2020 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 37 - Water And Irrigation
Article 45. Water Conservancy Districts
Section 37-45-143. Confirmation of contract proceedings.
(1) In its discretion, the board may file a petition in the court at any time, praying for a judicial examination and determination of any power conferred or of any tax or assessment levied or of any act, proceeding, or contract of the district, whether or not said contract has been executed, including proposed contracts for the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or operation of works for the district. Such petition shall set forth the facts whereon the validity of such power, assessment, act, proceeding, or contract is founded and shall be verified by the president of the board. Notice of the filing of said petition shall be given by the clerk of the court, under the seal thereof, stating in brief outline the contents of the petition and showing where a full copy of any contract therein mentioned may be examined. The notice shall be served by publication in at least five consecutive issues of a weekly newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the principal office of the district is located and by posting the same in the office of the district at least thirty days prior to the date fixed in said notice for the hearing on said petition.
Any owner of property in the district or person interested in the contract or proposedcontract may appear and move to dismiss or answer said petition at any time prior to the date fixed for said hearing or within such further time as may be allowed by the court; and the petition shall be taken as confessed by all persons who fail to appear.
The petition and notice shall be sufficient to give the court jurisdiction, and, uponhearing, the court shall examine into and determine all matters and things affecting the question submitted, shall make such findings with reference thereto, and shall render such judgment and decree thereon as the case warrants. Costs may be divided or apportioned among the contesting parties in the discretion of the trial court. Review of the judgment of the court may be had as in other similar cases; except that such review must be applied for within thirty days after the time of the rendition of such judgment or within such additional time as may be allowed by the court within the thirty days. The Colorado rules of civil procedure shall govern in matters of pleading and practice where not otherwise specified in this article. The court shall disregard any error, irregularity, or omission which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties.
Source: L. 37: p. 1355, § 36. CSA: C. 173B, § 50. CRS 53: § 149-6-38. C.R.S. 1963: § 150-5-38.
