissolved at the time of the distribution.
(d) No director or officer shall be personally liable for any tort committed by an
employee unless the director or officer was personally involved.
(e) Unless otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws, each director shall discharge the
duties as a director, including duties as a member of a committee, in accordance with the
provisions of section 7-108-401. Unless otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws, each
officer with discretionary authority shall discharge such officer's duties under that authority in
accordance with the provisions of section 7-108-401. For purposes of this subsection (2),
references to "corporation" and "shareholders" in section 7-108-401 shall be construed as
referring to "cooperative" and "members" respectively.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 504, § 1, effective July 1. L. 98: (2)(e) added, p.
612, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2227, § 86, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
(2)(e) amended, p. 1414, § 50, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-107.5 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-407. Persons to be bonded. At the discretion of the board of a cooperative, any
officer, employee, or agent handling funds or negotiable instruments or property of or for the
cooperative may be bonded for the faithful performance of the person's duties and obligations.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 505, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-115 as it existed prior to 1996.
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7-56-408. Registered office and registered agent - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 505, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(2), (3)(a),
and (4) amended, p. 1817, § 23, effective July 1; IP(2), (3)(a), and (4) amended, p. 1682, § 21,
effective October 1. L. 2003: (5) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (5) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-56-409. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, applies to cooperatives formed under or
subject to this article.
Source: L. 2003: Entire section added, p. 2227, § 87, effective July 1, 2004.
PART 5
POWERS AND PURPOSES: APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS
7-56-501. Powers. (1) Every cooperative has the power, except as specifically limited
by this article or by its own articles or bylaws:
(a) To have perpetual existence and succession by its domestic entity name unless
limited by the articles;
(b) To sue and be sued and to complain and defend in courts of law and equity;
(c) To make and use a common seal, alter the same at its pleasure, and to use such seal
or a facsimile thereof, including a rubber stamp, by impressing or affixing it or by reproducing it
in any other manner;
(d) To purchase, receive, lease, and otherwise acquire, and to own, hold, improve, use,
and otherwise deal with, real or personal property or any legal or equitable interest in property,
wherever located;
(e) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, and otherwise dispose of all or
any part of its property;
(f) To purchase, receive, subscribe for, and otherwise acquire shares and other interests
in, and obligations of, any other entity, including any other cooperative, and to own, hold, vote,
use, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, and otherwise dispose of, and deal in and with, the same;
(g) To make contracts and guarantees; incur liabilities; borrow money; issue notes,
bonds, and other obligations, which may be convertible into or include the option to purchase
other securities of the cooperative; and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of
any of its property, franchises, or income;
(h) To lend money, invest and reinvest its funds, and receive and hold real and personal
property as security for repayment;
(i) To be a partner, member, associate, trustee, promoter, or manager of, or to hold any
similar position with, any entity;
(j) To conduct its business, locate offices, and exercise the powers granted by this article
within or outside this state;
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(k) To elect directors and officers and appoint employees and agents of the cooperative,
define their duties, fix their compensation, and lend them money and credit;
(l) To pay pensions and establish pension plans, pension trusts, profit sharing plans,
share bonus plans, share options and rights plans, and benefit or incentive plans for any or all of
its current or former directors, officers, employees, and agents;
(m) To make payments or donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, or
educational purposes;
(n) To regulate and limit the right of members to transfer their memberships, stock, or
other equity;
(o) To make and amend its articles and bylaws for the management of its affairs and to
make provisions in its articles for the terms and limitations of stock ownership or membership
and for the distribution of its earnings;
(p) To indemnify its directors, officers, employees, and agents to the extent provided or
permitted in this article and to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director, officers,
employees, or agents of the cooperative, as provided in accordance with section 7-56-406;
however, no such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer to the
association or to its members for monetary damages for any act or omission occurring prior to
the effective date of such provision;
(q) To establish in its bylaws procedures for the disposition of funds when declared
payable by the cooperative and unclaimed by the holder three years after notification has been
mailed to the holder's last-known address of record on the books of the cooperative, which
disposition may consist of transferring the funds to the general operating account of the
cooperative;
(r) To establish, secure, own, and develop patents, trademarks, and copyrights;
(s) To make advance payments and advances to members;
(t) To act as the agent or representative of any member for any lawful purpose or in any
lawful transaction of the cooperative;
(u) To purchase or otherwise acquire and to hold, own, and exercise all rights of
ownership in, and to sell, transfer, or pledge or guarantee the payment of dividends or interest
on, or the retirement or redemption of shares of the stock or bonds of any person engaged in any
lawful activity;
(v) To allocate earnings and pay patronage dividends;
(w) To use per unit retains;
(x) To prohibit or place limitations on amounts or rates of dividends payable on any
class of capital stock or other equity investment in the cooperative;
(y) To engage in any activity in connection with the purchase, hiring, or use by its
members or other patrons of goods, services, products, equipment, supplies, utilities,
telecommunications, housing, or health care;
(z) To establish amounts for reasonable and necessary reserves for bad debts,
obsolescence, grain, quality and grade, contingent losses, working capital, debt retirement,
buildings and equipment, and ownership retirement and to provide that no member or other
person entitled to share in the allocation of the cooperative's net margins or other funds shall
have any rights except upon dissolution when the entire reserve funds of the cooperative shall be
distributed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law and the articles and bylaws
of the cooperative;
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(aa) To manufacture, sell, or supply goods, machinery, equipment, supplies, or services
to its members and to other patrons or persons;
(aa.5) To adopt a trade name;
(bb) To finance one or more of the activities in this section; and
(cc) To perform every other form or type of act that is necessary or proper for
accomplishing any lawful purpose of the cooperative not prohibited to it by law or its articles
and bylaws or that is conducive to or expedient for the interest or benefit of the cooperative.
(2) In addition to the powers granted in subsection (1) of this section, each agricultural
cooperative incorporated under this article has the following powers:
(a) To engage in any activity in connection with the marketing, selling, preserving,
raising, harvesting, drying, processing, manufacturing, canning, packing, grading, storing,
handling, and utilization of any products, by-products, or services produced or delivered to the
cooperative by its members or other patrons;
(b) To engage in any activity in connection with agricultural education and research and
to represent its members' interests in legislative and administrative forums.
(3) In addition to the powers specifically given in this article, a cooperative has all
powers, rights, and privileges granted by the law of this state to domestic corporations or
domestic nonprofit corporations that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this article.
(4) The powers enumerated in this article shall vest in every cooperative in this state
formed under this article, or that has elected to be subject to this article, although they may not
be stated in its charter or in its articles.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 507, § 1, effective July 1. L. 98: (1)(aa.5) added,
p. 612, § 5, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1)(a) amended, p. 951, § 12, effective July 1. L. 2003: (3)
and (4) amended, p. 2228, § 88, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-107 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-502. Marketing or purchasing contracts. Cooperatives limiting membership to
agricultural producers may make and execute marketing or purchasing contracts requiring the
members to sell or purchase, for any period of time not over ten years, all or any specified part of
their agricultural products or specified commodities, goods, services, or input supplies
exclusively to or through the cooperative or any facilities utilized or to be created by the
cooperative. If such producers contract to sell to the cooperative, it shall be conclusively held
that title to the products passes absolutely and unreservedly, except for recorded liens, to the
cooperative upon delivery or at any other specified time if expressly and definitely agreed to in
the contract. The contract may provide, among other things, that the cooperative may sell or
resell the products delivered by its members with or without taking title to the products and pay
over to its members the resale price, after deducting all necessary selling, overhead, and other
costs and expenses, including interest or dividends on stock which shall not exceed eight percent
per annum, and reserves for proper purposes.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 510, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-119 as it existed prior to 1996.
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7-56-503. Remedies for breach of marketing or purchasing contract. (1) The bylaws
or the marketing or purchasing contracts of an agricultural cooperative may fix as liquidated
damages specific sums to be paid by a member to the cooperative upon the breach by the
member of any provision of the marketing or purchasing contract regarding the sale, purchase,
receipt, or delivery or withholding of products or other goods and may further provide that the
member will pay all costs, premiums for bonds, expenses, and fees if any action is brought upon
the contract by the cooperative. All such provisions shall be valid and enforceable in the courts
of this state, and clauses providing for liquidated damages shall be enforceable as such and shall
not be regarded as penalties.
(2) In the event of any breach or threatened breach of a marketing or purchasing contract
by a member, the cooperative shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent the further breach of
the contract and to a decree of specific performance of the contract. Pending the adjudication of
the action and upon filing a sufficient bond and verified complaint showing the breach or
threatened breach, the cooperative shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order and
preliminary injunction against the member.
(3) In any action upon a marketing contract, it shall be conclusively presumed that a
landowner, landlord, or lessor is able to control the delivery of products or other goods produced
on such landowner's, landlord's, or lessor's land by tenants or others whose tenancy or possession
or work on such land or the terms of whose tenancy or possession or labor on such land was
created or changed after execution by the landowner, landlord, or lessor of such marketing
contract. The remedies provided in this section for nondelivery or breach shall lie and be
enforceable against such landowner, landlord, or lessor in any such action upon a marketing
contract.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 510, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-120 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-504. Inducing breach of marketing or purchasing contract. Any person who
knowingly induces any member of an agricultural cooperative formed under this article, or under
similar statutes of another jurisdiction with similar restrictions and rights and operating in this
state, to break the member's marketing or purchasing contract or agreement with the cooperative
shall be subject to all available civil remedies, including but not limited to injunctive relief.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 511, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2228, § 89, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1414, § 51,
effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-128 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-505. Purchases of property or other interests. If a cooperative with preferred
stock or preferred equity purchases or otherwise acquires any interest in any property, stock, or
interest in another entity, it may, with the consent of the person or persons from whom the
property or interests are being acquired, discharge the obligations incurred in the purchase or
other acquisition, wholly or in part, by exchanging for the acquired property, stock, or interest
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shares or amounts of its preferred stock or preferred equity in an amount that, at par or stated
value, would equal the value of the property, stock, or interest so purchased, as determined by
the board. A transfer to the cooperative of the property, stock, or interest purchased or otherwise
acquired shall be equivalent to payment in cash for the shares or amounts of preferred stock or
preferred equity issued by the cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 511, § 1, effective July 1.
7-56-506. Warehouse receipts - interest in warehouse entities. If a cooperative
formed under or that has elected to be subject to this article organizes, forms, operates, owns,
controls, has an interest in, owns stock of, or is a member of any commodities warehouse, the
warehouse may issue legal warehouse receipts to the cooperative against the commodities
delivered by it or to any other person, and any legal warehouse receipt shall be considered as
adequate collateral to the extent of the usual and current value of the commodity represented by
the receipt. If the warehouse is licensed or licensed and bonded under the law of this state, any
other state, or the United States, its warehouse receipt delivered to the cooperative on
commodities of the cooperative or its members or delivered by the cooperative or its members
shall not be challenged or discriminated against because of ownership or control, wholly or in
part, by the cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 511, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2228, § 90, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-125 as existed prior to 1996.
Cross references: For other duties and liabilities of warehouses, see article 7 of title 4
and article 16 of title 12.
7-56-507. Application of other laws. (1) If a matter is not addressed in this article, the
"Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title, shall apply to the
cooperatives formed under or subject to this article; except that a cooperative may elect to have
the provisions of the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of this
title, apply to it if such cooperative does so in its articles or by a resolution of its members that is
delivered to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title that states
that the cooperative elects to have the provisions of the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit
Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of this title, apply to it. A cooperative may revoke such
election by amending its articles or by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to
part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of change that states that the cooperative revokes its
election to have the provisions of the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles
121 to 137 of this title, apply to it and that the revocation of such election has been approved by
resolution of its members.
(2) Any exemptions under any existing law applying to goods or agricultural products in
the possession or under the control of an individual producer shall apply similarly and
completely to such goods or products when delivered by its members to, and in the possession or
under the control of, the cooperative.
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Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 511, § 1, effective July 1. L. 97: (1) amended, p.
760, § 22, effective July 1, 1998. L. 2002: (1) amended, p. 1818, § 24, effective July 1; (1)
amended, p. 1682, § 22, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2228, § 91,
effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-116 and 7-56-130 as they existed
prior to 1996.
7-56-508. Cooperatives not in restraint of trade. No cooperative formed under or
subject to this article shall solely by its organization and existence be deemed to be a conspiracy
or a combination in restraint of trade, an illegal monopoly, or an attempt to lessen competition or
to fix prices arbitrarily, nor shall the marketing or purchasing contracts and agreements between
any cooperative and its members or any agreements authorized in this article be considered
illegal as such, in unlawful restraint of trade, or as part of a conspiracy or combination to
accomplish an improper or illegal purpose.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 512, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2229, § 92, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-129 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-509. Exemption from securities laws. Any security, patronage refund, per unit
retain certificate, capital credit, evidence of membership, preferred equity certificate, or other
equity instrument issued, sold, or reported by a cooperative as an investment in its stock or
capital to the patrons of a cooperative formed under or subject to this article or a similar law of
any other jurisdiction and authorized to transact business or conduct activities in this state is
exempt from the securities laws contained in the "Colorado Securities Act", article 51 of title 11,
C.R.S. Such securities, patronage refunds, per unit retain certificates, capital credits, or
evidences of membership, preferred equity certificates or other equity instruments may be
issued, sold, or reported lawfully by the issuer or its directors, officers, members, or salaried
employees without the necessity of the issuer or its directors, officers, members, or employees
being registered as brokers or dealers under the "Colorado Securities Act", article 51 of title 11,
C.R.S.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 512, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section
amended, p. 2229, § 93, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-55-115 as it existed in 1996.
7-56-510. Renewable energy cooperatives - powers. (1) In addition to the powers
granted in this article, renewable energy cooperatives may generate electricity from renewable
resources or technologies and transmit and sell electricity at wholesale.
(2) No renewable energy cooperative shall sell electricity at retail or have a certificated
territory in the state except as allowed for its own service or pursuant to public utility law or
other legal authority.
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Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1122, § 2, effective May 27.
PART 6
PROPERTY ENCUMBRANCES, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS,
AND PROPERTY SALES
7-56-601. Encumbering property. The board of a cooperative has full power and
authority, without approval of its members, to mortgage, pledge, encumber, dedicate to the
repayment of indebtedness, whether with or without recourse, or otherwise encumber any or all
of the cooperative's property, whether or not in the usual and regular course of business, and to
execute and deliver mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, or other instruments for such
purposes.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 512, § 1, effective July 1.
7-56-602. Merger, conversion, or consolidation or share or equity capital exchange.
(1) One or more cooperatives formed under or that have elected to be subject to this article may
be merged, consolidated, or shares or equity capital exchanged with another domestic
cooperative or another domestic entity, or may convert to any form of entity permitted by section
7-90-201, upon such terms, for such purpose, and by such domestic entity name as may be
agreed upon, which domestic entity name shall comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title.
(2) (a) With respect to a cooperative that is a party to a plan of merger, conversion,
consolidation, or share or equity capital exchange, unless a different vote is required by the
articles or bylaws, the plan shall be approved by a two-thirds majority of all the members of the
board of the cooperative and by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting in
person or in any other manner authorized by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1). If
a higher or lower percentage vote of members is required by the articles or bylaws for approval,
not less than a majority of those present and voting in person or in any other manner authorized
by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1) nor more than a two-thirds majority of all
voting members of the cooperative shall be required.
(b) A cooperative shall not permit proportional voting to apply to a vote of members on
a plan of merger, conversion, consolidation, or share or equity capital exchange pursuant to this
section.
(c) If voting by mail is permitted, the notice of the meeting shall be mailed to each
member and have a mail ballot attached to it.
(d) A cooperative may establish different requirements for plans between or among two
or more cooperatives and for plans where a noncooperative entity is a party to the plan.
(e) The vote required for approval of a plan by an entity that is a party to the plan and
that is not a cooperative entity shall be governed by the law applicable to the noncooperative
entity.
(3) If a party to the merger, conversion, consolidation, or share or equity capital
exchange is the owner of real property in the state of Colorado and the merger, conversion,
consolidation, or share or equity capital exchange would affect the title to the real property, a
copy of a statement of merger, conversion, consolidation, or share or equity capital exchange,
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certified by the secretary of state, shall be filed for record in the office of the county clerk and
recorder in the county or counties in which the real property is situated.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 512, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: (3) amended,
p. 1818, § 25, effective July 1; (3) amended, p. 1682, § 23, effective October 1. L. 2003: (1) and
(2)(e) amended, p. 2229, § 94, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (3) amended, p. 1414, § 52,
effective July 1. L. 2006: (3) amended, p. 848, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2007: (1), (2)(a), (2)(b),
and (3) amended, p. 219, § 3, effective May 29.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-112, 7-56-108, 7-56-121, and 756-126 as they existed prior to 1996.
7-56-603. Procedure for consolidation, share or equity capital exchange, conversion,
and merger. (1) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (1) is
effective until July 1, 2020.] A plan for consolidation or share or equity capital exchange shall
state the following:
(1) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (1) is effective
July 1, 2020.] A plan for consolidation or share or equity capital exchange must state the
following:
(a) The entity name of each entity planning to consolidate or exchange shares or equity
capital and the principal office address of its principal office;
(b) The entity name of the surviving entity, or of the acquiring entity, and the principal
office address of its principal office;
(c) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(c) is effective until July 1, 2020.] A
statement that the consolidating entities are consolidated with the surviving entity, or that the
acquiring entity is acquiring shares or equity capital of the other entities, and the section of this
article pursuant to which the consolidation or share exchange is effected;
(c) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(c) is effective July 1, 2020.] A
statement that the consolidating entities are consolidated with the surviving entity, or that the
acquiring entity is acquiring shares or equity capital of the other entities, and the section of this
article pursuant to which the consolidation or exchange is effected;
(d) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(d) is effective until July 1, 2020.] Any
amendments to the articles of the surviving party to be effected by the consolidation or share or
equity capital exchange; and
(d) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(d) is effective July 1, 2020.] Any
amendments to the articles of the surviving party to be effected by the consolidation or equity
capital exchange; and
(e) With respect to agricultural and other cooperatives exempted from the operation of
laws such as the federal and state securities or antitrust laws, any steps necessary to maintain
such exemption if the cooperative wishes to maintain such status.
(2) The plan of consolidation or share or equity capital exchange may state any other
provisions relating to the consolidation or share or equity capital exchange.
(2.3) A plan of conversion shall comply with section 7-90-201.3.
(2.7) A plan of merger shall comply with section 7-90-203.3.
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(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit the power of a cooperative or other
entity to acquire all or part of the shares or equity capital of another cooperative through a
voluntary exchange or through an agreement with the members of such other cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 513, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(a)
to (1)(d), and (2) amended, p. 2230, § 95, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(d) RC&RE, p.
1415, § 53, effective July 1. L. 2007: IP(1), (1)(a), (1)(c), (1)(d), and (2) amended and (2.3) and
(2.7) added, p. 220, § 4, effective May 29. L. 2019: IP(1), (1)(c), and (1)(d) amended, (SB 19086), ch. 166, p. 1964, § 64, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-112, 7-56-108, 7-56-121,
and 7-56-126 as they existed prior to 1996.
(2) Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019, provides
that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-56-604. Merger of parent and subsidiary. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of
sections 7-56-602 and 7-56-603, by complying with the provisions of this section, any parent
cooperative owning one hundred percent of the voting shares, memberships, or interests and
having a right to vote of a subsidiary may either merge such subsidiary into itself or merge itself
into such subsidiary.
(2) The boards of the parent cooperative and of the subsidiary shall adopt by resolution,
and the members of both the parent cooperative and the subsidiary shall approve, a plan of
merger that states the following:
(a) The entity names of the parent cooperative and subsidiary and the entity name of the
surviving party;
(b) The terms and conditions of the proposed merger;
(c) The manner and basis of converting the shares of the parent cooperative and
subsidiary into shares, obligations, or other securities of the surviving party or any other
cooperative into money or other property in whole or part;
(d) Any amendments to the articles of the surviving party to be effected by the merger;
and
(e) Any other provisions relating to the merger as are deemed necessary or desirable.
(3) The members of the parent cooperative shall not be required to vote on the merger
unless the articles, bylaws, or the board requires otherwise; except that if, as a result of the
merger, the voting shares, memberships, or other interests of members of the parent cooperative
would be materially altered, then the members of the parent cooperative shall have the right to
vote on the plan of merger. If the members of the parent cooperative have the right to vote on the
plan of merger, the parent cooperative shall mail a copy or summary of the plan of merger to
each member of the parent cooperative who has the right to vote on the plan and all parties to the
merger. Notice and meeting requirements as provided for in this article shall apply.
(4) If the members of the parent cooperative have the right to vote on the plan of merger,
unless the articles, bylaws, or the board requires a greater or lesser vote, the plan of merger,
consolidation, or share or equity capital exchange shall be approved by a majority of the
members of the parent cooperative present and voting on the plan in person or in any other
manner authorized by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1). Upon approval of a plan
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of merger pursuant to this section, a statement of merger shall be delivered to the secretary of
state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, and a copy of the statement of merger,
certified by the secretary of state, shall be filed for record in each of the counties, if any, in
which such filing is required by section 7-56-602 (3).
(5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 98, p. 612, § 6, effective July 1, 1998.)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 514, § 1, effective July 1. L. 98: IP(2), (3), (4),
and (5) amended, p. 612, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2002: (4) amended, p. 1818, § 26, effective
July 1; (4) amended, p. 1682, § 24, effective October 1. L. 2003: IP(2) and (2)(a) amended, p.
2230, § 96, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (2)(a) amended, p. 1415, § 54, effective July 1. L.
2006: (4) amended, p. 849, § 3, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-112, 7-56-108, 7-56-121, and 756-126 as they existed prior to 1996.
7-56-604.5. Statement of merger or conversion. (1) After a plan of merger is
approved, the surviving entity shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3
of article 90 of this title, a statement of merger pursuant to section 7-90-203.7. If the plan of
merger provides for amendments to the articles of incorporation of the surviving entity, the
surviving entity shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of
this title, articles of amendment effecting the amendments.
(2) After a plan of conversion is approved, the converting entity shall deliver to the
secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of conversion
pursuant to section 7-90-201.7.
Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1415, § 55, effective July 1. L. 2007: Entire
section amended, p. 220, § 5, effective May 29.
7-56-605. Statement of consolidation or share or equity capital exchange.
(1) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1415, § 56, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (2) is effective
until July 1, 2020.] After a plan of consolidation or share or equity capital exchange is approved
by all necessary action of all parties, the acquiring entity shall deliver to the secretary of state,
for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of consolidation or a statement
of share exchange stating:
(2) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (2) is effective
July 1, 2020.] After a plan of consolidation or share or equity capital exchange is approved by
all necessary action of all parties, the acquiring entity shall deliver to the secretary of state, for
filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of consolidation or a statement of
exchange stating:
(a) The entity name of each entity that is a party to the consolidation or the shares of
which will be acquired and the principal office address of its principal office;
(b) The entity name of the consolidated or acquiring entity and the principal office
address of its principal office; and
(c) The effective date of the consolidation or share or equity capital exchange.
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(c.5) and (d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1415, § 56, effective July 1, 2004.)
(3) The consolidation or share or equity capital exchange shall be effective as provided
in section 7-90-304.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 515, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: (1), IP(2), and
(3) amended, p. 1818, § 27, effective July 1; (1), IP(2), and (3) amended, p. 1683, § 25, effective
October 1. L. 2003: IP(2), (2)(c), and (2)(d) amended and (2)(c.5) added, p. 2230, § 97, effective
July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1415, § 56, effective July 1. L. 2019: IP(2)
amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1965, § 65, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-112, 7-56-108, 7-56-121,
and 7-56-126 as they existed prior to 1996.
(2) Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019, provides
that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-56-606. Effect of merger, conversion, consolidation, or share or equity capital
exchange. (1) The effect of a merger is determined by section 7-90-204.
(2) The effect of a conversion is determined by section 7-90-202.
(3) When a consolidation takes effect:
(a) Each nonsurviving party to the consolidation consolidates into the surviving party,
and the separate existence of every party to the consolidation except the surviving party ceases;
(b) The title to all real estate and other property owned by each nonsurviving party is
transferred to and vested in the surviving party without reversion or impairment. Such transfer to
and vesting in the surviving party shall be deemed to occur by operation of law, and no consent
or approval of any other person shall be required in connection with any such transfer or vesting
unless such consent or approval is specifically required in the event of consolidation by law or
by express provision in any contract, agreement, decree, order, or other instrument to which any
of the parties so consolidated is a party or by which it is bound.
(c) The surviving party has all liabilities of each party to the consolidation;
(d) A proceeding pending against any party to the consolidation may be continued as if
the consolidation did not occur or the surviving party may be substituted in the proceeding for
the party whose existence ceased;
(e) The articles of the surviving party are amended to the extent provided in the plan of
consolidation; and
(f) The shares of each such party to the consolidation that are to be converted into
shares, obligations, or other securities of the surviving or any other party or into money or other
property are converted, and the former holders of the shares or equity capital are entitled only to
the rights provided in the statement of consolidation.
(4) When a share or equity capital exchange takes effect, the shares or equity capital of
each acquired party are exchanged as provided in the plan, and the former holders of the shares
or equity capital are entitled only to the exchange rights provided in the articles of share or
equity capital exchange.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 515, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1) amended,
p. 1416, § 57, effective July 1. L. 2007: Entire section amended, p. 220, § 6, effective May 29.
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Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-112, 7-56-108, 7-56-121, and 756-126 as they existed prior to 1996.
7-56-606.5. Merger with foreign entity. (1) One or more domestic cooperatives may
merge with one or more foreign entities if:
(a) The merger is permitted by section 7-90-203 (2);
(b) The foreign entity complies with section 7-90-203.7 if it is the surviving entity of the
merger; and
(c) Each domestic cooperative complies with the applicable provisions of sections 7-56602 and 7-56-603 and, if it is the surviving cooperative of the merger, with section 7-56-604.5.
(2) Upon the merger taking effect, the surviving foreign entity of a merger shall comply
with section 7-90-204.5.
Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 222, § 7, effective May 29.
7-56-607. Consolidation or share or equity capital exchange with foreign business.
(1) One or more domestic cooperatives may consolidate or enter into a share or equity capital
exchange with one or more foreign entities if:
(a) In a consolidation, the consolidation is permitted by the law of the jurisdiction under
which each foreign entity is formed and each foreign entity complies with that law in effecting
the consolidation;
(b) In a share or equity capital exchange, the cooperative whose shares or equity will be
acquired is a domestic or foreign cooperative, and if a share or equity capital exchange is
permitted by the law of the jurisdiction under the law of which the acquiring entity is formed;
(c) The foreign entity complies with the provisions of section 7-56-605 if it is the
surviving or new entity in a consolidation or acquiring entity in a share or equity capital
exchange; and
(d) The foreign entity is the surviving entity in the consolidation or the acquiring entity
of the share or equity capital exchange and it complies with section 7-56-605.
(1.5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2007, p. 222, § 8, effective May 29, 2007.)
(2) Upon the consolidation or share or equity capital exchange taking effect, the
surviving foreign entity of a consolidation and the acquiring foreign entity of a share or equity
capital exchange:
(a) Shall either:
(I) Appoint a registered agent if the foreign entity has no registered agent and maintain a
registered agent pursuant to part 7 of article 90 of this title, whether or not the foreign entity is
otherwise subject to that part, to accept service in any proceeding based on a cause of action
arising with respect to any domestic entity that is merged into the foreign entity or the ownership
interests of which are acquired in a share or equity capital exchange; or
(II) Be deemed to have authorized service of process on it in connection with any such
proceeding by mailing in accordance with section 7-90-704 (2); and
(b) Shall comply with part 8 of article 90 of this title if it is to transact business or
conduct activities in this state.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1417, § 58, effective July 1, 2004.)
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(4) Subsection (2) of this section does not prescribe the only means, or necessarily the
required means, of serving a surviving foreign entity in a consolidation or an acquiring foreign
entity in a share or equity capital exchange.
(5) This section does not limit the power of a foreign entity to acquire all or part of the
shares of one or more classes or series of a domestic cooperative through a voluntary exchange
of shares or otherwise.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 516, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: (2)(a)(II)
amended, p. 1819, § 28, effective July 1; (2)(a)(II) amended, p. 1683, sect; 26, effective October
1. L. 2003: (1)(a), (1)(b), and (2) amended, p. 2231, § 98, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(c),
(1)(d), IP(2), (2)(a)(II), (3), and (4) amended and (1.5) added, p. 1417, § 58, effective July 1. L.
2006: (1)(d) amended, p. 1488, § 4, effective June 1. L. 2007: (1), (1.5), and (2)(a)(I) amended,
p. 222, § 8, effective May 29.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-112, 7-56-108, 7-56-121, and 756-126 as they existed prior to 1996.
7-56-608. Dissenters' rights - definitions. (1) As used in this section:
(a) "Dissenter" means a member eligible to vote who exercises the right to dissent
provided in this section at the time and in the manner required by this section.
(b) "Interest" means interest required to be paid pursuant to this section at the average
rate currently paid by the cooperative subject to this section on its principal bank loans or, if
none, at the legal rate specified in section 5-12-101, C.R.S.
(c) "Stated value" means the original cost paid by a person for capital stock or
membership fees, as recorded in the records of the cooperative, in order to qualify for
membership and the right to vote in the cooperative, and for other equity capital the amount
stated in the records of the cooperative that is required to make a payment under this section.
(2) If the board of a cooperative subject to this article submits to the members of the
cooperative for approval a plan of merger, conversion, consolidation, or share or equity capital
exchange and if following the merger, conversion, consolidation, or share or equity capital
exchange there will be members of any cooperative involved in the proposed transaction who
would no longer be eligible for membership or other voting interest in the surviving or resulting
entity, the ineligible members shall be entitled to repayment of their equity interests in the
cooperative in accordance with this section.
(3) If the board of a cooperative subject to this article submits to the members of the
cooperative for approval a plan to sell all or substantially all of the cooperative's assets and not
dissolve following the sale, the members of the cooperative shall be entitled to repayment of
their equity interests in the cooperative in accordance with this section.
(4) A cooperative that proposes to be a party to a merger, conversion, consolidation,
share or equity capital exchange, or a sale of assets, as described in subsection (2) or (3) of this
section, shall include in the notice of the membership meeting at which the vote of the members
is taken thereon an explanation of the right to dissent and the requirement to give written notice
of intent to demand payment by a member having the right to do so under this section.
(5) A member who may be entitled to repayment of the member's equity interests in the
cooperative in accordance with this section shall give written notice of the member's intention to
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demand payment before the vote is taken at the membership meeting at which a vote on the
proposed merger, conversion, consolidation, share or equity capital exchange, or sale of assets is
to be taken. Upon giving notice, the member shall no longer be entitled to vote on the proposed
transaction. The written notice shall include the name of the member in which the stock or
membership is held on the records of the cooperative and the member's address and social
security or federal tax identification number. Failure to give written notice of intention to
demand payment in the prescribed manner disqualifies the member from demanding payment
under this section.
(6) If the merger, conversion, consolidation, share or equity capital exchange, or sale of
assets described in subsection (2) or (3) of this section is approved by the members of the
cooperative in the manner applicable to any other entity that is a party to the transaction, the
surviving, resulting, or new entity, including a cooperative that is to sell all or substantially all of
its assets, shall be required to make the payments provided in this section. The surviving,
resulting, or new entity shall give written notice to all dissenters who have given notice to
dissent pursuant to this section. The notice shall include the address at which the surviving,
resulting, or new entity will receive payment demands, the requirement to submit stock or
membership certificates or certification of the loss or destruction thereof, the period in which
demands will be received which shall be not less than thirty days from the date of the notice, and
where applicable, a statement of qualifications for membership or other voting interest in the
surviving or new entity.
(7) Within the period stated in the notice described in subsection (6) of this section, a
dissenter may deliver a written demand for payment to the surviving, resulting, or new entity, or
in the case of a sale of assets subject to this section, to the cooperative selling its assets, stating
the address to which payment is to be made and, where applicable, a statement as to the reasons
why the dissenter no longer qualifies for membership or a voting interest in the surviving,
resulting, or new entity.
(8) Within thirty days after receipt of a demand for payment, the surviving, resulting, or
new entity or, in the case of a sale of assets subject to this section, the cooperative selling its
assets shall pay to the dissenter:
(a) The stated value of the initial investment of the dissenter in stock or membership fees
in the cooperative as recorded in the records of the cooperative made to qualify the dissenter to
be a member of the cooperative; and
(b) The stated value of all other equity capital of the dissenter in the cooperative as
recorded in the records of the surviving, resulting, or new entity, or in the case of a sale of assets
subject to this section, of the cooperative selling its assets; except that, in the case of any merger,
conversion, consolidation, or share or equity capital exchange, if the surviving, resulting, or new
entity has, by written agreement or operation of law other than this section, become liable to
repay the other equity capital of the dissenter, the repayment of other equity capital shall be
made by the surviving, resulting, or new entity under the same conditions and time frame, but
not more than fifteen years, that would have applied if the member or equity holder had
withdrawn or been terminated from the cooperative that is not the surviving, resulting, or new
entity immediately prior to the effective date of the merger, conversion, consolidation, or share
or equity capital exchange. If payment is not made on the date required by this subsection (8),
the recipient shall be entitled to interest from the date the payment should have been made until
the date payment is actually made.
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(9) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, holders of equity capital who
are not members of the cooperative shall under no circumstances be entitled to dissenter's rights.
(10) Section 7-90-206 (2) applies to a conversion in which the cooperative is the
converting entity.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 517, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (7) amended,
p. 2232, § 99, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006: (10) added, p. 849, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2007:
(2), (4), (5), (6), (7), IP(8), and (8)(b) amended, p. 223, § 9, effective May 29.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former §§ 7-55-112, 7-56-108, 7-56-121, and 756-126 as they existed prior to 1996.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-56-609. Sale or other disposition of property without member approval. (1) A
cooperative may, on the terms and conditions and for the consideration determined by the board:
(a) Sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any of its property in the usual and
regular course of business; except that a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or
substantially all, of its property shall never be considered to be in the usual and regular course of
business;
(b) Transfer to itself any or all of the property of a domestic or foreign entity when all
the voting rights of the transferor are owned, directly or indirectly, by the transferee cooperative.
(2) Unless otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws, approval by the members of a
transaction described in subsection (1) of this section is not required.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 520, § 1, effective July 1.
7-56-610. Sale or other disposition of property requiring member approval. (1) A
cooperative may sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of its
property, with or without its good will, only on the terms and conditions and for the
consideration determined by the board and if the board proposes or submits and the members
approve the transaction. A sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all,
of the property of a cooperative, with or without its good will, in connection with its dissolution,
other than pursuant to a court order, shall be subject to the requirements of this section; but a
sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property of a
cooperative, with or without its good will, pursuant to a court order shall not be subject to the
requirements of this section. If a resolution to dissolve the cooperative that is adopted by the
members of a cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-702 contemplates the sale of all or
substantially all of the cooperative's property in connection with the dissolution, the adoption of
that resolution by the members shall also be an authorization to sell all or substantially all of the
cooperative's property pursuant to this section.
(2) If a cooperative is entitled to vote or otherwise consent, other than in the usual and
regular course of its business, with respect to the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all,
or substantially all, of its property with or without the good will of another entity that it controls,
and if the shares or other interests held by the cooperative in such other entity constitute all, or
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substantially all, of the property of the cooperative, then the cooperative shall consent to such
transaction only if its board proposes and its members approve the giving of consent.
(3) For a transaction described in subsection (1) of this section or a consent described in
subsection (2) of this section to be approved by the members:
(a) The board, by a two-thirds majority vote of all its members, shall recommend the
transaction or the consent to the members unless the board determines that, because of conflict
of interest or other special circumstances, it should make no recommendation and communicates
the basis for its determination to the members with the submission of the transaction or the
consent; and
(b) The members entitled to vote on the transaction or the consent shall approve the
transaction or the consent as provided in subsection (6) of this section.
(4) The board may condition the effectiveness of the transaction or the consent on any
basis.
(5) The cooperative shall give proper notice to each member entitled to vote on the
transaction described in subsection (1) of this section or the consent described in subsection (2)
of this section of the members' meeting at which the transaction or the consent will be voted
upon. The notice shall:
(a) State that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider:
(I) In the case of action pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the sale, lease,
exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property of the cooperative; or
(II) In the case of action pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the cooperative's
consent to the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the
property of another entity, which entity shall be identified in the notice, shares or other interests
of which are held by the cooperative and constitute all, or substantially all, of the property of the
cooperative; and
(b) Contain or be accompanied by a description of the transaction, in the case of action
pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, or by a description of the transaction underlying the
consent, in the case of action pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
(6) Member approval of a transaction or consent described in subsections (1) and (2) of
this section shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds majority of the members present and
voting in person or in any other manner authorized by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56305 (1); but the two-thirds voting requirement may be reduced to not less than a majority of the
members present and voting in person or in any other manner authorized by the cooperative
pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1), or may be increased to up to two-thirds of all members entitled
to vote, by a provision contained in the articles or bylaws of the cooperative. The cooperative
may also provide in its articles or bylaws for different voting requirements with respect to a
transaction between one or more cooperatives subject to this article or similar law of other states
and between the cooperative and one or more entities formed under or subject to different law of
this or other states. A cooperative may not permit proportional voting to apply to a vote of
members with respect to the sale of all or substantially all of the property of the cooperative
pursuant to this section.
(7) After a transaction described in subsection (1) of this section or a consent described
in subsection (2) of this section is authorized, the transaction may be abandoned or the consent
withheld or revoked, subject to any contractual rights or other limitations on such abandonment,
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withholding, or revocation, by a unanimous vote of the board or the vote of two-thirds of all the
members.
(8) If the members do not approve of a transaction or consent as described in subsections
(1) and (2) of this section, the board may prohibit the consideration and submittal of a similar
proposal to the members for a period of two years following the members' vote.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 520, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (6) amended,
p. 2232, § 100, effective July 1, 2004.
PART 7
DISSOLUTION
SUBPART 1
VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION
7-56-701. Authorization of dissolution before issuance of memberships. If a
cooperative has not yet issued memberships, a majority of its directors or, if the initial directors
designated in the articles have not met or if not designated in the articles have not been elected, a
majority of its incorporators, may authorize the dissolution of the cooperative.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 522, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-702. Authorization of dissolution after issuance of memberships. (1) After
memberships have been issued, dissolution of a cooperative may be authorized in the following
manner:
(a) The board, by a two-thirds majority vote of all its members, shall first adopt a
resolution recommending dissolution that conforms to the requirements of paragraph (c) of this
subsection (1);
(b) The board shall submit the resolution adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
subsection (1) to the members;
(c) The resolution adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) shall state the
reasons why the termination of the affairs of the cooperative is deemed advisable, the time by
which it should be accomplished, whether or not the board may revoke dissolution, and the
names of three persons and two alternates to act as trustees in liquidation who shall have all the
powers of the board to do all things they deem necessary for the efficient distribution of claims
to creditors, in liquidation and termination of the affairs of the cooperative, including the sale of
all or substantially all of the cooperative's property as they deem necessary if the resolution also
provides for a sale of the property. Such trustees and alternates need not be members of the
cooperative. Any vacancies in the trusteeship shall be first filled by the designated alternates and
then may be filled by such persons as may be designated by the remaining trustees.
(2) The board may condition the effectiveness of the dissolution on any basis.
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(3) The cooperative shall give notice to each member of the regular or special meeting at
which the resolution to dissolve will be voted upon. The notice shall state that the purpose, or
one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the proposal to dissolve the cooperative. The
notice shall contain or be accompanied by a copy of the proposal or a summary thereof,
including a description of the proposed distribution of the cooperative's assets and, if voting by
mail is permitted, with a mail ballot attached to it.
(4) The proposal to dissolve shall be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the
members present and voting in person or in any other manner authorized by the cooperative
pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1) at a regular or special meeting called for such purpose. A
cooperative shall not permit proportional voting to apply to a vote of members on a resolution to
dissolve pursuant to this section.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 522, § 1, effective July 1. L. 98: (1)(a) amended,
p. 613, § 7, effective July 1. L. 2007: (3) amended, p. 224, § 10, effective May 29.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-703. Articles of dissolution. (1) At any time after dissolution is authorized, the
cooperative may dissolve by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of
article 90 of this title, articles of dissolution stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the cooperative;
(b) The principal office address of the cooperative's principal office; and
(c) That the cooperative is dissolved.
(d) to (f) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1418, § 59, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) A cooperative is dissolved upon the effective date of its filed articles of dissolution.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2232, § 101, effective July 1, 2004.)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 523, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(1)
amended, p. 1819, § 29, effective July 1; IP(1) amended, p. 1683, § 27, effective October 1. L.
2003: IP(1), (1)(a), (1)(b), and (3) amended, p. 2232, § 101, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)
amended, p. 1418, § 59, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-704. Revocation of dissolution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 524, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(3) and (4)
amended, p. 1819, § 30, effective July 1; IP(3) and (4) amended, p. 1684, § 28, effective October
1. L. 2003: IP(3), (3)(a), and (4) amended and (5) added, p. 2232, § 102, effective July 1, 2004.
L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 1418, § 60, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section was similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
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7-56-705. Effect of dissolution. (1) A dissolved cooperative continues its existence but
may not carry on any business except as is appropriate to wind up and liquidate its business and
affairs, including:
(a) Collecting its assets;
(b) Disposing of its assets that will not be distributed in kind to its members or equity
holders;
(c) Discharging or making provision for discharging its liabilities;
(d) Distributing its remaining assets among its members or equity holders according to
their interests; and
(e) Doing every other act necessary to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs.
(2) Unless otherwise stated in the articles or bylaws, the assets shall be used to pay, in
the following order:
(a) Liquidation expenses, including reasonable payment and reimbursement for the time
and expenses of the trustees in liquidation and their consultants;
(b) All debts and liabilities according to their respective priorities;
(c) Amounts invested in the cooperative that have a specific preference in liquidation
over other amounts invested in the cooperative;
(d) Without priority and on a pro rata basis, amounts invested in the cooperative,
whether as membership fees, common stock, or otherwise, which are required by the cooperative
to be invested in order for a person to be a member or to be subject to per unit retains or be
entitled to participate in the allocation of net margins on terms and conditions established in the
cooperative's bylaws or by the cooperative's board;
(e) Without priority and on a pro rata basis, retained patronage, per unit retains, other
amounts withheld from or allocated to a patron of the cooperative, or any direct contributions to
the capital of the cooperative not described in paragraph (d) of this subsection (2), all as shown
on the books and records of the cooperative;
(f) Any remaining assets, including reserves, if any, shall be distributed among such
members of the cooperative, as shown in the records of the cooperative, without priority and on
a pro rata basis, as shall be practicable as determined by the trustees in liquidation. In making
their determination, the trustees in liquidation may limit those persons entitled to share in the
distribution to persons entitled to share in the allocation of the cooperative's net margins during a
limited specified period of time.
(g) With respect to paragraphs (e) and (f), the amounts to be distributed shall be paid to
the persons entitled to them as promptly as reasonably possible after the filing of the articles of
dissolution by the secretary of state, but in no event shall the distributions be made later than
seven years following the filing of the articles of dissolution by the secretary of state unless
distribution is prevented by circumstances beyond the control of the trustees in liquidation.
(3) Dissolution of a cooperative does not:
(a) Transfer title to the cooperative's property;
(b) Prevent transfer of its memberships or securities, although the authorization to
dissolve may provide for closing the cooperative's membership, stock, or other equity transfer
records;
(c) Subject its directors or officers to standards of conduct different from those otherwise
applicable to them prior to dissolution;
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(d) Change quorum or voting requirements for its board or members; change provisions
for selection, resignation, or removal of its directors or officers, or both; or change provisions for
amending its bylaws or its articles;
(e) Prevent commencement of a proceeding by or against the cooperative in its
cooperative name; or
(f) Abate or suspend a proceeding pending by or against the cooperative on the effective
date of dissolution.
(4) A dissolved cooperative may dispose of claims against it pursuant to sections 7-90911 and 7-90-912.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 525, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2006: (4) added, p.
849, § 5, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-706. Disposition of known claims by notification. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 526, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section was similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-707. Disposition of claims by publication. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 527, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2)(a)
amended, p. 2233, § 103, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006: Entire section repealed, p. 884, § 87,
effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section was similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-708. Enforcement of claims against dissolved cooperative. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 528, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section was similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to 1996.
7-56-709. Service on dissolved cooperative - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 528, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (4) added by
revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: (1) This section was similar to former § 7-55-114 as it existed prior to
1996.
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(2) Subsection (4) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1, 2004. (See L.
2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
SUBPART 2
ADMINISTRATIVE DISSOLUTION
7-56-710. Grounds for administrative dissolution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 529, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1)(b)
amended, p. 951, § 13, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1)(b), (1)(c), and (1)(d) amended, p. 2233, §
104, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(b) amended, p. 1419, § 61, effective July 1. L. 2005:
Entire section repealed, p. 1218, § 26, effective October 1.
7-56-711. Procedure for and effect of administrative dissolution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 529, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) to (5)
amended, p. 2233, § 105, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2005: Entire section repealed, p. 1218, § 26,
effective October 1.
7-56-712. Reinstatement following administrative dissolution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 530, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1)(c)
amended, p. 951, § 14, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(1), (2), and (3) amended, p. 1819, § 31,
effective July 1; IP(1), (2), and (3) amended, p. 1684, § 29, effective October 1. L. 2004: Entire
section repealed, p. 1419, § 62, effective July 1.
7-56-713. Appeal from denial of reinstatement. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 531, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section
repealed, p. 1420, § 63, effective July 1.
SUBPART 3
JUDICIAL DISSOLUTION
7-56-714. Grounds for judicial dissolution. (1) A cooperative may be dissolved in a
proceeding brought in court by the attorney general if it is established that:
(a) The cooperative obtained its organization through fraud; or
(b) The cooperative has exceeded or abused the authority conferred upon it by law.
(2) A cooperative may be dissolved in a proceeding brought in court by not less than ten
percent of the total number of members if it is established that:
(a) The directors are deadlocked in the management of the cooperative's affairs, the
members are unable to break the deadlock, and irreparable injury to the cooperative is threatened
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or suffered, or the business and affairs of the cooperative can no longer be conducted to the
advantage of the members generally;
(b) The directors or those in control of the cooperative have acted, are acting, or will act
in a manner that is illegal, oppressive, or fraudulent; or
(c) The members are deadlocked in voting power and have failed for a period that
includes at least two consecutive annual meeting dates, to elect successors to directors whose
terms have expired or would have expired upon the election of their successors.
(3) A cooperative may be dissolved in a proceeding brought in court by a creditor if it is
established that:
(a) A creditor's claim has been reduced to judgment, the execution on the judgment has
been returned unsatisfied, and the cooperative is insolvent; or
(b) The cooperative is insolvent and the cooperative has admitted in writing that a
creditor's claim is due and owing.
(4) (a) If a cooperative has been dissolved by voluntary action taken under sections 7-56701 to 7-56-705:
(I) The cooperative may bring a proceeding in court to wind up and liquidate its business
and affairs under judicial supervision in accordance with section 7-56-716; or
(II) The attorney general, a member, or a creditor, as the case may be, may bring a
proceeding in court to wind up and liquidate the business and affairs of the cooperative under
judicial supervision in accordance with section 7-56-716, upon establishing the grounds set forth
for such person, respectively, in subsections (1) to (3) of this section.
(b) As used in sections 7-56-715 to 7-56-717, a "proceeding to dissolve the cooperative"
includes a proceeding brought under this subsection (4), and a "decree of dissolution" includes
an order of court entered in a proceeding under this subsection (4) that directs that the business
and affairs of a cooperative be wound up and liquidated under judicial supervision.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 531, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(4)(a)
amended, p. 2234, § 106, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (4)(b) amended, p. 1420, § 64,
effective July 1. L. 2005: IP(4)(a) amended, p. 1218, § 27, effective October 1. L. 2006: IP(4)(a)
amended, p. 849, § 6, effective July 1.
7-56-715. Procedure for judicial dissolution. (1) A proceeding to dissolve a
cooperative brought by the attorney general shall be brought in the district court for the county in
this state in which the street address of the cooperative's principal office is located or, if the
cooperative has no principal office in this state, in the district court for the county in which the
street address of its registered agent is located or, if the cooperative has no registered agent, in
the district court for the city and county of Denver. A proceeding brought by any other party
named in section 7-56-714 shall be brought in the district court for the county in this state in
which the street address of the cooperative's principal office is located or, if the cooperative has
no principal office in this state, in the district court for the county in which the street address of
its registered agent is located or, if the cooperative has no registered agent, in the district court
for the city and county of Denver.
(2) A court in a proceeding brought to dissolve a cooperative may issue injunctions,
appoint a receiver or custodian pendente lite with all powers and duties the court directs, take
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other action required to preserve the cooperative's assets, wherever located, and carry on the
business of the cooperative until a full hearing can be held.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 532, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended,
p. 2234, § 107, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1421, § 65, effective July 1.
7-56-716. Receivership or custodianship. (1) A court in a proceeding to dissolve a
cooperative may appoint one or more receivers to wind up and liquidate, or one or more
custodians to manage the business and affairs, of the cooperative. The court shall hold a hearing,
after giving notice to all parties to the proceeding and any interested persons designated by the
court, before appointing a receiver or custodian pursuant to this section. The court appointing a
receiver or custodian has exclusive jurisdiction over the cooperative and all of its property,
wherever located.
(2) The court may appoint an individual, a domestic entity, or a foreign entity or other
entity authorized to transact business or conduct activities in this state as a receiver or custodian.
The court may require the receiver or custodian to post bond, with or without sureties, in an
amount the court directs.
(3) The court shall describe the powers and duties of the receiver or custodian in its
appointing order, which may be amended from time to time. Among other powers:
(a) The receiver may:
(I) Dispose of all or any part of the property of the cooperative, wherever located, at a
public or private sale, if authorized by the court; and
(II) Sue and defend in the receiver's own name as receiver of the cooperative in all
courts; or
(b) The custodian may exercise all of the powers of the cooperative, through or in place
of its board or officers, to the extent necessary to manage the affairs of the cooperative in the
best interests of its members and creditors.
(4) The court, during a receivership, may redesignate the receiver as custodian, and
during a custodianship may redesignate the custodian as receiver if doing so is in the best
interests of the cooperative and its members and creditors.
(5) The court from time to time during the receivership or custodianship may order
compensation paid and expense disbursements or reimbursements made to the receiver or
custodian and such person's counsel from the assets of the cooperative or proceeds from the sale
of the assets.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 533, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) and (2)
amended, p. 2235, § 108, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1421, § 66, effective
July 1.
7-56-717. Decree of dissolution. (1) If after a hearing the court determines that one or
more grounds for judicial dissolution described in section 7-56-714 exist, it may enter a decree
dissolving the cooperative and stating the effective date of the dissolution, and the clerk of the
court shall deliver a certified copy of the decree to the secretary of state, who shall file it
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title.
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(2) After entering the decree of dissolution, the court shall direct the winding up and
liquidation of the cooperative's business and activities in accordance with section 7-56-705 or 756-716 and the giving of notice to the cooperative's registered agent, or to the secretary of state if
it has no registered agent, and to claimants in accordance with sections 7-90-911 and 7-90-912.
(3) The assets of the dissolved cooperative, after payment of administrative expenses,
shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of section 7-56-705.
(4) The court's order or decision may be appealed as in other civil proceedings.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 533, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2002: (1) amended,
p. 1820, § 32, effective July 1; (1) amended, p. 1684, § 30, effective October 1. L. 2003: (1) and
(2) amended, p. 2235, § 109, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006: (2) amended, p. 849, § 7, effective
July 1.
SUBPART 4
MISCELLANEOUS
7-56-718. Certain assignments of assets in dissolution. In the winding up of the affairs
of a cooperative when certain assets are not liquid and secured creditors having claim on these
assets have been satisfied, the trustees in liquidation or other persons charged with winding up
the cooperative's affairs are authorized to make assignment of such assets to the unsecured
creditors in settlement of their claims. If assignment is refused in writing, and in the judgment of
the trustees there is no liquidity or market value and the costs involved in delaying the winding
up of the affairs of the cooperative exceed the potential benefits, the trustees are authorized to
assign the assets or future proceeds to any local or statewide nonprofit organization that has as
one of its principal purposes education or community service. The trustees shall under no
circumstances be liable to any member or equity holder in the cooperative for any claim on any
assets assigned by the trustees pursuant to the authority of this section.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 534, § 1, effective July 1.
PART 8
FOREIGN COOPERATIVES
Editor's note: This article was repealed and reenacted in 1996, and this part 8 was
subsequently repealed and reenacted in 2003, effective July 1, 2004, resulting in the addition,
relocation, and elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to this part 8
prior to 2004, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in
the front of this volume and the editor's note following the article heading.
7-56-801. Authority to transact business or conduct activities required. Part 8 of
article 90 of this title, providing for the transaction of business or the conduct of activities by
foreign entities, applies to foreign cooperatives.
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Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2235, § 110, effective July 1, 2004.
7-56-802. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, applies to foreign cooperatives.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2236, § 110, effective July 1, 2004.
PART 9
TRANSITION PROVISIONS
7-56-901. Application to existing cooperatives. (1) A domestic corporation,
association, or cooperative formed under this article before July 1, 1996, shall be governed by
the provisions of this article.
(2) A cooperative formed under article 57 of this title before July 1, 1996, until it elects
to be governed by the provisions of this article pursuant to section 7-56-205, shall be deemed to
have been formed under, and shall be governed by, the provisions of article 55 of this title as in
effect immediately prior to July 1, 1996.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 542, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) amended,
p. 2236, § 111, effective July 1, 2004.
ARTICLE 57
Agricultural and Livestock Associations
7-57-101 to 7-57-106. (Repealed)
Source: L. 96: Entire article repealed, p. 543, § 2, effective July 1.
Editor's note: (1) This article was numbered as article 4 of chapter 30, C.R.S. 1963. For
amendments to this article prior to its repeal in 1996, consult the Colorado statutory research
explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the
original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.
(2) Section 7-56-901 (2) of the "Colorado Cooperative Act" provides that cooperatives
organized under this article prior to its repeal on July 1, 1996, shall be deemed to be organized
under article 55 of this title until the cooperative elects to be governed by the "Colorado
Cooperative Act", article 56 of this title.
ARTICLE 58
Uniform Limited Cooperative Association Act
PART 1
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
7-58-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Uniform Limited Cooperative Association Act".
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 761, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless this article states a different
definition:
(1) The terms defined in article 90 of this title have the meanings stated in that article
unless this article states a different definition.
(2) "Articles of organization" or "articles" means the articles of organization of a limited
cooperative association required by section 7-58-302 containing provisions required or permitted
by sections 7-58-303 and 7-58-306. The term includes the articles of organization as amended or
restated.
(3) "Board of directors" means the board of directors of a limited cooperative
association.
(4) "Bylaws" means the bylaws of a limited cooperative association required by section
7-58-304 containing provisions required or permitted by sections 7-58-305 and 7-58-306. The
term includes the bylaws as amended or restated.
(5) "Contribution", except as used in section 7-58-1008 (3), means a benefit that a
person provides to a limited cooperative association to become or remain a member or in the
person's capacity as a member.
(6) "Cooperative" means a limited cooperative association or an entity organized under
any cooperative law of any jurisdiction.
(7) "Director" means a director of a limited cooperative association.
(8) "Distribution", except as used in section 7-58-1007 (5), means a transfer of money or
other property from a limited cooperative association to a member because of the member's
financial rights or to a transferee of a member's financial rights.
(9) "Financial rights" means the right to participate in allocations and distributions as
provided in parts 10 and 12 of this article but does not include rights or obligations under a
marketing contract governed by part 7 of this article.
(10) "Governance rights" means the right to participate in governance of a limited
cooperative association.
(11) "Investor member" means a member that has made a contribution to a limited
cooperative association and that:
(a) Is not required by the articles or bylaws to conduct patronage with the association in
the member's capacity as an investor member in order to receive or retain the member's interest;
or
(b) Is not permitted by the articles or bylaws to conduct patronage with the association in
the member's capacity as an investor member in order to receive or retain the member's interest.
(12) "Limited cooperative association" or "association" means an association organized
under this article.
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(13) "Member" means a person that is admitted as a patron member or investor member,
or both, in a limited cooperative association. The term does not include a person that has
dissociated as a member.
(14) "Member's interest" means the interest of a patron member or investor member with
the attributes stated in section 7-58-601.
(15) "Members meeting" means an annual members meeting or special meeting of
members.
(16) "Organizer" means a person who is named in the articles as an organizer.
(17) "Patronage" means business transactions between a limited cooperative association
and a person that entitle the person to receive financial rights based on the value or quantity of
business done between the association and the person.
(18) "Patron member" means a member that has made a contribution to a limited
cooperative association and that:
(a) Is required by the articles or bylaws to conduct patronage with the association in the
member's capacity as a patron member in order to receive or retain the member's interest; or
(b) Is permitted by the articles or bylaws to conduct patronage with the association in the
member's capacity as a patron member in order to receive or retain the member's interest.
(19) "Proper court" means the district court for the county in this state in which the street
address of the limited cooperative association's principal office is located or, if the association
has no principal office in this state, the district court for the county in which the street address of
its registered agent is located, or, if the association has no registered agent, the district court for
the city and county of Denver.
(20) "Record", used as a noun, means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium
or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(21) "Required information" means the information a limited cooperative association is
required to maintain under section 7-58-112.
(22) "Sign" means, with present intent, to authenticate or adopt a record by:
(a) Executing or adopting a tangible symbol; or
(b) Attaching to or logically associating with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or
process.
(23) "Transfer" includes an assignment, conveyance, deed, bill of sale, lease, mortgage,
security interest, encumbrance, gift, and transfer by operation of law.
(24) "Voting group" means any combination of one or more voting members in one or
more districts or classes that, under this article or the articles or bylaws, are entitled to vote and
can be counted together collectively on a matter at a members meeting.
(25) "Voting member" means a member that, under this article or the articles or bylaws,
has a right to vote on matters subject to vote by members under this article or the articles or
bylaws.
(26) "Voting power" means the total current power of members to vote on a particular
matter for which a vote may or is to be taken.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 761, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
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7-58-103. Reservation of power to amend or repeal. The general assembly has the
power to amend or repeal all or part of this article at any time, and all domestic and foreign
limited cooperative associations subject to this article shall be governed by the amendment or
repeal.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 764, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-104. Nature of limited cooperative association. (1) A limited cooperative
association organized under this article is an autonomous, unincorporated association of persons
united to meet their mutual interests through a jointly owned enterprise primarily controlled by
those persons, the patronage of which is carried on for the mutual benefit of the patron members
and that permits combining:
(a) Ownership, financing, and receipt of benefits by the patron members for whose
patronage the association is formed; and
(b) Separate investments in the association by investor members who invest in the
limited cooperative association and may receive returns on their investments and a share of
control.
(2) The fact that a limited cooperative association does not have more than one of the
characteristics described in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section or any of the
characteristics described in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section does not alone prevent
the association from being formed under and governed by this article, nor does it alone provide a
basis for an action against the association or a member.
(3) The relations between a limited cooperative association and its members are
consensual and contractual. Unless required, limited, or prohibited by this article or other
applicable law, the articles and bylaws of an association may provide for any matter concerning
the relations among the members of the association and between the members and the
association, the activities of the association, and the conduct of its activities.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 764, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-105. Purpose of limited cooperative association. (1) A limited cooperative
association is an entity distinct from its members.
(2) A limited cooperative association may be organized for any lawful purpose, whether
or not for profit.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 764, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-106. Powers. (1) Unless otherwise provided in the articles, every limited
cooperative association has perpetual duration and succession in its domestic entity name and
has the powers to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs,
including without limitation:
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(a) To sue and be sued, complain, and defend in its entity name, and to maintain an
action against a member for harm caused to the association by the member's violation of a duty
to the association or of this article or the articles or bylaws;
(b) To have a seal, which may be altered at will, and to use the seal, or a facsimile
thereof, including a rubber stamp, by impressing or affixing it or by reproducing it in any other
manner;
(c) To amend its articles and make and amend bylaws;
(d) To purchase, receive, lease, and otherwise acquire, and to own, hold, improve, use,
and otherwise deal with, real or personal property or any legal or equitable interest in property,
wherever located;
(e) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, and otherwise dispose of all or
any part of its property;
(f) To purchase, receive, subscribe for, and otherwise acquire shares and other interests
in, and obligations of, any other entity; and to own, hold, vote, use, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge,
and otherwise dispose of, and deal in and with, the same;
(g) To make contracts and guarantees; incur liabilities; borrow money; issue notes,
bonds, and other obligations, which may be convertible into or include the option to purchase
other interests or securities of the association; and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or
pledge of any of its property, franchises, or income;
(h) To lend money, invest and reinvest its funds, and receive and hold real and personal
property as security for repayment;
(i) To be an agent, an associate, a fiduciary, a manager, a member, a partner, an equity
owner, a promoter, or a trustee of, or to hold any similar position with, any entity;
(j) To conduct its business and activities, locate offices, and exercise the powers granted
by this article within or without this state;
(k) To elect and appoint directors, officers, employees, and agents of the association,
define their duties, fix their compensation, and lend them money and credit;
(l) To pay pensions and establish pension plans, pension trusts, profit-sharing plans,
share bonus plans, share options and rights plans, and benefit or incentive plans for any of its
current or former directors, officers, employees, and agents;
(m) To make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, or educational
purposes;
(n) To make payments or donations and to do any other act, not inconsistent with law,
that furthers the business and affairs of the association;
(o) To establish conditions for admission of members, admit members, and issue or
transfer memberships;
(p) To impose dues, assessments, and admission and transfer fees upon its members;
(q) To impose restrictions on the transfer of its membership interests or other interests in
the association;
(r) To carry on its business and affairs;
(s) To indemnify current or former directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries, or agents
as provided in part 9 of this article;
(t) To limit the liability of its directors as provided in section 7-58-818; and
(u) To cease its activities and dissolve.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 764, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-107. Governing law. (1) The law of this state governs:
(a) The internal affairs of a limited cooperative association; and
(b) The liability of a member as member and a director as director for the debts,
obligations, or other liabilities of a limited cooperative association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 766, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-108. Supplemental principles of law. Unless displaced by particular provisions of
this article, the principles of law and equity supplement this article.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 766, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-109. Requirements of other laws. (1) This article does not alter or amend any law
that governs the licensing and regulation of an individual or entity in carrying on a specific
business or profession even if that law permits the business or profession to be conducted by a
limited cooperative association, a foreign cooperative, or its members.
