SB 23-052

Senate Bill 23-052, now signed into law by the governor, allows cities and towns in Colorado to place a lien on properties for costs related to removing weeds, brush, or other trash. This municipal lien is prioritized over most other liens but comes second only to general taxes and earlier special assessments from the same municipality. The bill also requires county treasurers to collect these liens if certain conditions are met within specific timeframes. The law will take effect on August 7, 2023, meaning property owners could start seeing these liens applied after that date.

Official Summary

The law allows a municipality to levy a lien against real property for costs associated with removing weeds, brush, and other rubbish from the property. Such a lien has priority over other liens, except liens for general taxes and prior special assessments imposed by a municipality. A municipal clerk may certify such a lien to a county treasurer for collection. The act requires a county treasurer to accept such a municipal lien for collection if a municipality records a notice of lien within 4 months of abating the nuisance and certifies the amount of the unpaid assessment for which the lien was levied to the county treasurer within one year of recording the notice of lien. APPROVED by Governor April 3, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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