C.R.S. § 25-8-101 Short title
25-8-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado Water Quality Control Act".
Water Quality Control
C.R.S. tit. 25, art. 8
in effectC.R.S. § 25-8-102 Legislative declaration
25-8-102. Legislative declaration. (1) In order to foster the health, welfare, and safety of the inhabitants of the state of Colorado and to facilitate the enjoyment and use of the scenic and natural resources of the state, it is declared to be the policy of this state to prevent injury to beneficial uses made of state waters, to maximize the beneficial uses of water, and to develop waters to which Colorado and its citizens are entitled and, within this context, to achieve the maximum practical degree of water quality in the waters of the state consistent with the welfare of the state. It is further declared that pollution of state waters may constitute a menace to public health and welfare, may create public nuisances, may be harmful to wildlife and aquatic life, and may impair beneficial uses of state waters and that the problem of water pollution in this state is closely related to the problem of water pollution in adjoining states.
(2) It is further declared to be the public policy of this state to conserve state waters and to protect, maintain, and improve, where necessary and reasonable, the quality thereof for public water supplies, for protection and propagation of wildlife and aquatic life, for domestic, agricultural, industrial, and recreational uses, and for other beneficial uses, taking into consideration the requirements of such uses; to provide that no pollutant be released into any state waters without first receiving the treatment or other corrective action necessary to reasonably protect the legitimate and beneficial uses of such waters; to provide for the prevention, abatement, and control of new or existing water pollution; and to cooperate with other states and the federal government in carrying out these objectives.
(3) It is further declared that protection of the quality of state waters and the prevention, abatement, and control of water pollution are matters of statewide concern and affected with a public interest, and the provisions of this article are enacted in the exercise of the police powers of this state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.
(4) This article and the agencies authorized under this article shall be the final authority in the administration of water pollution prevention, abatement, and control. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no department or agency of the state, and no municipal corporation, county, or other political subdivision, having jurisdiction over water pollution prevention, abatement, and control, shall issue any authorization for the discharge of pollutants into state waters unless authorized to do so in accordance with this article.
(5) It is further declared that the general assembly intends that this article shall be construed to require the development of a water quality program in which the water quality benefits of the pollution control measures utilized have a reasonable relationship to the economic, environmental, energy, and public health costs and impacts of such measures, and that before any final action is taken, with the exception of any enforcement action, consideration be given to the economic reasonableness of the action. Such consideration shall include evaluation of the benefits derived from achieving the goals of this article and of the economic, environmental, public health, and energy impacts to the public and affected persons.
C.R.S. § 25-8-103 Definitions
25-8-103. Definitions. As used in this article 8, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Agricultural chemical" means any of the following:
(a) A pesticide as defined in section 35-10-103, C.R.S.; or
(b) A commercial fertilizer as defined in section 35-12-103, C.R.S.
(1.1) "Agricultural management area" means a designated geographic area defined by the commissioner of agriculture that includes natural or man-made features where there is a significant risk of contamination or pollution of state waters from agricultural activities conducted at or near the land surface.
(1.2) "Agricultural management plan" means any activity, procedure, or practice adopted as a rule by the commissioner of agriculture pursuant to article 4 of title 24, in consultation with the Colorado cooperative extension service established pursuant to part 7 of article 31 of title 23 and the water quality control division, to prevent or remedy the introduction of agricultural chemicals into state waters to the extent technically and economically practical.
(1.3) "Best management practices" means any voluntary activity, procedure, or practice established by the department of agriculture, in consultation with the Colorado cooperative extension service established pursuant to part 7 of article 31 of title 23 and the water quality control division, to prevent or remedy the introduction of agricultural chemicals into state waters to the extent technically and economically practical.
(1.4) "Biosolids" means the accumulated residual product resulting from a domestic wastewater treatment works or other domestic sources. "Biosolids" does not include grit or screenings from a wastewater treatment works or commercial and industrial septage or on-site wastewater treatment systems regulated by article 10 of this title.
(1.5) "Commission" means the water quality control commission created by section 25-8-201.
(1.7) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture.
(2) "Control regulation" means any regulation promulgated by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-205.
