Front Range Painters Urges Colorado Springs Homeowners to Know Lead-Safe Painting Rules

Homeowners in Colorado Springs who plan to repaint older houses may need to account for federal rules before any prep work begins. Front Range Painters, one of several painting companies colorado springs homeowners rely on for residential work, is encouraging owners of homes built before 1978 to understand how those rules work and what to ask before a project starts.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, homes built before 1978 are likely to contain lead-based paint, the year the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-containing paint. That single fact can change how a painting project is planned, staffed and cleaned up.

The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires firms paid to perform projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and preschools to be EPA-certified. It also requires them to use certified renovators and follow lead-safe work practices. The rule applies to common painting prep, including surface preparation that disturbs existing paint. Under the rule, contractors must give occupants the EPA's "Renovate Right" pamphlet before work begins.

The EPA identifies certain practices as prohibited on these projects. These include open-flame burning, using high-speed power sanders or grinders without HEPA exhaust controls, and operating heat guns at 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

"When we look at an older home, the first question isn't the color. It's when the house was built," said Danny Manriquez, owner of Front Range Painters. "That one answer changes how the prep gets done, how the site gets set up and how the cleanup gets handled."

The issue is especially relevant for exterior projects, where years of weather exposure can leave older paint peeling or flaking. Before hiring any of the exterior painters colorado springs has to offer, homeowners can ask whether the firm is EPA-certified and how it plans to contain paint chips and dust. The EPA maintains an online search tool that lists certified renovation firms.

The same questions apply indoors, where colorado springs interior painting projects in older homes often involve window trim, doors and stairways. The rule can also apply when original painted cabinets are sanded or stripped during cabinet painting colorado springs projects in pre-1978 kitchens.

"Most people just want the house to look good again, and that's fair," Manriquez said. "But if you've got an older home, spend two minutes asking your painter about lead before anybody starts scraping. A good contractor will have a straight answer."

Front Range Painters is encouraging homeowners with questions about an older home to review the EPA's guidance and to discuss the home's age with any contractor during the estimate stage. For Colorado Springs, a city with a substantial stock of older housing, the push has implications beyond one company. Contractors that invest in certification and lead-safe practices may gain a competitive edge, while homeowners who ask the right questions can reduce health risks and avoid costly surprises. The broader effect could be a local painting market where compliance with federal lead rules becomes a standard part of doing business, not an afterthought.