The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies administers smart, balanced regulation to support the state’s thriving business environment
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is committed to ensuring that businesses thrive, protecting the integrity of the marketplace, and promoting a fair and competitive business environment. DORA's divisions -- Banking, Civil Rights, Consumer Counsel, Financial Services, Insurance, Professions and Occupations, the Public Utilities Commission, Real Estate, and Securities -- reach every Colorado county, and each consistently strive to work with these communities to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and support economic development, as well as protect consumers throughout the state.
One example of DORA's efforts to achieve the mission described above is the more than $2 million in recent fee reductions that Colorado's professional licensees will see over the next two years thanks to a major fee reduction effort by DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations. The Division licenses about 15 percent of the state's workforce — nearly 400,000 professionals such as doctors, nurses, osmetologists and electricians. By leveraging a shared service model and more fully integrating new technology, the Division was able to reduce licensing fees and thereby put money back in the pockets of the nearly one-in-seven Colorado workers licensed by the Division.
Another example of efforts to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens is the launch of eLicense for the state's licensed real estate industry professionals. Managed by DORA's Division of Real Estate, approximately 55,000 real estate industry licensees can now use eLicense to submit their applications online, update their accounts, renew or reinstate their license, and print their licenses on-demand rather than mail in paper submissions.
DORA also provides the business community a voice in the regulatory process through DORA’s Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform (OPRRR). OPRRR conducts sunrise reviews of proposals to create new professional and occupational regulatory programs and sunset reviews of existing government programs, as well as reviews proposals for new mandatory continuing education requirements. For example, OPRR ecently recommended sunsetting the surgical technicians' regulatory program and did not endorse the regulation of ta preparers in a sunrise review. The review process is a proactive vehicle for government reform, striking a balance in good public policy whil aintaining sensitivity to business needs. However, public input is critical to al f the reviews conducted, which is why DORA encourages you to provide comments on any sunrise, sunset or mandatory continuing education review.
When you sign up to receive Regulatory Notices, you are also provided with information on the proposed rules, its public hearing and an effortless way to request that the rulemaking agency complete a cost-benefit analysis of the new or amended rules.
Finally, DORA divisions have recently empaneled industry stakeholder groups to continue looking at ways to improve government processes, cut red tape, improve customer service and discuss reasonable and conscientious regulation. Interested in joining a stakeholder panel? Email [email protected] to inquire. Also, keep up with DORA by subscribing to its e-newsletter, The Quarterly, follow DORA on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Dora.Colorado.gov and on Twitter @DORAColorado. DORA wants to hear from you!
Joe Neguse was appointed as DORA Executive Director in June 2015.