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How to Verify a Professional's License in Denver?

Hiring a licensed professional is a very important responsibility that should not be taken lightly. In Denver, professionals may be licensed by the state or the city's government. Professionals such as accountants, chiropractors, architects, and engineers are licensed at the state level by one of the 38 boards and programs of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies' Division of Professions and Occupations. On the other hand, professionals seeking to do work related to home improvements, general contracting, and other related building projects must obtain locally issued licenses from the Denver Community Planning and Development Department. If you want to verify the license of any professional registered with the state, you may access the License Lookup tool maintained by the Division of Professions and Occupations. For building professionals and general contractors who must be licensed within the city, you can verify their licenses by visiting the online verification portal maintained by the Denver Community Planning and Development Department. Alternatively, you may call (720) 865-2770 to verify a license or for general inquiries on the licensing process. Note that Denver does not reciprocate licenses from any other part of the state and you will have to obtain a new license in the city to operate as a general contractor.

Asides from obtaining the required licenses, certain projects may require that you also obtain permits. Hiring an unlicensed professional, particularly general contractors, can be detrimental to the success of your project in several ways. For example, failing to hire a licensed contractor may result in an inability to obtain the requisite permits from the city and consequently, an illegal structure. In Denver, you or the building professional you employ may obtain development and construction permits or check permit records using the e Permit portal maintained by Denver's Permitting and Licensing Center. You can contact the permitting and licensing center with any inquiries on permits at (720) 865-2720.

Do Denver Neighborhood Councils
Issue Permits?

There are 11 Districts that make up Denver. The city council is the city's legislative arm and is responsible for making laws and determining how city money is to be spent. The Denver city council is made up of 13 members, with 11 council members elected from the 11 different districts within the city and the two other members elected at large. You can find out what council district you belong to and the council representative from that district or any other district using the maps provided by the city.

The Denver city council does not issue building-related permits, however, part of its functions include determining zoning and land application as well as working with the various neighborhoods and districts to provide healthy standards of living for Denver residents. To make the city more livable for its residents, the city council has divided the city into four areas - West, Near Southeast, Near Northeast, and the Park Hill Golf Course Area, and has also established committees and steps aimed at drafting area plans for each of these four zones. Residents are encouraged to contribute towards the draft policies which are geared towards determining what each neighborhood will look like and what aspects to focus on. In line with the desire of the city to provide innovative, cost-friendly housing solutions, a new housing solution using shipping containers is currently being built, and the developers of this project will offer interested persons the option of a one-bedroom, a studio, and a live-work flex option. Similarly, on January 26, 2021, city and county officials announced a policy blueprint for all-electric buildings and homes within the next couple of years. The plan provides a framework for updating the city's Building Code in 2021, 2024, and 2027.

How to File an Unfair Business
Complaint in Denver?

Unfair business complaints in Denver may be filed for different reasons such as deceptive, abusive, or unfair practices, fraud, or illegal activities by a business or a professional. If you want to file an unfair business complaint against an individual or business that is licensed under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), you may utilize the department's online services portal. You will be required to register an account if you intend to keep track of your current complaint and any other subsequent complaints you may have. Complaints may be filed under a specific occupation, business, or profession. It is important to note that the Department of Regulatory Agencies cannot compel a business or an individual to make restitutions nor can the agency instigate legal actions on your behalf. After your complaint is made, a DORA representative reviews the complaint to decide if a breach of regulation has occurred and also sends a copy to the other party involved. The complaint may be resolved by the board or referred to the Office of Investigations. Where the applicable board reviews the complaint and determines that there has been a violation, it may decide to revoke or suspend the license of the offending party or issue a letter of admonition, a fine or enforce other disciplinary actions.

Alternatively, you can file a consumer complaint with the Denver District Attorney by calling the District Attorney's Fraud hotline at (720) 913-9179. In situations where the nature of your complaint is outside the jurisdiction of this office, the complaint will be referred to a more appropriate agency. Also, while the Denver District Attorney cannot institute personal civil actions on your behalf, it may prosecute certain complaints that involve alleged criminal offenses.

If you do not secure the outcome you expected from the complaint process with either of these offices, you should consider instituting an action against the business or professional at a Denver Small Claims Court.