2018 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
General
Article 25 - Engineers, Surveyors, and Architects
Part 2 - Surveyors
§ 12-25-209. Disciplinary proceedings - injunctive relief procedure
(1) The board upon its own motion may, and upon the receipt of a signed complaint in writing from any person shall, investigate the activities of any professional land surveyor, land surveyor-intern, or other person who presents grounds for disciplinary action as specified in this part 2.
(2) Repealed.
(3) All charges, unless dismissed by the board, shall be referred to administrative hearing by the board within five years after the date on which said charges were filed.
(4) Disciplinary hearings shall be conducted by the board or by an administrative law judge appointed pursuant to part 10 of article 30 of title 24, C.R.S., and shall be held in the manner prescribed in article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(5) and (6) Repealed.
(7) (a) The board or an administrative law judge shall have the power to administer oaths, take affirmations of witnesses, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of all relevant papers, books, records, documentary evidence, and materials in any hearing, investigation, accusation, or other matter coming before the board pursuant to this part 2.
(b) Upon failure of any witness to comply with such subpoena or process, the district court of the county in which the subpoenaed person or licensee resides or conducts business, upon application by the board or director with notice to the subpoenaed person or licensee, may issue to the person or licensee an order requiring that person or licensee to appear before the board or director; to produce the relevant papers, books, records, documentary evidence, or materials if so ordered; or to give evidence touching the matter under investigation or in question. Failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court.
(8) (a) The board is authorized to apply for injunctive relief, in the manner provided by the Colorado rules of civil procedure, to enforce the provisions of this part 2, or to restrain any violation thereof. In such proceedings, it shall not be necessary to allege or prove either that an adequate remedy at law does not exist or that substantial or irreparable damage would result from the continued violation thereof. The members of the board, its staff, and the attorney general shall not be held personally liable in any such proceeding.
(b)
(I) If the board has reason to believe that any individual has engaged in, or is engaging in, any act or practice which constitutes a violation of any provision of this article, the board may initiate proceedings to determine if such a violation has occurred. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(II) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 785, § 19, effective July 1, 2006.)
(c) In any action brought pursuant to this subsection (8), evidence of the commission of a single act prohibited by this article shall be sufficient to justify the issuance of an injunction or a cease-and-desist order.
(8.2) (a) If it appears to the board, based upon credible evidence as presented in a written complaint by any person, that a licensee is acting in a manner that is an imminent threat to the health and safety of the public or a person is acting or has acted without the required license, the board may issue an order to cease and desist such activity. The order shall set forth the statutes and rules alleged to have been violated, the facts alleged to have constituted the violation, and the requirementthat all unlawful acts or unlicensed practices immediately cease.
(b) Within ten days after service of the order to cease and desist pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (8.2), the respondent may request a hearing on the question of whether acts or practices in violation of this part 2 have occurred. Such hearing shall be conducted pursuant to sections 24-4-104 and 24-4-105, C.R.S.
(8.4) (a) If it appears to the board, based upon credible evidence as presented in a written complaint by any person, that a person has violated any other portion of this part 2, then, in addition to any specific powers granted pursuant to this part 2, the board may issue to such person an order to show cause as to why the board should not issue a final order directing such person to cease and desist from the unlawful act or unlicensed practice.
(b) A person against whom an order to show cause has been issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (8.4) shall be promptly notified by the board of the issuance of the order, along with a copy of the order, the factual and legal basis for the order, and the date set by the board for a hearing on the order. Such notice may be served by personal service, by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, or as may be practicable upon any person against whom such order is issued. Personal service or mailing of an order or document pursuant to this subsection (8.4) shall constitute notice thereof to the person.
(c)
(I) The hearing on an order to show cause shall be commenced no sooner than ten and no later than forty-five calendar days after the date of transmission or service of the notification by the board as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8.4). The hearing may be continued by agreement of all parties based upon the complexity of the matter, number of parties to the matter, and legal issues presented in the matter, but in no event shall the hearing commence later than sixty calendar days after the date of transmission or service of the notification.
(II) If a person against whom an order to show cause has been issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (8.4) does not appear at the hearing, the board may present evidence that notification was properly sent or served upon such person pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (8.4) and such other evidence related to the matter as the board deems appropriate. The board shall issue the order within ten days after the board's determination related to reasonable attempts to notify the respondent, and the order shall become final as to that person by operation of law. Such hearing shall be conducted pursuant to sections 24-4-104 and 24-4-105, C.R.S.
(III) If the board reasonably finds that the person against whom the order to show cause was issued is acting or has acted without the required license or has or is about to engage in acts or practices constituting violations of this part 2, a final cease-and-desist order may be issued directing such person to cease and desist from further unlawful acts or unlicensed practices.
(IV) The board shall provide notice, in the manner set forth in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8.4), of the final cease-and-desist order within ten calendar days after the hearing conducted pursuant to this paragraph (c) to each person against whom the final order has been issued. The final order issued pursuant to subparagraph (III) of this paragraph (c) shall be effective when issued and shall be a final order for purposes of judicial review.
(8.5) If it appears to the board, based upon credible evidence presented to the board, that a person has engaged in or is about to engage in any unlicensed act or practice, any act or practice constituting a violation of this part 2, any rule promulgated pursuant to this part 2, any order issued pursuant to this part 2, or any act or practice constituting grounds for administrative sanction pursuant to this part 2, the board may enter into a stipulation with such person.
(8.7) If any person fails to comply with a final cease-and-desist order or a stipulation, the board may request the attorney general or the district attorney for the judicial district in which the alleged violation exists to bring, and if so requested such attorney shall bring, suit for a temporary restraining order and for injunctive relief to prevent any further or continued violation of the final order.
(8.9) A person aggrieved by the final cease-and-desist order may seek judicial review of the board's determination or of the board's final order as provided in subsection (10) of this section.
(9) Repealed.
(10) The court of appeals shall have initial jurisdiction to review all final actions and orders that are subject to judicial review of the board. Such proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with section 24-4-106 (11), C.R.S.
(11) When a complaint or an investigation discloses an instance of misconduct that, in the opinion of the board, warrants formal action, the complaint shall not be resolved by a deferred settlement, action, judgment, or prosecution.
(12) When a complaint or investigation discloses an instance of conduct that does not warrant formal action by the board and, in the opinion of the board, the complaint should be dismissed, but the board has noticed indications of possible errant conduct by the licensee that could lead to serious consequences if not corrected, a confidential letter of concern may be issued and sent to the licensee.
