(1) Any person who violates any provision of this article or any rule or quarantine declared pursuant to this article is subject to a civil penalty, as determined by the commissioner. The maximum penalty shall not exceed one thousand dollars per violation.
No civil penalty may be imposed unless the person charged is given notice and opportunity for a hearing pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
If the commissioner is unable to collect such civil penalty or if any person fails topay all or a set portion of the civil penalty as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner may bring suit in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such amount plus costs and attorney fees.
Before imposing any civil penalty, the commissioner may consider the financial hardship such penalty may cause to the business of the person charged.
Any civil penalty recovered pursuant to this section shall be credited to the generalfund.
Source: L. 96: Entire section added, p. 322, § 7, effective April 16.