Consumer Resource Guide - For more information on addressing common issues and topics, please review the Colorado Attorney General’s Consumer Resource Guide. Please be advised the information contained within the Resource Guide should not be taken as legal advice. Consumers seeking a legal opinion should consult with a licensed attorney.
Moving can be an extremely stressful time. Not only can moving be stressful, it can also an opportune time for scammers as well. Do your homework before you move and know who you are dealing with prior to entering into any contract.
In-state movers are regulated by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and are required to meet certain standards prior to operating. Interstate movers must be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Verify your mover is licensed prior to signing a contract. Consumers may also want to check on their complaint history and reputation with organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
Click here to learn more about moving scams and additional tips on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim. Deception or misrepresentations by moving companies within Colorado may also violate the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). If you believe you have been victimized by a moving company or if you wish to report suspicious activity, report it.
If you desire a legal opinion or representation relating to your specific situation, we recommend contacting a private attorney or one of the services that provide legal assistance through the local bar association and/or other legal entities.
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. Once you register your phone number, telemarketers covered by the National Do Not Call Registry have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you.
If you wish to register your home or mobile telephone number with the National Do Not Call Registry or if you have received a fraudulent call and wish to report it, contact the National Do Not Call Registry and file a report with Colorado No-Call.
Auto Dealer Purchases:New and used auto purchases handled through a dealer are regulated by the Colorado Department of Revenue – Auto Industry Enforcement Division. Consumers with questions or concerns regarding their auto purchase should contact the Auto Industry Enforcement Division.
Deception or misrepresentations during the sales process may also constitute a violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). If this may be the case, report it to the Colorado Attorney General.
Individual Auto Sales:
Auto purchases made through individuals or a private party are not typically regulated thought the Auto Industry Enforcement Division. Rather traditional contract rules typically apply to any private auto purchase transaction, including vehicles purchased “AS IS”. As a result consumers should have any vehicle checked out by an independent certified mechanic and should fully understand all contract terms prior to executing/signing a purchase agreement.
Odometer fraud is the illegal practice of rolling back an odometer to make it appear that a motor vehicle has lower mileage than it actually does. Any person who disconnects, resets, or alters the odometer on a motor vehicle with the intent to defraud a subsequent purchaser or lessee is in violation of federal law.
If you suspect odometer fraud with a vehicle purchase, report it:
Private/Individual Purchase:
Dealer Purchase:
National Purchase:
The State Board of Optometry regulates the practice of optometry in Colorado. The board does not regulate eye clinics or opticians. Board activities include licensing optometrists, investigating complaints against optometrists and the unlicensed practice of optometry, and enforcing disciplinary actions against those who violate the Optometric Practice Act and Board Rules.
Deceptive practices by optometrists may also constitute a violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). If you believe you have been victimized by an optometrists or if you wish to report suspicious activity, report it to the Colorado Attorney General.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies - Division of Professions and Occupations State Plumbing Board regulates and licenses plumbers. The Board’s mission is to protect the health of the public by enforcing the state plumbing statutes. The Board activities include licensing and registration of plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors, investigating complaints about the licensed and unlicensed practice in Colorado, and disciplining those who violate the law.
If you have a complaint about a plumber or would like additional licensing and discipline history of your plumber, contact the State Plumbing Board.
Deceptive practices by plumbers, apprentices, and plumbing contractors may also violate the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). If you believe you have been victimized by a plumber or if you wish to report suspicious activity, file a report with the Colorado Attorney General.
Click here for additional information on ways to avoid contractor fraud.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
If you have concerns about the safety of products you have purchased or if you wish to see what products have been recalls, contact the Commission.
Real estate appraisers are regulated by the Division of Real Estate within the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Further information about real estate appraisers along with appraiser registration, licensing, and disciplinary history can be obtained from:
Deceptive practices by real estate appraisers may also violate the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). If you believe you have been victimized by a real estate appraiser, file a report.
Real estate brokers are regulated by the Division of Real Estate within the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Further information about real estate brokers along with broker registration, licensing, and disciplinary history can be obtained from:
Deceptive practices by real estate brokers may also violate the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). If you believe you have been victimized by a real estate broker or if you wish to report suspicious activity, file a report.
Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) is a division of the Colorado Department of Human Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. The agency’s goal is to ensure effective resettlement of officially designated refugees and to promote refugee self-sufficiency. Refugees are federally defined as having legal status and a lawful presence in the state.
The agency is committed to a holistic approach to refugee resettlement. Services and programs support refugees and the larger receiving community working together to build the social capital necessary to both sustain a welcoming environment for refugees as well as a return on investment for the mainstream. Working with local partners, CRSP supported services include: ESL classes, job training, cash assistance, legal services, and health care.
For more information or to seek assistance with refugee matters, contact the Colorado Refugee Services Program.
Additionally refugees who believe they have been victimized by fraud or wish to report suspicious activity should file a report with the Colorado Attorney General.
Rent-to-Own companies typically lease products in exchange for a regular, ongoing payment with the option to purchase the products within the allotted time contained within the agreement. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office, through the Administrator of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code, investigates complaints about rent-to-own businesses and takes appropriate disciplinary or legal action when a creditor violates the law.
For additional questions, contact the Colorado Uniform Consumer Credit Code section within the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
Under Colorado law, any person who is retained by a secured party to recover or take possession of collateral upon default is required to be bonded for property damage to or conversion of such collateral in the amount of at least $50,000. Such bond shall be filed with and drawn in favor of the Colorado Attorney General.
