Direct answer
The responsible authority is Colorado Board of Nursing. Use the verified contact details and task-specific official links on this page.
Colorado source-reviewed jurisdiction snapshot
| Item | Reviewed detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Colorado Board of Nursing |
| Public verification | Colorado DPO License Lookup |
| Renewal cycle | Credential-specific renewal schedule |
| Renewal deadline | RN licenses generally expire September 30 according to the applicable odd/even renewal cycle; the online renewal window typically opens several weeks before expiration. |
| Continuing competence | Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements. |
| Fees | Colorado changes fees through the Division’s fee-setting process; confirm the amount shown in the current online transaction. |
| Compact status | Compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APN/RXN |
| Phone | 303-894-7800 |
| Physical location | 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 |
| Mailing address | 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 |
| Primary official domains | dpo.colorado.gov |
For Colorado, 4 primary official source records and 8 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide.
Responsible licensing authority
The Colorado Board of Nursing regulates practical nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice nurses through the Division of Professions and Occupations. Public lookup and online licensing account services are distinct.
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202Open map ↗
303-894-7800
Secondary: 303-894-2430
Fax: 303-894-7693
dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us
Confirm current DPO customer-service hours before visiting.
Which office or system should you use?
| Goal | Route | Why and what to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Verify current license status | NCSBN License Verification Guidance | Use the reviewed Colorado primary-source route to confirm legal name, credential, status, expiration and public restrictions. Search by license number when available and document the live Colorado result date. |
| Renew or reactivate a license | Colorado Nursing Applications | Colorado renewal eligibility, declarations and payments belong in the official account or renewal system. Follow this published timing: RN licenses generally expire September 30 according to the applicable odd/even renewal cycle; the online renewal window typically opens several weeks before expiration. |
| Check CE or continuing competence | Colorado Nurse Licensure Compact | Colorado rules can differ by credential, first renewal, practice hours, mandatory topics or national certification. Review the exact requirement before buying coursework: Colorado does not impose a general continuing-education requirement for routine RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice nurses must still maintain applicable certification and prescriptive-authority requirements. |
| Apply by endorsement | Colorado Nursing Applications | The Colorado destination authority decides application eligibility, documents, fingerprints, fees and any temporary authority. Use Nursys when available or the verification method directed by Colorado for a nonparticipating jurisdiction. |
| Use the account or transaction portal | Colorado DPO Online Services | Authenticated Colorado transactions and messages should occur only in the authority-named system. Confirm the browser domain is one of the reviewed official domains: dpo.colorado.gov. |
| Check complaints or public discipline | official complaint and discipline resource | License status and public discipline are separate questions in Colorado. For Colorado, open any public order or restriction linked by the authority; do not rely on social posts or an old screenshot. |
| Contact the licensing authority | Colorado Board of Nursing | For Colorado, use the responsible office for a missing document, status discrepancy, credential routing or application message. Call 303-894-7800 with the credential, license or application number available; do not email sensitive documents unless given a secure route. |
| Use national verification or monitoring | Nursys QuickConfirm / e-Notify when accepted | Nursys can support participating-board national verification, endorsement verification and monitoring, but the Colorado authority remains the source for local requirements. Colorado is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Colorado or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence. |
Complete official task destinations
Verify a Colorado License ↗
Colorado DORA public service for checking a professional or occupational license and healthcare provider profile.
Colorado DORA official license-check service · reviewed July 28, 2026Nursing Applications and Renewals ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Colorado Nursing FAQ ↗
Official primary-source nursing licensing information.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Colorado Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Colorado Board of Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Colorado status recorded as Compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Colorado Board of Nursing; passing the exam does not itself create a Colorado license.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Colorado source remains Colorado DPO License Lookup.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside Colorado DPO License Lookup for Colorado; follow Colorado Board of Nursing instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · reviewed July 28, 2026Before contacting the authority
- Confirm which credential and authority apply, especially in split-board jurisdictions.
- Have the application type, license number or transaction reference available.
- Ask a specific question about a missing item, renewal eligibility, status or credential assignment.
- Do not email Social Security numbers, payment-card details or background documents unless the authority explicitly instructs a secure method.
- Record the date, office or unit contacted and the response.
- Verify final license status in the public lookup system.
Frequently asked questions
Which office handles nursing licenses in Colorado?
Colorado Board of Nursing.
What is the published phone number?
303-894-7800
Is there a separate mailing address?
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202
What should I prepare before contacting the authority?
Have the credential, application type, license number or transaction reference ready, but do not send sensitive records to an unverified address.
Is phone guidance proof of licensure?
No. Verify the final license status in the official public lookup system.
Should I visit the office without checking first?
No. Confirm office hours, walk-in availability and the correct unit before traveling.