Colorado § 5-16-115 - License - registration - unlawful acts.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 5-16-115 — License - registration - unlawful acts., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5-16-115. License - registration - unlawful acts.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to:
(a) Conduct the business of a collection agency or advertise or solicit, either in print, by letter, in person, or otherwise, the right to make collection or obtain payment of any debt on behalf of another without having obtained a license under this article 16; or
(b) Conduct the business of a collection agency under any name other than that under which licensed.
(2) It is unlawful for a person to act as a collections manager without having complied with sections 5-16-119 and 5-16-122.
(3) It is unlawful for any person to employ a person as a solicitor, collections manager, or debt collector under this article 16 without complying with this section.
Source: L. 2017: Entire article added with relocations, (HB 17-1238), ch. 260, p. 1092, § 1, effective August 9.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-14-115 as it existed prior to 2017.
ANNOTATION
Unlicensed collection agency is not lawfully entitled to bring suit against the maker of a note. B.C. Inv. Co. v. Throm, 650 P.2d 1333 (Colo. App. 1982) (decided under former law).
A person who collects a debt that is not in default is not a "collection agency". Therefore, a person who purchases a debt before it is in default is not required to be licensed under the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to attempt to collect the debt or bring suit to collect a debt. PurCo Fleet Servs., Inc. v. Koenig, 240 P.3d 435 (Colo. App. 2010), aff'd on other grounds, 2012 CO 56, 285 P.3d 979 (decided under former § 12-14-115).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 5-16-115
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 5-16-115 cover?
Section 5-16-115 ("License - registration - unlawful acts.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 5-16-115?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 5-16-115" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 5-16-115 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.