To find out more about repossessors or to determine if a business is registered to conduct repossessions in Colorado, check with the Colorado Attorney General.
If you believe you have been a victim of a fraudulent repossession or if you wish to report suspicious activity, report it to the Colorado Attorney General.
In Colorado, a “salvage vehicle” is any vehicle that is damaged by collision, fire, flood, accident, trespass, or other occurrence, excluding hail damage, to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle to a roadworthy condition and for legal operation on the highways exceeds the vehicle's retail fair market value immediately prior to such damage.
For more information regarding salvage vehicles or to report possible fraud pertaining to a vehicle purchase, contact the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Investing can be captivating, rewarding, and very risky at times. While traditional banking deposits may be federally guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), investments such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds can regularly fluctuate and potentially lose value.
The best way for investors to protect their investment is to do research and ask questions. Here are some common resources to assist in determining if investing is right for you and to determine if your broker is licensed and in good standing.
If you have become a victim of investment fraud or if you wish to report suspicious activity, report it to the Colorado Attorney General.
The AARP Foundation ElderWatch grew out of a 1999 study published by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Respecting Our Elders: A Statewide Action Plan to Combat Senior Fraud. Among the report’s recommendations was the establishment of a statewide clearinghouse of information set up as a nonprofit agency, to coordinate efforts in both the public and private sectors.
AARP Foundation ElderWatch provides information to and coordinates efforts by law enforcement agencies, social services and other organizations assisting 50+ Coloradans. The ElderWatch program engages roughly 180 volunteers each year, who provide information and assistance to their peers, and consists of three main components:
Through these efforts, AARP Foundation ElderWatch is uniquely positioned to provide information and assistance to older Coloradans and to collect data pertaining to financial exploitation from the front lines. This allows for the creation and dissemination of scam alerts and tips to help proactively educate 50+ consumers about the dangers of financial exploitation.
You may wish to contact AARP Foundation ElderWatch for assistance by calling 1-800-222-4444 telephone option 2.
For additional resources, see also the "Senior Fraud Center" within this site.
While Sign Language Interpreters are not currently required to be licensed in Colorado, Sign Language Interpreters are prohibited in claiming certification unless he or she holds a current certification issued by the registry of interpreters for the deaf or a successor organization.
If you believe you have been a victim of misleading Sing Language Interpreter certification or if you wish to report suspicious activity, report it to the Colorado Attorney General.
Small claims court is for disputes involving amounts under $7,500.00 and can only handle certain kinds of claims. Small court claims generally are:
The small claims court cannot hear cases of libel or slander, eviction, traffic violations, or criminal matters. If you win in small claims court, you will be responsible (or an attorney that you hire) for collecting any judgment that you win. Keep in mind you have at least six years to collect your judgment. Additional information is available from the Colorado Judicial Branch.
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Under Colorado law, a "commercial telephone seller” may not conduct business in this state without having registered with the Colorado Attorney General at least ten days prior to the conduct of such business. This applies to any commercial telephone seller located in Colorado and to any commercial telephone seller contacting prospective purchasers in Colorado.
To find out more about telemarketing within the state or to determine if a business is registered to conduct telemarketing in Colorado, check with the Colorado Attorney General.
If you believe you have received a fraudulent call or wish to report telemarketing fraud, file a report with:
While legitimate timeshare purchasing and reselling organizations are lawfully conducting business throughout the state, every year fraudulent timeshare businesses pop-up in an effort to steal your money. Click here to learn more about timeshare scams and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
If you have been a victim of a timeshare scam and incurred financial losses, file a report with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
The Office of State Treasurer operates The Great Colorado Payback which provides consumers an opportunity to determine and recover, if applicable, any unclaimed property. Consumers wanting to know more about the program or to determine if they have any unclaimed property should check with The Great Colorado Payback.
As there is no charge for this service, consumers should be wary of calls or letters from people offering assistance in finding lost or unclaimed property for a fee. Always check with The Great Colorado Payback first.
The Colorado No Call List was enacted by the Colorado General Assembly in 2001 to enable consumers to protect themselves against unwanted telephone calls to residential or personal wireless telephone numbers. If you wish to register your home or mobile telephone number with the Colorado No-Call List or if you have received a fraudulent call and wish to report it, contact Colorado No-Call.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) primary mission is to “save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes.” One of the most important ways in which the agency carries out its safety mandate is to issue Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Through these rules, NHTSA strives to reduce the number of crashes and to minimize the consequences of those crashes that do occur. To learn more about vehicle safety standards or to report vehicle safety concerns, contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Veteran’s access to their benefits for their service to our country. Whether it’s assisting with health coverage, the GI Bill, employment, or home loans and life insurance, the VA may be able to provide the assistance you need.
If you believe you have been victimized by a fraud or if you wish to report suspicious activity, file a report with the Colorado Attorney General.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) goal is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America’s workers. To accomplish this, federal and state governments must work in partnership with the more than 100 million working men and women and their six and a half million employers who are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
OSHA and its state partners have approximately 2100 inspectors, plus complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers, and other technical and support personnel spread over more than 200 offices throughout the country. This staff establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs.
Nearly every working man and woman in the nation comes under OSHA’s jurisdiction (with some exceptions such as miners, transportation workers, many public employees, and the self-employed). Other users and recipients of OSHA services include occupational safety and health professionals, the academic community, lawyers, journalists, and personnel of other government entities.
Consumers with questions or complaints about safety in the workplace can contact OSHA.