CO Code § 12-20-405 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 12 - Professions and Occupations|Article 20 - Division of Professions and Occupations|Part 4 - Discipline, Enforcement, and Review|§ 12-20-405. Cease-and-Desist Orders

     If it appears to a regulator, based upon credible evidence as presented in a written complaint by any person, that a licensee, certificate holder, or registrant is acting in a manner that is an imminent threat to the health and safety of the public, or a person is acting or has acted without the license, certification, or registration required to practice a profession or occupation, the regulator that regulates the particular profession or occupation may issue an order to cease and desist the activity. The order must set forth the statutes and rules alleged to have been violated, the facts alleged to have constituted the violation, and the requirement that all unlawful acts or unlicensed, uncertified, or unregistered practices immediately cease.    Within ten days after service of the order to cease and desist pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section, the respondent may request a hearing on the question of whether acts or practices in violation of the part or article of this title 12 governing the particular profession or occupation have occurred. The hearing must be conducted pursuant to sections 24-4-104 and 24-4-105.         If it appears to the regulator, based upon credible evidence as presented in a written complaint by any person, that a person has violated any other portion of the part or article of this title 12 governing the particular profession or occupation, then, in addition to any specific powers granted pursuant to the part or article of this title 12 governing the particular profession or occupation, the regulator may issue to the person an order to show cause as to why the regulator should not issue a final order directing the person to cease and desist from the unlawful act or unlicensed, uncertified, or unregistered practice.    The regulator shall promptly notify the person of the issuance of the order to show cause and shall include in the notice a copy of the order, the factual and legal basis for the order, and the date set by the regulator for a hearing on the order. The regulator may serve the notice by personal service, by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, or as may be practicable upon any person against whom the order is issued. Personal service or proof of receipt of mailing of an order or document pursuant to this subsection (2)(b) constitutes notice to the person of the existence and contents of the order or document.      The regulator shall commence the hearing on an order to show cause no sooner than ten, and no later than forty-five, calendar days after the date the regulator sent or served notice as provided in subsection (2)(b) of this section. The regulator may continue the hearing by agreement of all parties based upon the complexity of the matter, number of parties to the matter, and legal issues presented in the matter, but in no event may the regulator commence the hearing later than sixty calendar days after the date of transmission or service of the notification. Sections 24-4-104 and 24-4-105 govern the conduct of the hearing held under this subsection (2)(c). (c) (I) The regulator shall commence the hearing on an order to show cause no sooner than ten, and no later than forty-five, calendar days after the date the regulator sent or served notice as provided in subsection (2)(b) of this section. The regulator may continue the hearing by agreement of all parties based upon the complexity of the matter, number of parties to the matter, and legal issues presented in the matter, but in no event may the regulator commence the hearing later than sixty calendar days after the date of transmission or service of the notification. Sections 24-4-104 and 24-4-105 govern the conduct of the hearing held under this subsection (2)(c).    If a person against whom the regulator has issued an order to show cause pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section does not appear at the hearing, the regulator may present evidence that the regulator properly sent or served the notification upon the person pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section and any other evidence related to the matter as the regulator deems appropriate. The regulator shall issue the order within ten days after the regulator's determination related to reasonable attempts to notify the respondent, and the order becomes final as to that person by operation of law.    If the regulator reasonably finds that the person against whom the regulator issued the order to show cause is acting or has acted without the required license, certification, or registration or has or is about to engage in acts or practices constituting violations of the part or article of this title 12 governing the particular profession or occupation, the regulator may issue a final cease-and-desist order directing the person to cease and desist from further unlawful acts or unlicensed, uncertified, or unregistered practices.    The regulator shall provide notice, in the manner set forth in subsection (2)(b) of this section, of the final cease-and-desist order within ten calendar days after the hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection (2)(c) to each person against whom the regulator has issued the final order. The final order issued pursuant to subsection (2)(c)(III) of this section is effective when issued and constitutes a final order for purposes of judicial review.          The regulator may enter into a stipulation with a person if it appears to the regulator, based upon credible evidence presented to the regulator, that the person has engaged in or is about to engage in:   An unlicensed, uncertified, or unregistered act or practice;    An act or practice constituting a violation of the part or article of this title 12 governing the particular profession or occupation or a rule adopted or an order issued pursuant to those laws; or    An act or practice constituting grounds for administrative sanction pursuant to the part or article of this title 12 governing the particular profession or occupation.       If any person fails to comply with a final cease-and-desist order or a stipulation, the regulator may request the attorney general or the district attorney for the judicial district in which the alleged violation exists to bring, and if so requested the attorney shall bring, suit for a temporary restraining order and for injunctive relief to prevent any further or continued violation of the final order.    A person aggrieved by the regulator's final determination with regard to a cease-and-desist order may seek judicial review in accordance with section 12-20-408.    This section does not apply to articles 140 and 150 of this title 12 concerning nontransplant tissue banks and passenger tramways, respectively.     History. Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations,(HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 749, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2020: (6) amended,(HB 20-1286), ch. 269, p. 1313, § 9, effective July 10.    Editor's note:   This section is similar to former § 12-5.5-303 as it existed prior to 2019.