(3) "Discharge of pollutants" means the introduction or addition of a pollutant into state waters.
(4) "Division" means the division of administration of the department of public health and environment.
(5) "Domestic wastewater treatment works" means a system or facility for treating, neutralizing, stabilizing, or disposing of domestic wastewater which system or facility has a designed capacity to receive more than two thousand gallons of domestic wastewater per day. The term "domestic wastewater treatment works" also includes appurtenances to such system or facility, such as outfall sewers and pumping stations, and to equipment related to such appurtenances. The term "domestic wastewater treatment works" does not include industrial wastewater treatment plants or complexes whose primary function is the treatment of industrial wastes, notwithstanding the fact that human wastes generated incidentally to the industrial processes are treated therein.
(6) "Effluent limitation" means any restriction or prohibition established under this article or federal law on quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources into state waters, including, but not limited to, standards of performance for new sources, toxic effluent standards, and schedules of compliance.
(7) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department of public health and environment.
ral law on quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources into state waters, including, but not limited to, standards of performance for new sources, toxic effluent standards, and schedules of compliance.
(7) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department of public health and environment.
(8) "Federal act" means the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act", commonly referred to as the "Clean Water Act".
(8.3) (a) "Graywater" means that portion of wastewater that, before being treated or combined with other wastewater, is collected from fixtures within residential, commercial, or industrial buildings or institutional facilities for the purpose of being put to beneficial uses authorized by the commission in accordance with section 25-8-205 (1)(g); except that graywater use for purposes of scientific research must comply with the requirements of section 25-8-205.3, but need not comply with the commission's control regulations established under section 25-8-205 (1).
(b) Sources of graywater may include discharges from bathroom and laundry room sinks, bathtubs, showers, laundry machines, and other sources authorized by rule. Graywater does not include the wastewater from toilets, urinals, kitchen sinks, dishwashers, or nonlaundry utility sinks. Graywater must be collected in a manner that minimizes household wastes, human excreta, animal or vegetable matter, and chemicals that are hazardous or toxic, as determined by the commission; except that a person may collect, treat, and use graywater in a manner that departs from the commission's control regulations established under section 25-8-205 (1) if the person collects, treats, and uses graywater for purposes of scientific research in accordance with the requirements of section 25-8-205.3.
(8.4) "Graywater treatment works" means an arrangement of devices and structures used to:
(a) Collect graywater from within a building or a facility; and
(b) Treat, neutralize, or stabilize graywater within the same building or facility to the level necessary for its authorized uses.
(8.5) "Industrial discharger" means any entity which introduces pollutants into a domestic wastewater treatment works from any nondomestic source subject to regulation under section 307 (b), (c), or (d) of the federal act.
(9) "Irrigation return flow" means tailwater, tile drainage, or surfaced groundwater flow from irrigated land.
(10) "Issue" or "issuance" means the mailing to all parties of any order, permit, determination, or notice, other than notice by publication, by certified mail to the last address furnished to the agency by the person subject thereto or personal service on such person, and the date of issuance of such order, permit, determination, or notice shall be the date of such mailing or service or such later date as is stated in the order, permit, determination, or notice.
(11) "Municipality" means any regional commission, county, metropolitan district offering sanitation service, sanitation district, water and sanitation district, water conservancy district, metropolitan sewage disposal district, service authority, city and county, city, town, Indian tribe or authorized Indian tribal organization, or any two or more of them which are acting jointly in connection with a sewage treatment works.
(12) "Permit" means a permit issued pursuant to part 5 of this article.
(13) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, state or political subdivision thereof, federal agency, state agency, municipality, commission, or interstate body.
authorized Indian tribal organization, or any two or more of them which are acting jointly in connection with a sewage treatment works.
(12) "Permit" means a permit issued pursuant to part 5 of this article.
(13) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, state or political subdivision thereof, federal agency, state agency, municipality, commission, or interstate body.
(14) "Point source" means any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including, but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged. "Point source" does not include irrigation return flow.
(15) "Pollutant" means dredged spoil, dirt, slurry, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, sewage sludge, garbage, trash, chemical waste, biological nutrient, biological material, radioactive material, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, or any industrial, municipal, or agricultural waste.
