Fremont County adopts updated body-art regulations, effective April 13, 2026

The Fremont County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 10 to adopt revisions to the county’s body-art regulations, saying the updates bring local rules into line with current industry standards and state requirements. The regulations, presented by Public Health Director Rick Gutierrez, will take effect April 13, 2026.

Gutierrez told the commission that the department compared neighboring counties and national guidance while drafting the changes. “To our knowledge, this is the first time the regulations have been updated since their adoption in 2009,” he said. The draft was circulated to licensed establishments in the county for comment and was developed “within the framework of the state of Colorado body-art regulations as outlined by rule 6, Colorado code of regulations 101022,” Gutierrez said.

During public comment, Richard Button of Rustic Inc. urged caution about topical numbing agents and described safety concerns he has seen in other states. “I’m trying to get away from lidocaine in my studio, just because of health concerns,” Button said, describing alternative products and asking about antiseptic standards. Gutierrez and staff responded that the proposed county regulations do not prohibit a studio from choosing to avoid lidocaine; however, the regulations do require the use of an antiseptic before procedures. Gutierrez explained research shows green soap, when diluted for shop use, contains about 3–4% alcohol whereas antiseptic properties typically require around 70% alcohol.

Commissioners approved the motion to adopt the revisions with an effective date of April 13, 2026. Roll call votes were recorded in favor by Commissioners Grantham, McFall and Bell. The county attorney and public-health staff indicated they would post the adopted regulations and provide the regulated community with the selected effective date to allow businesses time to comply.

The new regulations were described at the hearing as a mixture of provisions used in other Colorado counties and elements the county would be “leading” within the state; public-health staff said they requested additional written evidence from commenters seeking a broader change (for example, an outright ban on particular topical anesthetics) but did not receive documentation that would require changing the proposal as drafted.