HB 25-1077

House Bill 25-1077 in Colorado changes the rules for people who work with backflow prevention devices, which are important safety gadgets that stop water from flowing backwards through pipes. The bill says that individuals who inspect, test, or repair these devices don’t need a special plumbing license anymore, but those who install or remove them still do—except when it comes to fire suppression systems, where the exemption continues. Starting July 1, 2025, anyone who works on these devices must put a tag on them with details about their work and qualifications. Since the bill has been signed into law, its changes are now official and will be enforced from the specified date onwards.

Official Summary

Backflow is the reverse flow of water, fluid, or gas caused by back pressure or back siphonage. Under current law, individuals who are engaged in the business of installing, removing, inspecting, testing, or repairing backflow prevention devices are subject to the licensure requirements for plumbers, except when the individuals are installing or testing a stand-alone fire suppression sprinkler system. The act exempts individuals engaged in the business of inspecting, testing, or repairing backflow prevention devices from licensure requirements but retains the licensure requirements for individuals engaged in the installation or removal of the devices; except that individuals who install or replace a backflow prevention device on a stand-alone fire suppression system remain exempted from the licensure requirements. The act requires that, on and after July 1, 2025, a licensed plumber who installs, tests, inspects, repairs, or reinstalls a backflow prevention device and a certified cross-connection control technician or a licensed plumber with a cross-connection control technician certification who tests or repairs a backflow prevention device must affix a tag on the backflow prevention device that contains certain information about the licensed plumber, the certified cross-connection control technician, or the licensed plumber with a cross-connection control technician certification, as applicable, and the service that was provided. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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