(2) A limited cooperative association shall not conduct an activity that, under the law of
this state other than this article, may be conducted only by an entity that meets specific
requirements for the internal affairs of that entity unless the articles or bylaws of the association
conform to those requirements.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 766, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-110. Relation to restraint of trade and antitrust law. No limited cooperative
association formed under or subject to this article shall, solely by its organization and existence,
be deemed to be a conspiracy or a combination in restraint of trade, an illegal monopoly, or an
attempt to lessen competition or to fix prices arbitrarily, nor shall the marketing or purchasing
contracts and agreements authorized in this article be considered illegal as such, in unlawful
restraint of trade, or as part of a conspiracy or combination to accomplish an improper or illegal
purpose.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 766, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-111. Name. (1) Use of the term "cooperative" or its abbreviation under this article
or section 7-90-601 is not a violation of the provisions restricting the use of the term under
section 7-90-601 (7)(a).
(2) A limited cooperative association or a member may enforce the restrictions on the
use of the term "cooperative" under section 7-90-601 (7).
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 767, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-112. Required information. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, a limited
cooperative association shall maintain in a record available at its principal office:
(a) A list containing the name, last-known street address and, if different, mailing
address, and term of office of each director and officer;
(b) The initial articles and all amendments to and restatements of the articles;
(c) The initial bylaws and all amendments to and restatements of the bylaws;
(d) All filed statements of merger and statements of conversion;
(e) All annual financial statements of the association for the three most recent fiscal
years;
(f) The minutes of members meetings and records of all action taken by members
without a meeting for the three most recent years;
(g) A list containing:
(I) The name, in alphabetical order, and last-known street address and, if different,
mailing address of each patron member and each investor member; and
(II) If the association has districts or classes of members, information from which each
member in a district or class may be identified;
(h) The federal income tax returns and any state and local income tax returns of the
association for the three most recent years;
(i) Accounting records maintained by the association in the ordinary course of its
operations for the three most recent years;
(j) The minutes of all directors meetings and records of all action taken by directors
without a meeting for the three most recent years;
(k) The amount of money contributed and agreed to be contributed by each member;
(l) A description and statement of the agreed value of contributions other than money
made and agreed to be made by each member;
(m) The times at which, or events on the happening of which, any additional
contribution is to be made by each member;
(n) For each member, a description and statement of the member's interest or
information from which the description and statement can be derived; and
(o) All communications concerning the association made in a record to all members, or
to all members in a district or class, for the three most recent years.
(2) If a limited cooperative association has existed for less than the period for which
records must be maintained under subsection (1) of this section, the period for which records
must be kept is the period of the association's existence.
(3) The articles or bylaws may require that more information be maintained.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 767, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-113. Business transactions of member with limited cooperative association.
Subject to sections 7-58-818 and 7-58-819 and except as otherwise provided in the articles or
bylaws or a specific contract relating to a transaction, a member may lend money to and transact
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other business with a limited cooperative association in the same manner as a person that is not a
member.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 768, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-114. Dual capacity. A person may have a patron member's interest and an investor
member's interest. When such person acts as a patron member, the person is subject to this
article and the articles and bylaws governing patron members. When such person acts as an
investor member, the person is subject to this article and the articles and bylaws governing
investor members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 768, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 2
REGISTERED AGENTS, FILING, ANNUAL REPORTS, AND
STATEMENT OF FOREIGN ENTITY AUTHORITY
7-58-201. Limited cooperative associations - registered agents - service of process annual reports. (1) Part 7 of article 90 of this title, providing for registered agents and service
of process, applies to limited cooperative associations formed under this article.
(2) Part 5 of article 90 of this title, providing for periodic reports, applies to limited
cooperative associations formed under this article.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 768, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-202. Foreign entity authority. Part 8 of article 90 of this title, providing for the
transaction of business or the conduct of activities by foreign entities, applies to foreign limited
cooperative associations formed under substantially similar laws of another jurisdiction.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 769, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 3
FORMATION AND INITIAL ARTICLES OF LIMITED
COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION - BYLAWS
7-58-301. Organizers. A limited cooperative association must be organized by one or
more organizers.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 769, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-302. Formation of limited cooperative association. (1) To form a limited
cooperative association, one or more organizers of the association shall deliver or cause to be
delivered articles to the secretary of state for filing.
(2) A limited cooperative association is formed after articles that substantially comply
with section 7-58-303 (1) become effective under section 7-90-304.
(3) If articles filed by the secretary of state state a delayed effective date, a limited
cooperative association is not formed if, before the articles take effect, a statement of correction
is filed pursuant to section 7-90-304 (3) that revokes the articles.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 769, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-303. Articles. (1) The articles shall state:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited cooperative association;
(b) The purposes for which the limited cooperative association is formed, which may be
for any lawful purpose;
(c) The registered agent name and registered agent address of the association's initial
registered agent;
(d) The street address and, if different, mailing address of the association's initial
principal office; and
(e) The true name and street address and, if different, mailing address of each organizer.
(2) The articles may contain any other provisions in addition to those required by
subsection (1) of this section, including any matters referred to in subsection (3) of this section,
section 7-58-305 (1), or section 7-58-305 (3).
(3) The matters referred to in this subsection (3) may be varied only in the articles. The
articles may:
(a) State a term of duration, less than perpetual, of the limited cooperative association
under section 7-58-106 (1);
(b) Limit or eliminate the acceptance of new or additional members by the initial board
of directors under section 7-58-304 (2);
(c) Vary the percentage of votes required for members to approve an amendment to the
articles under section 7-58-405;
(d) Vary the limitations on the obligations and liability of members for association
obligations under section 7-58-504;
(e) Require a notice of an annual members meeting to state a purpose of the meeting
under section 7-58-508 (2);
(f) Provide for less than unanimous consent to action by members without a members
meeting under section 7-58-516 (1)(a);
(g) Vary the matters the board of directors may consider in making a decision under
section 7-58-820;
(h) Specify causes of dissolution under section 7-58-1202 (1);
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(i) Delegate amendment of the bylaws to the board of directors pursuant to section 7-58405 (6);
(j) Provide for member approval of asset dispositions under section 7-58-1501;
(k) Subject to section 7-58-820, provide for the elimination or limitation of liability of a
director to the association or its members for money damages pursuant to section 7-58-818; and
(l) Provide for permitting or requiring indemnification under section 7-58-901 (1).
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 769, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-304. Organization of limited cooperative association. (1) After a limited
cooperative association is formed:
(a) If initial directors are named in the articles, the initial directors shall hold an
organizational meeting to adopt initial bylaws and carry on any other business necessary or
proper to complete the organization of the association; or
(b) If initial directors are not named in the articles, the organizers shall designate the
initial directors and call a meeting of the initial directors to adopt initial bylaws and carry on any
other business necessary or proper to complete the organization of the association.
(2) Unless the articles otherwise provide, the initial directors may cause the limited
cooperative association to accept members, including those necessary for the association to
begin business.
(3) Initial directors need not be members.
(4) An initial director serves until a successor is elected and qualified at a members
meeting or the director is removed, resigns, is adjudged incompetent, or dies.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 770, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-305. Bylaws. (1) Bylaws shall be in a record and, if not stated in the articles, shall
include:
(a) A statement of the capital structure of the limited cooperative association, including:
(I) The classes or other types of members' interests and relative rights, preferences, and
restrictions granted to or imposed upon each class or other type of member's interest; and
(II) The rights to share in profits or distributions of the association;
(b) A statement of the method for admission of members;
(c) A statement designating voting and other governance rights, including which
members have voting power and any restriction on voting power;
(d) A statement that a member's interest is transferable, if it is to be transferable, and a
statement of the conditions upon which it may be transferred;
(e) A statement concerning the manner in which profits and losses are allocated and
distributions are made among patron members and, if investor members are authorized, the
manner in which profits and losses are allocated and how distributions are made among investor
members and between patron members and investor members;
(f) A statement concerning:
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(I) Whether persons that are not members but conduct business with the association may
be permitted to share in allocations of profits and losses and receive distributions; and
(II) The manner in which profits and losses are allocated and distributions are made with
respect to those persons; and
(g) A statement of the number and terms of directors or the method by which the number
and terms are determined.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section and the articles, bylaws may contain any
other provision for managing and regulating the affairs of the association.
(3) The matters referred to in this subsection (3) may be varied only in the bylaws, in the
articles, or in the bylaws and the articles. The bylaws may:
(a) Require more information to be maintained under section 7-58-112 or provided to
members under section 7-58-505 (11);
(b) Provide restrictions on transactions between a member and an association under
section 7-58-113;
(c) Provide for the percentage and manner of voting on amendments to the articles and
bylaws by district, class, or voting group under section 7-58-404 (1);
(d) Provide for the percentage vote required to amend the bylaws concerning the
admission of new members under section 7-58-405 (5)(e);
(e) Provide for terms and conditions to become a member under section 7-58-502;
(f) Restrict the manner of conducting members meetings under sections 7-58-506 (3) and
7-58-507 (5);
(g) Designate the presiding officer of members meetings under sections 7-58-506 (5) and
7-58-507 (7);
(h) Require a statement of purposes in the annual meeting notice under section 7-58-508
(2);
(i) Increase quorum requirements for members meetings under section 7-58-510 and
board of directors meetings under section 7-58-815;
(j) Allocate voting power among members, including patron members and investor
members, and provide for the manner of member voting and action as permitted by sections 758-511 to 7-58-517;
(k) Authorize investor members and expand or restrict the transferability of members'
interests to the extent provided in sections 7-58-602 to 7-58-604;
(l) Provide for enforcement of a marketing contract under section 7-58-704 (1);
(m) Provide for qualification, election, terms, removal, filling vacancies, and member
approval for compensation of directors in accordance with sections 7-58-803 to 7-58-805, 7-58807, 7-58-809, and 7-58-810;
(n) Restrict the manner of conducting board meetings and taking action without a
meeting under sections 7-58-811 and 7-58-812;
(o) Provide for frequency, location, notice, and waivers of notice for board meetings
under sections 7-58-813 and 7-58-814;
(p) Increase the percentage of votes necessary for board action under section 7-58-816
(2);
(q) Provide for the creation of committees of the board of directors and matters related to
the committees in accordance with section 7-58-817;
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(r) Provide for officers and their appointment, designation, and authority under section
7-58-822;
(s) Provide for forms and values of contributions under section 7-58-1002;
(t) Provide for remedies for failure to make a contribution under section 7-58-1003;
(u) Provide for the allocation of profits and losses of the association, distributions, and
the redemption or repurchase of distributed property other than money in accordance with
sections 7-58-1004 to 7-58-1007;
(v) Specify when a member's dissociation is wrongful and the liability incurred by the
dissociating member for damage to the association under section 7-58-1101 (2) and (3);
(w) Provide the personal representative, or other legal representative of, a deceased
member or a member adjudged incompetent with additional rights under section 7-58-1103;
(x) Increase the percentage of votes required for board of director approval of:
(I) A resolution to dissolve under section 7-58-1205;
(II) A proposed amendment to the articles or bylaws under section 7-58-402 (1)(a);
(III) A plan of conversion under section 7-58-1603 (1);
(IV) A plan of merger under section 7-58-1607 (1); and
(V) A proposed disposition of assets under section 7-58-1503 (1); and
(y) Vary the percentage of votes required for members' approval of:
(I) A resolution to dissolve under section 7-58-1205;
(II) An amendment to the bylaws under section 7-58-405;
(III) A plan of conversion under section 7-58-1603;
(IV) A plan of merger under section 7-58-1608; and
(V) A disposition of assets under section 7-58-1504.
(4) In addition to amendments permitted under part 4 of this article, the initial board of
directors may amend the bylaws by a majority vote of the directors at any time before the
admission of members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 771, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-306. Required provision for members' contributions. The articles or the bylaws
shall address members' contributions pursuant to section 7-58-1001.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 774, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 4
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES AND BYLAWS OF
LIMITED COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS
7-58-401. Authority to amend articles and bylaws. (1) A limited cooperative
association may amend its articles and bylaws under this part 4 for any lawful purpose. In
addition, the initial board of directors may amend the bylaws of an association under section 758-304.
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(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a member does not have a vested
property right resulting from any provision in the articles or bylaws, including a provision
relating to the management, control, capital structure, distribution, entitlement, purpose, or
duration of the limited cooperative association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 774, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-402. Notice and action on amendment of articles and bylaws. (1) Except as
provided in this subsection (1) and section 7-58-405 (6), the articles and bylaws of a limited
cooperative association may be amended only at a members meeting. An amendment requiring
membership approval may be proposed by either:
(a) A majority of the board of directors, or a greater percentage if required by the articles
or bylaws; or
(b) One or more petitions signed by at least ten percent of the patron members or at least
ten percent of the investor members.
(2) The board of directors shall call a members meeting to consider an amendment
proposed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The meeting shall be held not later than
ninety days following the proposal of the amendment by the board or receipt of a petition or
petitions satisfying the requirements of this section. The board shall mail or otherwise transmit
or deliver in a record to each member:
(a) The proposed amendment, or a summary of the proposed amendment and a statement
of the manner in which a copy of the amendment in a record may be reasonably obtained by a
member;
(b) A recommendation that the members approve the amendment, or, if the board
determines that because of conflict of interest or any other reason it should not make a favorable
recommendation, the basis for that determination;
(c) A statement of any condition of the board's submission of the amendment to the
members; and
(d) Notice of the meeting at which the proposed amendment will be considered, which
shall be given in the same manner as notice for a special meeting of members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 774, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-403. Method of voting on amendment of articles and bylaws. (1) A substantive
change to a proposed amendment of the articles or bylaws may not be made at the members
meeting at which a vote on the amendment occurs.
(2) A nonsubstantive change to a proposed amendment of the articles or bylaws may be
made at the members meeting at which the vote on the amendment occurs and need not be
separately voted upon by the board of directors.
(3) A vote to adopt a nonsubstantive change to a proposed amendment to the articles or
bylaws shall be by the same percentage of votes required to pass a proposed amendment.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 775, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-404. Voting by district, class, or voting group. (1) This section applies if the
articles or bylaws provide for voting by district or class, or if there is one or more identifiable
voting groups that a proposed amendment to the articles or bylaws would affect differently from
other members with respect to matters identified in section 7-58-405 (1). Approval of the
amendment requires the same percentage of votes of the members of that district, class, or voting
group required in sections 7-58-405 and 7-58-514.
(2) If a proposed amendment to the articles or bylaws would affect members in two or
more districts or classes entitled to vote separately under subsection (1) of this section in the
same or a substantially similar way, the districts or classes affected shall vote as a single voting
group unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide for separate voting.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 775, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-405. Approval of amendment. (1) Subject to section 7-58-404 and subsections
(3) and (4) of this section, an amendment to the articles must be approved by:
(a) At least a majority vote of the voting power of all members present at a members
meeting called under section 7-58-402, unless the articles require a greater percentage; and
(b) If the limited cooperative association has investor members, at least a majority of the
votes cast by patron members, unless the articles require a greater percentage vote by patron
members.
(2) Subject to section 7-58-404 and subsections (3), (4), (5), and (6) of this section, an
amendment to the bylaws must be approved by:
(a) At least a majority vote of the voting power of all members present at a members
meeting called under section 7-58-402, unless the articles or bylaws require a greater percentage;
and
(b) If a limited cooperative association has investor members, a majority of the votes
cast by patron members, unless the articles or bylaws require a larger affirmative vote by patron
members.
(3) The articles may require that the percentage of votes required under paragraph (a) of
subsection (1) of this section, or the articles or bylaws may require that the percentage of votes
required under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section, be:
(a) A different percentage that is not less than a majority of members voting at the
meeting;
(b) Measured against the voting power of all members; or
(c) A combination of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (3).
(4) Consent in a record by a member shall be delivered to a limited cooperative
association before delivery of an amendment to the articles or restated articles for filing pursuant
to section 7-58-407, or before or at the same time as a members vote is taken on an amendment
to the bylaws or adoption of restated bylaws submitted to members for a vote, if, as a result of
the amendment or restatement:
(a) The member will have:
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(I) Personal liability for an obligation of the association; or
(II) An obligation or liability for an additional contribution; or
(b) The relative rights of the member in the association will be adversely affected or
diminished by the amendment.
(5) The vote required to amend bylaws must satisfy the requirements of subsection (1) of
this section if the proposed amendment modifies:
(a) The equity capital structure of the limited cooperative association, including the
rights of the association's members to share in profits or distributions, or the relative rights,
preferences, and restrictions granted to or imposed upon one or more districts, classes, or voting
groups of similarly situated members;
(b) The transferability of a member's interest;
(c) The manner or method of allocation of profits or losses among members;
(d) The quorum for a meeting and the rights of voting and governance; or
(e) Unless otherwise provided in the articles or bylaws, the terms for admission of new
members.
(6) Except for the matters described in subsection (5) of this section, the articles may
delegate amendment of all or a part of the bylaws to the board of directors without requiring
member approval.
(7) If the articles delegate amendment of bylaws to the board of directors, the board shall
provide a description of any amendment of the bylaws made by the board to the members in a
record not later than thirty days after the amendment, but the description may be provided at the
next annual members meeting if the meeting is held within the thirty-day period.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 775, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-406. Restated articles. (1) The board of directors may restate the articles at any
time with or without action by the members. If the limited cooperative association does not have
both members and directors, its organizers may restate the articles at any time.
(2) The restatement may include one or more amendments to the articles. If the
restatement includes an amendment requiring approval of the members, it must be approved in
the same manner as an amendment to the articles under section 7-58-405 (1).
(3) If the board of directors submits a restatement for action by the members, the board
shall call a meeting of members and mail or otherwise transmit or deliver in a record the
information and give notice of the meeting in accordance with section 7-58-402 (2) to each
member entitled to vote on the restatement. The copy of the restatement provided to members
must identify any amendment or other change the restatement would make in the articles.
(4) A limited cooperative association restating its articles shall deliver to the secretary of
state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, articles of restatement stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the association;
(b) The text of the restated articles; and
(c) If the restatement was adopted by the board of directors or organizers without
member action, a statement to that effect and that member action was not required.
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(5) Upon filing by the secretary of state or at any later effective date determined
pursuant to section 7-90-304, restated articles supersede the original articles and all prior
amendments to them.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 777, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-407. Amendment of articles - filing. (1) A limited cooperative association
amending its articles shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article
90 of this title, articles of amendment stating:
(a) The domestic name of the association; and
(b) The text of each amendment adopted.
(2) Before the beginning of the initial meeting of the board of directors, an organizer
who knows that information in the filed articles was inaccurate when the articles were filed or
has become inaccurate due to changed circumstances shall promptly:
(a) Cause the articles to be amended; and
(b) If appropriate, deliver a statement of:
(I) Change to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to section 7-90-305.5; or
(II) Correction to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to section 7-90-305.
(3) Upon filing, an amendment of the articles that has been properly adopted by the
members is effective as provided in section 7-90-304.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 778, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 5
MEMBERS
7-58-501. Members. To begin business, a limited cooperative association must have at
least two patron members unless the sole member is a cooperative.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 778, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-502. Becoming a member. (1) A person becomes a member:
(a) As provided in the articles or bylaws;
(b) As the result of a merger or conversion under part 16 of this article; or
(c) With the consent of all the members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 778, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-503. No power as member to bind association. A member, solely by reason of
being a member, may not act for or bind the limited cooperative association.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 779, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-504. No liability as member for association's obligations. Unless the articles
otherwise provide, a debt, obligation, or other liability of a limited cooperative association is
solely that of the association and is not the debt, obligation, or liability of a member solely by
reason of being a member.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 779, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-505. Right of member and former member to information. (1) Not later than
ten business days after receipt of a demand made in a record, a limited cooperative association
shall permit a member to obtain, inspect, and copy in the association's principal office required
information listed in section 7-58-112 (1)(a) to (1)(f) during regular business hours. A member
need not have any particular purpose for seeking the information. The association is not required
to provide the information listed in section 7-58-112 (1)(b) to (1)(f) to the same member more
than once during a six-month period.
(2) On demand made in a record received by the limited cooperative association, a
member may obtain, inspect, and copy in the association's principal office required information
listed in section 7-58-112 (1)(g), (1)(h), (1)(j), and (1)(o) during regular business hours, if:
(a) The member seeks the information in good faith and for a proper purpose reasonably
related to the member's interest;
(b) The demand includes a description, with reasonable particularity, of the information
sought and the purpose for seeking the information;
(c) The information sought is directly connected to the member's purpose; and
(d) The demand is otherwise reasonable.
(3) Not later than ten business days after receipt of a demand pursuant to subsection (2)
of this section, a limited cooperative association shall provide, in a record, the following
information to the member that made the demand:
(a) If the association agrees to provide the demanded information:
(I) What information the association will provide in response to the demand; and
(II) A reasonable time and reasonable place at which the association will provide the
information; or
(b) If the association declines to provide some or all of the demanded information, the
association's reasons for declining.
(4) A person dissociated as a member may obtain, inspect, and copy information
available to a member under subsection (1) or (2) of this section by delivering a demand in a
record to the limited cooperative association, in the same manner and subject to the same
conditions applicable to a member under subsection (2) of this section, if:
(a) The information pertains to the period during which the person was a member in the
association; and
(b) The person seeks the information in good faith.
(5) A limited cooperative association shall respond to a demand made pursuant to
subsection (4) of this section in the manner provided in subsection (3) of this section.
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(6) Not later than ten business days after receipt by a limited cooperative association of a
demand made by a member in a record, but not more often than once in a six-month period, the
association shall deliver to the member a record stating the information with respect to the
member required by section 7-58-112 (1)(n).
(7) A limited cooperative association may impose reasonable restrictions, including
nondisclosure restrictions, on the use of information obtained under this section. In a dispute
concerning the reasonableness of a restriction under this subsection (7), the association has the
burden of proving reasonableness.
(8) A limited cooperative association may charge a person that makes a demand under
this section reasonable costs of copying, limited to the costs of equipment, labor, and material.
(9) A person that may obtain information under this section may obtain the information
through an attorney or other agent. A restriction imposed on the person under subsection (7) of
this section or by the articles or bylaws applies to the attorney or other agent.
(10) The rights stated in this section do not extend to a person as transferee.
(11) The articles or bylaws may require a limited cooperative association to provide
more information than required by this section and may establish conditions and procedures for
providing the information.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 779, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-506. Annual meeting of members. (1) Members shall meet annually at a time
provided in the articles or bylaws or set by the board of directors not inconsistent with the
articles and bylaws.
(2) An annual members meeting may be held inside or outside this state at the place
stated in the articles or bylaws or selected by the board of directors not inconsistent with the
articles and bylaws.
(3) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, members may attend or conduct an
annual members meeting through any means of communication if all members attending the
meeting can communicate with each other during the meeting.
(4) The board of directors shall report, or cause to be reported, at the association's annual
members meeting the association's business and financial condition as of the close of the most
recent fiscal year.
(5) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, the board of directors shall designate
the presiding officer of the association's annual members meeting.
(6) Failure to hold an annual members meeting does not affect the validity of any action
by the limited cooperative association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 780, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-507. Special meeting of members. (1) A special meeting of members may be
called only:
(a) As provided in the articles or bylaws;
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(b) By a majority vote of the board of directors on a proposal stating the purpose of the
meeting;
(c) By demand in a record signed by members holding at least twenty percent of the
voting power of the persons in any district or class entitled to vote on the matter that is the
purpose of the meeting stated in the demand; or
(d) By demand in a record signed by members holding at least ten percent of the total
voting power of all the persons entitled to vote on the matter that is the purpose of the meeting
stated in the demand.
(2) A demand under paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (1) of this section must be
submitted to the officer of the limited cooperative association charged with keeping its records.
(3) Any voting member may withdraw its demand under paragraph (c) or (d) of
subsection (1) of this section before receipt by the limited cooperative association of demands
sufficient to require a special meeting of members.
(4) A special meeting of members may be held inside or outside this state at the place
stated in the articles or bylaws or selected by the board of directors not inconsistent with the
articles and bylaws.
(5) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, members may attend or conduct a
special meeting of members through the use of any means of communication if all members
attending the meeting can communicate with each other during the meeting.
(6) Only business within the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of a special
meeting of members may be conducted at the meeting.
(7) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, the presiding officer of a special
meeting of members shall be designated by the board of directors.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 781, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-508. Notice of members meeting. (1) A limited cooperative association shall
notify each member of the time, date, and place of a members meeting at least ten and not more
than sixty days before the meeting; except that, if the notice is of a meeting of the members in
one or more districts or classes of members, the notice shall be given only to members in those
districts or classes.
(2) Unless this article or the articles otherwise provide, notice of an annual members
meeting need not include any purpose of the meeting.
(3) Notice of a special meeting of members shall include each purpose of the meeting as
contained in the demand under section 7-58-507 (1)(c) or (1)(d) or as voted upon by the board of
directors under section 7-58-507 (1)(b).
(4) Notice of a members meeting shall be given in a record unless oral notice is
reasonable under the circumstances.
(5) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, whenever notice is required
to be given under this section or under any other provision of this article to any member, such
notice shall not be required to be given to a member if:
(I) Notice of two consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings during the
period between the two consecutive annual meetings, have been sent to the member at the
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member's address as shown on the records of the limited cooperative association and have been
returned undeliverable; or
(II) All, but not less than two, payments of distributions during a twelve-month period,
or two consecutive payments of distributions during a period of more than twelve months, have
been sent to the member at the member's address as shown on the records of the association and
have been returned undeliverable.
(b) If any such member delivers to the association a notice in a record setting forth the
member's then-current address, the requirement that notice be given to the member shall be
reinstated.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 782, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-509. Waiver of members meeting notice. (1) A member may waive notice of a
members meeting before, during, or after the meeting.
(2) A member's participation in a members meeting is a waiver of notice of that meeting
unless the member objects to the meeting at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon the
member's arrival at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the
meeting.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 782, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-510. Quorum of members. Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise require a
different number of members or percentage of the voting power, a quorum for conducting
business at all meetings of the members consists of five percent of the total number of members
or thirty members present at the meeting, whichever is less. Nothing prevents the articles or
bylaws from requiring a greater or lesser number or percentage of members, or members of
classes, districts, or voting groups as a quorum.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 783, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-511. Voting by patron members. Except as provided by section 7-58-512 (1),
each patron member has one vote. The articles or bylaws may allocate voting power among
patron members as provided in section 7-58-512 (1).
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 783, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-512. Determination of voting power of patron member. (1) The articles or
bylaws may allocate voting power among patron members on the basis of one or a combination
of the following:
(a) One member, one vote;
(b) Use or patronage;
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(c) Equity; or
(d) If a patron member is a cooperative, the number of its patron members.
(2) If the articles or bylaws allocate voting power on the basis of use or patronage and a
member would be denied a vote because the member did not use the limited cooperative
association or conduct patronage with it during the period on which the allocation of voting
power is determined, the articles or bylaws must provide that the member shall nevertheless be
allocated a vote equal to at least the minimum voting power allocated to members who used the
association or conducted patronage with it during the period.
(3) The articles or bylaws may provide for the allocation of patron member voting power
by districts or class or any combination thereof.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 783, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-513. Voting by investor members. If the articles or bylaws provide for investor
members, each investor member has one vote unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide.
The articles or bylaws may provide for the allocation of investor member voting power by class,
classes, or any combination of classes.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 783, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-514. Voting requirements for members. (1) If a limited cooperative association
has both patron and investor members, the following rules apply:
(a) The total voting power of all patron members must not be less than a majority of the
entire voting power entitled to vote.
(b) Action on any matter is approved only upon the affirmative vote of at least a majority
of:
(I) All members voting at the meeting unless more than a majority is required or
permitted by parts 4, 12, 15, and 16 of this article or the articles or bylaws; and
(II) Votes cast by patron members unless the articles or bylaws require a larger
affirmative vote by patron members.
(c) The articles or bylaws may provide for the percentage of the affirmative votes that
must be cast by investor members to approve the matter.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 784, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-515. Manner of voting. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide,
voting by a proxy at a members meeting is prohibited. This subsection (1) does not prohibit
delegate voting based on district or class.
(2) If voting by a proxy is permitted, a patron member may appoint only another patron
member as a proxy and, if investor members are permitted, an investor member may appoint
only another investor member as a proxy.
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(3) The articles or bylaws may provide for the manner of and provisions governing the
appointment of a proxy.
(4) The articles or bylaws may provide for voting on any question by ballot delivered by
mail or voting by other means on questions that are subject to vote by members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 784, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-516. Action without a meeting. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws require that
action be taken at a members meeting, any action required or permitted by this article to be taken
at a members meeting may be taken without a meeting if notice of the proposed action is given
as provided in subsection (6) of this section, and:
(a) All of the members entitled to vote thereon consent to the action in a record; or
(b) If expressly provided for in the articles, the members holding membership interests
having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take
the action at a meeting at which all of the membership interests entitled to vote thereon were
present and voted consent to the action in a record.
(2) (a) No action taken pursuant to this section is effective unless, within sixty days after
the date the limited cooperative association first receives a record describing and consenting to
the action and signed by a member, the association has received records that describe and
consent to the action, signed by members holding at least the number of votes entitled to be
voted on the action as required by subsection (1) of this section, disregarding any record that has
been revoked pursuant to subsection (3) of this section. The articles or bylaws may provide for
the receipt of any record by the association by electronically transmitted facsimile or other form
of wire or wireless communication providing the association with a complete copy thereof,
including a copy of the signature thereon.
(b) Action taken pursuant to this section is effective as of the date the limited
cooperative association receives the last record necessary to effect the action unless all of the
records necessary to effect the action state another date as the effective date of the action, in
which case the stated date is the effective date of the action.
(3) Any member who has signed a record describing and consenting to action taken
pursuant to this section may revoke the consent by a record signed and dated by the member
describing the action and stating that the member's prior consent thereto is revoked, if the record
is received by the limited cooperative association prior to the effectiveness of the action.
(4) If not otherwise fixed under subsection (7) of this section, the record date for
determining members entitled to take action pursuant to this section or entitled to be given notice
under subsection (6) of this section of action taken pursuant to this section is the date the limited
cooperative association first receives a writing upon which the action is taken pursuant to this
section.
(5) Action taken under this section has the same effect as action taken at a members
meeting and may be described as such.
(6) (a) If action is to be taken under subsection (1) of this section, the limited
cooperative association shall give notice of the proposed action to the members entitled to vote
thereon. The notice must:
(I) Be given in a record;
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(II) Describe the proposed action; and
(III) Specify the date on or before which consents to be given pursuant to subsection (1)
of this section must be received by the association.
(b) (I) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection (6), whenever notice is required
to be given under this subsection (6) to any member, the notice is not required to be given to a
member if:
(A) Notice of two consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings during the
period between the two consecutive annual meetings, have been sent to the member at the
member's address as shown on the records of the limited cooperative association and have been
returned undeliverable; or
(B) All, but not less than two, payments of distributions during a twelve-month period,
or two consecutive payments of distributions during a period of more than twelve months, have
been sent to the member at the member's address as shown on the records of the association and
have been returned undeliverable.
(II) If any such member delivers to the association a notice in a record setting forth the
member's then-current address, the requirement that notice be given to the member is reinstated.
(7) The proper court may, upon application of the association or any member who would
be entitled to vote on the action at a members meeting, summarily state a record date for
determining members entitled to sign records consenting to an action under this section and may
enter other orders necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of this section.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 784, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-517. Districts and delegates - classes of members. (1) The articles or bylaws
may provide for the formation of geographic districts of patron members, the conduct of patron
member meetings by districts, the election of directors at the meetings, the election of district
delegates to represent and vote for the district at members meetings, or any combination thereof.
(2) A delegate elected under subsection (1) of this section has one vote unless voting
power is otherwise allocated by the articles or bylaws.
(3) The articles or bylaws may provide for the establishment of classes of members; the
preferences, rights, and limitations of the classes; the conduct of members meetings by classes
and the election of directors at the meetings; the election of class delegates to represent and vote
for the district at members meetings; or any combination thereof.
(4) A delegate elected under subsection (3) of this section has one vote unless voting
power is otherwise allocated by the articles or bylaws.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 786, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 6
MEMBER'S INTEREST IN LIMITED
COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION
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7-58-601. Member's interest. (1) A member's interest:
(a) Is personal property;
(b) Consists of:
(I) Governance rights;
(II) Financial rights; and
(III) The right or obligation, if any, to do business with the limited cooperative
association; and
(c) May be in certificated or uncertificated form.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 786, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-602. Patron and investor members' interests. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws
establish investor members' interests, a member's interest is a patron member's interest.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, if a limited cooperative association
has investor members, while a person is a member of the association, the person:
(a) If admitted as a patron member, remains a patron member;
(b) If admitted as an investor member, remains an investor member; and
(c) If admitted as a patron member and investor member, remains a patron and investor
member if not dissociated in one of the capacities.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 787, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-603. Transferability of member's interest. (1) Section 7-90-104 applies to this
article.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a member's interest other than
financial rights is not transferable.
(3) Unless a transfer is restricted or prohibited by the articles or bylaws, a member may
transfer its financial rights in the limited cooperative association.
(4) The terms of any restriction on transferability of financial rights must be:
(a) Set forth in the articles or bylaws and the member records of the association; and
(b) Conspicuously noted on any certificates evidencing a member's interest.
(5) A transferee of a member's financial rights, to the extent the rights are transferred,
has the right to share in the allocation of profits or losses and to receive the distributions to the
member transferring the interest to the same extent as the transferring member.
(6) A transferee of a member's financial rights does not become a member upon transfer
of the rights unless the transferee is admitted as a member by the limited cooperative association.
(7) A limited cooperative association need not give effect to a transfer under this section
until the association has notice of the transfer.
(8) A transfer of a member's financial rights in violation of a restriction on transfer
contained in the articles or bylaws is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at
the time of transfer.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 787, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-604. Security interest and set-off. (1) A member or transferee may create an
enforceable security interest in its financial rights in a limited cooperative association.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a member may not create an
enforceable security interest in the member's governance rights in, or in the right or obligation, if
any, to do business with, a limited cooperative association.
(3) The articles or bylaws may provide that a limited cooperative association has a
security interest in the financial rights of a member to secure payment of any indebtedness or
other obligation of the member to the association. A security interest provided for in the articles
or bylaws is enforceable under, and governed by, article 9 of title 4, C.R.S.
(4) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a member may not compel the
limited cooperative association to offset financial rights against any indebtedness or obligation
owed to the association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 788, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-605. Charging orders for judgment creditor of member or transferee. (1) On
application by a judgment creditor of a member or transferee, a court may enter a charging order
against the financial rights of the judgment debtor for the unsatisfied amount of the judgment. A
charging order issued under this subsection (1) constitutes a lien on the judgment debtor's
financial rights and requires the limited cooperative association to pay over to the creditor or
receiver, to the extent necessary to satisfy the judgment, any distribution that would otherwise be
paid to the judgment debtor.
(2) To the extent necessary to effectuate the collection of distributions pursuant to a
charging order under subsection (1) of this section, the court may:
(a) Appoint a receiver of the share of the distributions due or to become due to the
judgment debtor under the judgment debtor's financial rights, with the power to make all
inquiries the judgment debtor might have made; and
(b) Make all other orders that the circumstances of the case may require to give effect to
the charging order.
(3) Upon a showing that distributions under a charging order will not pay the judgment
debt within a reasonable time, the court may foreclose the lien and order the sale of the financial
rights. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale obtains only the financial rights that are subject to
the charging order, does not thereby become a member, and is subject to section 7-58-603.
(4) At any time before a sale pursuant to a foreclosure, a member or transferee whose
financial rights are subject to a charging order under subsection (1) of this section may
extinguish the charging order by satisfying the judgment and filing a certified copy of the
satisfaction with the court that issued the charging order.
(5) At any time before sale pursuant to a foreclosure, the limited cooperative association
or one or more members whose financial rights are not subject to the charging order may pay to
the judgment creditor the full amount due under the judgment and succeed to the rights of the
judgment creditor, including the charging order. Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide,
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the association may act under this subsection (5) only with the consent of all members whose
financial rights are not subject to the charging order.
(6) This article does not deprive any member or transferee of the benefit of any
exemption laws applicable to the member's or transferee's financial rights.
(7) This section provides the exclusive remedy by which a judgment creditor of a
member or transferee may satisfy the judgment from the member's or transferee's financial
rights.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 788, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 7
MARKETING CONTRACTS
7-58-701. Authority. (1) In this part 7, "marketing contract" means a contract between
a limited cooperative association and another person, which person need not be a patron
member:
(a) Requiring the other person to sell, or deliver for sale or marketing on the person's
behalf, a specified part of the person's products, commodities, or goods exclusively to or through
the association or any facilities furnished by the association; or
(b) Authorizing the association to act for the person in any manner with respect to the
products, commodities, or goods.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 789, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-702. Marketing contracts. (1) If a marketing contract provides for the sale of
products, commodities, or goods to a limited cooperative association, the sale transfers title to
the association upon delivery or at any other specific time expressly provided by the contract.
(2) A marketing contract may:
(a) Authorize a limited cooperative association to create an enforceable security interest
in the products, commodities, or goods delivered; and
(b) Allow the association to sell the products, commodities, or goods delivered and pay
the sales price on a pooled or other basis after deducting selling costs, processing costs,
overhead, expenses, and other charges.
(3) Some or all of the provisions of a marketing contract between a patron member and a
limited cooperative association may be contained in the articles or bylaws.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 789, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-703. Duration of marketing contract. The initial duration of a marketing contract
may not exceed ten years, but the contract may be self-renewing for additional periods not
exceeding five years each. Unless the contract provides for another manner or time for
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termination, either party may terminate the contract by giving notice in a record at least ninety
days before the end of the current term.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 790, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-704. Remedies for breach of contract. (1) Damages to be paid to a limited
cooperative association for breach or anticipatory repudiation of a marketing contract may be
liquidated, but only at an amount or under a formula that is reasonable in light of the actual or
anticipated harm caused by the breach or repudiation. A provision that so provides is not a
penalty.
(2) Upon a breach of a marketing contract, whether by anticipatory repudiation or
otherwise, a limited cooperative association may seek:
(a) An injunction to prevent further breach; and
(b) Specific performance.
(3) The remedies in this section are in addition to any other remedies available to an
association under law other than this part 7.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 790, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 8
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
7-58-801. Board of directors. (1) A limited cooperative association must have a board
of directors of at least three individuals unless the association has fewer than three members. If
the association has fewer than three members, the number of directors may not be fewer than the
number of members.
(2) The affairs of a limited cooperative association must be managed by, or under the
direction of, the board of directors. The board may adopt policies and procedures that do not
conflict with the articles, bylaws, or this article.
(3) An individual is not an agent for a limited cooperative association solely by being a
director.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 790, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-802. No liability as director for limited cooperative association's obligations. A
debt, obligation, or other liability of a limited cooperative association is solely that of the
association and is not a debt, obligation, or liability of a director solely by reason of being a
director. An individual is not personally liable, directly or indirectly, for an obligation of an
association solely by reason of being a director.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 791, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-803. Qualifications of directors. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise
provide, and subject to subsection (3) of this section, each director of a limited cooperative
association must be an individual who is a member of the association or an individual who is
designated by a member that is not an individual for purposes of qualifying and serving as a
director; except that initial directors need not be members or designees of a member. A director
must be at least eighteen years of age.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a director may be an officer or
employee of the limited cooperative association.
(3) If the articles or bylaws provide for nonmember directors, the number of nonmember
directors may not exceed:
(a) One, if there are two to four directors;
(b) Two, if there are five to eight directors; or
(c) One-third of the total number of directors if there are at least nine directors.
(4) The articles or bylaws may provide qualifications for directors in addition to those in
this section.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 791, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-804. Election of directors and composition of board. (1) Unless the articles or
bylaws require a greater number:
(a) The number of directors that must be patron members may not be fewer than:
(I) One, if there are two or three directors;
(II) Two, if there are four or five directors;
(III) Three, if there are six to eight directors; or
(IV) One-third of the directors if there are at least nine directors; and
(b) A majority of the board of directors must be elected exclusively by patron members.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, if a limited cooperative association
has investor members, directors who are investor members and who are not elected exclusively
by patron members must be elected by the investor members.
(3) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, all nonmember directors, if any,
must be elected by the patron members and the investor members.
(4) Subject to subsection (1) of this section, the articles or bylaws may provide for the
election of all or a specified number of directors by one or more districts or classes of members.
(5) Subject to subsection (1) of this section, the articles or bylaws may provide for the
nomination or election of directors by districts or classes, directly or by district delegates.
(6) If a class of members consists of a single member, the articles or bylaws may provide
for the member to appoint a director or directors.
(7) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, cumulative voting for directors is
prohibited.
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(8) Except as otherwise provided by the articles, bylaws, subsection (6) of this section,
or section 7-58-303, 7-58-516, 7-58-517, or 7-58-809, member directors must be elected at an
annual members meeting.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 791, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-805. Term of director. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, and
subject to subsections (3) and (4) of this section and section 7-58-304 (4), the term of a director
expires at the annual members meeting following the director's election or appointment.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a director may be reelected.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, a director continues to
serve until a successor director is elected or appointed and qualifies or the director is removed,
resigns, is adjudged incompetent, or dies.
(4) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a director shall not serve the
remainder of the director's term if the director ceases to qualify to be a director.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 792, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-806. Resignation of director. A director may resign at any time by giving notice
in a record to the limited cooperative association. Unless the notice states a later effective date, a
resignation is effective when the notice is received by the association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 792, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-807. Removal of director. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide:
(a) Members may remove a director with or without cause.
(b) A member or members holding at least ten percent of the total voting power entitled
to be voted in the election of a director may demand removal of the director by one or more
signed petitions submitted to the officer of the limited cooperative association charged with
keeping its records.
(c) Upon receipt of a petition for removal of a director, an officer of the association or
the board of directors shall:
(I) Call a special meeting of members to be held not later than ninety days after receipt
of the petition by the association; and
(II) Mail or otherwise transmit or deliver in a record to the members entitled to vote on
the removal, and to the director to be removed, notice of the meeting that complies with section
7-58-508.
(d) A director is removed if the votes in favor of removal are equal to or greater than the
votes required to elect the director.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 792, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
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7-58-808. Suspension of director by board. (1) A board of directors may suspend a
director if, considering the director's course of conduct and the inadequacy of other available
remedies, immediate suspension is necessary for the best interests of the association and the
director is engaging, or has engaged, in:
(a) Fraudulent conduct with respect to the association or its members;
(b) Gross abuse of the position of director;
(c) Intentional or reckless infliction of harm on the association; or
(d) Any other behavior, act, or omission as provided by the articles or bylaws.
(2) A suspension under subsection (1) of this section is effective for a period determined
by the board of directors, not to exceed sixty days, unless, before the end of the suspension
period, the board calls and gives notice of a special meeting of members for removal of the
director, in which case the suspension is effective until the earlier of adjournment of the
members meeting or removal of the director.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 793, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-809. Vacancy on board. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a
vacancy on the board of directors must be filled:
(a) Within a reasonable time by majority vote of the remaining directors, until the next
annual members meeting or a special meeting of members is called to fill the vacancy; and
(b) For the balance of the unexpired term by members at the next annual members
meeting or a special meeting of members called to fill the vacancy.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, if a vacating director was elected or
appointed by a class of members or a district:
(a) The new director must be of that class or district; and
(b) The selection of the director for the unexpired term must be conducted in the same
manner as would the selection for that position without a vacancy.
(3) If a member appointed a vacating director, the articles or bylaws may provide for that
member to appoint a director to fill the vacancy.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 793, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-810. Remuneration of directors. Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide,
the board of directors may set the remuneration of directors and of nondirector committee
members appointed under section 7-58-817 (1).
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 794, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-811. Meetings. (1) A board of directors shall meet at least annually and may hold
meetings inside or outside this state.
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(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a board of directors may permit
directors to attend or conduct board meetings through the use of any means of communication if
all directors attending the meeting can communicate with each other during the meeting.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 794, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-812. Action without meeting. (1) Unless prohibited by the articles or bylaws, any
action that may be taken by a board of directors may be taken without a meeting if each director
consents in a record to the action.
(2) Consent under subsection (1) of this section may be withdrawn by a director in a
record at any time before the limited cooperative association receives consent from all directors.
(3) A record of consent for any action under subsection (1) of this section may specify
the effective date or time of the action.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 794, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-813. Meetings - notice. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a
board of directors may establish a time, date, and place for regular board meetings, and notice of
the time, date, place, or purpose of those meetings is not required.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, notice of the time, date, and place of
a special meeting of a board of directors must be given to all directors at least three days before
the meeting, the notice must contain a statement of the purpose of the meeting, and the meeting
is limited to the matters contained in the statement.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 794, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-814. Waiver of notice of meeting. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise
provide, a director may waive any required notice of a meeting of the board of directors in a
record before, during, or after the meeting.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a director's participation in a
meeting is a waiver of notice of that meeting unless:
(a) The director objects to the meeting at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon
the director's arrival at the meeting and does not thereafter vote in favor of or otherwise assent to
the action taken at the meeting; or
(b) The director promptly objects upon the introduction of any matter for which notice
under section 7-58-813 is required and has not been given and does not thereafter vote in favor
of or otherwise assent to the action taken on the matter.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 795, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
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7-58-815. Quorum. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws provide for a greater number, a
majority of the total number of directors specified by the articles or bylaws constitutes a quorum
for a meeting of the directors.
(2) If a quorum of the board of directors is present at the beginning of a meeting, any
action taken by the directors present is valid even if withdrawal of directors originally present
results in the number of directors being fewer than the number required for a quorum.
(3) A director present at a meeting but objecting to notice under section 7-58-814 (2)
does not count toward a quorum.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 795, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-816. Voting. (1) Each director has one vote for purposes of decisions made by the
board of directors.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, the affirmative vote of a majority of
directors present at a meeting is required for action by the board of directors.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 795, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-817. Committees. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a board of
directors may create one or more committees and appoint one or more individuals to serve on a
committee.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, an individual appointed to serve on a
committee of a limited cooperative association need not be a director or member.
(3) An individual who is not a director and is serving on a committee has, with respect to
the subject matter of the committee, the same rights, duties, and obligations as a director serving
on the committee.
(4) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, and subject to the oversight
responsibility of the board of directors, each committee of a limited cooperative association may
exercise the powers delegated to it by the board of directors, but a committee may not:
(a) Approve allocations or distributions except according to a formula or method
prescribed by the board of directors;
(b) Approve or propose to members action requiring approval of members; or
(c) Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 795, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-818. Standards of conduct and liability. (1) Except as otherwise provided in
section 7-58-820:
(a) The discharge of the duties of a director or member of a committee of the board of
directors is governed by the law applicable to directors of entities organized under the "Colorado
Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title; and
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(b) The liability of a director or member of a committee of the board of directors is
governed by the law applicable to directors of entities organized under the "Colorado Business
Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 796, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-819. Conflict of interest. (1) The law applicable to conflicts of interest relating to
a director of an entity organized under the "Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to
117 of this title, governs conflicts of interest relating to a limited cooperative association and a
director.
(2) A director does not have a conflict of interest under this article or the articles and
bylaws solely because the director's conduct relating to the duties of the director may further the
director's own interest.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 796, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-820. Other considerations of directors. (1) Unless the articles otherwise provide,
in considering the best interests of a limited cooperative association, a director of the association
in discharging the duties of director, in conjunction with considering the long- and short-term
interest of the association and its members, may consider:
(a) The interest of employees, customers, and suppliers of the association;
(b) The interest of the community in which the association operates; and
(c) Other cooperative principles and values that may be applied in the context of the
decision.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 796, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-821. Right of director or committee member to information. A director or a
member of a committee appointed under section 7-58-817 may obtain, inspect, and copy all
information regarding the state of activities and financial condition of the limited cooperative
association and other information regarding the activities of the association if the information is
reasonably related to the performance of the director's duties as director or the committee
member's duties as a member of the committee. Information obtained in accordance with this
section may not be used by a director or a committee member in any manner that would violate
any duty of or to the association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 796, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-822. Appointment and authority of officers. (1)
association has the officers:
(a) Provided in the articles or bylaws; or
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(b) Established by the board of directors in a manner not inconsistent with the articles
and bylaws.
(2) The articles or bylaws may designate or, if the articles or bylaws do not designate,
the board of directors shall designate, one of the association's officers for preparing all records
required by section 7-58-112 and for the authentication of records.
(3) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, the board of directors shall appoint
the officers of the limited cooperative association.
(4) Officers of a limited cooperative association shall perform the duties the articles and
bylaws prescribe or as authorized by the board of directors in a manner not inconsistent with the
articles and bylaws.
(5) The election or appointment of an officer of a limited cooperative association does
not of itself create a contract between the association and the officer.
(6) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, an individual may simultaneously
hold more than one office in a limited cooperative association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 797, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-823. Resignation and removal of officers. (1) The board of directors may remove
an officer at any time with or without cause.
(2) An officer of a limited cooperative association may resign at any time by giving
notice in a record to the association. Unless the notice specifies a later time, the resignation is
effective when the notice is received by the association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 797, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 9
INDEMNIFICATION
7-58-901. Indemnification. (1) Indemnification of an individual who has incurred
liability or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to litigation because of the performance
of a duty to, or activity on behalf of, a limited cooperative association is governed by the
"Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title.
(2) A limited cooperative association may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of
any individual against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual to the same extent
and subject to the same conditions as provided by the "Colorado Business Corporation Act",
articles 101 to 117 of this title.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 797, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 10
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CONTRIBUTIONS, ALLOCATIONS, AND DISTRIBUTIONS
7-58-1001. Members' contributions. The articles or bylaws must establish the amount,
manner, or method of determining any contribution requirements for members or must authorize
the board of directors to establish the amount, manner, or other method of determining any
contribution requirements for members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 798, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1002. Contribution and valuation. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise
provide, the contributions of a member to a limited cooperative association may consist of
tangible or intangible property or other benefit to the association, including money, labor or
other services performed or to be performed, promissory notes, other agreements to contribute
money or property, and contracts to be performed.
(2) The receipt and acceptance of contributions and the valuation of contributions must
be reflected in a limited cooperative association's records.
(3) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, the board of directors shall
determine the value of a member's contributions received or to be received, and the
determination by the board of directors of valuation is conclusive for purposes of determining
whether the member's contribution obligation has been met.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 798, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1003. Contribution agreements. Persons may enter into agreements to make
contributions to a limited cooperative association before or after it is formed. Those agreements
are enforceable by the association in accordance with their terms.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 798, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1004. Allocations of profits and losses. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws
otherwise provide, all profits and losses of a limited cooperative association must be allocated to
patron members. Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, losses of the association must
be allocated in the same proportion as profits.
(2) The articles or bylaws may provide for allocating profits of a limited cooperative
association among members, among persons that are not members but conduct business with the
association, to an unallocated account, or to any combination thereof.
(3) If a limited cooperative association has investor members, the articles or bylaws may
not reduce the allocation to patron members to less than fifty percent of profits. For purposes of
this subsection (3), the following rules apply:
(a) Amounts paid or due on contracts for the delivery to the association by patron
members of products, goods, or services are not considered amounts allocated to patron
members.
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(b) Amounts paid, due, or allocated to investor members as a stated fixed or variable rate
of return on investment are not considered amounts allocated to investor members if the
determination of the return is not related to or based on profits.
(4) Unless prohibited by the articles or bylaws, in determining the profits for allocation
under subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section, the board of directors may first deduct and set
aside a part of the profits to create or accumulate:
(a) Unallocated capital; and
(b) Reasonable unallocated reserves for specific purposes, including expansion and
replacement of capital assets; education, training, and cooperative development; creation and
distribution of information concerning principles of cooperation; and community responsibility.
(5) Subject to subsections (1) and (6) of this section and the articles and bylaws, the
board of directors shall allocate the amount remaining after any deduction or setting aside of
amounts under subsection (4) of this section:
(a) To patron members in the ratio of each member's patronage to the total patronage of
all patron members during the period for which allocations are to be made; and
(b) To investor members, if any, in the ratio of each investor member's contributions to
the total contributions of all investor members.
(6) For purposes of allocation of profits and losses or specific items of profits or losses
of a limited cooperative association to members, the articles or bylaws may establish allocation
units or methods based on separate classes of members or, for patron members, on class,
function, division, district, department, allocation units, pooling arrangements, members'
contributions, or other equitable methods.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 798, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1005. Distributions. (1) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide and
subject to section 7-58-1007, the board of directors may authorize, and the limited cooperative
association may make, distributions to members.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, distributions to members may be
made in any form, including money, capital credits, allocated patronage equities, revolving fund
certificates, and the limited cooperative association's own or other securities.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 799, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1006. Redemption or repurchase. Property distributed to a member by a limited
cooperative association, other than money, may be redeemed or repurchased as provided in the
articles or bylaws, but a redemption or repurchase may not be made without authorization by the
board of directors. The board may withhold authorization for any reason in its sole discretion. A
redemption or repurchase is treated as a distribution for purposes of section 7-58-1007.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 800, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
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7-58-1007. Limitation on distributions. (1) A limited cooperative association may not
make a distribution if, after the distribution:
(a) The association would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary
course of the association's activities; or
(b) The association's assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities.
(2) A limited cooperative association may base a determination that a distribution is not
prohibited under subsection (1) of this section on financial statements prepared on the basis of
accounting practices and principles that are reasonable in the circumstances or on a fair valuation
or other method that is reasonable in the circumstances.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, the effect of a
distribution allowed under subsection (2) of this section is measured:
(a) In the case of distribution by purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of financial
rights in the limited cooperative association, as of the date money or other property is transferred
or debt is incurred by the association; and
(b) In all other cases, as of the date:
(I) The distribution is authorized, if the payment occurs not later than one hundred
twenty days after that date; or
(II) The payment is made, if payment occurs more than one hundred twenty days after
the distribution is authorized.
(4) If indebtedness is issued as a distribution, each payment of principal or interest on
the indebtedness is treated as a distribution, the effect of which is measured on the date the
payment is made.
(5) For purposes of this section, "distribution" does not include reasonable amounts paid
to a member in the ordinary course of business as payment or compensation for commodities,
goods, past or present services, or reasonable payments made in the ordinary course of business
under a bona fide employee retirement or other benefits program.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 800, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1008. Liability for improper distributions - limitation of action. (1) A director
who consents to a distribution that violates section 7-58-1007 is personally liable to the limited
cooperative association for the amount of the distribution that exceeds the amount that could
have been distributed without the violation if it is established that, in consenting to the
distribution, the director failed to comply with section 7-58-818 or 7-58-819.
(2) A member or transferee of financial rights that received a distribution knowing that
the distribution was made in violation of section 7-58-1007 is personally liable to the limited
cooperative association to the extent that the distribution exceeded the amount that could have
been properly paid.
(3) A director against whom an action is commenced under subsection (1) of this section
may:
(a) Implead in the action any other director who is liable under subsection (1) of this
section and compel contribution from the director; and
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(b) Implead in the action any person that is liable under subsection (2) of this section and
compel contribution from the person in the amount the person received as described in
subsection (2) of this section.
(4) An action under this section is barred if it is commenced later than three years after
the distribution.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 801, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1009. Relation to state securities law. Any security, patronage refund, per unit
retain certificate, capital credit, evidence of membership, preferred equity certificate, or other
equity instrument issued, sold, or reported by a limited cooperative association as an investment
in its stock or capital to the patron members of the association or by an entity subject to this
article or a similar law of any other jurisdiction and authorized to transact business or conduct
activities in this state is exempt from the securities laws contained in the "Colorado Securities
Act", article 51 of title 11, C.R.S. Such securities, patronage refunds, per unit retain certificates,
capital credits, or evidences of membership, preferred equity certificates, or other equity
instruments may be issued, sold, or reported to patron members of the association or entity
lawfully by the issuer or its directors, officers, members, or salaried employees without the
necessity of the issue or its directors, officers, members, or employees being registered as
brokers or dealers under the "Colorado Securities Act", article 51 of title 11, C.R.S.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 801, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1010.
Alternative distribution of unclaimed property, distributions,
redemptions, or payments. A limited cooperative association may provide in its articles or
bylaws for the disposition of funds when declared payable by the association and remaining
unclaimed by the holder for three years after notification has been mailed to the holder's lastknown address of record on the books of the association, which disposition may consist of
transferring the funds to the general operating account of the association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 801, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 11
DISSOCIATION
7-58-1101. Member's dissociation. (1) A member has the power to dissociate at any
time, rightfully or wrongfully, by notice in a record.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a member's dissociation from a
limited cooperative association is wrongful only if the dissociation:
(a) Breaches an express provision of the articles or bylaws; or
(b) Occurs before the termination of the limited cooperative association and:
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(I) The person is expelled as a member under paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (4) of
this section; or
(II) In the case of a person that is not an individual, trust other than a business trust, or
estate, the person is expelled or otherwise dissociated as a member because it dissolved or
terminated in bad faith.
(3) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, a person that wrongfully dissociates
as a member is liable to the limited cooperative association for damages caused by the
dissociation. The liability is in addition to any other debt, obligation, or liability of the person to
the association.
(4) A member is dissociated from the limited cooperative association as a member when:
(a) The association receives notice from the member in a record of dissociation as a
member or, if the member specifies in the notice an effective date later than the date the
association received notice, on that later date;
(b) An event stated in the articles or bylaws as causing the member's dissociation as a
member occurs;
(c) The member is expelled as a member under the articles or bylaws;
(d) The member is expelled as a member by the board of directors because:
(I) It is unlawful to carry on the association's activities with the member as a member;
(II) There has been a transfer of all the member's financial rights in the association, other
than:
(A) A creation or perfection of a security interest; or
(B) A charging order in effect under section 7-58-605 that has not been foreclosed;
(III) The member is a limited liability company or partnership that has been dissolved
and its business is being wound up;
(IV) The member is a corporation or cooperative and:
(A) The member filed a statement of dissolution or the equivalent, or the jurisdiction of
formation revoked the member's charter or right to conduct business;
(B) The association sends a notice to the member that it will be expelled as a member for
a reason described in sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (IV); and
(C) Not later than ninety days after the notice was sent under sub-subparagraph (B) of
this subparagraph (IV), the member did not reinstate or the jurisdiction of formation did not
reinstate the member's charter or right to conduct business; or
(V) The member is an individual and is adjudged incompetent;
(e) In the case of a member who is an individual, the individual dies;
(f) In the case of a member that is a trust or is acting as a member by virtue of being a
trustee of a trust, all the trust's financial rights in the association are distributed;
(g) In the case of a member that is an estate, the estate's entire financial interest in the
association is distributed;
(h) In the case of a member that is not an individual, partnership, limited liability
company, cooperative, corporation, trust, or estate, the member is terminated; or
(i) The association's participation in a merger if, under the plan of merger as approved
under part 16 of this article, the member ceases to be a member.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 802, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
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7-58-1102. Effect of dissociation as member. (1) Upon a member's dissociation,
subject to section 7-58-1103:
(a) The dissociated member has no further rights as a member; and
(b) Any financial rights owned by the dissociated member in the dissociated member's
capacity as a member immediately before dissociation are owned by the dissociated member as a
transferee.
(2) A dissociated member's dissociation as a member does not of itself discharge the
dissociated member from any debt, obligation, or liability to the limited cooperative association
that the dissociated member incurred under the articles or bylaws, by contract, or by other means
while a member.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 803, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1103. Power of estate of member. Unless the articles or bylaws provide for
greater rights, if a member is dissociated in accordance with section 7-58-1101 (4)(d)(V) or
(4)(e), the member's personal representative or other legal representative may exercise the rights
of a transferee of the member's financial rights and, for purposes of settling the estate of a
deceased member, may exercise the informational rights of a current member to obtain
information under section 7-58-505 (1).
