Should You Handle Asbestos Abatement Yourself? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you own a property in Colorado and are considering a renovation that may involve asbestos-containing materials, you might be wondering: Can I handle the abatement myself?

The short answer is yes—but that doesn’t mean you should.

Colorado regulations give property owners the legal option to perform their own asbestos abatement work. You don’t have to hire a licensed abatement contractor as long as you’re doing the work yourself (not hiring an unlicensed third party), and you complete the CDPHE Owner Opt-Out form—available on the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) website.

You must also comply with all relevant safety and disposal requirements. The law gives you the right, but that right comes with responsibility.

While the law permits owner-performed abatement, professionals generally advise against it—and for good reason. Here’s why:

Contamination Risk

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and dangerous when airborne. DIY removal often results in unintentional spread of asbestos dust throughout the home, especially without proper containment and filtration equipment. This puts you, your family, and even future occupants at risk.

Disclosure & Resale Complications

If you ever sell, lease, or rent the property, you’ll be legally required to disclose the asbestos work. Any buyer or tenant will likely ask whether the area was cleaned and inspected correctly—and if not, you could face delays, extra costs, or failed deals.

Waste Handling Rules

Once asbestos-containing material leaves the work area, it becomes regulated waste. You must handle, transport, and dispose of it at an approved facility, following all CDPHE disposal regulations. Failure to do this properly can lead to penalties and environmental liability.

Given the health hazards and legal obligations, hiring a licensed asbestos abatement contractor isn’t just about convenience—it’s about doing the job safely, legally, and in a way that won’t come back to haunt you later.

Professional contractors:

• Use certified containment and filtration systems
• Minimize exposure and contamination risks
• Ensure proper disposal of hazardous materials
• Provide documentation that protects you in future transactions

Just because you can remove asbestos yourself in Colorado doesn’t mean you should. The health risks, legal responsibilities, and potential for future headaches far outweigh the short-term savings. Unless you’re fully trained, equipped, and ready to take on that burden, leave asbestos abatement to the pros.

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