Can I be a contractor in Colorado with a criminal record?

If you are an aspiring contractor who has been convicted of a felony, you may be disqualified from getting a license in Colorado. If you are a licensed contractor who gets a felony conviction, the licensing board may suspend or revoke your license.

Here are four key things to know:

1. As a licensed plumbing or electrical contractor, you have to report felony convictions to the state board within 45 days.
2. You can have a disciplinary hearing to contest any penalties the board imposes.
3. Contracting without a valid and current license is a misdemeanor charge.
4. Unauthorized contracting could prevent you from getting a license in the future.

In this article, our Denver criminal defense attorneys discuss how criminal convictions affect contractor licenses in Colorado. Click on a topic to jump to that section:

• 1. Who regulates licenses
• 2. Applying for a license with a criminal record
• 3. Discipline following a criminal conviction
• 4. Fighting disciplinary penalties
• 5. Contracting without a license
• 6. Other professional licenses
• Additional resources

1. Who regulates contractors licenses in Colorado

The State Plumbing Board regulates plumbing contractors, and the State Electrical Board regulates electrical contractors.

General contractors are typically not regulated by a state agency but by local governments. Therefore, you would need to get a license in every locale you are doing work in. For example:

Colorado locality	Contractor licensing department
Aspen	City of Aspen Building Department
Aurora	City of Aurora Public Works Department
Boulder	City of Boulder Planning & Development Services
Colorado Springs	Pikes Peak Regional Building Department
Denver	Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center
Fort Collins	City of Fort Collins Building Services
Golden	Golden Building Division
Grand Junction	Mesa County Department of Public Works
Littleton	Littleton Building Department
Longmont	City of Longmont Building Inspection
Pueblo	Pueblo Regional Building Department
Vail	Contractor Registrations

2. Applying for a contractors license with a criminal record in Colorado

2.1. Plumbing contractors

If you are applying for a plumbing contractor’s license, you are required to disclose if you have a past felony conviction. (See the felony disclosure form here.)

The State Plumbing Board may deny you a license if you have a past felony conviction.¹ The Board is more likely to overlook your criminal history if:

• the offense was not serious;
• the offense does not reflect on your ability to be a contractor
• some time has elapsed since the conviction; and
• you have been rehabilitated and are of “good moral character.”²

If you have had past criminal convictions sealed or expunged, you should contact an attorney to determine whether you are obligated to disclose those cases on the application.

2.2. Electrical contractors

If you are applying for an electrical contractor’s license, you are required to disclose if you have a past felony conviction.

The State Electrical Board may deny you a license if you have a past felony conviction.³ The Board is more likely to overlook your criminal history if:

• the offense was not serious;
• the offense does not reflect on your ability to be a contractor
• some time has elapsed since the conviction; and
• you have been rehabilitated and are of “good moral character.”⁴

If you have had past criminal convictions sealed or expunged, you should contact an attorney to determine whether you are obligated to disclose those cases on the application.

2.3. General contractors

Each local licensing department has its own rules and standards for granting licenses. For instance, the Denver Contractor’s License Application does not ask about criminal history. Meanwhile, the Colorado Springs Contractor’s License Application does require a criminal background check.⁵

If you have had past criminal convictions sealed or expunged, you should contact an attorney to determine whether you are obligated to disclose those cases on the application.

3. Discipline for contractors following a criminal conviction in Colorado

3.1. Plumbing contractors

If you are a Colorado plumbing contractor and get convicted of a felony, you are required to report it to the State Plumbing Board within 45 days of the conviction.⁶ The Board may either:

• take no action,
• suspend your license,
• revoke your license,
• refuse to renew your license, or
• place you on probation

However, the Board will give you instructions on how to request a hearing by the board or an administrative law judge to contest any disciplinary actions.⁷

3.2. Electrical contractors

If you are a Colorado electrical contractor and get convicted of a felony, you are required to report it to the State Electrical Board within 45 days of the conviction.⁸ The Board may either:

• take no action,
• suspend your license,
• revoke your license,
• refuse to renew your license, or
• place you on probation

However, the Board will give you instructions on how to request a hearing by the board or an administrative law judge to contest any disciplinary actions.⁹

3.3. General contractors

Each local licensing department has its own disciplinary procedures if you get convicted of a felony. You should contact the board for the latest regulatory policies and disciplinary rules.

4. Fighting discipline by Colorado contracting boards

You are advised to retain counsel when you are facing the possible suspension or revocation of your license. An experienced attorney knows how to compose the necessary paperwork and how best to advocate for you at the hearing. No matter the case, the attorney would try to show how:

• the conviction does not detract from your abilities or cast doubt on your character;
• you have taken responsibility for your actions;
• you are honest; and
• you are an asset to the community

5. Penalties for unauthorized contracting in Colorado

5.1. Plumbing contractors

If you are a plumbing contractor working without a license, you face charges of a class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado, carrying a penalty of:

• up to 120 days in jail and/or
• up to $750 in fines.¹⁰

5.2. Electrical contractors

If you are an electrical contractor working without a license, you face charges of a class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado, a penalty of:

• up to 120 days in jail and/or
• up to $750 in fines.¹¹

5.3. General contractors

The penalties depend on the local county or municipal code. Contact an attorney to learn the local laws.

6. Other professional licenses in Colorado

6.1. Doctors

Doctors who get convicted of felonies or drug crimes could face license suspension or revocation. Learn more about how criminal convictions affect Colorado medical licenses.

6.2. Dentists

Like doctors, dentists who get convicted of felonies or drug crimes could face license suspension or revocation. Learn more about how criminal convictions affect Colorado dental licenses.

6.3. Nurses

Unlike doctors, nurses do have to get background checks in order to get licensed in Colorado. Learn more about discipline for nurses with criminal convictions in Colorado.

6.4. Real estate agents

Real estate agents have just 30 days to self-report their criminal convictions to the state board. Learn more about discipline for real estate agents in Colorado with criminal convictions.

6.5. Social workers

Social workers are vulnerable to disciplinary punishments for getting convicted of a felony. Learn more about how a criminal record affects social work licenses in Colorado.

6.6. Accountants

CPAs can lose their license for committing a felony or certain misdemeanors. Learn more about how a criminal record affects accountancy licenses in Colorado.

6.7. Lawyers

Attorneys have to report themselves to the Bar if they get convicted of any crime other than a minor traffic offense. Learn more about how a criminal conviction affects law licenses in Colorado.

Additional reading

For more information, refer to the following:

• Associated General Contractors of Colorado – Professional association for Colorado’s commercial building industry, representing over 600 firms.
• Colorado Contractors Association – Professional association for infrastructure construction professionals across Colorado.
• Associated Builders and Contractors – National construction industry trade association representing more than 22,000 members.
• Colorado Licensing Board: Licensing Services.
• Colorado Plumbing Board: Licensing Services.

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