The categorization of territorial entities is the system through which the current first and second administrative level in Colombia (municipalities, districts and departments) is classified according to criteria such as population, freely allocated current income, fiscal and administrative efficiency. This classification allows establishing differentiated obligations and degrees of administrative autonomy in accordance with the real capabilities of each territory.

Categorization is mainly regulated by Law 136 of 1994 and Law 617 of 2000, which introduce categories ranging from 1 (greatest administrative and financial capacity) to category 6 (lowest capacity). This tool seeks to guarantee a progressive and equitable implementation of public powers, recognizing that not all territories have the same human, institutional or economic resources to perform similar functions.[5]​.

The categorization complements the powers law, by adjusting the application of these functions according to the territorial reality, thus contributing to the principle of differentiated decentralization.

The purpose of Law 1962 of 2019 is to dictate the organic rules of the Administrative and Planning Regions (RAP), as well as regulate their conversion into a Territorial Entity Region (RET*)* in development of articles 306 and 307 of the Political Constitution of Colombia. According to article 307 of the Colombian constitution of 1991, once an Administrative Planning Region has achieved its objectives and has functioned for five years, a second instance would be created, with prior concept from the Territorial Planning Commission, it will establish the conditions to request the conversion of the Region as a Territorial Entity, in this case the decision made by Congress will be submitted in each case to a referendum of the citizens of the interested departments.[6]​.

The National Planning Department will provide support and advice on the formation and operation of the RET. The purpose of Law 1962 of 2019 is to dictate the organic rules of the Regions as a Territorial Entity (RET) as well as to regulate their operation and regulate the relations between these and the other existing territorial entities, in the same way, the conversion of an Administrative and Planning Region to RET in development of article 307 of the Political Constitution of Colombia.[7]​.

Regional facts are declared by the respective Regional Board of the RET.

Capital district

Articles 322, 325, 326 and 327 of the 1991 political constitution establish a separate political, fiscal and administrative regime for the capital district of Bogotá. The capital district is a territorial entity that receives funds directly from the Nation and for this reason has the same powers as a department.

Administratively it is governed by a mayor who fulfills the same role as a departmental governor. Within the political constitution of 1991, the capital district, together with the 32 departments, make up a total of 33 different and independent administrative units.

The categorization of territorial entities is the system through which the current first and second administrative level in Colombia (municipalities, districts and departments) is classified according to criteria such as population, freely allocated current income, fiscal and administrative efficiency. This classification allows establishing differentiated obligations and degrees of administrative autonomy in accordance with the real capabilities of each territory.

Categorization is mainly regulated by Law 136 of 1994 and Law 617 of 2000, which introduce categories ranging from 1 (greatest administrative and financial capacity) to category 6 (lowest capacity). This tool seeks to guarantee a progressive and equitable implementation of public powers, recognizing that not all territories have the same human, institutional or economic resources to perform similar functions.[5]​.

The categorization complements the powers law, by adjusting the application of these functions according to the territorial reality, thus contributing to the principle of differentiated decentralization.

The purpose of Law 1962 of 2019 is to dictate the organic rules of the Administrative and Planning Regions (RAP), as well as regulate their conversion into a Territorial Entity Region (RET*)* in development of articles 306 and 307 of the Political Constitution of Colombia. According to article 307 of the Colombian constitution of 1991, once an Administrative Planning Region has achieved its objectives and has functioned for five years, a second instance would be created, with prior concept from the Territorial Planning Commission, it will establish the conditions to request the conversion of the Region as a Territorial Entity, in this case the decision made by Congress will be submitted in each case to a referendum of the citizens of the interested departments.[6]​.

The National Planning Department will provide support and advice on the formation and operation of the RET. The purpose of Law 1962 of 2019 is to dictate the organic rules of the Regions as a Territorial Entity (RET) as well as to regulate their operation and regulate the relations between these and the other existing territorial entities, in the same way, the conversion of an Administrative and Planning Region to RET in development of article 307 of the Political Constitution of Colombia.[7]​.

Regional facts are declared by the respective Regional Board of the RET.

Capital district

Articles 322, 325, 326 and 327 of the 1991 political constitution establish a separate political, fiscal and administrative regime for the capital district of Bogotá. The capital district is a territorial entity that receives funds directly from the Nation and for this reason has the same powers as a department.

Administratively it is governed by a mayor who fulfills the same role as a departmental governor. Within the political constitution of 1991, the capital district, together with the 32 departments, make up a total of 33 different and independent administrative units.