(16) "Pollution" means the man-made, man-induced, or natural alteration of the physical, chemical, biological, and radiological integrity of water.
(16.5) "Pretreatment requirement and standard" means any requirement, prohibition, standard, concentration, or effluent limitation described in enforceable pretreatment requirements by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-205 (1)(b), (1)(c), or (1)(d).
(17) "Promulgate" means and includes authority to adopt, and from time to time amend, repeal, modify, publish, and put into effect.
(17.5) "Reclaimed domestic wastewater" means wastewater that has received treatment in accordance with section 25-8-205.7, 25-8-205.8, or 25-8-205.9 and that enables the wastewater to meet the requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations adopted by the commission for subsequent reuses other than drinking.
(18) "Schedule of compliance" means a schedule of remedial measures and times including an enforceable sequence of actions or operations leading to compliance with any control regulation or effluent limitation.
(19) "State waters" means any and all surface and subsurface waters that are contained in or flow in or through this state, including wetlands, but does not include waters in sewage systems, waters in treatment works of disposal systems, waters in potable water distribution systems, and all water withdrawn for use until use and treatment have been completed.
(20) "Water quality standard" means any standard promulgated pursuant to section 25-8-204.
C.R.S. § 25-8-104 Interpretation and construction of water quality provisions
25-8-104. Interpretation and construction of water quality provisions. (1) No provision of this article shall be interpreted so as to supersede, abrogate, or impair rights to divert water and apply water to beneficial uses in accordance with the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of article XVI of the constitution of the state of Colorado, compacts entered into by the state of Colorado, or the provisions of articles 80 to 93 of title 37, C.R.S., or Colorado court determinations with respect to the determination and administration of water rights. Nothing in this article shall be construed, enforced, or applied so as to cause or result in material injury to water rights. The general assembly recognizes that this article may lead to dischargers choosing consumptive types of treatment techniques in order to meet water quality requirements. Under such circumstances, the discharger must comply with all of the applicable provisions of articles 80 to 93 of title 37, C.R.S., and shall be obliged to remedy any material injury to water rights to the extent required under the provisions of articles 80 to 93 of title 37, C.R.S. The question of whether such material injury to water rights exists and the remedy therefor shall be determined by the water court. This section shall not be interpreted so as to prevent the issuance of a permit pursuant to sections 25-8-501 to 25-8-503 which is necessary to protect public health. Nothing in this article shall be construed to allow the commission or the division to require minimum streamflows or minimum water levels in any lakes or impoundments.
(2) The following criteria, in addition to those otherwise prescribed by law, shall apply to any policy, rule-making, adjudicatory, administrative, or executive decision of the water quality control commission or to any judicial decision related thereto:
(a) All state waters shall be presumed to be available for beneficial uses under and in accordance with the constitution and laws of the state; and a water right includes the right to divert as defined in section 37-92-103 (7), C.R.S., the waters of the state for application to beneficial use.
(b) The commission or division shall not require an instream flow for any purpose.
(c) Mixing zones in state waters shall be allowed in accordance with other provisions of this article in calculating the necessary degree of source pollutant control, so long as water rights are not materially injured.
(d) The commission and division shall consult with the state engineer and the water conservation board or their designees before making any decision or adopting any rule or policy which has the potential to cause material injury to water rights.
(e) Underground water may be extracted from state waters in order to treat or remove pollutants from the water extracted; except that any material injury to water rights resulting therefrom shall be remedied as required by law.
(3) The state engineer shall issue well permits pursuant to section 37-90-137 (2), C.R.S., necessary to accomplish the purposes of paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of this section. Well construction shall be in accordance with article 91 of title 37, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 25-8-105 Regional wastewater management plans - amendments
25-8-105. Regional wastewater management plans - amendments. (1) (a) Regional wastewater management plans which include plans known for purposes of the federal act as "208 plans" may be developed by designated planning agencies or by the state for nondesignated areas or for statewide purposes.
(b) Before submitting a proposed plan or amendment to the division, the designated planning agency shall hold a hearing on the proposed plan or amendment.
