Colorado Division of Local Government
Tony Hernandez, Director
The Division of Local Government was created in 1966, as a recommendation of the Governor's Local Affairs Study Commission, to:
- Provide technical assistance and information to local governments on available federal and state programs and act as a liaison with other state agencies concerned with local governments.
- Be a source of information to the Governor and General Assembly on local government needs and problems.
- Perform research on local government issues.
Every resident of Colorado lives within three governments' jurisdictions: the state, a county and a school district, and over 70% also live within municipal boundaries. Many hundreds of special districts bring the total to over 3,000 local jurisdictions, adding immeasurably to the complexity of government in Colorado. By having an agency to help manage the intergovernmental relationship between the state and local governments, the citizens of Colorado can expect a more seamless system of governance from their state and local governments. In addition, by creating the Division of Local Government, the state has demonstrated its commitment to assuring that local governments have the tools they need to provide high quality services to their citizens, and to help citizens better understand Colorado's complex public sector.
