Counties in Colorado are a constitutional subdivision of state government.  Their boundaries, which are set forth in statute, were drawn by the General Assembly.  Initially, counties were created to carry out the programs and policies of the state.  These functions have grown over the years to encompass many policy and operational areas not contemplated 100 years ago.  Counties can exercise only those powers specifically expressed in statute or in the constitution.

Under state statute, counties are responsible for law enforcement, which includes supporting the courts system and the district attorney function as well as providing jail facilities through the sheriff.  Counties are responsible for providing the state’s social services, including administering and carrying out virtually all programs overseen by the Colorado Department of Human Services.  Counties may provide health services, although their ability to do so depends on resources available.  Counties are responsible for road and bridge construction, maintenance, and repair.  Finally, they control land use in the unincorporated areas. 

Counties have a vast number of other responsibilities, ranging from weed control to restaurant inspection, virtually all of which are traced to state legislation.  In certain instances, such as liquor licensing, siting, and operation of landfills, and pest control, counties and state government have co-authority.  Additional responsibilities are delegated to other county elected officials, such as the treasurer, assessor, coroner, clerk and recorder, surveyor, and sheriff.

Counties have the power to incur debt, enter into contracts, and receive grants and gifts.  Counties can incur either revenue debt (based solely upon a specified revenue stream) or general obligation (G.O.) debt, which constitutes a general obligation of the local government to repay the debt.  Some counties also enter into lease-purchase arrangements (as an alternative to debt financing) to build major facilities such as justice centers.  (Source: Colorado Counties, Inc. - CCI) For more information about the structure of counties in Colorado, please visit CCI's website.