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Colorado Nursing Homepage

Welcome to the Colorado Nursing Homepage

Program Information

Darcie Magnuson, Acting Program Director

State Board of Nursing
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202

Phone: 303-894-7800  |  Fax: 303-894-2821

Email: dora_nursingboard@state.co.us

Public Notice Information

Colorado Board of Nursing – Permanent Rulemaking Hearing – October 22, 2025

The purpose of this Rulemaking Hearing is for the Board to decide on proposed revisions to Rule 1.11 – RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR APPROVAL OF NURSE AIDE TRAINING PROGRAMS and Rule 1.19 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MULTISTATE NURSE LICENSURE. The purpose of the proposed rule revisions is to incorporate the new Colorado Nurse Aide Skills Exam into the board-approved training programs and to come into compliance with the 2024 Nurse Licensure Compact Program.

Additional Program and Division Information

Regulation History and Board Member Information

Regulation History:

  • 1905: The State Board of Nursing Examiners is created.
  • 1957: The Board of Practice Nursing is created.
  • 1978: The State Board of Nursing Examiners and the Board of Practice Nursing are combined to the State Board of Nursing.

To learn more about the Division History please review the Regulation Dates By Profession pamphlet.

Board Members:

  • Lori Rae Hamilton, MSN, RN, Panel A Board President until June 30, 2026
    Vocational/Practical Nursing Education | Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Karrie Tomlin, DNP, BSN, RN, Panel A Vice President
    Nursing Care Facility | Term Expires: July 1, 2029

Panel A:

  • Lenny Rothermund, LPN, Panel A Chair
    LPN Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2027
  • Kathleen Combs, RN, BSN, Panel A Vice Chair
    Hospital Staff Nurse | Term Expires: July 1, 2027
  • Karen Hinojos
    Public Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Jessica Pettigrew, DNP, RN, APN-CNM, RXN-CNM 
    Certified Nurse Midwife | Term Expires: July 1, 2028
  • Karrie Tomlin, DNP, BSN, RN, Panel A 
    Nursing Care Facility | Term Expires: July 1, 2029

Panel B:

  • Nichele Bratton, LPN.  Panel B Chair
    LPN Member | Term: July 1, 2029
  • Brandy Valdez Murphy, Panel B Vice Chair
    Public Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Phyllis Graham-Dickerson, RN, PhD, APN-CNS
    Professional Nursing Education | Term Expires: July 1, 2027
  • Maricann Harris, MSN, RN, ANP (FNP; PMHNP), RXN-FNP
    Advanced Practice Nursing | Term Expires: July 1, 2029
  • Jordan James Le Blanc, RN, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN
    Nursing Administrator | Term Expires: July 1, 2029
  • Aecian Pendleton, RN
    Home Health | Term Expires: July 1, 2026

Nurse Aide Advisory Committee

  • Danielle C DiValerio, RN Chair
    Home Health | Term Expires: August 31, 2026
  • Jana Mussemann-Moore, Vice Chair
    Public Member | Term Expires: August 31, 2026
  • Mark Chavez
    Public Member | Term Expires: August 31, 2029
  • Katie Julien
    Nursing Facility, CNA Supervisor | Term Expires: April 30, 2028
  • Lyn LaChapelle, LPN
    CDPHE Representative | Term Expires: April 30, 2028
  • Wanda "Victoria" Moul
    CNA Representative | Term Expires: August 31, 2027
  • Apollonia Williams, RN
    Nursing Facility \ Term Expires: April 30, 2028

Legislative Updates

The Division of Professions and Occupations regulates more than 450,000 licensees, certificate holders and registrants. Each year, the General Assembly passes legislation directly impacting those populations. Many bills then require rulemaking or other policy updates by the Division or Boards in order to implement these changes. All relevant bills from the most recent legislative session have been combined onto a single webpage for easy access here. We encourage all licensees to read all bills directly impacting their profession(s). You may access the individual bills and summaries by visiting the link below:

Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations

On June 4, 2024, Governor Polis signed HB24-1004 Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations into law. Under this bill, if an applicant for a registration, certification, or license has a conviction for a crime, a regulator may only consider the applicant’s conviction for a three-year period beginning on the date of conviction or the end of incarceration, if the applicant has not been convicted of any other criminal offense during the three-year period. To learn more about this law and about how it may effect your application, please visit the Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations information webpage.

Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is a statewide program administered by the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) that provides survivors of domestic violence, sexual offenses, and/or stalking with a legal substitute address for interacting with all state and local government agencies. To learn more about the ACP and how it can assist you in your licensure, please visit the Address Confidentiality Program information webpage.

Interested in Board Service?

Board services is an essential need for all Boards within the Division of Professions and Occupations. If you are interested in participating in Board Service or would like more information please complete the Board Service Interest Form and you will join the list of available contacts for substitute board positions.

You may also view the Benefits of Board Service video to learn more.

Rules and Regulations Regarding a Physicians Role in Prescriptive Authority

Physician preceptors and mentors must comply with the full rules on Prescriptive Authority adopted by the Colorado Medical Board. Failure to comply may constitute grounds for disciplinary action.

Summary

  • APN's who wish to obtain Prescriptive Authority are required to:
    • Have national certification.
    • Hold a graduate or post-graduate nursing degree.
    • Complete an 750-hour mentorship. 

Requirements for the 750-hour Mentorship and Physician Mentor

  • Completed within 3 years of Provisional Prescriptive Authority (RXN-P) being granted.
  • Documented in writing and signed by the mentor(s) and RXN-P.
    • Outlines a process and frequency for ongoing interaction and discussion of prescriptive practice throughout the mentorship.
    • The document will be retained for three years after the completion of the mentorship by the APN (RXN-P) and the physician mentor.
  • The mentor shall not require payment or employment as a condition of entering into the mentor relationship.
  • In recognition of the mentor's time and expertise, reasonable fair market expenses may be paid. Compensation will be mutually agreed upon and shall not be onerous or represent a barrier to completion of the mentorship.
  • At the conclusion of the mentorship, the physician will sign an Attestation that the mentorship was completed.