Frequently Asked Questions

For all emergencies, dial 911 For non emergency information contact the following; 

Colby Police Department 275 N Court Ave (785) 460-4460 

Colby Fire Department 1125 S Country Club Dr. (785) 460-4454 

Thomas County EMS 1235 S Country Club Dr. (785) 460-4585 

Thomas County Emergency Management 1255 S Country Club Dr.  (785) 460-4516

Electric and water services provided by the City of Colby are metered services. Residential sewer rates are not a metered service but are set using the average winter water usage. This evaluation period runs from November 20 through February 20 each year. The bills processed on March 31st due in April will have the updated sewer rate for the next year. For billing questions, contact the Utility Billing Department at 785-460-4400.

S & T Communications 755 Davis Ave Colby, KS. 67701 (785) 460-7300 (Internet, Phone, Cable) 

Midwest Energy Inc. 1125 S Range Ave Colby, KS. 67701 (800) 222-3121 (Natural Gas) 

AT&T (800) 464-7928 (Internet, Phone)

Vyve BroadBand (785) 583-1208 (Internet, Telephone, Television)

Recycling is available at the Thomas County Recycling Center, 815 East College Drive. The Thomas County recycling program was initiated in 1995 by local governmental entities and concerned citizens. At the time, the vision was to create a local recycling program that would grow into a regional program for northwest Kansas. The recycling program in Thomas County has been functioning since 1997. 785-460-7677

Trash is picked up once a week for residential customers. Trash is to be set out by the curb no later than 8:00 a.m. the day of pickup. Household solid waste shall be kept in a closed container. No household solid waste container, except approved tipper cans, shall be larger than 35 gallons. Approved tipper cans may be purchased at City Hall. To find out what day trash is picked up at your current address a sanitation route map is provided on this website for your convenience.

There are 160.9 acres of parks in Colby. Young Memorial Field is set in the 38 acre park that houses the ball fields in the NorthEast edge of town (9th and Lane). Fike park is located in downtown Colby (8th & Franklin). This 9.9 acre park is located North of the swimming pool. Fike Park plays host to many events during the summer months. Villa High park is 20 acres with a fishing pond. This park is located North of Colby Community College on Range Avenue. Westside park is also 20 acres and is located at the north end of Smith Drive. Buffalo park follows Prairie dog creek through the middle of town. J.K Phillips park is 4 acres on the West edge of town on 4th Street. Brookside, Three Corner and Copeland Parks are 26 acres. Contact the Recreation Department for information on these Parks. (785) 460-4440

Municipal Ordinance # 1283 details animal regulations within the City of Colby. Defined in section §2-101 under ANIMALS, it defines that "All vertebrate and invertebrate animals such as, but not limited to, bovine cattle, horses and other equines, hogs, goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons and other fowl or wild animals, reptiles, fish, bees or birds that have been tamed, domesticated or captivated." KEEPING ANIMALS. It shall be unlawful for the owner, lessee, occupant, or person in charge of any premise in the City to possess and maintain any animal or fowl within the City or permit to be maintained thereon any stable, shed, pen, or other place where horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats or swine, or undomesticated animals are kept. This provision shall not apply to: (a)The maintaining of a stockyard or sale barn for the loading, unloading, temporary detention and sale of such livestock, if the location of such stockyard or sale barn does not otherwise violate the zoning ordinances of the City; (b)Normal or accepted veterinary hospitals or treatment of animals under active veterinary care; (c)The maintaining of dogs which are regulated by Article 2 of this chapter; (d)The maintaining of non-poisonous and non-vicious animals and fowl which are commonly kept as household pets, such as cats, hamsters, rabbits, parakeets, and comparable animals, when kept as household pets and in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with Section 3-113 of this chapter; (e)The transporting of animals through the City by ordinary and customary means. NUISANCE; ANIMAL ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal to keep or maintain such animal in the City so as to constitute a nuisance. For the purpose of this section, “nuisance” is defined as any animal which: (a)Molests or interferes with persons in the public right-of-way; (b)Attacks or injures persons, or other domestic animals or has been determined to be a vicious animal as defined in Section 3-116 of this chapter; (c)Damages public or private property other than that of its owner or harborer by its activities or with its excrement; (d)Scatters refuse that is bagged or otherwise confined; (e)Causes any condition which threatens or endangers the health or well-being of persons or other animals. VICIOUS ANIMALS. (a)Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, possess, or harbor a vicious animal within the City. Impoundment of animals whose owners have been cited for violation of this section shall be at the discretion of the law enforcement officer. If the animal presents a clear and present danger to the public health or safety, it shall be the duty of the law enforcement officer or his or her agent to impound such animal.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management website is here . 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency website is here.

