(1) (a) An applicant for a license described in section 25-3-101 shall apply to the department of public health and environment annually upon such form and in such manner as prescribed by the department; except that a community residential home shall make application for a license pursuant to section 25.5-10-214, C.R.S.

(b) The department has authority to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses or documents, and take testimony in all matters relating to issuing, denying, limiting, suspending, or revoking a license.

(c) The department shall issue licenses to applicants furnishing satisfactory evidence of fitness to conduct and maintain a health facility described in section 25-3-101 in accordance with this part 1 and the rules adopted by the department. The department shall not require, as satisfactory evidence of fitness, evidence as to whether an applicant has provided self declarations, affidavits, or other attestations as to its general compliance with statutory or regulatory licensing requirements. The department shall determine an applicant's fitness solely based on the specific fitness information or documentation submitted by the applicant upon the department's request or as otherwise acquired by the department through its own review or investigation of the applicant. The department may require the applicant to attest to the accuracy of the information provided as long as the attestation does not require the applicant's affirmation of its general compliance with statutory or regulatory licensing requirements.

(d) The license shall be signed by the president and attested by the secretary of the state board of health and have the state board's seal affixed to the license. The license expires one year from the date of issuance.

(e) (I) For a change of ownership, the department shall conduct a fitness review of a new owner based upon information compiled within the five years preceding the date of the application; except that the new owner shall disclose whether, within the ten years preceding the date of an application, the new owner:

(A) Has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(B) Had a state license or federal certification denied, revoked, or suspended by another jurisdiction;

(C) Had a civil judgment or criminal conviction against the new owner in a case brought by the federal, state, or local authorities that resulted from the operation, management, or ownership of a health facility or other entity related to substandard patient care or health care fraud.

(II) The new owner shall provide the information specified in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (e) to the department regardless of whether action has been stayed during a judicial appeal or otherwise settled between the parties.

(III) The department may review an existing owner of a licensed health facility or entity only when the department has new information not previously available or disclosed that bears on the fitness of the existing owner to operate or maintain a licensed health facility or entity.

(IV) A conversion of the health facility's or entity's legal structure, or the legal structure of an entity that has a direct or indirect ownership interest in the health facility or entity, is not a change of ownership unless the conversion also includes a transfer of at least fifty percent of the licensed facility's direct or indirect ownership interest to one or more new owners.

(2) In the licensing of a community mental health center, acute treatment unit, or clinic, satisfactory evidence that the applicant is in compliance with the standards, rules, and regulations promulgated pursuant to section 27-66-102, C.R.S., shall be required for licensure.

(3) (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of public health and environment shall not issue or renew any license described in section 25-3-101 for a facility covered by section 25-1.5-103 (5) unless the department receives a certificate of compliance for the applicant's building or structure from the division of fire prevention and control in the department of public safety in accordance with part 12 of article 33.5 of title 24, C.R.S.

(b) The department of public health and environment shall take action on an application for licensure within thirty days after the date that the department receives from the applicant all of the necessary information and documentation required for licensure, including a certificate of compliance from the division of fire prevention and control.