State and Local Government Structures

I.    Constitutional Status of Local Governments

    A.    U.S. Constitution and Local Governments

        1.    "reserved powers"

        2.    "republican form of government"

    B.    State Constitutions and Local Government

II.    Cities (Colorado)

    A.    Municipal Corporations

    B.    Formation

    C.    Charters (form of government - 30 largest cities)

        1.    General Law Charters (Tennessee)

        2.    Dillon's Rule

        3.    Home Rule

   D.    Functions

    E.    Forms of City Governments

        1.    Commission

        2.    Council-Manager

        3.    Mayor-Council

    F.    Mayors

        1.    Strong (Denver; Council Member District Map; Specific Districts; Westminster, CO)

        2.    Weak

        3.    Election

        4.    Roles

    G.    City Councils

        1.    Size

        2.    Form

    H.    Councils of Governments (Denver)

III.    Counties (History; Colorado)

    A.    Rural

    B.    Urban

IV.    Special Districts

    A.    School

    B.    Other

V.    Elections Varieties

    A.    At-Large & District

    B.    Partisan & Non-Partisan

Key Web Sites

U.S. State and Local Gateway

About American Cities

City Government Structures:  Clarification

State and Local Governments on the Net

National Association of Counties

National League of Cities

U.S. Conference of Mayors

International City/County Management Association

Colorado Counties

State and Local Governments:  Library of Congress

Useful Web Links