What is the Department's mission?
Our mission is to protect the public through the regulation of businesses. We do this by:
- Issuing licenses to businesses and individuals.
- Educating licensees on the importance of compliance with licensing regulations.
- Correcting noncompliance to hold licensees accountable and create confidence in regulated businesses.
Why change the name of the Department?
- The current name is confusing and misleading. It references functions the Department does not oversee (excise taxes).
- Changing the Department's name will balance and reflect its two core functions:
- Licensing: Licenses are tools that can create and foster accountability for safety and compliance.
- Consumer protection: By ensuring licenses meet public health and safety standards. Licenses support consumers in making confident choices and help businesses thrive.
- The new name will more accurately reflect the Department's service to the public.
What are the key changes?
- The bills delete "Excise and Licenses" throughout the charter. They replace it with "Licensing and Consumer Protection."
- The bills change the term the title of the agency head to "Manager" instead of "Director." This is to be consistent with other charter agencies.
- The bills remove all references to excise taxes in the Department's section of the charter.
- The bills use simpler language that's easier to read throughout these charter provisions.
- The bills clarify that the Department is in the mayor's cabinet. The Department head is the only head of a charter agency who is not listed as being in the cabinet.
What will the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection do?
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection will continue the same work currently done by the Department of Excise and Licenses. This includes:
- License and regulate businesses. It ensures specific businesses, professionals and industries follow laws and regulations.
- Investigate complaints. It assists residents with disputes, concerns and allegations involving local businesses and occupations required to be licensed.
- Educate the public. It provides information and resources to help consumers make informed decisions and address unsafe or unfair practices by businesses and occupations required to be licensed.
- Enforce license requirements. It takes action against a business or individual who is violating the laws required to maintain licensure.
- Be an advocate for consumers. It addresses specific community needs and regulator concerns through development of legislation or policy to adapt to challenges emerging in the marketplace.
Can a consumer file a complaint?
- To help with these lines of communication, the Department has enhanced the city business and occupational complaint portal. It serves as a "front door" for consumer protection complaints. Complaints about businesses or occupations violating the law can be filed at www.denvergov.org/ConsumerProtection.
- The portal provides clear guidance and direction for consumers. This includes how complaints will be addressed.
- Department inspectors will investigate all complaints or refer them to the appropriate agency.
What is the cost of this change?
There are no extra costs to the Department. Any efforts associated with updating the name will be handled by existing staff or absorbed by the Department's existing operating budget through the normal course of business.
What is the timeline for the proposed name change?
- Summer 2025: City Council approved placing the measure on the fall ballot.
- Nov. 4, 2025: A majority of Denver voters must approve the name change.
- Late 2025: If voters approve of the change, the bill will become effective after vote certification by the Colorado Secretary of State. Implementation will take place with changes to the website, licensing software, signage, etc.
More questions
If you have further questions, email EXLPolicy@denvergov.org.