Do I need a license to open a sober living home in Colorado?
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Today, a recovery residence, sober living facility, or sober home in Colorado may operate only if it is certified by the Behavioral Health Administration's (BHA's) approved certifying body, Ohio Recovery Housing - Colorado (ORH-CO), is chartered by Oxford House, or has operated in Colorado for 30 or more years as of May 23, 2019. From July 1, 2027, every recovery residence needs a license from BHA under Senate Bill 26-113.
When does the BHA recovery residence license start, and what happens to certified homes?
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The license is required to operate on and after July 1, 2027. BHA will accept applications on and after May 1, 2027. A home certified as of June 30, 2027 must notify BHA before July 1, 2027, may keep operating on its certification, must apply at least 60 days before the one-year anniversary of its last certification, and must be licensed by July 1, 2028. BHA issues a license to each Oxford House chartered by Oxford House, Inc.
How do I get certified by Ohio Recovery Housing - Colorado (ORH-CO)?
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Complete the Colorado Pre-Certification Requirements course in the Learning Resource Center linked from ORH-CO, submit ORH-CO's new operator registration with your certificate, and complete the application in ORH-CO's portal. ORH-CO lists annual fees of $500 per organization and $100 per bed for residence inspection. Contact ORH-CO at (720) 782-0989.
How much does a BHA recovery residence license cost?
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BHA has not set the fee yet. Senate Bill 26-113 requires BHA to adopt a schedule of application and renewal fees by May 1, 2027, set high enough to cover the cost of running the licensing program.
Can a Colorado recovery residence turn away residents who take medication for opioid use disorder?
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Today, a recovery residence that receives state money or is paid through state programs may not deny admission for prescribed medication-assisted treatment. Senate Bill 26-113, which governs licensed homes, goes further: a recovery residence may not deny admission for it or require a resident to taper, and may not categorically bar prescribed medications unless an individualized assessment finds a safety risk that reasonable accommodation cannot fix. Homes may set rules for storing and giving medications.
Can a Colorado city or county use zoning to keep a recovery residence out?
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Colorado law declares recovery residences a residential use of property for zoning purposes, subject only to the regulations of like dwellings in the same zone (C.R.S. 30-28-115 and 31-23-303). Homes still follow local health, safety, and fire codes. The federal Fair Housing Act also protects people in recovery, and complaints can go to the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Are there grants or funding for recovery residences in Colorado?
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Colorado's opioid settlement money is spent by 19 regional opioid abatement councils and the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC), and the approved uses include recovery housing that allows FDA-approved medication. The COAC's April 9, 2026 infrastructure round funded several recovery housing projects. Nonprofits and public bodies in rural areas can also apply to USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program. The Funding section of this guide lists each program and how to reach your regional council.
How do I list my recovery residence in this guide for free?
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Request a free listing. You choose what it shows, such as who the home serves and its certification or license. The street address is shown only if you want it to be. Listing never requires ARKHE software.
What's the difference between a recovery residence, sober living, and residential treatment in Colorado?
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Colorado law treats recovery residence, sober living facility, and sober home as the same thing: alcohol- and drug-free housing that promotes independent living and offers structured recovery support. It is housing, not treatment. A facility the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) licenses for residential treatment is not a recovery residence.
How do I find a certified recovery residence or sober living home in Colorado?
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Search the Ohio Recovery Housing - Colorado (ORH-CO) certified residence directory by city, or call ORH-CO at (720) 782-0989. Oxford House vacancies can be searched by state and county. The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) will publish a list of licensed homes once licensing begins in 2027.
What are my rights if a Colorado recovery residence asks me to leave?
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A certified home must follow a discharge policy approved by its certifying body. After a failed relapse plan it gives 24 hours' notice; it may discharge you immediately for having alcohol or illicit drugs in the house. Before you leave, staff must give you referrals, the 988 crisis line number, and written notice of your right to appeal. Ohio Recovery Housing - Colorado (ORH-CO) must decide a grievance within 72 hours, and you can appeal its decision to the Office of Administrative Courts.
What is a Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BHASO)?
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BHASOs are regional organizations that coordinate mental health, crisis, and substance use services for uninsured and underinsured Coloradans through the Colorado LIFTS provider network. They cover regions, not single counties. Call 1-844-CO-LIFTS (265-4387) to reach a care navigator, or search the OwnPath Care Directory.
What should I ask a recovery residence before moving in?
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Ask whether the home is certified by Ohio Recovery Housing - Colorado (ORH-CO) or chartered by Oxford House, what costs include, what the program agreement and code of conduct say, how the relapse plan works, and how medications are handled. Colorado law bars recovery residences from taking payment for admitting a resident, and Senate Bill 26-113 also bars fees for an application or admission screening.