CITY OF GUNNISON
MUNICIPAL HOME RULE CHARTER
Adopted at Special Election July 10, 1962
AMENDED:
May 11, 1965: Sections 3.7, 11.14 H & I
May 31, 1967: Section 8.1
May 31, 1973: Sections 2.11, 2.12, 2.14, 3.18, 3.19, 4.1, 6.3 & 8.3
May 10, 1977: Section 3.19
May 8, 1979: Section 3.17
May 21, 1981: Sections 2.6, 2.9, 2.11, 2.14, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 3.13, 3.19, 4.3, 4.4, 4.7, 4.14, 5.7, 5.8, 6.7, 6.10, Article VIII, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 & 10.5
May 10, 1983: Article VI Section 6.10, Article VIII Section 8.8, Article X Section 11.5
May 14, 1991: Article II Sections 2.8, 2.12, 2.15, 3.6, 3.12, 3.13, 3.16, 3.18, Article IV Section 4.2, 4.9, 4.10, Article V Sections 5.2, 5.5, 5.7, Article VI Section 6.4, 6.11, Article X, Sections 10.2, 10.10, Article VII Sections 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, 7.6
May 9, 1995: Article II, Section 2.2
Article II, Section 2.8
Article III, Section 3.22
May 8, 2001: Article VI, Section 6.5
Article VII, Section 7.12
May 12, 2015: Article II, Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 [2.9]
Article IV, Section 4.10
Article VI, Section 6.3
May 9, 2017: Article II, Section 2.2
Article III, Section 3.19
Article IV, Section 4.13
Article V, Section 5.1
November 6, 2018: Article II, Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
CITY OF GUNNISON
MUNICIPAL HOME RULE CHARTER
Table of Contents
Prefatory Synopsis
Preamble
Article I General Provisions
Article II Elections
Article III Organization of Government
Article IV General Provisions Regarding Officers and Personnel of the City
Article V The Council: Procedure and Miscellaneous Powers and Duties
Article VI Legislation
Article VII City Finances
Article VIII Bonded Indebtedness
Article IX City Owned Utilities
Article X Franchises
Article XI Miscellaneous Legal Provisions
Article XII Transitional Period
Certificate of Final Adoption
PREFATORY SYNOPSIS
The Gunnison Charter Convention was elected March 20, 1962, under the authority and method set out in Article XX of the Constitution of Colorado. The 21 members of the Convention were charged with the responsibility of drawing up a document in which would be prescribed the form and substance of Home Rule Government for the City of Gunnison.
Two objectives of the members of the Charter Convention have been:
First That the Charter must reserve to the people of the City of Gunnison absolute right and power of self-government under the Home Rule Provisions of the Constitution;
Second That the Charter must ensure the orderly and economical management of City Government guided and controlled by the people through their elected representatives.
To accomplish these objectives, the Charter provides for the Council-Manager form of City Government.
The policy-making, legislative, and budget making powers are vested in five Councilmen elected by popular vote from the City at large. Provisions are made for the recall of elected officers and for control of legislation by the people through initiative and referendum.
The rights of the people with respect to franchises are carefully safeguarded.
The power to create and control necessary Boards and Commissions is vested in the Council.
The administrative officer of the City will be a City Manager, appointed by the Council on the basis of his administrative abilities. Provision is made in the Charter for the removal of the City Manager at the pleasure of the Council.
The City Manager will prepare a budget, but final approval and adoption of such budget and all appropriations of City funds will remain in the hands of the Council. The acts of the City Manager will be subject to review by the Council.
To preserve the independence of the judicial arm of government, provision is made that the Municipal Judge will be appointed by the Council, subject to removal at any time by the Council.
Provision is made in the Charter, pending approval by the City electorate on July 10, 1962, for the Charter to go into effect as the governing document of the City of Gunnison on August 1, 1962. Further provision is made for the incumbent Councilmen – five in number, including four Councilmen and Mayor – to continue to serve as Councilmen for the City of Gunnison during the transition period between August 1, 1962 through May 20, 1963.
The newly elected Council shall take office on May 20, 1963, following the first election provided for under the Provisions of this Charter on May 14, 1963.
Members of the Charter Convention believe incumbent Councilmen, experienced in City Government, can carry into effect the Provisions of this Charter through the transition months – August, 1962 - May, 1963 – better than five newly elected Councilmen who would be chosen at a special election. Further, the expense of a special election would be unnecessary.
Charter Convention members have attempted to design this Charter to best meet the continuing needs of the City of Gunnison, and its projected growth during the coming years. They make no claims to presenting a document that will stand impervious to possible unforeseen requirements of future citizens, and thus, have provided a method to amend this Charter by popular vote. In putting together this Charter, Convention members have worked earnestly and long. In the process the opinions and views of many people have been secured and detailed studies of other Charters carried on.
The members of the Charter Convention believe this Charter will provide the basic law upon which the citizens of Gunnison may build a sound and progressive City Government.
PREAMBLE
We, the people of the City of Gunnison, Colorado, in order to promote the general welfare of our community and to exercise the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of self-government granted to us under the authority of the Constitution of the State of Colorado, do ordain and establish this Home Rule Charter for the City of Gunnison, Colorado.