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Asbestos steps before a Denver demolition or remodel permit

Tearing down a building, in order

1. Inspection by a Colorado-certified asbestos inspector — required for every demolition.
2. Removal of any asbestos above the trigger amounts by a certified contractor, under a state permit, after a 10-working-day notice.
3. State demolition notice to CDPHE — required even if no asbestos was found. Fee: $50 plus $5 for every 1,000 square feet demolished. The 10-day wait is waived if demolition follows a permitted removal and starts within 10 business days of it finishing.
4. Denver demolition permit — Denver says to get state approval before you apply.

How many tear-downs is that a year? See the Denver Tear-Down Tracker, built from the city's own permit data.

Remodeling

Colorado law requires every city's remodel and demolition permit form to ask whether the property was inspected for asbestos. Whether Denver asks for proof of the inspection with a remodel permit is not yet confirmed; check with Denver's permit office.