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 804, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 12
DISSOLUTION
7-58-1201. Dissolution - winding up. A limited cooperative association may be
dissolved only as provided in this part 12 and in part 9 of article 90 of this title, and upon
dissolution its business and activities must be wound up as provided in this part 12 and part 9 of
article 90 of this title.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 804, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1202. Voluntary dissolution. (1) Except as otherwise provided in sections 7-581203 and 7-90-908, a limited cooperative association is dissolved and its activities must be
wound up:
(a) Upon the occurrence of an event or at a time specified in the articles;
(b) Upon the action of the association's organizers, board of directors, or members under
section 7-58-1205 or 7-58-1206; or
(c) Ninety days after the dissociation of a member that results in the association having
one patron member and no other members, unless the association:
(I) Has a sole member that is a cooperative; or
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(II) Not later than the end of the ninety-day period, admits at least one member in
accordance with the articles or bylaws and has at least two members, at least one of which is a
patron member.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 804, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1203. Judicial dissolution - grounds. (1) A limited cooperative association may
be dissolved in a proceeding brought in court by the attorney general if it is established that:
(a) The association obtained its articles of organization through fraud; or
(b) The association has continued to exceed or abuse the authority conferred upon it by
law.
(2) A limited cooperative association may be dissolved in a proceeding brought in court
by a member if it is established that:
(a) The directors are deadlocked in the management of the association's affairs, the
members are unable to break the deadlock, and irreparable injury to the association is occurring
or is threatened because of the deadlock;
(b) The directors or those in control of the association have acted, are acting, or will act
in a manner that is illegal, oppressive, or fraudulent;
(c) The members are deadlocked in voting power and have failed to elect successors to
directors whose terms have expired for two consecutive periods during which annual members
meetings were held or were to be held; or
(d) The assets of the association are being misapplied or wasted.
(3) A limited cooperative association may be dissolved in a proceeding brought in court
by a creditor if it is established that:
(a) A creditor's claim has been reduced to judgment, the execution on the judgment has
been returned unsatisfied, and the association is insolvent; or
(b) The association is insolvent and the association has admitted in writing that a
creditor's claim is due and owing.
(4) In lieu of dissolution in a proceeding described in subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this
section, the court may order any other relief that is appropriate and equitable.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 804, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1204. Judicial dissolution - procedure. (1) A judicial proceeding to dissolve a
limited cooperative association must be brought in the proper court.
(2) It is not necessary to make members parties to a judicial proceeding to dissolve a
limited cooperative association unless relief is sought against them individually.
(3) A court in a judicial proceeding brought to dissolve a limited cooperative association
may issue injunctions, appoint a receiver or custodian pendente lite with all powers and duties
the court directs, take other action required to preserve the limited liability company's assets
wherever located, and carry on the business of the association until a full hearing can be held.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 805, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1205. Voluntary dissolution before commencement of activity. A majority of
the organizers or initial directors of a limited cooperative association that has not yet begun
business activity or the conduct of its affairs may dissolve the association.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 806, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1206. Voluntary dissolution by the board and members. (1) Except as
otherwise provided in section 7-58-1205, for a limited cooperative association to voluntarily
dissolve:
(a) A resolution to dissolve must be approved by a majority vote of the board of
directors unless a greater percentage is required by the articles or bylaws;
(b) The board of directors must call a members meeting to consider the resolution, to be
held not later than ninety days after adoption of the resolution; and
(c) The board of directors must mail or otherwise transmit or deliver to each member in
a record that complies with section 7-58-508:
(I) The resolution required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (1);
(II) A recommendation that the members vote in favor of the resolution or, if the board
determines that because of conflict of interest or any other reason it should not make a favorable
recommendation, the basis of that determination; and
(III) Notice of the members meeting, which must be given in the same manner as notice
of a special meeting of members.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, a resolution to dissolve must be approved
by:
(a) At least two-thirds of the voting power of members present at a members meeting
called under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section; and
(b) If the limited cooperative association has investor members, at least a majority of the
votes cast by patron members, unless the articles or bylaws require a greater percentage.
(3) The articles or bylaws may require that the percentage of votes required under
paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section is:
(a) A different percentage that is not less than a majority of members voting at the
meeting;
(b) Measured against the voting power of all members; or
(c) A combination of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (3).
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 806, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1207. Winding up. (1) A limited cooperative association continues its existence
after dissolution only for purposes of winding up its activities.
(2) In winding up a limited cooperative association's activities, the board of directors
shall cause the association to:
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(a) Collect its assets;
(b) Preserve the association or its property as a going concern for no more than a
reasonable time;
(c) Prosecute and defend actions and proceedings;
(d) Dispose of its properties that will not be distributed in kind to its members;
(e) Discharge or make provision for discharging its liabilities;
(f) Distribute its remaining property among its members; and
(g) Do every other act necessary to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs.
(3) After dissolution and upon application of a limited cooperative association, a
member, or a holder of financial rights, the proper court may order judicial supervision of the
winding up of the association, including the appointment of a person to wind up the association's
activities, if:
(a) After a reasonable time, the association has not wound up its activities; or
(b) The applicant establishes other good cause.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 807, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1208. Distribution of assets in winding up. (1) In winding up a limited
cooperative association's business, the association shall apply its assets to discharge its
obligations to creditors, including members that are creditors. The association shall apply any
remaining assets to pay in money the net amount distributable to members in accordance with
their right to distributions under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, in this subsection (2), "financial
interests" means the amounts recorded in the names of members in the records of a limited
cooperative association at the time a distribution is made, including amounts paid to become a
member, amounts allocated but not distributed to members, and amounts of distributions
authorized but not yet paid to members. Unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, each
member is entitled to a distribution from the association of any remaining assets in the
proportion of the member's financial interests to the total financial interests of the members after
all other obligations are satisfied.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 807, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1209. Court proceeding. (1) Upon application by a dissolved limited cooperative
association that has published a notice under section 7-90-912, the proper court may determine
the amount and form of security to be provided for payment of claims against the association
that are contingent, have not been made known to the association, or are based on an event
occurring after the effective date of dissolution but that, based on the facts known to the
association, are reasonably anticipated to arise after the effective date of dissolution.
(2) Not later than ten days after filing an application under subsection (1) of this section,
a dissolved limited cooperative association shall give notice of the proceeding to each known
claimant holding a contingent claim.
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(3) The court may appoint a representative in a proceeding brought under this section to
represent all claimants whose identities are unknown. The dissolved limited cooperative
association shall pay reasonable fees and expenses of the representative, including all reasonable
attorney fees and expert witness fees.
(4) Provision by the dissolved limited cooperative association for security in the amount
and the form ordered by the court satisfies the association's obligations with respect to claims
that are contingent, have not been made known to the association, or are based on an event
occurring after the effective date of dissolution, and the claims shall not be enforced against a
member that received a distribution.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 808, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1210. Statement of dissolution. (1) Upon dissolution, the limited cooperative
association shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this
title, a statement of dissolution stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited cooperative association; and
(b) The principal office address of the limited cooperative association's principal office.
(2) A limited cooperative association is dissolved as provided in section 7-58-1202, 758-1203, or 7-90-908.
(3) A person who is not a director or member has notice of the dissolution of a limited
cooperative association on the earlier of:
(a) The ninetieth day after the limited cooperative association's statement of dissolution
is on file with the secretary of state; or
(b) The date on which the person first has actual knowledge of the dissolution.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 808, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 13
ACTION BY MEMBER
7-58-1301. Derivative action. (1) A member may maintain a derivative action to
enforce a right of a limited cooperative association if:
(a) The member demands in a record that the association bring an action to enforce the
right; and
(b) Any of the following occur:
(I) The association does not, within ninety days after the association receives the
demand, agree to bring the action;
(II) The association notifies the member in a record that it has rejected the demand;
(III) Irreparable harm to the association would result by waiting ninety days after the
association receives the demand; or
(IV) The association agrees to bring an action demanded and fails to bring the action
within a reasonable time.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 809, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1302. Proper plaintiff. (1) A derivative action to enforce a right of a limited
cooperative association may be maintained only by a person that:
(a) Is a member or a dissociated member at the time the action is commenced and:
(I) Was a member when the conduct giving rise to the action occurred; or
(II) Whose status as a member devolved upon the person by operation of law or the
articles or bylaws from a person that was a member at the time of the conduct; and
(b) Adequately represents the interests of the association.
(2) If the sole plaintiff in a derivative action dies while the action is pending, the court
may permit another member who meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section to be
substituted as plaintiff.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 809, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1303. Pleading. (1) In a derivative action to enforce a right of a limited
cooperative association, the complaint must state:
(a) The date and content of the plaintiff's demand under section 7-58-1301 (1)(a) and the
association's response;
(b) If ninety days have not expired since the demand was received by the association,
how irreparable harm to the association would result by waiting for the expiration of ninety days;
and
(c) If the association agreed to bring an action demanded, that the action has not been
brought within a reasonable time.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 809, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1304. Approval for discontinuance or settlement. A derivative action to enforce
a right of a limited cooperative association may not be discontinued or settled without notice to
the association and the court's approval.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 810, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1305. Proceeds and expenses. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2)
of this section:
(a) Any proceeds or other benefits of a derivative action to enforce a right of a limited
cooperative association, whether by judgment, compromise, or settlement, belong to the
association and not to the plaintiff; and
(b) If the plaintiff in the derivative action receives any proceeds, the plaintiff shall
immediately remit them to the association.
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(2) If a derivative action to enforce a right of a limited cooperative association is
successful in whole or in part, the court may award the plaintiff reasonable expenses, including
reasonable attorney fees and costs, from the recovery of the association if not otherwise awarded
against the defendant.
(3) On the termination of a derivative proceeding commenced pursuant to this part 13,
where the court finds that the proceeding was commenced or maintained without reasonable
cause or for an improper purpose, the court may order the plaintiff to pay any of the defendant's
reasonable expenses, including attorney fees, incurred by the defendant in connection with the
defense of the proceeding.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 810, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1306. Applicability of derivative proceeding to foreign limited cooperative
associations. In any derivative proceeding in the right of a foreign limited cooperative
association, the right of a person to commence or maintain a derivative proceeding in the right of
a foreign limited cooperative association and any matters raised in the proceeding covered by
sections 7-58-1301 to 7-58-1305 are governed by the law of the jurisdiction under which the
foreign limited cooperative association was formed; except that any matters raised in the
proceeding covered by section 7-58-1304 are governed by the law of this state.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 810, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 14
FOREIGN COOPERATIVES
7-58-1401. Authority to transact business or conduct activities required. Part 8 of
article 90 of this title, providing for the transaction of business or the conduct of activities by
foreign entities, applies to foreign limited cooperative associations.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 811, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1402. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, applies to foreign limited cooperative
associations.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 811, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 15
DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
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7-58-1501. Disposition of assets not requiring member approval. (1) Unless the
articles of organization otherwise provide, member approval under section 7-58-1502 is not
required for a limited cooperative association to:
(a) Sell, lease, exchange, license, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the assets of
the association in the usual and regular course of business; or
(b) Mortgage, pledge, dedicate to the repayment of indebtedness, or otherwise encumber
in any way all or any part of the assets of the association, whether or not in the usual and regular
course of business.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 811, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1502. Member approval of other disposition or encumbrance of assets. A sale,
lease, exchange, license, or other disposition of assets or an encumbrance of assets of a limited
cooperative association, other than a disposition or encumbrance described in section 7-58-1501,
requires approval of the association's members under sections 7-58-1503 and 7-58-1504.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 811, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1503. Notice and action on disposition or encumbrance of assets. (1) For a
limited cooperative association to dispose of or encumber assets under section 7-58-1502:
(a) A majority of the board of directors, or a greater percentage if required by the articles
or bylaws, must approve the proposed disposition or encumbrance; and
(b) The board of directors must call a members meeting to consider the proposed
disposition or encumbrance, hold the meeting not later than ninety days after approval of the
proposed disposition or encumbrance by the board, and mail or otherwise transmit or deliver in a
record to each member:
(I) The terms of the proposed disposition or encumbrance;
(II) A recommendation that the members approve the disposition or encumbrance or, if
the board determines that because of conflict of interest or any other reason it should not make a
favorable recommendation, the basis for that determination;
(III) A statement of any condition of the board's submission of the proposed disposition
or encumbrance to the members; and
(IV) Notice of the meeting at which the proposed disposition or encumbrance will be
considered, which notice must be given in the same manner as notice of a special meeting of
members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 811, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1504. Disposition or encumbrance of assets. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this
section, a disposition or encumbrance of assets under section 7-58-1502 must be approved by:
(a) At least a majority of the voting power of members present at a members meeting
called under section 7-58-1503 (1)(b); and
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(b) If the limited cooperative association has investor members, at least a majority of the
votes cast by patron members, unless the articles or bylaws require a greater percentage vote by
patron members.
(2) The articles or bylaws may require that the percentage of votes required under
paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section is:
(a) A different percentage that is not less than a majority of members voting at the
meeting;
(b) Measured against the voting power of all members; or
(c) A combination of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (2).
(3) Subject to any contractual obligations, after a disposition or encumbrance of assets is
approved and at any time before the consummation of the disposition or encumbrance, a limited
cooperative association may approve an amendment to the contract for the disposition or
encumbrance or the resolution authorizing the disposition or encumbrance or approve
abandonment of the disposition or encumbrance:
(a) As provided in the contract or the resolution; and
(b) Except as limited or prohibited by the resolution, with the same affirmative vote of
the board of directors and of the members as was required to approve the disposition or
encumbrance.
(4) The voting requirements for districts, classes, or voting groups under section 7-58404 apply to approval of a disposition of assets under this part 15.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 812, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 16
CONVERSION AND MERGER
7-58-1601. Definitions. In this part 16, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Constituent entity" means an entity that is a party to a merger.
(2)
"Constituent limited cooperative association" means a limited cooperative
association that is a party to a merger.
(3) "Converting limited cooperative association" means a converting entity that is a
limited cooperative association.
(4) "Organizational documents" means articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of
organization, operating agreements, partnership agreements, and any other documents serving a
similar function in the creation and governance of an entity.
(5) "Personal liability" means personal liability for a debt, liability, or other obligation of
an entity imposed, by operation of law or otherwise, on a person that co-owns or has an interest
in the entity:
(a) By the entity's organic statute solely because of the person co-owning or having an
interest in the entity; or
(b) By the entity's organizational documents under a provision of the entity's organic
statute authorizing those documents to make one or more specified persons liable for all or
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specified parts of the entity's debts, liabilities, and other obligations solely because the person
co-owns or has an interest in the entity.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 812, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this part 16, see § 7-90-102.
7-58-1602. Conversion. A limited cooperative association may convert into any form of
entity permitted by section 7-90-201 if the board of directors of the limited cooperative
association adopts a plan of conversion that complies with section 7-90-201.3 and the members
entitled to vote thereon, if any, if required by section 7-58-1603, approve the plan of conversion.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 813, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1603. Action on plan of conversion by converting limited cooperative
association. (1) For a limited cooperative association to convert into another form of entity, a
plan of conversion must be approved by a majority of the board of directors, or a greater
percentage if required by the articles or bylaws, and the board of directors must call a members
meeting to consider the plan of conversion, hold the meeting not later than ninety days after
approval of the plan by the board, and mail or otherwise transmit or deliver in a record to each
member:
(a) The plan, or a summary of the plan and a statement of the manner in which a copy of
the plan in a record may be reasonably obtained by a member;
(b) A recommendation that the members approve the plan of conversion or, if the board
determines that because of a conflict of interest or any other reason it should not make a
favorable recommendation, the basis for that determination;
(c) A statement of any condition of the board's submission of the plan of conversion to
the members; and
(d) Notice of the meeting at which the plan of conversion will be considered, which
notice must be given in the same manner as notice of a special meeting of members.
(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4) of this section, a plan of conversion must be
approved by:
(a) At least a majority of the voting power of members present at a members meeting
called under subsection (1) of this section; and
(b) If the limited cooperative association has investor members, at least a majority of the
votes cast by patron members, unless the articles or bylaws require a greater percentage vote by
patron members.
(3) The articles or bylaws may require that the percentage of votes required under
paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section is:
(a) A different percentage that is not less than a majority of members voting at the
meeting;
(b) Measured against the voting power of all members; or
(c) A combination of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (3).
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(4) The vote required to approve a plan of conversion must not be less than the vote
required for the members of the limited cooperative association to amend the articles of
organization.
(5) Consent in a record to a plan of conversion by a member must be delivered to the
limited cooperative association before delivery of a statement of conversion for filing pursuant to
section 7-58-1608 (1) if, as a result of the conversion, the member will have:
(a) Personal liability for an obligation of the association; or
(b) An obligation or liability for an additional contribution.
(6) Subject to subsection (5) of this section and any contractual rights, after a conversion
is approved and at any time before the effective date of the conversion, a converting limited
cooperative association may amend a plan of conversion or abandon the planned conversion:
(a) As provided in the plan; and
(b) Except as prohibited by the plan, by the same affirmative vote of the board of
directors and of the members as was required to approve the plan.
(7) The voting requirements for districts, classes, or voting groups under section 7-58404 apply to approval of a conversion under this part 16.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 813, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1604. Merger. (1) One or more domestic limited cooperative associations may
merge into another domestic entity if the board of directors of each association that is a party to
the merger and each other entity that is a party to the merger adopts a plan of merger complying
with section 7-90-203.3 and the members entitled to vote thereon, if any, of each such
association, if required by sections 7-58-1605 and 7-58-1606, approve the plan of merger.
(2) One or more domestic limited cooperative associations may merge with one or more
foreign entities if:
(a) The merger is permitted by section 7-90-203 (2);
(b) The foreign entity complies with section 7-90-203.7 if it is the surviving entity of the
merger; and
(c) Each domestic limited cooperative association complies with the applicable
provisions of sections 7-58-1605 and 7-58-1606 and, if it is the surviving association of the
merger, with section 7-58-1608 (2).
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 815, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1605. Notice and action on plan of merger by constituent limited cooperative
association. (1) For a limited cooperative association to merge with another entity, a plan of
merger must be approved by a majority vote of the board of directors or a greater percentage if
required by the association's articles or bylaws.
(2) The board of directors shall call a members meeting to consider a plan of merger
approved by the board, hold the meeting not later than ninety days after approval of the plan by
the board, and mail or otherwise transmit or deliver in a record to each member:
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(a) The plan of merger, or a summary of the plan and a statement of the manner in which
a copy of the plan in a record may be reasonably obtained by a member;
(b) A recommendation that the members approve the plan of merger or, if the board
determines that because of conflict of interest or any other reason it should not make a favorable
recommendation, the basis for that determination;
(c) A statement of any condition of the board's submission of the plan of merger to the
members; and
(d) Notice of the meeting at which the plan of merger will be considered, which notice
must be given in the same manner as notice of a special meeting of members.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 815, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1606. Approval or abandonment of merger by members. (1) Subject to
subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a plan of merger must be approved by:
(a) At least a majority of the voting power of members present at a members meeting
called under section 7-58-1605 (2); and
(b) If the limited cooperative association has investor members, at least a majority of the
votes cast by patron members, unless the articles or bylaws require a greater percentage vote by
patron members.
(2) The articles or bylaws may provide that the percentage of votes required under
paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section is:
(a) A different percentage that is not less than a majority of members voting at the
meeting;
(b) Measured against the voting power of all members; or
(c) A combination of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (2).
(3) The vote required to approve a plan of merger must not be less than the vote required
for the members of the limited cooperative association to amend the articles of organization.
(4) Consent in a record to a plan of merger by a member must be delivered to the limited
cooperative association before delivery of a statement of merger for filing pursuant to section 758-1608 (2) if, as a result of the merger, the member will have:
(a) Personal liability for an obligation of the association; or
(b) An obligation or liability for an additional contribution.
(5) Subject to subsection (4) of this section and any contractual rights, after a merger is
approved, and at any time before the effective date of the merger, a limited cooperative
association that is a party to the merger may approve an amendment to the plan of merger or
approve abandonment of the planned merger:
(a) As provided in the plan; and
(b) Except as limited by the plan, with the same affirmative vote of the board of
directors and of the members as was required to approve the plan.
(6) The voting requirements for districts, classes, or voting groups under section 7-58404 apply to approval of a merger under this part 16.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 816, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
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7-58-1607. Merger of parent and subsidiary. (1) Notwithstanding sections 7-58-1605
and 7-58-1606, by complying with this section, any parent limited cooperative association
owning one hundred percent of the voting power, memberships, or interests of a subsidiary may
either merge the subsidiary into itself or merge itself into the subsidiary.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the boards of directors of the parent
association and of the subsidiary shall adopt by resolution a plan of merger that states the
following:
(a) The entity names of the parent association and subsidiary and the entity name of the
surviving entity;
(b) The terms and conditions of the proposed merger;
(c) The manner and basis of converting the shares of the parent association and
subsidiary into shares, obligations, or other securities of the surviving entity or any other limited
cooperative association into money or other property in whole or part;
(d) Any amendments to the organizational documents of the surviving party to be
effected by the merger; and
(e) Any other provisions relating to the merger as are deemed necessary or desirable.
(3) The members of the parent association are not required to vote on the merger unless
the articles, bylaws, or the board require otherwise; except that if, as a result of the merger, the
voting shares, memberships, or other interests of members of the parent association would be
materially altered, then the members of the parent association have the right to vote on the plan
of merger. If the members of the parent association have the right to vote on the plan of merger,
the parent association shall mail a copy or summary of the plan of merger to each member of the
parent association who has the right to vote on the plan. Notice and meeting requirements as
provided for in this article shall apply.
(4) If the members of the parent limited cooperative association have the right to vote on
the plan of merger, unless the articles, bylaws, or the board requires a greater vote, the plan of
merger must be approved by a majority of the members of the parent association present and
voting on the plan in person or in any other manner authorized by the association pursuant to
section 7-58-515.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 816, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1608. Filings required for conversion or merger. (1) After a plan of conversion
is approved, the converting entity shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part
3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of conversion pursuant to section 7-90-201.7.
(2) After a plan of merger is approved, the surviving entity shall deliver to the secretary
of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of merger pursuant to
section 7-90-203.7.
(3) If the plan of conversion or merger provides for amendments to the organizational
documents of the converting or surviving entity, the converting or surviving entity shall deliver
to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, articles of
amendment effecting the amendments.
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Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 817, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1609. Effect of conversion or merger. (1) The effect of a conversion is
determined by section 7-90-202.
(2) The effect of a merger is determined by section 7-90-204.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1610. Consolidation. (1) Constituent entities that are limited cooperative
associations or foreign cooperatives may agree to call a merger a consolidation under this part
16.
(2) All provisions governing mergers or using the term merger in this part 16 apply
equally to mergers that the constituent entities choose to call consolidations under subsection (1)
of this section.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1611. Part not exclusive. This part 16 does not prohibit a limited cooperative
association from being converted or merged under law other than this part 16.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PART 17
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
7-58-1701. Uniformity of application and construction. In applying and construing
this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with
respect to its subject matter among states that enact it or similar statutes.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1702. Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act.
This article modifies, limits, or supersedes the federal "Electronic Signatures in Global and
National Commerce Act", 15 U.S.C. sec. 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede
section 101 (c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. sec. 7001 (c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the
notices described in section 103 (b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. sec. 7003 (b).
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
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7-58-1703. Savings clause. This article does not affect an action or proceeding
commenced, or right accrued, before April 2, 2012.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
7-58-1704. Effective date. This article takes effect April 2, 2012.
Source: L. 2011: Entire article added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 1, effective April
2, 2012.
PARTNERSHIPS
ARTICLE 60
Uniform Partnership Law
Cross references: For the "Colorado Uniform Partnership Act (1997)", see article 64 of
this title; for recovery of personal judgments limited to parties served, see § 13-50-105 and rule
54(e), C.R.C.P.; for joint rights and obligations, see article 50 of title 13 and § 38-11-101; for
pleading proper parties, see § 13-25-117; for mining partnerships, see article 44 of title 34; for
filing affidavits of firm names, see §§ 7-71-101, 7-71-103, 7-71-104, 7-71-106, and 7-71-108;
for the "Uniform Records Retention Act", see article 17 of title 6.
Law reviews: For article, "Choice of Entities in Colorado", see 23 Colo. Law. 293
(1993); for article, "Choice of Entity in Colorado: An Update", see 25 Colo. Law. 3 (Oct. 1996);
for article, "Colorado Choice of Entity 1998", see 27 Colo. Law. 5 (June 1998); for article,
"Contractually Binding Colorado Entities", see 28 Colo. Law. 33 (Dec. 1999); for article,
"Colorado Choice of Form of Organization and Structure 2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct.
2001); for article "Entity and Trade Name Registration: 2001 Update", see 30 Colo. Law. 81
(Oct. 2001); for article "No Paper Required: Business Entity Legislation Makes Life Easier for
Business Lawyers", see 33 Colo. Law 6 (June 2004); for article "Entity and Trade Name
Registration: 2004 Update", see 34 Colo. Law. 11 (Jan. 2005).
7-60-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform
Partnership Law".
Source: L. 31: p. 645, § 1. CSA: C. 123, § 1. CRS 53: § 104-1-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-11.
7-60-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Bankrupt" includes bankrupt or debtor under the federal bankruptcy code of 1978,
title 11 of the United States Code, or insolvent under any state insolvency act.
(2) "Business" includes every trade, occupation, or profession.
(3) "Conveyance" includes every assignment, lease, mortgage, or encumbrance.
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(4) "Court" includes every court and judge having jurisdiction in the case.
(4.5) Repealed.
(4.7) "Limited liability partnership" means a partnership that has registered under section
7-60-144.
(5) Repealed.
(6) "Real property" includes land and any interest or estate in land.
(7) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1421, § 67, effective July 1, 2004.)
Source: L. 31: p. 645, § 2. CSA: C. 123, § 2. CRS 53: § 104-1-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-12. L. 80: (1) amended, p. 782, § 1, June 5. L. 95: (4.5) and (7) added, p. 778, § 1, effective May
24. L. 2003: (4.5)(b) and (5)(b) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348. L. 2004: (4.7)
added and (7) amended, p. 1421, § 67, effective July 1.
Editor's note: Subsections (4.5)(b) and (5)(b) provided for the repeal of subsections
(4.5) and (5) respectively, effective July 1, 2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-60-103. Knowledge and notice. (1) A person has "knowledge" of a fact within the
meaning of this article not only when the person has actual knowledge thereof but also when the
person has knowledge of such other facts as in the circumstances show bad faith.
(2) A person has "notice" of a fact within the meaning of this article when the person
who claims the benefit of the notice:
(a) States the fact to such person; or
(b) Delivers through the mail or by other means of communication a written statement of
the facts to such person or to a proper person at such person or recipient's place of business or
residence.
Source: L. 31: p. 646, § 3. CSA: C. 123, § 3. CRS 53: § 104-1-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-13. L. 2004: (1) and (2)(b) amended, p. 1421, § 68, effective July 1.
7-60-104. Rules of construction. (1) The rule that statutes in derogation of the common
law are to be strictly construed shall have no application to this article.
(2) The law of estoppel shall apply under this article.
(3) The law of agency shall apply under this article.
(4) This article shall be so interpreted and construed as to effect its general purpose to
make uniform the law of those states which enact it.
(5) This article shall not be construed so as to impair the obligations of any contract
existing prior to April 17, 1931, nor to affect any action or proceedings begun or right accrued
before said date.
Source: L. 31: p. 646, § 4. CSA: C. 123, § 4. CRS 53: § 104-1-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-14.
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7-60-105. Rules for cases not covered. In any case not provided for in this article, the
rules of law and equity, including the law merchant, shall govern.
Source: L. 31: p. 647, § 5. CSA: C. 123, § 5. CRS 53: § 104-1-5. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-15.
7-60-106. Partnership defined. (1) A partnership is an association of two or more
persons to carry on, as co-owners, a business for profit and includes, without limitation, a limited
liability partnership.
(2) But any association formed under any other statute of this state or any statute
adopted by an authority other than the authority of this state is not a partnership under this article
unless such association has been a partnership in this state prior to April 17, 1931. This article
shall apply to limited partnerships except insofar as the statutes relating to such partnerships are
inconsistent herewith.
Source: L. 31: p. 647, § 6. CSA: C. 123, § 6. CRS 53: § 104-1-6. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-16. L. 95: (1) amended, p. 778, § 2, effective May 24. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1422, § 69,
effective July 1.
Cross references: For provisions on limited partnerships, see articles 61 and 62 of this
title.
7-60-107. Partnership determined - how. (1) In determining whether a partnership
exists these rules shall apply:
(a) Except as provided by section 7-60-116, persons who are not partners as to each
other are not partners as to third persons;
(b) Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entireties, joint property, common
property, or part ownership does not of itself establish a partnership, whether such co-owners do
or do not share any profits made by the use of the property;
(c) The sharing of gross returns does not of itself establish a partnership, whether or not
the persons sharing them have a joint or common right or interest in any property from which the
returns are derived;
(d) The receipt by a person of a share of the profits of a business is prima facie evidence
that the person is a partner in the business, but no such inference shall be drawn if such profits
were received in payment:
(I) As a debt by installments or otherwise;
(II) As wages of an employee or rent to a landlord;
(III) As an annuity to a surviving spouse or representative of a deceased partner;
(IV) As interest on a loan, though the amount of payment varies with the profits of the
business;
(V) As the consideration for the sale of a goodwill of a business or other property by
installments or otherwise.
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Source: L. 31: p. 647, § 7. CSA: C. 123, § 7. CRS 53: § 104-1-7. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-17. L. 77: (1)(d)(III) amended, p. 294, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2004: IP(1)(d) amended, p. 1422, §
70, effective July 1.
7-60-108. Partnership property. (1) All property originally brought into the
partnership stock or subsequently acquired by purchase or otherwise on account of the
partnership is partnership property.
(2) Unless the contrary intention appears, property acquired with partnership funds is
partnership property.
(3) Any estate in real property may be acquired in the partnership name. Title so
acquired can be conveyed only in the partnership name.
(4) A conveyance to a partnership in the partnership name, though without words of
inheritance, passes the entire estate of the grantor unless a contrary intent appears.
Source: L. 31: p. 648, § 8. CSA: C. 123, § 8. CRS 53: § 104-1-8. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-18.
7-60-109. Partner agent of partnership. (1) Subject to the effect of a statement of
partnership authority under section 7-64-303, every partner is an agent of the partnership for the
purpose of its business, and the act of every partner, including the execution in the partnership
name of any instrument for apparently carrying on in the usual way the business of the
partnership of which the partner is a member, binds the partnership, unless the partner so acting
has in fact no authority to act for the partnership in the particular matter and the person with
whom the partner is dealing has knowledge of the fact that the partner has no such authority.
(2) An act of a partner which is not apparently for the carrying on of the business of the
partnership in the usual way does not bind the partnership unless authorized by the other
partners.
(3) Unless authorized by the other partners or unless they have abandoned the business,
one or more but less than all the partners have no authority to:
(a) Assign the partnership property in trust for creditors or on the assignee's promise to
pay the debts of the partnership;
(b) Dispose of the goodwill of the business;
(c) Do any other act which would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of
the partnership;
(d) Confess a judgment.
(e) Repealed.
(4) No act of a partner in contravention of a restriction on authority shall bind the
partnership to persons having knowledge of the restriction.
Source: L. 31: p. 649, § 9. CSA: C. 123, § 9. CRS 53: § 104-1-9. C.R.S. 1963: § 104-19. L. 75: (3)(e) repealed, p. 578, § 3, effective July 14. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1422, § 71,
effective July 1.
7-60-110. Conveyance of real property. (1) Subject to the effect of a statement of
partnership authority under section 7-64-303, where title to real property is in the partnership
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name, any partner may convey title to such property by a conveyance executed in the partnership
name; except that the partnership may recover such property unless the partner's act binds the
partnership under the provisions of section 7-60-109 (1) or unless such property has been
conveyed by the grantee or a person claiming through such grantee to a holder for value without
knowledge that the partner, in making the conveyance, has exceeded the partner's authority.
(2) Where title to real property is in the name of the partnership, a conveyance executed
by a partner in the partner's own name passes the equitable interest of the partnership if the act is
one within the authority of the partner under the provisions of section 7-60-109 (1).
(3) Where title to real property is in the name of one or more but not all the partners and
the record does not disclose the right of the partnership, the partners in whose name the title
stands may convey title to such property, but the partnership may recover such property if the
partner's act does not bind the partnership under the provisions of section 7-60-109 (1), unless
the purchaser or the purchaser's assignee is a holder for value, without knowledge.
(4) Where the title to real property is in the name of one or more or all the partners or in
a third person in trust for the partnership, a conveyance executed by a partner in the partnership
name or in the partner's own name passes the equitable interest of the partnership if the act is one
within the authority of the partner under the provisions of section 7-60-109 (1).
(5) Where the title to real property is in the names of all the partners, a conveyance
executed by all the partners passes all their rights in such property.
Source: L. 31: p. 650, § 10. CSA: C. 123, § 10. CRS 53: § 104-1-10. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-10. L. 2004: (1) to (4) amended, p. 1422, § 72, effective July 1.
7-60-111. Admission of partner binds partnership. An admission or representation
made by any partner concerning partnership affairs within the scope of the partner's authority as
conferred by this article is evidence against the partnership.
Source: L. 31: p. 651, § 11. CSA: C. 123, § 11. CRS 53: § 104-1-11. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-11. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1423, § 73, effective July 1.
7-60-112. Notice to partner - effect. Notice to any partner of any matter relating to
partnership affairs and the knowledge of the partner acting in the particular matter acquired
while a partner or then present to the partner's mind and the knowledge of any other partner who
reasonably could and should have communicated it to the acting partner operate as notice to or
knowledge of the partnership, except in the case of a fraud on the partnership committed by or
with the consent of that partner.
Source: L. 31: p. 651, § 12. CSA: C. 123, § 12. CRS 53: § 104-1-12. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-12. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1423, § 74, effective July 1.
7-60-113. Partner's wrongful acts - liability. Where, by any wrongful act or omission
of any partner acting in the ordinary course of the business of the partnership or with the
authority of the other partners, loss or injury is caused to any person, not being a partner in the
partnership, or any penalty is incurred, the partnership is liable therefor to the same intent as the
partner so acting or omitting to act.
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Source: L. 31: p. 652, § 13. CSA: C. 123, § 13. CRS 53: § 104-1-13. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-13. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1423, § 75, effective July 1.
7-60-114. Partner's breach of trust - liability. (1) The partnership is bound to make
good the loss:
(a) Where one partner acting within the scope of such partner's apparent authority
receives money or property of a third person and misapplies it; and
(b) Where the partnership in the course of its business receives money or property of a
third person and the money or property so received is misapplied by any partner while it is in the
custody of the partnership.
Source: L. 31: p. 652, § 14. CSA: C. 123, § 14. CRS 53: § 104-1-14. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-14. L. 2004: (1)(a) amended, p. 1423, § 76, effective July 1.
7-60-115. Nature of partner's liability. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection
(2) of this section, all partners are liable:
(a) Jointly and severally for everything chargeable to the partnership under sections 760-113 and 7-60-114;
(b) Jointly and severally for all other debts and obligations of the partnership, but any
partner may enter into a separate obligation to perform a partnership contract.
(2) (a) Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, partners in a limited
liability partnership are not liable directly or indirectly, including by way of indemnification,
contribution, or otherwise, under a judgment, decree, or order of a court, or in any other manner,
for a debt, obligation, or liability of or chargeable to the partnership while it is a limited liability
partnership; except that this subsection (2) shall not affect the liability of a partner in a limited
liability partnership for such partner's own negligence, wrongful acts, or misconduct.
(b) Partners in a limited liability partnership do not become liable, directly or indirectly,
for debts, obligations, or liabilities incurred while the partnership was a limited liability
partnership merely because the partnership ceases to be a limited liability partnership.
Source: L. 31: p. 652, § 15. CSA: C. 123, § 15. CRS 53: § 104-1-15. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-15. L. 73: p. 1082, § 1. L. 95: Entire section amended, p. 778, § 3, effective May 24. L.
2004: (2) amended, p. 1423, § 77, effective July 1.
Cross references: For service on partnerships, see rule 4(e)(4), C.R.C.P.; for judgments
against partners and partnerships, see rule 54(e), C.R.C.P.; for judgments against partners not
served with process, see rule 106 (a)(5), C.R.C.P.; for joint rights and obligations, see § 13-50101.
7-60-116. Liability of purported partner. (1) If a person, by words or conduct,
purports to be a partner or consents to being represented by another as a partner, in a partnership
or with one or more persons not partners, the purported partner is liable to a person to whom the
representation is made, if that person, relying on the representation, enters into a transaction with
the actual or purported partnership. If the representation, either by the purported partner or by a
person with the purported partner's consent, is made in a public manner, the purported partner is
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liable to a person who relies upon the purported partnership even if the purported partner is not
aware of being held out as a partner to the claimant. If a partnership obligation results, the
purported partner is liable with respect to that obligation as if the purported partner were a
partner in the partnership, and, if the partnership is a limited liability partnership, the purported
partner's liability is subject to section 7-60-115 (2) as if the purported partner were a partner in
the limited liability partnership. If no partnership obligation results, the purported partner is
liable with respect to that liability jointly and severally with any other person consenting to the
representation.
(2) When a partnership liability results, such person is liable as though the person were
an actual member of the partnership; except that, in the case of a limited liability partnership, the
person's liability is subject to section 7-60-115 (2).
(3) When no partnership liability results, such person is liable jointly with the other
persons, if any, so consenting to the contract or representation as to incur liability, otherwise
separately.
(4) When a person has been thus represented to be a partner in an existing partnership or
with one or more persons not actual partners, the purported partner is an agent of the persons
consenting to such representation to bind them to the same extent and in the same manner as
though the purported partner were a partner in fact with respect to persons who rely upon the
representation. Where all the members of the existing partnership consent to the representation, a
partnership act or obligation results; but in all other cases it is the joint act or obligation of the
person acting and the persons consenting to the representation.
Source: L. 31: p. 653, § 16. CSA: C. 123, § 16. CRS 53: § 104-1-16. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-16. L. 95: (2) amended, p. 779, § 4, effective May 24. L. 2004: (1), (2), and (4) amended,
p. 1424, § 78, effective July 1.
7-60-117. Liability of incoming partner. A person admitted as a partner into an
existing partnership is liable for all the obligations of the partnership arising before such
admission as though the person had been a partner when such obligations were incurred; except
that this liability shall be satisfied only out of partnership property.
Source: L. 31: p. 654, § 17. CSA: C. 123, § 17. CRS 53: § 104-1-17. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-17. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1425, § 79, effective July 1.
7-60-118. Rights and duties of partners. (1) The rights and duties of the partners in
relation to the partnership shall be determined, subject to any agreement between them, by the
following rules:
(a) Each partner shall be repaid such partner's contributions, whether by way of capital
or advances to the partnership property and share equally in the profits and surplus remaining
after all liabilities, including those to partners, are satisfied and shall contribute toward the losses
whether of capital or otherwise sustained by the partnership according to such partner's share in
the profits; except that a partner in a limited liability partnership shall not be obligated to
contribute to partnership losses in excess of the partner's interest in the partnership beyond the
extent:
(I) Such obligation to contribute is set out in a writing signed by the partner; or
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(II) Such loss is attributable to an obligation or liability for which the partner would have
individual liability under section 7-60-115 (2).
(b) The partnership shall indemnify every partner in respect of payments made and
personal liabilities reasonably incurred by the partner in the ordinary and proper conduct of its
business or for the preservation of its business or property.
(c) A partner who in aid of the partnership makes any payment or advance beyond the
amount of capital that the partner agreed to contribute shall be paid interest from the date of the
payment or advance.
(d) A partner shall receive interest on the capital contributed by the partner only from the
date when repayment should be made.
(e) All partners have equal rights in the management and conduct of the partnership
business.
(f) No partner is entitled to remuneration for acting in the partnership business, but a
surviving partner is entitled to reasonable compensation for the partner's services in winding up
the partnership affairs.
(g) No person can become a member of a partnership without the consent of all the
partners.
(h) Any difference arising as to ordinary matters connected with the partnership business
may be decided by a majority of the partners; but no act in contravention of any agreement
between the partners may be done rightfully without the consent of all the partners.
Source: L. 31: p. 654, § 18. CSA: C. 123, § 18. CRS 53: § 104-1-18. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-18. L. 95: (1)(a) amended, p. 779, § 5, effective May 24. L. 2004: IP(1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c),
(1)(d), and (1)(f) amended, p. 1425, § 80, effective July 1.
7-60-119. Partnership books. The partnership books shall be kept, subject to any
agreement between the partners, at the principal place of business of the partnership, and every
partner shall at all times have access to and may inspect and copy any of them.
Source: L. 31: p. 655, § 19. CSA: C. 123, § 19. CRS 53: § 104-1-19. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-19.
7-60-120. Duty to render information. Partners shall render on demand true and full
information of all things affecting the partnership to any partner or the legal representative of
any deceased partner under legal disability.
Source: L. 31: p. 656, § 20. CSA: C. 123, § 20. CRS 53: § 104-1-20. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-20.
7-60-121. Accountable as a fiduciary. (1) Every partner shall account to the
partnership for any benefit and hold as trustee for it any profits derived by such partner without
the consent of the other partners from any transaction connected with the formation, conduct, or
liquidation of the partnership or from any use by such partner of its property.
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(2) This section applies also to the representatives of a deceased partner engaged in the
liquidation of the affairs of the partnership as the personal representatives of the last surviving
partner.
Source: L. 31: p. 656, § 21. CSA: C. 123, § 21. CRS 53: § 104-1-21. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-21. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1425, § 81, effective July 1.
7-60-122. Right to an account. (1) Any partner shall have the right to a formal account
as to partnership affairs:
(a) If the partner is wrongfully excluded from the partnership business or possession of
its property by the other partners;
(b) If the right exists under the terms of any agreement;
(c) As provided by section 7-60-121;
(d) Whenever other circumstances render it just and reasonable.
Source: L. 31: p. 656, § 22. CSA: C. 123, § 22. CRS 53: § 104-1-22. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-22. L. 2004: (1)(a) amended, p. 1425, § 82, effective July 1.
7-60-123. Rights and duties beyond term. (1) When a partnership for a fixed term or
particular undertaking is continued after the termination of such term or particular undertaking
without any express agreement, the rights and duties of the partners remain the same as they
were at such termination, insofar as is consistent with a partnership at will.
(2) A continuation of the business by the partners or such of them as habitually acted
therein during the term, without any settlement or liquidation of the partnership affairs, is prima
facie evidence of a continuation of the partnership.
Source: L. 31: p. 657, § 23. CSA: C. 123, § 23. CRS 53: § 104-1-23. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-23.
7-60-124. Property rights of a partner. (1) The property rights of a partner are:
(a) Such partner's rights in specific partnership property;
(b) Such partner's interest in the partnership; and
(c) Such partner's right to participate in the management.
Source: L. 31: p. 657, § 24. CSA: C. 123, § 24. CRS 53: § 104-1-24. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-24. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1426, § 83, effective July 1.
7-60-125. Right in specific property. (1) A partner is co-owner with the other partners
of specific partnership property holding as a tenant in partnership.
(2) The incidents of tenancy in partnership are such that:
(a) A partner, subject to the provisions of this article and to any agreement between the
partners, has an equal right with the other partners to possess specific partnership property for
partnership purposes; except that a partner has no right to possess such property for any other
purpose without the consent of the other partners;
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(b) A partner's right in specific partnership property is not assignable except in
connection with the assignment of rights of all the partners in the same property;
(c) A partner's right in specific partnership property is not subject to attachment or
execution except on a claim against the partnership. When partnership property is attached for a
partnership debt the partners, or any of them, or the representatives of a deceased partner, cannot
claim any right under the homestead or exemption laws.
(d) On the death of a partner, the deceased partner's right in specific partnership property
vests in the surviving partner or partners, except where the deceased partner was the last
surviving partner, when the right in such property vests in the deceased partner's legal
representative. The surviving partner or partners or the legal representative of the last surviving
partner has no right to possess the partnership property for any but a partnership purpose.
(e) A partner's right in specific partnership property is not subject to dower, curtesy, or
allowances to widows, heirs, or next of kin.
Source: L. 31: p. 657, § 25. CSA: C. 123, § 25. CRS 53: § 104-1-25. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-25. L. 2004: (1), (2)(a), and (2)(d) amended, p. 1426, § 84, effective July 1.
7-60-126. Nature of partner's interest. A partner's interest in the partnership is the
partner's share of the profits and surplus, and the same is personal property.
Source: L. 31: p. 659, § 26. CSA: C. 123, § 26. CRS 53: § 104-1-26. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-26. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1426, § 85, effective July 1.
7-60-127. Assignment of partner's interest. (1) A conveyance by a partner of the
partner's interest in the partnership does not of itself dissolve the partnership, nor, as against the
other partners in the absence of agreement, entitle the assignee, during the continuance of the
partnership, to interfere in the management or administration of the partnership business or
affairs, to require any information or account of partnership transactions, or to inspect the
partnership books; but it merely entitles the assignee to receive in accordance with the assignee's
contract the profits to which the assigning partner would otherwise be entitled.
(2) In a dissolution of the partnership, the assignee is entitled to receive the assignor's
interest and may require an account only from the date of the last account agreed to by all the
partners.
Source: L. 31: p. 659, § 27. CSA: C. 123, § 27. CRS 53: § 104-1-27. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-27. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1426, § 86, effective July 1.
7-60-128. Interest subject to charging order. (1) On due application to a court of
competent jurisdiction by any judgment creditor of a partner, the court that entered the judgment,
order, or decree, or any other court, may charge the interest of the debtor partner with payment
of the unsatisfied amount of the judgment with interest thereon; and may then or later appoint a
receiver of the debtor partner's share of the profits and of any other money due or to fall due to
the debtor partner in respect of the partnership and make all other orders, directions, accounts,
and inquiries that the debtor partner might have made, or that the circumstances of the case may
require.
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(2) The interest charged may be redeemed at any time before foreclosure or, in case of a
sale being directed by the court, may be purchased without thereby causing a dissolution:
(a) With separate property by any one or more of the partners; or
(b) With partnership property by any one or more of the partners with the consent of all
the partners whose interests are not so charged or sold.
(3) Nothing in this article shall be held to deprive a partner of the partner's right, if any,
under the exemption laws, as regards the partner's interest in the partnership.
Source: L. 31: p. 659, § 28. CSA: C. 123, § 28. CRS 53: § 104-1-28. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-28. L. 2004: (1) and (3) amended, p. 1427, § 87, effective July 1.
7-60-129. Dissolution defined. The dissolution of a partnership is the change in the
relation of the partners caused by any partner ceasing to be associated in the carrying on as
distinguished from the winding up of the business.
Source: L. 31: p. 660, § 29. CSA: C. 123, § 29. CRS 53: § 104-1-29. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-29.
7-60-130. Dissolution is not termination. On dissolution the partnership is not
terminated but continues until the winding up of partnership affairs is completed.
Source: L. 31: p. 660, § 30. CSA: C. 123, § 30. CRS 53: § 104-1-30. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-30.
7-60-131. Causes of dissolution. (1) Dissolution is caused:
(a) Without violation of the agreement between the partners:
(I) By the termination of the definite term or particular undertaking stated in the
agreement;
(II) By the express will of any partner when no definite term or particular undertaking is
stated;
(III) By the express will of all the partners who have not assigned their interests or
allowed them to be charged for their separate debts either before or after the termination of any
stated term or particular undertaking;
(IV) By the expulsion of any partner from the business bona fide in accordance with
such a power conferred by the agreement between the partners;
(b) In contravention of the agreement between the partners, where the circumstances do
not permit a dissolution under any other provision of this section, by the express will of any
partner at any time;
(c) By any event which makes it unlawful for the business of the partnership to be
carried on or for the members to carry it on in partnership;
(d) By the death of any partner;
(e) By the bankruptcy of any partner or the partnership;
(f) By decree of court under section 7-60-132.
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Source: L. 31: p. 660, § 31. CSA: C. 123, § 31. CRS 53: § 104-1-31. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-31. L. 2003: (1)(a)(I) to (1)(a)(III) amended, p. 2236, § 112, effective July 1, 2004.
7-60-132. Dissolution by decree of court. (1) On application by or for a partner, the
court shall decree a dissolution if:
(a) A partner has been determined by the court to be mentally incompetent to such a
degree that the partner is incapable of performing the partner's part of the partnership contract or
a court of competent jurisdiction has made such a finding pursuant to part 3 or part 4 of article
14 of title 15 or section 27-65-109 (4) or 27-65-127, C.R.S.;
(b) A partner becomes in any other way incapable of performing the partner's part of the
partnership contract;
(c) A partner has been guilty of such conduct as tends to affect prejudicially the carrying
on of business;
(d) A partner willfully or persistently commits a breach of the partnership agreement or
otherwise so acts in matters relating to the partnership business that it is not reasonably
practicable to carry on the business in partnership with the partner;
(e) The business of the partnership can only be carried on at a loss;
(f) Other circumstances render a dissolution equitable.
(2) On the application of the purchaser of a partner's interest under sections 7-60-127
and 7-60-128, the court shall decree a dissolution:
(a) After the termination of the stated term or particular undertaking;
(b) At any time if the partnership was a partnership at will when the interest was
assigned or when the charging order was issued.
Source: L. 31: p. 662, § 32. CSA: C. 123, § 32. CRS 53: § 104-1-32. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-32. L. 75: (1)(a) R&RE, p. 922, § 7, effective July 1. L. 91: (1)(a) amended, p. 1781, § 4,
effective July 1. L. 2003: (2)(a) amended, p. 2236, § 113, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(a),
(1)(b), and (1)(d) amended, p. 1427, § 88, effective July 1. L. 2010: (1)(a) amended, (SB 10175), ch. 188, p. 777, § 4, effective April 29.
7-60-133. General effect of dissolution. (1) Except insofar as may be necessary to
wind up partnership affairs or to complete transactions begun but not then finished, dissolution
terminates all authority of any partner to act for the partnership:
(a) With respect to the partners:
(I) When the dissolution is not by the act, bankruptcy, or death of a partner; or
(II) When the dissolution is by such act, bankruptcy, or death of a partner, in cases where
section 7-60-134 so requires.
(b) With respect to persons not partners, as declared in section 7-60-135.
Source: L. 31: p. 663, § 33. CSA: C. 123, § 33. CRS 53: § 104-1-33. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-33.
7-60-134. Right of partner to contribution. (1) Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (2) of this section, where the dissolution is caused by the act, death, or bankruptcy of
a partner, each partner is liable to the other partners for such partner's share of any liability
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created by any partner acting for the partnership as if the partnership had not been dissolved
unless:
(a) The dissolution being by act of any partner, the partner acting for the partnership had
knowledge of the dissolution; or
(b) The dissolution being by the death or bankruptcy of a partner, the partner acting for
the partnership had knowledge or notice of the death or bankruptcy.
(2) A partner in a limited liability partnership shall not be liable to the other partners
except to the extent that:
(a) The partner's liability is set out in a writing signed by the partner; or
(b) The partner's obligation to contribute is attributable to a liability for which the
partner would have individual liability under section 7-60-115 (2).
Source: L. 31: p. 663, § 34. CSA: C. 123, § 34. CRS 53: § 104-1-34. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-34. L. 95: Entire section amended, p. 780, § 6, effective May 24. L. 2004: IP(2) amended,
p. 1427, § 89, effective July 1.
7-60-135. Power of partner to bind partnership after dissolution. (1) After
dissolution, a partner can bind the partnership, except as provided in subsection (3) of this
section:
(a) By any act appropriate for winding up partnership affairs or completing transactions
unfinished at dissolution;
(b) By any transaction which would bind the partnership if dissolution had not taken
place, if the other party to the transaction:
(I) Had extended credit to the partnership prior to dissolution and had no knowledge or
notice of the dissolution; or
(II) Though the other party had not so extended credit, had nevertheless known of the
partnership prior to dissolution, and had no knowledge or notice of dissolution, the fact of
dissolution having not been advertised in a newspaper of general circulation in the place, or in
each place if more than one, at which the partnership business was regularly carried on.
(2) The liability of a partner under subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be satisfied out
of partnership assets alone when such partner had been, prior to dissolution:
(a) Unknown as a partner to the person with whom the contract is made; and
(b) So far unknown and inactive in partnership affairs that the business reputation of the
partnership could not be said to have been in any degree due to the partner's connection with it.
(3) The partnership is in no case bound by any act of a partner after dissolution:
(a) Where the partnership is dissolved because it is unlawful to carry on the business,
unless the act is appropriate for winding up partnership affairs; or
(b) Where the partner has become bankrupt; or
(c) Where the partner has no authority to wind up partnership affairs except by
transaction with one who:
(I) Had extended credit to the partnership prior to dissolution and had no knowledge or
notice of the partner's want of authority; or
(II) Had not extended credit to the partnership prior to dissolution, and had no
knowledge or notice of the partner's want of authority, the fact of the partner's want of authority
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having not been advertised in the manner provided for advertising the fact of dissolution in
subsection (1)(b)(II) of this section.
(4) Nothing in this section shall affect the liability under section 7-60-116 of any person
who, after dissolution, purports to be a partner or consents to being represented by another as a
partner in a partnership engaged in carrying on business.
Source: L. 31: p. 664, § 35. CSA: C. 123, § 35. CRS 53: § 104-1-35. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-35. L. 2004: (1)(b)(II), (2)(b), (3)(c)(I), (3)(c)(II), and (4) amended, p. 1428, § 90,
effective July 1.
7-60-136. Effect of dissolution on existing liability. (1) The dissolution of the
partnership does not of itself discharge the existing liability of any partner.
(2) A partner is discharged from any existing liability upon dissolution of the partnership
by an agreement to that effect between such partner, the partnership creditor, and the person or
partnership continuing the business; and such agreement may be inferred from the course of
dealing between the creditor having knowledge of the dissolution and the person or partnership
continuing the business.
(3) Where a person agrees to assume the existing obligations of a dissolved partnership,
the partners whose obligations have been assumed shall be discharged from any liability to any
creditor of the partnership who, knowing of the agreement, consents to a material alteration in
the nature or time of payment of the creditor's obligations.
(4) The individual property of a deceased person who was a partner shall be liable, to the
extent the deceased person was or would have been liable under section 7-60-115, 7-60-118, or
7-60-134, for all obligations of the partnership incurred while the deceased person was a partner
but subject to the prior payment of the deceased person's separate debts.
Source: L. 31: p. 666, § 36. CSA: C. 123, § 36. CRS 53: § 104-1-36. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-36. L. 95: (4) amended, p. 780, § 7, effective May 24. L. 2004: (2), (3), and (4) amended,
p. 1428, § 91, effective July 1.
7-60-137. Right to wind up. Unless otherwise agreed, the partners who have not
wrongfully dissolved the partnership or the legal representative of the last surviving partner, not
bankrupt, has the right to wind up the partnership affairs; except that any partner or any partner's
legal representative or assignee, upon cause shown, may obtain winding up by the court.
Source: L. 31: p. 667, § 37. CSA: C. 123, § 37. CRS 53: § 104-1-37. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-37. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1429, § 92, effective July 1.
7-60-138. Application of partnership property. (1) When dissolution is caused in any
way, except in contravention of the partnership agreement, each partner as against the other
partners and all persons claiming through them in respect of their interests in the partnership,
unless otherwise agreed, may have the partnership property applied to discharge its liabilities
and the surplus applied to pay in cash the net amount owing to the respective partners. But if
dissolution is caused by expulsion of a partner, bona fide under the partnership agreement, and if
the expelled partner is discharged from all partnership liabilities, either by payment or agreement
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under section 7-60-136 (2), the expelled partner shall receive in cash only the net amount due the
expelled partner from the partnership.
(2) When dissolution is caused in contravention of the partnership agreement, the rights
of the partners shall be as follows:
(a) Each partner who has not caused dissolution wrongfully shall have:
(I) All the rights stated in subsection (1) of this section;
(II) The right, as against each partner who has caused the dissolution wrongfully, to
damages for breach of the agreement.
(b) The partners who have not caused the dissolution wrongfully, if they all desire to
continue the business in the same name either by themselves or jointly with others, may do so
during the agreed term of the partnership and for that purpose may possess the partnership
property, if they secure the payment by bond approved by the court or pay to any partner who
has caused the dissolution wrongfully the value of such partner's interest in the partnership at the
dissolution, less any damages recoverable under subparagraph (II) of paragraph (a) of this
subsection (2), and in like manner indemnify such partner against all present or future
partnership liabilities.
(c) A partner who has caused the dissolution wrongfully shall have:
(I) If the business is not continued under the provisions of paragraph (b) of this
subsection (2), all the rights of a partner under subsection (1) of this section, subject to paragraph
(a)(II) of this subsection (2);
(II) If the business is continued under paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), the right as
against the other partners and all claiming through them, in respect of their interests in the
partnership, to have the value of such partner's interest in the partnership, less any damages
caused to the other partners by the dissolution, ascertained and paid to such partner in cash or the
payment secured by bond approved by the court, and to be released from all existing liabilities of
the partnership; except that, in ascertaining the value of such partner's interest, the value of the
goodwill of the business shall not be considered.
Source: L. 31: p. 667, § 38. CSA: C. 123, § 38. CRS 53: § 104-1-38. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-38. L. 2003: (2)(a)(I) amended, p. 2236, § 114, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1),
(2)(b), and (2)(c)(II) amended, p. 1429, § 93, effective July 1.
7-60-139. Rights dissolved for fraud. (1) Where a partnership contract is rescinded on
the ground of fraud or misrepresentation of one of the parties, the party entitled to rescind is,
without prejudice to any other right, entitled:
(a) To a lien on or right of retention of the surplus of the partnership property after
satisfying the partnership liabilities to third persons for any sum of money paid by such party for
the purchase of an interest in the partnership and for any capital or advances contributed by such
party; and
(b) To stand, after all liabilities to third persons have been satisfied, in the place of the
creditors of the partnership for any payments made by such party in respect of the partnership
liabilities, subject to the limitations in section 7-60-115, if the partnership was a limited liability
partnership at the time of its dissolution; and
(c) To be indemnified by the person guilty of the fraud or making the representation
against all debts and liabilities of the partnership.
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Source: L. 31: p. 669, § 39. CSA: C. 123, § 39. CRS 53: § 104-1-39. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-39. L. 95: (1)(b) amended, p. 780, § 8, effective May 24. L. 2004: (1)(a) and (1)(b)
amended, p. 1430, § 94, effective July 1.
7-60-140. Rules for distribution. (1) In settling accounts between the partners after
dissolution, the following rules shall be observed, subject to any agreement to the contrary:
(a) The assets of the partnership are:
(I) The partnership property;
(II) The contributions of the partners, as limited by paragraph (d) of this subsection (1),
necessary for the payment of all the liabilities specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1).
(b) The liabilities of the partnership shall rank in order of payment, as follows:
(I) Those owing to creditors other than a partner;
(II) Those owing to partners other than for capital and profits;
(III) Those owing to partners in respect of capital;
(IV) Those owing to partners in respect of profits.
(c) The assets shall be applied in the order of their declaration in paragraph (a) of this
subsection (1) to the satisfaction of the liabilities.
(d) The partners shall contribute the amount necessary to satisfy the liabilities as
provided by section 7-60-118 (1)(a) and as limited by said section and sections 7-60-115 and 760-134; but if any but not all of the partners are insolvent or, not being subject to process, refuse
to contribute, the other partners shall contribute their share of the liabilities and, in the relative
proportions in which they share the profits, the additional amount necessary to pay the liabilities.
(e) An assignee for the benefit of creditors or any person appointed by the court shall
have the right to enforce the contributions specified in paragraph (d) of this subsection (1).
(f) Any partner or legal representative of a partner shall have the right to enforce the
contributions specified in paragraph (d) of this subsection (1), to the extent of the amount that
the partner has paid in excess of the partner's share of the liability.
(g) The individual property of a deceased partner shall be liable for the contributions
specified in paragraph (d) of this subsection (1).
(h) When partnership property and the individual properties of the partners are in
possession of a court for distribution, partnership creditors shall have priority on partnership
property and separate creditors on individual property, saving the rights of lien or secured
creditors as heretofore.
(i) Where a partner has become bankrupt or the estate of a partner is insolvent, the
claims against the partner's separate property shall rank in the following order:
(I) Those owing to separate creditors;
(II) Those owing to partnership creditors;
(III) Those owing to partners by way of contributions.
Source: L. 31: p. 669, § 40. CSA: C. 123, § 40. CRS 53: § 104-1-40. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-40. L. 95: (1)(a) and (1)(d) amended, p. 781, § 9, effective May 24. L. 2004: (1)(f) and
IP(1)(i) amended, p. 1430, § 95, effective July 1.
7-60-141. Liability of persons continuing business. (1) When any new partner is
admitted into an existing partnership, or when any partner retires and assigns or the
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representative of the deceased partner assigns the deceased partner's right in partnership property
to two or more of the partners or to one or more of the partners and one or more third persons, if
the business is continued without liquidation of the partnership affairs, creditors of the first or
dissolved partnership are also creditors of the partnership so continuing the business.
(2) When all but one partner retire and assign or the representative of a deceased partner
assigns the deceased partner's rights in the partnership property to the remaining partner who
continues the business without liquidation of partnership affairs, either alone or with others,
creditors of the dissolved partnership are also creditors of the person or partnership so continuing
the business.
(3) When any partner retires or dies and the business of the dissolved partnership is
continued, as set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, with the consent of the retired
partner or the representative of the deceased partner but without any assignment of such partner's
right in partnership property, rights of creditors of the dissolved partnership and of the creditors
of the person or partnership continuing the business shall be as if such assignment had been
made.
