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.
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