The Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform (COPRRR), part of the Executive Director’s Office at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), has released its 2025 sunset reports. These documents, now available to the public and sent to the Colorado General Assembly, can be accessed online at coprrr.colorado.gov.
Patty Salazar, DORA Executive Director, stated, “Colorado strives to be at the forefront of balanced regulation and regulatory reform. Through the sunset process, we provide the General Assembly with comprehensive and thoughtful recommendations for changes to government programs. Protecting consumers while minimizing regulatory barriers for Coloradans is more important than ever.”
This year, COPRRR completed 22 sunset reviews covering a range of programs across state government. The reviews focused on identifying ways to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining consumer protections. Input from stakeholders was used to find areas where organizational processes could be improved and policies modernized in sectors such as energy, workforce development, and healthcare. The reviewed programs span multiple agencies including DORA itself, as well as departments like Public Health and Environment, State, Public Safety, Human Services, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Colorado State University, and the State Forest Service.
Brian Tobias, Director of COPRRR, said: “While consumer protection is front and center in all that we do, we also seek to find the balance between protecting the public and eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens. Public participation is vital to the sunset process. When conducting sunset reviews, we strive to include as many interested parties as possible. We try to make hearing your voice as easy as possible. We implement various engagement strategies, such as accepting written comments, conducting in-person interviews, and holding town halls, among others. We also encourage you to contact us directly if you have questions or want to participate in any of our future reviews.”
Among this year’s findings:
– Reviews recommended continuing professional regulation for several fields including physicians and physician assistants; anesthesiologist assistants; podiatrists; barbers and cosmetologists; bail bonding agents; real estate brokers; along with a required review every ten years for the Division of Professions and Occupations.
– Business regulations such as licensure requirements for substance abuse treatment programs using controlled substances; subdivision developers; fire suppression contractors/inspectors; hemodialysis centers/technicians; barber/cosmetology businesses were found necessary for public protection.
– Other state functions reviewed included oversight by the Public Utilities Commission over utilities and transportation services; regulation under the Colorado Securities Act regarding securities registration/anti-fraud provisions; continuation recommendations for acts governing combative sports safety (Professional Boxing Safety Act), pet animal care (Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act), water vessel registration programs, Cold Case Task Force activities assisting law enforcement investigations statewide; Forest Health Council; Food Systems Advisory Council; Compliance Advisory Panel required by federal law.
– Several entities are recommended for discontinuation: Biomass Utilization Grant Program due to limited use; Business Intelligence Center Advisory Board whose work is largely complete; Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee which has not met since 2021; Kidney Disease Prevention/Education Task Force scheduled completion by September 2026.
A full list of reports along with schedules for upcoming sunset reviews can be found at coprrr.colorado.gov.