(4) When all the partners or their representatives assign their rights in partnership
property to one or more third persons who promise to pay the debts and who continue the
business of the dissolved partnership, creditors of the dissolved partnership are also creditors of
the person or partnership continuing the business.
(5) When a partner wrongfully causes a dissolution and the remaining partners continue
the business, under the provisions of section 7-60-138 (2)(b), either alone or with others and
without liquidation of the partnership affairs, creditors of the dissolved partnership are also
creditors of the person or partnership continuing the business.
(6) When a partner is expelled and the remaining partners continue the business either
alone or with others without liquidation of the partnership affairs, creditors of the dissolved
partnership are also creditors of the person or partnership continuing the business.
(7) The liability of a third person who becomes a partner in the partnership continuing
the business under this section to the creditors of the dissolved partnership shall be satisfied out
of partnership property only.
(8) When the business of a partnership after dissolution is continued under any
conditions set forth in this section, the creditors of the dissolved partnership, as against the
separate creditors of the retiring or deceased partner or the representative of the deceased
partner, have a prior right to any claim of the retired partner or the representative of the deceased
partner against the person or partnership continuing the business on account of the retired or
deceased partner's interest in the dissolved partnership or on account of any consideration
promised for such interest or for the retired or deceased partner's right in partnership property.
(9) Nothing in this section shall be held to modify any right of creditors to set aside any
assignment on the ground of fraud.
(10) The use by the person or partnership continuing the business of the partnership
name or the name of a deceased partner as part thereof shall not of itself make the individual
property of the deceased partner liable for any debts contracted by such person or partnership.
(11) If the business of a limited liability partnership is continued after the death,
retirement, or expulsion of a partner or the admission of a new partner, the partnership
continuing the business is a limited liability partnership.
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Source: L. 31: p. 671, § 41. CSA: C. 123, § 41. CRS 53: § 104-1-41. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-41. L. 95: (11) added, p. 781, § 10, effective May 24. L. 2004: (1), (2), (3), (8), and (11)
amended, p. 1430, § 96, effective July 1.
7-60-142. Rights of retiring partner. When any partner retires or dies and the business
is continued under any of the conditions set forth in section 7-60-141 (1), (2), (3), (5), and (6), or
in section 7-60-138 (2)(b), without any settlement of accounts as between the partner or the
partner's estate and the person or partnership continuing the business, unless otherwise agreed,
the partner or the partner's legal representative as against such persons or partnership may have
the value of the partner's interest at the date of dissolution ascertained and shall receive as an
ordinary creditor an amount equal to such value with interest, or, at the partner's option or at the
option of the partner's legal representative in lieu of interest, the profits attributable to the use of
the partner's right in the property of the dissolved partnership; except that the creditors of the
dissolved partnership as against the separate creditors, or the representative of the retired or
deceased partner, shall have priority on any claim arising under this section as provided by
section 7-60-141 (8).
Source: L. 31: p. 674, § 42. CSA: C. 123, § 42. CRS 53: § 104-1-42. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-42. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1431, § 97, effective July 1.
7-60-143. Accrual of actions. The right to an account of the partner's interest shall
accrue to any partner or any partner's legal representative, as against the winding up partners, the
surviving partners, or the person or partnership continuing the business at the date of dissolution,
in the absence of any agreement to the contrary.
Source: L. 31: p. 675, § 43. CSA: C. 123, § 43. CRS 53: § 104-1-43. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-1-43. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1431, § 98, effective July 1.
7-60-144. Registration of partnerships. (1) A partnership governed by this article may
register as a limited liability partnership, and a limited partnership that has not made the election
provided for in section 7-61-129 or 7-62-1104 may register as a limited liability limited
partnership, by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of
this title, a statement of registration. If a certificate of limited partnership is being filed, the
statement of registration may be included in the certificate of limited partnership. The statement
of registration shall be approved in the manner provided in the partnership agreement or, if not
so provided, shall be approved by all of the general partners. The statement of registration shall
state:
(a) The name that has been the true name of the partnership or limited partnership and
the name that will be the domestic entity name of the partnership or limited partnership, which
domestic entity name shall comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title;
(b) The principal office address of its principal office; and
(c) The registered agent name and registered agent address of its registered agent.
(d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1432, § 99, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2236, § 115, effective July 1, 2004.)
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1432, § 99, effective July 1, 2004.)
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(4) Part 8 of article 90 of this title, providing for the transaction of business or the
conduct of activities by foreign entities, applies to foreign limited liability partnerships and
foreign limited liability limited partnerships.
(4.5) A limited liability partnership or a limited liability limited partnership may cease to
be a limited liability partnership or a limited liability limited partnership by delivering to the
secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of withdrawal
of registration. The statement of withdrawal of registration shall be approved in the manner
provided in the partnership agreement or, if not so provided, shall be approved by all of the
general partners. The withdrawal of registration shall be effective upon the effective date of the
statement of withdrawal of registration.
(5) A partnership or a limited partnership that has been registered under this article is for
all purposes the same entity that existed before it registered. A partnership or a limited
partnership that withdraws its registration as a limited liability partnership or a limited liability
limited partnership is for all purposes the same entity that existed before it withdrew its
registration.
(6) Unless the partnership agreement otherwise provides, registration of a partnership
shall require the unanimous consent of the general partners in the partnership at the time the
statement of registration is delivered to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of
article 90 of this title. The filing of a statement of registration shall be conclusive as to third
parties and shall be incontestable by third parties that all conditions precedent to registering as a
limited liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership, as the case may be, have been
met.
(7) Except as to persons who were partners at the time of filing, the filing of a statement
of registration shall be conclusive that all conditions precedent to registration under this section
have been met.
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 781, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2000: (1)(a)
amended, p. 952, § 18, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(1), (2)(b), and (3) amended, p. 1821, § 37,
effective July 1; IP(1), (2)(b), and (3) amended, p. 1685, § 35, effective October 1. L. 2003: (1)
to (4) and (6) amended, p. 2236, § 115, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1), (3), (5), and (6)
amended and (4.5) and (7) added, p. 1432, § 99, effective July 1.
7-60-144.5. Statement of partnership authority or statement of denial. With respect
to a partnership governed by this article or a limited partnership that has not made the election
provided for in section 7-61-129 (1)(a) or 7-62-1104 (2)(a), a statement of partnership authority
may be delivered to the secretary of state pursuant to section 7-64-303, and a statement of denial
may be delivered to the secretary of state pursuant to section 7-64-304, as if the partnership were
governed by article 64 of this title or the limited partnership had made the election. Such
statements have the effects specified in sections 7-64-303 and 7-64-304, respectively.
Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1433, § 100, effective July 1. L. 2016: Entire
section amended, (HB 16-1333), ch. 241, p. 987, § 4, effective August 10.
7-60-145. Name of registered limited liability partnership. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 783, § 11, effective May 24. L. 97: IP(1), (1)(a),
and (3) amended, p. 1498, § 1, effective June 3. L. 2000: Entire section repealed, p. 990, § 109,
effective July 1.
7-60-146. Limitations on distribution from limited liability partnerships. (1) A
limited liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership shall not make a distribution
to a general partner to the extent that, at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the
distribution, all liabilities of the limited liability partnership or limited liability limited
partnership, other than liabilities to general partners on account of their partnership interests and
liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of the partnership,
exceed the fair value of the assets of the partnership; except that the fair value of property that is
subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets
of the partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability. For
purposes of this section and sections 7-62-607 and 7-62-608, the term "distribution" shall not
include payments to the extent that the payments do not exceed amounts equal to or constituting
reasonable compensation for present or past services or reasonable payments made in the
ordinary course of business pursuant to a bona fide retirement plan or other benefits program.
(2) A general partner in a limited liability partnership or limited liability limited
partnership who receives a distribution in violation of subsection (1) of this section, and who
knew at the time of the distribution that such distribution violated subsection (1) of this section,
shall be liable to the partnership for the amount of the distribution. A general partner in a limited
liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership who receives a distribution in
violation of subsection (1) of this section, and who did not know at the time of the distribution
that the distribution violated subsection (1) of this section, shall not be liable for the amount of
the distribution. Subject to subsection (3) of this section, this subsection (2) shall not affect any
obligation or liability of a general partner under an agreement or other applicable law for the
amount of a distribution.
(3) Unless otherwise agreed, a partner in a limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership who receives a distribution from the partnership shall have no
liability under this article or other applicable law for the amount of the distribution after the
expiration of three years after the date of the distribution unless an action to recover the
distribution from such partner is commenced prior to the expiration of the said three-year period
and an adjudication of liability against such partner is made in the said action.
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 784, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1433, § 101, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section amended, p. 849, § 8,
effective July 1.
7-60-147. Liability of partner in limited liability partnership upon return of
contribution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 784, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1433, § 102, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section repealed, p. 884, § 87,
effective July 1.
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7-60-148. Law governing foreign limited liability partnerships - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 784, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2003: (2) added
by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-60-149. Limited liability partnership periodic reports. Part 5 of article 90 of this
title, providing for periodic reports from reporting entities, applies to limited liability
partnerships subject to this article.
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 784, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2000: Entire
section repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section RC&RE, p. 2238, § 116,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1434, § 103, effective July 1. L.
2010: Entire section amended, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1994, § 5, effective August 11.
7-60-150. Filing of report - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 785, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2003: (2) added
by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-60-151. Filing, service, and copying fees. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 785, § 11, effective May 24. L. 98: (2) amended,
p. 1321, § 16, effective June 1. L. 2002: Entire section repealed, p. 1861, § 163, effective July 1;
entire section repealed, p. 1728, § 163, effective October 1.
7-60-152. Failure of limited liability partnerships to comply with part 5 of article 90
of this title. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 786, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2000: (3)(d)
amended, p. 952, § 19, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2238, § 117,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: IP(1), (1)(a), and IP(4) amended, p. 1434, § 104, effective July
1. L. 2005: Entire section repealed, p. 1218, § 26, effective October 1.
7-60-152.5. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, shall apply to limited liability partnerships
and limited liability limited partnerships and to foreign limited liability partnerships and foreign
limited liability limited partnerships that are authorized to transact business or conduct activities
in this state pursuant to part 8 of article 90 of this title.
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Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1434, § 105, effective July 1.
7-60-153. Application of corporation case law to set aside limited liability. (1) In
any case in which a party seeks to hold the partners of a limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership personally responsible for the alleged improper actions of the limited
liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership, the court shall apply the case law that
interprets the conditions and circumstances under which the corporate veil of a corporation may
be pierced under Colorado law.
(2) For purposes of this section, the failure of a limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership to observe the formalities or requirements relating to the
management of its business and affairs is not in itself a ground for imposing personal liability on
the partners for liabilities of the limited liability partnership or limited liability limited
partnership.
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 787, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1434, § 106, effective July 1.
7-60-154. Scope of article - choice of law - application to professions and
occupations. (1) A partnership, including a limited liability partnership or limited liability
limited partnership, may conduct its business, carry on its operations, and exercise the powers
granted by this article within and without the state.
(2) (a) It is the intent of the general assembly that the legal existence of limited liability
partnerships and limited liability limited partnerships be recognized outside the boundaries of
this state and that the law of this state governing the limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership transacting business outside this state be granted the protection of
full faith and credit under section 1 of article IV of the constitution of the United States.
(b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the internal affairs of a limited liability
partnership or limited liability limited partnership formed in this state be subject to and governed
by the law of this state, including the provisions governing liability of partners for debts,
obligations, and liabilities chargeable to partnerships.
(3) Nothing in this article shall be construed to permit a limited liability partnership to
engage in a profession or occupation as described in title 12, C.R.S., for which there is a specific
statutory provision applicable to the practice of such profession or occupation by a corporation
or professional corporation in this state unless authorized under applicable provisions of title 12,
C.R.S.
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 787, § 11, effective May 24. L. 2003: (2)
amended, p. 2239, § 118, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1435, §
107, effective July 1.
ARTICLE 61
Uniform Limited Partnership Law of 1931
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Cross references: For application of general partnership law to limited partnerships, see
§ 7-60-106; for the "Colorado Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 1981", see article 62 of this
title; for the "Uniform Records Retention Act", see article 17 of title 6.
Law reviews: For article, "Trade Name Registration Requirements and Customs in
Colorado -- Parts I and II", see 16 Colo. Law. 238 and 454 (1987); for article, "Colorado Choice
of Entity 1998", see 27 Colo. Law. 5 (June 1998); for article, "Colorado Choice of Form of
Organization and Structure 2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct. 2001); for article "Entity and
Trade Name Registration: 2001 Update", see 30 Colo. Law. 81 (Oct. 2001); for article "Entity
and Trade Name Registration: 2004 Update", see 34 Colo. Law. 11 (Jan. 2005).
7-61-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform
Limited Partnership Law of 1931", and shall be applicable to limited partnerships as provided in
section 7-61-129.5.
Source: L. 31: p. 643, § 27. CSA: C. 123, § 70. CRS 53: § 104-2-27. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-27. L. 81: Entire section amended, p. 453, § 2, effective November 1.
7-61-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Limited partnership" means a partnership formed by two or more persons, under the
provisions of section 7-61-103, having as members one or more general partners and one or
more limited partners. The limited partners as such shall not be bound by the obligations of the
partnership.
(2) "Member" means a general partner or a limited partner.
Source: L. 31: p. 626, § 1. CSA: C. 123, § 44. CRS 53: § 104-2-1. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-1. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1435, § 108, effective July 1.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-61-103. Formation. (1) Two or more persons desiring to form a limited partnership
shall:
(a) Sign and swear to a certificate which shall state:
(I) The name of the partnership;
(II) The character of the business;
(III) The location of the principal place of business;
(IV) The name and place of residence of each member, general and limited partners
being respectively designated;
(V) The duration for which the partnership is to exist;
(VI) The amount of cash and a description of and the agreed value of the other property
contributed by each limited partner;
(VII) The additional contributions, if any, agreed to be made by each limited partner and
the times at which or events on the happening of which they shall be made;
(VIII) The time, if agreed upon, when the contribution of each limited partner is to be
returned;
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(IX) The share of the profits or the other compensation by way of income that each
limited partner shall receive by reason of the limited partner's contribution;
(X) The right, if given, of a limited partner to substitute an assignee as contributor in the
place of the limited partner and the terms and conditions of the substitution;
(XI) The right, if given, of the partners to admit additional limited partners;
(XII) The right, if given, of one or more of the limited partners to priority over other
limited partners as to contributions or as to compensation by way of income and the nature of
such priority;
(XIII) The right, if given, of remaining general partner or partners to continue the
business on the death, retirement, or insanity of a general partner; and
(XIV) The right, if given, of a limited partner to demand and receive property other than
cash in return for the limited partner's contribution.
(b) File for record the certificate in the office of the county clerk and recorder.
(2) A limited partnership is formed if there has been substantial compliance in good faith
with the requirements of this section.
Source: L. 31: p. 626, § 2. CSA: C. 123, § 45. CRS 53: § 104-2-2. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-2. L. 2004: (1)(a)(V), (1)(a)(IX), (1)(a)(X), and (1)(a)(XIV) amended, p. 1436, § 109,
effective July 1.
7-61-104. Business which may be carried on. A limited partnership may carry on any
business which a partnership without limited partners may carry on.
Source: L. 31: p. 628, § 3. CSA: C. 123, § 46. CRS 53: § 104-2-3. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-3.
7-61-105. Limited partner's contribution. The contributions of a limited partner may
be cash or other property but not services.
Source: L. 31: p. 628, § 4. CSA: C. 123, § 47. CRS 53: § 104-2-4. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-4.
7-61-106. Name not to contain surname of limited partner - exceptions. (1) The
surname of a limited partner shall not appear in the partnership name, unless:
(a) It is also the surname of a general partner; or
(b) Prior to the time when the limited partner became such, the business had been carried
on under a name in which the limited partner's surname appeared.
(2) A limited partner whose name appears in a partnership name contrary to the
provisions of subsection (1) of this section is liable as a general partner to partnership creditors
who extend credit to the partnership without actual knowledge that the limited partner is not a
general partner.
Source: L. 31: p. 628, § 5. CSA: C. 123, § 48. CRS 53: § 104-2-5. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-5. L. 2004: (1)(b) and (2) amended, p. 1436, § 110, effective July 1.
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7-61-107. Liability for false statement in certificate. (1) If the certificate contains a
false statement, one who suffers loss by reliance on such statement may hold liable any party to
the certificate who knew the statement to be false:
(a) At the time such party signed the certificate; or
(b) Subsequently but within a sufficient time before the statement was relied upon to
enable such party to cancel or amend the certificate or to file a petition for its cancellation or
amendment as provided in section 7-61-126 (3).
Source: L. 31: p. 629, § 6. CSA: C. 123, § 49. CRS 53: § 104-2-6. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-6. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1436, § 111, effective July 1.
7-61-108. Limited partner not liable to creditors - when. A limited partner shall not
become liable as a general partner unless, in addition to the exercise of the limited partner's
rights and powers as a limited partner, the limited partner takes part in the control of the
business.
Source: L. 31: p. 629, § 7. CSA: C. 123, § 50. CRS 53: § 104-2-7. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-7. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1436, § 112, effective July 1.
7-61-109. Admission of additional limited partners. After the formation of a limited
partnership, additional limited partners may be admitted upon filing an amendment to the
original certificate in accordance with the requirements of section 7-61-126.
Source: L. 31: p. 630, § 8. CSA: C. 123, § 51. CRS 53: § 104-2-8. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-8.
7-61-110. General partner - rights - liabilities. (1) A general partner shall have all the
rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a partner in a partnership
without limited partners, but without the written consent or ratification of the specific act by all
the limited partners, a general partner or all of the general partners have no authority to:
(a) Do any act in contravention of the certificate;
(b) Do any act which would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the
partnership;
(c) Confess a judgment against the partnership;
(d) Possess partnership property or assign their rights in specific partnership property for
other than a partnership purpose;
(e) Admit a person as a general partner;
(f) Admit a person as a limited partner, unless the right to do so is given in the
certificate;
(g) Continue the business with partnership property on the death, retirement, or insanity
of a general partner, unless the right to do so is given in the certificate.
(2) For a limited partnership that has made the election permitted by section 7-61-129,
the article so elected shall be the governing law for purposes of subsection (1) of this section.
For a limited partnership that has not made the election permitted by section 7-61-129, article 60
of this title shall be the governing law for purposes of subsection (1) of this section.
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Source: L. 31: p. 630, § 9. CSA: C. 123, § 52. CRS 53: § 104-2-9. C.R.S. 1963: § 1042-9. L. 97: (2) added, p. 915, § 2, effective January 1, 1998.
Cross references: For common law fiduciary duty of good faith, sound business
judgment, candor, forthrightness, and fairness owed by a general partner to his limited partners
in winding up partnership affairs, see Herald Co. v. Bonfils, 315 F. Supp. 497 (D. Colo. 1970),
rev'd on other grounds sub nom. Herald Co. v. Seawell, 472 F.2d 1081 (10th Cir. 1972) and
Roeschlein v. Watkins, 686 P.2d 1347 (Colo. App. 1984).
7-61-111. Rights of a limited partner. (1) A limited partner shall have the same rights
as a general partner to:
(a) Have the partnership books kept at the principal place of business of the partnership
and at all times to inspect and copy any of them;
(b) Have on demand true and full information of all things affecting the partnership and
a formal account of partnership affairs whenever circumstances render it just and reasonable; and
(c) Have dissolution and winding up by decree of court.
(2) A limited partner shall have the right to receive a share of the profits or other
compensation by way of income and to the return of the limited partner's contribution as
provided in sections 7-61-116 and 7-61-117.
Source: L. 31: p. 631, § 10. CSA: C. 123, § 53. CRS 53: § 104-2-10. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-10. L. 2004: (2) amended, p. 1437, § 113, effective July 1.
7-61-112. Status of person erroneously believing self to be a limited partner. A
person who has contributed to the capital of a business conducted by a person or partnership
erroneously believing that the person has become a limited partner in a limited partnership is not,
by reason of the person's exercise of the rights of a limited partner, a general partner with the
person or in the partnership carrying on the business or bound by the obligations of such person
or partnership if, on ascertaining the mistake, the person promptly renounces the person's interest
in the profits of the business or other compensation by way of income.
Source: L. 31: p. 631, § 11. CSA: C. 123, § 54. CRS 53: § 104-2-11. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-11. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1437, § 114, effective July 1.
7-61-113. One person both general and limited partner. (1) A person may be a
general partner and a limited partner in the same partnership at the same time.
(2) A person who is a general partner and at the same time a limited partner shall have
all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions of a general partner; except that, in
respect to such person's contribution, the person shall have the rights against the other members
that the person would have had if the person were not also a general partner.
Source: L. 31: p. 632, § 12. CSA: C. 123, § 55. CRS 53: § 104-2-12. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-12. L. 2004: (2) amended, p. 1437, § 115, effective July 1.
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7-61-114. Transactions with limited partner. (1) A limited partner also may loan
money to and transact other business with the partnership and, unless the limited partner is also a
general partner, receive, on account of resulting claims against the partnership, a pro rata share
of the assets with general creditors.
(2) No limited partner shall, in respect to any such claim:
(a) Receive or hold as collateral security any partnership property; or
(b) Receive from a general partner or the partnership any payment, conveyance, or
release from liability, if at the time the assets of the partnership are not sufficient to discharge
partnership liabilities to persons not claiming as general or limited partners.
(3) The receiving of collateral security or a payment, conveyance, or release in violation
of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section is a fraud on the creditors of the partnership.
Source: L. 31: p. 632, § 13. CSA: C. 123, § 56. CRS 53: § 104-2-13. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-13. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1437, § 116, effective July 1.
7-61-115. Relation of limited partners inter se. Where there are several limited
partners, the members may agree that one or more of the limited partners shall have a priority
over other limited partners as to the return of their contributions, as to their compensation by
way of income, or as to any other matter. If such an agreement is made it shall be stated in the
certificate, and, in the absence of such a statement, all the limited partners shall stand upon equal
footing.
Source: L. 31: p. 633, § 14. CSA: C. 123, § 57. CRS 53: § 104-2-14. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-14.
7-61-116. Compensation of limited partner. A limited partner may receive from the
partnership the share of the profits or the compensation by way of income stipulated for in the
certificate, if after such payment is made, whether from the property of the partnership or that of
a general partner, the partnership assets are in excess of all liabilities of the partnership except
liabilities to limited partners on account of their contributions and to general partners.
Source: L. 31: p. 633, § 15. CSA: C. 123, § 58. CRS 53: § 104-2-15. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-15.
7-61-117. Withdrawal or reduction of limited partner's contribution. (1) A limited
partner shall not receive from a general partner or out of partnership property any part of the
limited partner's contributions until:
(a) All liabilities of the partnership, except liabilities to general partners and to limited
partners on account of their contributions, have been paid or there remains property of the
partnership sufficient to pay them;
(b) The consent of all members is had, unless the return of the contribution may be
rightfully demanded under the provisions of subsection (2) of this section; and
(c) The certificate is canceled or so amended as to state the withdrawal or reduction.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, a limited partner may
rightfully demand the return of the limited partner's contribution:
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(a) On the dissolution of a partnership;
(b) When the date stated in the certificate for its return has arrived; or
(c) After the limited partner has given six months' notice in writing to all other members
if no time is stated in the certificate either for the return of the contribution or for the dissolution
of the partnership.
(3) In the absence of any statement in the certificate to the contrary or the consent of all
members, a limited partner, irrespective of the nature of the limited partner's contribution, has
only the right to demand and receive cash in return for such contribution.
(4) A limited partner may have the partnership dissolved and its affairs wound up when:
(a) The limited partner rightfully but unsuccessfully demands the return of the limited
partner's contribution; or
(b) The other liabilities of the partnership have not been paid or the partnership property
is insufficient for their payment as required by subsection (1)(a) of this section and the limited
partner would otherwise be entitled to the return of the limited partner's contribution.
Source: L. 31: p. 633, § 16. CSA: C. 123, § 59. CRS 53: § 104-2-16. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-16. L. 2003: (1)(c), (2)(b), and (2)(c) amended, p. 2240, § 119, effective July 1, 2004. L.
2004: IP(1), IP(2), (2)(c), (3), and (4) amended, p. 1437, § 117, effective July 1.
7-61-118. Liability of limited partner to partnership. (1) A limited partner is liable to
the partnership:
(a) For the difference between the contribution as actually made by the limited partner
and that stated in the certificate as having been made; and
(b) For any unpaid contribution that the limited partner agreed in the certificate to make
in the future, at the time and on the conditions stated in the certificate.
(2) A limited partner holds as trustee for the partnership:
(a) Specific property stated in the certificate as contributed by the limited partner but that
was not contributed or that has been wrongfully returned; and
(b) Money or other property wrongfully paid or conveyed to the limited partner on
account of the limited partner's contribution.
(3) The liabilities of a limited partner as set forth in this section can be waived or
compromised only by the consent of all members; but a waiver or compromise shall not affect
the right of a creditor of a partnership, who extended credit or whose claim arose after the filing
and before a cancellation or amendment of the certificate, to enforce such liabilities.
(4) When a contributor has rightfully received the return in whole or in part of the capital
of the contributor's contribution, the contributor is nevertheless liable to the partnership for any
sum, not in excess of such return with interest, necessary to discharge its liabilities to all
creditors who extended credit or whose claims arose before such return.
Source: L. 31: p. 635, § 17. CSA: C. 123, § 60. CRS 53: § 104-2-17. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-17. L. 2004: (1), (2), and (4) amended, p. 1438, § 118, effective July 1.
7-61-119. Nature of limited partner's interest. A limited partner's interest in the
partnership is personal property.
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Source: L. 31: p. 636, § 18. CSA: C. 123, § 61. CRS 53: § 104-2-18. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-18.
7-61-120. Assignment of limited partner's interest. (1) A limited partner's interest is
assignable.
(2) A substituted limited partner is a person admitted to all the rights of a limited partner
who has died or has assigned the limited partner's interest in a partnership.
(3) An assignee who does not become a substituted limited partner has no right to
require any information or accounting of the partnership transactions or to inspect the
partnership books. The assignee is only entitled to receive the share of the profits or other
compensation by way of income or the return of the contribution to which the assignee's assignor
would otherwise be entitled.
(4) An assignee shall have the right to become a substituted limited partner if all the
members, except the assignor, consent thereto or if the assignor, being empowered by the
certificate, gives the assignee that right.
(5) An assignee becomes a substituted limited partner when the certificate is
appropriately amended in accordance with section 7-61-126.
(6) The substituted limited partner has all the rights and powers and is subject to all the
restrictions and liabilities of the substituted limited partner's assignor, except those liabilities of
which the substituted limited partner was ignorant at the time the substituted limited partner
became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the certificate.
(7) The substitution of the assignee as a limited partner does not release the assignor
from liability to the partnership under sections 7-61-108 and 7-61-118.
Source: L. 31: p. 636, § 19. CSA: C. 123, § 62. CRS 53: § 104-2-19. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-19. L. 2004: (2), (3), and (6) amended, p. 1438, § 119, effective July 1.
7-61-121. Effect of retirement, death, or insanity of a general partner. (1) The
retirement, death, or insanity of a general partner dissolves the partnership unless the business is
continued by the remaining general partners:
(a) Under a right to do so as stated in the certificate; or
(b) With the consent of all members.
Source: L. 31: p. 638, § 20. CSA: C. 123, § 63. CRS 53: § 104-2-20. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-20.
7-61-122. Death of limited partner. (1) On the death of a limited partner, the deceased
limited partner's executor or administrator shall have all the rights of a limited partner for the
purpose of settling the deceased limited partner's estate and such power as the deceased limited
partner had to constitute the deceased limited partner's assignee a substituted limited partner.
(2) The estate of a deceased limited partner shall be liable for all of the liabilities of the
deceased limited partner as a limited partner.
Source: L. 31: p. 638, § 21. CSA: C. 123, § 64. CRS 53: § 104-2-21. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-21. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1439, § 120, effective July 1.
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7-61-123. Rights of creditors of limited partner. (1) On due application to a court of
competent jurisdiction by any creditor of a limited partner, the court may charge the interest of
the indebted limited partner with payment of the unsatisfied amount of such claim and may
appoint a receiver and make all other orders, directions, and inquiries which the circumstances of
the case may require.
(2) The interest may be redeemed with the separate property of any general partner but
may not be redeemed with partnership property.
(3) The remedies conferred by subsection (1) of this section shall not be deemed
exclusive of others which may exist.
(4) Nothing in this article shall be held to deprive a limited partner of the limited
partner's statutory exemption.
Source: L. 31: p. 638, § 22. CSA: C. 123, § 65. CRS 53: § 104-2-22. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-22. L. 2004: (4) amended, p. 1439, § 121, effective July 1.
7-61-124. Distribution of assets. (1) In settling accounts after dissolution, the liabilities
of the partnership shall be entitled to payment in the following order:
(a) Those to creditors, in the order of priority as provided by law, except those to limited
partners on account of their contributions and to general partners;
(b) Those to limited partners in respect to their share of the profits and other
compensation by way of income on their contributions;
(c) Those to limited partners in respect to the capital of their contributions;
(d) Those to general partners other than for capital and profits;
(e) Those to general partners in respect to profits;
(f) Those to general partners in respect to capital.
(2) Subject to any statement in the certificate or to subsequent agreement, limited
partners share in the partnership assets in respect to their claims for capital and in respect to their
claims for profits or for compensation by way of income on their contributions respectively, in
proportion to the respective amounts of such claims.
Source: L. 31: p. 639, § 23. CSA: C. 123, § 66. CRS 53: § 104-2-23. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-23.
7-61-125. When certificate shall be cancelled or amended. (1) The certificate shall be
cancelled when the partnership is dissolved or all limited partners cease to be such.
(2) A certificate shall be amended when:
(a) There is a change in the name of the partnership or in the amount or character of the
contribution of any limited partner;
(b) A person is substituted as a limited partner;
(c) An additional limited partner is admitted;
(d) A person is admitted as a general partner;
(e) A general partner retires, dies, or is unable to function as a general partner as a result
of a mental health disorder and the business is continued under section 7-61-121;
(f) There is a change in the character of the business of the partnership;
(g) There is a false or erroneous statement in the certificate;
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(h) There is a change in the time as stated in the certificate for the dissolution of the
partnership or for the return of a contribution;
(i) A time is fixed for the dissolution of the partnership or the return of a contribution, no
time having been stated in the certificate; or
(j) The members desire to make a change in any other statement in the certificate in
order that it shall accurately represent the agreement between them.
Source: L. 31: p. 640, § 24. CSA: C. 123, § 67. CRS 53: § 104-2-24. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-24. L. 2003: (2)(i) amended, p. 2240, § 120, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2017: (2)(e)
amended, (SB 17-242), ch. 263, p. 1263, § 32, effective May 25.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 17-242, see section 1 of chapter
263, Session Laws of Colorado 2017.
7-61-126. Requirements for amendment and for cancellation of certificate. (1) The
writing to amend a certificate shall:
(a) Conform to the requirements of section 7-61-103 insofar as necessary to state clearly
the change in the certificate that is desired; and
(b) Be signed and sworn to by all members, and an amendment substituting a limited
partner or adding a limited or general partner shall be signed also by the member to be
substituted or added, and when a limited partner is to be substituted, the amendment shall also be
signed by the assigning limited partner.
(2) The writing to cancel a certificate shall be signed by all members.
(3) If any person designated in subsections (1) and (2) of this section as a person who
must execute the writing to cancel a certificate refuses to do so, a person desiring the
cancellation or amendment of such certificate may petition the district court to direct a
cancellation or amendment thereof.
(4) If the court finds that the petitioner has a right to have the writing executed by a
person who refuses to do so, it shall order the county clerk and recorder in the office in which
the certificate is recorded to record the cancellation or amendment of the certificate; and where
the certificate is to be amended, the court shall also cause to be filed for record in said office a
certified copy of its decree stating the amendment.
(5) A certificate is amended or cancelled when there is filed for record in the office of
the county clerk and recorder in which the certificate is recorded:
(a) A writing in accordance with the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section;
or
(b) A certified copy of the order of court in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(4) of this section.
(6) After the certificate is duly amended in accordance with this section, the amended
certificate thereafter shall be for all purposes the certificate provided for by this article.
Source: L. 31: p. 641, § 25. CSA: C. 123, § 68. CRS 53: § 104-2-25. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-25. L. 2003: (1)(a), (4), and IP(5) amended, p. 2240, § 121, effective July 1, 2004.
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7-61-127. Parties to actions. A contributor, unless the contributor is a general partner, is
not a proper party to proceedings by or against a partnership except where the object is to
enforce a limited partner's right against or liability to the partnership.
Source: L. 31: p. 642, § 26. CSA: C. 123, § 69. CRS 53: § 104-2-26. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-26. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1439, § 122, effective July 1.
7-61-128. Rules of construction. (1) The rule that statutes in derogation of the common
law are to be strictly construed shall have no application to this article.
(2) This article shall be so interpreted and construed as to effect its general purpose to
make uniform the law of those states which enact it.
(3) This article shall not be so construed as to impair the obligations of any contract
existing on April 11, 1931, nor to affect any action on proceedings begun or right accrued before
said date.
Source: L. 31: p. 643, § 28. CSA: C. 123, § 71. CRS 53: § 104-2-28. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-28.
7-61-129. Law governing cases not covered. (1) In any case not provided for in this
article, the provisions of either article 60 or 64 of this title shall govern, to the extent applicable,
as follows:
(a) A limited partnership may elect to be governed by article 64 of this title by filing for
record in the office of the county clerk and recorder in which its certificate of limited partnership
is filed of record an amendment which includes a declaration that it elects to be governed by
such article. If the election is made, the amendment shall be signed by all general partners,
notwithstanding section 7-61-126 (1)(b).
(b) A limited partnership that has made the election in paragraph (a) of this subsection
(1) shall be governed by article 64 of this title.
(c) A limited partnership that has not made the election in paragraph (a) of this
subsection (1) shall be governed by article 60 of this title.
Source: L. 31: p. 643, § 29. CSA: C. 123, § 72. CRS 53: § 104-2-29. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-29. L. 97: Entire section amended, p. 916, § 3, effective January 1, 1998.
7-61-129.5. Applicability. Except as provided in section 7-62-1103, this article shall
apply to limited partnerships formed between April 11, 1931, and prior to November 1, 1981. On
or after November 1, 1981, all limited partnerships shall be formed under the provisions of
article 62 of this title.
Source: L. 81: Entire section added, p. 453, § 3, effective November 1.
7-61-130. Provisions for existing limited partnerships. (1) A limited partnership
formed under any statute of this state prior to April 11, 1931, may become a limited partnership
under this article by complying with the provisions of section 7-61-103 if the certificate states:
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(a) The amount of the original contributions of each limited partner and the time when
the contribution was made; and
(b) That the property of the partnership exceeds the amount sufficient to discharge its
liabilities to persons not claiming as general or limited partners by an amount greater than the
sum of the contributions of its limited partners.
(2) A limited partnership formed under any statute of this state prior to April 11, 1931,
unless it becomes a limited partnership under this article, shall continue to be governed by the
provisions of prior existing law, except that such partnership shall not be renewed unless so
provided in the original agreement.
Source: L. 31: p. 643, § 30. CSA: C. 123, § 73. CRS 53: § 104-2-30. C.R.S. 1963: §
104-2-30. L. 2003: IP(1) amended, p. 2241, § 122, effective July 1, 2004.
ARTICLE 62
Colorado Uniform Limited
Partnership Act of 1981
Cross references: For application of general partnership law to limited partnerships, see
§ 7-60-106; for applicability and short title of this article, see §§ 7-62-1101 and 7-62-1105; for
the "Uniform Records Retention Act", see article 17 of title 6.
Law reviews: For article, "FLPs for Family Asset Management and Transfer Tax
Planning", see 24 Colo. Law. 1245 (1995); for article, "Colorado Choice of Entity 1998", see 27
Colo. Law. 5 (June 1998); for article, "Colorado Choice of Form of Organization and Structure
2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct. 2001); for article "Entity and Trade Name Registration: 2001
Update", see 30 Colo. Law. 81 (Oct. 2001); for article "Entity and Trade Name Registration:
2004 Update", see 34 Colo. Law. 11 (Jan. 2005).
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
7-62-101. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Certificate of limited partnership" means the certificate referred to in section 7-62201, and the certificate as amended.
(2) "Contribution" means any cash, property, services rendered, or a promissory note or
other binding obligation to contribute cash or property or to perform services that a partner
contributes to a limited partnership in the partner's capacity as a partner.
(3) "Event of withdrawal of a general partner" means an event that causes a person to
cease to be a general partner as provided in section 7-62-402.
(3.5) and (4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2241, § 123, effective July 1, 2004.)
(5) "General partner" means a person:
(a) Who has been admitted to a limited partnership as a general partner in accordance
with the partnership agreement or this article, including a person who is admitted as a general
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partner without making or being obligated to make a contribution or without acquiring a
partnership interest, if in either case such admission is pursuant to a written partnership
agreement or other writing confirming the admission; and
(b) Who is named in the certificate of limited partnership as a general partner.
(5.5) "Limited liability partnership" means a limited liability partnership as defined in
section 7-60-102 (4.7) or section 7-64-101 (13).
(6) "Limited partner" means a person who has been admitted to a limited partnership as a
limited partner in accordance with the partnership agreement or this article, including a person
who is admitted as a limited partner without making or being obligated to make a contribution or
without acquiring a partnership interest, if in either case such admission is pursuant to a written
partnership agreement or other writing confirming the admission, as provided in sections 7-62301 and 7-62-306 or, in the case of a foreign limited partnership, in accordance with the law of
the foreign jurisdiction under which the limited partnership is formed.
(7) "Limited partnership" or "domestic limited partnership" means an entity formed
under this article by two or more persons and having one or more general partners and one or
more limited partners. A limited liability limited partnership is for all purposes a limited
partnership. At formation, a limited partnership shall have at least one partner who has a
partnership interest.
(8) "Partner" means a limited or general partner.
(9) "Partnership agreement" means any valid agreement, written or oral, of the partners
as to the affairs of a limited partnership and the conduct of its business.
(10) "Partnership interest" means a partner's share of the profits and losses of a limited
partnership and the right to receive distributions of partnership assets.
(11) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2241, § 123, effective July 1, 2004.)
(12) "Limited liability limited partnership" means a domestic limited partnership that has
registered under section 7-60-144 or 7-64-1002.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 433, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (6)
amended, p. 448, § 1, effective July 1. L. 95: (4) and (7) amended and (3.5), (5.5), and (12)
added, p. 787, § 12, effective May 24. L. 97: (5.5) and (12) amended, p. 916, § 4, effective
January 1, 1998. L. 2003: (3.5), (4), (6), (7), (11), and (12) amended, p. 2241, § 123, effective
July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (2), (5.5), (7), and (12) amended, p. 1439, § 123, effective July 1. L.
2009: (5), (6), and (7) amended, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1129, § 4, effective May 14.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-62-102. Name of limited partnership. (Repealed)
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 434, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (2) added,
p. 448, § 2, effective July 1. L. 90: (1)(c) amended, p. 446, § 7, effective April 18. L. 97: (1)(a)
and (1)(b) amended and (3) added, p. 1498, § 2, effective June 3. L. 2000: Entire section
repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective July 1.
7-62-103. Reservation of name. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 434, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2000: Entire
section repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective July 1.
7-62-104. Registered office - registered agent - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section amended, p. 449, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§
347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-62-104.5. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, applies to limited partnerships.
Source: L. 2003: Entire section added, p. 2241, § 124, effective July 1, 2004.
7-62-105. Records. (1) Each limited partnership shall keep at an office stated in the
manner provided in the partnership agreement or, if no such provision is made, at the street
address of the principal office, if any, of the limited partnership or, if none, at the street address
of the registered agent, the following:
(a) A current list of the full name and last-known business, residence, or mailing address
of each partner, stating separately the general partners and the limited partners, stated in
alphabetical order;
(b) A copy of the certificate of limited partnership and all certificates of amendment
thereto, together with executed copies of any powers of attorney pursuant to which any
certificate has been executed or delivered to the secretary of state for filing;
(c) Copies of the limited partnership's federal, state, and local income tax returns and
reports, if any, for the three most recent years;
(d) Copies of any currently effective written partnership agreements, copies of any
writings permitted or required under section 7-62-502 (2) and (3), and copies of any financial
statements of the limited partnership for the three most recent years; and
(e) Unless contained in a written partnership agreement or in a writing permitted or
required under section 7-62-502 (2) and (3), a statement prepared and certified as accurate by the
general partners which describes:
(I) The amount of cash and a description and statement of the agreed value of the other
property or services contributed by each partner and which each partner has agreed to contribute
in the future;
(II) The times at which or events on the happening of which any additional contributions
agreed to be made by each partner are to be made;
(III) If agreed upon, the time at which or the events on the happening of which a partner
may terminate the partner's membership in the limited partnership and the amount of, or the
method of determining, the distribution to which the partner may be entitled respecting the
partner's partnership interest and the terms and conditions of the termination and distribution;
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(IV) Any right of a partner to receive, or of a general partner to make, distributions to a
partner which include a return of all or any part of the partner's contribution.
(2) Such records are subject to inspection and copying at the reasonable request, and at
the expense, of any partner during ordinary business hours.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: IP(1),
(1)(a), (1)(c), and (1)(d) amended and (1)(e) added, p. 449, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1),
(1)(a), and (1)(b) amended, p. 2241, § 125, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(a) and (1)(e)(III)
amended, p. 1440, § 124, effective July 1.
7-62-106. Nature of business. A limited partnership may carry on any business that a
partnership without limited partners may carry on except as prohibited by law.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-107. Business transactions of partner with the partnership. Except as provided
in the partnership agreement, a partner may lend money to, act as surety for, and transact other
business with the limited partnership and, subject to other applicable law, has the same rights
and obligations with respect thereto as a person who is not a partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-108. Service of process on limited partnership - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2003: (6)
added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (6) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-62-109. Conversion of limited partnership into other entities - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire section added, p. 788, § 13, effective May 24. L. 97: Entire
section amended, p. 916, § 5, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: (2) added by revision, pp.
2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-62-110. Statute of frauds - applicability. A partnership agreement is not subject to
any statute of frauds, including section 38-10-112, C.R.S., regarding void agreements, but not
including any requirement under this article that a particular action or provision be reflected in a
writing.
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Source: L. 2016: Entire section added, (HB 16-1333), ch. 241, p. 986, § 1, effective
August 10.
PART 2
CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
7-62-201. Certificates - contents - filing with secretary of state. (1) In order to form a
limited partnership, a certificate of limited partnership shall be delivered to the secretary of state,
for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title. The certificate of limited partnership shall
state:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited partnership, which domestic entity name
shall comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title;
(b) The registered agent name and registered agent address of the limited partnership's
initial registered agent;
(c) The true name and mailing address of each general partner;
(c.5) The principal office address of the limited partnership's initial principal office;
(d) That there are at least two partners in the partnership, at least one of whom is a
limited partner; and
(e) Any other matters relating to the limited partnership or the certificate the general
partners determine to include therein.
(2) A limited partnership is formed at the time of the filing of the certificate of limited
partnership in the office of the secretary of state, or at any later time not more than ninety days
after the date of the filing of the certificate, stated in the certificate of limited partnership, if, in
either case, there has been substantial compliance with the requirements of this section.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 436, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (1) R&RE,
p. 450, § 5, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1)(a) amended, p. 952, § 20, effective July 1. L. 2002:
IP(1) amended, p. 1821, § 38, effective July 1; IP(1) amended, p. 1685, § 36, effective October
1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(a) to (1)(c), (1)(e), and (2) amended and (1)(c.5) added, p. 2242, § 126,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: IP(1) and (1)(c) amended, p. 1440, § 125, effective July 1. L.
2006: (1)(d) amended, p. 850, § 9, effective July 1. L. 2008: (1)(c) amended, p. 19, § 3, effective
August 5.
7-62-202. Amendment to certificate. (1) A limited partnership may amend its
certificate of limited partnership by delivering a certificate of amendment to the secretary of
state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited partnership; and
(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1440, § 126, effective July 1, 2004.)
(c) The amendment to the certificate.
(2) Within thirty days after the happening of any of the following events, an amendment
to a certificate of limited partnership reflecting the occurrence of the event or events shall be
filed:
(a) The admission of a new general partner; or
(b) The withdrawal of a general partner.
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(3) A general partner who becomes aware that any statement in a certificate of limited
partnership was false when made or that any arrangements or other facts described have
changed, making the certificate inaccurate in any respect, including but not limited to a change
in the registered agent name or registered agent address of the registered agent, shall promptly
amend the certificate.
(4) A certificate of limited partnership may be amended at any time for any other proper
purpose the general partners may determine.
(5) No person has any liability because an amendment to a certificate of limited
partnership has not been filed in the records of the secretary of state to reflect the occurrence of
any event referred to in subsection (2) or (3) of this section if the amendment is filed within the
time periods specified.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 437, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (1)(b) and
(3) amended and (2) R&RE, p. 450, §§ 6, 7, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(a), (3), and (5)
amended, p. 2242, § 127, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: IP(1), (1)(a), and (1)(b) amended, p.
1440, § 126, effective July 1.
7-62-203. Statement of dissolution. (1) Upon the dissolution of the partnership or at
any time there are no limited partners, the partnership shall deliver to the secretary of state, for
filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of dissolution stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited partnership;
(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2243, § 128, effective July 1, 2004.)
(b.5) The principal office address of the limited partnership's principal office; and
(c) That the partnership is dissolved.
(d) and (e) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1441, § 127, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) The statement of dissolution shall not affect the limited liability of the partners
during the period of winding up and termination of the partnership.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 438, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (1)(b) and
(1)(e) amended, p. 450, § 8, effective July 1. L. 97: (2) amended, p. 1499, § 3, effective June 3.
L. 2000: (1)(a) amended, p. 952, § 21, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(b) to (1)(e), and (2)
amended, p. 2243, § 128, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(b.5) added and (1)(c), (1)(d), and
(1)(e) amended, p. 1441, § 127, effective July 1.
7-62-204. Approval of certificates. (1) Certificates and statements required by this
article to be filed in the office of the secretary of state shall be approved in the following
manner:
(a) An original certificate of limited partnership shall be approved by all general
partners;
(b) A certificate of amendment shall be approved by at least one general partner and by
each other general partner designated in the certificate as a new general partner; and
(c) A statement of dissolution shall be approved by all general partners or, if there are no
general partners as a result of the application of section 7-62-402, by any person authorized
under the partnership agreement or, if the partnership agreement does not so provide, by a person
designated by a majority of the limited partners.
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(2) Any person may approve a certificate or statement by an attorney-in-fact.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1821, § 39, effective July 1, 2002; p. 1686, § 37,
effective October 1, 2002.)
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 438, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (1)(a),
(1)(b), (1)(c), and (3) amended, p. 451, § 9, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, p.
1821, § 39, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1686, § 37, effective October 1. L. 2003:
IP(1), (1)(c), and (2) amended, p. 2243, § 129, effective July 1, 2004.
Cross references: For penalties for perjury, see part 5 of article 8 of title 18.
7-62-205. Presumptions.
(1) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2244, § 130, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) (a) For the purposes of this subsection (2), the definitions in section 7-62-101 shall
apply; except that:
(I) "General partner" includes a partner who is identified or otherwise classified as a
general partner by or in accordance with the agreement of the partners, notwithstanding any
delay or failure to file an original certificate of limited partnership naming the general partner as
such.
(II) "Limited partner" includes a partner who is identified or otherwise classified as a
limited partner by or in accordance with the agreement of the partners, notwithstanding any
delay or failure to file an original certificate of limited partnership.
(III) "Limited partnership" includes a partnership before the filing of the original
certificate of limited partnership with the secretary of state and in which there is at least one
general partner and one limited partner.
(IV) "Partner" includes a person who enters into the agreement contemplated in
paragraph (b) of this subsection (2) as a co-owner with the rights of a general partner or a limited
partner or who acquires an interest in a limited partnership as a co-owner with such rights.
(b) The presumptions set forth in this subsection (2) shall apply to each limited
partnership whose partners enter into an agreement on or after October 31, 1981, to form such
limited partnership, and to which a contribution is made by or on behalf of one or more of such
partners before the filing of an original certificate of limited partnership for such partnership.
(c) It shall be presumed that the partners of such limited partnership shall have agreed
that:
(I) The relationship of the partners with respect to any contributions made to the
partnership and relations among the partners and between the partners and the partnership shall
be the same as if a certificate of limited partnership had been filed pursuant to section 7-62-201
at the time the partners entered into the agreement contemplated in paragraph (b) of this
subsection (2); and
(II) The general partners of such limited partnership shall approve such certificate and
that the same shall be delivered to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90
of this title.
(III) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2244, § 130, effective July 1, 2004.)
(c.5) The failure or refusal of the general partners to approve such certificate or to
deliver such certificate to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this
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title, shall entitle any partner to obtain a court order pursuant to section 7-90-313 approving an
appropriate certificate and ordering the secretary of state to file the approved certificate.
(d) The presumptions set forth in this subsection (2) shall apply to such a limited
partnership, notwithstanding any one or more provisions of any agreement of the partners of
such limited partnership that:
(I) The term of such partnership shall commence upon the filing of such certificate;
(II) An agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties; or
(III) The agreement of the parties shall be in writing.
(e) The presumption set forth in subparagraph (II) of paragraph (c) of this subsection (2)
shall not apply in an action for damages against a general partner by the other partners based on
any delay or failure in the filing of a certificate of limited partnership.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 439, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section R&RE, p. 451, § 10, effective July 1. L. 99: Entire section amended, p. 143, § 1,
effective March 24. L. 2002: (1), (2)(c)(II), (2)(c)(III), and (2)(e) amended, p. 1822, § 40,
effective July 1; (1), (2)(c)(II), (2)(c)(III), and (2)(e) amended, p. 1686, § 38, effective October
1. L. 2003: (1) and (2)(c) amended and (2)(c.5) added, p. 2244, § 130, effective July 1, 2004.
7-62-206. Filing in office of secretary of state. (Repealed)
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 439, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: IP(1) and
(2) amended, p. 451, § 11, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section repealed, p. 1861, § 163,
effective July 1; entire section repealed, p. 1728, § 163, effective October 1.
7-62-207. Liability for false statement in certificate. (1) If any certificate of limited
partnership, certificate of amendment, or statement of dissolution containing a false statement is
delivered to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, one who
suffers loss by reliance on the statement may recover damages for the loss from:
(a) Any general partner who knew or should have known the certificate of limited
partnership, certificate of amendment, or statement of dissolution to be false at the time the same
was approved; and
(b) Any general partner who thereafter knows or should have known that any statement
in the certificate of limited partnership, certificate of amendment, or statement of dissolution has
changed, making the same inaccurate in any respect within a sufficient time before the certificate
of limited partnership, certificate of amendment, or statement of dissolution was relied upon
reasonably to have enabled that general partner to correct the inaccuracy or to file a petition for
its correction under section 7-90-313.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 439, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2002: IP(1)
and (1)(a) amended, p. 1822, § 41, effective July 1; IP(1) and (1)(a) amended, p. 1687, § 39,
effective October 1. L. 2003: IP(1) and (1)(b) amended, p. 2244, § 131, effective July 1, 2004.
L. 2004: (1)(a) and (1)(b) amended, p. 1441, § 128, effective July 1.
7-62-208. Notice of existence of limited partnership. The fact that a certificate of
limited partnership is on file in the records of the secretary of state is notice that the partnership
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is a limited partnership and is notice of all other facts stated therein that are required to be stated
in a certificate of limited partnership by section 7-62-201 (1).
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 439, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section amended, p. 451, § 12, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2245, § 132,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1441, § 129, effective July 1. L.
2006: Entire section amended, p. 850, § 10, effective July 1.
7-62-209. Delivery of certificates to limited partners - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 439, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2002: Entire
section amended, p. 1823, § 42, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1687, § 40, effective
October 1. L. 2003: (2) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-62-210. Merger and consolidation of limited partnerships - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 86: Entire section added, p. 452, § 13, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(3)
amended, p. 1823, § 43, effective July 1; IP(3) amended, p. 1687, § 41, effective October 1. L.
2003: (5) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (5) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
PART 3
LIMITED PARTNERS
7-62-301. Admission of limited partners. (1) After the filing of a limited partnership's
original certificate of limited partnership, a person may be admitted as an additional limited
partner:
(a) In the case of a person acquiring a partnership interest directly from the limited
partnership, upon compliance with the partnership agreement or, if the partnership agreement
does not so provide, upon the written consent of all partners;
(b) In the case of an assignee of a partnership interest of a partner who has the power, as
provided in section 7-62-704, to grant the assignee the right to become a limited partner, upon
the exercise of that power and compliance with any conditions limiting the grant or exercise of
the power; and
(c) Either upon formation of the limited partnership or thereafter without making a
contribution or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited partnership or acquiring a
partnership interest, if in either case such admission is pursuant to a written partnership
agreement or other writing confirming the admission.
(2) A person becomes a limited partner on the later of:
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(a) The date the original certificate of limited partnership is filed in the records of the
secretary of state; and
(b) The date reflected in the records of the limited partnership as the date that person
becomes a limited partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 440, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (2) R&RE,
p. 453, § 14, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2)(a) amended, p. 2245, § 133, effective July 1, 2004. L.
2009: (1) amended, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1130, § 5, effective May 14.
7-62-302. Voting. Subject to the provisions of section 7-62-303, the partnership
agreement may grant to all or a specified group of the limited partners the right to vote (on a per
capita or other basis) upon any matter.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 440, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-303. Liability to third parties. (1) (a) A limited partner is not liable for the
obligations of a limited partnership incurred while it is not a limited liability limited partnership
unless the limited partner is also a general partner or, in addition to the exercise of the limited
partner's rights and powers as a limited partner, the limited partner participates in the control of
the business. However, if the limited partner participates in the control of the business at the time
such liability is incurred, the limited partner is liable only to persons who transact business or
conduct activities with the limited partnership reasonably believing, notwithstanding the fact that
the limited partner is not designated as a general partner in the certificate of limited partnership,
based upon the limited partner's conduct, that the limited partner is a general partner at the time
such liability is incurred.
(b) A limited partner of a limited liability limited partnership is not liable for the
obligations of the partnership incurred while it is a limited liability limited partnership.
(2) A limited partner does not participate in the control of the business within the
meaning of subsection (1) of this section solely by doing one or more of the following:
(a) Being a contractor for or an agent or employee of the limited partnership or of a
general partner;
(b) Being an officer, director, or shareholder of a corporate general partner;
(c) Consulting with and advising a general partner with respect to the business of the
limited partnership;
(d) Acting as surety for the limited partnership or guaranteeing or assuming one or more
specific obligations of the limited partnership or providing collateral for an obligation of the
limited partnership;
(e) Bringing an action in the right of a limited partnership to recover a judgment in its
favor pursuant to part 10 of this article;
(f) Calling, requesting, or participating in a meeting of the partners;
(g) Proposing or approving or disapproving, by voting or otherwise, one or more of the
following matters:
(I) The dissolution and winding up or continuation of the limited partnership;
(II) The sale, exchange, lease, mortgage, pledge, or other transfer of any assets of the
limited partnership;
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(III) The incurrence of indebtedness by the limited partnership;
(IV) A change in the nature of the business;
(V) The admission or removal of a partner;
(VI) A transaction or other matter involving an actual or potential conflict of interest;
(VII) An amendment to the partnership agreement or certificate of limited partnership;
or
(VIII) Such other matters as are stated in writing in the partnership agreement;
(h) Winding up the limited partnership pursuant to section 7-62-803; or
(i) Exercising any right or power permitted to limited partners under this article and not
specifically enumerated in this subsection (2).
(3) The enumeration in subsection (2) of this section does not mean that the possession
or exercise of any other powers by a limited partner constitutes participation by the limited
partner in the business of the limited partnership.
(4) Repealed.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 440, § 1, November 1. L. 86: (1) amended and (2)
R&RE, p. 453, §§ 15, 16, effective July 1. L. 97: (1) amended and (4) repealed, pp. 1499, 1500,
§§ 4, 5, effective June 3. L. 2003: (1)(a) amended, p. 2245, § 134, effective July 1, 2004. L.
2004: (1)(a), (1)(b), and (3) amended, p. 1442, § 130, effective July 1.
7-62-304. Person erroneously believing self to be a limited partner. (1) Except as
provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person who makes a contribution to a business
enterprise and erroneously, but in good faith, believes that the person has become a limited
partner in the enterprise is not a general partner in the enterprise and is not bound by its
obligations by reason of making the contribution, receiving distributions from the enterprise, or
exercising any rights of a limited partner, if, on ascertaining the mistake, the person causes an
appropriate certificate of limited partnership or a certificate of amendment to be delivered to the
secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title.
(2) A person who makes a contribution of the kind described in subsection (1) of this
section is liable as a general partner to any third party who transacts business with the enterprise
before an appropriate certificate is filed in the records of the secretary of state to show that the
person is not a general partner, but only if the third party actually believed in good faith that the
person was a general partner at the time of the transaction.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 441, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (2)
amended, p. 454, § 17, effective July 1. L. 2002: (1) amended, p. 1823, § 44, effective July 1; (1)
amended, p. 1687, § 42, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2245, § 135,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1442, § 131, effective July 1.
7-62-305. Information and accounting. (1) Each limited partner has the right to:
(a) Inspect and copy partnership records, as provided by section 7-62-105; and
(b) Obtain from the general partners from time to time, subject to such reasonable
standards as may be stated in the partnership agreement or otherwise established by the general
partners, upon reasonable demand for any purpose reasonably related to the limited partner's
interest as a limited partner:
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(I) True and full information regarding the state of the business and financial condition
of the limited partnership and any other information regarding the affairs of the limited
partnership; and
(II) Promptly after becoming available, a copy of the limited partnership's federal, state,
and local income tax returns for each year; and
(c) Have a formal accounting of partnership affairs whenever circumstances render it
just and reasonable.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 441, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (1)(a) and
IP(1)(b) amended, p. 454, § 18, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1)(b) amended, p. 2246, § 136,
effective July 1, 2004.
7-62-306. Time of admission. A person acquiring a partnership interest is admitted as a
limited partner upon the later to occur of the formation of the limited partnership and the time
provided in the partnership agreement or, if no such time is provided, when the person's
admission is reflected in the records of the limited partnership.
Source: L. 86: Entire section added, p. 454, § 19, effective July 1.
PART 4
GENERAL PARTNERS
7-62-401. Admission of general partners. (1) After the filing of a limited partnership's
original certificate of limited partnership, additional general partners may be admitted as
provided in writing in the partnership agreement or, if the partnership agreement does not so
provide, with the written consent of all partners.
(1.5) A person may be admitted as a general partner to a limited partnership either upon
formation of the limited partnership or thereafter without making a contribution or being
obligated to make a contribution to the limited partnership or acquiring a partnership interest, if
in either case such admission is pursuant to a written partnership agreement or other writing
confirming the admission.
(2) Upon the withdrawal of the last remaining general partner, unless otherwise provided
in writing in the partnership agreement for the admission of a general partner, one or more
persons who consent to be general partners shall be admitted as follows:
(a) A majority of the limited partners may admit one or more general partners; and
(b) If a majority of the limited partners fails to act within a reasonable time, the district
court for the county in this state in which the street address of the limited partnership's principal
office is located, or, if the limited partnership has no principal office in this state, the district
court for the county in which the street address of its registered agent is located, or, if the limited
partnership has no registered agent, the district court for the city and county of Denver shall,
upon the application of any limited partner, admit one or more general partners. Such court may
appoint a custodian to manage the business of the limited partnership during the pendency of the
proceedings.
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(3) Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to a limited partnership formed prior to
June 3, 1997, if on or before one year after June 3, 1997, one or more partners signs and delivers
to a general partner an election in writing against the application of subsection (2) of this section.
The general partner shall file any such election with the records required to be kept by section 762-105. The absence of such an election in the records shall give rise to a presumption that no
such election has been delivered.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 442, § 1, November 1. L. 86: Entire section
amended, p. 455, § 20, effective July 1. L. 97: Entire section amended, p. 1500, § 6, effective
June 3. L. 2003: (2)(b) amended, p. 2246, § 137, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2009: (1.5) added,
(HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1130, § 6, effective May 14.
7-62-402. Events of withdrawal. (1) A person ceases to be a general partner of a
limited partnership upon the happening of any of the following events:
(a) The general partner withdraws from the limited partnership as provided in section 762-602;
(b) The general partner ceases to be a member of the limited partnership as provided in
section 7-62-702;
(c) The general partner is removed as a general partner in accordance with the
partnership agreement;
(d) Unless otherwise provided in writing in the partnership agreement or unless all
partners give their consent in writing at the time, the general partner:
(I) Makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(II) Files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy;
(III) Is adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent;
(IV) Files a petition or answer seeking for the general partner any reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any
statute, law, or regulation;
(V) Files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material
allegations of a petition filed against the general partner in any proceeding of this nature; or
(VI) Seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or
liquidator of the general partner or of all or any substantial part of the general partner's
properties;
(e) Unless otherwise provided in writing in the partnership agreement or unless all
partners give their consent in writing at the time, if, one hundred twenty days after the
commencement of any proceeding against the general partner seeking reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any
statute, law, or regulation, the proceeding has not been dismissed; or if, within ninety days after
the appointment without the general partner's consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver, or
liquidator of the general partner or of all or any substantial part of the general partner's
properties, the appointment is not vacated or stayed; or if, within ninety days after the expiration
of any such stay, the appointment is not vacated;
(f) In the case of a general partner who is an individual:
(I) The general partner's death; or
(II) The appointment of a guardian or general conservator for the general partner;
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(g) In the case of a general partner who is acting as a general partner by virtue of being a
trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust (but not merely the substitution of a new trustee);
(h) In the case of a general partner that is a separate partnership, the dissolution and
commencement of winding up of the separate partnership;
(i) In the case of a general partner that is a corporation, the filing of articles of
dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter or articles of
incorporation; or
(j) In the case of a general partner that is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the
estate's entire interest in the partnership.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 442, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: IP(1)(d)
and (1)(e) amended, p. 455, § 21, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1)(d)(IV), (1)(d)(V), (1)(d)(VI),
(1)(e), and (1)(f) amended, p. 1442, § 132, effective July 1. L. 2008: (1)(i) amended, p. 19, § 4,
effective August 5.
