In Colorado, only a homeowner working on their own primary residence, a single-family home, may remove asbestos without GAC certification, but certain regulations may still apply. In most other cases—especially projects above trigger levels or in public/commercial/school buildings—you need a certified General Abatement Contractor (GAC). Check current CDPHE rules before starting.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals once used in many building materials for heat and fire resistance. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis (lung scarring), lung cancer, and mesothelioma; major health agencies classify all forms as carcinogenic, and there’s no known safe exposure level.

That’s why U.S. rules tightly control disturbance and removal—EPA regulations (e.g., NESHAP) aim to prevent fiber release during renovation/demolition, and OSHA sets strict workplace protections.

In Colorado, the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division enforces state requirements (e.g., Regulation 8, Part B) governing inspections, abatement practices, permitting/notifications, and training/certification.

There are no federal exposure standards for mold; EPA confirms it does not set regulations or limits for airborne mold, and agencies like CDC/OSHA provide guidance rather than numeric thresholds.
Some states license mold professionals and set work standards (for example, Texas and New York).

In Colorado, public health guidance exists (often via local health departments) and landlord-tenant “habitability” laws may apply, but there’s no statewide exposure limit for mold.

For how to do the work properly, the industry follows ANSI/IICRC S500 (water damage restoration) and ANSI/IICRC S520 (professional mold remediation). These standards outline containment, removal, and verification practices to prevent cross-contamination.