(c) The division shall consider any proposed plan or amendment developed by the state.
(d) Notice of a hearing to be held pursuant to this subsection (1) shall be given by at least one publication in a newspaper of general distribution in the area of the proposed plan, and actual notice shall be given to anyone requesting such notice. Such notice shall advise of the opportunity for interested persons to appear and submit written or oral comments on the proposed plan or amendment. The agency holding the hearing shall receive and consider all comments submitted on the proposed plan or amendment.
(2) Each regional wastewater management plan and each amendment to such a plan must be either developed or reviewed by the division.
(3) (a) The commission, after notice and hearing, shall approve or reject proposed regional wastewater management plans and amendments thereto. The commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or reject a plan or an amendment developed by a management or planning agency within one hundred eighty days after submittal of the plan or amendment by the management or planning agency to the division. Only those portions of a regional wastewater management plan which are adopted as a regulation by the commission pursuant to section 24-4-103, C.R.S., shall be binding on regulatory decisions, including, but not limited to, site approvals, construction grants, or point or nonpoint source control decisions. Only those plans or portions thereof which are adopted by the commission as regulations shall be binding for purposes of any federal law, regulation, or action.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (3), the commission may delegate to the division the authority to approve, conditionally approve, or reject nonrule-making amendments to regional wastewater management plans. If the commission delegates such authority, the division shall give notice of its decision on an amendment to the commission and to anyone who has requested notice of amendments to the affected plan. Notice of such decision shall also be included on the next commission agenda. Upon a request by any affected person, the commission shall review the division's decision. The decision of the division shall be final within forty-five days after agenda notice of the decision has been given unless review is requested by an affected person.
(4) The governor may certify to the federal environmental protection agency a regional wastewater management plan or an amendment thereto which has been approved by the commission or an amendment thereto which has become final after approval by the division. The governor may designate planning agencies for the purposes of the federal act.
C.R.S. § 25-8-106 Study - organizational placement of water quality control programs
25-8-106. Study - organizational placement of water quality control programs. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 25-8-201 Water quality control commission created
25-8-201. Water quality control commission created. (1) (a) (I) There is created in the department of public health and environment a water quality control commission, which is a type 1 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and which exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department of public health and environment.
(II) The commission consists of nine citizens of the state appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, for terms of three years; except that the terms must be staggered so that no more than five members' terms expire in the same year. Members of the commission must be appointed so as to achieve geographical representation and to reflect the various interests in water in the state. At least two members must reside in that portion of the state that is west of the continental divide. No more than five members of the commission may be affiliated with the same political party.
(III) At least one member of the commission must have agricultural experience, preferably a member with agricultural experience who is also regulated by the division. At least three other members of the commission must be from the community regulated by the division, employed by an entity that is subject to fees set pursuant to this article 8, and, to the extent practicable, employed by an entity that is subject to a different type of fee pursuant to this article 8 than the type of fee that the employers of the other two members are subject.
(IV) A member of the commission must have experience or training in one or more of the following areas:
(A) Science;
(B) Engineering;
(C) Technology;
(D) Industry;
(E) Construction;
(F) Labor;
(G) Agriculture;
(H) Environmental law;
(I) Environmental policy;
(J) Environmental justice;
(K) Municipal water treatment;
(L) Municipal wastewater treatment;
(M) Municipal government; or
(N) County government.
(b) Repealed.
(c) Whenever a vacancy exists, the governor shall appoint a member for the remaining portion of the unexpired term created by the vacancy, subject to confirmation by the senate.
(2) (a) The governor may remove any appointed member of the commission for malfeasance in office, failure to regularly attend meetings, or for any cause that renders such a member incapable or unfit to discharge the duties of his office.
(b) If any member of the commission is absent from two consecutive meetings, the chairman of the commission shall determine whether the cause of such absences was reasonable. If he determines that the cause of the absences was unreasonable, he shall so notify the governor who may remove such member and appoint a qualified person for the unexpired portion of the regular term, subject to confirmation by the senate.
