Body art studios will now have to be licensed and inspected to operate in Fremont County following action by the Fremont County Commissioners who met Tuesday as the County Board of Health. The board conducted a public hearing on the body art regulations after taking action at the April meeting to require the licensing of body art studios.
Richie Streate and Darcie Wige, who operate a studio on Main Street in Canon City, said they welcome the regulations to assure customers that they will receive professional body art services operating under sanitary health conditions when they visit a licensed studio. Streate told the commissioners that too often people experiment with needles and ink on their friends, then buy some equipment off the internet, and set up shop. He says they claim to be professionals but have no certified professional training. Streate said too many times people have come to him infected and scarred from a poorly done tattoo.
Fremont County Environmental Health Officer Sid Darden said the local body art regulations come very close to mirroring state regulations. Darden said language was added requiring anyone under age 18 to have a signed parental consent form before getting a tattoo or body piercing.
In addition to adopting a resolution putting the body art regulations into effect on July 1st the commissioners also approved a resolution setting application and inspection fees. It calls for an initial $75 application fee plus $30 an hour for plan review. Annual inspections would cost $150. Darden said the body art studios would be inspected once a year unless a complaint was filed against the establishment.
Darden agreed that a list of licensed body art studios and inspection reports can be published on the county's web site at www.fremontco.com similar to restaurant inspection reports.
Richie Streate and Darcie Wige, who operate a studio on Main Street in Canon City, said they welcome the regulations to assure customers that they will receive professional body art services operating under sanitary health conditions when they visit a licensed studio. Streate told the commissioners that too often people experiment with needles and ink on their friends, then buy some equipment off the internet, and set up shop. He says they claim to be professionals but have no certified professional training. Streate said too many times people have come to him infected and scarred from a poorly done tattoo.
Fremont County Environmental Health Officer Sid Darden said the local body art regulations come very close to mirroring state regulations. Darden said language was added requiring anyone under age 18 to have a signed parental consent form before getting a tattoo or body piercing.
In addition to adopting a resolution putting the body art regulations into effect on July 1st the commissioners also approved a resolution setting application and inspection fees. It calls for an initial $75 application fee plus $30 an hour for plan review. Annual inspections would cost $150. Darden said the body art studios would be inspected once a year unless a complaint was filed against the establishment.
Darden agreed that a list of licensed body art studios and inspection reports can be published on the county's web site at www.fremontco.com similar to restaurant inspection reports.