question on tiff files

I have to start a job where I process multimage TIFFs (as well as modca's) and must simply split them up to single image per file output. I've written some small sample code to do that and it seems to work ok. (My output is always TIFF G4)
A new wrinkle crept in on me - I recently learned that if the input TIFF (does not apply to modca) has any color images in it, I must write the output back out as a color image (though I'm not yet sure what TIFF format to use, probably TIF_JPEG_411)
Heres where I have some problems....
I believe I must examine each image to see if ANY of my images contain color so I can switch my output format - am I correct in this thinking?
Or is there some flag I can examine when I first open the file that will tell me if I'm dealing with color or B&W (most of my images are B&W only)

I'm using raster imaging pro and working in C
My current test code looks something like this (for B&W)
=================
            nRet = L_GetDefaultLoadFileOption(&lfo, sizeof(LOADFILEOPTION));
            // For each page: Load Page -> Save Page
            for(int i = 0; i < fi.TotalPages; i++)
            {
                // load each page and write it out
                lfo.PageNumber = i + 1;
                nRet = L_LoadBitmap(szLoadName, &bmp, sizeof(BITMAPHANDLE), 0, 0, &lfo, NULL);
                if(!DisplayError(nRet, "L_LoadBitmap"))
                {
                    // Create FileName and Save Page
                    sprintf(szSaveName, "..\\Outputs\\%s_%d.tif", szLoadName,i);
                    nRet = L_SaveBitmap(szSaveName, &bmp, FILE_CCITT_GROUP4, 1, 0, NULL);
                    DisplayError(nRet, "L_SaveBitmap");
                    // Free Page
                    L_FreeBitmap(&bmp);
                }
            }   
Thanks!

You are correct, if the input TIFF file has a color image then you need to save as a color image to maintain the colors.

You can call L_FileInfo to find out the compression of the input TIFF file.  You can simply save it with this same format to make sure you maintian the color information.  You can also use L_GetBitmapColorCount to find out how many colors the bitmap contains.