(3) Each member of the commission not otherwise in full-time employment of the state shall receive a per diem which shall be the same amount paid to the general assembly for attendance at interim committees for each day actually and necessarily spent in the discharge of official duties, not to exceed twelve hundred dollars in any one year; and each member shall receive traveling and other necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of his official duties as a member of the commission.
(4) The commission shall select from its own membership a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary. The commission shall keep a record of its proceedings.
(5) The commission shall hold regular public meetings and may hold special meetings on the call of the chairman or vice-chairman at such other times as deemed necessary. Written notice of the time and place of each meeting shall be mailed to each member at least five days in advance.
(6) All members shall have a vote. Two-thirds of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and the concurrence of a majority of the quorum in any matter within its powers and duties shall be required for any determination made by the commission.
C.R.S. § 25-8-202 Duties of commission - rules
25-8-202. Duties of commission - rules. (1) The commission shall develop and maintain a comprehensive and effective program for prevention, control, and abatement of water pollution and for water quality protection throughout the entire state and, to ensure provision of continuously safe drinking water by public water systems, and, in connection therewith, shall:
(a) Classify state waters in accordance with section 25-8-203;
(b) Promulgate water quality standards in accordance with section 25-8-204;
(c) Promulgate control regulations in accordance with section 25-8-205;
(d) Promulgate permit regulations in accordance with sections 25-8-501 to 25-8-504;
(e) Perform duties assigned to the commission in part 7 of this article with respect to the location, design, construction, financing, and operation of domestic wastewater treatment plants;
(f) Review from time to time, at intervals of not more than three years, classification of waters, water quality standards, and control regulations which it has promulgated;
(g) Promulgate rules and adopt priority ranking for the administration of federal and other public source construction loans or grants, and grants from the water quality improvement fund, which the commission or the division administers and which shall not be expended for any purpose other than that for which they were provided;
(h) Advise and consult and cooperate with other agencies of the state, the federal government, and other states, and with groups, political subdivisions, and industries affected by the provisions of this article and the policies or regulations of the commission;
(i) Exercise all incidental powers necessary or proper for carrying out the purposes of this article including the powers to issue and enforce rules and orders;
(i.5) Promulgate rules and regulations to govern the division's certification activities pursuant to section 401 of the federal act;
(j) Perform such other duties as may lawfully be assigned to it by Colorado statutes;
(k) Act as an appellate body to review all determinations by the division except those determinations dealing with surface water discharge permits or portions thereof;
(l) Coordinate with the United States secretary of the interior and the United States secretary of agriculture to develop water quality management plans for federal lands pursuant to 16 U.S.C. sec. 530, 16 U.S.C. sec. 1604, and 43 U.S.C. sec. 1712;
(m) Adopt rules providing minimum standards for the location, construction, performance, installation, alteration, and use of on-site wastewater treatment systems within the state of Colorado, in accordance with section 25-10-104;
(n) Adopt minimum general sanitary standards for drinking water systems in accordance with section 25-1.5-202;
(o) Develop additions or modifications to the drinking water project eligibility list in accordance with section 37-95-107.8, C.R.S.;
(p) Establish, and revise as necessary, a schedule of nonrefundable fees to cover the reasonable costs of implementing a program for the beneficial use of biosolids, in accordance with section 30-20-110.5, C.R.S.; and
systems in accordance with section 25-1.5-202;
(o) Develop additions or modifications to the drinking water project eligibility list in accordance with section 37-95-107.8, C.R.S.;
(p) Establish, and revise as necessary, a schedule of nonrefundable fees to cover the reasonable costs of implementing a program for the beneficial use of biosolids, in accordance with section 30-20-110.5, C.R.S.; and
(q) Hear appeals of penalties imposed pursuant to section 25-1-114.1 (2.5) for a violation of minimum general sanitary standards and regulations for drinking water.
(2) The commission shall have authority to implement the legislative declaration as prescribed in section 25-8-102.
(3) The commission shall hold a public hearing during the month of October of each year in order to hear public comment on water pollution problems within the state, alleged sources of water pollution within this state, and the availability of practical remedies therefor; and at such hearing the commission, administrator, and division personnel shall answer reasonable questions from the public concerning administration and enforcement of the various provisions of this article, as well as rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of this article.
