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Castle Rock approves IGA with Douglas County to centralize massage business licensing and fingerprinting
Summary
To implement a 2022 state law authorizing local regulation of massage facilities, the town authorized an intergovernmental agreement with Douglas County under which the county will serve as licensing authority, collect fees (county staff cited a $100 transfer fee and $25 renewals) and handle fingerprinting while Castle Rock enforces zoning and refers criminal complaints to local police.
Town attorney Mike Hyman and county staff presented a proposed intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Douglas County that would make the county the licensing authority for massage facilities operating in Castle Rock under state statute. Hyman said the statute authorizing local regulation is "section 30 15 4 0 1.4 of the Colorado revised statutes." Staff said the county's approach provides administrative efficiency for an estimated 30 local massage businesses.
Scott Weeks, Douglas County senior planner, told council the county would charge a modest administrative transfer fee ("about a $100 fee") and $25 for subsequent renewals. Valerie Brewster, senior assistant county attorney, explained the county would handle registration, fingerprinting and license administration while any criminal conduct (for example, allegations of prostitution or human trafficking) would still be investigated by Castle Rock law enforcement.
Council members asked for clarity on fees, enforcement roles and carve-outs for licensed massage therapists regulated by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). County counsel confirmed DORA-licensed therapists and certain janitorial staff are excluded from the fingerprinting requirement. After discussion, council approved the resolution authorizing the IGA.
Why it matters: The agreement centralizes administrative licensing in the county while keeping criminal enforcement local. Staff said the IGA avoids the cost of standing up a separate municipal licensing authority for a relatively small number of businesses.
What happens next: County and town staff will notify affected businesses, publish guidance on the town's website and begin the transfer and fingerprinting process in line with the IGA terms.