7-62-403. General powers and liabilities. (1) Except as provided in this article or in
the partnership agreement, a general partner of a limited partnership has the rights and powers
and is subject to the restrictions of a partner in a partnership without limited partners.
(2) (a) Except as provided in this article:
(I) A general partner of a limited partnership has the liabilities of a partner in a
partnership without limited partners to persons other than the partnership and the other partners;
and
(II) A general partner of a limited liability limited partnership has the liabilities of a
partner in a limited liability partnership to persons other than the partnership and the other
partners.
(b) Except as provided in this article or in the partnership agreement:
(I) A general partner of a limited partnership has the liabilities of a partner in a
partnership without limited partners to the partnership and to the other partners; and
(II) A general partner of a limited liability limited partnership has the liabilities of a
partner in a limited liability partnership to the partnership and to the other partners.
(3) For a limited partnership that has made the election permitted by section 7-62-1104,
the article so elected shall be the governing law for purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this
section. For a limited partnership that has not made the election permitted by section 7-62-1104,
article 60 of this title shall be the governing law for purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this
section.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 443, § 1, effective November 1. L. 83: Entire
section amended, p. 400, § 1, effective May 23. L. 95: (2) amended, p. 788, § 14, effective May
24. L. 97: (3) added, p. 916, § 6, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2004: (2)(a)(II) and (2)(b)(II)
amended, p. 1443, § 133, effective July 1.
7-62-404. Contributions by a general partner. A general partner of a limited
partnership may make contributions to the partnership and share in the profits and losses of, and
in distributions from, the limited partnership as a general partner. A general partner also may
make contributions to and share in profits, losses, and distributions as a limited partner. A person
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who is both a general partner and a limited partner has the rights and powers, and is subject to
the restrictions and liabilities, of a general partner and, except as provided in the partnership
agreement, also has the powers, and is subject to the restrictions, of a limited partner to the
extent of the person's participation in the partnership as a limited partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 443, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1443, § 134, effective July 1.
7-62-405. Voting. The partnership agreement may grant to all or certain identified
general partners the right to vote (on a per capita or any other basis), separately or with all or any
class of the limited partners on any matter.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 443, § 1, November 1.
PART 5
FINANCE
7-62-501. Form of contribution. The contribution of a partner may be in cash, property,
or services rendered or a promissory note or other obligation to contribute cash or property or to
perform services.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 443, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-502. Liability for contributions. (1) Except as provided in the partnership
agreement, a partner is obligated to the limited partnership to perform any enforceable promise
to contribute cash or property or to perform services, even if the partner is unable to perform
because of death, disability, or any other reason. If a partner does not make the required
contribution of property or services, the partner is obligated at the option of the limited
partnership to contribute cash equal to that portion of the value, as stated in the partnership
records required to be kept by section 7-62-105, of the stated contribution that has not been
made.
(2) Unless otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, the obligation of a partner to
make a contribution or return money or other property paid or distributed in violation of this
article may be compromised only by consent in writing of all the partners. Notwithstanding the
compromise, a creditor of a limited partnership who extends credit or otherwise acts in reliance
on the original obligation may enforce the original obligation.
(3) No promise by a limited partner to contribute to the limited partnership is
enforceable unless set out in a writing signed by the limited partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 443, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section amended, p. 455, § 22, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1444, § 135, effective
July 1.
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7-62-503. Sharing of profits and losses. The profits and losses of a limited partnership
shall be allocated among the partners, and among classes of partners, in the manner provided in
writing in the partnership agreement. If the partnership agreement does not so provide in writing,
profits and losses shall be allocated on the basis of the value (as stated in the partnership records
required to be kept pursuant to section 7-62-105) of the contributions made by each partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 456, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section amended, p. 456, § 23, effective July 1.
7-62-504. Sharing of distributions. Distributions of cash or other assets of a limited
partnership shall be allocated among the partners, and among classes of partners, in the manner
provided in writing in the partnership agreement. If the partnership agreement does not so
provide in writing, distributions shall be made on the basis of the value (as stated in the
partnership records required to be kept pursuant to section 7-62-105) of the contributions made
by each partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 444, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section amended, p. 456, § 24, effective July 1.
PART 6
DISTRIBUTIONS AND WITHDRAWAL
7-62-601. Interim distributions. Except as provided in this part 6, a partner is entitled
to receive distributions from a limited partnership before the partner's withdrawal from the
limited partnership and before the dissolution and winding up thereof to the extent and at the
times or upon the happening of the events stated in the partnership agreement.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 444, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section R&RE, p. 456, § 25, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2246, § 138,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1444, § 136, effective July 1.
7-62-602. Withdrawal of general partner. A general partner may withdraw from a
limited partnership at any time by giving written notice to the other partners, but if the
withdrawal violates the partnership agreement, the limited partnership may recover from the
withdrawing general partner damages for breach of the partnership agreement and offset the
damages against the amount otherwise distributable to the general partner. The withdrawal of a
general partner who is also a limited partner shall not constitute the withdrawal of the partner as
a limited partner or affect the partner's rights as a limited partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 444, § 1, effective November 1. L. 97: Entire
section amended, p. 1501, § 7, effective June 3.
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7-62-603. Withdrawal of limited partner. A limited partner may only withdraw from a
limited partnership at the time or upon the happening of events stated in writing in the
partnership agreement.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 444, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section amended, p. 456, § 26, effective July 1. L. 95: Entire section amended, p. 789, § 15,
effective May 24. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2246, § 139, effective July 1, 2004.
7-62-604. Distribution upon withdrawal. Except as provided in this part 6, upon
withdrawal, any withdrawing partner is entitled to receive any distribution to which the
withdrawing partner is entitled under the partnership agreement, and, if not otherwise provided
in the agreement, the withdrawing partner is entitled to receive, within a reasonable time after
withdrawal, the fair value of the withdrawing partner's partnership interest in the limited
partnership as of the date of withdrawal based upon the withdrawing partner's right to share in
distributions from the limited partnership.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 445, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1444, § 137, effective July 1.
7-62-605. Distribution in kind. Except as provided in writing in the partnership
agreement, a partner, regardless of the nature of the partner's contribution, has no right to
demand and receive any distribution from a limited partnership in any form other than cash.
Except as provided in writing in the partnership agreement, a partner may not be compelled to
accept a distribution of any asset in kind from a limited partnership to the extent that the
percentage of the asset distributed to the partner exceeds a percentage of that asset that is equal
to the percentage in which the partner shares in distributions from the limited partnership.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 445, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: Entire
section amended, p. 456, § 27, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1444, § 138,
effective July 1.
7-62-606. Right to distribution. At the time a partner becomes entitled to receive a
distribution, the partner has the status of and is entitled to all remedies available to a creditor of
the limited partnership with respect to the distribution.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 445, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1445, § 139, effective July 1.
7-62-607. Limitations on distribution. A partner may not receive a distribution from a
limited partnership to the extent that, after giving effect to the distribution, all liabilities of the
limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests,
exceed the fair value of the partnership assets.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 445, § 1, effective November 1.
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Cross references: For exclusions from the term "distribution" see §§ 7-60-146 (1) and 764-1004 (1).
7-62-608. Liability upon return of contribution. (1) If a partner has received the
return of any part of the partner's contribution without violation of the partnership agreement or
this article, the partner is liable to the limited partnership for a period of one year thereafter for
the amount of the returned contribution, but only to the extent necessary to discharge the limited
partnership's liability to creditors who extended credit to the limited partnership during the
period the contribution was held by the partnership.
(2) If a partner has received the return of any part of the partner's contribution in
violation of the partnership agreement or this article, the partner is liable to the limited
partnership for a period of three years thereafter for the amount of the contribution wrongfully
returned.
(3) A partner receives a return of the partner's contribution to the extent that a
distribution to the partner reduces the partner's share of the fair value of the net assets of the
limited partnership below the value, as stated in the partnership records required to be kept
pursuant to section 7-62-105, of the partner's contribution that has not been distributed to the
partner.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 445, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (3)
amended, p. 457, § 28, effective July 1. L. 2003: (3) amended, p. 2247, § 140, effective July 1,
2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1445, § 140, effective July 1. L. 2007: (2) amended,
p. 225, § 11, effective May 29.
Cross references: For exclusions from the term "distribution" see §§ 7-60-146 (1) and 764-1004 (1).
PART 7
ASSIGNMENT OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
7-62-701. Nature of partnership interest. A partnership interest is personal property.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 445, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-702. Assignment of partnership interest. Except as provided in the partnership
agreement, a partnership interest is assignable in whole or in part. An assignment of a
partnership interest does not dissolve a limited partnership or entitle the assignee to become or to
exercise any rights of a partner. An assignment entitles the assignee to receive, to the extent
assigned, only the distribution to which the assignor would be entitled. Except as provided in the
partnership agreement, a partner ceases to be a partner upon assignment of all of the partner's
partnership interest.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 445, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1445, § 141, effective July 1.
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7-62-703. Rights of creditor. On application to a court of competent jurisdiction by any
judgment creditor of a partner, the court may charge the partnership interest of the partner with
payment of the unsatisfied amount of the judgment with interest. To the extent so charged, the
judgment creditor has only the rights of an assignee of the partnership interest. This article shall
not deprive any partner of the benefit of any exemption laws applicable to the partner's
partnership interest.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 446, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1445, § 142, effective July 1.
7-62-704. Right of assignee to become limited partner. (1) An assignee of a
partnership interest, including an assignee of a general partner, may become a limited partner if
and to the extent that the assignor gives the assignee that right in accordance with authority
described in writing in the partnership agreement or all other partners consent.
(2) An assignee who has become a limited partner has, to the extent assigned, the rights
and powers and is subject to the restrictions and liabilities of a limited partner under the
partnership agreement and this article. An assignee who becomes a limited partner also is liable
for the obligations of the assignee's assignor to make and return contributions as provided in
parts 5 and 6 of this article. However, the assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to the
assignee at the time the assignee became a limited partner.
(3) If an assignee of a partnership interest becomes a limited partner, the assignor is not
released from the assignor's liability to the limited partnership under sections 7-62-207 and 7-62502.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 446, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (1) and (2)
amended, p. 457, § 29, effective July 1. L. 2004: (2) and (3) amended, p. 1445, § 143, effective
July 1.
7-62-705. Deceased or incompetent individual partners - dissolved or terminated
corporate partners. (1) If a partner who is an individual dies or a court of competent
jurisdiction appoints a guardian or general conservator for the partner, the partner's executor,
administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may exercise all of the
partner's rights for the purpose of settling the partner's estate or administering the partner's
property, including any power the partner had to give an assignee the right to become a limited
partner.
(2) If a partner is a corporation, trust, or other entity and is dissolved or terminated, the
powers of that partner may be exercised by its legal representative or successor.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 446, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: (1)
amended, p. 1446, § 144, effective July 1.
PART 8
DISSOLUTION
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Editor's note: For common law fiduciary duty of good faith, sound business judgment,
candor, forthrightness, and fairness owed by a general partner to his limited partners in winding
up partnership affairs, see Herald Co. v. Bonfils, 315 F.Supp. 497 (D. Colo. 1970), rev'd on other
grounds sub nom. Herald Co. v. Seawell, 472 F.2d 1081 (10th Cir. 1972) and Roeschlein v.
Watkins, 686 P.2d 1347 (Colo. App. 1984).
7-62-801. Dissolution - general rules. (1) A limited partnership is dissolved and its
affairs shall be wound up upon the happening of the first to occur of the following:
(a) At the time or upon the happening of events stated in writing in the partnership
agreement;
(b) Written consent of all partners;
(c) Except as otherwise provided in the written provisions of a partnership agreement,
written consent of a majority of the limited partners within ninety days after an event of
withdrawal of the last remaining general partner; and
(d) Entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under section 7-62-802.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 446, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (1)(a) and
(1)(c) amended, p. 457, § 30, effective July 1. L. 97: (1)(c) amended, p. 1501, § 8, effective June
3. L. 2003: (1)(a) amended, p. 2247, § 141, effective July 1, 2004.
7-62-802. Judicial dissolution. On application by or for a partner, the district court for
the county in this state in which the street address of the partnership's principal office is located,
or, if the partnership has no principal office in this state, the district court for the county in which
the street address of its registered agent is located, or, if the partnership has no registered agent,
the district court for the city and county of Denver may decree dissolution of a limited
partnership whenever it is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with
the partnership agreement.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 447, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2003: Entire
section amended, p. 2247, § 142, effective July 1, 2004.
7-62-803. Winding up. Except as provided in the partnership agreement, the general
partners who have not wrongfully dissolved a limited partnership or, if none, the limited partners
may wind up the limited partnership's affairs; except that, upon cause shown, the district court
for the county in this state in which the street address of the limited partnership's principal office
is located, or, if the limited partnership has no principal office in this state, the district court for
the county in which the street address of its registered agent is located, or, if the limited
partnership has no registered agent, the district court for the city and county of Denver may wind
up the limited partnership's affairs upon application of any partner, the partner's legal
representative, or the partner's assignee.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 447, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2003: Entire
section amended, p. 2247, § 143, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p.
1446, § 145, effective July 1.
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7-62-804. Distribution of assets. (1) Upon the winding up of a limited partnership, the
assets shall be distributed as follows:
(a) To creditors, including partners who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted
by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the limited partnership other than liabilities for
distributions to partners under section 7-62-601 or 7-62-604;
(b) Except as provided in the partnership agreement, to partners and former partners in
satisfaction of liabilities for distributions under section 7-62-601 or 7-62-604;
(c) Except as provided in the partnership agreement, to partners for the return of their
contributions and respecting their partnership interests in the proportions in which the partners
share in distributions.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 447, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-805. Domestic entity names - dissolution - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2000: Entire section added, p. 953, § 22, effective July 1. L. 2003: (3) added
by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (3) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
PART 9
FOREIGN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS
Editor's note: This part 9 was added in 1981. This part 9 was repealed and reenacted in
2003, effective July 1, 2004, resulting in the addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as
well as subject matter. For amendments to this part 9 prior to 2004, consult the Colorado
statutory research explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and
supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this
volume.
7-62-901. Law governing foreign limited partnership or foreign limited liability
limited partnership. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2247, § 144, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section repealed, p. 1446, § 146, effective July 1.
7-62-902. Authority to transact business or conduct activities required. Part 8 of
article 90 of this title, providing for the transaction of business or the conduct of activities by
foreign entities, applies to foreign limited partnerships and foreign limited liability limited
partnerships.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2247, § 144, effective July 1, 2004.
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7-62-903. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, applies to foreign limited partnerships.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2247, § 144, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section amended, p. 1446, § 147, effective July 1.
PART 10
DERIVATIVE ACTIONS
7-62-1001. Right of action. (1) A limited partner may bring an action in the right of a
limited partnership to recover a judgment in its favor. In order to bring the action, a limited
partner must establish the following:
(a) That those general partners with authority to do so have refused to bring the action or
that an effort to cause those general partners to bring the action is not likely to succeed;
(b) That the general partners' decision not to sue constitutes an abuse of discretion or
involves a conflict of interest that prevents an unprejudiced exercise of judgment; and
(c) That the plaintiff was a limited partner at the time of the transaction of which the
plaintiff complains or the plaintiff's status as a limited partner had devolved upon the plaintiff by
operation of law or pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement from a person who was a
partner at the time of the transaction.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 450, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: (1)(c)
amended, p. 1447, § 148, effective July 1.
7-62-1002. Expenses. In any action instituted in the right of any domestic or foreign
limited partnership by a limited partner, the court having jurisdiction, upon final judgment and a
finding that the action was brought without reasonable cause, may require the plaintiff to pay to
the parties named as defendant the costs and reasonable expenses directly attributable to the
defense of such action, but not including fees of attorneys.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 450, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-1003. Security and costs. In any action instituted in the right of any domestic or
foreign limited partnership, unless the contributions of or allocable to plaintiff to partnership
property amount to five percent or more of the contributions of all limited partners, in their
status as limited partners, or such contributions of or allocable to the plaintiff have a market
value in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars, the limited partnership in whose right such
action is brought shall be entitled, at any time before final judgment, to require the plaintiff to
give security for the costs and reasonable expenses that may be directly attributable to and
incurred by it in the defense of such action or may be incurred by other parties named as
defendant for which it may become legally liable, but not including fees of attorneys. Market
value shall be determined as of the date that the plaintiff institutes the action or, in the case of an
intervenor, as of the date that the intervenor becomes a party to the action. The amount of such
security may from time to time be increased or decreased, in the discretion of the court, upon
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showing that the security provided has or may become inadequate or is excessive. The limited
partnership shall have recourse to such security in such amount as the court having jurisdiction
shall determine upon the termination of such action if the court finds the action was brought
without reasonable cause.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 450, § 1, effective November 1. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1447, § 149, effective July 1.
PART 11
MISCELLANEOUS
7-62-1101. Applicability. This article shall apply to all limited partnerships formed on
or after November 1, 1981.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 451, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-1102. Construction and application. (1) This article shall be so applied and
construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of
this article among states enacting it.
(2) This article shall not be construed so as to impair the obligations of any contract
existing on November 1, 1981, nor to affect any action or proceeding begun or right accrued
before such date.
(3) No amendment of this article shall impair or otherwise affect the organization,
registration, or continued existence of a limited partnership existing on July 1, 1986, nor shall
any such amendment be construed or applied so as to impair any contract or affect any right
accrued prior to July 1, 1986.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 451, § 1, effective November 1. L. 86: (3) added,
p. 458, § 36, effective July 1.
7-62-1103. Provisions for existing limited partnerships. (1) A limited partnership
formed under any statute of this state prior to November 1, 1981, may elect to be governed by
the provisions of this article. The general partner or partners may make the election for the
limited partnership at any time on or after November 1, 1981, by complying with the provisions
of section 7-62-201; except that the limited partners shall not be required to execute a new
certificate of limited partnership. Notwithstanding such election by the general partner or
partners, the following rules shall apply:
(a) Sections 7-62-501, 7-62-502, and 7-62-608 apply only to contributions and
distributions made after the date of the election;
(b) Section 7-62-704 applies only to assignments made after the date of the election; and
(c) Section 7-62-804 shall not be construed so as to change the priority of creditors for
transactions entered into prior to the date of the election.
(2) A limited partnership formed under any statute of this state prior to November 1,
1981, until or unless it elects to be governed by this article, shall be governed by the provisions
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of article 61 of this title, or other applicable prior law; except that such limited partnership shall
not be renewed unless provision therefor is specifically provided in the original partnership
agreement or any amendment thereto prior to November 1, 1981.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 451, § 1, effective November 1.
7-62-1104. Rules for cases not provided for in this article - registration as limited
liability limited partnership. (1) For any limited partnership formed under this article on or
after August 10, 2016, article 64 of this title governs to the extent applicable in any case not
otherwise provided for in this article.
(2) For any limited partnership formed under this article before August 10, 2016, in any
case not provided for in this article, either article 60 or 64 of this title governs, to the extent
applicable, as follows:
(a) A limited partnership may elect to be governed by article 64 of this title by delivering
to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a certificate of
limited partnership or a certificate of amendment of limited partnership that includes a
declaration that it elects to be governed by such article. If the election is made by a certificate of
amendment, the certificate of amendment must be approved by all general partners,
notwithstanding section 7-62-204 (1)(b).
(b) A limited partnership that has made the election in paragraph (a) of this subsection
(2) is governed by article 64 of this title.
(c) A limited partnership that has not made the election in paragraph (a) of this
subsection (2) is governed by article 60 of this title.
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 451, § 1, effective November 1. L. 95: Entire
section amended, p. 789, § 17, effective May 24. L. 97: Entire section amended, p. 916, § 7,
effective January 1, 1998. L. 2002: (1)(a) amended, p. 1824, § 47, effective July 1; (1)(a)
amended, p. 1688, § 45, effective October 1. L. 2016: Entire section amended, (HB 16-1333),
ch. 241, p. 986, § 3, effective August 10.
7-62-1105. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 1981".
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 452, § 1, effective November 1.
PART 12
FEES
7-62-1201. Fees for filing documents and certificates - other charges. (Repealed)
Source: L. 81: Entire article added, p. 452, § 1, effective November 1. L. 83: Entire
section R&RE, p. 873, § 32, effective July 1. L. 98: (2) amended, p. 1322, § 17, effective June 1.
L. 2000: (1)(c) and (1)(d) amended, p. 953, § 25, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section
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repealed, p. 1861, § 163, effective July 1; entire section repealed, p. 1728, § 163, effective
October 1.
ARTICLE 63
Colorado Limited Partnership Association Act
Law reviews: For article, "Limited Liability Partnerships and Other Entities Authorized
in Colorado", see 24 Colo. Law. 1525 (1995); for article, "Colorado Choice of Entity 1998", see
27 Colo. Law. 5 (June 1998); for article, "Colorado Choice of Form of Organization and
Structure 2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct. 2001).
7-63-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Limited Partnership Association Act".
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 790, § 18, effective May 24.
7-63-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Articles of association" and "bylaws" include amendments and restatements of the
same.
(2) "Limited partnership association" or "association" means an unincorporated business
association formed under this article.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 790, § 18, effective May 24.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-63-103. Nature of business. A limited partnership association may be formed under
this article for any lawful activity, including ownership of real or personal property, subject to
any provisions of law governing or regulating such activity within this state.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 790, § 18, effective May 24.
7-63-104. Formation of association. Any two or more persons may form a limited
partnership association by subscribing to the capital of the association and by approving and
delivering articles of association to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90
of this title. The association shall be formed upon the effective date of the filing of the articles by
the secretary of state.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 790, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2002: Entire
section amended, p. 1824, § 48, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1688, § 46, effective
October 1.
7-63-105. Articles. (1) The articles of association shall state:
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(a) The domestic entity name of the association, which domestic entity name shall
comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title;
(b) A statement that the association is formed under this article;
(c) If management is vested in the members or in one or more classes of members as
provided in section 7-63-110 (3), a statement to that effect and, if any class or classes of
members, but not all, are so vested with management, the name of each of the classes of
members indicating which are and which are not so vested with management;
(d) Any notice of provisions of the bylaws permitted by section 7-63-111 (3) concerning
the authority of officers and managers or otherwise restricting the application of section 7-63111 (4);
(e) The principal office address of the association's initial principal office; and
(f) The registered agent name and registered agent address of the association's initial
registered agent.
(g) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2248, § 145, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) Any amendment to or restatement of the articles of association shall be approved in a
separate writing or writings by all of the members. This subsection (2) is a default rule, subject
to the bylaws.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1824, § 49, effective July 1, 2002; p. 1688, § 47,
effective October 1, 2002.)
(4) Except in a proceeding by the state to involuntarily dissolve an association, the filing
of the articles of association by the secretary of state is conclusive as to formation of the
association and it shall be incontestable that all conditions precedent to formation have been met.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 790, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2000: (1)(a)
amended, p. 953, § 26, effective July 1. L. 2002: (2) and (3) amended, p. 1824, § 49, effective
July 1; (2) and (3) amended, p. 1688, § 47, effective October 1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(a), (1)(e),
(1)(f), and (1)(g) amended, p. 2248, § 145, effective July 1, 2004.
7-63-106. Names. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 791, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2000: Entire
section repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective July 1.
7-63-107. Limited liability. The managers, officers, and members, including their
transferees and other successors, of an association shall not be liable under any judgment,
decree, or order of any court, or in any other manner, for a debt, obligation, or other liability of
the association. This section is a default rule, subject to the bylaws.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 791, § 18, effective May 24.
7-63-108. Reference to corporation law. (1) In a case in which a party seeks to hold
the members of an association personally responsible for the alleged improper actions of the
association, the court shall apply the case law that interprets the conditions and circumstances
under which the corporate veil of a corporation may be pierced under the law of this state.
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(2) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the failure of an association to observe
the formalities or requirements relating to the management of the association's business and
affairs is not in itself a ground for imposing personal liability on the members for the liabilities
of the association.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this article, article 90 of this title and, to the extent
not addressed in said article 90, the law of this state applicable to a corporation formed under the
"Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title, apply to an association
with respect to the following matters:
(a) The filing by the secretary of state of articles for the formation or dissolution of an
association, periodic reports concerning an association, change of principal office, change of
registered agent or registered agent address, and other documents including withdrawal and
restatement of, amendments to, and statements with respect to any articles, periodic reports, and
other documents;
(b) Certification of documents and facts of record and provision of other information and
services by the secretary of state;
(c) The effect of approving documents to be filed by the secretary of state, the effective
date and effect of any filing by or certification of documents or facts by the secretary of state,
and the effect and effective date of any filing or recording of a document with a clerk and
recorder;
(d) The penalties payable to the secretary of state and other civil and criminal penalties
with respect to documents permitted or required to be delivered to the secretary of state for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title;
(e) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1824, § 50, effective July 1, 2002; p. 1689, § 48,
effective October 1, 2002.)
(f) The maintenance of a registered agent, the designation of a principal office, and
service of process upon the association;
(g) The judicial dissolution of an association; and
(h) The election to reject worker's compensation coverage under section 8-41-202,
C.R.S., and, for this purpose, the term "corporate officer" as used in said section includes any
manager who owns at least a ten percent interest in the association.
(4) Service of process may also be made on any manager, the chairperson or secretary of
the association, or any agent of the association appointed for that purpose.
(5) The prohibition against and the penalties and liabilities imposed upon persons doing
business as a corporation without authority under the "Colorado Business Corporation Act",
articles 101 to 117 of this title, shall apply to persons doing business in this state as an
association without authority under this article or in this state as a limited partnership
association, formed under the law of another jurisdiction, without authority as provided in
subsection (6) of this section.
(6) The provisions of part 8 of article 90 of this title shall apply with respect to a limited
partnership association formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 791, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2000: (3)(e)
amended, p. 953, § 27, effective July 1. L. 2002: (3)(a), (3)(c), (3)(d), and (3)(e) amended, p.
1824, § 50, effective July 1; (3)(a), (3)(c), (3)(d), and (3)(e) amended, p. 1689, § 48, effective
October 1. L. 2003: IP(3), (3)(a), (3)(f), and (6) amended, p. 2248, § 146, effective July 1, 2004.
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L. 2004: (4) and (5) amended, p. 1447, § 150, effective July 1. L. 2005: IP(3) and (3)(g)
amended, p. 1203, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2010: IP(3) and (3)(a) amended, (HB 10-1403),
ch. 404, p. 1994, § 6, effective August 11.
7-63-109. Bylaws. (1) The initial bylaws shall be adopted by all of the members either
before or after its articles of association are filed.
(2) The bylaws may be amended at any time, either before or after the articles of
association are filed, by all of the members.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) or (6) of this section:
(a) The bylaws govern all matters relating to the business and affairs of an association;
(b) The affairs of an association governed by the bylaws include, without limitation, the
rights; duties; authority; liability; indemnification; admission and qualifications of; limitations
on and dealings and other relations among and between the managers, officers, agents, members,
transferees and other successors to the interest of a member; and the association; and
(c) The bylaws may confer rights on and impose duties, limitations, and other provisions
for the protection or benefit of any other person or persons, including the public, as third-party
beneficiaries.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (6) of this section:
(a) The bylaws shall control over any provision of this article to the contrary that is
designated in this article as "a default rule, subject to the bylaws";
(b) The provisions of this article that are so designated shall control only to the extent
that the bylaws do not otherwise provide;
(c) The other provisions of this article shall control over provisions of the bylaws to the
contrary; and
(d) The bylaws shall control only to the extent that such other provisions of this article
do not otherwise provide.
(5) The references in this article to matters that may be addressed in the bylaws and to
matters designated as "default rules, subject to the bylaws" or with respect to which provisions of
this article otherwise defer shall not be construed to limit the scope of the matters governed or
controlled by the bylaws.
(6) The bylaws may not:
(a) Unreasonably restrict a member's right of access to books and records;
(b) Unreasonably reduce the duty of care of a manager to the association and its
members;
(c) Eliminate the obligation of a manager to perform the manager's duty of care in good
faith; except that the bylaws may determine the standards by which the performance of the
obligation is to be measured if such standards are not manifestly unreasonable; or
(d) Except as provided in section 7-63-111 (3) or for the restriction of rights conferred
by or arising under the bylaws, restrict the rights of, or impose duties on, persons other than the
managers, officers, agents, members and their transferees and other successors, and the
association, without the consent of such persons.
(7) Subsections (2) and (3)(c) of this section are default rules, subject to the bylaws.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 793, § 18, effective May 24.
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7-63-110. Management - officers, managers, and members. (1) Subsection (2) of this
section shall apply to an association unless its articles of association have vested management in
the members or one or more classes of members.
(2) There shall be at least one meeting of the members in each year. At least two
managers shall be elected at such meeting by the members from among their number. Such
managers shall hold their respective managerships for one year and until their successors have
been elected and qualified. The members shall also elect the officers at such meeting. The
election of a manager or officer shall require a majority vote of the members in number and
interest.
(3) The management of the business and affairs of an association may be vested by the
articles of association in the members as members or in one or more classes of members as
members of such class or classes. If management is so vested, then:
(a) Any reference in this article to a manager or managers shall be deemed to refer to the
member or members who are so vested with management authority; and
(b) Subsection (4) of this section shall apply to the association in lieu of subsection (2)
of this section.
(4) There shall be at least one meeting of the managers in each year. The managers shall
elect the officers at such meeting. The election of an officer shall require a vote of a majority in
number of the managers.
(5) An association may have more than one class of members and more than one class of
managers. Any class may consist of one or more members or managers. The bylaws may provide
that all or any number or portion of the members or managers or any class or classes of members
or managers consent, vote, elect, determine, exercise authority, or otherwise act, with or without
a meeting, on a per capita or other basis on any matter, or not act or have authority on any
matter. Members and managers may be compensated for services performed for an association
as a manager, officer, member, employee, agent, or other contractor.
(6) The duties of a manager shall be discharged in good faith, with the degree of care an
ordinary prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a
manner that the manager reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the association.
Managers and officers may rely in good faith on the same kinds of opinions, reports, statements,
data, and other information and shall have the same kinds of defenses, limitations on liability,
and other protections as directors of a corporation formed under the "Colorado Business
Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title.
(7) An association shall have officers, including a chairperson with responsibility for
presiding at meetings of managers and members and a secretary with responsibility for the
preparation, maintenance, and authentication of minutes and the other records of the association.
The officers shall be chosen from among the managers including the representatives of any
manager who is not an individual, and shall hold their respective offices for one year and until
their successors have been elected and qualified.
(8) Officers must be individuals at least eighteen years of age.
(9) The failure to hold annual or other meetings of or elections by the members or
managers does not affect the continuation of the term of any person elected or any other
association action and does not work a dissolution or termination of the association.
(10) Subsections (2), (4) to (7), and (9) of this section are default rules, subject to the
bylaws.
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Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 794, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2003: (6)
amended, p. 2249, § 147, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (7) amended, p. 1448, § 151, effective
July 1.
7-63-111. Dealings on behalf of association. (1) As used in this section, "property"
includes property wherever located, tangible personal property, intangible personal property,
including interests in the association or any other entity, and real property and any legal or
equitable interest in property.
(2) Subject to subsections (4) and (6) of this section, each manager shall have agency
authority to bind and otherwise represent the association and may, in the exercise of such
authority, on behalf of the association and in its domestic entity name, do anything that an
individual may do, including:
(a) Make contracts and guarantees, incur liabilities, borrow money or other property,
issue notes, bonds, and other obligations, secure obligations by mortgage or pledge of any of its
property, lend money or other property, receive and hold property as security for repayment or
other performance, and invest and reinvest funds;
(b) Sue and be sued, complain, and defend;
(c) Be a promoter, partner, member, associate, manager, trustee or other fiduciary, or
nominee or other agent of, or hold any similar position with, any person;
(d) Purchase, lease, take by donative transfer, devise or bequest, and otherwise acquire,
disclaim, or renounce property, and own, hold, use, improve, exchange, sell, convey, endorse,
transfer, lease, mortgage, pledge, encumber, and otherwise deal with or dispose of property,
including all or any part of the property of the association;
(e) Execute, acknowledge, and deliver a conveyance or other transfer, contract, or other
instrument with respect to any property or other dealings;
(f) Locate offices, conduct business, have dealings, and carry on other activities,
including the holding of property, and otherwise exercise the authority pursuant to this article
and the bylaws, whether within or without this state; and
(g) Appoint, compensate, and define the duties and authority, including any authority
conferred upon a manager by this subsection (2) or by the bylaws, of agents of the association
and delegate such authority to officers and direct the performance of duties and the exercise of
authority by the agents and officers.
(3) Provisions of the bylaws may eliminate, limit, and otherwise restrict the application
of all or any portion of subsection (4) of this section; except that such provisions of the bylaws
shall not take effect until stated in the articles of association. The provisions stated shall only
have prospective effect.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section:
(a) As used in this subsection (4), the term "instrument":
(I) Includes any contract, conveyance, transfer, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, note,
endorsement, or other writing and any authentication of records; designation or authorization of
or delegation to any officer, manager, or agent; acknowledgment; or other statement or
representation of any fact; and
(II) Implies the requirement of a writing and excludes anything that is not in writing.
(b) Every manager is an agent of the association for the purpose of its business, and the
act of every manager, including the signing in the domestic entity name of any instrument for
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apparently carrying on in the usual way the business of the association of which the manager is a
manager, binds the association, unless the manager so acting has in fact no authority to act for
the association in the particular matter and the person with whom the manager is dealing has
knowledge of the fact that the manager has no such authority.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (4), an act of a
manager which is not apparently for carrying on the business of the association in the usual way
does not bind the association.
(d) No instrument signed by the chairperson, any manager or vice-chairperson, and by
the secretary or any assistant secretary nor the delivery of any such instrument shall be
invalidated as to the association by any lack of authority of any officer or manager of the
association signing or delivering the instrument, if:
(I) The instrument is in the domestic entity name of the association and signed or entered
into with or issued or delivered to a person or the instrument evidences, authorizes, or facilitates
a transaction on behalf of the association with a person; and
(II) The person gives value for the instrument or in the transaction and the person is
without knowledge that the officer or manager did not have authority to so act or was acting in
contravention of a restriction on such authority.
(5) No act of a manager who in fact has no authority to act for the association in a
particular matter shall bind the association to persons having knowledge of the fact that the
manager does not have such authority. No act of a manager in contravention of a restriction on
authority shall bind the association to persons having knowledge of the restriction.
(6) An interest in the association may be issued or redeemed only as authorized in
writing by all of the members.
(7) Subsections (2) and (6) of this section are default rules, subject to the bylaws.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 795, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2000: IP(2),
(4)(b), and (4)(d)(I) amended, p. 954, § 28, effective July 1. L. 2003: (3) amended, p. 2249, §
148, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (4)(b) and IP(4)(d) amended, p. 1448, § 152, effective July
1.
7-63-112. Capital contributions. (1) The persons forming an association shall make
contribution to its capital in cash or in other property.
(2) The valuation of property contributed as contemplated in subsection (1) of this
section must be approved by all of the initial members. This subsection (2) is a default rule,
subject to the bylaws.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 797, § 18, effective May 24.
7-63-113. Dividends. (1) As used in this section, the term "dividend" includes all
distributions by an association to its members in respect of their interests in the association as
members.
(2) An association may pay dividends from time to time to its members in cash or other
property as its managers determine pursuant to this section and the bylaws. For principal and
income accounting purposes of a fiduciary, and subject to the instrument under which the
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fiduciary acts, a dividend shall constitute income unless otherwise declared by the managers as
chargeable to the capital accounts of the members.
(3) The determinations and declarations concerning a dividend shall be made by a
majority in number of the managers; except that, if management is vested in the members or one
or more classes of members, such determinations must also be approved by a majority in number
and interest of the members. No debt of or interest in the association may be paid as a dividend
unless authorized in writing by all of the members.
(4) No dividend may be paid if, after giving it effect:
(a) The association would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual
course of business; or
(b) The association's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the
amount that would be needed, if the association were to be dissolved, to satisfy the preferential
rights of members whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the dividend.
(5) The managers authorizing a dividend contrary to subsection (4) of this section shall
be jointly and severally liable to the association in the amount by which the dividend exceeds the
dividend that could have been paid without violating said subsection (4) if it is established,
subject to section 7-63-110 (6), that such managers did not perform their duties in compliance
with section 7-63-110 (6). Section 7-63-110 (6) shall be applied for purposes of this subsection
(5) without taking any contrary provisions of the bylaws into account.
(6) Managers shall also have the same rights of contribution from other managers and
members as directors have against other directors and shareholders under the "Colorado
Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title.
(7) Subsections (3) and (6) of this section are default rules, subject to the bylaws.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 797, § 18, effective May 24.
7-63-114. Membership participation - interests. (1) Any person, except an individual
under the age of eighteen years or a person prohibited from so acting, may participate in the
formation or become a member or manager of an association; except that a custodian,
conservator, guardian, or other fiduciary may participate in the formation or become and act as a
member or manager on behalf of the estate of an individual under the age of eighteen years.
Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection (1) to the contrary, the bylaws may set
qualifications for and otherwise restrict the eligibility of persons to become or act as members or
managers.
(2) Members may vote, exercise their rights, and otherwise act by proxy or other agent.
(3) The interest of a member in an association is personal property.
(4) An interest in the association may be transferred or encumbered only as provided in
the bylaws. A member may not resign or withdraw.
(5) A person may be admitted to membership by a vote of all of the members. If there
are no members and there is no other provision for admission of successor members, then a
majority in number and interest of the transferees of, and other successors in interest to, the
members may admit one or more of the transferees and successors as members. Such majority in
number shall be determined by counting all of the transferees and other successors of each
former member as one.
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(6) Except for persons forming an association or admitted to its membership, no
transferee; representative of the estate of a deceased, incompetent, insolvent, or bankrupt
member; or other successor to an interest of a member or any other person shall be entitled to
any participation in the management of the business and affairs of the association or have any
right to become a member. No transfer, succession, encumbrance, judgment, decree, order, or
other claim upon the interest of a member or against a member, shall give a person any of the
rights of the member or with respect to the member's interest other than the right to be paid the
dividends and other distributions when and to the extent that the member would otherwise have
been paid.
(7) Subsections (2) and (4) to (6) of this section are default rules, subject to the bylaws.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 798, § 18, effective May 24.
7-63-115. Information and accounting. (1) Each member has the right to:
(a) Inspect and copy the books and records of account, the records of the contributions
and holdings of the members and their transferees and other successors, the bylaws, and the
minutes of the members and of the managers;
(b) Obtain from the managers true and full information regarding the state of the
business and the financial condition of the association and any other information regarding the
affairs of the association;
(c) Obtain copies from the managers, upon becoming available, of the association's
federal, state, and local income tax returns for each year; and
(d) Have a formal accounting of association affairs whenever circumstances render it
just and reasonable.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section is a default rule, subject to the bylaws.
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 799, § 18, effective May 24.
7-63-116. Dissolution and termination. (1) An association shall have indefinite
duration and shall continue until terminated as provided in this section. An association shall
continue even though it has only one member or only one person owning all of the interests in
the association. An association may be dissolved by a vote of all of its members or upon the
other events or circumstances as may be provided in the bylaws.
(2) After an association is dissolved, its business and affairs shall be wound up and its
property distributed; except that the property of the association shall be applied first to the
satisfaction of its liabilities and indebtedness and then to distributions among the members with
respect to their interests as members.
(3) If assets of an association have been distributed to members in the winding up of the
association before its liabilities and indebtedness have been paid or adequately provided for, the
association before its termination, and, after its termination, the creditors of an association shall
have a claim against members receiving distributions for such liabilities and indebtedness not
barred by applicable statutes of limitation; except that a member's total liability for all claims
under this section may not exceed the total value of assets distributed to the member, as such
value is determined at the time of distribution. Any member required to return any portion of the
value of assets received by the member in liquidation shall be entitled to contribution from all
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other members. Each such contribution shall be in accordance with the contributing member's
rights and interests and shall not exceed the value of the assets received by the contributing
member in dissolution.
(4) Distributions among members shall be in accordance with the priorities and
proportions of their respective claims and interests.
(5) Upon the apparent completion of the winding up and distribution, the association
shall file articles of dissolution with the secretary of state stating the domestic entity name of the
association, the principal office address of the association's principal office, and that the
association is dissolved. After the filing of articles of dissolution, the association's managers and
agents shall continue to have authority to convey any real or personal property held in the
domestic entity name of the association and otherwise act as provided in the bylaws or, subject
to the bylaws, as provided in this article to complete the winding up or distribution.
(6) Subsections (1) and (4) of this section are default rules, subject to the bylaws.
(7) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1448, § 153, effective July 1, 2004.)
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 800, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2000: (5)
amended and (7) added, p. 954, § 29, effective July 1. L. 2004: (5) and (7) amended, p. 1448, §
153, effective July 1.
7-63-117. Conversion - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire article added, p. 801, § 18, effective May 24. L. 2002: (4)
amended, p. 1825, § 51, effective July 1; (4) amended, p. 1689, § 49, effective October 1. L.
2003: (6) added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (6) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
ARTICLE 64
Colorado Uniform Partnership Act (1997)
Cross references: For the "Uniform Partnership Law", see article 60 of this title.
Law reviews: For article, "Limited Liability Partnerships and Other Entities Authorized
in Colorado", see 24 Colo. Law. 1525 (1995); for article, "Colorado Choice of Entity 1998", see
27 Colo. Law. 5 (June 1998); for article, "Contractually Binding Colorado Entities", see 28 Colo.
Law. 33 (Dec. 1999); for article, "Colorado Choice of Form of Organization and Structure
2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct. 2001); for article "Entity and Trade Name Registration: 2001
Update", see 30 Colo. Law. 81 (Oct. 2001); for article "Entity and Trade Name Registration:
2004 Update", see 34 Colo. Law. 11 (Jan. 2005).
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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7-64-101. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) "Business" includes every trade, occupation, and profession.
(3) "Debtor in bankruptcy" means a person who is the subject of:
(a) An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a comparable order
under a successor statute of general application; or
(b) A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing insolvency.
(4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(5) "Distribution" means a transfer of money or other property from a partnership to a
partner in the partner's capacity as a partner or to a transferee of all or a part of a partner's
transferable interest.
(6) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(7) "Filed statement" means a statement that has been filed by the secretary of state
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title. A copy of a filed statement means a copy of the filed
statement that the secretary of state has certified to be in the records of the secretary of state.
(8) to (10) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(11) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1448, § 154, effective July 1, 2004.)
(12) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(13) "Limited liability partnership" means a partnership that is registered as a limited
liability partnership under section 7-64-1002 (1).
(14) and (15) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1448, § 154, effective July 1, 2004.)
(16) and (17) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(18) "Partner" means a person who is admitted to a partnership as a partner of the
partnership.
(19) "Partnership" shall have the meaning set forth in section 7-64-202 (1).
(20) "Partnership agreement" means the agreement, whether written, oral, or implied,
among the partners that governs relations among the partners and between the partners and the
partnership. For purposes of part 10 of this article, the term "partnership agreement" shall have
the meaning set forth in section 7-64-1001 (2).
(21) "Partnership at will" means a partnership that is not a partnership for a definite term
or particular undertaking.
(22) "Partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking" means a partnership in
which the partners have agreed to remain partners until the expiration of a definite term or the
completion of a particular undertaking.
(23) "Partnership interest" or "partner's interest in the partnership" means all of a
partner's interests in the partnership, including the partner's transferable interest and all
management and other rights.
(24) "Partnership obligation" means any debt, obligation, or liability of the partnership,
whether sounding in tort, contract, or otherwise.
(25) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(26) "Property" means all property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or
any interest therein.
(27) "Registrant" means a person that is registered under section 7-64-1002.
(28) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
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(29) "Statement" means a statement of partnership authority under section 7-64-303, a
statement of denial under section 7-64-304, a statement of dissociation under section 7-64-704, a
statement of dissolution under section 7-64-805, a statement of registration under section 7-641002, a statement of withdrawal of registration under section 7-64-1002, a statement of
correction under section 7-90-305, or a statement of change under section 7-90-305.5 of any of
the foregoing.
(30) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004.)
(31) "Transfer" includes an assignment, conveyance, lease, mortgage, deed, and
encumbrance.
(32) "Transferable interest" means a partner's share of the profits and losses of the
partnership and the partner's right to receive distributions.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 866, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2002: (6),
(7), and (29) amended, p. 1825, § 52, effective July 1; (6), (7), and (29) amended, p. 1690, § 50,
effective October 1. L. 2003: (1), (4), (6), (8), (9), (10), (12), (15) to (20), (25), (28), (29), and
(30) amended, p. 2249, § 149, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (11), (14), (15), (18), and (20)
amended, p. 1448, § 154, effective July 1. L. 2009: (18) amended, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p.
1130, § 7, effective May 14.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-64-102. Knowledge and notice. (1) A person knows or has knowledge of a fact if the
person has conscious awareness of the fact.
(2) A person has notice of a fact:
(a) If the person knows of the fact;
(b) If the person has received a notification of the fact;
(c) If the person has reason to know the fact exists from all of the facts known to the
person at the time in question; or
(d) By reason of a filing or recording to the extent provided by and subject to limitations
set forth in section 7-64-303 (4) and (5), 7-64-704 (3), or 7-64-805 (3).
(3) A person notifies or gives a notification to another by taking steps reasonably
appropriate to inform the other person in ordinary course, whether or not the other person
thereby obtains knowledge of the fact.
(4) A person receives a notification when the notification:
(a) Comes to the person's attention; or
(b) Is received at the person's place of business or at any other place held out by the
person as a place for receiving communications, or is received by a person who is apparently
authorized to receive the notification; or
(c) Has been given and the circumstances are such that it is fair and reasonable, as
against the person to whom such notice has been given, to treat the notice as having been
received.
(5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (6) of this section, a person other than an
individual knows, has notice, or receives a notification of a fact for purposes of a particular
transaction when an individual conducting the transaction on that person's behalf knows, has
notice, or receives a notification of the fact, or in any event when the fact would have been
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brought to such an individual's attention if the person had exercised reasonable diligence. The
person exercises reasonable diligence if the person maintains reasonable routines for
communicating significant information to an individual conducting the transaction on the
person's behalf and there is reasonable compliance with the routines. Reasonable diligence does
not require an individual acting for the person to communicate information unless the
communication is part of the individual's regular duties or the individual has reason to know of
the transaction and that the transaction would be materially affected by the information.
(6) A partner's knowledge, notice, or receipt of a notification of a fact relating to the
partnership is effective immediately as knowledge by, notice to, or receipt of a notification by
the partnership, except in the case of a fraud on the partnership committed by or with the consent
of that partner.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 869, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-103. Effect of partnership agreement - nonwaivable provisions - statute of
frauds. (1) To the extent the partnership agreement does not otherwise provide, this article
governs relations among the partners and between the partners and the partnership.
(2) The partnership agreement may not:
(a) Vary the rights and duties under section 7-64-105, except to eliminate the duty to
provide copies of statements to all of the partners;
(b) Unreasonably restrict the right of access to books and records under section 7-64-403
(2) or unreasonably limit the obligations of the partners or the partnership under section 7-64403 (3);
(c) Eliminate any of the duties specified in section 7-64-404 (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(c) or in
section 7-64-603 (2)(c); except that:
(I) The partnership agreement may identify types or categories of activities that do not
violate any of the duties specified in section 7-64-404 (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(c), if not manifestly
unreasonable; or
(II) All of the partners or a number or percentage stated in the partnership agreement
may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure of all material facts, an act or transaction that
otherwise would violate any of the duties stated in section 7-64-404 (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(c);
(d) Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under section 7-64-404 (3) or 7-64-603 (2)(c);
(e) Eliminate the obligation of good faith and fair dealing under section 7-64-404 (3),
but the partnership agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the
obligation is to be measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable;
(f) Vary the power to dissociate as a partner under section 7-64-602 (1), except to
require the notice under section 7-64-601 (1)(a) to be in writing;
(g) Vary the right of a court to expel a partner in the events specified in section 7-64-601
(1)(e);
(h) Vary the requirement to wind up the partnership business in cases specified in
section 7-64-801 (1)(d), (1)(e), or (1)(f);
(i) Restrict rights of third persons under this article; or
(j) Vary the law applicable to limited liability partnerships as set forth in section 7-64106 (3).
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(3) A partnership agreement is not subject to any statute of frauds, including section 3810-112, C.R.S., regarding void agreements, but not including any requirement under this article
that a particular action or provision be reflected in a writing.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 870, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003:
(2)(c)(II) amended, p. 2251, § 150, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: IP(2)(c) and (2)(c)(II)
amended, p. 1449, § 155, effective July 1. L. 2016: (3) added, (HB 16-1333), ch. 241, p. 986, §
2, effective August 10.
7-64-104. Supplemental principles of law. (1) Unless displaced by particular
provisions of this article, the principles of law and equity supplement this article.
(2) If an obligation to pay interest arises under this article and the rate is not specified,
the rate is that specified in section 5-12-102, C.R.S.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 871, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-105. Filing and recording of statements. (1) A statement may be delivered to the
secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title. A certified copy of a
statement that is filed in an office in another jurisdiction may be delivered to the secretary of
state for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title. Either filing in this state has the effect
provided in this article with respect to partnership property located in or transactions that occur
in this state.
(2) Only a copy of a filed statement recorded in the office for recording transfers of real
property has the effect provided for recorded statements in this article.
(3) and (4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2251, § 151, effective July 1, 2004.)
(5) A person who delivers or causes a statement to be delivered to the secretary of state
for filing pursuant to this section shall promptly deliver a copy of the statement to every
nonfiling partner and to any other person named as a partner in the statement. Failure to deliver a
copy of a statement to a partner or other person does not limit the effectiveness of the statement
as to a person not a partner.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 871, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2002: (4)
amended, p. 1826, § 53, effective July 1; (4) amended, p. 1690, § 51, effective October 1. L.
2003: (1), (3), (4), and (5) amended, p. 2251, § 151, effective July 1, 2004.
7-64-106. Law governing internal relations. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3)
of this section, the law of the jurisdiction under which a partnership is formed governs relations
among the partners and between the partners and the partnership.
(2) A partnership is presumed to have been formed in the jurisdiction in which it has its
chief executive office.
(3) The law of this state shall govern relations among the partners and between the
partners and the partnership, and the liability of partners for partnership obligations, in a
partnership that has filed a statement of registration as a limited liability partnership in this state.
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Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 872, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: (3)
amended, p. 2252, § 152, effective July 1, 2004.
7-64-107. Partnership subject to amendment or repeal of article. A partnership
governed by this article is subject to any amendment to or repeal of this article.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 872, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
PART 2
NATURE OF PARTNERSHIP
7-64-201. Partnership as entity. A partnership is an entity distinct from its partners.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 872, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-202. Formation of partnership. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection
(2) of this section, the association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for
profit forms a partnership, whether or not the persons intend to form a partnership. A limited
liability partnership is for all purposes a partnership.
(2) Subject to section 7-64-1205, an association is not a partnership under this article if it
is formed under a statute other than:
(a) This article;
(b) Article 60 of this title; or
(c) A comparable statute of another jurisdiction. A partnership that is subject to article
60 of this title by reason of the first sentence of subsection (2) of section 7-60-106 shall be
deemed to be formed under article 60 for purposes of this subsection (2).
(3) In determining whether a partnership is formed, the following rules apply:
(a) Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entireties, joint property, common
property, or part ownership does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the co-owners share
profits made by the use of the property.
(b) The sharing of gross returns does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the
persons sharing them have a joint or common right or interest in property from which the returns
are derived.
(c) A person who receives a share of the profits of a business is presumed to be a partner
in the business, unless the profits were received in payment:
(I) Of a debt by installments or otherwise;
(II) For services as an independent contractor or of wages or other compensation to an
employee;
(III) Of rent;
(IV) Of an annuity or other retirement or health benefit to a beneficiary, representative,
or designee of a deceased or retired partner;
(V) Of interest or other charge on a loan, even if the amount of payment varies with the
profits of the business, including a direct or indirect present or future ownership of the collateral
or rights to income, proceeds, or increase in value derived from the collateral; or
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(VI) For the sale of the goodwill of a business or other property by installments or
otherwise.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 872, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-203. Partnership property. Property acquired by a partnership is property of the
partnership and not of the partners individually.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 874, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-204. When property is partnership property. (1) Property is partnership
property if acquired in the name of:
(a) The partnership; or
(b) One or more partners with an indication in the instrument transferring title to the
property of the person's capacity as a partner or of the existence of a partnership but without an
indication of the name of the partnership.
(2) Property is acquired in the name of the partnership by a transfer to:
(a) The partnership in its name; or
(b) One or more partners in their capacity as partners in the partnership, if the name of
the partnership is indicated in the instrument transferring title to the property.
(3) Property is presumed to be partnership property if purchased with partnership assets,
even if not acquired in the name of the partnership or of one or more partners with an indication
in the instrument transferring title to the property of the person's capacity as a partner or of the
existence of a partnership.
(4) Property acquired in the name of one or more of the partners, without an indication
in the instrument transferring title to the property of the person's capacity as a partner or of the
existence of a partnership and without use of partnership assets is presumed to be separate
property, even if used for partnership purposes.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 874, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-205. Admission without contribution or transferrable interest. A person may be
admitted as a partner to a partnership either upon formation of the partnership or thereafter
without making a contribution or being obligated to make a contribution to the partnership, and a
person may be admitted as a partner to a partnership either upon formation of the partnership or
thereafter without acquiring a transferrable interest, if in either case such admission is pursuant
to a written partnership agreement or other writing confirming the admission.
Source: L. 2009: Entire section added, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1130, § 8, effective
May 14.
PART 3
RELATIONS OF PARTNERS TO
PERSONS DEALING WITH PARTNERSHIP
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7-64-301. Partner agent of partnership. (1) Subject to the effect of a statement of
partnership authority under section 7-64-303:
(a) Each partner is an agent of the partnership for the purposes of its business. An act of
a partner, including the execution of an instrument in the partnership name, for apparently
carrying on in the ordinary course the partnership business or business of the kind carried on by
the partnership binds the partnership, unless the partner had no authority to act for the
partnership in the particular matter and the person with whom the partner was dealing had notice
that the partner lacked authority.
(b) An act of a partner which is not apparently for carrying on in the ordinary course the
partnership business or business of the kind carried on by the partnership binds the partnership
only if the act was authorized by the other partners.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 874, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-302. Transfer of partnership property. (1) Partnership property may be
transferred as follows:
(a) Subject to the effect of a statement of partnership authority under section 7-64-303,
partnership property held in the name of the partnership may be transferred by an instrument of
transfer executed by a partner in the partnership name.
(b) Partnership property held in the name of one or more partners with an indication in
the instrument transferring the property to them of their capacity as partners or of the existence
of a partnership, but without an indication of the name of the partnership, may be transferred by
an instrument of transfer executed by the persons in whose name the property is held.
(c) Partnership property held in the name of one or more persons other than the
partnership, without an indication in the instrument transferring the property to them of their
capacity as partners or of the existence of a partnership, may be transferred by an instrument of
transfer executed by the persons in whose name the property is held.
(2) A partnership may recover partnership property from a transferee only if it proves
that execution of the instrument of initial transfer did not bind the partnership under section 764-301 and:
(a) As to a subsequent transferee who gave value for property transferred under
paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) of this section, proves that the subsequent transferee had
notice that the person who executed the instrument of initial transfer lacked authority to bind the
partnership; or
(b) As to a transferee who gave value for property transferred under paragraph (c) of
subsection (1) of this section, proves that the transferee had notice that the property was
partnership property and that the person who executed the instrument of initial transfer lacked
authority to bind the partnership.
(3) A partnership may not recover partnership property from a subsequent transferee if
the partnership would not have been entitled to recover the property, under subsection (2) of this
section, from any earlier transferee of the property.
(4) If a person holds all of the partners' interests in the partnership, all of the partnership
property vests in that person. The person may execute a document in the name of the partnership
to evidence vesting of the property in that person and may file or record the document.
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Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 875, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-303. Statement of partnership authority. (1) A partnership may deliver to the
secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of partnership
authority, which statement shall include:
(a) The true name of the partnership;
(b) The principal office address of its principal office, if any, or, if it has no principal
office, the street address, and, if different, the mailing address, of its chief executive office, and,
in either case, the street address, and, if different, the mailing address, of one office in this state,
if there is one; and
(c) The true names or a description of the partners as to which the partnership makes a
statement of partnership authority to execute an instrument transferring real property held in the
name of the partnership or to enter into other transactions on behalf of the partnership and the
authority, or limitations on authority, of such partners, which authority and limitations may vary
among such partners as such variations are stated in the statement of partnership authority.
(2) If a filed statement of partnership authority states the true name of the partnership but
does not contain all of the other information required by subsection (1) of this section, the
statement nevertheless operates with respect to a person not a partner as provided in subsections
(3) and (4) of this section.
(3) A filed statement of partnership authority is prima facie evidence of the existence of
the partnership and of the facts stated therein and supplements the authority of a partner to enter
into transactions on behalf of the partnership as follows:
(a) Except for transfers of real property, a grant of authority contained in a filed
statement of partnership authority is conclusive in favor of a person who gives value without
notice to the contrary, so long as and to the extent that a limitation on that authority is not then
contained in that or another filed statement. A filed cancellation of a limitation on authority
revives the previous grant of authority.
(b) A grant of authority to transfer real property held in the true name of the partnership,
contained in a copy of a filed statement of partnership authority recorded in the office for
recording transfers of that real property, is conclusive in favor of a person who gives value
without having notice to the contrary, so long as and to the extent that a copy of a filed statement
containing a limitation on that authority is not then of record in the office for recording transfers
of that real property. The recording in the office for recording transfers of that real property of a
copy of a filed statement canceling a limitation on authority revives the previous grant of
authority.
(4) A person not a partner has notice of a limitation on the authority of a partner to
transfer real property held in the true name of the partnership if a copy of a filed statement
containing the limitation on authority is of record in the office for recording transfers of that real
property.
(5) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section and in
sections 7-64-704 (3) and 7-64-805 (3), a person not a partner does not have notice of a
limitation on the authority of a partner merely because the limitation is contained in a filed
statement.
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Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 876, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000:
(1)(a)(I), (3), (4)(b), and (5) amended, p. 955, § 30, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(1) amended, p.
1826, § 54, effective July 1; IP(1) amended, p. 1690, § 52, effective October 1. L. 2003:
(1)(a)(I), (1)(a)(II), (3), (4)(b), and (5) amended, p. 2252, § 153, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section amended, p. 1449, § 156, effective July 1.
7-64-304. Statement of denial. A partner or other person named as a partner in a filed
statement of partnership authority may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part
3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of denial stating the true name of the partnership and the
fact that is being denied, which may include denial of a person's authority or status as a partner.
A statement of denial is a limitation on authority as provided in section 7-64-303 (3) and (4).
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 877, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000:
Entire section amended, p. 955, § 31, effective July 1. L. 2002: Entire section amended, 1826, §
55, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 1690, § 53, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire
section amended, p. 2253, § 154, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p.
1451, § 157, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section amended, p. 851, § 11, effective July 1.
7-64-305. Partnership liable for partner's actionable conduct. (1) A partnership is
liable for loss or injury caused to a person, or for a penalty incurred, as a result of a wrongful act
or omission, or other actionable conduct, of a partner acting in the ordinary course of business of
the partnership or with authority of the partnership.
(2) If, in the course of the partnership's business or while acting with authority of the
partnership, a partner receives or causes the partnership to receive money or property of a person
not a partner, and the money or property is misapplied by a partner, the partnership is liable for
the loss.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 877, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-306. Partner's liability. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all
partners are liable jointly and severally for all partnership obligations unless otherwise agreed by
the claimant or provided by law.
(2) A person admitted as a partner into an existing partnership is not personally liable for
any partnership obligations incurred before the person's admission as a partner.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in a written partnership agreement, a person is not,
solely by reason of being a partner, liable, directly or indirectly, including by way of
indemnification, contribution, assessment, or otherwise, for partnership obligations which are
incurred, created, or assumed by the partnership while the partnership is a limited liability
partnership.
(4) A partner in a limited liability partnership does not become liable, directly or
indirectly, for partnership obligations incurred, created, or assumed while the partnership was a
limited liability partnership merely because the partnership ceases to be a limited liability
partnership.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 877, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
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7-64-307. Actions by and against partnership and partners. (1) A partnership may
sue and be sued in the name of the partnership.
