Several roofers and roofing contractors came to the Capitol today saying their industry is “broken”—and asking for regulation. Senate Bill 207, sponsored by Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton., seeks to do just that and won the approval of the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee.

SB207 would establish a registration process within the Department of Regulatory Agencies for roofing contractors and roofers. The bill also calls for training, liability coverage, and prescribed contract requirements.  Additionally, the measure would also prohibit a roofing company from absorbing a customer’s co-payment with their insurance carrier.

Tochtrop said the measure targets fraud and unscrupulous profiteering when nature has its way with rooftops, such as during one of Colorado’s notorious hail storms.

“This is a consumer-protection bill,” said Tochtrop. “Currently, anyone with shingles in the back of their pickup truck can say they are a roofer.”

Tochtrop says the roofing industry came to her asking to be regulated.

“Our industry is broken,” said Kirk Tiley, speaking for the Colorado Roofers Association.  “There’ s an uneven playing field between contractors when consumers don’t trust us as an industry.”

Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R- Broomfield, said he couldn’t support the bill’s premise that the oversight was needed and a matter of statewide concern.

“Far too many occupations need to get permission from the state to offer services. Roofing shouldn’t be the next one,” said Mitchell.

The measure is headed next to the Senate Appropriations Committee for its consideration.

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