(1) (a) Any person that violates any of the provisions of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated by the commission pursuant to this article may be punished upon a finding of such violation by the commissioner as follows:
In any first administrative proceeding, a fine of not less than one hundred dollars normore than one thousand dollars;
In any subsequent administrative proceeding against the same person, a fine of notless than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars.
(b) If the commissioner is unable to collect such civil penalty or if any person fails to pay all or a set portion of the civil penalty as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner may bring suit to recover such amount plus costs and attorney fees by action in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) In addition to the penalties provided in subsection (1) of this section, the commissioner may withhold, deny, suspend, or revoke the aquaculture facility permit of any aquaculturist if the commissioner finds that such person has committed any of the following:
Fraud or material deception in the obtaining or renewal of a permit;
Failure to comply with any provision of this article or rules promulgated by the commissioner or any lawful order of the commissioner pursuant thereto;
Failure to comply with any provision of section 33-6-114.5 (1) to (6), C.R.S., or withany rule or regulation of the division, or with any statutory provision relating to fish health, the spread of aquatic diseases, or the importation into the state, distribution, or management of any exotic aquatic species;
Contracting with or assisting unlicensed persons to perform services or operate in amanner for which a license is required under this article.
Any revocation or suspension of a permit by the commissioner shall be subject toreview by the board pursuant to section 35-24.5-105 (3); except that the commissioner may issue an order to cease and desist from doing any act which is determined to present an immediate danger to other aquatic stock pending such review by the board. For the purpose of enforcing any such cease-and-desist order, the commissioner has, in addition to any other powers conferred by statute, the power to exercise such physical control over property and persons as may be necessary to protect the health of such aquatic stock or of the public.
Whenever the commissioner possesses sufficient evidence satisfactory to the commissioner indicating that any person has engaged in or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this article or of any rule adopted under this article, the commissioner may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to temporarily or permanently restrain or enjoin the act or practice in question and to enforce compliance with this article or any rule or order under this article. In any such action, the commissioner shall not be required to plead or prove irreparable injury or the inadequacy of the remedy at law. Under no circumstances shall the court require the commissioner to post a bond.
Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 195, § 1, effective June 7.