The Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform (COPRRR), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), has released its 2024 sunset reports. These documents have been delivered to the Colorado General Assembly and are accessible online at coprrr.colorado.gov.
“Sunset reviews keep Colorado on the forefront of regulatory reform,” said Patty Salazar, DORA Executive Director. “We provide the General Assembly with comprehensive and thoughtful recommendations for changes to regulatory and other government programs. Protecting consumers while fostering an inclusive economy and a thriving workforce is now more important than ever.”
For 2024, COPRRR conducted 16 reviews covering various state government programs to identify ways to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining consumer protection. The reviews included programs within DORA as well as those from the departments of Public Health and Environment, Public Safety, Human Services, Labor and Employment, Agriculture, and Early Childhood.
“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,” said Brian Tobias, Director of COPRRR. “Public participation is vital to the sunset process. When conducting sunset reviews, we strive to include as many interested parties as possible, and we encourage the public to contact us directly to participate in any of our reviews.”
Among this year’s findings:
– Reviews recommended continuing regulation for professions such as dental hygienists, dental therapists, dentists, outfitters, and health care practitioners who provide care for workers’ compensation injuries.
– Licensure requirements for commodity handlers, community integrated health care service agencies, and farm products dealers were also reviewed; continued regulation was deemed necessary for public protection.
– The Rural Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program was found essential for public health due to its funding for preventive services in rural counties.
– The HOA Information and Resource Center was recommended for continuation due to its role in providing information about homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and handling related complaints.
– Continuation was also advised for the Identity Theft and Financial Fraud Deterrence Act along with its Fraud Investigators Unit; these support law enforcement investigations into financial fraud.
– The Motorcycle Operator Safety Training program should continue overseeing safety training for motorcycle endorsements on driver’s licenses.
– The Primary Care Payment Reform Collaborative received a recommendation for continuation because it develops recommendations on alternative payment models among payers, providers, and patients.
Some programs were recommended for discontinuation. The Behavioral Health Entity Implementation and Advisory Committee will already have been repealed by the time lawmakers convene in 2025; its review supports allowing it to remain sunsetted. The Commodity Metals Theft Task Force is also recommended for sunset since sufficient expertise now exists within law enforcement without it. Additionally, discontinuation was suggested for the Title Insurance Commission due to inactivity over several years.
The full set of reports can be found at coprrr.colorado.gov.
