CPOW has been working with key stakeholders and the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) to address the key recommendations of the ISDS Steering Committee which was established in 2002 by CDPHE. In addition to the Steering Committee’s key recommendations, CPOW introduced a bill in 2012 that updated the language in the state statute for onsite wastewater treatment systems. CPOW continues to work toward advancing the onsite wastewater treatment system industry and is involved in the current stakeholder group for revision of Regulation 43. In an effort to keep the profession informed on legislative changes, we have included summaries on our Regulatory Updates page.
Regulatory Updates
CDPHE Clean Water: On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems
AUGUST 2023 UPDATE:
Under the OWTS Act, Colorado implements Regulation 43, which governs on-site wastewater treatment systems, or septic systems. Regulation 43 sets minimum standards for how small wastewater treatment systems in Colorado (treating 2,000 gallons of wastewater or less per day) should be sited, designed, constructed, and used. County health departments use these minimum standards to create rules, including permit application requirements, issuing permits, system inspection, and system maintenance.
Starting in August 2023, the Water Quality Control Division will hold meetings to discuss possible changes to Regulation 43. The division is considering the following changes to the regulation:
- Updating references to the most recent versions of technical standards.
- Clarify various sections to state the legal intent more clearly.
- Correcting current cross-referencing errors.
- Clarifying general prohibitions and permitting requirements.
- Expanding or clarifying requirements for flow estimates and required setbacks.
- Updating and/or defining OWTS design requirements.
- Clarifying perceived conflicts within the regulation.
- Updating when higher-level treatment systems are necessary for high-risk areas.
County Regulation Contacts
Below is a list of contacts at the various City, County and State Health Departments. When possible, we have provided the staff person’s name and contact information for onsite wastewater issues. General numbers are listed if the contact is not known.
- CDPHE WQCD Policy WQSA-6 Regarding Multiple OWTS On a Single Property
- Adams County– 303-288-6816 – CONTACT EMAIL
- Alamosa County– Jinger Tilden – 719-589-3812
- Arapahoe County– 303-795-4584 – CONTACT EMAIL
- Archuleta County – San Juan Basin – Brian Devine – 970-335-2030
- Baca County – Kedge Stokke- 719-336-8721 x 220
- Bent County – Calvin Feik – 719-456-2223
- Boulder County– Erin Dodge – edodge@bouldercounty.org – 303-441-1241
- City and County of Broomfield – Mike Solter 720-887-2284
- Chaffee County – Gary Greiner – 719-221-3284
- Cheyenne County – Kelli Adamson – 719-767-5616
- City and County of Denver – Alice Nightengale-Luhan * (720) 865-5431
- City of Aspen and Pitkin County – Kurt Dahl – 970-920-5438
- Clear Creek County – Gary Hage – 303-670-7546
- Conejos County – Linda DeHerrera – 719-376-2014
- Costilla County – Tara Medina – 719-937-7668
- Crowley County – Rick Ritter – 719-383-3045
- Custer County– Jackie Hobby – 719-783-2669
- Delta County– Greg Rajnowski – 970-874-2169
- Dolores County – Margret Daves – 970-677-2383
- Douglas County– 720-643-2400 – CONTACT EMAIL
- Eagle County – 970-328-8755 – CONTACT EMAIL
- El Paso County– Kat McGarvey – 719-578-3131
- Elbert County – Stacey Rinehart – 303-621-3193
- Fremont County – Wyatt Sanders – 719-276-7474
- Garfield County– Anna Cochoran – 970-625-5200 X-8123
- Gilpin County – Alisa Witt – 303-582-5803, ext 7101 – CONTACT EMAIL
- Grand County – Peter Rempel – 970-725-3347 X-168
- Gunnison County– Crystal Lambert – 970-641-7688
- Hinsdale County– Richard Kimball – 970-944-2225, se also San Juan Basin – Brian Devine – 970-335-2030
- Huerfano County – See Las Animas/Huerfano H.D. – Robin Heupel – 719-846-2213 x23
- Jackson County – Samantha Martin – 970-723-4660 – CONTACT EMAIL
- Jefferson County– Mitchell Brown – mlbrown@jeffco.us – 303-271-5767
- Kiowa County – Kedge Stokke- 719-336-8721 x 220
- Kit Carson County – Kelly Alvarez – 719-346-7158 x118
- La Plata County – San Juan Basin – Brian Devine – 970-335-2030
- Lake County – Jackie Littlepage – 719-486-7481
- Larimer County– Chris Manley – 970-498-6784
- Las Animas County Health Department – Robin Heupel – 719-846-2213 x23
- Lincoln County – Kelly Alvarez – 719-346-7158 x118
- Logan County – See NCHD – Mel Bustos – 970-867-4918 x2262
- Mesa County – Darrell Bay – 970-244-1651
- Mineral County– Randy Wood * 719-850-2196
- Moffat County – Marlin Eckhoff – 970-826-2013
- Montezuma County – Cody Sprague – 970-564-4763
- Montrose County – Steven White * 970-252-4550
- Morgan County – See NCHD – Mel Bustos – 970-867-4918 x2262
- Northeast County Health Department (NCHD)- Mel Bustos – 970-867-4918 x2262
- Otero County – Su Korbit – 719-383-4728
- Ouray County – Mark Castrodale – 970-626-9775
- Park County– Sheila Cross – 719-836-4272
- Phillips County – See NCHD – Mel Bustos – 970-867-4918 x2262
- Pitkin County– Kurt Dahl – Kurt.Dahl@co.pitkin.com.us – 970-920-5438
- Prowers County – Kedge Stokke- 719-336-8721 x 220
- Pueblo County– Chad Wolgram – chad.wolgram@co.pueblo.co.us – 719-583-4339
- Rio Blanco County – Ladonna Eubanks – 970-878-9452
- Rio Grande County– Randy Kern – rkern@riograndecounty.org – 719-657-4003
- Routt County – Scott Cowman – 970-870-5401
- Saguache County- Amber Wilson – 719-655-2321
- San Juan County– See San Juan Basin – Brian Devine – 970-335-2030
- San Miguel County – Lisa Garrett – 970-369-5444
- Sedgwick County – See NCHD – Mel Bustos – 970-867-4918 x2262
- Summit County – Dan Hendershott * 970-668-4073
- Teller County – Kent Smith * 719-686-5415
- Washington County – See NCHD – Mel Bustos – 970-867-4918 x2262
- Weld County– Katie Sall – 970-400-2216
- Yuma County – See NCHD– Mel Bustos – 970-867-4918 x2262