(4) The commission shall employ an administrator and shall delegate to such administrator such duties and responsibilities as it may deem necessary, including acting as a hearing officer for the commission; but no authority shall be delegated to such administrator to promulgate standards or regulations, or to make determinations, or to issue or countermand orders of the commission. Such administrator shall have appropriate practical, educational, and administrative experience related to water quality control and shall be employed pursuant to section 13 of article XII of the state constitution.
(5) Repealed.
(6) The commission is hereby designated as the state water pollution control agency for this state for all purposes of the federal act. The commission shall maintain a program which does not conflict with the provisions of the federal act and is hereby authorized to take all action necessary and appropriate to secure to this state, its municipalities, or intermunicipal or interstate agencies the benefits of said act.
(7) The commission and the division shall recognize water quality responsibilities of the following state agencies, referred to in this subsection (7) as the "implementing agencies": The office of mined land reclamation; the state engineer; the energy and carbon management commission created in section 34-60-104.3 (1); and the state agency responsible for activities related to the federal "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976", 42 U.S.C. sec. 6901 et seq., as amended, and related state programs. Activities subject to the jurisdiction of the implementing agencies that result in discharge to state waters shall be regulated as follows:
(a) The commission shall be solely responsible for the adoption of water quality standards and classifications for state waters affected by such discharges. Except as set forth in paragraph (b) of this subsection (7), such classifications and standards shall be implemented by the implementing agencies, after consultation with the division and the commission, through their own programs. For the purpose of subsection (7), water quality standards and classifications under this section for state waters other than surface waters shall not specify applicable points of compliance, but such points of compliance shall be adopted, in accordance with criteria established through rule-making after public hearing and consultation with the commission and division, by the appropriate agency with jurisdiction as specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (7) so as to protect present and future beneficial uses of water.
ace waters shall not specify applicable points of compliance, but such points of compliance shall be adopted, in accordance with criteria established through rule-making after public hearing and consultation with the commission and division, by the appropriate agency with jurisdiction as specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (7) so as to protect present and future beneficial uses of water.
(b) (I) The division shall be solely responsible for the issuance and enforcement of permits authorizing point source discharges to surface waters of the state affected by such discharges.
(II) Neither the commission nor the division shall require permits for, or otherwise regulate, other activities subject to the jurisdiction of the implementing agencies, unless the commission finds, after notice and public hearing, that:
(A) Such regulation is necessary to assure compliance with the federal act, the provisions of articles 80 to 93 of title 37, C.R.S., or water quality standards and classifications adopted for state waters or to protect present and future beneficial uses of water; or
(B) Such regulation is necessary to avoid the imposition of a disproportionate burden on other dischargers or classes of dischargers to the affected state waters who are subject to the requirements of this article; or
(C) The implementing agency fails to provide reasonable assurance that compliance with this subsection (7) has been obtained through its own programs.
(III) Regulation by the commission under this paragraph (b) shall be undertaken solely through the adoption of control regulations under section 25-8-205, or permit regulations under section 25-8-501, and the division may enforce such regulations as provided in this article.
(c) Nothing in this subsection (7) shall relieve any activity from participation in waste load allocation proceedings under this article or limit the emergency authority of the division pursuant to section 25-8-307.
(d) This subsection (7) is intended to restate and clarify existing law and to provide a procedure for coordination between state agencies which have responsibilities to implement water quality protection of state waters. It is not intended either to grant additional jurisdiction to any agency or to curtail the jurisdiction of any agency to fulfill its statutory responsibilities, including jurisdiction to maintain a program consistent with the requirements of the federal "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976", as amended.
(8) (a) The commission may adopt rules more stringent than corresponding enforceable federal requirements only if it is demonstrated at a public hearing, and the commission finds, based on sound scientific or technical evidence in the record, that state rules more stringent than the corresponding federal requirements are necessary to protect the public health, beneficial use of water, or the environment of the state. Those findings shall be accompanied by a statement of basis and purpose referring to and evaluating the public health and environmental information and studies contained in the record which form the basis for the commission's conclusion.
