Colorado Revised Statutes Title 10. Insurance § 10-16-1004. Health-care coverage cooperatives--establishment--fees

(1)(a) There is hereby authorized the creation of entities to be known as health-care coverage cooperatives. A health-care coverage cooperative may be created as any lawful entity under articles 55, 56, 58, 101 to 117, or 121 to 137 of title 7, C.R.S., so long as such entity operates for the mutual benefit of its members. Entities created pursuant to this part 10, in addition to the matters otherwise required, are subject to this part 10.

(b) Each cooperative shall follow the organizational requirements and corporate governance requirements of its statutory incorporation and, in addition, shall provide internal procedures that comply with section 10-16-1009.

(b) Any person or entity operating or holding itself out as a cooperative shall apply for and obtain a certificate of authority to operate as a cooperative pursuant to sections 10-16-1005 and 10-16-1006.

(c) No individual or entity that organizes a cooperative may become or attempt to become a person with financial interest in the cooperative's business for a period of three years after organization of the cooperative.

(3)(a) A cooperative is organized when the articles of organization are filed with the secretary of state or, if a delayed effective date is specified in the articles as filed with the secretary of state and a certificate of withdrawal is not filed, on such delayed effective date. The existence of the cooperative begins upon organization;  except that no cooperative shall secure health-care coverage for its members until a certificate of authority has been issued by the commissioner pursuant to section 10-16-1005(1).

(b) Except in a proceeding by the state to cancel or revoke the organization of, or involuntarily dissolve, the cooperative, the secretary of state's filing of the articles of organization shall be conclusive and irrefutable proof that all conditions precedent to organization have been met.

(5)(a) Except as allowed by section 10-16-1014 or subsection (5)(b) of this section, the division of insurance shall not participate in the formation or administration of a health-care coverage cooperative created pursuant to this part 10.

(b) The commissioner may provide technical assistance in the formation of a cooperative created pursuant to this part 10 so long as the cooperative is not formed or administered by the commissioner as an entity or instrumentality of the state.