Colorado State Board of Optometry
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Welcome to the Optometry Homepage

The State Board of Optometry regulates the practice of optometry in Colorado. The Board does not regulate eye clinics or opticians. Board activities include licensing optometrists, investigating complaints against optometrists and the unlicensed practice of optometry, and enforcing disciplinary actions against violators of the Optometric Practice Act and Board Rules. The Board is made up of seven members: five licensed optometrists and two public members.

Program Information

Program/Board Members

Karen Phelan, Program Director

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

Phone: 303-894-7800  |  Fax: 303-894-7764  |  Email: dora_optometryboard@state.co.us

 

Board Members:

  • Tuesday Nicole Hennessy, O.D., President
    Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2025

  • Kyle Treick, O.D., Vice President
    Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2025

  • Donna Ellinger, O.D.
    Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2024

  • Kerry Jarvis, O.D.
    Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2024

  • Karen Higashi-Reynolds, O.D. 
    Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2026

  • Colleen Daywalt, Public Member
    Public Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2025

  • Carmen Beery, Public Member
    Public Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2024

Public Notices

Emergency Rulemaking Hearing - October 5, 2022

The State Board of Optometry will hold an Emergency Rulemaking Hearing to allow stakeholders a final opportunity to provide testimony before the Board considers adopting the proposed new Rules 1.30 and 1.31, to implement Executive Order D 2022-032 (Directing State Agencies to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care in Colorado); and Executive Order D 2022-034 (Protecting Colorado’s Workforce and Expanding Licensing Opportunities). The Board will consider emergency adoption of Rules 1.30 and 1.31, to comply with the reporting requirements of the Executive Orders.

 

Stakeholder Meeting - September 9, 2022

The State Board of Optometry will hold a virtual Stakeholder Meeting to allow stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback on multiple proposed revisions throughout the Board’s rules to implement Colorado Senate Bill 22-116 (Concerning the ability of an individual to obtain an occupational credential through the occupational credential portability program); Colorado House Bill 22-1233 (Concerning the Continuation of the Regulation of Optometry by the State Board of Optometry, and …, Implementing the Recommendations in the 2021 Sunset Report by the Department of Regulatory Agencies); Colorado House Bill 22-1115 (Concerning the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program); and Colorado House Bill 22-1284 (Concerning updates to state surprise billing laws to facilitate the implementation of surprise billing protections, and aligning state law with the federal "No Surprises Act").

 

Permanent and Emergency Rulemaking Hearing - November 18, 2021

The Colorado State Board of Optometry held an Emergency and Permanent Rulemaking Hearing on November 18, 2021, that allowed stakeholders a final opportunity to provide testimony on the implementation of Colorado House Bill 21-1276 (Concerning the prevention of substance use disorders, and the proposed new Rule 1.29 to implement HB21-1276 - which will be considered for emergency and permanent adoption to comply with the legislative mandate. 

 

Joint Stakeholder Meeting - October 15, 2021

The State Board of Pharmacy, State Board of Nursing, Colorado Medical Board, Colorado Dental Board, Colorado Podiatry Board, State Board of Veterinary Medicine, and State Board of Optometry held a Joint Stakeholder Meeting to gather feedback to identify and create a list of prescription drugs and substances (using evidence-based practices), in addition to controlled substances, that have a substantial potential for abuse and must require pharmacists and prescription drug outlets to report those prescription drugs and substances to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) when dispensed to a patient. The Board is considering the development of new rules to monitor non-controlled prescription drugs/substances, as allowed per section 12-280-404(2)(b)(I), C.R.S., of Colorado Senate Bill 21-098.

 

Joint Stakeholder Meeting - July 23, 2021

The Division of Professions and Occupations held a VIRTUAL Joint Stakeholder Meeting to receive feedback on the implementation of Colorado House Bill 21-1276 (Concerning the prevention of substance use disorders), and subsequent proposed draft rules.

Permanent Rulemaking Hearing - May 20, 2021

The State Board of Optometry held a Permanent Rulemaking Hearing on May 20, 2021, that allowed stakeholders a final opportunity to provide feedback before the Board considered adopting revisions to Rule 1.26 and Appendix A, to correct language in the rule that conflicted with portions of the statute in section 12-30-115, C.R.S., of Colorado Senate Bill 20-102 (Concerning required disclosures to patients regarding formal actions based on sexual misconduct).

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