Laboratories must be certified by the Department to provide analysis. Participation in the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory certification program is based upon either, successful onsite annual inspection for non-accredited labs, or, ongoing accreditation status for accredited labs, in addition to successful proficiency testing performance in the category or categories the laboratory is certified in and ongoing compliance with Parts 5 through 9 of the Board of Health Rule (5CCR 1005-2).
The categories of certification include
- Blood Alcohol
- Blood Drug
- Urine Drug
- Post Mortem
To be certified, laboratories must meet standards of performance as defined by regulations. The standards include:
- Personnel qualifications
- Standard operating procedure manual
- Analytical process
- Proficiency testing
- Quality control
- Laboratory security
- Chain of custody
- Specimen retention
- Space
- Records
Results reporting
Announcement of rule revisions
Read CDPHE’s draft revisions for 5 CCR 1005-2.
The Colorado State Public Health Laboratory at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is conducting a routine review of 5 Code of Colorado Regulations 1005-2 (5 CCR 1005-2), Testing for Alcohol and Other Drugs.
These regulations establish minimum standards for certification and approval of both entities and their processes that test samples for alcohol and drugs. These samples come from investigations into drug- or alcohol-related crashes or incidents. These rules include collection and testing procedures for samples of blood, urine, or post-mortem specimens; certification requirements for operators and instructors performing Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing (EBAT); and certification requirements for forensic toxicology laboratories.
After a review, CDPHE is proposing a series of changes to the rules. The proposed rules may be found at the link above.
If you have suggestions, concerns, or questions about these proposed rule changes and wish to provide your feedback, you may:
- Attend the virtual public listening session on May 16, 2024 from noon - 2 p.m. CDPHE staff will review the proposed rule changes and the rulemaking process, engage in dialogue with attendees, and listen to any suggestions or concerns about the rules. Registration must be done in advance. The registration can be found on this page.
- Use the online form. CDPHE must receive your comments by May 30, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Feedback submitted at this time is for consideration by CDPHE in drafting the proposed rules and will not be transmitted to the Board of Health.
CDPHE will submit a packet with the proposed rules to the Board of Health to request an official rulemaking hearing on July 17, 2024. If the request is granted, stakeholder engagement and feedback will continue until the rulemaking hearing on September 18, 2024. Refer to the Board of Health webpage for more information about the hearings.
If you have any concerns or questions about the process or the rules, email cdphe_dcphr_rulemaking@state.co.us.
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