Colorado HB1116: Fire Safety Compliance Change for Child Care

Most Colorado child care owners don't realize that a provision buried in HB1116—a bill about behavioral health licensing—just changed how they can prove fire safety compliance to the state.

Here's the surprise: if you run a small outpatient behavioral health program seeking licensure or renewal from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), you no longer have to wait for the state Division of Fire Prevention and Control to inspect your facility and issue a certificate of compliance. You can now use a local certified fire department inspector instead.

Who This Affects

This change applies specifically to outpatient behavioral health applicants—child care providers and related facilities offering mental health or substance use services on an outpatient basis. If your program requires a fire safety certificate as part of state licensure or renewal, this provision gives you a new option.

If you operate a traditional child care center or family child care home not classified as an outpatient behavioral health provider, this change does not apply to you. Your fire safety requirements remain unchanged.

What Changed and Why It Matters

Fire safety compliance has always been a licensing requirement. Previously, the only path was through the state Division of Fire Prevention and Control—a process that could involve scheduling delays, longer turnaround times, and associated costs.

Under the amended language in Section 2 of HB1116 (which modifies 27-50-501(3)(a)(II)), outpatient behavioral health applicants can now satisfy this requirement using a local certified fire department inspector. This can mean:

• Faster scheduling, since local fire departments often have more availability than state offices
• Potentially lower costs, depending on local fee structures
• Reduced administrative burden and paperwork routing through state channels
• More flexibility in timing your compliance work around your business schedule

The local inspector must be certified—this is not a workaround that bypasses professional standards. The inspection still meets state requirements; it's simply conducted by a qualified local authority rather than a state agency.

Timeline and Next Steps

This provision takes effect August 12, 2026, assuming the Colorado legislature adjourns sine die on May 13, 2026. The change is subject to a referendum petition, meaning opponents have a window to challenge it before it becomes final.

If you're planning a licensing application or renewal in late 2026 or beyond, you'll want to confirm with DORA whether your program qualifies as an outpatient behavioral health provider under this definition, and whether your local fire department offers certified inspections for this purpose.

The specific statutory language appears in Section 2, amending 27-50-501(3)(a)(II), on page 2 of HB1116.

For a detailed, business-specific summary of how this applies to your licensing timeline, contact your state trade association or local health department.