Interior Design Sunrise Review in Colorado

Recently, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Office of Policy and Research (http://www.dora.state.co.us/OPR/) issued a "Sunrise Review" report of the interior design industry. [Conclusion Below] In the report, the department recommends against regulating the interior design industry for a number of reasons. The analysis was conducted in response to an application for regulatory consideration that was submitted last year by the Colorado Interior Design Coalition. Under the provisions of Colorado law, any requests for new regulatory acts must be submitted for a thorough review prior to drafting as legislation.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS
2000 SUNRISE REVIEW
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES
OFFICE OF POLICY AND RESEARCH

October 15, 2000

"Given the data submitted and obtained during this review, and that the unregulated practice of interior designers has not resulted in significant harm to Colorado consumers, this sunrise review contends that regulation of this occupation is not necessary.

The applicant has not demonstrated that the unregulated practice of interior design within the State of Colorado clearly harms or endangers the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Consumers have the means to verify the credentials of interior designers in order to make their own informed decisions. They also have the provisions in the Colorado Consumer Protection Act to pursue damages in relation to a violation of deceptive trade practices. Although the profession is regulated in some states, these acts generally deal with protecting the title of "interior designer" and also include exemptions such as architecture and engineering.

As found by contacting other states that have chosen to regulate in this area, complaint activity is low in general and the few complaints that have been received mainly involve use of the restricted title. Results of regulation in other states do not support the argument to regulate in Colorado. In response to the applicant’s concern regarding the adoption of the IRC and IBC, DORA conducted interviews and received correspondence from Colorado building officials, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Colorado Municipal League. These entities verified that the adoption of the 2000 International Residential Code and 2000 International Building Code will have no impact on the Colorado interior design industry."

FROM AIA'S ANGLE, 10/20/00:

1. As part of the review process, the State of Colorado conducted a year-long investigation to provide a thorough analysis of the interior design industry. One primary finding of the report is that there is no evidence that the unregulated practice of interior design "clearly harms or endangers the health, safety, and welfare of the public."

This is the second time this fall that a state has reached this conclusion and denied an effort to regulate the interior design industry. Last month, California Governor Gray Davis vetoed an interior design practice measure for similar reasons.

2. Link to the full text of "Colorado Interior Designers 2000 Sunrise Review" is available online through the State of Colorado at http://www.dora.state.co.us/OPR/InterDesign2000.pdf. For additional information, contact Paul Mendelsohn at (202) 626-7388 or pmendelsohn@aia.org.

3. Link to full text of California Senate Analysis of Interior Designers Bill AB1096 to see complete analysis returned by the California Senate in response to legislative committee's consideration of this bill.