Registration and Vaccination of any dog or cat over six months of age is required within 30 days of acquisition or bringing the dog or cat into the City. Upon registration, the owner shall present a certificate of immunization against rabies showing the description of the animal, the type of vaccine used, the date of vaccination and the date the next immunization is due. Registration must be done annually. 

You may register at City Hall located at 585 N Franklin Ave. 

Swartz Veterinary Hospital or Wark Veterinary can also provide registrations. Stray dogs or cats picked up by the Colby Police Department are taken to Swartz Veterinary Hospital (this does not include owner surrenders). 

If you have any questions, contact City Hall at (785) 460-4400

Colby does not require a business license for local businesses. If your business will be located in your home, a "Home Occupation Permit" is required. Food trucks, canvassers and peddlers require a permit. Contact the Code Enforcement Officer for further information. (785) 460-4413

You need to contact the Police Records Clerk between 8:00AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday at 785-460-4460.

Private water testing is available from:

NorthWest Local Environmental Protection Group
350 S Range Ave - Suite #4
(785) 462-8636

Colby does not require a business license. If your business will be located in your home, a "Home Occupation Permit" is required. Food trucks, canvassers and peddlers also require a permit. Contact the Code Enforcement Officer for further information. (785) 460-4413

City Hall business hours are: Utility Office 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and Administration 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Our offices are closed for major holidays listed on the City of Colby Calendar on this website. You may contact City Hall at (785) 460-4400. City Hall is located at 585 N Franklin Ave, South of Fike Park. If you have a utility emergency after hours, please call the Colby Police Department at (785) 460-4460.

The City of Colby is a city of the 2nd class under Kansas State Statute with a population of 5,516 (2021).

Property tax, also called ad valorem, is the single most important revenue source available to Kansas cities. The tax rate is figured by dividing: Total amount of dollars which must be collected from property taxes by the total assessed valuation of all taxable property in the taxing district, times the assessed valuation. See example using budget numbers for 2007: $ 1,169,032 = Tax Rate of .033118 divided by $35,300,047 or 33.118 mills 33.118/1,000 x $100,000 (estimated assessed value of home)= $3,311.70 Prop. Tax. See Finance, Budget & Taxes page for additional information.

The Colby Event Center is a multi-use rental facility. Sporting events, family reunions, meetings, classes, concerts and parties are a few of the events that are held in the building. Check the website for contact information about reserving the building.

There are 160.9 acres of parks in Colby. Young Memorial Field is set in the 38 acre park that houses the ball fields in the NorthEast edge of town (9th and Lane). Fike park is the located in downtown Colby (8th & Franklin). This 9.9 acre park North of the swimming pool. Fike Park plays host to many events during the summer months. Villa High park is 20 acres with a fishing pond. This park is located North of Colby Community College on Range Avenue. Westside park in also 20 acres and is located at the north end of Smith Drive. Buffalo park follows Prairie dog creek through the middle of town. J.K Phillips park is 4 acres on the West edge of town on 4th Street. Brookside, Three Corner and Copeland Parks are 26 acres. Contact the Recreation Department for information on these Parks. (785) 460-4440

Residential deposits are $100.00 for Electric and $75.00 for Water.

The City provides Electric, Water, Sewer and Trash services within the City limits of Colby. Contact The Utilities Office if you have any questions at (785) 460-4400