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Will you have branch offices?

A branch offers the same services within part of your service area and is supervised by the parent office every day (Chapter 26, 5.2). CDPHE charges a fee for each branch.

Will you have workstations (sites only for direct care staff's convenience)?

Workstations may hold phones, supplies and policies but not consumer records, and may not take referrals or serve the public (Chapter 26, 2.33). CDPHE charges a fee for each.

Will you provide Medicaid personal care (Community First Choice)?

Since July 1, 2025, Medicaid pays for personal care only from a Class A or B licensed agency, which also needs Medicaid certification and HCPF provider enrollment. This manual covers the CDPHE license rules; it does not cover HCPF's Medicaid billing and program rules.

Do you serve, or expect to serve, 51 or more consumers at a time?

Chapter 2, 7.2 asks agencies with a client capacity of 51 or more for a written grievance mechanism plan. CDPHE has not said how capacity is measured for home care, so the manual adds the plan when you answer yes.

Will you provide personal care?

Non-medical help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transfers and moving around, plus medication reminders (Chapter 26, 7.4). Homemaker and companion services still need a Class B license in Colorado.

Will you provide light housekeeping?

Routine light house cleaning, dishwashing and bed making (Chapter 26, 7.3(F)(1)).

Will you provide meal preparation?

Workers who prepare meals should be told about any special diet the consumer needs (Chapter 26, 7.3(F)(1)(a)).

Will you help with shopping, laundry and other errands?

Help completing activities outside the home, such as shopping or laundry (Chapter 26, 7.3(F)(2)).

Will you provide companionship?

Social interaction, conversation, emotional reassurance and activities that stimulate the mind (Chapter 26, 7.3(F)(3)).

Will workers go with consumers to appointments and on errands?

Accompanying the consumer to medical appointments, banking, shopping and other outings, as the service plan says, when all the care on the trip is unskilled personal care (Chapter 26, 7.4(F)(16)).

Will you provide respite care?

Care in the consumer's home that gives a family caregiver a break, as long as it needs no skilled services (Chapter 26, 7.4(F)(18)).

Which transfers will workers help with?

Without a lift device, workers never transfer a consumer who cannot assist; the rule lets trained workers who have shown competency assist with a transfer involving a lift device. Gait belts and other equipment need training first, and lift devices need training and demonstrated competency (Chapter 26, 7.4(F)(13)).

Will workers put on support stockings?

Includes ace bandages and anti-embolic or pressure stockings sold without a prescription. A qualified individual trains the worker and checks competency before the first application and every year (Chapter 26, 7.4(F)(4)).

Will workers use over-the-counter medicated shampoos?

Prescription shampoos are never used. Over-the-counter medicated shampoos need agency training and a competency check before first use and every year (Chapter 26, 7.4(F)(7)).

Will workers change oxygen tanks?

Respiratory care is skilled care, but a specifically trained worker who has shown competency may set oxygen flow by written instruction when changing tanks (Chapter 26, 7.4(F)(15)).

Will you serve consumers who need supervision to prevent wandering?

For example people living with dementia. Workers giving this protective oversight are trained in appropriate intervention and redirection techniques first (Chapter 26, 7.4(F)(17)).

Will you serve people aged 70 or older?

Home care agency staff must report suspected mistreatment of an at-risk elder (anyone 70 or older) to law enforcement within 24 hours (C.R.S. 18-6.5-108).

Will you serve adults with an intellectual or developmental disability?

The same law-enforcement reporting duty covers at-risk adults with an intellectual or developmental disability (C.R.S. 18-6.5-108). Training covers the needs of the populations you serve (Chapter 26, 7.3(C)(1)(h)).

Will you serve children under 18?

Staff caring for children report suspected abuse or neglect to the county department, local law enforcement or the child abuse hotline (Chapter 26, 5.8(D)(2)).

Who governs the agency?

A Class B agency may convene a governing body or designate one individual who has responsibility for all its tasks (Chapter 26, 7.1(A)).

How does your HCA manager meet the experience requirement?

Every manager is also at least 21 with a high school diploma or GED (Chapter 26, 7.2(B)(1)). The proof goes in the manager's personnel file.

How has your manager met the 8-hour manager training requirement?

Either way the manager completes 12 hours of related training in the first year and every year after, and CDPHE may require more training when a manager relies on equivalent experience (Chapter 26, 7.2(B)(3)).

How do you count each worker's 12 months of annual training?

Homemakers cover at least four topics and personal care workers and supervisors at least six every 12 months, counted from the start date or by calendar year as your policy says, prorated for months worked (Chapter 26, 7.3(C)(3); 7.4(C)(4)).

Who gives your workers their initial training?

Initial training must be interactive (in person, online or a mix) and you always run the competency evaluation with visual observation yourself (Chapter 26, 7.3(B)-(C)).

How far will your criminal history checks search?

Every job applicant's check includes at least a Colorado search, done no more than 90 days before employment (Chapter 26, 5.9(C)(2)). A wider search is your choice; CDPHE can hold you to it once it is in your policy.

Who pays for the criminal history check?

Either may pay (Chapter 26, 5.9(C)(3)).

When can a new hire start giving care after you request their CAPS check?

The CAPS check (Colorado's adult protective services database) is requested before hiring anyone for direct care. The law allows hiring before the result comes back (C.R.S. 26-3.1-111(6)(f)); results usually arrive within five business days.

What pre-employment physical evaluation will you use?

Your policy sets the pre-employment physical evaluation and the work restrictions for staff with a communicable illness (Chapter 26, 5.13(C)). The rules do not say what the evaluation must be.

How will you offer flu vaccination each season?

Agencies offer employees and direct contractors the chance to be vaccinated each year, aim for 90% vaccinated and report the rate to CDPHE by May 15 (Chapter 2, 11.2.3-11.2.4).

Who answers calls when the office is closed?

The manager or a designee is available for all hours workers are providing services (Chapter 26, 7.2(C)(8)).

Will supervisors do some three-monthly supervisory visits by live video?

The three-monthly supervision may be done by an interactive audiovisual connection with the worker and consumer. The yearly evaluation and visits about complaints that can't be resolved remotely are always in person (Chapter 26, 7.8; 7.9).

How will you collect consumers' views on your services?

The agency has an ongoing way for consumers to comment on its services, and the findings go to the governing body at least once a year (Chapter 26, 7.1(D)(3)).

How will you keep consumer records?

Electronic records need controls on who can enter or change data, and backup and recovery plans (Chapter 26, 5.15(B)).

Will any homemakers or personal care workers be contractors rather than employees?

Contracted personnel need a written contract covering the points in Chapter 26, 5.9(F) and follow your policies. Check Colorado's employment tests with a lawyer before using contractors.

Include recommended practices?

Some policies end with practical steps that go beyond the rules, such as TB screening for new hires and a county adult protective services report alongside the police report. Once adopted they are your policies and CDPHE can expect you to follow them, so leave them out if you won't.