DENVER (October 18, 2021) - The Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform (COPRRR), in the Executive Director’s Office at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), released the 2021 sunset and sunrise reports on Friday, October 15. The reports have been sent to the Colorado General Assembly and are now available online at coprrr.colorado.gov.
This year, COPRRR conducted 22 sunset and sunrise reviews of programs throughout Colorado state government to identify opportunities to reduce regulatory burdens while upholding consumer protection. Programs reviewed include those housed within DORA and the Departments of Education, Higher Education, Labor and Employment, Local Affairs, Public Health and Environment, Public Safety and Revenue.
“The regular review of state regulatory programs, functions and processes is what keeps Colorado competitive and helps to strengthen our economic climate,” Patty Salazar, DORA Executive Director said. “Engaging industry and consumers alike through the sunset and sunrise reviews helps to ensure we provide the General Assembly with comprehensive, sound recommendations. And in light of the challenges our state has tackled due to COVID-19, protecting consumers while fostering an inclusive economy and a thriving workforce is more important now than ever.
“Sunrise and sunset reviews seek to find the balance between protecting consumers and eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens," Brian Tobias, Director of COPRRR said. "COPRRR is the public’s gateway to Colorado state government and public input is vital to all that we do. We endeavor to contact as many interested parties as possible, and we encourage the public to contact us directly to participate in any of our reviews.”
Report highlights include:
- Continuing regulation: Professions, such as acupuncturists, domestic violence treatment providers, massage therapists, optometrists, preneed funeral sellers, speech-language pathologists, real estate appraisers and veterinarians, were up for sunset review, and the reviews recommend continuing licensure of these professions.
- Recommended for regulation: Sunrise reviews of possible new regulatory programs included community association managers and veterinarian technicians. The reviews concluded that new or additional state regulation of these occupations is necessary to protect consumers and recommended the creation of new regulatory programs.
- Continuing administrative programs: Sunset reviews determined several administrative programs were necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare, including the statewide asbestos program, which enforces federal asbestos standards; the Colorado Resiliency Office, which coordinates long-term recovery efforts, connects communities with needed resources, and supports communities to reduce the impacts of future disasters; the Conveyance Program, which regulates conveyances, such as elevators and escalators, and mechanics, contractors and inspectors of conveyances; the regulation of gaming, which includes slot machines, blackjack, craps, poker, roulette and sports betting.
- Recommended for sunset: The Second Chance Scholarship Program awards educational scholarships to youth who were previously committed to the Colorado Department of Human Services’ Division of Youth Services since providing them with educational and occupational opportunities may help to reduce recidivism. Following the defunding of the scholarship program, the sunset review recommends sunsetting it.
- Unique recommendation: In Colorado, only veterinarians are allowed to administer rabies vaccinations. In order to increase the availability of veterinary care, the sunset review recommended allowing veterinarians to delegate the task of administering rabies vaccinations to qualified individuals who are working under the veterinarians’ supervision.
A summary of all 2021 recommendations can be accessed here, and the complete sunset and sunrise reports and a schedule of future reviews are available online at coprrr.colorado.gov.
###
The Colorado General Assembly created the sunset process in 1976 as a way to improve state regulation by streamlining existing programs, enhancing consumer protection and repealing unnecessary programs and functions of government. Since that time, Colorado’s sunset process has gained national recognition and is routinely highlighted as a best practice as states seek to create more efficient and effective regulatory programs.
COPRRR analysts conduct comprehensive reviews of state programs and then produce reports with recommendations to the Colorado General Assembly. A sunset review examines existing regulatory programs to enhance consumer protection and streamline regulation, and a sunrise review explores whether there is a need to regulate a currently unregulated profession or occupation.
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission. Visit coprrr.colorado.gov for more information about COPRRR or call 303-894-7855 / toll free 1-800-886-7675.