C.R.S. § 7-126-101 No requirement of members
7-126-101. No requirement of members. A nonprofit corporation is not required to have members.
Members and Memberships
C.R.S. tit. 7, art. 126
in effectC.R.S. § 7-126-102 Admission
7-126-102. Admission. (1) The bylaws may establish criteria or procedures for admission of members.
(2) No person shall be admitted as a member without such person's consent.
(3) A nonprofit corporation may issue certificates evidencing membership therein.
C.R.S. § 7-126-103 Liability to third parties
7-126-103. Liability to third parties. The directors, officers, employees, and members of a nonprofit corporation are not, as such, personally liable for the acts, debts, liabilities, or obligations of a nonprofit corporation.
C.R.S. § 7-126-104 Consideration
7-126-104. Consideration. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, a nonprofit corporation may admit members for no consideration or for such consideration as is determined by the board of directors.
C.R.S. § 7-126-201 Differences in rights and obligations of members
7-126-201. Differences in rights and obligations of members. (1) Unless otherwise provided by articles 121 to 137 of this title or the bylaws:
(a) All voting members shall have the same rights and obligations with respect to voting and all other matters that articles 121 to 137 of this title specifically reserve to voting members; and
(b) With respect to matters not so reserved, all members, including voting members, shall have the same rights and obligations.
C.R.S. § 7-126-202 Transfers
7-126-202. Transfers. (1) Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, no member of a nonprofit corporation may transfer a membership or any right arising therefrom.
(2) Where transfer rights have been provided, no restriction on them shall be binding with respect to a member holding a membership issued prior to the adoption of the restriction unless the restriction is approved by the affected member.
C.R.S. § 7-126-203 Creditor's action against member
7-126-203. Creditor's action against member. No proceeding may be brought by a creditor to reach the liability, if any, of a member to the nonprofit corporation unless final judgment has been rendered in favor of the creditor against the nonprofit corporation and execution has been returned unsatisfied in whole or in part or unless such proceeding would be useless.
C.R.S. § 7-126-301 Resignation
7-126-301. Resignation. (1) Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, a member may resign at any time.
(2) The resignation of a member does not relieve the member from any obligations the member may have to the nonprofit corporation as a result of obligations incurred or commitments made prior to resignation.
C.R.S. § 7-126-302 Termination, expulsion, or suspension
7-126-302. Termination, expulsion, or suspension. (1) Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, no member of a nonprofit corporation may be expelled or suspended, and no membership or memberships in such nonprofit corporation may be terminated or suspended except pursuant to a procedure that is fair and reasonable and is carried out in good faith.
(2) For purposes of this section, a procedure is fair and reasonable when either:
(a) The bylaws or a written policy of the board of directors state a procedure that provides:
(I) Not less than fifteen days prior written notice of the expulsion, suspension, or termination and the reasons therefor; and
(II) An opportunity for the member to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than five days before the effective date of the expulsion, suspension, or termination by a person or persons authorized to decide that the proposed expulsion, termination, or suspension not take place; or
(b) It is fair and reasonable taking into consideration all of the relevant facts and circumstances.
(3) For purposes of this section, any written notice given by mail must be given by first-class or certified mail sent to the last address of the member shown on the nonprofit corporation's records.
(4) Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, any proceeding challenging an expulsion, suspension, or termination, including a proceeding in which defective notice is alleged, must be commenced within one year after the effective date of the expulsion, suspension, or termination.
(5) Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, a member who has been expelled or suspended may be liable to the nonprofit corporation for dues, assessments, or fees as a result of obligations incurred or commitments made prior to expulsion or suspension.
C.R.S. § 7-126-303 Purchase of memberships
7-126-303. Purchase of memberships. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, a nonprofit corporation shall not purchase the membership of a member who resigns or whose membership is terminated. If so authorized, a nonprofit corporation may purchase the membership of a member who resigns or whose membership is terminated for the amount and pursuant to the conditions stated in or authorized by its bylaws. No payment shall be made in violation of article 133 of this title.
C.R.S. § 7-126-304 Residential membership - return of consideration - cessation of periodic payments - time limits - effective date
7-126-304. Residential membership - return of consideration - cessation of periodic payments - time limits - effective date. (1) Notwithstanding any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws to the contrary:
(a) (I) A residential nonprofit corporation shall refund the entrance fee of a residential member to the member or his or her heirs within ninety days after a transfer of the residential membership.
(II) (A) This paragraph (a) applies only to contracts entered into on or after March 11, 2011.
(B) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2012.)
(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2012.)
C.R.S. § 7-126-401 Derivative suits
7-126-401. Derivative suits. (1) Without affecting the right of a member or director to bring a proceeding against a nonprofit corporation or its officers or directors, a proceeding may be brought in the right of a nonprofit corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by:
(a) Any voting member or voting members having five percent or more of the voting power; or
(b) Any director.
(2) In any such proceeding, each complainant shall be a voting member or director at the time of bringing the proceeding.
(3) A complaint in a proceeding brought in the right of a nonprofit corporation must be verified and allege with particularity the demand made, if any, to obtain action by the directors and either why the complainants could not obtain the action or why they did not make the demand. If a demand for action was made and the nonprofit corporation's investigation of the demand is in progress when the proceeding is filed, the court may stay the suit until the investigation is completed.
(4) In any action instituted in the right of a nonprofit corporation by one or more voting members, the court having jurisdiction over the matter may, at any time before final judgment, require the plaintiff to give security for the costs and reasonable expenses that may be directly attributable to and incurred by the nonprofit corporation in the defense of such action or may be incurred by other parties named as defendant for which the nonprofit corporation may become legally liable, but not including fees of attorneys. The amount of such security may from time to time be increased or decreased, in the discretion of the court, upon showing that the security provided has or may become inadequate or is excessive. If the court finds that the action was commenced without reasonable cause, the nonprofit corporation shall have recourse to such security in such amount as the court shall determine upon the termination of such action.
(5) No action shall be commenced in this state by a member of a foreign nonprofit corporation in the right of a foreign nonprofit corporation unless such action is permitted by the law of the state under which such foreign nonprofit corporation is incorporated.
C.R.S. § 7-126-501 Delegates
7-126-501. Delegates. (1) A nonprofit corporation may provide in its bylaws for delegates having some or all of the authority of members.
(2) The bylaws may state provisions relating to:
(a) The characteristics, qualifications, rights, limitations, and obligations of delegates, including their selection and removal;
(b) Calling, noticing, holding, and conducting meetings of delegates; and
(c) Carrying on corporate activities during and between meetings of delegates.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-07.docxFetched: 10/6/2026