en espanol DORA State of Colorado


Frequently Asked Questions


Many of DORA's frequently asked questions are answered through use of the Occupational/Industry License Database which is maintained by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Specific frequently asked questions relate to:

Attorney Complaints

Business Licensing

Building Contractors

Cable TV Regulation

Car Dealership Complaints

Cigarette Sales

Day Care Centers

Debt Collectors


Liquor Licensing

Mortgage Loan Originators

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

No-Fault Insurance

Private Investigators


I would like to complain about an attorney. Where would I call?
Contact the Office of Attorney Regulation, 600 17th Street, Room #200-S, Denver, CO 80202 - 303-893-8121.

Where do I get a business license?
Contact the Business Assistance Center within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, 1625 Broadway Suite 1700,
Denver, CO 80202 - 303.892.3840 (Phone) - 303.892.3848 (Fax).

Who regulates building contractors?
Construction work is not licensed or regulated through the state, except for electrical and plumbing. The Electrical and Plumbing Boards can be reached at 303-894-2300. Consumers should also call the city and county in which they live for additional information on general building contractors.

Who regulates cable TV companies?
For licensing, rules and regulations contact the FCC - 303-969-6497. For problems with service, contact the city and county in which you live.

Where do I complain about a car dealership?
Consumers should call the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board at the Department of Revenue - 303-205-5604.

Can minors sell cigarettes at a convenience store?
Issues regarding minors selling cigarettes should contact their local law enforcement agency. Consumers having questions regarding cigarette tax should contact the Department of Revenue, Special Tax Division - 303-205-8211, ext. 6860.

Who licenses day care centers?
Contact the Division of Child Care at the Department of Human Services - 303-866-5958.

Who regulates debt collectors?
Contact the Collection Agency Board at the Attorney General's Office - 303-866-5304.

Who regulates liquor licensing?
Contact the Department of Revenue, Liquor Enforcement Division at 303-205-2300.

Who regulates mortgage loan originators?
Effective July 1, 2006. mortgage loan originators must be registered through the Division of Real Estate. Requirements for registration may be found at www.dora.state.co.us/real-estate.

A mortgage loan originator whose business is not limited exclusively to placing mortgage loans with institutional investors is subject to the mortgage broker-dealer licensing requirements under the state securities laws. Therefore, a mortgage broker who raises money from individual investors to fund mortgage loans would need to be licensed under the state securities laws through the Division of Securities.

What is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
These types of coverage are addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions about Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage.

What is "no-fault" auto insurance?
No-fault insurance, also known as PIP or Personal Injury Protection, provides coverage for certain medical and rehabilitation expenses from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. It pays benefits for injuries whether or not the insured person is negligent or "at fault". (Property damage is the responsibility of the at-fault party.) The no-fault law expires on July 1, 2003. All policies with an effective date on or after July 1 will be issued under a "tort" auto insurance law.

What is "tort" auto insurance?
A "tort" is a civil wrong, but not a crime. In auto insurance, a tort system means that a determination of fault in an automobile accident is made. The party at fault or his or her insurance company pays medical and rehabilitation expenses to the injured party, as well as property damage. An injured party may also sue for other losses including lost wages and pain and suffering.

What is "liability" insurance?
Liability insurance is generally defined as coverage for bodily injury you cause to another person or for property damage you cause to another person's property through negligent use of your vehicle. The minimum amount of liability insurance required by Colorado Law is as follows:
u $25,000 per person for bodily injury;
u $50,000 per accident for bodily injury; and
u $15,000 per accident for property damage.

What happens to my auto insurance policy on July 1, 2003?
The current no-fault law expires on July 1, 2003. That means that all policies that are issued or renewed on or after that date will be written as tort policies. However, if you have a policy that was written before that date but expires after that date, you will still receive the benefits of your "no-fault" policy. For example: Mary has a no-fault policy that was issued on April 15th and expires on October 15th. She is injured in an accident on August 20th. Her medical and rehabilitation expenses will be paid under her no-fault auto insurance policy, regardless of the fact that the no-fault law expired on July 1st. These benefits will be paid regardless of who was at fault in the accident.

Why would my no-fault benefits be paid if the law has expired?
Your current auto insurance policy is a contract. It was written under the laws of Colorado at the time you entered into that contract and prior to the expiration of no-fault. The new law does not interfere with your contract and the insurer is required to pay all benefits as outlined in your policy.

If my policy continues until after July 1, can my insurer cancel my no-fault policy on July 1?
Not unless you approve of the change. Your auto insurance policy is a contract and cannot be changed mid-term unless you agree to such change.

I don't want to continue PIP coverage after July 1. Can I buy a tort policy even if my current no-fault policy continues past July 1?
Yes, as long as both you and your insurer agree to the change. As the policyholder, you may contact your insurance agent to discuss whether changing from a no-fault to a tort policy is the best thing for your individual needs.

Will I be able to purchase coverage for medical expenses under a tort system?
Most, if not all, auto insurance companies will offer limited "medical payments coverage" to their policyholders. This provides coverage for medical bills incurred by you, your family, and passengers in your car who are injured in an auto accident. Check with your agent about the availability of medical payments coverage.

What happens if I am at fault in an accident, and my medical expenses exceed the limits of my medical payments coverage?
Under a tort system, it is assumed that the negligent party is responsible for damages. Either you or your health insurance will pay for your medical expenses that exceed the limits on any medical payments coverage under your auto insurance policy.

What happens if I am injured by a negligent driver? Do I have to go to court to get my claims paid?
In the vast majority of cases, the answer is no. Typically, the auto insurance companies settle on a determination of fault in a particular accident, and benefits are paid accordingly. Only in few cases where there is a dispute about who is at fault or to the extent of the damages will court action be necessary.

What happens if I am injured by an at-fault driver who does not have auto insurance?
If you have purchased uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, your insurance company will cover your medical expenses. If you have not purchased uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, you or your health insurance will likely pay for your medical bills. You may of course sue the at-fault driver, but uninsured motorists typically do not have substantial assets from which to recover damages.

How much liability insurance should I carry?
You should speak with your agent about your particular circumstances to ensure that you have enough insurance to protect your assets in the event you are sued for damages. Under the old PIP law, if you injured another person in a motor vehicle accident, that person's PIP coverage would cover their medical expenses. Under the new law, your bodily injury liability coverage will cover those same expenses if you are at fault.

How can I get a private investigator license?
Private investigators are not licensed or regulated through the state. Some local governments require licensing. Check with the city and county in which you will be working.


Consumer Protection