Division of Public Health and Sustainability

In order to provide quick responses to your questions, we have prepared this list of frequently asked questions. You may find the answer you seek without waiting for a response from our staff. If your question is not answered by this list, please feel free to contact us during office hours at: (303) 692-3645, FAX us at (303) 753-6809 or you can e-mail us.

Is body art regulated in Colorado?

 The Rules and Regulations Governing Body Art in The State of Colorado, effective August 30, 2001, address general sanitation and disease control and apply to every body artist in Colorado.  County health departments throughout the state have the discretion to develop more stringent regulation as well as license and inspect artists and body art studios.  Some counties have developed their own regulations and inspect and license artists and studios while other counties only respond to complaints.

Which county health departments have a body art inspection program?

The county health departments who conduct a body art inspection program are Tri-County Health Department (for Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties), Boulder Department of Public Health, El Paso County Department of Health and Environment, Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment, Northeast Colorado Health Department (for Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties), Mesa County Health Department, Pueblo City County Health Department and Weld County Department of Health and Environment.  Contact the local health department in your area.

Can a body artist work out of their home?

Only if a designated area is used for all procedures and the area and artist meet the requirements found in the Rules and Regulations Governing Body Art in The State of Colorado.  A plan review may be required for body art facilities depending on the county it is located in.  See above for county contact information.

Can body art procedures be performed on minors in Colorado?

Body artists cannot perform body art procedures on a minor unless the body artist has received consent from the minor’s parent or legal guardian.  Performing a body art procedures on a minors without parental consent is punishable by a fine of $250 for each offense, regardless of whether the artist or studio is located in a county with an inspection program.

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