Not everyone is aware that on April 22, 2010, painting contractors will be required to be certified in lead-safe painting practices for doing renovation work on certain properties, notably those residences built before 1978.
Although there are exceptions to needing a lead based paint (LBP) certified contractor to perform the work—less than 6 SF of interior, or 20 SF of exterior painting; work in a zone that is LBP free; and renovations done by the homeowner—it is a safe and smart bet to use certified contractors whenever possible.
Additionally, it makes a whole lot of sense to include a clause in your vendor contracts requiring current LBP certification for both your general contractor and her subs.
Contact the Colorado Department of Health and Environment to learn about classes for certification, but in the meantime, you can learn more by reading the exciting statute, or by examining the certification application.