Ground Ambulance Services and Licensing

Ground Ambulance Regulations and Licensing in Delta County, Colorado

Per State Law and County regulations, no person shall provide ambulance service publicly or privately in the State of Colorado or Delta County unless that person holds a valid license to do so issued by the Board of County Commissioners for the County in which the ambulance service is based.   Delta County regulates all ground ambulances that are based in Delta County.  For information on air ambulance (helicopter and fixed wing), please see the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's website. 

State of Colorado Regulations 6 CCR 1015-3, Chapter 4 as amended require the Board of County Commissioners in each county adopt rules pertaining to the licensure of Ground Ambulance Services.  Pursuant to these Rules, Delta County established the Delta County Regulations for Licensure of Ambulance Services in Delta County, Colorado (2017-R-005).   CDPHE and the State of Colorado are currently in the development of new Ground Ambulance licensure regulations where CDPHE will take over licensure of  ground ambulance licensure effective June 1, 2024 which is required per Colorado Senate Bill 22-225. 

Delta County Regulations for Ground Ambulance Services 

Pursuant to C.R.S. section 25-3.5-101, et seq. and C.R.S. 30-11-107(1)(q) and Delta County Resolution 2017-R-005 which was adopted by the Delta County Board of County Commissioners on February 6, 2017,  Delta County Emergency Management is responsible for the licensing and inspection of Ground Ambulance Service Agencies in Delta County.  For full information regarding the Delta County regulations on licensing, inspections, insurance requirements, etc., please review the Delta County Ground Ambulance Regulations. 

Application for a Ground Ambulance License and Permit

Ground Ambulance Services who have established a place of business and operations in Delta County, Colorado and wish to be licensed in Delta County must complete and submit the Delta County Ground Ambulance License and Permit Application.  Applications are due to Delta County at least 30 days prior to when you want a license issued or renewed and licenses/permits are valid for one (1) calendar year from the date of issue. 

Please note that the draft application included in the 2017 regulations has been modified and is NOT the currently utilized application.  To receive a Ground Ambulance license and permit application, please email Emergency Management. 

Reciprocity Agreements With Ambulance Agencies Outside of Delta County

Delta County will accept reciprocal licensing of ambulances from other counties in Colorado. If an ambulance service is licensed in their home county where they are based, Delta County will accept that license and will not require the service to re-apply for a license in Delta County unless they plan to open a base of operations in Delta County. Services wishing to open a permanent base of operations in Delta County should consult Delta County Emergency Management to discuss what licensing/permitting requirements will be required. 

Actively Licensed Ground Ambulance Service Agencies in Delta County

The following agencies have been issued Ground Ambulance License and Permits by Delta County, Colorado:

Complaints and Investigations into Ground Ambulance Services 

 Delta County Ground Ambulance regulations require the Delta County Office of Emergency Management manage a complaint and investigation process for all ground ambulance services based in Delta County.  Complaints against an ambulance service based in Delta County or allegations or information about an unlicensed ambulance service and/or vehicles without a valid permit operating within Delta County may be submitted in writing to the Delta County Emergency Manager.   Additionally, the Emergency Manager, the Board of County Commissioners or another County employee may raise a complaint regarding an ambulance service and/or vehicles. 

Complaints may be submitted using the below form, in person by visiting the Emergency Manager at the Delta County Sheriff's Office located at 555 Palmer Street in Delta or by calling and making an appointment at 970-874-2004.  Please note that a complainant shall fully comply with any subsequent investigation into an ambulance service and failure to cooperate shall be considered a withdrawal of the complaint.  If a patient or individual wishes to bring a matter of medical competency to the Board of County Commissioners/Emergency Management against an ambulance service, the individual shall waive the right of patient confidentiality as a condition of complaint submission and subsequent investigation and may be required to sign releases. 

Information on the full complaint process is available in Article IV: Complaints and Investigation within the Delta County Ground Ambulance Regulations.  

Unlawful Practices: Grounds for SUSPENSION or REVOCATION of a Ground Ambulance License

  • Any violation of 6 CCR 1015-3; 
  • Willful and deliberate failure to respond to any call in the absence of good cause shown. 
  • Willful and deliberate failure to transport a patient when required by the nature of injury in the absence of a competent patient denial of emergency care. 
  • Administration of any substances considered a drug or intravenous fluid unless under direct order of a physician, either present or by radio or telephone, except as permitted by protocol. 
  • Administering unnecessary treatment or supplies to a patient for the purpose of increasing the patient's bill. 
  • Charging for treatment or supplies not provided. 
  • Call jumping (which is defined as a response to a call for ambulance service by an ambulance service company with the knowledge that another ambulance service company has been notified to respond to the call or is actually responding to the call). 
  • Non-compliance with any rule or regulation promulgated by the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners. 
  • Conduct which constitutes a significant threat to the health or safety of the individuals receiving emergency care from a licensed ambulance service. Such persons shall be subject to investigation to determine whether the applicant has sufficiently rehabilitated to accept the responsibilities incumbent on a holder of such license. 
  • Failure to deliver a patient to the appropriate emergency facility, medical facility, or medical services provider as set forth in these regulations. 
  • Operation of an ambulance/emergency medical vehicle while under the influence of drug or alcohol. 
  • Requiring any employee of an ambulance service company to be on duty for any one period in excess of forty-eight (48) hours. Volunteer ambulance services are exempt. 
  • Making a false or fraudulent statement on any application for a license or permit issued pursuant to these regulations.