(1) At a meeting called expressly for that purpose, as well as any other proper purpose, a director may be removed by the members in the manner provided in this section upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting in person or in any other manner authorized by the cooperative pursuant to section 7-56-305 (1) or, if removal of a director is by the board, then by a majority of the members of the board not subject to removal.
The board may remove a director who does not meet the qualifications for boardmembership stated in the articles and bylaws of the cooperative.
The members may remove one or more directors only for cause unless the articles orbylaws allow directors to be removed without cause.
Removal of directors by the vote of the members shall be initiated by written petitionsigned by at least ten percent of the members stating the alleged causes or reasons for removing the director. No petition shall seek removal of more than one director.
Within ninety days after receipt of a petition meeting the requirements of subsection(4) of this section, the board shall schedule the removal vote at a regular or special meeting of the membership upon determination by the board, if necessary, that cause has been stated. Any determination of cause shall be made by a majority of the directors not subject to removal petitions. If more than a majority of the board is subject to removal petitions, then the matter shall be promptly referred to an attorney who has been duly licensed to practice law in Colorado for at least five years and who has not previously represented the cooperative. The attorney's determination of whether cause has been stated shall be final for the purpose of whether to schedule a vote on removal.
Any director subject to a removal petition under any provision of this section shall bepromptly informed in writing by the board and shall have the opportunity, in person and by counsel, to be heard and present evidence at the meeting called for the vote. The persons seeking removal shall have the same opportunity.
Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 503, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: (2) amended, p. 2227, § 84, effective July 1, 2004.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 7-56-117 as it existed prior to 1996.