Optometry HOME
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 80202Phone: 303-894-7800 | Fax: 303-894-7764 | Email: dora_optometryboard@state.co.us
Board Members:
- Colleen Daywalt, Public Member, President
Public Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2025 - Karen Higashi-Reynolds, O.D., Vice President
Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2026 - Rupa Patel, O.D.
Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2028 - Charles Philpy, O.D.
Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2028 - Rachel DeDeyn, Public Member
Public Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2028 - Katherine Bond, O.D.
Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2029 - Jessica Schuman, O.D.
Optometrist Member | Term Expires: April 15, 2029
- Colleen Daywalt, Public Member, President
- Public Notices
Colorado State Board of Optometry - Requesting Written Stakeholder Comments
What is this about?
The Colorado State Board of Optometry is proposing revisions to Rule 1.28 - CONCERNING HEALTH CARE PROVIDER DISCLOSURES TO CONSUMERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF RECEIVING EMERGENCY OR NONEMERGENCY SERVICES FROM AN OUT-OF-NETWORK PROVIDER and APPENDIX B – YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS. The purpose of the proposed rules is to establish requirements for health-care providers to disclose to covered persons who are utilizing a health benefit plan about the potential of “balance billing” when receiving 1) post-stabilization services or 2) covered non-emergency services from an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility. Please submit written comments to dora_dpo_rulemaking@state.co.
us by July 18, 2025, in order for your comments to be considered before the public rulemaking hearing scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. Written comments will be posted on the website under the "Public Notices" tab as received for all stakeholders to access and review.- Legislative Updates
- Meeting Minutes