(2) An action may be brought against the partnership and any or all of the partners in the
same action or in separate actions.
(3) A judgment against a partnership is not by itself a judgment against a partner. A
judgment against a partnership may not be satisfied from the assets of a partner liable as
provided in section 7-64-306 for the partnership obligation unless there is also a judgment
against the partner for such obligation.
(4) A judgment creditor of a partner may not levy execution against the assets of the
partner to satisfy a judgment based on a claim against the partnership unless:
(a) The claim is for a partnership obligation for which the partner is liable as provided in
section 7-64-306 and either:
(I) A judgment based on the same claim has been obtained against the partnership and a
writ of execution on the judgment has been returned unsatisfied in whole or in part;
(II) The partnership is a debtor in bankruptcy;
(III) The partner has agreed that the creditor need not exhaust partnership assets; or
(IV) A court grants permission to the judgment creditor to levy execution against the
assets of a partner based on a finding that partnership assets subject to execution are clearly
insufficient to satisfy the judgment, that exhaustion of partnership assets is excessively
burdensome, or that the grant of permission is an appropriate exercise of the court's equitable
powers; or
(b) Liability is imposed on the partner by law or contract independent of the existence of
the partnership.
(5) This section applies to any partnership obligation resulting from a representation by a
partner or purported partner under section 7-64-308.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 878, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: (1)
amended, p. 2253, § 155, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1451, § 158, effective
July 1.
7-64-308. Liability of purported partner. (1) If a person, by words or conduct,
purports to be a partner, or consents to being represented by another as a partner, in a partnership
or with one or more persons not partners, the purported partner is liable to a person to whom the
representation is made, if that person, relying on the representation, enters into a transaction with
the actual or purported partnership. If the representation, either by the purported partner or by a
person with the purported partner's consent, is made in a public manner, the purported partner is
liable to a person who relies upon the purported partnership even if the purported partner is not
aware of being held out as a partner to the claimant. If a partnership obligation results, the
purported partner is liable with respect to that obligation as if the purported partner were a
partner in the partnership, and, if the partnership is a limited liability partnership, the purported
partner's liability is subject to section 7-64-306 as if the purported partner were a partner in the
limited liability partnership. If no partnership obligation results, the purported partner is liable
with respect to that liability jointly and severally with any other person consenting to the
representation.
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(2) If a person is thus represented to be a partner in an existing partnership, or with one
or more persons not partners, the purported partner is an agent of persons consenting to the
representation to bind them to the same extent and in the same manner as if the purported partner
were a partner, with respect to persons who enter into transactions in reliance upon the
representation. If all of the partners of the existing partnership consent to the representation, a
partnership act or partnership obligation results. If fewer than all of the partners of the existing
partnership consent to the representation, the person acting and the partners consenting to the
representation are jointly and severally liable.
(3) A person is not liable as a partner merely because the person is named by another in
a statement of partnership authority.
(4) A person does not continue to be liable as a partner merely because of a failure to
deliver to the secretary of state for filing a statement of dissociation or an amendment of a
statement of partnership authority to indicate the partner's dissociation from the partnership.
(5) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, persons who
are not partners as to each other are not liable as partners to other persons.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 879, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2004: (1)
amended, p. 1451, § 159, effective July 1.
PART 4
RELATIONS OF PARTNERS TO EACH
OTHER AND TO PARTNERSHIP
7-64-401. Partner's rights and duties. (1) Each partner is deemed to have an account
that is:
(a) Credited with an amount equal to the money plus the value of any other property, net
of the amount of any liabilities, the partner contributes to the partnership and the partner's share
of the partnership profits; and
(b) Charged with an amount equal to the money plus the value of any other property, net
of the amount of any liabilities, distributed by the partnership to the partner and the partner's
share of the partnership losses.
(2) Each partner is entitled to an equal share of the partnership profits and is chargeable
with a share of the partnership losses in proportion to the partner's share of the profits.
(3) A partnership shall reimburse a partner for payments made and indemnify a partner
for liabilities incurred by the partner in the ordinary course of the business of the partnership or
for the preservation of its business or property; provided, however, that such payments were
made or liabilities incurred without violation of the partner's duties to the partnership or the other
partners.
(4) A partnership shall reimburse a partner for an advance to the partnership beyond the
amount of capital the partner agreed to contribute.
(5) A payment or advance made by a partner which gives rise to a partnership obligation
under subsection (3) or (4) of this section constitutes a loan to the partnership which accrues
interest from the date of the payment or advance.
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(6) Each partner has equal rights in the management and conduct of the partnership
business.
(7) A partner may use or possess partnership property only on behalf of the partnership.
(8) A partner is not entitled to remuneration for services performed for the partnership
except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the business of the
partnership.
(9) A person may become a partner only with the consent of all of the partners.
(10) A difference arising as to a matter in the ordinary course of business of a
partnership may be decided by a majority of the partners. An act outside the ordinary course of
business of a partnership and an amendment to the partnership agreement may be undertaken
only with the consent of all of the partners.
(11) This section does not affect the obligations of a partnership to other persons under
section 7-64-301.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 879, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-402. Distributions in kind. A partner has no right to receive, and may not be
required to accept, a distribution in kind.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 881, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-403. Partner's rights and duties with respect to information. (1) A partnership
shall keep its books and records, if any, at its chief executive office.
(2) A partnership shall provide partners and their agents and attorneys access to its books
and records. It shall provide former partners and their agents and attorneys access to books and
records pertaining to the period during which they were partners. The right of access provides
the opportunity to inspect and copy books and records during ordinary business hours. A
partnership may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor and material, for copies
of documents furnished.
(3) Each partner and the partnership shall furnish to a partner, and to the legal
representative of a deceased partner or partner under legal disability:
(a) Without demand, any information concerning the partnership's business and affairs
reasonably required for the proper exercise of the partner's rights and duties under the
partnership agreement or this article; and
(b) On demand, any other information concerning the partnership's business and affairs,
except to the extent the demand or the information demanded is unreasonable or otherwise
improper under the circumstances.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 881, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-404. General standards of partner's conduct. (1) The duties a partner owes to
the partnership and the other partners, in addition to those established elsewhere in this article,
include the duties to:
(a) Account to the partnership and hold as trustee for it any property, profit, or benefit
derived by the partner in the conduct or winding up of the partnership business or derived from a
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use by the partner of partnership property, including the appropriation of a partnership
opportunity;
(b) Refrain from dealing with the partnership in the conduct or winding up of the
partnership business as or on behalf of a party having an interest adverse to the partnership;
(c) Refrain from competing with the partnership in the conduct of the partnership
business before the dissolution of the partnership; and
(d) Comply with the provisions of the partnership agreement.
(2) A partner owes to the partnership and the other partners a duty of care in the conduct
and winding up of the partnership business which shall be limited to refraining from engaging in
grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(3) A partner shall discharge the partner's duties to the partnership and the other partners
and exercise any rights consistently with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(4) A partner does not violate a duty or obligation to the partnership or the other partners
solely because the partner's conduct furthers the partner's own interest.
(5) A partner may lend money to and transact other business with the partnership, and as
to each loan or transaction the rights and obligations of the partner may be exercised or
performed in the same manner as those of a person who is not a partner, subject to other
applicable law.
(6) If a partnership is formed, the duties a partner owes to the partnership and the other
partners pertain to all transactions connected with the formation, conduct, or liquidation of the
partnership.
(7) This section applies to a person winding up the partnership business as the personal
or legal representative of the last surviving partner as if the person were a partner.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 881, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-405. Actions by partnership and partners. (1) A partnership may maintain an
action against a partner for a breach of the partnership agreement, or for the violation of a duty to
the partnership, causing harm to the partnership.
(2) A partner may maintain an action against the partnership or another partner for legal
or equitable relief, with or without an accounting as to partnership business, to:
(a) Enforce the partner's rights under the partnership agreement;
(b) Enforce the partner's rights under this article, including:
(I) The partner's rights under section 7-64-401, 7-64-403, or 7-64-404;
(II) The partner's right on dissociation to have the partner's interest in the partnership
purchased pursuant to section 7-64-701 or enforce any other right under part 6 or part 7 of this
article; or
(III) The partner's right to compel a dissolution and winding up of the partnership
business under section 7-64-801 or enforce any other right under part 8 of this article; or
(c) Enforce the rights and otherwise protect the interests of the partner, including rights
and interests arising independently of the partnership relationship.
(3) The accrual of, and any time limitation on, a right of action for a remedy under this
section is governed by other law. A right to an accounting upon a dissolution and winding up
does not revive a claim barred by law.
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Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 882, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-406.
Continuation of partnership beyond definite term or particular
undertaking. (1) If a partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking is continued,
without an express agreement, after the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking,
the rights and duties of the partners remain the same as they were at the expiration or
completion, so far as is consistent with a partnership at will.
(2) If the partners, or those of them who habitually acted in the business during the term
or undertaking, continue the business without any settlement or liquidation of the partnership,
they are presumed to have agreed that the partnership will continue.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 883, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
PART 5
TRANSFEREES AND CREDITORS OF PARTNER
7-64-501. Partner not co-owner of partnership property. A partner is not a co-owner
of partnership property and has no interest in partnership property which can be transferred,
either voluntarily or involuntarily.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 883, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-502. Partner's transferable interest in partnership. A partner's transferable
interest is personal property. Only a partner's transferable interest may be transferred.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 883, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-503. Transfer of partner's transferable interest. (1) A transfer, in whole or in
part, of a partner's transferable interest in the partnership:
(a) Is permissible;
(b) Does not by itself cause the partner's dissociation or a dissolution and winding up of
the partnership business; and
(c) Does not entitle the transferee to participate in the management or conduct of the
partnership business, to require access to information concerning partnership transactions, or to
inspect or copy the partnership books or records.
(2) A transferee of a partner's transferable interest in the partnership has a right:
(a) To receive, in accordance with the transfer, distributions to which the transferor
would otherwise be entitled;
(b) To receive upon the dissolution and winding up of the partnership business, in
accordance with the transfer, the net amount otherwise distributable to the transferor; and
(c) To seek under section 7-64-801 (1)(f) a judicial determination that it is equitable to
wind up the partnership business.
(3) In a dissolution and winding up, a transferee is entitled to an account of partnership
transactions only from the date of the latest account agreed to by all of the partners.
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(4) Upon transfer, the transferor retains the rights and duties of a partner other than the
interest transferred.
(5) A partnership need not give effect to a transferee's rights under this section until it
has notice of the transfer. On request of the partnership or any partner, the transferee shall
furnish reasonable proof of the transfer.
(6) A transfer of a partner's transferable interest in the partnership in violation of a
restriction on transfer contained in the partnership agreement is ineffective as to a person having
notice of the restriction at the time of transfer.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 883, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-504. Partner's transferable interest subject to charging order. (1) On
application by a judgment creditor of a partner or of a partner's transferee, a court having
jurisdiction may charge the transferable interest of the judgment debtor to satisfy the judgment.
The court may appoint a receiver of the share of the distributions due or to become due to the
judgment debtor in respect of the partnership and make all other orders, directions, accounts, and
inquiries the judgment debtor might have made or which the circumstances of the case may
require.
(2) A charging order constitutes a lien on the judgment debtor's transferable interest in
the partnership. The court may order a foreclosure of the transferable interest subject to the
charging order at any time. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale has the rights of a transferee.
(3) At any time before foreclosure, a transferable interest charged may be redeemed:
(a) By the judgment debtor;
(b) With property other than partnership property, by one or more of the other partners;
or
(c) By the partnership with the consent of all of the partners whose transferable interests
are not so charged or with such lesser consent as may be permitted by the partnership agreement.
(4) This article does not deprive a partner of a right under exemption laws with respect
to the partner's transferable interest in the partnership.
(5) This section provides the exclusive remedy by which a judgment creditor of a partner
or partner's transferee may satisfy a judgment out of the judgment debtor's transferable interest in
the partnership.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 884, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
PART 6
PARTNER'S DISSOCIATION
7-64-601. Events causing partner's dissociation. (1) A partner is dissociated from a
partnership upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) The partnership's having notice of the partner's express will to withdraw as a partner;
except that, if the partnership has notice that the partner's will is to withdraw at a later date, then
the dissociation shall occur at the later date stated by the partner;
(b) An event agreed to in the partnership agreement as causing the partner's dissociation;
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(c) The partner's expulsion pursuant to the partnership agreement;
(d) The partner's expulsion by the unanimous vote of the other partners if:
(I) It is unlawful to carry on the partnership business with that partner;
(II) There has been a transfer of all or substantially all of that partner's transferable
interest, other than a transfer for security purposes which has not been foreclosed, or a court
order charging the partner's interest which has not been foreclosed;
(III) Within ninety days after the partnership notifies a corporate partner that it will be
expelled because it has been dissolved or its right to conduct business has been suspended by the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, there is no revocation of the dissolution or no reinstatement of
its right to conduct business; or
(IV) A partnership, limited partnership, limited partnership association, or limited
liability company that is a partner has been dissolved and its business is being wound up;
(e) On application by the partnership or another partner, the partner's expulsion by
judicial determination because:
(I) The partner engaged in wrongful conduct that adversely and materially affected the
partnership business;
(II) The partner willfully or persistently committed a material breach of the partnership
agreement or of a duty owed to the partnership or the other partners under section 7-64-404; or
(III) The partner engaged in conduct relating to the partnership business which makes it
not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in partnership with the partner;
(f) The partner's:
(I) Becoming a debtor in bankruptcy;
(II) Executing an assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(III) Seeking, consenting to, or acquiescing in the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or
liquidator of that partner or of all or substantially all of that partner's property; or
(IV) Failing, within ninety days after the appointment, to have vacated or stayed the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the partner or of all or substantially all of the
partner's property obtained without the partner's consent or acquiescence, or failing within ninety
days after the expiration of a stay to have the appointment vacated;
(g) In the case of a partner who is an individual:
(I) The partner's death;
(II) The appointment of a guardian or general conservator for the partner; or
(III) A judicial determination that the partner has otherwise become incapable of
performing the partner's duties under the partnership agreement;
(h) In the case of a partner that is a trust or is acting as a partner by virtue of being a
trustee of a trust, distribution of the trust's entire transferable interest in the partnership, but not
merely by reason of the substitution of a successor trustee;
(i) In the case of a partner that is an estate or is acting as a partner by virtue of being a
personal representative of an estate, distribution of the estate's entire transferable interest in the
partnership, but not merely by reason of the substitution of a successor personal representative;
or
(j) Termination of a partner's existence.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 885, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003:
(1)(a) amended, p. 2253, § 156, effective July 1, 2004.
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7-64-602. Partner's power to dissociate - wrongful dissociation. (1) A partner has the
power to dissociate at any time, rightfully or wrongfully, by express will pursuant to section 764-601 (1)(a).
(2) A partner's dissociation is wrongful only if:
(a) It is in breach of an express provision of the partnership agreement; or
(b) In the case of a partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking, before the
expiration of the term or the completion of the undertaking:
(I) The partner withdraws by express will, unless the withdrawal follows within ninety
days after another partner's dissociation by death or otherwise under section 7-64-601 (1)(f) to
(1)(j) or wrongful dissociation under this subsection (2);
(II) The partner is expelled by judicial determination under section 7-64-601 (1)(e);
(III) The partner is dissociated under section 7-64-601 (1)(f); or
(IV) In the case of a partner who is not an individual, trust other than a business trust, or
estate, the partner is expelled or otherwise dissociated because it willfully dissolved or
terminated.
(3) A partner who wrongfully dissociates is liable to the partnership and to the other
partners for damages caused by the dissociation. The liability is in addition to any other
obligation of the partner to the partnership or to the other partners.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 887, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-603. Effect of partner's dissociation. (1) If a partner's dissociation results in a
dissolution and winding up of the partnership business, part 8 of this article applies; otherwise,
part 7 of this article applies.
(2) Upon a partner's dissociation:
(a) The partner's right to participate in the management and conduct of the partnership
business terminates, except as otherwise provided in section 7-64-803;
(b) The partner's duties under section 7-64-404 (1)(c) terminate; and
(c) The partner's duties under section 7-64-404 (1)(a), (1)(b), and (2) continue only with
regard to matters arising and events occurring before the partner's dissociation, unless the partner
participates in winding up the partnership's business pursuant to section 7-64-803.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 887, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
PART 7
PARTNER'S DISSOCIATION WHEN
BUSINESS NOT WOUND UP
7-64-701. Purchase of dissociated partner's interest. (1) If a partner is dissociated
from a partnership without resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business
under section 7-64-801, the partnership shall cause the dissociated partner's interest in the
partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined pursuant to subsection (2) of this
section.
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(2) The buyout price of a dissociated partner's interest is an amount equal to the value of
the partner's interest in the partnership. Interest shall be paid from the date of dissociation to the
date of payment.
(3) Damages for wrongful dissociation under section 7-64-602 (2), and all other amounts
owing, whether or not presently due, from the dissociated partner to the partnership, shall be
offset against the buyout price. Interest shall be paid from the date the amount owed becomes
due to the date of payment.
(4) A partnership shall indemnify a dissociated partner whose interest is being purchased
against all partnership obligations, whether incurred before or after the dissociation, except
partnership obligations incurred by an act of the dissociated partner under section 7-64-702.
(5) If no agreement for the purchase of a dissociated partner's interest is reached within
one hundred twenty days after a written demand for payment, the partnership shall pay, or cause
to be paid, in cash to the dissociated partner the amount the partnership estimates to be the
buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets and accrued interest under subsection
(3) of this section.
(6) If a deferred payment is authorized under subsection (8) of this section, the
partnership may tender a written offer to pay the amount it estimates to be the buyout price and
accrued interest, reduced by any offsets under subsection (3) of this section, stating the time of
payment, the amount and type of security for payment, and the other terms and conditions of the
obligation.
(7) The payment or tender required by subsection (5) or (6) of this section shall be
accompanied by the following:
(a) A written statement of partnership assets and liabilities as of the date of dissociation;
(b) The latest available partnership balance sheet and income statement, if any;
(c) A written explanation of how the estimated amount of the payment was calculated;
and
(d) A written statement that the payment is in full satisfaction of the obligation to
purchase unless, within one hundred twenty days after receipt of the written statement, the
dissociated partner commences an action to determine the buyout price, any offsets under
subsection (3) of this section, or other terms of the obligation to purchase.
(8) Payment of any portion of the buyout price to a partner who wrongfully dissociates
before the expiration of a definite term or the completion of a particular undertaking may be
deferred until the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, unless the partner
establishes to the satisfaction of the court that earlier payment will not cause undue hardship to
the business of the partnership. A deferred payment shall be adequately secured and bear
interest.
(9) A dissociated partner may maintain an action against the partnership, pursuant to
section 7-64-405 (2)(b)(II), to determine the buyout price of that partner's interest, any offsets
under subsection (3) of this section, or other terms of the obligation to purchase. The action shall
be commenced within one hundred twenty days after the partnership has tendered payment or an
offer to pay or within one year after written demand for payment if no payment or offer to pay is
tendered. The court shall determine the buyout price of the dissociated partner's interest, any
offset due under subsection (3) of this section, and accrued interest and enter judgment for any
additional payment or refund. If deferred payment is authorized under subsection (8) of this
section, the court shall also determine the security for payment and other terms of the obligation
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to purchase. The court may assess reasonable attorneys' fees and the fees and expenses of
appraisers or other experts for a party to the action, in amounts the court finds equitable, against
a party that the court finds acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. The finding may be
based on the partnership's failure to tender payment or an offer to pay or to comply with
subsection (7) of this section.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 888, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-702. Dissociated partner's power to bind and liability to partnership. (1) For
two years after a partner dissociates without resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the
partnership business, the partnership, including a surviving partnership under part 2 of article 90
of this title, is bound by an act of the dissociated partner that would have bound the partnership
under section 7-64-301 before dissociation only if at the time of entering into the transaction the
other party:
(a) Reasonably believed that the dissociated partner was then a partner; and
(b) Did not have notice of the partner's dissociation.
(2) A dissociated partner is liable to the partnership for any damage caused to the
partnership arising from an obligation incurred by the dissociated partner after dissociation for
which the partnership is liable under subsection (1) of this section.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 889, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: IP(1)
amended, p. 2253, § 157, effective July 1, 2004.
7-64-703. Dissociated partner's liability to other persons. (1) A partner's dissociation
does not of itself discharge the partner's liability for a partnership obligation incurred before
dissociation. A dissociated partner is not liable for a partnership obligation incurred after
dissociation, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) A partner who dissociates without resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the
partnership business is liable as a partner to the other party in a transaction entered into by the
partnership, or a surviving partnership under part 2 of article 90 of this title, within two years
after the partner's dissociation, only if the partnership obligation arising from such transaction is
one for which the partner would have been liable under section 7-64-306 had such partner not
dissociated and, at the time of entering into the transaction, the other party:
(a) Substantially relied on a reasonable belief that the dissociated partner was then a
partner; and
(b) Did not have notice of the partner's dissociation.
(3) By agreement with the partnership creditor and the partners continuing the business,
a dissociated partner may be released from liability for a partnership obligation.
(4) A dissociated partner is released from liability for a partnership obligation if a
partnership creditor, with notice of the partner's dissociation but without the partner's consent,
agrees to a material alteration in the nature or time of payment of a partnership obligation.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 890, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: IP(2)
amended, p. 2253, § 158, effective July 1, 2004.
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7-64-704. Statement of dissociation. (1) A dissociated partner or the partnership may
deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement
of dissociation stating the true name of the partnership and that the partner is dissociated from
the partnership.
(2) A statement of dissociation is a limitation on the authority of a dissociated partner for
purposes of section 7-64-303 (3) and (4).
(3) For purposes of sections 7-64-702 (1)(b) and 7-64-703 (2)(b), a person other than the
partnership or one of its partners has notice of the dissociation ninety days after the statement of
dissociation is filed in the records of the secretary of state.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 890, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000: (1)
amended, p. 955, § 32, effective July 1. L. 2002: (1) amended, p. 1826, § 56, effective July 1; (1)
amended, p. 1691, § 54, effective October 1. L. 2003: (1) and (3) amended, p. 2254, § 159,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) and (2) amended, p. 1451, § 160, effective July 1.
7-64-705. Continued use of partnership name. Continued use of a partnership name,
or a dissociated partner's name as part thereof, by partners continuing the business does not of
itself make the dissociated partner liable for an obligation of the partners or the partnership
continuing the business.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 890, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
PART 8
WINDING UP PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS
7-64-801. Events causing dissolution and winding up of partnership business. (1) A
partnership is dissolved, and its business shall be wound up, only upon the occurrence of any of
the following events:
(a) In a partnership at will, the partnership's having notice from a partner, other than a
partner who is dissociated under section 7-64-601 (1)(b) to (1)(j), of that partner's express will to
withdraw as a partner; except that, if the partnership has notice that the partner's will is to
withdraw at a later date, then the dissolution shall occur at the later date stated by the partner;
(b) In a partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking:
(I) Within ninety days after a partner's wrongful dissociation under section 7-64-602 (2)
or a partner's dissociation by death or otherwise under section 7-64-601 (1)(f) to (1)(j), the
express will of at least half of the remaining partners to wind up the partnership business, for
which purpose a partner's rightful dissociation, pursuant to section 7-64-602 (2)(b)(I), constitutes
the expression of that partner's will;
(II) The express will of all of the partners to wind up the partnership business; or
(III) The expiration of the term or the completion of the undertaking;
(c) An event agreed to in the partnership agreement resulting in the winding up of the
partnership business;
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(d) An event that makes it unlawful for all or substantially all of the business of the
partnership to be continued, but a cure of illegality within ninety days after the partnership has
notice of the event is effective retroactively to the date of the event for purposes of this section;
(e) On application by a partner, a judicial determination that:
(I) The economic purpose of the partnership is likely to be unreasonably frustrated;
(II) Another partner has engaged in conduct relating to the partnership business which
makes it not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in partnership with that partner;
(III) It is not otherwise reasonably practicable to carry on the partnership business in
conformity with the partnership agreement; or
(IV) The partnership is not reasonably likely to pay liabilities against which it
indemnifies the dissociated partner;
(f) On application by a transferee of a partner's transferable interest, a judicial
determination that it is equitable to wind up the partnership business:
(I) After the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, if the partnership
was for a definite term or particular undertaking at the time of the transfer or entry of the
charging order that gave rise to the transfer; or
(II) At any time, if the partnership was a partnership at will at the time of the transfer or
entry of the charging order that gave rise to the transfer.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 891, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003:
(1)(a) amended, p. 2254, § 160, effective July 1, 2004.
7-64-802. Partnership continues after dissolution. (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this
section, a partnership continues after dissolution only for the purpose of winding up its business.
The partnership is terminated when the winding up of its business is completed.
(2) At any time after the dissolution of a partnership and before the winding up of its
business is completed, all of the partners, including any dissociating partner other than a
wrongfully dissociating partner, may waive the right to have the partnership's business wound up
and the partnership terminated. In that event:
(a) The partnership resumes carrying on its business as if dissolution had never occurred,
and any debt, obligation, or liability incurred by the partnership or a partner after the dissolution
and before the waiver is determined as if dissolution had never occurred; and
(b) The rights of a third party accruing under section 7-64-804 (1) or arising out of
conduct in reliance on the dissolution before the third party has notice of the waiver may not be
adversely affected.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 892, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-803. Right to wind up partnership business. (1) After dissolution, a partner who
has not wrongfully dissociated may participate in winding up the partnership's business, but on
application of any partner, partner's legal representative, or transferee, the district court, for good
cause shown, may order judicial supervision of the winding up.
(2) The legal representative of the last surviving partner may wind up a partnership's
business.
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(3) A person winding up a partnership's business may preserve the partnership business
or property as a going concern for a reasonable time, prosecute and defend actions and
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, or administrative, settle disputes, settle and close the
partnership's business, dispose of and transfer the partnership's property, discharge or provide for
the partnership obligations, distribute the assets of the partnership pursuant to section 7-64-807,
and perform other necessary acts.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 892, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-804. Partner's power to bind partnership after dissolution. (1) Subject to
section 7-64-805, a partnership is bound by a partner's act after dissolution that:
(a) Is appropriate for winding up the partnership business; or
(b) Would have bound the partnership under section 7-64-301 before dissolution, if the
other party to the transaction did not have notice of the dissolution.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 893, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-805. Statement of dissolution. (1) After dissolution, a partner who has not
wrongfully dissociated may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article
90 of this title, a statement of dissolution stating the true name of the partnership, the principal
office address of the principal office of the partnership, and that the partnership has dissolved
and is winding up its business.
(2) A statement of dissolution cancels a filed statement of partnership authority for
purposes of section 7-64-303 (3) and is a limitation on authority for purposes of section 7-64-303
(4).
(3) For purposes of sections 7-64-301 and 7-64-804, a person not a partner has notice of
the dissolution and the limitation on the partners' authority as a result of the statement of
dissolution ninety days after it is filed in the records of the secretary of state.
(4) Notwithstanding dissolution or the filing or recording of a statement of dissolution, a
partnership may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this
title, and, if appropriate, record a statement of partnership authority that will operate with respect
to a person not a partner as provided in section 7-64-303 (3) and (4) in any transaction, whether
or not the transaction is appropriate for winding up the partnership business.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 893, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000: (1)
amended, p. 956, § 33, effective July 1. L. 2002: (1) and (4) amended, p. 1826, § 57, effective
July 1; (1) and (4) amended, p. 1691, § 55, effective October 1. L. 2003: (1) and (3) amended, p.
2254, § 161, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1), (2), and (4) amended, p. 1452, § 161, effective
July 1. L. 2006: (2) amended, p. 851, § 12, effective July 1.
7-64-806. Partner's liability to other partners after dissolution. (1) Except as
otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section or in section 7-64-306, after dissolution a
partner is liable to the other partners for the partner's share of any partnership obligation incurred
under section 7-64-804.
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(2) A partner who, with knowledge of the dissolution, incurs a partnership obligation
under section 7-64-804 (1)(b) by an act that is not appropriate for winding up the partnership
business is liable to the partnership for any damage caused to the partnership arising from the
obligation.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 893, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-807. Settlement of accounts and contributions among partners. (1) In winding
up a partnership's business, the assets of the partnership, including the contributions of the
partners required by this section, shall be applied to discharge or provide for partnership
obligations to creditors, including, to the extent permitted by law, partners who are creditors.
Any surplus shall be applied to pay in cash the net amount distributable to partners in accordance
with their right to distributions under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Each partner is entitled to a settlement of all partnership accounts upon winding up
the partnership business. In settling accounts among the partners, the profits and losses that
result from the liquidation of the partnership assets shall be credited and charged to the partners'
accounts. The partnership shall make a distribution to a partner in an amount equal to any excess
of the credits over the charges in the partner's account. A partner shall contribute to the
partnership an amount equal to any excess of the charges over the credits in the partner's
account.
(3) If a partner fails to contribute, all of the other partners shall contribute, in the
proportions in which those partners share partnership losses, the additional amount necessary to
discharge or provide for the partnership obligations.
(4) A partner or partner's legal representative may recover from the other partners any
contributions the partner makes to the extent the amount contributed exceeds that partner's share
of the partnership obligations.
(5) After the settlement of accounts, each partner shall contribute, in the proportion in
which the partner shares partnership losses, the amount necessary to discharge or provide for
partnership obligations that were not known at the time of the settlement.
(6) The estate of a deceased partner is liable for the partner's obligation to contribute to
the partnership.
(7) An assignee for the benefit of creditors of a partnership or a partner, or a person
appointed by a court to represent creditors of a partnership or a partner, may enforce a partner's
obligation to contribute to the partnership.
(8) Notwithstanding any other subsection of this section, no partner shall be obligated to
contribute under this section with respect to any amounts that are attributable to a partnership
obligation incurred while the partnership is a limited liability partnership.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 894, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
PART 9
CONVERSIONS AND MERGERS
7-64-901 to 7-64-909. (Repealed)
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Editor's note: (1) This article was added in 1997, and this part 9 was subsequently
repealed in 2003, effective July 1, 2004. For amendments to this part 9 prior to its repeal in
2004, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front
of this volume.
(2) Section 7-64-909 provided for the repeal of this part 9, effective July 1, 2004. (See L.
2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
PART 10
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS;
LIMITED LIABILITY LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS;
FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS;
FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS
7-64-1001. Definitions. As used in this part 10:
(1) "Partner" includes both a general partner and a limited partner.
(2) "Partnership agreement" means the partnership agreement in a partnership or a
limited partnership.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 900, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this part 10, see § 7-90-102.
7-64-1002. Registration. (1) A domestic partnership governed by this article may
register as a limited liability partnership, and a domestic limited partnership that has made the
election provided for in section 7-61-129 or section 7-62-1104 may register as a limited liability
limited partnership, by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article
90 of this title, a statement of registration. If a certificate of limited partnership is being filed, the
statement of registration may be included in the certificate of limited partnership.
(2) The statement of registration shall be approved in the manner provided in the
partnership agreement or, if not so provided, shall be approved by all of the general partners.
(3) The statement of registration shall state:
(a) The name that has been the true name of the domestic partnership or of the domestic
limited partnership and the name that will be the domestic entity name of the domestic limited
liability partnership or domestic limited liability limited partnership, which domestic entity name
shall comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title;
(b) The principal office address of its principal office; and
(c) The registered agent name and registered agent address of its registered agent.
(d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1452, § 162, effective July 1, 2004.)
(4) Part 8 of article 90 of this title, providing for the transaction of business or the
conduct of activities by foreign entities, applies to foreign limited liability partnerships and
foreign limited liability limited partnerships.
(5) A domestic limited liability partnership or a domestic limited liability limited
partnership may cease to be a domestic limited liability partnership or a domestic limited
liability limited partnership by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of
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article 90 of this title, a statement of withdrawal of registration. The statement of withdrawal of
registration shall be approved in the manner provided in the partnership agreement or, if not so
provided, shall be approved by all of the general partners. The withdrawal of registration shall be
effective upon the effective date of the statement of withdrawal of registration.
(6) A domestic partnership or a domestic limited partnership that has been registered
under this part 10 is for all purposes the same entity that existed before it registered. A domestic
partnership or a domestic limited partnership that withdraws its registration as a domestic limited
liability partnership or a domestic limited liability limited partnership is for all purposes the
same entity that existed before it withdrew its registration.
(7) Except as to persons who were partners at the time of filing, the filing of a statement
of registration shall be conclusive that all conditions precedent to registration under this section
have been met.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 900, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000:
(1)(a) and (2)(a) amended, p. 957, § 37, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(1), IP(2), and (4) amended,
p. 1827, § 60, effective July 1; IP(1), IP(2), and (4) amended, p. 1691, § 58, effective October 1.
L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2255, § 162, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) and (3)
amended, p. 1452, § 162, effective July 1.
7-64-1003. Name. (Repealed)
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 902, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000:
Entire section repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective July 1.
7-64-1004. Limitations on distributions to general partner. (1) A limited liability
partnership or limited liability limited partnership shall not make a distribution to a general
partner to the extent that at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, all
liabilities of the limited liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership, other than
liabilities to general partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the
recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of the partnership, exceed the fair value of
the assets of the partnership; except that the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for
which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the partnership only to
the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability. For purposes of this section
and sections 7-62-607 and 7-62-608, the term "distribution" shall not include payments to the
extent that the payments do not exceed amounts equal to or constituting reasonable
compensation for present or past services or reasonable payments made in the ordinary course of
business pursuant to a bona fide retirement plan or other benefits program.
(2) A general partner in a limited liability partnership or limited liability limited
partnership who receives a distribution in violation of subsection (1) of this section, and who
knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution violated subsection (1) of this section,
shall be liable to the partnership for the amount of the distribution. A general partner in a limited
liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership who receives a distribution in
violation of subsection (1) of this section, and who did not know at the time of the distribution
that the distribution violated subsection (1) of this section, shall not be liable for the amount of
the distribution. Subject to subsection (3) of this section, this subsection (2) shall not affect any
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obligation or liability of a general partner under an agreement or other applicable law for the
amount of a distribution.
(3) Unless otherwise agreed, a general partner in a limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership who receives a distribution from the partnership shall have no
liability under this article or other applicable law for the amount of the distribution after the
expiration of three years from the date of the distribution unless an action to recover the
distribution from such partner is commenced prior to the expiration of the said three-year period
and an adjudication of liability against such partner is made in the said action.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 904, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2006:
Entire section amended, p. 851, § 13, effective July 1.
7-64-1005. Liability of general partner upon return of contribution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 904, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2006:
Entire section repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
7-64-1006. Governing law - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 904, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: (2)
added by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-64-1007. Periodic reports. Part 5 of article 90 of this title, providing for periodic
reports from reporting entities, applies to domestic limited liability partnerships and domestic
limited liability limited partnerships and applies to foreign limited liability partnerships and
foreign limited liability limited partnerships that are authorized to transact business or conduct
activities in this state pursuant to part 8 of article 90 of this title.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 905, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000:
Entire section repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section RC&RE, p. 2257,
§ 163, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1453, § 163, effective July 1.
L. 2010: Entire section amended, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1994, § 7, effective August 11.
7-64-1008. Failure to comply with part 5 of article 90 of this title. (Repealed)
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 905, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2000: (1),
(3)(b), and (3)(d) amended, p. 957, § 38, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p.
2257, § 164, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1453, § 164, effective
July 1. L. 2005: Entire section repealed, p. 1218, § 26, effective October 1.
7-64-1008.5. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, shall apply to domestic limited liability
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partnerships and domestic limited liability limited partnerships and to foreign limited liability
partnerships and foreign limited liability limited partnerships that are authorized to transact
business or conduct activities in this state pursuant to part 8 of article 90 of this title.
Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1454, § 165, effective July 1.
7-64-1009. Application of corporation case law to set aside limited liability. (1) In a
case in which a party seeks to hold the general partners of a limited liability partnership or
limited liability limited partnership personally responsible for the alleged improper actions of the
limited liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership, the court shall apply the case
law that interprets the conditions and circumstances under which the corporate veil of a
corporation may be pierced under Colorado law.
(2) For purposes of this section, the failure of a limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership to observe the formalities or requirements relating to the
management of its business and affairs is not in itself a ground for imposing personal liability on
the partners for debts, obligations, or liabilities of the limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 906, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: (1)
amended, p. 2258, § 165, effective July 1, 2004.
7-64-1010. Scope of part - choice of law - application to professions and
occupations. (1) A limited liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership may
conduct its business, carry on its operations, and exercise the powers granted by this part 10
within and without the state.
(2) (a) It is the intent of the general assembly that the legal existence of limited liability
partnerships and limited liability limited partnerships be recognized outside the boundaries of
this state and that the law of this state governing the limited liability partnership or limited
liability limited partnership transacting business outside this state be granted the protection of
full faith and credit under section 1 of article IV of the constitution of the United States.
(b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the internal affairs of a limited liability
partnership or limited liability limited partnership formed in this state be subject to and governed
by the law of this state including the provisions governing liability of general partners for debts,
obligations, and liabilities chargeable to partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited
liability limited partnerships.
(3) Nothing in this part 10 shall be construed to permit a limited liability partnership,
foreign limited liability partnership, limited liability limited partnership, or foreign limited
liability limited partnership to engage in a profession or occupation as described in title 12,
C.R.S., for which there is a specific statutory provision applicable to the practice of such
profession or occupation by a corporation or professional corporation in this state unless
authorized under applicable provisions of title 12, C.R.S.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 906, § 1, effective January 1, 1998. L. 2003: (2)
amended, p. 2258, § 166, effective July 1, 2004.
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PART 11
FILING DOCUMENTS
Editor's note: This article was added in 1997, and this part 11 was subsequently
repealed and reenacted in 2003, effective July 1, 2004, resulting in the addition, relocation, and
elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to this part 11 prior to 2004,
consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front of
this volume.
7-64-1101. Filing requirements. Part 3 of article 90 of this title, providing for the filing
of documents, applies to any document filed or to be filed by the secretary of state pursuant to
this article.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2258, § 167, effective July 1, 2004.
7-64-1102. Registered agent - service of process. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2259, § 167, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section repealed, p. 1454, § 166, effective July 1.
PART 12
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
7-64-1201. Uniformity of application and construction. This article shall be applied
and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the
subject of this article among states enacting it.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 914, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-1202. Title. This article may be cited as the "Colorado Uniform Partnership Act
(1997)".
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 914, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-1203. Severability clause. If any provision of this article or its application to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
applications of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,
and to this end the provisions of this article are severable.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 914, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-1204. Effective date. This article takes effect January 1, 1998.
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Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 915, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-1205. Applicability. (1) This article governs only a partnership formed:
(a) After January 1, 1998, unless that partnership is continuing the business of a
partnership that has dissolved under section 7-60-141; and
(b) Before January 1, 1998, that elects, as provided by subsection (2) of this section, to
be governed by this article.
(2) A partnership voluntarily may elect, in the manner provided in its partnership
agreement or by law for amending the partnership agreement, to be governed by this article. The
provisions of this article relating to the liability of the partnership's partners to third parties apply
to limit those partners' liability to a third party who had done business with the partnership
within one year preceding the partnership's election to be governed by this article, only if the
third party has notice of the partnership's election to be governed by this article.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 915, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
7-64-1206. Savings clause. This article does not affect an action or proceeding
commenced or right accrued before this article takes effect.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 915, § 1, effective January 1, 1998.
TRADEMARKS AND BUSINESS NAMES
ARTICLE 70
Trademarks
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 1 of chapter 141, C.R.S. 1963. The
substantive provisions of this article were repealed and reenacted in 2006, effective May 29,
2007, resulting in the addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as well as subject matter.
For amendments to this article prior to 2007, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory
note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the original volume of
C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume. Former C.R.S. section numbers
are shown in editor's notes following those sections that were relocated.
Law reviews: For article, "Trademark Basics for the Young Lawyer", see 18 Colo. Law.
459 (1989); for article, "Representing the Franchise", see 18 Colo. Law. 2105 (1989); for a
discussion of Tenth Circuit decisions dealing with trademarks, see 66 Den. U. L. Rev. 709
(1989); for article, "Distinguishing Between an Employee's General Knowledge and Trade
Secrets", see 23 Colo. Law. 2123 (1994); for article, "The Revision of the Colorado Trademark
Registration Statute", see 36 Colo. Law. 39 (Jan. 2007); for article, "Trademark-Related Domain
Name Disputes Under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy", see 42 Colo.
Law. 37 (June 2013).
7-70-101. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
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(1) "Class" means one of the classes listed in the "International Classification of Goods
and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks", published by the world intellectual
property organization, as adopted and codified by the United States patent and trademark office
of the United States department of commerce at 37 CFR 6.1, as amended from time to time, or in
any successor classification list as determined by the secretary of state.
(2) "Drawing" means a pictorial representation of a special form trademark.
(3) "Registrant" means:
(a) A person who is identified as the registrant in the statement of trademark registration
filed under this article; or
(b) Following the filing of a statement of transfer of trademark registration, a person
who is identified as the transferee in the statement of transfer of trademark registration.
(4) "Special form trademark" means any trademark that is not a standard character
trademark, such as a trademark made up of, or containing, in whole or in part, one or more
special characteristics such as a logo, picture, design element, color, or style of lettering.
(5) "Specimen" means a sample of use of the trademark, on or in a medium acceptable to
the secretary of state. A specimen for a trademark for goods must show the trademark as used on
or in connection with the goods in commerce in this state, such as a label, tag, or container for
the goods; a display associated with the goods; or an imprint on the goods, such as a stamping. A
specimen for a trademark for services must show the trademark as used in connection with the
sale or advertising of the services in commerce in this state.
(6) "Standard character trademark" means a trademark:
(a) In which the trademark is expressed only in English letters, roman or arabic
numerals, or punctuation marks as may be acceptable to the secretary of state; and
(b) In which no stylization of lettering or numbers is claimed.
(7) "Trademark" means a word, name, symbol, device, or any combination thereof,
including packaging, configuration of goods, or other trade dress, used by a person to identify
and distinguish the person's goods or services from those manufactured, sold, or rendered by
others and to indicate the source of the goods or services, even if that source is unknown.
(8) "Transfer" includes an assignment and a transfer by operation of law, but does not
include a security interest or a license.
(9) "Use in commerce" means a bona fide use of a trademark in the ordinary course of
trade, and not made merely to reserve a right in a trademark.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 109, § 1, effective May 29, 2007.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-70-101 as it existed prior to 2006.
Cross references: (1) For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
(2) For the unlawful use of trademarks or trade names on fuel products, see § 8-20-220.
7-70-102. Statement of trademark registration. (1) A person who adopts and makes
use in commerce of a trademark in this state may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of trademark registration to which a
specimen and, if the trademark is a special form trademark, a drawing is attached.
(2) A statement of trademark registration shall state:
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(a) The true name of the registrant or, in the case of a general partnership that is not a
limited liability partnership, the true name of at least one general partner of the general
partnership;
(b) If the registrant is an entity, the form of entity and the jurisdiction under the law of
which the entity is formed;
(c) If the registrant is an individual, the individual's principal address;
(d) If the registrant is an entity other than a reporting entity, the entity's principal
address;
(e) If the registrant is neither an individual resident of this state nor an entity that is
required to maintain a registered agent pursuant to part 7 of article 90 of this title, either of the
following:
(I) If the registrant desires to appoint a registered agent pursuant to section 7-70-108, the
registered agent name, the registered agent address, and a statement that the person appointed as
the registered agent for the registrant has consented to being so appointed; or
(II) The mailing address to which service of process in any proceeding based on a cause
of action with respect to the statement of trademark registration may be mailed pursuant to
section 7-70-108;
(f) If the trademark is a standard character trademark, the characters constituting the
trademark;
(g) If the trademark is a special form trademark, a description of the attached drawing;
(h) A detailed description of the goods or services in connection with which the
trademark is used and the class into which such goods or services fall;
(i) A description of the attached specimen sufficient to identify the nature of the
specimen;
(j) The date of first use in commerce of the trademark in this state by the registrant or the
registrant's predecessor in interest; and
(k) That the registrant is currently using the trademark in commerce in this state and that
the registrant believes, in good faith, that:
(I) The registrant has the right to use the trademark in connection with the goods or
services listed pursuant to paragraph (h) of this subsection (2); and
(II) The registrant's use of the trademark does not infringe the rights of any other person
in that trademark.
(3) A statement of trademark registration shall not state a delayed effective date.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 110, § 1, effective May 29, 2007. L. 2007:
(2)(c) and (2)(d) amended, p. 225, § 12, effective May 29. L. 2009: (2)(a) amended, (HB 091248), ch. 252, p. 1131, § 9, effective May 14.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-70-102 as it existed prior to 2006.
7-70-103. Effect of filing statement of trademark registration. (1) A statement of
trademark registration filed by the secretary of state shall be notice of the claims made in the
statement of trademark registration from and after the date and time the statement of trademark
registration is filed.
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(2) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, filing of a statement of
trademark registration does not confer upon the registrant any substantive right or create any
remedy not otherwise available. All substantive rights and remedies created by the laws of this
state with respect to trademarks are created exclusively by common law.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, filing of a statement of
trademark registration does not enlarge or otherwise affect rights with respect to the trademark
that are created by the common law of this state or any other laws. The lack of filing of a
statement of trademark registration does not impair or otherwise affect such rights.
(4) This article does not confer the right to use the phrase "registered in the United States
patent and trademark office", the abbreviation "reg. U.S. pat. & tm. off.", or any other
abbreviation of such phrase or variant thereof, or the letter R enclosed within a circle, or ® in
connection with a trademark with respect to which a statement of trademark registration has
been filed by the secretary of state.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 112, § 1, effective May 29, 2007.
7-70-104. Duration and renewal. (1) Unless withdrawn in accordance with section 770-105, a statement of trademark registration shall be effective for a term of five years from the
date on which the statement of trademark registration is filed by the secretary of state. A
statement of trademark registration, with respect to which a statement of withdrawal of
trademark registration has been filed by the secretary of state or with respect to which a
statement of renewal of trademark registration has not been filed by the secretary of state within
the time provided in this section, does not provide notice under section 7-70-103 (1).
(2) The effectiveness of a statement of trademark registration may be renewed by the
registrant for successive terms of five years by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing
pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of renewal of trademark registration:
(a) No earlier than one hundred eighty days before the expiration of the current term of
effectiveness of the statement of trademark registration; and
(b) No later than the date of expiration of the current term of effectiveness of the
statement of trademark registration.
(3) The statement of renewal of trademark registration shall:
(a) State the true name of the registrant or, in the case of a general partnership that is not
a limited liability partnership, the true name of at least one general partner of the general
partnership;
(b) Identify the statement of trademark registration in a manner satisfactory to the
secretary of state;
(c) If the registrant is an individual, state the individual's principal address;
(c.5) If the registrant is an entity other than a reporting entity, state the entity's principal
address;
(c.7) If the registrant is neither an individual resident of this state nor an entity that is
required to maintain a registered agent pursuant to part 7 of article 90 of this title, state either of
the following:
(I) If the registrant desires to appoint a registered agent pursuant to section 7-70-108, the
registered agent name, the registered agent address, and that the person appointed as the
registered agent for the registrant has consented to being so appointed; or
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(II) The mailing address to which service of process in any proceeding based on a cause
of action with respect to the statement of trademark registration may be mailed pursuant to
section 7-70-108;
(d) Identify any goods or services described in the statement of trademark registration, or
in any previously filed statement related to the statement of trademark registration, with respect
to which the trademark is no longer used;
(e) State that the registrant is currently using the trademark in commerce in this state in
connection with the goods or services described in the statement of trademark registration,
excluding any goods or services identified pursuant to paragraph (d) of this subsection (3);
(f) State that the registrant believes, in good faith, that:
(I) The registrant has the right to use the trademark in commerce in this state in
connection with the goods or services, excluding any goods or services identified in paragraph
(d) of this subsection (3); and
(II) The registrant's use of the trademark does not infringe the rights of any other person
in that trademark;
(g) Have a current specimen attached; and
(h) Contain such other information as the secretary of state may require.
(4) Repealed.
(5) A statement of renewal of trademark registration shall not state a delayed effective
date.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 112, § 1, effective May 29, 2007. L. 2009:
(3)(a) and (3)(c) amended and (3)(c.5) and (3)(c.7) added, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1131, § 10,
effective May 14. L. 2010: (4) repealed, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1995, § 10, effective August
11.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-70-104 as it existed prior to 2007.
7-70-105. Statement of withdrawal of trademark registration. (1) A statement of
trademark registration may be withdrawn by the registrant by delivering to the secretary of state,
for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of withdrawal of trademark
registration.
(2) A statement of withdrawal of trademark registration shall:
(a) State the true name of the registrant;
(b) Identify the statement of trademark registration in a manner satisfactory to the
secretary of state;
(c) State that the statement of trademark registration is withdrawn; and
(d) Include such other information as the secretary of state may require.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 114, § 1, effective May 29, 2007.
7-70-106. Statement of transfer of trademark registration. (1) Following the transfer
of a trademark to another person by the registrant or by operation of law, the registrant or the
transferee may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this
title, a statement of transfer of trademark registration.
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(2) A statement of transfer of trademark registration shall:
(a) State the true name of the registrant prior to the transfer;
(b) State the true name of the transferee;
(c) If the transferee is an entity, state the form of entity and the jurisdiction under the law
of which it is formed;
(d) If the transferee is an individual, state the individual's principal address;
(e) If the transferee is an entity other than a reporting entity, state the entity's principal
address;
(f) If the transferee is neither an individual resident of this state nor an entity that is
required to maintain a registered agent pursuant to part 7 of article 90 of this title, state either:
(I) If the transferee desires to appoint a registered agent pursuant to section 7-70-108, the
registered agent name, the registered agent address, and a statement that the person appointed as
the registered agent for the registrant has consented to being so appointed; or
(II) The mailing address to which service of process in any action relating to the
statement of trademark registration may be mailed pursuant to section 7-70-108;
(g) Identify the statement of trademark registration in a manner satisfactory to the
secretary of state;
(h) State that the registrant has transferred to the transferee, or that the transferee has by
operation of law succeeded to, the rights to the trademark, including all associated goodwill, to
which the statement of trademark registration pertains; and
(i) Include such other information as the secretary of state may require.
(3) The filing of, or the failure to file, a statement of transfer of trademark registration
shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the underlying transfer of the trademark.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 114, § 1, effective May 29, 2007. L. 2007:
(2)(d) and (2)(e) amended, p. 225, § 13, effective May 29.
7-70-107. Judicial cancellation of statement of trademark registration. (1) A
statement of trademark registration or any document affecting a statement of trademark
registration filed by the secretary of state may be cancelled in a proceeding in a court of
competent jurisdiction if it is established:
(a) By a person that a statement of trademark registration, or any document affecting a
statement of trademark registration, filed by the secretary of state in the name of the person, was
not duly authorized by the person or was filed without the person's knowledge or consent; or
(b) By a person who is harmed by a statement of trademark registration, or any
document affecting a statement of trademark registration, that it was delivered for filing by a
person other than the person who is harmed and contains a material misstatement, was delivered
for filing in bad faith, or is fraudulent.
(2) (a) If it is determined in the proceeding that one or more grounds for cancellation
described in subsection (1) of this section exist, an order shall be issued cancelling the statement
of trademark registration or any other document filed by the secretary of state affecting the
statement of trademark registration. Upon issuance of such order, the person requesting
cancellation may deliver a certified copy of the order to the secretary of state for filing pursuant
to part 3 of article 90 of this title.
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(b) Upon good cause shown, it may also be ordered that after cancellation, the filed
statement of trademark registration or the filed document affecting the statement of trademark
registration be removed from the publicly accessible records of the secretary of state. In such a
case the secretary of state may retain the original or a copy of the filed statement of trademark
registration or the filed document affecting the statement of trademark registration, but such
original or copy shall not be opened for inspection, and copies or printouts of the filed statement
of trademark registration or the filed document affecting the statement of trademark registration
shall not be furnished, except upon application to the secretary of state and only for good cause
shown, notwithstanding any provision of part 2 of article 72 of title 24, C.R.S., or any other
provision of law.
(3) This section does not provide the only grounds for cancellation of a statement of
trademark registration or any document affecting a statement of trademark registration filed by
the secretary of state, and any court of competent jurisdiction may order the cancellation of a
statement of trademark registration or any document affecting a statement of trademark
registration filed by the secretary of state when the court determines that such cancellation is
appropriate relief in any action.
(4) In any proceeding under this section, the court, in exceptional cases, may award
reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 115, § 1, effective May 29, 2007.
7-70-108. Service of process on a registrant. (1) A registrant who is neither an
individual resident of this state nor an entity that is required to maintain a registered agent
pursuant to part 7 of article 90 of this title shall either:
(a) Continuously maintain a registered agent in this state to accept service on its behalf
in any proceeding based on a cause of action with respect to the statement of trademark
registration; or
(b) Be deemed to have authorized service of process on it in connection with any such
cause of action by registered mail or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the
registrant at the mailing address, if any, furnished pursuant to section 7-70-102 (2)(e)(II), 7-70104 (3)(c.7)(II), or 7-70-106 (2)(f)(II), as it may have been corrected by a statement of correction
filed pursuant to section 7-90-305 or changed in a statement of change filed pursuant to section
7-90-305.5, and, if no such address has been furnished, to the registrant at the registrant's
principal address.
(2) Service is perfected under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section at the
earliest of:
(a) The date the registrant received the process;
(b) The date shown on the return receipt, if signed by or on behalf of the registrant; or
(c) Five days after mailing.
(3) A registrant who is neither an individual resident of this state nor an entity that is
required to maintain a registered agent pursuant to part 7 of article 90 of this title may appoint a
registered agent to accept service on its behalf in any proceeding based on a cause of action with
respect to the statement of trademark registration by making the statements set forth in section 770-102 (2)(e)(I) in a statement of trademark registration, in a statement of renewal of trademark
registration or the statements set forth in section 7-70-106 (2)(f)(I), in a statement of transfer of
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trademark registration, or in a statement of change filed pursuant to section 7-90-305.5, adding
such statements to a filed statement of trademark registration or a filed statement of transfer of
trademark registration. The registered agent shall be:
(a) An individual who is eighteen years of age or older and whose primary residence or
usual place of business is in this state;
(b) A domestic entity having a usual place of business in this state; or
(c) A foreign entity authorized to transact business or conduct activities in this state that
has a usual place of business in this state.
(4) A registrant having a usual place of business in this state may serve as its own
registered agent.
(5) The provisions of sections 7-90-702 and 7-90-703 shall apply to a registered agent
appointed by a registrant pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, notwithstanding that the
registrant is not an entity otherwise covered by section 7-90-702 or 7-90-703, and to the
registrant who appoints such a registered agent.
(6) This section does not prescribe the only means, or necessarily the required means, of
serving a registrant in any proceeding based on a cause of action with respect to the statement of
trademark registration. Nothing in this section shall authorize service of process on a registrant
who maintains a registered agent pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section in
any proceeding other than a proceeding based on a cause of action with respect to the statement
of trademark registration.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 116, § 1, effective May 29, 2007. L. 2007:
(1)(b) amended, p. 225, § 14, effective May 29. L. 2009: (1)(b) amended, (HB 09-1248), ch.
252, p. 1132, § 11, effective May 14.
7-70-109. Statements of trademark registration filed prior to May 29, 2007. (1) A
statement of trademark registration that was filed in accordance with this article prior to May 29,
2007, and that is on file in the records of the secretary of state as of May 28, 2007, shall be
deemed to have been filed pursuant to and in accordance with this article as repealed and
reenacted and shall have the same effect as if filed pursuant to this article as repealed and
reenacted. Each such statement of trademark registration shall remain effective until the
expiration date for the statement of trademark registration under this article prior to its repeal
and reenactment.
(2) Repeal and reenactment of this article shall not affect any actions or causes of action
that have accrued under this article before its repeal and reenactment.
Source: L. 2006: Entire article R&RE, p. 118, § 1, effective May 29, 2007.
ARTICLE 71
Trade Names
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 2 of chapter 141, C.R.S. 1963. The
substantive provisions of this article were repealed and reenacted in 2004, effective May 30,
2006, resulting in the addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as well as subject matter.
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For amendments to this article prior to 2006, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory
note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the original volume of
C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume. Former C.R.S. section numbers
are shown in editor's notes following those sections that were relocated.
Cross references: (1) For definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
(2) For the unlawful use of trademarks or trade names on fuel products, see § 8-20-220.
7-71-101. Statement of trade name required. Except as otherwise provided in section
7-71-107, a person shall not transact business in this state under a name other than the true name
of the person or, in the case of a general partnership that is not a limited liability partnership,
under a name other than the true name of each general partner of the general partnership, except
in compliance with this article and not unless an effective statement of trade name is on file in
the records of the secretary of state.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1538, § 1, effective May 30, 2006.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-71-101 (1) as it existed in prior to
2006.
7-71-102. Consequences for failure to have effective statement of trade name filed.
(1) No person transacting business in this state under a name in violation of section 7-71-101,
nor anyone on its behalf, shall be permitted to maintain a proceeding in any court in this state for
the collection of a debt from another with whom or with which the person transacted business in
violation of section 7-71-101 until an effective statement of trade name for such name is on file
in the records of the secretary of state in accordance with this article.
(2) A person that transacts business in this state under a name in violation of section 771-101 shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars. The civil penalty
may be recovered in an action brought by the attorney general in the district court in and for the
city and county of Denver and shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit it to the
general fund. Upon a finding by the court that a person, or any of its members, managers, or
agents on its behalf, has transacted business in this state under a name in violation of section 771-101, the court may issue, in addition to or in lieu of the imposition of a civil penalty, an
injunction restraining the further transaction of business in this state by the person and such
members, managers, and agents under such name until the person has complied with the
provisions of this article.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, transacting business in this state by a
person under a name in violation of section 7-71-101 does not impair the validity of the acts of
the person at any time taken, affect title to any property or interest in property owned by the
person, or prevent the person from defending any proceeding in this state at any time.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1538, § 1, effective May 30, 2006.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-71-102 as it existed prior to 2006.
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7-71-103. Statement of trade name. (1) A person may deliver to the secretary of state,
for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of trade name for any name
other than the true name of the person or, in the case of a general partnership that is not a limited
liability partnership, other than the true name of each general partner of the general partnership,
under which the person transacts business, or contemplates transacting business, in this state. A
statement of trade name shall state:
(a) The true name of the person or, in the case of a general partnership that is not a
limited liability partnership, the true name of at least one general partner of the general
partnership;
(b) If the person is an entity, the form of entity and the jurisdiction under the law of
which it is formed;
(c) If the person is not a reporting entity, the person's principal address;
(d) The name, other than the true name of the person, or, in the case of a general
partnership that is not a limited liability partnership, other than the true name of each general
partner of the general partnership, under which the person transacts business, or contemplates
transacting business, in this state;
(e) A brief description of the kind of business transacted, or contemplated to be
transacted, in this state under the name; and
(f) Such other information as the secretary of state may require.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1539, § 1, effective May 30, 2006. L. 2007:
(1)(c) amended, p. 226, § 15, effective May 29.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-71-101 (2) as it existed prior to 2006.
7-71-104. Effect of filing a statement of trade name. (1) (a) A filed statement of trade
name shall become effective as provided in section 7-90-304, and, unless the statement of trade
name is withdrawn in accordance with section 7-71-106, for reporting entities shall remain
effective in perpetuity, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection (1),
and for persons other than reporting entities shall remain effective only through the last day of
the twelfth calendar month following the calendar month in which the statement of trade name
becomes effective, unless it is renewed in accordance with section 7-71-105.
(b) A filed statement of trade name of a delinquent entity shall remain effective only
through the last day of the twelfth calendar month following the calendar month of the effective
date of delinquency under section 7-90-902 (1), unless it is renewed in accordance with section
7-71-105; except that this paragraph (b) shall not apply to a filed statement of trade name of a
delinquent entity that cures its delinquency pursuant to section 7-90-904 (1) while such filed
statement of trade name is effective.
(c) A filed statement of trade name of a dissolved reporting entity shall remain effective
only through the last day of the twelfth calendar month following the calendar month of the
effective date of dissolution of the entity, unless it is renewed in accordance with section 7-71105; except that this paragraph (c) shall not apply to a filed statement of trade name of a
dissolved entity that is reinstated while such filed statement of trade name is effective.
(2) A person having an effective statement of trade name on file in the records of the
secretary of state shall be liable in connection with the business transacted in this state by the
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person under the trade name stated in the statement of trade name to the same extent and in the
same manner as if the business were transacted under its true name.
(3) A person having an effective statement of trade name on file in the records of the
secretary of state at the time an action is brought by another person may be sued under the trade
name stated in the statement of trade name in connection with any business transacted by the
person in this state under the trade name with the person bringing the action.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1540, § 1, effective May 30, 2006. L. 2006: (1)
amended, p. 852, § 14, effective May 30. L. 2010: (1)(b) amended, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p.
1994, § 8, effective August 11.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-71-101 (4) as it existed prior to 2006.
