Aspiring contractors who have been convicted of a Colorado felony may be disqualified from getting a license. And if currently licensed contractors get a felony conviction, the licensing board may suspend or revoke their license.
Licensed plumbing contractors and electrical contractors are required to report their felony criminal records to the state board within 45 days of the conviction. However, they are entitled to a disciplinary hearing to contest any penalties the board imposes.
Contractors who are caught working without a valid and current license face a Colorado misdemeanor charge. Furthermore, unauthorized contracting could prevent the contractor 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
A felony conviction can jeopardize a contractor’s license in Colorado.
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, a general contractor would need to get a license in every locale he/she is 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 |
2. Applying for a contractors license with a criminal record in Colorado
2.1. Plumbing contractors
Applicants for a plumbing contractor’s license are required to disclose if they have a past felony conviction. (See the felony disclosure form here.)
The State Plumbing Board may deny applicants licenses if they have a past felony conviction.1 The Board is more likely to overlook an applicant’s criminal history if:
- the offense was not serious;
- the offense does not reflect on the applicant’s ability to be a contractor
- some time has elapsed since the conviction; and
- the applicant has been rehabilitated and is of “good moral character.”2
Applicants who have had past criminal convictions sealed or expunged should contact an attorney to determine whether they are obligated to disclose those cases on the application.
2.2. Electrical contractors
Applicants for an electrical contractor’s license are required to disclose if they have a past felony conviction. (See the electrical contractor license application here).
The State Electrical Board may deny applicants licenses if they have a past felony conviction.3 The Board is more likely to overlook an applicant’s criminal history if:
- the offense was not serious;
- the offense does not reflect on the applicant’s ability to be a contractor
- some time has elapsed since the conviction; and
- the applicant has been rehabilitated and is of “good moral character.”4
Applicants who have had past criminal convictions sealed or expunged should contact an attorney to determine whether they 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. But the Colorado Springs Contractor’s License Application does require a criminal background check.5
Applicants who have had past criminal convictions sealed or expunged should contact an attorney to determine whether they are obligated to disclose those cases on the application. (Read more about Colorado record seals and Colorado record expungements.)
3. Discipline for contractors following a criminal conviction in Colorado
3.1. Plumbing contractors
When Colorado plumbing contractors get convicted of a felony, they 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 the license,
- revoke the license,
- refuse to renew the license, or
- place the licensee on probation
However, the Board will give the licensee 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
When Colorado electrical contractors get convicted of a felony, they 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 the license,
- revoke the license,
- refuse to renew the license, or
- place the licensee on probation
However, the Board will give the licensee 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 for licensees who get convicted of a felony. Licensees should contact the board for the latest regulatory policies and disciplinary rules.
4. Fighting discipline by Colorado contracting boards
Contractors are advised to retain counsel when they are facing the possible suspension or revocation of their license. An experienced attorney knows how to compose the necessary paperwork and how best to advocate for the contractor at the hearing. No matter the case, the attorney would try to show how:
- the conviction does not detract from the contractor’s abilities or cast doubt on his/her character;
- the contractor has taken responsibility for his/her actions;
- the contractor is honest; and
- the contractor is an asset to the community
5. Penalties for unauthorized contracting in Colorado
5.1. Plumbing contractors
Plumbing contractors working without a license 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
An electrical contractor working without a license 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.
Call a Colorado criminal defense attorney…
Are you in danger of being denied or losing your contractor’s license in Colorado due to a past crime? Call our Denver criminal defense attorneys at 303-222-0330 for a free consultation.
We understand that your license is your livelihood, and we will fight to convince the Board that you should be able to keep it.
In California? See our article about how criminal convictions affect contractor licenses in California.
In Nevada? See our article about how criminal convictions affect contractor licenses in Nevada.
Legal References
- CRS 12-155-113 (formerly CRS 12-58-110).
- 24-5-101 C.R.S.
- CRS 12-115-122 (formerly CRS 12-23-118).
- 24-5-101 C.R.S.
- Rob Low, “Contractor awarded license despite criminal history,” Fox 31 Denver (September 11, 2016).
- 3 CCR 720-1 7.2.1. (State Plumbing Board Code of Colorado Regulations).
- CRS 12-155-113 (formerly CRS 12-58-110).
- 3 CCR 710-1 8.2.1. (State Electrical Board Code of Colorado Regulations).
- CRS 12-115-122 (formerly CRS 12-23-118).
- CRS 12-155-122. CRS 12-20-407. Prior to March 1, 2022, subsequent offenses were class 6 felonies punishable by 12 to 18 months in jail and/or $1,000 to $100,000. And class 2 misdemeanors were punished by 3 to 12 months in jail and/or $250 to $1,000 in fines. SB21-271.
- CRS 12-115-123. CRS 12-20-407. Prior to March 1, 2022, subsequent offenses were class 6 felonies punishable by 12 to 18 months in jail and/or $1,000 to $100,000. And class 2 misdemeanors were punished by 3 to 12 months in jail and/or $250 to $1,000 in fines. SB21-271.