Web Content Policy

Purpose
This policy recognizes that it is necessary to include links on the CDOT Web site to Web sites outside CDOT 's control. The purpose of this policy is to clearly state that CDOT Web site is not a public forum for communication and debate. Links to external Web sites from the CDOT Web site are established and retained at CDOT 's discretion. This policy also provides guidelines on when links to external sources are inappropriate.

Use of information obtained from external Web sites is voluntary. Any information obtained from an external Web site is not guaranteed by CDOT and the user should review the accuracy of any information before relying upon it. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, or otherwise does not represent endorsement or recommendation by CDOT .

Content Guidelines
Guidelines for Establishing a Link from CDOT to an External Website
Using the following acceptance criteria, CDOT will review every link and decide whether it is appropriate and relevant. An inappropriate external Web site may include, but is not limited to Web sites that:

  • Exhibit hate, bias, discrimination, pornography, libelous or otherwise defamatory content;
  • Advocates or promotes the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs;
  • Lobby, advocate, or advance the policies and priorities of a particular industry, organization or enterprise. This may include sites of non-profit organizations;
  • Promote or makes available adult or sexually oriented entertainment or materials;
  • Promote, oppose, or makes available weapons or gambling;
  • Advocate for or against a candidate for public office or promote or oppose a ballot proposition.
  • Contain misleading or unsubstantiated claims.

Guidelines for Establishing a Link to CDOT from an External Website
Advance permission to link to CDOT is not necessary; however, CDOT Web site users should be aware that CDOT sub-pages may change at any time without notice. Anyone linking to CDOT should continuously verify links to sub pages.

Anyone linking to CDOT shall not display CDOT Web pages within frames, present CDOT content as its own, or otherwise misrepresent CDOT content, and they should not misinform users about the origin or ownership of CDOT content. Certain information on CDOT Web pages may be trademarked, service-marked, or otherwise protected as intellectual property. Protected intellectual property must be used in accordance with state and federal laws and must reflect the proper ownership of the intellectual property.

Oversight and Monitoring
The CDOT Public Relations Office, shall establish procedures to monitor the implementation and continuing oversight of this policy. These procedures shall include:

  1. A process for review of all new requests for external content links from a CDOT web page to another web page to ensure compliance with this policy prior to granting the request; and
  2. A periodic review to ensure that such links still comply with this policy.

Removal of Content
CDOT reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to remove links if it determines that an external Web site contains misleading or unsubstantiated claims, or does not meet one or more of the criteria set forth herein.

Links from the CDOT Web site will be reviewed regularly and may be removed for any of the following reasons:

  • The link no longer points to the original information or resource to which it was intended to point;
  • The Web site contains inaccurate or misleading information or has changed such that it is no longer in compliance with the acceptance criteria;
  • Access to the information has become difficult due to non-standard formatting, lengthy download times, or intrusive advertising;
  • The Web site is permanently unreachable or remains unavailable for a lengthy period.