7-71-105. Renewal of statement of trade name. (1) A person other than a reporting
entity having an effective statement of trade name on file in the records of the secretary of state
may renew the statement of trade name by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant
to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of trade name renewal at any time during the last
three calendar months the statement of trade name is effective. A filed statement of trade name
renewal extends, by one calendar year, the period during which the statement of trade name to
which it relates is effective. A statement of trade name renewal shall state, with respect to the
statement of trade name to be renewed:
(a) The true name of the person, or, in the case of a general partnership that is not a
limited liability partnership, the true name of at least one general partner of the partnership;
(b) The name under which the person transacts business in this state, as stated in the
statement of trade name;
(c) The person's principal address;
(c.5) A brief description of the kind of business transacted, or contemplated to be
transacted, in this state under the name; and
(d) Such other information as the secretary of state may require.
(1.5) No statement of trade name renewal shall state a delayed effective date.
(2) Repealed.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1540, § 1, effective May 30, 2006. L. 2006:
(1)(a) and (1)(c) amended and (1.5) added, p. 853, § 15, effective May 30. L. 2009: IP(1) and
(1)(c) amended and (1)(c.5) added, (HB 09-1248), ch. 252, p. 1132, § 12, effective May 14. L.
2010: (2) repealed, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1995, § 11, effective August 11.
7-71-106. Withdrawal of statement of trade name. (1) A person having a statement of
trade name on file in the records of the secretary of state may withdraw the statement of trade
name by delivering to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title,
a statement of trade name withdrawal stating:
(a) The true name of the person;
(b) The trade name with respect to which the statement of trade name withdrawal relates;
(c) That the person will no longer transact business in this state under the trade name;
and
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(d) That the statement of trade name is withdrawn upon the filing of the statement of
trade name withdrawal.
(2) Upon the filing of the statement of trade name withdrawal, the statement of trade
name to which it relates shall no longer be effective.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1541, § 1, effective May 30, 2006.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-71-101 (8) as it existed prior to 2006.
7-71-107. Nonprofit entities. (1) A nonprofit entity for which a constituent filed
document is in the records of the secretary of state may, but shall not be required to, deliver to
the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of trade
name for any name other than its true name under which the nonprofit entity transacts business
or conducts activities, or contemplates transacting business or conducting activities, in this state.
This article, other than section 7-71-102, shall apply to the statement of trade name and any
other statement filed in connection therewith and to the trade name.
(2) Any member of a nonprofit entity for which a constituent filed document is not in the
records of the secretary of state may, but shall not be required to, deliver to the secretary of state,
for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a statement of trade name for any name
other than the true name of all of its members under which the nonprofit entity transacts business
or conducts activities, or contemplates transacting business or conducting activities, in this state.
This article, other than section 7-71-102, shall apply to any such statement of trade name and
any other statement filed in connection therewith and to any trade name stated in any such
statement of trade name.
(3) As to any statement of trade name filed pursuant to this section and any other
statement filed in connection with the filing, any reference in this article or in such statement to
the phrase "transact business", or its derivatives or variants, shall include "conduct activities".
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1541, § 1, effective May 30, 2006. L. 2006: (1)
and (2) amended, p. 853, § 16, effective May 30.
7-71-108. Recording of trade name affidavit. (1) An affidavit stating that a person
may hold title to real property in this state under one or more trade names may be recorded in the
office of the clerk and recorder of any county in this state in which the person owns, or
contemplates owning, any real property or interest in real property and, upon such recording,
shall constitute prima facie evidence of the facts recited in the affidavit insofar as such facts
affect title to real property located in such county. The affidavit shall include the following:
(a) The true name of the person to which the affidavit relates;
(b) If the person is an entity, the form of entity and the jurisdiction under the law of
which it is formed;
(c) If the person is an individual, the street address of the individual's primary residence
or usual place of business in this state if the individual has one, or outside this state if the
individual has no primary residence or usual place of business in this state, and, if different, the
mailing address of the individual or, if the person is an entity, the street address of the entity's
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usual place of business in this state if it has one, or outside this state if it has no usual place of
business in this state and, if different, the mailing address of the entity; and
(d) The trade name or trade names under which the person may hold title to real property
in this state.
(2) If the person to which the affidavit relates is not an individual and is capable of
holding title to real property under the law of this state, the affidavit also shall be a statement of
authority under section 38-30-172, C.R.S., with the effect of a statement of authority as provided
in such section, if the affidavit also contains the following:
(a) The true name or position of the person authorized to execute instruments conveying,
encumbering, or otherwise affecting title to real property on behalf of the person to which the
affidavit relates; and
(b) Any limitation that may exist upon the authority of the person named in the affidavit
or holding the position described in the affidavit to bind the person to which the affidavit relates
or a statement that no such limitation exists.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1542, § 1, effective May 30, 2006.
7-71-109. Trade names registered with the department of revenue. (1) Public
records of the registration of trade names with the department of revenue pursuant to section 2435-301, C.R.S., prior to its repeal, as to which the registration is in effect on May 29, 2006, shall
be transferred to the secretary of state. On and after May 30, 2006, each such trade name shall be
deemed a trade name for which a statement of trade name is on file in the records of the
secretary of state. The statement of trade name deemed filed for each such trade name shall be
effective until the date determined by the secretary of state, which date shall not be earlier than
December 31, 2007. Applications to register, modify, delete, or renew trade names that are filed
with the department of revenue on or before May 29, 2006, but not part of the public records
transferred to the secretary of state pursuant to this subsection (1), shall be transmitted by the
department of revenue to the secretary of state, together with any fee paid for the applications.
Each such application shall be deemed delivered to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to
part 3 of article 90 of this title, by the person on whose behalf the application was made and shall
in all respects be subject to part 3 of article 90 of this title. After filing by the secretary of state,
each such application shall be deemed effective for purposes of this article and section 7-90-304,
as of May 30, 2006.
(2) Fees that have been collected by the department of revenue for registration,
modification, deletion, and renewal of registration of trade names that are part of the public
records transferred to the secretary of state pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be
remitted to the state treasury pursuant to section 24-35-301 (3), C.R.S., as such section existed
prior to its repeal.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1542, § 1, effective May 30, 2006.
Cross references: For registration of trade names as it existed prior to its repeal in 2006,
see part 3 of article 35 of title 24, C.R.S., in the 2005 Colorado Revised Statutes.
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7-71-110. Existing trade names on file in the records of the secretary of state.
Certificates or statements of trade name filed in accordance with this article as in effect before
May 30, 2006, that are on file in the records of the secretary of state as of May 29, 2006, shall be
effective statements of trade name and shall be deemed to have been filed pursuant to and in
accordance with this article. Each of such statements of trade name shall remain effective as
provided in section 7-71-104 (1); except that any such statement of trade name for a trade name
of a person other than a reporting entity shall remain effective until the date determined by the
secretary of state, which date shall not be earlier than December 31, 2007.
Source: L. 2004: Entire article R&RE, p. 1543, § 1, effective May 30, 2006.
7-71-111. Affidavit or certification recorded before July 1, 1985. Any affidavit or
certification recorded pursuant to section 7-71-101 (1)(a) or (7) prior to July 1, 1985, shall
continue to constitute prima facie evidence of the facts recited therein insofar as the same affect
title to real property.
Source: L. 2006: Entire section added, p. 854, § 17, effective July 1.
7-71-112. Affidavit or certification recorded pursuant to 24-35-301 (1.5), C.R.S. Any
affidavit recorded pursuant to section 24-35-301 (1.5), C.R.S., prior to its repeal, shall continue
to constitute prima facie evidence of the facts recited therein insofar as the same affect title to
real property.
Source: L. 2006: Entire section added, p. 854, § 17, effective July 1.
ARTICLE 72
Registration of Farm Names
7-72-101 and 7-72-102. (Repealed)
Source: L. 95: Entire article repealed, p. 194, § 5, effective April 13.
Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 4 of chapter 141, C.R.S. 1963. For
amendments to this article prior to its repeal in 1995, consult the Colorado statutory research
explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the
original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.
ARTICLE 73
Trademarks on Articles or Supplies - Registration
7-73-101 to 7-73-109. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2008: Entire article repealed, p. 24, § 22, effective August 5.
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Editor's note: This article was numbered as article 4 of chapter 141, C.R.S. 1963. For
amendments to this article prior to its repeal in 2008, consult the Colorado statutory research
explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the
original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.
TRADE SECRETS
ARTICLE 74
Uniform Trade Secrets Act
Cross references: For provisions concerning agreements not to compete, see § 8-2-113;
for theft of a trade secret, see § 18-4-408.
Law reviews: For article, "Help for Colorado Trade Secret Owners", see 15 Colo. Law.
1993 (1986); for article, "An Introduction to the Law of Trade Secrets", see 23 Colo. Law. 2125
(1994); for article, "The Law of Trade Secrecy and Covenants Not to Compete in Colorado-Part
I", see 30 Colo. Law. 7 (April 2001); for article, "The Inevitable Disclosure Doctrine:
Safeguarding the Privacy of Trade Secrets", see 33 Colo. Law. 17 (Oct. 2004); for article, "Four
Strategies for Controlling Employee-Created IP", see 36 Colo. Law. 31 (April 2007); for article,
"Trade Secrets, Duties of Confidentiality, and Misappropriation Claims Under the Colorado
Trade Secrets Act", see 37 Colo. Law. 81 (Aug. 2008); for article, "Keeping It Secret in
Colorado", see 39 Colo. Law. 39 (Nov. 2010); for article, "Trade Secrets: 10 Keys to Successful
Litigation", see 45 Colo. Law. 35 (Jan. 2016).
7-74-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform
Trade Secrets Act".
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 460, § 1, effective July 1.
7-74-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Improper means" includes theft, bribery, misrepresentation, breach or inducement of
a breach of a duty to maintain secrecy, or espionage through electronic or other means.
(2) "Misappropriation" means:
(a) Acquisition of a trade secret of another by a person who knows or has reason to know
that the trade secret was acquired by improper means; or
(b) Disclosure or use of a trade secret of another without express or implied consent by a
person who:
(I) Used improper means to acquire knowledge of the trade secret; or
(II) At the time of disclosure or use, knew or had reason to know that such person's
knowledge of the trade secret was:
(A) Derived from or through a person who had utilized improper means to acquire it;
(B) Acquired under circumstances giving rise to a duty to maintain its secrecy or limit its
use; or
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(C) Derived from or through a person who owed a duty to the person seeking relief to
maintain its secrecy or limit its use; or
(III) Before a material change of such person's position, knew or had reason to know that
it was a trade secret and that knowledge of it had been acquired by accident or mistake.
(3) Repealed.
(4) "Trade secret" means the whole or any portion or phase of any scientific or technical
information, design, process, procedure, formula, improvement, confidential business or
financial information, listing of names, addresses, or telephone numbers, or other information
relating to any business or profession which is secret and of value. To be a "trade secret" the
owner thereof must have taken measures to prevent the secret from becoming available to
persons other than those selected by the owner to have access thereto for limited purposes.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 460, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (3)(b) added
by revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348. L. 2004: IP(2)(b)(II) and (2)(b)(III) amended, p. 1459,
§ 180, effective July 1.
Editor's note: Subsection (3)(b) provided for the repeal of subsection (3), effective July
1, 2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-74-103. Injunctive relief. Temporary and final injunctions including affirmative acts
may be granted on such equitable terms as the court deems reasonable to prevent or restrain
actual or threatened misappropriation of a trade secret.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 461, § 1, effective July 1.
7-74-104. Damages. (1) Except to the extent that a material and prejudicial change of
position prior to acquiring knowledge or reason to know of misappropriation renders a monetary
recovery inequitable, a complainant is entitled to recover damages for misappropriation.
Damages may include both the actual loss caused by misappropriation and the unjust enrichment
caused by misappropriation that is not taken into account in computing actual loss. In lieu of
damages measured by any other methods, the damages caused by misappropriation may be
measured by imposition of liability for a reasonable royalty for a misappropriator's unauthorized
disclosure or use of a trade secret.
(2) If the misappropriation is attended by circumstances of fraud, malice, or a willful and
wanton disregard of the injured party's right and feelings, the court or the jury may award
exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding the award made under subsection (1) of this
section.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 461, § 1, effective July 1.
7-74-105. Attorney fees. If a claim of misappropriation is made in bad faith, a motion to
terminate an injunction is made or resisted in bad faith, or willful and malicious
misappropriation exists, the court may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.
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Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 461, § 1, effective July 1.
7-74-106. Preservation of secrecy. In an action under this article, a court shall preserve
the secrecy of an alleged trade secret by reasonable means, which may include granting
protective orders in connection with discovery proceedings, holding in-camera hearings, sealing
the records of the action, and ordering any person involved in the litigation not to disclose an
alleged trade secret without prior court approval.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 461, § 1, effective July 1.
7-74-107. Statute of limitations. An action for misappropriation of a trade secret shall
be brought within three years after the misappropriation is discovered or by the exercise of
reasonable diligence should have been discovered. For the purposes of this section, a continuing
misappropriation constitutes a single claim.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 462, § 1, effective July 1.
Cross references: For other provisions relating to limitations on personal actions, see
article 80 of title 13.
7-74-108. Effect on other law. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section,
this article displaces conflicting tort, restitutionary, and other law of this state providing civil
remedies for misappropriation of a trade secret.
(2) This article does not affect:
(a) Contractual remedies, whether or not based upon misappropriation of a trade secret;
(b) Other civil remedies that are not based upon misappropriation of a trade secret; or
(c) Criminal remedies, whether or not based upon misappropriation of a trade secret.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 462, § 1, effective July 1.
Cross references: For theft of trade secrets, see § 18-4-408.
7-74-109. Uniformity of application and construction. This article shall be applied
and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the
subject of this article among states enacting it.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 462, § 1, effective July 1.
7-74-110. Severability. If any provision of this article or its application to any person or
circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of
the article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end
the provisions of this article are severable.
Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 462, § 1, effective July 1.
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LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES
ARTICLE 80
Limited Liability Companies
Cross references: For the "Uniform Records Retention Act", see article 17 of title 6.
Law reviews: For article, "Colorado Enacts Limited Liability Company Legislation", see
19 Colo. Law. 1029 (1990); for article, "Choice of Entities in Colorado", see 23 Colo. Law. 293
(1994); for article, "Colorado LLCs: New and Improved", see 24 Colo. Law. 1473 (1994); for
article, "Classifying LLCs Under New IRS Ruling Guidelines", see 24 Colo. Law. 741 (1995);
for article, "Choice of Entity in Colorado: An Update", see 25 Colo. Law. 3 (Oct. 1996); for
article, "Colorado Choice of Entity 1998", see 27 Colo. Law. 5 (June 1998); for article,
"Colorado LLCs as Nonprofit Organizations", see 27 Colo. Law. 57 (Aug. 1998); for article,
"Contractually Binding Colorado Entities", see 28 Colo. Law. 33 (Dec. 1999); for article,
"Colorado Choice of Form of Organization and Structure 2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct.
2001); for article, "Entity and Trade Name Registration: 2001 Update", see 30 Colo. Law. 81
(Oct. 2001); for article, "LLCs in Acquisitions: Increased Utility Under Recent Regulation", see
31 Colo. Law. 73 (Aug. 2002); for article, "No Paper Required: Business Entity Legislation
Makes Life Easier for Business Lawyers", see 33 Colo. Law. 6 (June 2004); for article, "Entity
and Trade Name Registration: 2004 Update", see 34 Colo. Law. 11 (Jan. 2005); for article,
"Satisfying Creditor Claims Against Colorado LLCs, Members, and Managers", see 36 Colo.
Law. 23 (Jan. 2007); for article, "Piercing the Veil of an LLC or a Corporation", see 39 Colo.
Law. 71 (Aug. 2010); for article, "Single-Member LLCs and Asset Protection", see 41 Colo.
Law. 39 (March 2012).
PART 1
DEFINITION AND APPLICATION
7-80-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Limited Liability Company Act".
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 414, § 1, effective April 18.
7-80-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Articles of organization" means the articles of organization filed in the records of
the secretary of state for the purpose of forming a limited liability company as specified in
sections 7-80-203 and 7-80-204. "Articles of organization" includes amended articles of
organization, restated articles of organization, statements of merger, and other instruments,
however designated, on file in the records of the secretary of state that have the effect of
amending or supplementing, in some respect, the original or amended articles of organization.
(2) "Bankrupt" means bankrupt or a debtor under the federal bankruptcy code of 1978,
title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or an insolvent under any state insolvency act.
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(3) "Business" means any lawful activity, including ownership of real or personal
property, whether or not engaged in for profit.
(4) "Contribution" means anything of value that a person contributes to a limited liability
company to become a member in the limited liability company or in the capacity of a member in
the limited liability company, including cash, property, or services rendered or a promissory note
or other binding obligation to contribute cash or property or to perform services.
(5) "Court" includes every court and judge having jurisdiction in a case.
(6) and (6.5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2263, § 174, effective July 1, 2004.)
(7) "Limited liability company" or "company" means a limited liability company formed
under this article.
(7.5) and (7.6) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2263, § 174, effective July 1, 2004.)
(8) "Manager" means a person designated as a manager of a limited liability company to
manage the company pursuant to section 7-80-402.
(9) "Member" means a person with an ownership interest in a limited liability company
with the rights and obligations specified under this article. In the case of a limited liability
company with only one member, "members" and "all of the members" refers to such one
member.
(10) "Membership interest" means a member's share of the profits and losses of a limited
liability company and the right to receive distributions of such company's assets.
(11) (a) "Operating agreement" means any agreement of all of the members as to the
affairs of a limited liability company and the conduct of its business. Except as otherwise
provided in this article or as otherwise required by a written operating agreement, the operating
agreement need not be in writing. An operating agreement may contain any provisions required
or permitted by section 7-80-108 (1). An operating agreement includes any amendments to the
operating agreement.
(b) In the case of a limited liability company with only one member, "operating
agreement" includes:
(I) Any writing, without regard to whether such writing otherwise constitutes an
agreement, as to such company's affairs and the conduct of the limited liability company's
business signed by the sole member;
(II) Any written agreement between the member and the company as to the limited
liability company's affairs and the conduct of the limited liability company's business; or
(III) Any agreement, whether or not the agreement is in writing, between the member
and the limited liability company as to a limited liability company's affairs and the conduct of its
business if the limited liability company is managed by a manager who is a person other than the
member.
(12) to (16) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2263, § 174, effective July 1, 2004.)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 414, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (3), (7), and
(11) amended and (6.5), (7.5), (7.6), (14), (15), and (16) added, p. 709, § 1, effective July 1. L.
95: (7.6), (11), and (13) amended, p. 805, § 21, effective May 24. L. 97: (8), (9), and (11)
amended and (14.5) added, p. 1502, § 11, effective June 3; (13) amended, p. 917, § 8, effective
January 1, 1998. L. 2002: (1) amended, p. 1832, § 70, effective July 1; (1) amended, p. 1697, §
68, effective October 1. L. 2003: (1), (6) to (7.6), and (12) to (16) amended, p. 2263, § 174,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (11)(a) amended, p. 936, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2006: (1), (4),
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and (8) amended, p. 854, § 18, effective July 1. L. 2016: (4) amended, (HB 16-1329), ch. 242, p.
988, § 1, effective August 10.
Cross references: For additional definitions applicable to this article, see § 7-90-102.
7-80-103. Nature of business. A limited liability company may be formed under this
article for any lawful business, subject to any provisions of law governing or regulating such
business within this state.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 415, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 710, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2264, § 175, effective
July 1, 2004.
7-80-104. Powers. (1) Each limited liability company formed and existing under this
article may:
(a) Sue and be sued, complain and defend, and participate in administrative or other
proceedings, in its name;
(b) Purchase, take, receive, lease or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use, and
otherwise deal in and with real or personal property, or an interest in it, wherever situated;
(c) Sell, convey, assign, encumber, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer, and
otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property and assets;
(d) Lend money to and otherwise assist its members and employees;
(e) Purchase, take, receive, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use,
employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, and otherwise use and deal in and
with, shares or other interests in or obligations of any other person;
(f) Make contracts and guarantees and incur liabilities, borrow money at such rates of
interest as the limited liability company may determine, issue its notes, bonds, and other
obligations, and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of all or any part of its
property, franchises, and income;
(g) Lend money for its proper purposes, invest and reinvest its funds, and take and hold
real property and personal property for the payment of funds so loaned or invested;
(h) Conduct its business, carry on its operations, and have and exercise the powers
granted by this article in any jurisdiction;
(i) Have managers and other agents;
(j) Be a party to the operating agreement;
(k) Indemnify a member or manager or former member or manager of the limited
liability company as provided in section 7-80-407;
(l) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2264, § 176, effective July 1, 2004.)
(m) Have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect any or all of the
purposes for which the limited liability company is formed;
(n) Be an agent, an associate, a fiduciary, a manager, a member, a partner, a promoter, or
a trustee of, or hold any similar position with, any entity, trust, or estate.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 415, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (1)(d)
amended, p. 710, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2003: IP(1), (1)(e), (1)(h), (1)(j), (1)(l), (1)(m), and
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(1)(n) amended, p. 2264, § 176, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)(k) amended, p. 936, § 2,
effective July 1. L. 2006: (1)(i), (1)(j), and (1)(n) amended, p. 854, § 19, effective July 1.
7-80-105. Unauthorized assumption of powers. All persons who assume to act as a
limited liability company without authority to do so and without good-faith belief that they have
such authority shall be jointly and severally liable for all debts and liabilities incurred by such
persons so acting.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 416, § 1, effective April 18.
7-80-106. Transaction of business outside state. It is the intention of the general
assembly by the enactment of this article that the legal existence of limited liability companies
formed under this article be recognized beyond the limits of this state and that, subject to any
reasonable registration requirements, any such limited liability company transacting business
outside this state be granted the protection of full faith and credit under section 1 of article IV of
the constitution of the United States.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 416, § 1, effective April 18.
7-80-107. Application of corporation case law to set aside limited liability. (1) In
any case in which a party seeks to hold the members of a limited liability company personally
responsible for the alleged improper actions of the limited liability company, the court shall
apply the case law which interprets the conditions and circumstances under which the corporate
veil of a corporation may be pierced under Colorado law.
(2) For purposes of this section, the failure of a limited liability company to observe the
formalities or requirements relating to the management of its business and affairs is not in itself a
ground for imposing personal liability on the members for liabilities of the limited liability
company.
(3) A limited liability company's status for federal tax purposes does not affect its status
as a distinct entity organized and existing under this article.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 416, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 710, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2016: (3) added, (HB 16-1329), ch. 242, p. 988, § 2,
effective August 10.
7-80-108. Effect of operating agreement - nonwaivable provisions - statute of
frauds. (1) (a) The operating agreement may contain any provisions for the affairs of the limited
liability company and the conduct of its business to the extent such provisions are consistent
with law. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (1.5), (2), or (3) of this section, an
operating agreement governs the rights, duties, limitations, qualifications, and relations among
the managers, the members, the members' assignees and transferees, and the limited liability
company. Such provisions shall control over any provision of this article to the contrary except
as set forth in subsection (1.5), (2), or (3) of this section. To the extent the operating agreement
does not otherwise provide, this article shall control.
(b) A limited liability company is bound by any operating agreement of its members.
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(c) An operating agreement may be entered into before, after, or at the time of filing of
articles of organization and, whether entered into before, after, or at the time of such filing, may
be made effective as of the formation of the limited liability company or as of the time or date
provided in the operating agreement.
(1.5) To the extent that a member or manager or other person that is a party to, or is
otherwise bound by, the operating agreement has duties, including, but not limited to, fiduciary
duties, to a limited liability company or to another member, manager, or other person that is a
party to or is otherwise bound by an operating agreement, the duties of such member, manager,
or other person may be restricted or eliminated by provisions in the operating agreement, as long
as any such provision is not manifestly unreasonable.
(2) An operating agreement may not:
(a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 855, § 20, effective July 1, 2006.)
(b) Unreasonably restrict the rights of members and managers under section 7-80-408;
(c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 855, § 20, effective July 1, 2006.)
(d) Eliminate the obligation of good faith and fair dealing under section 7-80-404 (3);
except that the operating agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of
the obligation is to be measured, if such standards are not unreasonable;
(d.5) Eliminate or modify the provisions of section 7-80-801 (1)(c)(I), except to extend
the time set forth therein to a time not later than the first anniversary of the date of the
termination of the membership of the last remaining member; or
(e) Restrict rights of, or impose duties on, persons other than the members, their
assignees and transferees, and the limited liability company without the consent of such persons.
(2.5) (a) An operating agreement may contain one or more provisions concerning the
enforcement, interpretation, construction, application, severability of provisions, integration,
effect of parole evidence, and other matters with respect to the operating agreement or any of its
provisions.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, if any provision of an
operating agreement or application thereof to any person or circumstance is unenforceable or
otherwise invalid under subsection (1.5) or (2) of this section or otherwise, the provision shall be
limited, construed, and applied in a manner that is valid and enforceable, and, in any event, the
remaining provisions of the operating agreement shall be given effect without the invalid
provision or application.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement with respect to the
unenforceability, invalidity, or application of any provision of the operating agreement under
subsection (1.5) or (2) of this section, when it is claimed or appears to the court that any
provision of the operating agreement may violate subsection (1.5) or (2) of this section, the
parties shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present evidence as to its commercial
setting, purpose, and effect, to aid the court in making the determination.
(3) Unless contained in a written operating agreement or other writing approved in
accordance with a written operating agreement, no operating agreement may:
(a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 936, § 3, effective July 1, 2004.)
(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 97, p. 1503, 12, effective June 3, 1997.)
(c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 936, § 3, effective July 1, 2004.)
(d) Vary any requirement under this article that a particular action or provision be
reflected in a writing.
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(4) It is the intent of this article to give the maximum effect to the principle of freedom
of contract and to the enforceability of operating agreements.
(5) An operating agreement is not subject to any statute of frauds, including section 3810-112, C.R.S., regarding void agreements, but not including any requirement under this article
that a particular action or provision be reflected in a writing.
Source: L. 94: Entire section added, p. 711, § 5, effective July 1. L. 97: IP(3) and (3)(b)
amended, p. 1503, § 12, effective June 3. L. 2003: (2)(d) amended, p. 2265, § 177, effective July
1, 2004. L. 2004: (2) and (3) amended and (4) added, p. 936, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2005:
(2)(d) amended, p. 1203, § 2, effective October 1. L. 2006: (1) and (2) amended and (1.5) and
(2.5) added, p. 855, § 20, effective July 1. L. 2016: (5) added, (HB 16-1329), ch. 242, p. 988, §
3, effective August 10.
7-80-109. Construction of article. The rule that statutes in derogation of the common
law are to be strictly construed shall have no application to this article.
Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 938, § 4, effective July 1.
PART 2
FORMATION
7-80-201. Limited liability company name. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 417, § 1, effective April 18. L. 93: (1) amended,
p. 63, § 1, effective March 22; (4)(a) and (4)(c) amended, p. 859, § 20, effective July 1, 1994. L.
94: (4)(d) added, p. 88, § 15, effective July 1. L. 97: (4)(a) amended, p. 760, § 24, effective July
1, 1998. L. 2000: Entire section repealed, p. 990, § 109, effective July 1.
7-80-202. Reservation of name - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 418, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2003: (3) added by
revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (3) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-80-203. Formation. (1) One or more persons may form a limited liability company
by delivering articles of organization to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3 of
article 90 of this title. Any such person who is an individual shall be of the age of eighteen years
or older. Such person or persons need not be members of the limited liability company after
formation has occurred.
(2) Repealed.
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Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 418, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (2) repealed, p.
712, § 6, effective July 1. L. 97: (1) amended, p. 1503, § 13, effective June 3. L. 2002: (1)
amended, p. 1833, § 71, effective July 1; (1) amended, p. 1697, § 69, effective October 1. L.
2003: (1) amended, p. 2265, § 178, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1459, § 181,
effective July 1.
7-80-204. Articles of organization. (1) The articles of organization shall state:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited liability company, which domestic entity
name shall comply with part 6 of article 90 of this title;
(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 712, § 7, effective July 1, 1994.)
(b.5) The principal office address of the limited liability company's initial principal
office;
(c) The registered agent name and registered agent address of the limited liability
company's initial registered agent;
(d) The true name and mailing address of each person forming the limited liability
company pursuant to section 7-80-203;
(e) That management of the limited liability company is vested in one or more managers
or is vested in the members, whichever be the case;
(f) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2265, § 179, effective July 1, 2004.)
(g) That there is at least one member of the limited liability company; and
(h) Any other matters relating to the limited liability company or the articles of
organization the persons forming the limited liability company determine to include therein.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2265, § 179, effective July 1, 2004.)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 418, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (1)(b), (1)(d),
and (1)(e) amended and (1)(f) added, p. 712, § 7, effective July 1. L. 97: (2) amended, p. 1503, §
14, effective June 3. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2265, § 179, effective July 1, 2004. L.
2004: (1)(b.5) and (1)(d) amended and (1)(g) and (1)(h) added, p. 1460, § 182, effective July 1.
7-80-205. Filing of articles of organization - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 419, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2003: (3) added by
revision, pp. 2356, 2357, §§ 347, 348.
Editor's note: Subsection (3) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1,
2004. (See L. 2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
7-80-206. Appeal from secretary of state. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 419, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2002: Entire
section repealed, p. 1861, § 163, effective July 1; entire section repealed, p. 1728, § 163,
effective October 1.
7-80-207. Effect of filing of articles of organization. A limited liability company is
formed when its articles of organization become effective.
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Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 419, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2000: (3)
amended, p. 959, § 41, effective July 1. L. 2002: (2) amended, p. 1833, § 72, effective July 1; (2)
amended, p. 1697, § 70, effective October 1. L. 2003: Entire section R&RE, p. 2266, § 180,
effective July 1, 2004.
7-80-208. Notice of existence of limited liability company. The fact that the articles of
organization are on file in the records of the secretary of state is notice that the limited liability
company is a limited liability company and is notice of all other facts stated therein that are
required to be stated in the articles of organization by section 7-80-204.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 420, § 1, effective April 18. L. 97: Entire section
amended, p. 1503, § 15, effective June 3. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2266, § 181,
effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1460, § 183, effective July 1.
7-80-209. Amendment of articles of organization. (1) The articles of organization
may be amended at any time for any purpose and shall be amended when:
(a) There is a change in the domestic entity name of the limited liability company;
(b) There is a false or erroneous statement in the articles of organization.
(c) and (d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 713, § 8, effective July 1, 1994.)
(1.5) An amendment to the articles of organization is invalid unless approved by all of
the members or in such other manner as may be provided in the operating agreement.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2266, § 182, effective July 1, 2004.)
(3) and (4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1833, § 73, effective July 1, 2002; p.
1697, § 71, effective October 1, 2002.)
(5) A limited liability company amends its articles of organization by delivering articles
of amendment to its articles of organization to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3
of article 90 of this title, stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited liability company; and
(b) The amendment to the articles of organization.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 420, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (1)(c), (1)(d),
and (2) amended and (1.5) added, p. 713, § 8, effective July 1. L. 2002: (2) to (4) amended, p.
1833, § 73, effective July 1; (2) to (4) amended, p. 1697, § 71, effective October 1. L. 2003:
IP(1), (1)(a), and (2) amended, p. 2266, § 182, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1.5) amended, p.
938, § 5, effective July 1; (5) added, p. 1460, § 184, effective July 1.
PART 3
REGISTERED AGENTS, SERVICE
OF PROCESS, AND ANNUAL REPORTS
Editor's note: This article was added in 1990, and this part 3 was subsequently repealed
and reenacted in 2003, effective July 1, 2004, resulting in the addition, relocation, and
elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to this part 3 prior to 2004,
consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement
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volumes and supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the
front of this volume.
7-80-301. Limited liability companies - registered agents - service of process periodic reports. Part 7 of article 90 of this title, providing for registered agents and service of
process, applies to limited liability companies formed under this article. Part 5 of article 90 of
this title, providing for periodic reports, applies to limited liability companies formed under this
article.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2267, § 183, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2010:
Entire section amended, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1995, § 9, effective August 11.
PART 4
MANAGEMENT
Editor's note: This article was added in 1990, and this part 4 was subsequently repealed
and reenacted in 2004, resulting in the addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as well as
subject matter. For amendments to this part 4 prior to 2004, consult the Colorado statutory
research explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to
the original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii of this volume. Former C.R.S. section
numbers are shown in editor's notes following those sections that were relocated.
7-80-401. Management of limited liability company. (1) Except as provided in
subsection (2) of this section, decisions with respect to a limited liability company shall be made
by a majority of the members or, if the limited liability company has one or more managers, by a
majority of the managers.
(2) The consent of each member is necessary to:
(a) Amend the articles of organization;
(b) Amend the operating agreement; and
(c) Authorize an act of the limited liability company that is not in the ordinary course of
the business of the limited liability company.
(3) A person or persons who will be admitted as a member or members pursuant to
section 7-80-701 (2) may, by unanimous consent, amend the operating agreement to be effective
immediately before the admission of the person or persons.
Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 938, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: (1) amended
and (3) added, p. 857, § 21, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-401 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-402. Designation of managers. The members of a limited liability company, the
articles of organization of which provide that management of the limited liability company is
vested in one or more managers, may designate one or more persons to be managers. A manager
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who is an individual shall be eighteen years of age or older. Managers may be designated and
removed by the consent of a majority of the members.
Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 939, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
amended, p. 857, § 22, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-402 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-403. Officers and other agents. (1) A limited liability company may have one or
more officers or other agents with such titles, rights, duties, and authority as the limited liability
company may determine. An officer or an agent who is an individual shall be eighteen years of
age or older. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, officers and other agents may
be designated or removed, and their titles, rights, duties, and authority may be established, by the
consent of a majority of the members or, if the limited liability company has one or more
managers, by a majority of the managers.
(2) Officers and other agents may be given authority to do any act that is not in the
ordinary course of the business of the limited liability company only with the consent of all of
the members.
Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 939, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
amended, p. 857, § 23, effective July 1.
7-80-404. Duties of members and managers. (1) In addition to the duties established
elsewhere in this article, the duties that each member in a limited liability company in which
management is vested in the members and that each manager owes to the limited liability
company include the duties to:
(a) Account to the limited liability company and hold as trustee for it any property,
profit, or benefit derived by the member or manager in the conduct or winding up of the limited
liability company business or derived from a use by the member or manager of property of the
limited liability company, including the appropriation of an opportunity of the limited liability
company;
(b) Refrain from dealing with the limited liability company in the conduct or winding up
of the limited liability company business as or on behalf of a party having an interest adverse to
the limited liability company; and
(c) Refrain from competing with the limited liability company in the conduct of the
limited liability company business before the dissolution of the limited liability company.
(d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 857, § 24, effective July 1, 2006.)
(2) Each member in a limited liability company, the articles of organization of which
provide that management is vested in the members, and each manager owes to the limited
liability company a duty of care in the conduct and winding up of the business of the limited
liability company, which shall be limited to refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or
reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
(3) Each member and each manager shall discharge the member's or manager's duties to
the limited liability company and exercise any rights consistently with the contractual obligation
of good faith and fair dealing.
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(4) A member in a limited liability company, the articles of organization of which
provide that management is vested in the members, or a manager does not violate a duty or
obligation to the limited liability company solely because the member's or manager's conduct
furthers the member's or manager's own interest.
(5) A member or a manager may lend money to, and transact other business with, the
limited liability company, and as to each loan or transaction the rights and obligations of the
member or manager may be exercised or performed in the same manner as those of a person who
is not a member or manager, subject to other applicable law.
(6) A member is not entitled to remuneration for services performed for the limited
liability company except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in winding up the
business of the limited liability company.
Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 939, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
amended, p. 857, § 24, effective July 1. L. 2016: (6) added, (HB 16-1329), ch. 242, p. 989, § 4,
effective August 10.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-406 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-405. Members and managers as agents of the limited liability company. (1) If
the articles of organization provide that management of the limited liability company is vested in
one or more managers:
(a) A member is not an agent of the limited liability company and has no authority to
bind the limited liability company solely by virtue of being a member; and
(b) Each manager is an agent of the limited liability company for the purposes of its
business and an act of a manager, including the execution of an instrument in the name of the
limited liability company, for apparently carrying on in the ordinary course the business of the
limited liability company or business of the kind carried on by the limited liability company
binds the limited liability company, unless the manager had no authority to act for the limited
liability company in the particular matter and the person with whom the manager was dealing
had notice that the manager lacked authority.
(2) If the articles of organization provide that management of the limited liability
company is vested in the members, each member is an agent of the limited liability company for
the purposes of its business and an act of a member, including the execution of an instrument in
the name of the limited liability company, for apparently carrying on in the ordinary course the
business of the limited liability company or business of the kind carried on by the limited
liability company binds the limited liability company, unless the member had no authority to act
for the limited liability company in the particular matter and the person with whom the member
was dealing had notice that the member lacked authority.
Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 940, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
amended, p. 858, § 25, effective July 1.
7-80-406. Business transactions of member or manager with the limited liability
company. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 940, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section was similar to former § 7-80-409 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-407. Reimbursement and indemnification of members and managers. A limited
liability company shall reimburse a person who is or was a member or manager for payments
made, and indemnify a person who is or was a member or manager for liabilities incurred by the
person, in the ordinary course of the business of the limited liability company or for the
preservation of its business or property, if such payments were made or liabilities incurred
without violation of the person's duties to the limited liability company.
Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 940, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section
amended, p. 859, § 26, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-410 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-408. Access to and confidentiality of information - records - accounting. (1)
Each member of a limited liability company has the right, subject to such reasonable standards
as may be established by the members or managers pursuant to section 7-80-401 (1), to inspect
and copy at the expense of the requesting member the following records of the limited liability
company from time to time upon reasonable demand for any purpose reasonably related to the
member's interest as a member of the limited liability company:
(a) True and full information regarding the business and financial condition of the
limited liability company, including written resolutions and minutes, if any, of the limited
liability company;
(b) A copy of the limited liability company's federal, state, and local income tax returns
for each year;
(c) A current list of the name and last-known business, residence, or mailing address of
each member and manager;
(d) A copy of the limited liability company's articles of organization and a copy of any
written operating agreement of the limited liability company;
(e) True and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and
statement of the agreed value of any other property or services contributed by each member and
that each member has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a
member; and
(f) Other information regarding the affairs of the limited liability company as is just and
reasonable.
(2) Each manager shall have the right to examine all of the information described in
paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section for a purpose reasonably related to the position of
manager.
(3) Each member of a limited liability company and each manager shall have the right to
keep confidential from the members, for such period of time as the members or managers deem
reasonable, any information that the members or managers reasonably believe to be in the nature
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of trade secrets or that the limited liability company is required by law or by agreement with a
third party to keep confidential.
(4) A limited liability company may maintain its records in other than a written form if
such form is capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time.
(5) Any demand by a member under this section shall be in writing and shall state the
purpose of the demand.
(6) A member of a limited liability company shall have the right to have a formal
accounting of limited liability company affairs whenever circumstances render it just and
reasonable.
Source: L. 2004: Entire part R&RE, p. 941, § 6, effective July 1. L. 2006: (1)(d) and (3)
amended, p. 859, § 27, effective July 1. L. 2007: (6) added, p. 226, § 16, effective May 29.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-411 as it existed prior to 2004.
PART 5
FINANCE
7-80-501. Form of contribution. The contribution of a member may be in cash,
property, or services rendered or a promissory note or other obligation to contribute cash or
property or to perform services. A person may be admitted to a limited liability company as a
member of the limited liability company and may receive a membership interest in the limited
liability company without making a contribution or being obligated to make a contribution to the
limited liability company. Unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, a person may
be admitted to a limited liability company as a member of the limited liability company without
acquiring a membership interest in the limited liability company. Unless otherwise provided in
the operating agreement, a person may be admitted as the sole member of a limited liability
company without making a contribution or being obligated to make a contribution to the limited
liability company or without acquiring a membership interest in the limited liability company.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 431, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 942, § 7, effective July 1. L. 2005: Entire section amended, p. 1203, § 3,
effective October 1.
7-80-502. Liability for contributions. (1) A member is obligated to the limited liability
company to perform any enforceable promise to contribute cash or property or to perform
services, even if the member is unable to perform because of death, disability, or any other
reason. If a member does not make the required contribution of property or services, the member
is obligated at the option of the limited liability company to contribute cash equal to that portion
of the value, as stated in the limited liability records required to be kept by section 7-80-408, of
such contribution that has not been made.
(2) The obligation of a member to make a contribution or return money or other property
paid or distributed in violation of this article may be compromised only by consent in writing of
all the members. Notwithstanding the compromise, a creditor of a limited liability company who
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extends credit or otherwise acts in reliance on the original obligation may enforce the original
obligation.
(3) No promise by a member to contribute to the limited liability company is enforceable
unless set out in a writing signed by the member.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 431, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (1) and (2)
amended, p. 716, § 18, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 942, § 8, effective July 1.
7-80-503. Sharing of profits and losses. The profits and losses of a limited liability
company shall be allocated among the members and among classes of members on the basis of
the value, as stated in the limited liability company records required to be kept pursuant to
section 7-80-408, of the contributions made by each member.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 431, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 717, § 19, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 942, § 9, effective
July 1.
7-80-504. Sharing of distributions. Distributions of cash or other assets of a limited
liability company shall be allocated among the members and among classes of members on the
basis of the value, as stated in the limited liability company records required to be kept pursuant
to section 7-80-408, of the contributions made by each member.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 431, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 717, § 20, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 942, § 10, effective
July 1.
PART 6
DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESIGNATION
Law reviews: For article, "Limited Liability Companies: Structuring Members'
Economic Rights", see 34 Colo. Law. 73 (Aug. 2005).
7-80-601. Interim distributions. Except as provided in this part 6, a member is entitled
to receive distributions from a limited liability company before the member's resignation from
the limited liability company and before the dissolution and winding up thereof to the extent and
at the times or upon the happening of the events stated in the operating agreement or as
otherwise agreed by all of the members.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 432, § 1, effective April 18. L. 97: Entire section
amended, p. 1505, § 18, effective June 3. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 2267, § 186,
effective July 1, 2004.
7-80-602. Resignation of member. A member may resign from a limited liability
company at any time by giving notice to the other members, but, if the resignation violates the
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operating agreement, the limited liability company may recover from the resigning member
damages for breach of the operating agreement and offset the damages against the amount
otherwise distributable to the resigning member.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 432, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 717, § 21, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 943, § 11, effective
July 1.
7-80-603. Interest of member upon resignation. A member who has resigned shall
have no right to participate in the management of the business and affairs of the limited liability
company and is entitled only to receive the share of the profits or other compensation by way of
income and the return of contributions, to which such member would have been entitled if the
member had not resigned.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 432, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 717, § 22, effective July 1. L. 2007: Entire section amended, p. 227, § 17, effective
May 29.
7-80-604. Distribution in kind. A member, regardless of the nature of the member's
contribution, has no right to demand and receive any distribution from a limited liability
company in any form other than cash. A member may not be compelled to accept a distribution
of any asset in kind from a limited liability company to the extent that the percentage of the asset
distributed to the member exceeds a percentage of that asset that is equal to the percentage in
which the member shares in distributions from the limited liability company.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 432, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 718, § 23, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1460, § 185,
effective July 1.
7-80-605. Right to distribution. At the time a member becomes entitled to receive a
distribution, the member has the status of and is entitled to all remedies available to a creditor of
the limited liability company with respect to the distribution.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 432, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1461, § 186, effective July 1.
7-80-606. Limitations on distribution. (1) A limited liability company shall not make
a distribution to a member to the extent that at the time of distribution, after giving effect to the
distribution, all liabilities of the limited liability company, other than liabilities to members on
account of their membership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited
to a specific property of the limited liability company, exceed the fair value of the assets of the
limited liability company; except that the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for
which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited liability
company only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability. For purposes
of this subsection (1), the term "distribution" shall not include payments to the extent that the
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payments do not exceed amounts equal to or constituting reasonable compensation for present or
past services or reasonable payments made in the ordinary course of business pursuant to a bona
fide retirement plan or other benefits program.
(2) A member who receives a distribution in violation of subsection (1) of this section,
and who knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution violated subsection (1) of this
section, shall be liable to the limited liability company for the amount of the distribution. A
member who receives a distribution in violation of subsection (1) of this section, and who did
not know at the time of the distribution that the distribution violated subsection (1) of this
section, shall not be liable for the amount of the distribution. Subject to subsection (3) of this
section, this subsection (2) shall not affect any obligation or liability of a member under an
agreement or other applicable law for the amount of a distribution.
(3) Unless otherwise agreed, a member who receives a distribution from a limited
liability company shall have no liability under this article or other applicable law for the amount
of the distribution after the expiration of three years from the date of the distribution unless an
action to recover the distribution from such member is commenced prior to the expiration of the
said three-year period and an adjudication of liability against such member is made in the said
action.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 432, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2006: Entire
section amended, p. 860, § 28, effective July 1. L. 2007: (1) amended, p. 227, § 18, effective
May 29.
7-80-607. Liability upon return of contribution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 432, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (1) repealed, p.
718, § 24, effective July 1. L. 2004: (2) and (3) amended, p. 943, § 12, effective July 1. L. 2006:
Entire section repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
PART 7
MEMBERS
7-80-701. Admission of members. (1) After the filing of a limited liability company's
original articles of organization, one or more persons may be admitted as an additional member
or members upon the consent of all members.
(2) At any time that a limited liability company has no members, upon the unanimous
consent of all the persons holding by assignment or transfer any of the membership interest of
the last remaining member of the limited liability company, one or more persons, including an
assignee or transferee of the last remaining member, may be admitted as a member or members.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 433, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 943, § 13, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section amended, p. 860, § 29,
effective July 1.
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7-80-702. Interest in limited liability company - transferability of interest. (1) The
interest of each member in a limited liability company constitutes the personal property of the
member and may be assigned or transferred. Unless the assignee or transferee is admitted as a
member, the assignee or transferee shall only be entitled to receive the share of profits or other
compensation by way of income and the return of contributions to which that member would
otherwise be entitled and shall have no right to participate in the management of the business
and activities of the limited liability company or to become a member.
(2) A member ceases to be a member upon assignment or transfer of all the member's
membership interest. A person to whom all of a member's membership interest has been
assigned or transferred and who has been admitted as a member has all the rights and powers and
is subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of the assignor or transferor with respect to the
portion of the membership interest assigned or transferred. The admission of the assignee or
transferee releases the assignor or transferor from liability to the limited liability company other
than for liabilities under section 7-80-502 or 7-80-606.
(3) A person to whom a portion of a member's membership interest has been assigned or
transferred and who has been admitted as a member has all the rights and powers and is subject
to all the restrictions and liabilities of the assignor or transferor with respect to the portion of the
membership interest assigned or transferred. The admission of the assignee or transferee
terminates the assignor's or transferor's rights and powers as a member with respect to the
portion of the membership interest assigned or transferred and releases the assignor or transferor
from liability to the limited liability company with respect to the portion of the membership
interest assigned or transferred other than for liabilities under section 7-80-502 or 7-80-606.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 433, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (1) amended,
p. 718, § 25, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 943, § 14, effective July 1. L.
2006: Entire section amended, p. 861, § 30, effective July 1. L. 2007: (2) amended, p. 227, § 19,
effective May 29.
7-80-703. Rights of creditor against a member. On application to a court of competent
jurisdiction by any judgment creditor of a member, the court may charge the membership
interest of the member with payment of the unsatisfied amount of the judgment with interest
thereon and may then or later appoint a receiver of the member's share of the profits and of any
other money due or to become due to the member in respect of the limited liability company and
make all other orders, directions, accounts, and inquiries that the debtor member might have
made, or that the circumstances of the case may require. To the extent so charged, except as
provided in this section, the judgment creditor has only the rights of an assignee or transferee of
the membership interest. The membership interest charged may be redeemed at any time before
foreclosure. If the sale is directed by the court, the membership interest may be purchased
without causing a dissolution with separate property by any one or more of the members. With
the consent of all members whose membership interests are not being charged or sold, the
membership interest may be purchased without causing a dissolution with property of the limited
liability company. This article shall not deprive any member of the benefit of any exemption
laws applicable to the member's membership interest.
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Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 433, § 1, effective April 18. L. 97: Entire section
amended, p. 1505, § 19, effective June 3. L. 2006: Entire section amended, p. 862, § 31,
effective July 1.
7-80-704. Deceased or incompetent members who are individuals - dissolved or
terminated members who are legal entities. (1) If a member who is an individual dies or a
court of competent jurisdiction appoints a guardian or general conservator for the member, the
member's executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other legal representative may
exercise all of the powers of an assignee or transferee of the member.
(2) If a member other than an individual is dissolved or terminated, the legal
representative or successor of the member may exercise all of the powers of an assignee or
transferee of the member.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 862, § 32, effective July 1, 2006.)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 433, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 718, § 26, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1) amended, p. 1461, § 187, effective July 1.
L. 2006: (2) and (3) amended, p. 862, § 32, effective July 1.
7-80-705. Liability of members and managers. Members and managers of limited
liability companies are not liable under a judgment, decree, or order of a court, or in any other
manner, for a debt, obligation, or liability of the limited liability company.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 434, § 1, effective April 18.
7-80-706. Voting. (1) Subject to the provisions of this article that require majority or
unanimous consent, vote, or agreement of the members, the operating agreement may grant to all
or a stated group of the members the right to consent, vote, or agree, on a per capita or other
basis, upon any matter.
(2) Any member may vote in person or by proxy.
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 434, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (2) amended,
p. 719, § 27, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2267, § 187, effective July 1, 2004.
7-80-707. Meetings of members. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 434, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (3) amended,
p. 719, § 28, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) and (4)(b) amended, p. 2268, § 188, effective July 1,
2004. L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 944, § 15, effective July 1; entire section repealed, p.
1461, § 188, effective July 1.
7-80-708. Quorum of members - vote required. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: Entire section
amended, p. 719, § 29, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 944, § 16, effective
July 1; entire section repealed, p. 1462, § 189, effective July 1.
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7-80-709. Notice of members' meetings. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (3) amended,
p. 719, § 30, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 944, § 17, effective July 1;
entire section repealed, p. 1462, § 190, effective July 1.
7-80-710. Waiver of notice. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2004: Entire
section repealed, p. 945, § 18, effective July 1; entire section repealed, p. 1462, § 191, effective
July 1.
7-80-711. Action by members without a meeting. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 435, § 1, effective April 18. L. 94: (1) amended,
p. 719, § 31, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended, p. 2268, § 189, effective July 1, 2004. L.
2004: Entire section repealed, p. 945, § 19, effective July 1; entire section repealed, p. 1463, §
192, effective July 1.
7-80-712. Information and accounting. (Repealed)
Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 436, § 1, effective April 18. L. 2003: IP(1)(b)
amended, p. 2268, § 190, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: Entire section repealed, p. 946, § 20,
effective July 1.
7-80-713. Derivative proceeding - standing - definitions. (1) A member may
commence or maintain a derivative proceeding pursuant to this part 7 only where:
(a) The member was a member of the limited liability company at the time of the act or
omission complained of or the membership interest in such company thereafter devolved by
operation of law; and
(b) It appears that the member fairly and adequately represents the interests of the
members similarly situated in enforcing the right of the limited liability company.
(2) For purposes of this part 7, "derivative proceeding" means a civil suit in the right of a
domestic limited liability company or, to the extent provided in section 7-80-719, in the right of
a foreign limited liability company.
Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1725, § 160, effective October 1.
7-80-714. Derivative proceeding - demand. (1) No member shall commence a
derivative proceeding pursuant to this part 7 unless:
(a) A written demand has been made upon the limited liability company to take suitable
action; and
(b) Thirty days have expired from the date the demand was made; except that the thirtyday limitation shall not be required where:
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(I) The member has been notified prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period that the
demand has been rejected by the limited liability company; or
(II) Irreparable injury to the limited liability company would result from waiting for the
expiration of the thirty-day period.
Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1725, § 160, effective October 1.
7-80-715. Stay of derivative proceeding. For the purpose of allowing the limited
liability company time to undertake an inquiry into the allegations made in a demand or
complaint commenced pursuant to this part 7, the court may stay any derivative proceeding for
such period as the court deems appropriate.
Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1725, § 160, effective October 1.
7-80-716.
Dismissal of derivative proceeding. (1)
A derivative proceeding
commenced pursuant to this part 7 shall be dismissed by the court on motion by the limited
liability company if any one of the groups specified in subsection (2) of this section has
determined in good faith, after conducting an inquiry upon which the determination is based, that
the maintenance of the derivative action is not in the best interests of the limited liability
company.
(2) (a) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), the
determination whether the maintenance of the derivative proceeding is in the best interests of the
limited liability company shall be made by the independent manager of the limited liability
company or, where there is more than one such manager, by a majority of said managers; except
that, if there is no independent manager of the limited liability company or if the majority of
such managers is unable to make the determination, the determination shall be made by a
majority of the independent members of the limited liability company.
(b) If the determination is not made pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the
determination shall be made by the person, or, in the case of more than one person, by a majority
of such persons, sitting upon a panel of one or more persons appointed by a court upon motion
filed with the court by the limited liability company for such purposes.
(3) The court shall appoint only independent persons to the panel described in paragraph
(b) of subsection (2) of this section.
(4) None of the following shall by itself cause a person not to be considered independent
for purposes of subsection (2) of this section:
(a) The naming of the person as a defendant in the derivative proceeding or as a person
against whom action is demanded;
(b) The approval by such person of the act being challenged in the derivative proceeding
or demand where the act did not result in personal benefit to such person;
(c) The making of the demand pursuant to section 7-80-714 or the commencement of the
derivative proceeding pursuant to this section.
(5) Subject to section 7-80-717, a panel appointed by the court pursuant to paragraph (b)
of subsection (2) of this section shall have such authority to continue, settle, or discontinue the
derivative proceeding as the court may confer upon such panel.
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(6) The plaintiff in the derivative proceeding shall have the burden of proving that any of
the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section have not been met.
Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1725, § 160, effective October 1.
7-80-717. Discontinuance or settlement of derivative proceeding. No derivative
proceeding commenced pursuant to this part 7 shall be discontinued or settled without the
approval of the court. Where the court determines that a proposed discontinuance or settlement
will substantially affect the interests of the members of the limited liability company, the court
shall direct that notice be given to the members affected.
Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1726, § 160, effective October 1.
7-80-718. Payment of expenses - derivative proceeding. On the termination of a
derivative proceeding commenced pursuant to this part 7, where the court finds that the
proceeding has resulted in a substantial benefit to the limited liability company, the court may
order the limited liability company to pay the plaintiff's reasonable expenses, including attorney
fees, incurred by the plaintiff in connection with the maintenance of such proceeding. On the
termination of a derivative proceeding commenced pursuant to this part 7, where the court finds
that the proceeding was commenced or maintained without reasonable cause or for an improper
purpose, the court may order the plaintiff to pay any of the defendant's reasonable expenses,
including attorney fees, incurred by the defendant in connection with the defense of such
proceeding.
Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1726, § 160, effective October 1.
7-80-719. Applicability of derivative proceeding to foreign limited liability
companies. In any derivative proceeding in the right of a foreign limited liability company, the
right of a person to commence or maintain a derivative proceeding in the right of a foreign
limited liability company and any matters raised in such proceeding covered by sections 7-80713 to 7-80-718 shall be governed by the law of the jurisdiction under which the foreign limited
liability company was formed; except that any matters raised in such proceeding covered by
sections 7-80-715 and 7-80-717 shall be governed by the law of this state.
Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1727, § 160, effective October 1. L. 2003:
Entire section amended, p. 2268, § 191, effective July 1, 2004.
PART 8
DISSOLUTION
Editor's note: This article was added in 1990, and this part 8 was subsequently repealed
and reenacted in 2003, effective July 1, 2004, resulting in the addition, relocation, and
elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to this part 8 prior to 2004,
consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement
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volumes and supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the
front of this volume. Former C.R.S. section numbers are shown in editor's notes following those
sections that were relocated.
SUBPART 1
VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION
7-80-801. Dissolution - time and notice of dissolution. (1) A limited liability company
formed under this article is dissolved:
(a) Upon the agreement of all members;
(b) At the time or upon the occurrence of the events stated in the operating agreement; or
(c) After the limited liability company ceases to have members, on the earlier of:
(I) The ninety-first day after the limited liability company ceases to have members
unless, prior to that date, a person has been admitted as a member; or
(II) The date on which a statement of dissolution of the limited liability company
becomes effective pursuant to section 7-90-304.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2269, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section amended, p. 946, § 21, effective July 1. L. 2006: Entire section amended, p. 862, §
33, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-801 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-802. Statement of dissolution. (1) Upon dissolution, the limited liability company
shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of article 90 of this title, a
statement of dissolution stating:
(a) The domestic entity name of the limited liability company; and
(b) The principal office address of the limited liability company's principal office.
(c) and (d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1463, § 193, effective July 1, 2004.)
(2) A limited liability company is dissolved as provided in section 7-80-801.
(3) For purposes of sections 7-80-405 and 7-80-803.5, a person who is not a manager or
member has notice of the dissolution of a limited liability company on the earlier of:
(a) The ninetieth day after the limited liability company's statement of dissolution is on
file with the secretary of state; or
(b) The date on which such person first has actual knowledge of the dissolution.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2269, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)
amended, p. 1463, § 193, effective July 1. L. 2006: (2) amended and (3) added, p. 863, § 34,
effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-806 as it existed prior to 2004.
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7-80-803. Effect of dissolution. (1) A dissolved limited liability company continues its
existence as a limited liability company but shall not carry on any business except as is
appropriate to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs, including:
(a) Collecting its assets;
(b) Disposing of its properties that will not be distributed in kind to its members;
(c) Discharging or making provision for discharging its liabilities;
(d) Distributing its remaining property among its members; and
(e) Doing every other act necessary to wind up and liquidate its business and affairs.
(2) A dissolved limited liability company may dispose of claims against it pursuant to
sections 7-90-911 and 7-90-912.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2269, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006: (2)
added, p. 863, § 35, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 8-80-807 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-803.3. Right to wind up business. (1) After dissolution, the manager or, if there is
no manager, any member may wind up the limited liability company's business, but on
application of any member, member's legal representative, or member's assignee or transferee,
the district court, for good cause shown, may order judicial supervision of the winding up.
(2) The legal representative, assignee, or transferee of the last remaining member may
wind up the limited liability company's business if the limited liability company dissolves.
(3) A person winding up a limited liability company's business may preserve the
business or property as a going concern for a reasonable time, prosecute and defend actions and
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, or administrative, settle disputes, settle and close the
limited liability company's business, dispose of and transfer the limited liability company's
property, discharge or provide for obligations of the limited liability company, distribute the
assets of the limited liability company pursuant to section 7-80-803 (1)(d), and perform other
necessary acts.
Source: L. 2006: Entire section added, p. 863, § 36, effective July 1.
7-80-803.5. Manager's or member's power to bind limited liability company after
dissolution. (1) Subject to section 7-80-802 (3), a limited liability company is bound by a
manager's act or, in the case of a limited liability company, the articles of organization of which
provide that management is vested in members, a member's act after dissolution that:
(a) Is appropriate for winding up the limited liability company's business; or
(b) Would have bound the limited liability company under section 7-80-405 before
dissolution, if the other party to the transaction did not have notice of the dissolution.
Source: L. 2006: Entire section added, p. 863, § 36, effective July 1.
7-80-804. Disposition of known claims by notification. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2269, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006:
Entire section repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
7-80-805. Disposition of claims by publication. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2270, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006:
Entire section repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
7-80-806.
(Repealed)
Enforcement of claims against dissolved limited liability company.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2271, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006:
Entire section repealed, p. 884, § 87, effective July 1.
SUBPART 2
ADMINISTRATIVE DISSOLUTION
7-80-807. Grounds for administrative dissolution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2271, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
IP(1) amended, p. 1463, § 194, effective July 1. L. 2005: Entire section repealed, p. 1218, § 26,
effective October 1.
7-80-808. Procedure for and effect of administrative dissolution. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2272, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)
and (2) amended, p. 946, § 22, effective July 1; (1) and (2) amended, p. 1463, § 195, effective
July 1. L. 2005: Entire section repealed, p. 1218, § 26, effective October 1.
SUBPART 3
JUDICIAL DISSOLUTION
7-80-809. Approval by judicial act. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2272, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section repealed, p. 1464, § 196, effective July 1.
7-80-810. Judicial dissolution. (1) A limited liability company may be dissolved in a
proceeding by the attorney general if it is established that:
(a) The limited liability company obtained its articles of organization through fraud; or
(b) The limited liability company has continued to exceed or abuse the authority
conferred upon it by law.
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(2) A limited liability company may be dissolved in a proceeding by or for a member or
manager of the limited liability company if it is established that it is not reasonably practicable to
carry on the business of the limited liability company in conformity with the operating
agreement of said company.
(3) A limited liability company may be dissolved in a proceeding by a creditor of the
limited liability company if it is established that:
(a) The creditor's claim has been reduced to judgment, execution upon such judgment
has been returned unsatisfied, and the limited liability company is insolvent; or
(b) The limited liability company is insolvent and the limited liability company has
admitted in writing that the creditor's claim is due and owing.
(4) (a) If a limited liability company has been dissolved by voluntary action taken under
subpart 1 of this part 8:
(I) The limited liability company may bring a proceeding to wind up and liquidate its
business and affairs under judicial supervision in accordance with section 7-80-803; and
(II) The attorney general, a member, a manager, or a creditor, as the case may be, may
bring a proceeding to wind up and liquidate the business and affairs of the limited liability
company under judicial supervision in accordance with section 7-80-803, upon establishing the
grounds set forth for such person, respectively, in subsections (1) to (3) of this section.
