How Easy is it to Open a Sober Living Home in Colorado?

The short answer? Relatively easy.

The long answer? Colorado recently enacted a law requiring nearly all sober living homes in the state to seek certification with the Colorado NARR affiliate, the Colorado Association for Recovery Residences. While the organization does require a fair amount of documentation, it also offers a lot of assistance to would-be affiliates and is available to help orient new operators to the state requirements that need to be met in order to get certified.

Note: If you’re opening an addiction treatment center in Colorado instead, we have a description of that process for your consideration, as well.

Colorado Recently Passed a Law That Requires All New Sober Living Homes to Get Certified

Nearly all sober living homes in Colorado are now required to seek certification in order to operate in the state of Colorado.

However, there are a few exceptions. The following sober living homes are exempt from this new requirement:

• Oxford houses that are officially chartered by Oxford House International

• Homes that have already been certified by the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration

• Homes that have been in operation in the state for more than 30 years as of May 23, 2019

• Homes that are considered to be “community-based reentry services”

You can read the Colorado sober living home certification statute. Unless your organization falls under one of these categories, you’ll need to follow the certification process before marketing your sober living home in Colorado.

You Can Get Your Sober Living Home Certified by the Colorado Association of Recovery Residences

The Colorado Association for Recovery Residences is the only place to apply for certification in Colorado.

You can access application materials on their website or contact them directly at info@carrcolorado.org for current application instructions.

Upon receipt of your completed application, CARR will issue you an invoice for the fees. After you’ve submitted your fees and emailed all of the relevant documentation to CARR, you will receive an inspection date for a physical inspection of your facility.

If you pass your inspection, CARR will add you to its list of certified recovery residences. If there’s an issue with your physical inspection, CARR will give you 30 days to remedy the situation and achieve compliance. At any point in the process, you can contact CARR by phone at 720-782-0989.

The CARR Fees for Certifying Your Sober Living Home in Colorado Are Reasonable…

CARR charges affiliates $500 per organization and another $200 for every home within that umbrella organization. These fees are used to cover organizational expenses including employee salaries and inspection costs.

…But the Documentation Requirements for Sober Living Home Certification in Colorado are Exhaustive

The certification process involves a fair amount of documentation. Sober living homes must submit:

• A mission and vision statement

• Certificate of Good Standing issued by the state

• Proof of insurance

• Written proof of permission from the landlord (if rented)

• A copy of your “good neighbor policy”

• Non-discrimination statement

• Marketing materials

• Medication management protocol

• Residents bill of rights

• Resident’s responsibilities (aka “client expectations”)

• Explanation of “financial obligations”

• A description of services provided

• Privacy policy (see our security features for compliant data handling)

• Relapse policy (track sobriety with drug testing and test results management)

• Emergency plan

• Discharge policy

• Job description for house manager position

• Staff policy and procedures

• Signed Code of ethics

• Policy on financial affairs including rental payments and accounting

• Signed refund policy

• Grievance plan

• Proof of community recovery approach

• Training materials for staff

• Pest control policy

• “Policy on sexual misconduct, sexual relations or abuse of staff and residents”

For level 3 and level 4 sober living facilities, a complete certification application will also include proof of the appropriate staff credentials.

Learn About Colorado’s NARR Affiliate

For detailed information about CAARR certification standards and NARR guidelines in Colorado, see our guide on the Colorado NARR State Affiliate (CAARR). Also see our new regulations for NARR sober living homes in Maryland, Wisconsin, and Colorado and opioid settlement funding updates for Colorado.

Need Help With Opening Your Sober Living Home or Recovery Residence in Colorado?

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