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1. Does Tri-County Health Department issue licenses for childcare facilities?

No. Child care centers are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care. However, these licensed child care facilities are required to have an inspection by the state or local health department and comply with the Regulations Governing the Health and Sanitation of Child Care Facilities in the State of Colorado prior to licensing and at least once every two years of operation.

2. When are health inspections conducted?

Depending on your type of facility, health inspections are either conducted once per year, or once every other year. 

3. Does Tri-County Health Department routinely inspect home day cares?

No, but we do investigate complaints related to such facilities. The only in home facilities that Tri-County regulates are group homes. If you have questions about either starting a home day care or having your child attend a home day care, please contact the Colorado Department of Human Services – Child Care Division at 303-866-5948.

4. How can I get a copy of past health inspection reports?

Inspections of restaurants, child care facilities, public swimming pools and spas, and tattoo / piercing facilities in Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas County are available online.

5. What resources are available about serving nutritious foods in our childcare center?

Tri-County Health Department has Nutrition staff who can assist you. Contact our Nutrition Division.

6. What sort of foods is my center permitted to serve?

The types of foods a center is permitted to serve is dependent upon the type of equipment that the center has. Contact your local Tri-County Environmental Health office for guidance. We also encourage serving healthy foods.

7. What is the difference between a sanitizer and a disinfectant?

A sanitizer reduces the bacterial count, including disease causing microorganisms, to a safe level and is required to be used on surfaces in childcare settings such as toys, tabletops, and food preparation surfaces. A disinfectant eliminates most or all disease causing microorganisms (with the exception of bacterial spores) and is required to be used on surfaces in childcare settings such as diaper changing tables and restrooms, as well as areas contaminated with High Hazard Body Fluids such as blood, urine, vomit, or feces. See our Sanitizer and Disinfectant Guidance for Childcare Centers.

8. What are the requirements for sanitizing and disinfecting with bleach?

See our Sanitizer and Disinfectant Guidance for Childcare Centers. If you still have questions, please contact one of our four Tri-County Environmental Health offices.

9. Does Tri-County offer training for child care center staff?

Yes. Contact your Tri-County Environmental Health office to schedule a training. There is a fee associated with training.

10. We will be constructing a new facility, what do we need to complete?

A plan review packet must be filled out and submitted for review, along with the fee associated with the review. Details are provided in our plan review packet.

11. I’m interested in buying an existing child care center, what do I need to do before purchasing it?

If the establishment has not yet been purchased, a site evaluation can be completed by an Environmental Health Specialist who will provide you with a list of structural and equipment violations that must be corrected if the change of ownership does occurs. If the establishment has already been purchased, a Change of Ownership inspection is required and any structural or equipment violations must be corrected for approval of the establishment to operate. Fees do apply for these inspections. Contact your local Tri-County Environmental Health Department office to schedule an inspection and for information on fees associated with these inspections. You will also need to contact the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care to find out about their requirements and to get licensed by them.

12. We will be adding a room or changing one of our rooms. What do I need to do?

This room must first be inspected and approved by Tri-County prior to utilizing it. Contact your local Tri-County Environmental Health office to schedule site evaluation inspection. The room should be ready for use upon inspection. Please allow at least one to two weeks prior to your scheduled opening date for this inspection to be conducted. There is a fee associated with this inspection.

13. Who can I contact if I have questions about adding equipment?

Contact your local Tri-County Environmental Health office.

14. When will I be invoiced for my health inspection?

Invoices are mailed out towards the end of the calender year, usually in late November or early December.

15. My child care center was built before 1978. What are the concerns regarding lead paint and renovations / repairs?

Half a million U.S. kids are estimated to be affected by lead paint. Often, exposure carries with it some level of irreversible physical and intellectual damage. These cases are directly linked to renovations and repairs on pre-1978 buildings where lead dust was created and not adequately contained and cleaned. Children should not be exposed to any amount of this dangerous metal and providers can help this effort by making sure their child care centers are lead-safe.

Renovators and contractors doing work that disturbs paint in child-occupied facilities and homes built before 1978 are required to work in “lead-safe” ways. The EPA lead web site tells about lead’s hazards, preventing lead exposure, living safely in pre-1978 buildings, and what “lead-safe” means. The page “Operators of Child Care Facilities” informs operators in older buildings that they either 1) get lead-safe certified if they are doing repairs/remodels themselves, or 2) that they advisedly hire a lead-safe certified firm. A concise EPA handout on providers’ responsibilities is available.