Backflow Prevention Devices Requirements

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 43 co-sponsors

Requires licensed plumbers or certified testers to tag backflow devices with service details starting July 1, 2025, ensuring traceability of work performed.

Governor Signed

Summary — HB 25‑1077: Backflow Prevention Devices Requirements (Governor Signed)

Status and timeline
- Governor signed: March 28, 2025.
- Tagging requirements and related provisions effective: July 1, 2025 (tags required on and after this date).
- Fiscal note: Final assessment — no fiscal impact to state or local government; no appropriation required.

Purpose and intent
- Clarify the licensing scope for work on backflow prevention devices and increase service documentation/traceability by requiring service tags on devices.

Key provisions
1. Licensing scope (amends C.R.S. 12‑155‑118)
- Inspection, testing, or repair of backflow prevention devices do NOT require plumbing occupational licensure from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
- Installation or replacement of backflow prevention devices continues to require plumbing licensure, except when the work is on a stand‑alone fire suppression system (see C.R.S. 24‑33.5‑1202(6) for definition).

Service tagging by licensed plumbers (adds C.R.S. 12‑155‑126)

On and after July 1, 2025, a licensed plumber who installs, tests, inspects, repairs, or reinstalls a backflow device must affix a tag to the device containing:
- business name and contact information;
- plumbing contractor registration number or master plumber license number issued by the State Plumbing Board;
- date of service; and
- description of the service.
Multiple services may be recorded on one tag.

Tagging for certified testers/technicians (adds C.R.S. 25‑8‑107)

On and after July 1, 2025, a certified cross‑connection control technician or a licensed plumber with such certification who tests or repairs a device must affix a tag including:
- business contact info;
- date of service;
- description of service;
- ASSE or ABPA certification number of the technician (and contractor/ master plumber number if applicable).
Definitions included for “ASSE”, “ABPA”, and “certified cross‑connection control technician.”
The statute explicitly states that the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is not required to perform inspections or enforce this section.

Who is affected
- Licensed plumbers and plumbing contractors (installation/replacement duties remain licensed).
- Certified cross‑connection control technicians and licensed plumbers with backflow/tester certifications (tagging and documentation requirements).
- Property owners and water system operators (will receive device tags documenting service history).
- Regulatory agencies: no increased fiscal or enforcement obligation under this bill.

Background and impact
- Restores the licensure scope for backflow device work to the status in effect before HB 24‑1344 (which had required licensure for inspection, testing, and repair).
- Adds uniform tagging/documentation to improve traceability of service and qualifications of persons performing work.
- Assessed to have no fiscal impact because changes revert scope to pre‑existing practice and do not create new state/local workload or costs.