(b) As used in sections 7-80-811 to 7-80-813, a "judicial proceeding brought to dissolve
a limited liability company" includes a proceeding brought under this subsection (4), and a
"decree of dissolution" includes an order of court entered in a proceeding under this subsection
(4) that directs that the business and affairs of a limited liability company shall be wound up and
liquidated under judicial supervision.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2273, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
(4)(b) amended, p. 1464, § 197, effective July 1. L. 2005: IP(4)(a) amended, p. 1219, § 28,
effective October 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-80-808 as it existed prior to 2004.
7-80-811. Procedure for judicial dissolution. (1) A judicial proceeding by the attorney
general to dissolve a limited liability company shall be brought in the district court for the
county in this state in which the street address of the limited liability company's principal office
or the street address of its registered agent is located or, if the limited liability company has no
principal office in this state and no registered agent, in the district court for the city and county
of Denver. A judicial proceeding brought by any other party named in section 7-80-810 to
dissolve a limited liability company shall be brought in the district court for the county in this
state in which the street address of the limited liability company's principal office is located or, if
it has no principal office in this state, in the district court for the county in which the street
address of its registered agent is located, or, if the limited liability company has no registered
agent, in the district court for the city and county of Denver.
(2) It is not necessary to make managers or members parties to a judicial proceeding to
dissolve a limited liability company unless relief is sought against them individually.
(3) A court in a judicial proceeding brought to dissolve a limited liability company may
issue injunctions, appoint a receiver or custodian pendente lite with all powers and duties the
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court directs, take other action required to preserve the limited liability company's assets
wherever located, and carry on the business of the limited liability company until a full hearing
can be held.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2274, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004:
Entire section amended, p. 1464, § 198, effective July 1. L. 2006: (2) amended, p. 864, § 37,
effective July 1.
7-80-812. Receivership or custodianship. (1) A court in a judicial proceeding brought
to dissolve a limited liability company may appoint one or more receivers to wind up and
liquidate, or one or more custodians to manage, the business and affairs of the limited liability
company. The court shall hold a hearing, after giving notice to all parties to the proceeding and
any interested persons designated by the court, before appointing a receiver or custodian. The
court appointing a receiver or custodian has exclusive jurisdiction over the limited liability
company and all of its property, wherever located.
(2) The court may appoint an individual, a domestic entity, or a foreign entity authorized
to transact business or conduct activities in this state as a receiver or custodian. The court may
require the receiver or custodian to post bond, with or without sureties, in an amount the court
directs.
(3) The court shall describe the powers and duties of the receiver or custodian in its
appointing order, which may be amended from time to time. Among other powers:
(a) The receiver:
(I) May dispose of all or any part of the property of the limited liability company
wherever located, at a public or private sale, if authorized by the court; and
(II) May sue and defend in the receiver's own name as receiver of the limited liability
company in all courts; or
(b) The custodian, with the authority of a manager of a limited liability company, the
articles of organization of which provide that it is to be managed by managers, may exercise all
of the powers of the limited liability company, through or in place of its managers or members,
to the extent necessary to manage the affairs of the limited liability company in the best interests
of its members and creditors.
(4) The court during a receivership may redesignate the receiver a custodian, and during
a custodianship may redesignate the custodian a receiver, if doing so is in the best interests of the
limited liability company and its members and creditors.
(5) The court from time to time during the receivership or custodianship may order
compensation paid and expense disbursements or reimbursements made to the receiver or
custodian and such person's counsel from the assets of the limited liability company or proceeds
from the sale of the assets.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2274, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2006:
(3)(b) amended, p. 864, § 38, effective July 1.
7-80-813. Decree of dissolution. (1) If, in a judicial proceeding brought to dissolve a
limited liability company, after a hearing the court determines that one or more grounds for
judicial dissolution described in section 7-80-810 exist, it may enter a decree dissolving the
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limited liability company and stating the effective date of the dissolution, and the clerk of the
court shall deliver a certified copy of the decree to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to
part 3 of article 90 of this title.
(2) After entering the decree of dissolution, the court shall direct the winding up and
liquidation of the limited liability company's business and affairs in accordance with section 780-803 and the giving of notice to claimants in accordance with sections 7-90-911 and 7-90-912.
(3) The court's order or decision may be appealed as in other civil proceedings.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2275, § 192, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (1)
and (2) amended, p. 1465, § 199, effective July 1. L. 2006: (2) amended, p. 864, § 39, effective
July 1.
PART 9
FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES
Editor's note: This article was added in 1990, and this part 9 was subsequently repealed
and reenacted in 2003, effective July 1, 2004, resulting in the addition, relocation, and
elimination of sections as well as subject matter. For amendments to this part 9 prior to 2004,
consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note and the table itemizing the replacement
volumes and supplements to the original volume of C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the
front of this volume.
7-80-901. Foreign limited liability companies. Part 8 of article 90 of this title,
providing for the transaction of business or the conduct of activities by foreign entities, applies
to foreign limited liability companies.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2275, § 193, effective July 1, 2004.
7-80-902. Registered agent - service of process. Part 7 of article 90 of this title,
providing for registered agents and service of process, applies to foreign limited liability
companies.
Source: L. 2003: Entire part R&RE, p. 2275, § 193, effective July 1, 2004.
PART 10
MERGER AND CONVERSION
7-80-1001 to 7-80-1007. (Repealed)
Editor's note: (1) This part 10 was added in 1994. For amendments to this part 10 prior
to its repeal in 2003, effective July 1, 2004, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory
note and the table itemizing the replacement volumes and supplements to the original volume of
C.R.S. 1973 beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.
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(2) Section 7-80-1007 provided for the repeal of this part, effective July 1, 2004. (See L.
2003, pp. 2356, 2357.)
PART 11
APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE
7-80-1101. Application to limited liability companies formed prior to July 1, 1994.
(1) A limited liability company formed under this article prior to July 1, 1994, shall be governed
by the provisions of this article.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1465, § 200, effective July 1, 2004.)
Source: L. 94: Entire part added, p. 725, § 34, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire section
amended, p. 1465, § 200, effective July 1.
CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
ARTICLE 90
Colorado Corporations and Associations Act
Law reviews: For article, "House Bill 1489: Additional Steps To Simplify Colorado's
Business Entity Legislation", see 30 Colo. Law. 29 (Jan. 2001); for article, "Colorado Choice of
Form of Organization and Structure 2001", see 30 Colo. Law. 11 (Oct. 2001); for article, "Entity
and Trade Name Registration: 2001 Update", see 30 Colo. Law. 81 (Oct. 2001); for article, "No
Paper Required: Business Entity Legislation Makes Life Easier for Business Lawyers", see 33
Colo. Law. 11 (June 2004); for article, "Conversion of Entities in Colorado", see 33 Colo. Law.
11 (Nov. 2004); for article, "Entity and Trade Name Registration: 2004 Update", see 34 Colo.
Law. 11 (Jan. 2005); for article, "Entity and Trade Name Filing Requirements and Customs in
Colorado--Part I", see 41 Colo. Law. 57 (Nov. 2012); for article, "Entity and Trade Name Filing
Requirements and Customs in Colorado--Part II", see 41 Colo. Law. 25 (Dec. 2012).
PART 1
DEFINITIONS AND APPLICATION SPECIAL RULES
7-90-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado
Corporations and Associations Act".
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 1506, § 21, effective June 3.
7-90-102. Definitions - repeal. [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion
to this section is effective until July 1, 2020.] As used in this title, except as otherwise defined
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for the purpose of any section, subpart, part, or article of this title, or unless the context
otherwise requires:
[Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to this section is effective July
1, 2020.] As used in this title 7, except as otherwise defined for the purpose of any section,
subpart, part, or article of this title 7, or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Address" means a mailing address or a street address.
(1.3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2010, (HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1995, § 12, effective
August 11, 2010.)
(1.5) "Articles of association" means, with respect to a domestic limited partnership
association, the articles of association as defined in the "Colorado Limited Partnership
Association Act", article 63 of this title. With respect to a foreign limited partnership association
or partnership association, "articles of association" means the corresponding document filed with
the jurisdiction under the law of which the limited partnership association is formed.
(2) "Articles of incorporation" means, with respect to:
(a) A domestic cooperative that is not a domestic limited cooperative association, a
domestic corporation, or other domestic entity that is formed under or subject to the "Colorado
Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title, articles of incorporation as that term
is used in the "Colorado Business Corporation Act";
(b) A corporation formed under or subject to article 40 of this title, a certificate of
incorporation as that term is used in article 40 of this title;
(c) A domestic cooperative, a domestic nonprofit corporation, or other domestic entity
that is formed under or subject to the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles
121 to 137 of this title, articles of incorporation as that term is used in the "Colorado Revised
Nonprofit Corporation Act"; and
(d) A foreign corporation or foreign nonprofit corporation, the corresponding document
filed with the jurisdiction, under the law of which the corporation or nonprofit corporation is
formed.
(3) "Articles of organization" means, with respect to:
(a) A domestic limited liability company, the articles of organization as defined in the
"Colorado Limited Liability Company Act", article 80 of this title;
(b) A foreign limited liability company, the corresponding document filed with the filing
officer of the jurisdiction under the law of which the foreign limited liability company is formed;
and
(c) A domestic limited cooperative association, the articles of organization as defined in
the "Colorado Uniform Limited Cooperative Association Act", article 58 of this title.
(3.3) "Assumed entity name" means an entity name assumed by a foreign entity pursuant
to the provisions of section 7-90-603.
(3.5) (a) "Business development corporation" means a corporation incorporated under
the "Colorado Business Development Corporation Act", article 48 of this title.
(b) This subsection (3.5) is repealed, effective July 1, 2020.
(3.7) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 1837, § 87, effective July 1, 2002; p. 1702, §
85, effective October 1, 2002.)
(3.8) [Editor's note: Subsection (3.8) is effective ninety days following certification by
the secretary of state. (See the editor's note following this section.)] "Commercial registered
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agent" means a registered agent who has filed the appropriate documentation with the secretary
of state to become listed as a commercial registered agent pursuant to section 7-90-707.
(3.9) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1465, § 201, effective July 1, 2004.)
(4) "Constituent document" means a constituent filed document or a constituent
operating document.
(5) "Constituent entity" means, with respect to a merger, each merging entity and the
surviving entity; with respect to a conversion, the converting entity and the resulting entity; and,
with respect to a share or equity capital exchange, each entity whose owner's interests will be
acquired and each entity acquiring those interests.
(6) "Constituent filed document" means the articles of incorporation, articles of
organization, certificate of limited partnership, articles of association, statement of registration,
or other document of similar import filed or recorded by or for an entity in the jurisdiction under
the law of which the entity is formed, by which it is formed, or by which the entity obtains its
status as an entity or the entity or any or all of its owners obtain the attribute of limited liability.
Where a constituent filed document has been amended or restated, "constituent filed document"
means the constituent filed document as last amended or restated.
(7) "Constituent operating document" means articles of incorporation, operating
agreement, or partnership agreement, and bylaws of a corporation, nonprofit corporation,
cooperative, or limited partnership association.
(8) "Converting entity" means the entity that converts into a resulting entity pursuant to
section 7-90-201.
(9) "Cooperative" means a domestic cooperative or a foreign cooperative.
(9.5) (a) "Cooperative housing corporation" means a corporation formed pursuant to
article 33.5 of title 38, C.R.S.
(b) This subsection (9.5) is repealed, effective July 1, 2020.
(10) "Corporation" means a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation.
(10.3) "Delinquent entity" means an entity that has been declared delinquent pursuant to
section 7-90-902 and that has not cured its delinquency.
(10.5) "Deliver" includes mail; except that delivery to the secretary of state means actual
receipt by the secretary of state. "Deliver" to any person by the secretary of state includes
delivery or mail to the registered agent address of the person's registered agent, or to the
principal office address of the person, unless otherwise specified in section 7-90-902 or by an
organic statute other than this article. "Deliver" by the secretary of state to a person that has
neither a principal office address nor a registered agent address includes delivery to the address
that such person may have provided to the secretary of state for such purpose, unless otherwise
specified by an organic statute other than this article.
(11) "Domestic cooperative" means an entity formed under article 55 of this title; an
entity formed under the "Colorado Cooperative Act", article 56 of this title; an entity formed
under the "Colorado Uniform Limited Cooperative Association Act", article 58 of this title; or an
entity formed under any other act of the state of Colorado that has elected to be subject to the
"Colorado Cooperative Act".
(11.5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2276, § 194, effective July 1, 2004.)
(12) "Domestic corporation" means a corporation formed under or subject to the
"Colorado Business Corporation Act", articles 101 to 117 of this title.
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(13) "Domestic entity" means a domestic corporation, a domestic general partnership, a
domestic cooperative, a domestic limited liability company, a domestic limited partnership, a
domestic limited partnership association, a domestic nonprofit association, a domestic nonprofit
corporation, or any other organization or association that is formed under a statute or common
law of this state or as to which the law of this state governs relations among the owners and
between the owners and the organization or association and that is recognized under the law of
this state as a separate legal entity.
(13.5) "Domestic entity name" means the name of a domestic entity as stated in the
entity's constituent filed document or as changed pursuant to section 7-90-601.5 or 7-90-601.6.
(14) "Domestic general partnership" means a partnership as defined in the "Uniform
Partnership Law", article 60 of this title, or as defined in the "Colorado Uniform Partnership Act
(1997)", article 64 of this title if, in either case, the law of this state governs relations among the
partners and between the partners and the partnership. The term includes a limited liability
partnership as defined in the "Uniform Partnership Law", article 60 of this title, or as defined in
the "Colorado Uniform Partnership Act (1997)", article 64 of this title.
(14.5) "Domestic limited cooperative association" means a limited cooperative
association formed under or subject to the "Colorado Uniform Limited Cooperative Association
Act", article 58 of this title.
(15) "Domestic limited liability company" means a limited liability company formed
under the "Colorado Limited Liability Company Act", article 80 of this title.
(15.3) "Domestic limited liability limited partnership" means a domestic limited
partnership that is registered as a limited liability limited partnership under section 7-60-144 or
7-64-1002.
(15.5) "Domestic limited liability partnership" means a domestic general partnership that
is a limited liability partnership as defined in the "Uniform Partnership Law", article 60 of this
title, or as defined in the "Colorado Uniform Partnership Act (1997)", article 64 of this title.
(16) "Domestic limited partnership" means a limited partnership as defined in the
"Uniform Limited Partnership Law of 1931", article 61 of this title, or as defined in the
"Colorado Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 1981", article 62 of this title. The term includes a
limited partnership that is a limited liability limited partnership.
(17) "Domestic limited partnership association" means a limited partnership association
formed under the "Colorado Limited Partnership Association Act", article 63 of this title.
(18) "Domestic nonprofit association" means a nonprofit association as defined in the
"Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act", article 30 of this title.
(19) "Domestic nonprofit corporation" means a corporation formed under or subject to
article 40 of this title or the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137
of this title.
(19.3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1465, § 201, effective July 1, 2004.)
(19.5) "Effective date", when referring to a document filed by the secretary of state,
means the time and date determined in accordance with section 7-90-304.
(19.7) "Effective date of dissolution of an entity" means, with respect to any domestic
entity other than a general partnership that was a reporting entity before dissolution, the earlier
of the effective date of the entity's articles of dissolution or statement of dissolution or the date
as shown by the records of the secretary of state on which the entity was administratively or
judicially dissolved.
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(20) "Entity" means a domestic entity or a foreign entity.
(20.5) "Entity name" means a domestic entity name or a foreign entity name.
(20.6) "Fee" means a fee determined and collected by the secretary of state as provided
in section 24-21-104, C.R.S., and includes a fee imposed as a penalty for a late filing or
otherwise.
(20.7) "Filed document" means any document filed by the secretary of state pursuant to
this title, whether or not effective.
(21) "Foreign cooperative" means an entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other
than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic cooperative.
(21.5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2276, § 194, effective July 1, 2004.)
(22) "Foreign corporation" means an entity formed under the law of a jurisdiction other
than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic corporation.
(23) "Foreign entity" means a foreign corporation, a foreign cooperative, a foreign
general partnership, a foreign limited liability partnership, a foreign limited liability company, a
foreign limited partnership, a foreign limited liability limited partnership, a foreign limited
partnership association, a foreign nonprofit association, a foreign nonprofit corporation, or any
other organization or association that is formed under a statute or common law of a jurisdiction
other than this state or as to which the law of a jurisdiction other than this state governs relations
among the owners and between the owners and the organization or association and is recognized
under the law of such jurisdiction as a separate legal entity.
(23.3) "Foreign entity name" means:
(a) The name of a foreign entity under which it is authorized to transact business or
conduct activities in this state, whether such name is its true name or an assumed entity name, as
such name may be changed pursuant to section 7-90-601.6; or
(b) As to a foreign entity that is not authorized to transact business or conduct activities
in this state but that has registered its true name pursuant to section 7-90-604, that true name.
(23.5) "Foreign general partnership" means an entity formed under the law of a
jurisdiction other than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic general partnership.
(23.7) "Foreign limited cooperative association" means an entity formed under the law
of a jurisdiction other than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic limited
cooperative association.
(24) "Foreign limited liability company" means an entity formed under the law of a
jurisdiction other than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic limited liability
company.
(24.3) "Foreign limited liability limited partnership" means an entity that is functionally
equivalent to a domestic limited liability limited partnership and is formed under the law of a
jurisdiction other than this state or as to which the law of a jurisdiction other than this state
governs relations among the owners and between the owners and the entity and is recognized
under the law of this state as a separate legal entity.
(24.5) "Foreign limited liability partnership" means an entity that is functionally
equivalent to a domestic limited liability partnership and is formed under the law of a
jurisdiction other than this state or as to which the law of a jurisdiction other than this state
governs relations among the owners and between the owners and the entity and is recognized
under the law of this state as a separate legal entity.
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(25) "Foreign limited partnership" means a partnership formed under the law of a
jurisdiction other than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic limited partnership.
(26) "Foreign limited partnership association" means a limited partnership association
formed under the law of a jurisdiction other than this state that is functionally equivalent to a
domestic limited partnership association.
(27) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 959, § 44, effective July 1, 2000.)
(28) "Foreign nonprofit association" means an entity formed under the law of a
jurisdiction other than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic nonprofit
association.
(29) "Foreign nonprofit corporation" means an entity formed under the law of a
jurisdiction other than this state that is functionally equivalent to a domestic nonprofit
corporation.
(29.3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1465, § 201, effective July 1, 2004.)
(29.5) "Formed" includes incorporated, created, and organized, and each of the terms
includes the others as the context may require. With respect to an entity that was initially formed
under the law of one jurisdiction and, by merger, conversion, consolidation, redomestication, or
other action, is treated, after such action, according to the law of the jurisdiction under which it
was initially formed, as having been formed under the law of a second jurisdiction, the entity
shall be considered to have been formed under the law of the second jurisdiction for purposes of
this title.
(30) "General partner" means a partner in a general partnership and a general partner in a
limited partnership.
(31) "General partnership" means a domestic general partnership or a foreign general
partnership.
(31.1) "Health care coverage cooperative" shall have the same meaning as set forth in
section 10-16-1002 (2), C.R.S., or a successor statute.
(31.3) "Include" or its variants, when used in reference to any definition or list, indicates
that the definition or list is partial and not exclusive.
(31.5) "Individual" means a natural person.
(31.7) "Jurisdiction" includes the United States, a state of the United States, a foreign
country or other foreign governmental authority, and any agency, instrumentality, or subdivision
thereof.
(32) "Limited liability company" means a domestic limited liability company or a
foreign limited liability company.
(32.5) "Limited liability limited partnership" means a domestic limited liability limited
partnership or a foreign limited liability limited partnership.
(32.7) "Limited liability partnership" means a domestic limited liability partnership or a
foreign limited liability partnership.
(33) "Limited partner" means a limited partner in a limited partnership.
(34) "Limited partnership" means a domestic limited partnership or a foreign limited
partnership.
(35) "Limited partnership association" means a domestic limited partnership association
or a foreign limited partnership association.
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(35.5) "Mail" means deposit in the United States mail, properly addressed, first class
postage prepaid, and includes registered, certified, express, or priority mail for which the proper
fee has been paid.
(35.6) "Mailing address" means, with respect to any person, a physical location to which
mail for such person may be delivered, which physical location shall be described by its street
name and number or post office box number, city, state, and (if not the United States) country,
and the postal code, if any, for delivery of mail to the location. If the person has no post office
box and, by reason of rural location or otherwise, a street name and number, city, or town does
not exist, "mailing address" shall mean an appropriate description fixing as nearly as possible the
actual physical location to which mail for that person is delivered, but, for all locations in the
United States, the county or parish and, if any, the rural free delivery route and the United States
postal code shall be included.
(35.7) "Manager" means:
(a) A member of a limited liability company in which management is not vested in
managers rather than members;
(b) A manager of a limited liability company in which management is vested in
managers rather than members;
(c) A member of a limited partnership association in which management is not vested in
managers rather than members;
(d) A manager of a limited partnership association in which management is vested in
managers rather than members;
(e) A general partner;
(f) An officer or director of a corporation, a nonprofit corporation, a cooperative, or a
limited partnership association; or
(g) Any person whose position with respect to an entity, as determined under the
constituent documents and organic statutes of the entity, without regard to the person's title, is
the functional equivalent of any of the positions described in paragraphs (a) to (f) of this
subsection (35.7).
(35.9) "Means" denotes an exhaustive definition or list.
(36) "Member" means:
(a) A member of a cooperative;
(a.5) A member of a limited cooperative association as defined in section 7-58-102;
(b) A member of a nonprofit association;
(c) A member of a limited liability company;
(d) In the case of a nonprofit corporation with one or more classes of voting members, a
voting member of a nonprofit corporation; or
(e) In the case of a nonprofit corporation with no voting members, a director of a
nonprofit corporation.
(37) "Merging entity" means any entity that merges into a surviving entity pursuant to
section 7-90-203 or pursuant to the organic statutes other than this article.
(38) "Nonprofit association" means a domestic nonprofit association or a foreign
nonprofit association.
(39) "Nonprofit corporation" means a domestic nonprofit corporation or a foreign
nonprofit corporation.
(40) "Nonprofit entity" means a nonprofit corporation or a nonprofit association.
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(40.5) "Obligation" means any debt, obligation, duty, or liability whether sounding in
tort, contract, or otherwise.
(40.7) "On file in the records of the secretary of state", "on file in the office of the
secretary of state", and "on file with the secretary of state", with reference to a document, means
that the document has been filed by the secretary of state and has become effective pursuant to
section 7-90-304 or otherwise pursuant to law and that, subsequent to the commencement of the
document's effectiveness, no action has been taken, or omission has occurred, that has caused the
document to become ineffective or to be superseded in effect.
(41) "Operating agreement" means the operating agreement of a domestic limited
liability company or the functionally equivalent document of a foreign limited liability company.
(42) "Organic statutes" means, with respect to any entity:
(a) This article;
(b) The statute, whether of this state or of another jurisdiction, under which the entity is
formed; and
(c) All other statutes of this state or such other jurisdiction that govern the organization
and internal affairs of the entity.
(43) "Owner" means a shareholder of a corporation, a member, a partner, or a person
having an interest in any other entity that is functionally equivalent to an owner's interest.
(44) "Owner's interest" means the shares of stock in a corporation, a membership in a
nonprofit corporation, a membership interest in a limited liability company, the interest of a
member in a cooperative or in a limited cooperative association, a partnership interest in a
limited partnership, a partnership interest in a partnership, and the interest of a member in a
limited partnership association.
(45) "Partner" means a general partner and a limited partner.
(46) "Partnership" means a domestic general partnership, a foreign general partnership, a
domestic limited partnership, or a foreign limited partnership.
(47) "Partnership agreement" means the partnership agreement of a domestic general
partnership or a domestic limited partnership, or the functional equivalent for a foreign general
partnership or a foreign limited partnership.
(47.1) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 959, § 44, effective July 1, 2000.)
(48) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2276, § 194, effective July 1, 2004.)
(48.5) "Periodic report" means the report required by section 7-90-501.
(49) "Person" means an individual, an estate, a trust, an entity, or a state or other
jurisdiction.
(50) "Primary constituent documents" means articles of incorporation with respect to a
corporation and constituent documents with respect to other entities.
(50.5) (a) "Principal address" means principal office address or, for a person that has no
principal office address, the street address of the person's usual place of business in this state if it
has one, the street address of the person's residence in this state if it has one but has no principal
place of business in this state, the street address of the person's usual place of business outside
this state if it has one but has no usual place of business or residence in this state, or the street
address of the person's residence outside this state if it has one but has no principal place of
business anywhere and no residence in this state.
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(b) In each case enumerated in paragraph (a) of this subsection (50.5), for a person that
has no principal office address, "principal address" means the mailing address of the person if it
is different from the address determined pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (50.5).
(51) "Principal office" means the office of an entity located at the principal office
address of the entity.
(51.5) "Principal office address" means the street address and, if different, the mailing
address inside or outside this state, that has been stated by or for an entity to be the principal
office address of the entity in the first filed document, in which document the entity or another
person has been required, by a provision of this title or by a form or cover sheet the use of which
is required by the secretary of state, to state the entity's principal office address; or, if the entity's
principal office address has been changed pursuant to section 7-90-705, the principal office
address of the entity as last so changed.
(52) "Proceeding" includes a civil suit, arbitration, or mediation and a criminal,
administrative, or investigatory action.
(53) "Provider network" means an entity created pursuant to part 3 of article 18 of title 6,
C.R.S., or any functionally equivalent entity formed under any subsequently enacted statute of
this state.
(54) "Receive", when used in reference to receipt of a writing or other document by an
entity, means that the entity actually obtains the writing or other document.
(55) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (55) is effective until ninety days
following certification by the secretary of state. (See the editor's note following this section.)]
"Registered agent" means the registered agent required to be maintained by an entity pursuant to
part 7 of this article or appointed pursuant to article 70 of this title.
(55) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (55) is effective ninety days following
certification by the secretary of state. (See the editor's note following this section.)]
"Registered agent" means the registered agent required to be maintained by an entity pursuant to
part 7 of this article or appointed pursuant to article 70 of this title. "Registered agent" includes a
commercial registered agent.
(56) "Registered agent address" means the street address and, if different, the mailing
address of the registered agent's primary residence in this state or usual place of business in this
state if the registered agent is an individual, or of the registered agent's usual place of business in
this state if the registered agent is an entity.
(56.5) "Registered agent name" means, with respect to a registered agent who is an
individual or a domestic entity, the true name of the registered agent and, with respect to a
registered agent that is a foreign entity, the foreign entity name of the foreign entity.
(57) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 1465, § 201, effective July 1, 2004.)
(58) "Reporting entity" means any domestic entity as to which a constituent filed
document is on file in the records of the secretary of state other than a domestic limited
partnership that is not a reporting limited partnership and any foreign entity authorized to
transact business or conduct activities in this state. An entity ceases to be a reporting entity upon
the dissolution of the entity, the entity becoming delinquent, the relinquishment of the entity's
authority to transact business or conduct activities in this state, or, if the entity is a limited
liability partnership or a limited liability limited partnership that is not a reporting limited
partnership, its withdrawal of its statement of registration. A dissolved entity that was a reporting
entity before its dissolution again becomes a reporting entity upon its reinstatement under part 10
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of this article, and a delinquent entity again becomes a reporting entity upon the curing of its
delinquency pursuant to section 7-90-904.
(58.5) "Reporting limited partnership" means:
(a) A domestic limited partnership formed after July 26, 2009;
(b) A domestic limited partnership formed under article 61 of this title that elects after
July 26, 2009, to be governed by article 62 of this title;
(c) A domestic limited partnership formed under or governed by article 62 of this title
for which, after July 26, 2009, a statement of registration is delivered to the secretary of state, for
filing pursuant to part 3 of this article, and which is subsequently on file in the records of the
secretary of state; or
(d) Any other domestic limited partnership formed under or governed by article 62 of
this title as to which a statement of election to be a reporting entity is on file in the records of the
secretary of state after July 26, 2009.
(59) "Resulting entity" means the entity that results from the conversion of an entity
pursuant to section 7-90-201.
(60) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2276, § 194, effective July 1, 2004.)
(60.5) "Signature" or "signed", unless otherwise provided in the constituent document,
includes an "electronic signature" as that term is defined in the "Uniform Electronic Transactions
Act", section 24-71.3-102 (8), C.R.S.
(61) "State", when referring to a part of the United States, includes the following:
(a) A state;
(b) A commonwealth;
(c) The District of Columbia;
(d) All agencies, instrumentalities, and subdivisions of a state, a commonwealth, or the
District of Columbia; or
(e) Any territory or insular possessions of the United States together with all agencies
and governmental subdivisions thereof.
(61.1) "Statement of change" means a statement of change as described in section 7-90305.5.
(61.3) "Statement of conversion" means a statement of conversion as described in
section 7-90-201.7.
(61.4) "Statement of correction" means a statement of correction as described in section
7-90-305.
(61.5) "Statement of election to be a reporting entity" means a statement of election to be
a reporting entity as described in section 7-90-501 (7.5).
(61.6) "Statement of merger" means a statement of merger as described in section 7-90203.7.
(61.7) "Statement of registration" means, with respect to a domestic limited liability
partnership or a domestic limited liability limited partnership, the statement of registration as
described in section 7-60-144 or section 7-64-1002. With respect to a foreign limited liability
partnership or a foreign limited liability limited partnership, "statement of registration" means
the corresponding document filed with the filing officer of the jurisdiction under the law of
which the foreign limited liability partnership or the foreign limited liability limited partnership
is formed.
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(62) "Street address" means, with respect to a physical location, the street name and
number, city, state, and (if not the United States) country, and the postal code, if any, that is
required for delivery of mail to the location. If, by reason of rural location or otherwise, a street
name and number, city, or town does not exist, "street address" shall mean an appropriate
description fixing as nearly as possible the actual physical location, but, for all locations in the
United States, the county or parish and, if any, the rural free delivery route and the United States
postal code shall be included.
(63) "Surviving entity" means the entity into which a merging entity or entities have
merged pursuant to section 7-90-203 or pursuant to the organic statutes other than this article.
(63.3) "Trade name" means a name of a person other than the true name of the person,
or, in the case of a general partnership that is not a limited liability partnership, other than the
true name of each general partner of the general partnership, under which the person may
transact business or conduct activities pursuant to the provisions of article 71 of this title.
(63.7) "True name" means, with respect to an individual, the first name and surname of
the individual; with respect to a domestic entity, the domestic entity name, if any, of the
domestic entity, or, if the domestic entity does not have a domestic entity name, the name under
which the domestic entity most commonly transacts business or conducts activities in this state;
and, with respect to a foreign entity, the functional equivalent of such a name.
(64) "United States" includes any district, authority, office, bureau, commission,
department, and any other agency of the United States of America.
(65) "Unit owner's association" means an entity created pursuant to part 3 of article 33.3
of title 38, C.R.S., or any functionally equivalent entity formed under any subsequently enacted
statute of this state.
(66) "Writing" or "written", unless otherwise provided in the constituent document,
includes an "electronic record" as that term is defined in the "Uniform Electronic Transactions
Act", section 24-71.3-102 (7), C.R.S.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 1506, § 21, effective June 3. L. 98: (2), (5), (11),
(13), (14), (16), (18), (19), (20), (21), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29), (41), (42), and (48)
amended and (10.5), (19.5), (24.3), (24.5), (31.3), (31.7), (32.5), (32.7), (35.5), and (47.1) added,
p. 613, § 9, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1), (6), (10), (11), (13), (16), (17), (18), (19), (19.5), (22),
(23), (24.5), (27), (30), IP(36), (39), (45), (46), (47), (47.1), (48), and (49) amended and (1.5),
(3.5), (3.7), (9.5), (11.5), (13.5), (15.3), (15.5), (20.5), (21.5), (23.3), (23.5), (31.1), (31.5),
(35.7), (35.9), (40.5), (50), (51), (52), (53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), (60), (61), (62), (63),
(64), and (65) added, p. 959, § 44, effective July 1. L. 2002: (3.7) and (19.5) amended, p. 1837,
§ 87, effective July 1; (3.7) and (19.5) amended, p. 1702, § 85, effective October 1. L. 2003: IP,
(1), (1.5), (2), (3), (3.5), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9.5), (10), (10.5), (11), (11.5), (12), (13), (13.5), (14),
(15), (15.3), (15.5), (16), (17), (18), (19), (21), (21.5), (22), (23), (23.3), (23.5), (24), (24.3),
(24.5), (25), (26), (28), (29), (30), (31.1), (31.3), (31.5), (31.7), (35.5), (35.7)(f), IP(36), (39),
(42), (43), (45), (46), (47), (48), (49), (51), (54), (55), (56), (58), (59), (60), (61)(d), and (62)
amended and (1.3), (3.3), (3.9), (19.3), (20.7), (29.3), (29.5), (35.6), (51.5), (56.5), (61.1), (61.3),
(61.7), (63.3), and (63.7) added, pp. 2276, 2355, §§ 194, 344, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: IP,
(2), (3), (3.9), (6), (7), (10.5), (13), (13.5), (14), (15.3), (15.5), (16), (19.3), (23), (23.3)(b),
(24.5), (26), (29.3), (31.7), (35.6), (35.7)(g), (36)(d), (36)(e), (42), (49), (57), (58), (63.3), and
(63.7) amended and (40.7) added, p. 1465, § 201, effective July 1; (31.1) amended, p. 1010, §
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19, effective August 4; (63.3) amended, p. 1544, § 4, effective May 30, 2006. L. 2005: (2),
(10.5), (13.5), (15.3), (16), (17), (23.3), (32.5), (32.7), (37), (40.7), (49), and (58) amended, p.
1204, § 4, effective October 1. L. 2006: (8), (10.5), (20.7), (35.6), and (62) amended and (10.3)
and (19.7) added, p. 864, § 40, effective July 1. L. 2007: (20.6), (50.5), (58.5), (61.4), (61.5), and
(61.6) added and (35.7)(g), (51.5), (55), and (58) amended, p. 227, § 20, effective May 29. L.
2008: (63) amended, p. 19, § 5, effective August 5. L. 2010: (1.3) amended and (48.5) added,
(HB 10-1403), ch. 404, p. 1995, § 12, effective August 11. L. 2011: (2), (3), (11), (36), and (44)
amended and (14.5) and (23.7) added, (SB 11-191), ch. 197, p. 818, § 2, effective April 2, 2012.
L. 2012: (3.8) added and (55) amended, (SB 12-123), ch. 171, p. 611, § 2, effective (see editor's
note). L. 2013: (61.3) and (61.4) R&RE, (HB 13-1300), ch. 316, p. 1663, § 8, effective August
7. L. 2015: (60.5) and (66) added, (HB 15-1117), ch. 50, p. 120, § 1, effective August 5. L.
2019: IP amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1911, § 1, effective July 1, 2020; (3.5)(b) and
(9.5)(b) added by revision, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, pp. 1911, 1966, §§ 1, 72.
Editor's note: (1) Amendments to subsection (58) by sections 194 and 344 of House
Bill 03-1377 were harmonized.
(2) Section 10 of chapter 171, Session Laws of Colorado 2012, provides that the act
adding subsection (3.8) and amending subsection (55) is effective ninety days following
certification in writing by the secretary of state to the revisor of statutes that the secretary of state
has implemented the necessary computer system changes to implement said subsections. As of
publication date, the revisor of statutes had not received certification from the secretary of state.
(3) Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019, provides
that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
Cross references: For the provisions of articles 20 to 29 of this title, the "Colorado
Nonprofit Corporation Act", prior to its repeal on July 1, 1998, see volume 2 of the 1997
Colorado Revised Statutes.
7-90-102.5. Relationship between constituent documents and organic statutes. For
purposes of this article, the constituent documents of an entity shall govern to the extent not
inconsistent with any provision of the organic statutes that may not be waived by the constituent
documents of the entity.
Source: L. 2000: Entire section added, p. 966, § 45, effective July 1. L. 2004: Entire
section amended, p. 1470, § 202, effective July 1.
7-90-103. Reservation of power to amend or repeal. The general assembly has the
power to amend or repeal all or part of this article at any time, and all entities subject to said
article shall be governed by the amendment or repeal.
Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 1510, § 21, effective June 3.
7-90-104. Nonapplication of uniform commercial code to owner's interest.
Subsections (d) to (f) of section 4-9-406 and section 4-9-408, C.R.S., do not apply to the
assignment or the transfer of, or the creation of a security interest in, an owner's interest.
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Source: L. 2006: Entire section added, p. 866, § 41, effective July 1; entire section
amended, p. 1521, § 89, effective July 1. L. 2016: Entire section amended, (HB 16-1270), ch.
119, p. 340, § 3, effective August 10.
PART 2
MERGER AND CONVERSION OF ENTITIES
Editor's note: This article was added in 1997, and this part 2 was subsequently repealed
and reenacted in 2000, resulting in the addition, relocation, and elimination of sections as well as
subject matter. For amendments to this part 2 prior to 2000, consult the Colorado statutory
research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front of this volume. Former C.R.S.
section numbers are shown in editor's notes following those sections that were relocated.
7-90-201. Conversion of an entity. [Editor's note: This version of this section is
effective until July 1, 2020.] (1) Pursuant to a plan of conversion approved in accordance with
section 7-90-201.4:
(a) A domestic entity of one form may be converted into any other form of domestic
entity.
(b) A domestic entity may be converted into any form of foreign entity recognized in the
jurisdiction under the law of which the entity will be considered to have been formed after the
conversion.
(2) A foreign entity may be converted into a domestic entity if the conversion is not
prohibited by the constituent documents or organic statutes and if the foreign entity complies
with all of the requirements, if any, of its constituent documents and organic statutes in effecting
the conversion.
7-90-201. Conversion of an entity. [Editor's note: This version of this section is
effective July 1, 2020.] (1) Pursuant to a plan of conversion that complies with section 7-90201.3 and is approved in accordance with section 7-90-201.4:
(a) A domestic entity of one form may convert into any other form of domestic entity.
(b) A domestic entity may convert into any form of foreign entity recognized in the
jurisdiction under the law of which the entity will be considered to have been formed after the
conversion.
(2) A foreign entity may convert into a domestic entity if the conversion is not
prohibited by the constituent documents or organic statutes of the foreign entity and if the
foreign entity complies with all of the requirements, if any, of its constituent documents and
organic statutes in effecting the conversion.
Source: L. 2000: Entire part R&RE, p. 966, § 46, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(5)
amended, p. 1838, § 88, effective July 1; IP(5) amended, p. 1702, § 86, effective October 1. L.
2003: (1), (2), (3), (4)(a), (4)(c)(II), (5), and (6) amended, p. 2285, § 195, effective July 1, 2004.
L. 2004: (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) amended and (5.5) added, p. 1470, § 203, effective July 1. L.
2005: (1) and (5.5) amended, p. 1206, § 5, effective October 1. L. 2006: (2), (4)(b), (4)(c)(III),
(4)(c)(IV), IP(5), (5)(b), and (5.5) amended and (4)(c)(III.3), (4)(c)(III.7), and (5.3) added, pp.
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866, 868, §§ 42, 43, effective July 1. L. 2007: Entire section amended, p. 229, § 21, effective
May 29. L. 2019: Entire section amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1911, § 2, effective July 1,
2020.
Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former § 7-90-201 as it existed prior to
2000.
(2) Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019, provides
that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-201.3. Plan of conversion. (1) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory
portion to subsection (1) is effective until July 1, 2020.] A plan of conversion shall state:
(1) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (1) is effective
July 1, 2020.] A plan of conversion must state:
(a) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name, the
jurisdiction under the law of which the entity is formed, and the form of entity of the converting
entity;
(b) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name, the
jurisdiction under the law of which the entity is formed, and the form of the resulting entity;
(c) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(c) is effective until July 1, 2020.] The
terms and conditions of the conversion, including the manner and basis of changing the owners'
interests of each converting entity into owners' interests or obligations of the resulting entity or
into money or other property in whole or in part.
(c) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(c) is effective July 1, 2020.] The terms
and conditions of the conversion, including the manner and basis of changing the owners'
interests of the converting entity into owners' interests or obligations of the resulting entity or
into money or other property in whole or in part.
Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 232, § 22, effective May 29. L. 2019: IP(1)
and (1)(c) amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1912, § 3, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-201.4. Approval of plan of conversion. [Editor's note: This version of this
section is effective until July 1, 2020.] (1) In the case of domestic entities described in this
subsection (1), the plan of conversion shall be approved:
(a) In the case of a corporation, as provided in section 7-111-101.5;
(b) In the case of a nonprofit corporation, as provided in section 7-131-101.5;
(c) In the case of a cooperative formed under, or subject to, article 56 of this title, as
provided in section 7-56-602; and
(d) In the case of a cooperative formed under article 55 of this title, as provided in
section 7-55-112.
(2) In the case of a domestic entity other than an entity described in subsection (1) of this
section, the plan of conversion shall be approved as follows:
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(a) If the organic statutes or primary constituent documents expressly provide for the
approval of the conversion, the terms and conditions of the conversion shall be approved in
accordance with those provisions.
(b) If neither the primary constituent documents nor the organic statutes expressly
provide for the approval of the plan of conversion, the plan of conversion shall be approved in
accordance with the provisions of the primary constituent documents that contain the most
stringent terms for approval of a merger.
(c) If the primary constituent documents do not expressly provide for the approval of a
merger, the plan of conversion shall be approved in accordance with the provisions of the entity's
organic statutes that contain the most stringent terms for the approval of a merger.
(d) If neither the primary constituent documents nor the entity's organic statutes
expressly provide for the approval of a merger, the plan of conversion shall be approved in
accordance with the provisions for amendment of the primary constituent documents set forth in
the organic statutes and the primary constituent documents.
(e) If neither the primary constituent documents nor the organic statutes expressly
provide for the approval of a plan of conversion, for the approval of a merger, or for the approval
of an amendment to the primary constituent documents, the plan of conversion shall be approved
by all of the owners of the converting entity.
(3) For purposes of this section, the provisions of the organic statutes and constituent
documents applicable to approval include provisions relating to any preliminary approval by
managers for submission to the owners, notices, quorum, voting, and consent by owners or third
parties. References in this section to the most stringent provisions of the primary constituent
documents or organic statutes are references to those provisions of such documents or statutes
that establish the highest voting requirements for approval of a merger. Nothing in this section
shall be deemed to permit any primary constituent document to contain merger provisions that
are proscribed by the entity's organic statutes.
7-90-201.4. Approval of plan of conversion. [Editor's note: This version of this
section is effective July 1, 2020.] (1) In the case of domestic entities described in this subsection
(1), the plan of conversion must be approved:
(a) In the case of a corporation, as provided in section 7-111-103;
(b) In the case of a nonprofit corporation, as provided in section 7-131-102;
(c) In the case of a cooperative formed under, or subject to, article 56 of this title 7, as
provided in section 7-56-602; and
(d) In the case of a cooperative formed under article 55 of this title 7, as provided in
section 7-55-112.
(2) In the case of a domestic entity other than an entity described in subsection (1) of this
section, the plan of conversion must be approved as follows:
(a) If the primary constituent documents expressly provide for the approval of the plan
of conversion, it must be approved in accordance with those provisions.
(b) If subsection (2)(a) of this section does not apply, the plan of conversion must be
approved in accordance with the provisions of the primary constituent documents that contain
the most stringent terms for the approval of a plan of merger.
(c) If subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b) of this section do not apply, the plan of conversion
must be approved in accordance with the provisions of the primary constituent documents that
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contain the most stringent terms for the approval of an amendment to the primary constituent
documents or, if no such provisions exist, the provisions of the organic statutes that contain the
most stringent terms for the approval of an amendment to the primary constituent documents.
(d) If subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), and (2)(c) of this section do not apply, the plan of
conversion must be approved by all of the owners of the converting entity.
(3) For purposes of this section, the provisions of the organic statutes and constituent
documents applicable to approval include provisions relating to any preliminary approval by
managers for submission to the owners, notices, quorum, voting, and consent by owners or third
parties. References in this section to the most stringent provisions of the primary constituent
documents or organic statutes are references to those provisions of the documents or statutes that
establish the highest voting requirements.
(4) Nothing in this section permits a primary constituent document to contain any
provision proscribed by the organic statutes.
Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 232, § 22, effective May 29. L. 2019: Entire
section amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1912, § 4, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-201.7. Statement of conversion - when conversion effective. (1) After the
conversion of an entity is approved in accordance with section 7-90-201.4, the converting entity
shall cause a statement of conversion to be delivered to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant
to part 3 of this article, if the converting entity has a constituent filed document or a statement of
foreign entity authority filed in the records of the secretary of state and the resulting entity will
not be an entity for which a constituent filed document will be filed in the records of the
secretary of state. The statement of conversion shall state:
(a) The entity name of the converting entity, its principal office address, the jurisdiction
under the law of which it is formed, and its form of entity;
(b) The true name of the resulting entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under the
law of which it is formed, and its form of entity;
(c) A statement that the converting entity has been converted into the resulting entity
pursuant to this section; and
(d) Any other matters relating to the conversion that the converting entity determines to
include therein.
(2) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (2) is effective
until July 1, 2020.] After the conversion of an entity is approved in accordance with section 790-201, if neither the resulting entity nor the converting entity is or will be an entity that will
have a constituent filed document filed in the records of the secretary of state, either the resulting
entity or the converting entity may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of
this article, a statement of conversion stating:
(2) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (2) is effective
July 1, 2020.] After the conversion of an entity is approved in accordance with section 7-90201.4, if neither the resulting entity nor the converting entity is or will be an entity that will have
a constituent filed document filed in the records of the secretary of state, either the resulting
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entity or the converting entity may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of
this article 90, a statement of conversion stating:
(a) The true name of the converting entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under
the law of which it is formed, and its form of entity;
(b) The true name of the resulting entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under the
law of which it is formed, and its form of entity;
(c) That the converting entity has been converted into the resulting entity pursuant to this
section; and
(d) Any other matters relating to the conversion that the entity filing the statement of
conversion determines to include therein.
(3) (a) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (3)(a) is
effective until July 1, 2020.] After the conversion of an entity is approved in accordance with
section 7-90-201, if the resulting entity will be an entity for which a constituent filed document
is to be filed in the records of the secretary of state, the converting entity shall deliver to the
secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of this article, a combined statement of conversion
and the constituent filed document that complies with the requirements of the organic statutes. In
addition to complying with the requirements of the organic statutes for the constituent filed
document, a combined statement of conversion and constituent filed document shall state:
(3) (a) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (3)(a) is
effective July 1, 2020.] After the conversion of an entity is approved in accordance with section
7-90-201.4, if the resulting entity will be an entity for which a constituent filed document is to be
filed in the records of the secretary of state, the converting entity shall deliver to the secretary of
state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of this article 90, a combined statement of conversion and the
constituent filed document that complies with the requirements of the organic statutes. In
addition to complying with the requirements of the organic statutes for the constituent filed
document, a combined statement of conversion and constituent filed document must state:
(I) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name of the
converting entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under the law of which it is formed, and
its form of entity;
(II) The entity name of the resulting entity;
(III) That the converting entity has been converted into the resulting entity pursuant to
this section; and
(IV) Any other matters relating to the conversion that the entity filing the statement of
conversion determines to include therein.
(b) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (a) of this subsection (3), a combined
statement of conversion and constituent filed document, once accepted for filing by the secretary
of state, shall for all purposes be deemed to be two separate documents: The statement of
conversion and the constituent filed document.
(4) The conversion shall become effective as specified by the organic statutes. If the
organic statutes do not specify an effective date, the conversion shall become effective when the
statement of conversion, if any, becomes effective as determined pursuant to section 7-90-304,
or, if no statement of conversion is filed, the conversion shall become effective at the time and
on the date determined by the owners of the converting entity.
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Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 233, § 22, effective May 29. L. 2019: IP(2)
and IP(3)(a) amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1913, § 5, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-202. Effect of conversion - entity unchanged. (1) [Editor's note: This version of
subsection (1) is effective until July 1, 2020.] At the time the conversion becomes effective, the
converting entity shall be converted into the resulting entity, and the resulting entity shall
thereafter be subject to all of the provisions of the organic statutes.
(1) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1) is effective July 1, 2020.] When a
conversion takes effect, the converting entity is converted into the resulting entity, and the
resulting entity is thereafter subject to all of the provisions of the organic statutes.
(2) Unless otherwise agreed, the conversion of any converting entity into a resulting
entity shall not be deemed to affect any obligations of the converting entity incurred prior to the
conversion to the resulting entity or the personal liability of any person incurred prior to such
conversion.
(3) Unless otherwise agreed or otherwise provided by the organic statutes, other than this
article, the converting entity shall not be required to wind up the entity's affairs or pay
obligations and distribute the entity's assets, and the conversion shall not be deemed to constitute
a dissolution of the converting entity and shall constitute a continuation of the existence of the
converting entity in the form of the resulting entity.
(4) The resulting entity is the same entity as the converting entity.
Source: L. 2000: Entire part R&RE, p. 967, § 46, effective July 1. L. 2004: (1) and (3)
amended, p. 1472, § 204, effective July 1. L. 2019: (1) amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1913,
§ 6, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former § 7-90-202 as it existed prior to
2000.
(2) Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019, provides
that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-203. Merger of entities. (1) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1) is
effective until July 1, 2020.] One or more domestic entities may merge into a domestic entity of
a form the same as or different from any of the merging entities pursuant to a plan of merger and
approved pursuant to section 7-90-203.4.
(1) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1) is effective July 1, 2020.] One or more
domestic entities may merge into a domestic entity of a form the same as or different from any
of the merging entities pursuant to a plan of merger complying with section 7-90-203.3 and
approved pursuant to section 7-90-203.4.
(2) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (2) is effective until July 1, 2020.] One or
more domestic entities may merge into a foreign entity of a form the same as or different from
that of any of the merging entities, or one or more foreign entities may merge into a domestic
entity of a form the same as or different from that of any of the merging entities, pursuant to a
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plan of merger approved, in the case of a domestic entity, pursuant to section 7-90-203.4, if the
merger is not prohibited by the constituent documents or organic statutes of each foreign entity
and if each foreign entity complies with all of the requirements, if any, of its constituent
documents and organic statutes in effecting the merger.
(2) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (2) is effective July 1, 2020.] One or more
domestic entities may merge into a foreign entity of a form the same as or different from that of
any of the merging entities, or one or more foreign entities may merge into a domestic entity of a
form the same as or different from that of any of the merging entities, pursuant to a plan of
merger complying with section 7-90-203.3 and approved, in the case of a domestic entity,
pursuant to section 7-90-203.4, if:
(a) The merger is not prohibited by the constituent documents or organic statutes of each
foreign entity;
(b) Each foreign entity complies with all of the requirements, if any, of its constituent
documents and organic statutes in effecting the merger; and
(c) Any foreign entity that is the surviving entity of the merger complies with section 790-204.5.
(3) to (7) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2007, p. 235, § 23, effective May 29, 2007.)
Source: L. 2000: Entire part R&RE, p. 968, § 46, effective July 1. L. 2002: IP(5)
amended, p. 1838, § 89, effective July 1; IP(5) amended, p. 1702, § 87, effective October 1. L.
2003: (1), (2), (3), (4)(c)(II), (5), and (6) amended and (4)(c)(III) and (4)(c)(IV) added, p. 2286,
§ 196, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2004: (2), (3)(a), (3)(b), (4)(c), (5), and (6) amended and (3)(f)
added, p. 1472, § 205, effective July 1. L. 2005: (5)(c) amended, p. 1206, § 6, effective October
1. L. 2006: (3)(a), (3)(b), (4)(b), (4)(c)(II)(B), (4)(c)(II)(D), and (5) amended, p. 868, § 44,
effective July 1. L. 2007: Entire section amended, p. 235, § 23, effective May 29. L. 2019: (1)
and (2) amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1914, § 7, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former § 7-90-203 as it existed prior to
2000.
(2) Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019, provides
that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-203.1. Exchange of owner's interest. [Editor's note: This section is effective July
1, 2020.] (1) One or more domestic entities may acquire all owners' interests of any other entity
or all of one or more classes, series, or types, in exchange for owners' interests or other
securities, obligations, rights to acquire owners' interests, or other securities, cash, property, or
any combination pursuant to a plan of exchange complying with section 7-90-203.3 and
approved pursuant to section 7-90-203.4.
(2) A foreign entity may be party to an exchange pursuant to a plan of exchange
complying with section 7-90-203.3 and approved, in the case of a domestic entity, pursuant to
section 7-90-203.4, if:
(a) The exchange is not prohibited by the constituent documents or organic statutes of
the foreign entity;
(b) The foreign entity complies with all of the requirements, if any, of its constituent
documents and organic statutes in effecting the exchange; and
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(c) Any foreign entity that is the acquiring entity in the exchange complies with section
7-90-204.5.
(3) This section does not limit the power of a domestic entity to acquire the owners'
interests of any other entity in a transaction other than an exchange.
Source: L. 2019: Entire section added, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1914, § 8, effective July
1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act adding this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-203.3. Plan of merger - plan of exchange. (1) A plan of merger shall state:
(a) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name, the
jurisdiction under the law of which the entity is formed, and the form of entity of each of the
merging entities;
(b) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name, the
jurisdiction under the law of which the entity is formed, and the form of the surviving entity into
which the merging entities are to merge;
(c) The terms and conditions of the merger, including the manner and basis of changing
the owners' interests of each merging entity into owners' interests or obligations of the surviving
entity or into money or other property in whole or in part; and
(d) Any amendments to the constituent documents of the surviving entity to be effected
by the merger.
(2) [Editor's note: This subsection (2) is effective July 1, 2020.] (a) A plan of exchange
must state:
(I) The entity name of each party to the exchange;
(II) The terms and conditions of the exchange; and
(III) The manner and basis of exchanging the owners' interests to be acquired.
(b) The plan of exchange may state other provisions relating to the exchange.
Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 238, § 24, effective May 29. L. 2019: (2)
added, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1915, § 9, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-203.4. Approval of plan of merger or exchange. [Editor's note: This version of
this section is effective until July 1, 2020.] (1) In the case of domestic entities described in this
subsection (1), the plan of merger shall be approved:
(a) In the case of a corporation, as provided in section 7-111-101;
(b) In the case of a nonprofit corporation, as provided in section 7-131-101;
(c) In the case of a cooperative formed under, or subject to, article 56 of this title, as
provided in section 7-56-602; and
(d) In the case of a cooperative formed under article 55 of this title, as provided in
section 7-55-112.
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(2) In the case of a domestic entity other than an entity described in subsection (1) of this
section, the plan of merger shall be approved:
(a) In accordance with the provisions of the primary constituent documents dealing with
mergers of the type, and with entities of the forms, described in the plan of merger;
(b) If there are no such provisions, in accordance with the provisions of the primary
constituent documents that contain the most stringent terms for approval of a merger;
(c) If there are no such provisions, in accordance with the provisions of the entity's
organic statutes dealing with mergers of the type, and with entities of the forms, described in the
plan of merger;
(d) If there are no such provisions, in accordance with the provisions of the entity's
organic statutes that contain the most stringent terms for approval of a merger;
(e) If neither the primary constituent documents nor the organic statutes expressly
provide for the approval of the merger, in accordance with the provisions for amendment of the
primary constituent documents set forth in the organic statutes and the primary constituent
documents; or
(f) If neither the primary constituent documents nor the organic statutes expressly
provide for a merger or for the approval of an amendment to the primary constituent documents,
by all of the owners of the merging entity.
(3) For purposes of this section, the provisions of the entity's organic statutes and
primary constituent documents applicable to approval of the plan of merger include provisions
relating to any preliminary approval by managers for submission to the owners, notices, quorum,
voting, and consent by owners or third parties. References in this section to the most stringent
provisions of the primary constituent documents or organic statutes are references to those
provisions of such documents or statutes that establish the highest voting requirements for
approval of a merger. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to permit any primary constituent
document to contain merger provisions that are proscribed by the entity's organic statutes.
7-90-203.4. Approval of plan of merger or exchange. [Editor's note: This version of
this section is effective July 1, 2020.] (1) In the case of domestic entities described in this
subsection (1), the plan of merger or plan of exchange must, if required, be approved:
(a) In the case of a corporation, as provided in section 7-111-103;
(b) In the case of a nonprofit corporation, as provided in section 7-131-102 for merger;
except that, if the transaction is an owner's interest exchange and the primary constituent
documents expressly provide for the approval of a plan of exchange, the transaction must be
approved in accordance with those provisions;
(c) In the case of a cooperative formed under, or subject to, article 56 of this title 7, as
provided in section 7-56-602 for approval of a plan of merger, conversion, consolidation, or
share or equity capital exchange;
(d) In the case of a cooperative formed under article 55 of this title 7, as provided in
section 7-55-112 for merger; except that, if the transaction is an owner's interest exchange and
the primary constituent documents expressly provide for the approval of a plan of exchange, the
transaction must be approved in accordance with those provisions; and
(e) In the case of a cooperative formed under article 58 of this title 7, as provided in
section 7-58-1606 for merger; except that, if the transaction is an owner's interest exchange and
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the primary constituent documents expressly provide for the approval of a plan of exchange, the
transaction must be approved in accordance with those provisions.
(2) In the case of a domestic entity other than an entity described in subsection (1) of this
section, the plan of merger or plan of exchange must be approved as follows:
(a) If the primary constituent documents expressly provide for the approval of the plan
of merger or plan of exchange, in accordance with the respective provisions of the primary
constituent documents;
(b) If the primary constituent documents do not expressly provide for approval:
(I) Of a plan of merger but do provide for approval of a plan of exchange, then a plan of
merger is governed by the approval requirements for a plan of exchange; and
(II) Of a plan of exchange but do provide for approval of a plan of merger, then a plan of
exchange is governed by the approval requirements for a plan of merger;
(c) If subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b) of this section do not apply because the primary
constituent documents do not expressly provide for the approval of a plan of merger or a plan of
exchange, in accordance with the provisions of the entity's organic statutes that contain the most
stringent terms for approval of the other type of transaction in this section;
(d) If subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), and (2)(c) of this section do not apply, in accordance
with the provisions of the entity's organic statutes that contain the most stringent terms for
approval of an amendment to the primary constituent documents or, if no such provisions exist,
the provisions of the organic statutes that contain the most stringent terms for the approval of an
amendment to the primary constituent documents; or
(e) If subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), (2)(c), and (2)(d) of this section do not apply, by all of
the owners of the merging entity.
(3) For purposes of this section, the provisions of the organic statutes and constituent
documents applicable to approval include provisions relating to any preliminary approval by
managers for submission to the owners, notices, quorum, voting, and consent by owners or third
parties. References in this section to the most stringent provisions of the primary constituent
documents or organic statutes are references to those provisions of the documents or statutes that
establish the highest voting requirements.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to permit a primary constituent document to
contain any provision that is proscribed by the organic statutes.
Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 238, § 24, effective May 29. L. 2019: Entire
section amended, (SB 19-086), ch. 166, p. 1915, § 10, effective July 1, 2020.
Editor's note: Section 72 of chapter 166 (SB 19-086), Session Laws of Colorado 2019,
provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
7-90-203.7. Statement of merger - when merger effective. (1) [Editor's note: This
version of the introductory portion to subsection (1) is effective until July 1, 2020.] After a
merger is approved in accordance with section 7-90-203.4, if any merging entity is an entity for
which a constituent filed document has been filed by the secretary of state, the surviving entity
shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of this article, a statement of
merger that shall state:
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(1) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (1) is effective
July 1, 2020.] After a merger is approved in accordance with section 7-90-203, if any merging
entity is an entity for which a constituent filed document has been filed by the secretary of state,
the surviving entity shall deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of this
article 90, a statement of merger that states:
(a) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name of each
merging entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under the law of which it is formed, and its
form of entity;
(b) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name of the
surviving entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under the law of which it is formed, and its
form of entity;
(c) That each merging entity is merged into the surviving entity;
(d) That, if the plan of merger provides for amendments to any constituent filed
document of the surviving entity, an appropriate statement of change or other document
effecting the amendments shall be delivered to the secretary of state for filing pursuant to part 3
of this article; and
(e) Any other matters relating to the merger the surviving entity determines to include
therein.
(2) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (2) is effective
until July 1, 2020.] After a merger is approved in accordance with section 7-90-203.4, if no
merging entity is an entity for which a constituent filed document has been filed by the secretary
of state, the surviving entity may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of
this article, a statement of merger that shall state:
(2) [Editor's note: This version of the introductory portion to subsection (2) is effective
July 1, 2020.] After a merger is approved in accordance with section 7-90-203, if no merging
entity is an entity for which a constituent filed document has been filed by the secretary of state,
the surviving entity may deliver to the secretary of state, for filing pursuant to part 3 of this
article 90, a statement of merger that states:
(a) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name of each
merging entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under the law of which it is formed, and its
form of entity;
(b) The entity name or, for an entity that has no entity name, the true name of the
surviving entity, its principal address, the jurisdiction under the law of which it is formed, and its
form of entity;
(c) That each merging entity is merged into the surviving entity; and
(d) Any other matters relating to the merger that the surviving entity determines to
include therein.
(3) The merger shall become effective as specified by the organic statutes. If the organic
statutes do not specify an effective date, the merger takes effect at the time and on the date the
statement of merger becomes effective as determined pursuant to section 7-90-30