2018 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
General
Article 8 - Barbers and Cosmetologists
§ 12-8-131. Disciplinary proceedings - administrative law judges - judicial review
(1) The director may, through the department of regulatory agencies, employ administrative law judges to conduct hearings as provided by this section or on any matter within the director's jurisdiction upon such conditions and terms as the director may determine.
(2) A proceeding for discipline of a licensee or registrant shall be commenced when the director has reasonable grounds to believe that a licensee or registrant has committed acts that may violate the provisions of this article. The grounds may be established by an investigation begun by the director on the director's own motion or by an investigation pursuant to a written complaint.
(3) Notice of the commencement of disciplinary proceedings pursuant to this section shall be given to the licensee, registrant, or applicant in the manner prescribed by section 24-4-105, C.R.S.
(4) Any hearing on the revocation or suspension of a license, or on the denial of an application for a new license, or for renewal of a previously issued license shall be conducted by an administrative law judge, and such administrative law judge shall be vested with all powers and authority prescribed by article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(5) The administrative law judge shall make an initial decision, which shall include a statement of findings and conclusions upon all the material issues of fact and law presented by the record and the appropriate order, sanction, or relief. In the absence of an appeal to the director or a review upon motion of the director within thirty days after service of the initial decision of the administrative law judge, the initial decision shall become the decision of the director.
(6) Review by the director of the initial decision of the administrative law judge upon appeal or upon the director's own motion shall be conducted in accordance with section 24-4-105, C.R.S. The findings of fact made by the administrative law judge shall not be set aside by the director on review unless such findings are contrary to the weight of the evidence. The director may remand the matter to the administrative law judge for such further proceedings as the director may direct, or the director may affirm, set aside, or modify the order, sanction, or relief entered, in conformity with the facts and the law. Each decision shall be served as prescribed by section 24-4-105, C.R.S.
(7) Final action by the director may be judicially reviewed. The court of appeals shall have initial jurisdiction to review all final actions and orders that are subject to judicial review. Such proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with section 24-4-106 (11), C.R.S.
(8) When a complaint or an investigation discloses an instance of misconduct that, in the opinion of the director, warrants formal action, the complaint shall not be resolved by a deferred settlement, action, judgment, or prosecution.
