Colorado Revised Statutes Title 24. Government State § 24-2-102. Appointment of officers and employees

(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, such officers and employees as may be necessary in each principal department or institution of higher education shall be appointed by the head of each such department or institution in conformity with section 13 of article XII of the constitution of the state and the laws enacted in accordance therewith.

(2) The head of each principal department shall certify to the governor the number of officers and employees needed or required for the operation of his or her department for the ensuing twelve-month period in accordance with article 37 of this title.

(3) If, after appointments have been made to any principal department, the governor is of the opinion that the appointed personnel of any such department is in excess of its needs, the governor may require the separation of any of said appointees if ten days' prior notice of the proposed action is given by the governor to the head of any such department affected and opportunity given to such head within said ten-day period to be heard as to the necessity for the retention of all or any of said appointees proposed to be separated. The decision of the governor after such hearing shall be final and conclusive.

(4) If, during any fiscal period, there are not sufficient revenues available for expenditure during such period to carry on the functions of the state government and to support its agencies and institutions and such fact is made to appear to the governor, in the exercise of his discretion, by executive order, he may suspend or discontinue, in whole or in part, the functions or services of any department, board, bureau, or agency of the state government; except that the authority of the governor to restrict the expenditure of moneys appropriated from the capital construction fund shall be determined by the provisions of section 24-75-201.5. Such discontinuance or suspension shall become effective upon the first day of the calendar month following the entry of such executive order and shall continue for such period of time, not to exceed three months, as shall be determined by such executive order. If, during any such period of time, it again appears to the governor that such deficiency of revenues still persists, from time to time, he may extend the operation of such executive order for a like period of time not to exceed three months; but the state shall not be liable for the payment of any claim for salaries or expenses purporting to have accrued against any such department, board, bureau, or agency during any such period of suspension, and the controller shall not issue nor may the state treasurer honor any warrant therefor. Elective officers shall not be subject to the provisions of this article, parts 2 and 11 of article 30, and articles 31, 35, 36, and 101 to 111 of this title.