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Courts have held that the right to carry on a legitimate business is a property right and cannot be taken away or <br />abridged by an exercise of the police power unless it appears that the interest of the public generally requires such <br />interference and that the means are reasonably necessary for the accomplishment of the purpose and are not <br />unduly oppressive.2' Licenses may not be revoked or suspended except for good cause and only after the licensee <br />has received due process, including a fair hearing.212 Municipal officials must recognize these limitations on their <br />exercise of the police power in their regulation and licensing of local businesses. However, businesses must comply <br />with all applicable ordinances and other laws or else risk the suspension or revocation of their license.211 <br />Liquor licensing. The State of Colorado has exclusive authority over the regulation, manufacture, and sale of <br />intoxicating liquors (malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors).214 However, municipalities have been delegated the <br />authority to review and approve applications for beer and liquor businesses that require local licenses, provided such <br />authority is exercised in accordance with the provisions of the state liquor and fermented beverage (beer) codes.211 <br />In granting liquor licenses, the governing body is required by statute to consider "the reasonable requirements of the <br />neighborhood, (and) the desires of the adult inhabitants as evidenced by petitions, remonstrances, or otherwise, and <br />all other reasonable restrictions that are or may be placed upon the neighborhood by the local licensing authority. 11211 <br />Liquor licensing is addressed in detail in CML's publication Liquor and Beer Licensing Law and Practice. The <br />governing body should not proceed in liquor -licensing cases without the benefit of competent legal counsel and <br />should proceed only in careful compliance with the liquor code. <br />Marijuana licensing. By constitutional amendment, Colorado voters authorized the private use, possession, sale, <br />and manufacturing of marijuana products for both recreational and medicinal purposes.217 However, Colorado <br />municipalities may prohibit within their boundaries the operation of marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana <br />manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities, and retail marijuana stores .218 Those cities and towns that <br />choose to allow medical or recreational marijuana stores or facilities may locally license these establishments.211 <br />Differences exist between the licensing requirements for medical and recreational marijuana. The General Assembly <br />has enacted comprehensive legislation concerning the licensing and regulation of medical and recreational <br />marijuana establishments.221 <br />Franchising. The rates of privately owned water, electric, and gas utilities are subject to regulation only by the state <br />Public Utilities Commission; however, municipalities may further regulate the operations of certain of these <br />companies within municipal limits through the power to prohibit the permanent use of streets or alleys. Permanent <br />use of streets or alleys for water and gas lines or utility poles usually is permitted by granting a "franchise" to the <br />company concerned. <br />All franchises must be granted by ordinance and only after appropriate public notice is given.221 Franchises for gas, <br />water, heating, cooling, and electric utility operations may not be granted for more than 25 years.222 No local <br />franchise may be required of telecommunications service providers.221 <br />Although the governing body may place certain requirements on the utility company before granting a franchise <br />(such as requiring franchise fees), only the Public Utilities Commission may regulate the rate schedule itself. <br />Land use and zoning. Municipalities have been granted broad authority to regulate the use, development, and <br />zoning of property within its boundaries: <br />211 Wilson v. City & Cty. of Denver, 178 P. 17 (Colo. 1918). <br />212 State Bd. of Cosmetology v. Maddux, 428 P.2d 936 (Colo. 1967). <br />213 C.R.S. § 31-15-501(c). <br />214 Berger v. City of Boulder, 195 P.3d 1138 (Colo. App. 1138). <br />215 C.R.S. §§ 12-46-101 et seq.; C.R.S. §§ 12-47-101 et seq. <br />216 C.R.S. § 12-47-301(2)(a). <br />217 COLO. CONST. art. XVIII, § 16. <br />218 COLO. CONST. art. XVIII, § 16(5)(f); C.R.S. § 12-43.3-106. <br />219 COLO. CONST. art. XVIII, § 16(5)(f); C.R.S. § 12-43.3-103. <br />220 See C.R.S. §§ 12-43.3-101 et seq. (Colorado Medical Marijuana Code); C.R.S. §§ 12-43.4-101 et seq. (Colorado Retail <br />Marijuana Code). <br />221 C.R.S. § 31-32-101. <br />222 C.R.S. § 31-15-707(1)(c). <br />223 C.R.S. §§ 38-5.5-101 et seq.; see also City & Cty. of Denver v. Qwest Corp., 18 P.3d 748 (Colo. 2001). <br />Heather Balser / City of Louisville <br />Order # 42201 / Qrder Date: 10/31/2019 <br />Copyright by Croft COLORADO MUNCIPAL GOVERNMENT.' AN INTRODUCTION <br />