(b) The existing policies, rules, and regulations of the commission and division shall be applied in conformance with section 25-8-104 and this section.
C.R.S. § 25-8-203 Classification of state waters
25-8-203. Classification of state waters. (1) The commission may classify state waters.
(2) The types of classes shall be determined by regulations and may be based upon or intended to indicate or describe any relevant characteristic, such as:
(a) The existing extent of pollution or the maximum extent of pollution to be tolerated as a goal;
(b) Whether or not pollution arises from natural sources;
(c) Present beneficial uses of the water, or the beneficial uses that may be reasonably expected in the future for which the water is suitable in its present condition, or the beneficial uses for which it is to become suitable as a goal;
(d) The character and uses of the land area bordering the water;
(e) The need to protect the quality of the water for beneficial uses such as domestic, agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses, the protection and propagation of fish and wildlife, recreation, drinking water, or such beneficial uses as the commission deems consistent with the policies of section 25-8-102 and the need to minimize negative impacts on water rights;
(f) The type and character of the water, such as surface or subsurface, lake or stream, together with volume, flow, depth, stream gradient, temperature, surface area involved, and daily or seasonal variability of any of such characteristics. Waters in ditches and other man-made conveyance structures shall not be classified, and water quality standards shall not be applied to them but may be utilized for purposes of discharge permits.
(3) The particular class into which any particular segment of state waters is placed shall be determined by regulation.
C.R.S. § 25-8-204 Water quality standards
25-8-204. Water quality standards. (1) Water quality standards shall be promulgated by the commission by regulations which describe water characteristics or the extent of specifically identified pollutants for state waters.
(2) Water quality standards may be promulgated with respect to any measurable characteristic of water, including, but not limited to:
(a) Toxic substances;
(b) Suspended solids, colloids, and combinations of solids with other suspended substances;
(c) Bacteria, fecal coliform, fungi, viruses, and other biological constituents and characteristics;
(d) Dissolved oxygen, and the extent of oxygen demanding substances;
(e) Phosphates, nitrates, and other dissolved nutrients;
(f) pH and hydrogen compounds;
(g) Chlorine, heavy metals, and other chemical constituents;
(h) Salinity, acidity, and alkalinity;
(i) Trash, refuse, oil and grease, and other foreign material;
(j) Taste, odor, color, and turbidity;
(k) Temperature.
(3) Water quality standards may be promulgated for use in connection with any one or more of the classes of state waters established by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-203 and may be made applicable with respect to any designated portion of state water or to all state waters.
(4) In promulgating water quality standards, the commission shall consider:
(a) The need for standards which regulate specified pollutants;
(b) Such information as may be available to the commission as to the degree to which any particular type of pollutant is subject to treatment; the availability, practicality, and technical and economic feasibility of treatment techniques; the impact of treatment requirements upon water quantity; and the extent to which the discharge to be controlled is significant;
(c) The continuous, intermittent, or seasonal nature of the pollutant to be controlled;
(d) The existing extent of pollution or the maximum extent of pollution to be tolerated as a goal;
(e) Whether the pollutant arises from natural sources;
(f) Beneficial uses of water; and
(g) Such information as may be available to the commission regarding the risk associated with the pollutants including its persistence, degradability, the usual or potential presence of the affected organism in any waters, the importance of the affected organisms, and the nature and extent of the effect of the pollutant on such organisms.
(5) In establishing water quality standards using statistical methodologies or in requiring the use of statistical methodologies for permit or enforcement purposes, statistical methodologies used must be based on assumptions that are compatible with the water quality data.
(6) For the purpose of implementing section 303(c)(2)(B) of the federal act, the commission may adopt numerical water quality standards for toxic pollutants listed pursuant to section 307(a)(1) of the federal act for which criteria have been published under section 304(a) of the federal act, and these standards may be applied in accordance with this article to discharges of pollutants to specified portions or segments of surface waters where such pollutants may be discharged or are present in the affected surface waters and could reasonably be expected to interfere with classified uses. Monitoring requirements for discharges of such pollutants shall be reasonably related to the potential for the presence of such pollutants in the discharge at levels inconsistent with water quality standards and shall be imposed to the maximum extent practical on those responsible for the presence of the pollutants. This subsection (6) does not in any way limit the commission's authority to adopt water quality standards in order to comply with provisions of the federal act.
related to the potential for the presence of such pollutants in the discharge at levels inconsistent with water quality standards and shall be imposed to the maximum extent practical on those responsible for the presence of the pollutants. This subsection (6) does not in any way limit the commission's authority to adopt water quality standards in order to comply with provisions of the federal act.
