Colorado Law on Door to Door Soliciting
Few laws regarding door-to-door soliciting are made at the statewide level in Colorado. Although all solicitors must follow the regulations listed in Colorado Revised Statutes Title 6, Consumer and Commercial Affairs, most laws and ordinances are made at the county and city level and range from non-existent to very strict or even prohibitive.
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Deceptive Trade Practices
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The Colorado law as described in Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 6-1-105 states that a door-to-door solicitor must identify himself, the company or organization he represents and the purpose of the call within the first 30 seconds of conversation. Otherwise the solicitor is engaging in deceptive trade practices.
Age Limitations
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Door-to-door solicitation is one of the few occupations a 12-year-old can perform. The law in Section 8-12-107 states that someone 12 years old or older may sell and deliver periodicals and other merchandise.
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County Level
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Colorado allows for certain powers of ordinance to county commissioners, particularly for activities that are of local concern. The law as described in Section 30-15-401, Subsection k.5 states that individual counties can decide whether or not to require door-to-door solicitors to register with the county. This does not apply to nonprofit solicitors who fall under tax-exempt status.
Unincorporated and Incorporated Cities and Communities
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Regulations for door-to-door solicitation can vary even within county lines. Incorporated cities and communities follow county ordinances regarding door-to-door solicitation requirements. Incorporated cities may create additional laws and ordinances that solicitors must follow within their limits.
City Examples
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The city of Highlands Ranch, an unincorporated community in Douglas County, south of Denver, follows all solicitation ordinances as laid out by the state of Colorado and Douglas County. According to the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners Ordinance 0-996-002, all individuals and business entities must register with the Douglas County sheriff's office, pay a fee and receive a solicitation registration card.
Next door, Lone Tree, an incorporated city in Douglas county, has rather strict regulations. A solicitor must register at the courthouse before visiting any homes within the city limits. Additionally, Lone Tree keeps a "No Visit List" on file, and a solicitor must request a current copy before beginning work. If he knocks on any door that has been added that day or before, even if it is after the list is collected, the solicitor could be in trouble. According to Jennifer Pettinger, a Lone Tree City Clerk, the list is updated hourly, so a solicitor must obtain an updated list immediately before entering neighborhoods to knock.
Advice to Door-to-Door Solicitors
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If you are planning to be a door-to-door solicitor, do thorough research before beginning. For an incorporated community, search at the city or community level first. Although Lone Tree has posted all of its information online, many cities do not. Go beyond an Internet search and call the courthouse or metro district directly. Be sure to ask about registration, fees and especially rules related to a "No Visit List" and "No Solicitation" signs. If it is an unincorporated city, call the county sheriff's office for ordinance information. It is your responsibility to be fully informed and follow local ordinance.
Advice to Consumers and Home Dwellers
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If you think a door-to-door solicitor has broken the law or violated local ordinance, contact your city courthouse and ask for advice. Be sure to get the name of the solicitor and the company or organization he represents.
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References
- Photo Credit door handles image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com
