Application, Criteria and Process

A sunrise review examines whether or not there is a need to regulate a previously unregulated occupation or profession. Sunrise applications received by December 1st, will have a review completed by October 15th of the following year.

Statutory criteria are used to evaluate all proposals for new regulatory programs. Pursuant to the Colorado Sunrise Act, §24-34-104.1, C.R.S., the determination of the need for new regulation shall be based upon the following criteria: 

1. Whether the unregulated practice of the occupation or profession clearly harms or endangers the health, safety or welfare of the public, and whether the potential for harm is easily recognizable and not remote or dependent on tenuous argument; 

2. Whether the public needs, and can be reasonably expected to benefit from, an assurance of initial and continuing professional or occupational competence; and 

3. Whether the public can be adequately protected by other means in a more cost-effective manner.
   

To request regulation of a previously unregulated occupation or profession, complete a sunrise application and provide it to the Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform.

NOTE:  If your sunrise application is requesting that the occupation or profession be required to comply with mandatory continuing education requirements, an application for mandatory continuing education must also be completed and submitted with the sunrise application.

DORA may decline to conduct sunrise reviews in certain circumstances, such as in the case of a repeat application with no new information provided or in cases where a profession or occupation is posing an imminent threat to the public's health, safety or welfare.