What are some Principles of Statutory Construction? II
Posted on: March 6, 2009 by: adminWe have consistently recognized that “whenever possible a statute should be construed as to obviate or reduce any constitutional infirmities.” People v. Washburn, 197 Colo. 419, 423, 593 P.2d 962, 964 (1979)
If possible, we must give effect to every word of an enactment. See Zamarripa v. Q & T Food Stores, Inc., 929 P.2d 1332, 1341 (Colo. 1997); Charlton v. Kimata, 815 P.2d 946, 949 (Colo. 1991).
Basic principles of statutory construction require us to distinguish these terms. See º 2 4 201(1)(b) (“The entire statute is intended to be effective.”). Hall v. Walter, 969 P.2d 224 (Colo. 1998).
We must assume that the General Assembly made intentional distinctions in the language of these two related provisions and avoid “presum[ing] that the legislative body used the language idly and not with intent that meaning should be given to its language.” Colorado Ground Water Comm’n v. Eagle Peak Farms, Ltd., 919 P.2d 212, 218 (Colo. 1996)
