Annexation is the process whereby land is brought into the jurisdiction of the City of Thornton. When land is annexed, it becomes eligible for all municipal services and is subject to City laws, regulations, and taxes. Annexation and the annexation process must conform with Title 31, Article 12 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, “The Municipal Annexation Act of 1965, as Amended”, as well as the City of Thornton annexation policies and other applicable City requirements. The annexation process is completed with the recordation of an annexation map and approval ordinance with the County Clerk and Recorder. Initial zoning of property, upon annexation, is generally done concurrent with the annexation actions.

Annexations are approved by the City Council after a public hearing, and after the publication of four consecutive notices of annexation, the first notice is published 30 days prior to the City Council’s public hearing.

The applicant for annexation can negotiate an annexation agreement with the City prior to the submittal of the “application for annexation”. Any agreements, and the proposed zoning for the property to be annexed are a part of the annexation process.

If the property to be annexed is proposed to be zoned concurrent with annexation, a public hearing on the zoning is held  by the City Council.