Public meeting notice requirement has changed for Colorado local governments
By Katie James
The Special District attorneys at FF want to make the public aware that long standing public meeting notice requirements have changed in Colorado. Do you rely on a posted Notice in your local post office, grocery store, or other community building to alert you to local government meetings and their agendas? For many years, it has been a statutory requirement that local governments like special districts and municipalities give the public advance notice of their meetings and the agenda items to be covered. After all, your tax dollars are funding these local governments so you should know when they meet to make decisions. As paper has given way to digital forums, the legislature has likewise made a change. Most members of the public will likely appreciate the change but it is one to be aware of while the transition occurs. Until August 2, 2109, Special Districts had to give 72 hours advance notice of meetings, and post that notice physically in 3 designated places within the District. Now, Districts have the option of online posting in an appropriate web forum (where the District has an online presence that could be its website or social media, etc.) with 24 hours notice. The Districts do not HAVE to use the online option (which requirement may come in the future) but have the ability to choose that method of public notice. Some Districts may make the change immediately, others may transition for a while, and some Districts without a web presence may stick with physical paper posting. Check your relevant Districts and other local government for their procedure, as you cannot count on 72 hours notice on paper as a rule anymore.