(7) If, after full application of publicly owned treatment work authority pursuant to section 307(b)(1) of the federal act, stream standards or effluent limitations established pursuant to subsection (6) of this section are exceeded as a result of a discharge from a publicly owned treatment work, the commission, upon request of a publicly owned treatment work, shall conduct a public hearing to investigate the source of pollution causing such exceedance.
C.R.S. § 25-8-205 Control regulations
25-8-205. Control regulations. (1) The commission may promulgate control regulations for the following purposes:
(a) To describe prohibitions, standards, concentrations, and effluent limitations on the extent of specifically identified pollutants, including, but not limited to, those mentioned in section 25-8-204, that any person may discharge into any specified class of state waters;
(b) To describe pretreatment requirements, prohibitions, standards, concentrations, and effluent limitations on wastes any person may discharge into any specified class of state water from any specified type of facility, process, activity, or waste pile including, but not limited to, all types specified in section 306 (b)(1)(A) of the federal act;
(c) To describe precautionary measures, both mandatory and prohibitory, that must be taken by any person owning, operating, conducting, or maintaining any facility, process, activity, or waste pile that does cause or could reasonably be expected to cause pollution of any state waters in violation of control regulations or that does cause the quality of any state waters to be in violation of any applicable water quality standard;
(d) To adopt toxic effluent standards and pretreatment standards for pollutants which interfere with, pass through, or are otherwise incompatible with sewage treatment works;
(e) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(e) is effective until July 1, 2026.] To describe requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations on the use and disposal of biosolids to protect public health and to prevent the discharge of pollutants into state waters, except as authorized by permit. The commission requirements described pursuant to this paragraph (e) shall be no more restrictive than the requirements adopted for solid wastes disposal sites and facilities pursuant to part 1 of article 20 of title 30, C.R.S., except as necessary to be consistent with section 405 of the federal act. Fees shall be established as set forth in section 30-20-110.5, C.R.S., and the commission shall have no authority to levy additional or duplicative fees.
(e) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(e) is effective July 1, 2026.] To describe requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations on the use and disposal of biosolids to protect public health and to prevent the discharge of pollutants into state waters, except as authorized by permit. The commission requirements described pursuant to this subsection (1)(e) must not be more restrictive than the requirements adopted for solid wastes disposal sites and facilities pursuant to part 1 of article 20 of title 30, except as necessary to be consistent with section 405 of the federal act. Fees must be established as set forth in rules adopted by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-210.
(f) In accordance with sections 25-8-205.7, 25-8-205.8, and 25-8-205.9, to describe requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations on the reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater for purposes other than drinking that will protect public health and encourage the reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater;
as set forth in rules adopted by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-210.
(f) In accordance with sections 25-8-205.7, 25-8-205.8, and 25-8-205.9, to describe requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations on the reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater for purposes other than drinking that will protect public health and encourage the reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater;
(g) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(g) is effective until January 1, 2026.] (I) To describe requirements, prohibitions, and standards for the use of graywater for nondrinking purposes, to encourage the use of graywater, and to protect public health and water quality.
(II) Except as authorized in section 25-8-205.3, graywater may be used only in areas where the local city, city and county, or county has adopted an ordinance or resolution approving the use of graywater pursuant to section 30-11-107 (1)(kk) or 31-15-601 (1)(m). The city, city and county, or county that has adopted an ordinance or resolution approving the use of graywater pursuant to section 30-11-107 (1)(kk) or 31-15-601 (1)(m) has exclusive enforcement authority regarding compliance with the ordinance or resolution.
(III) Use of graywater shall be allowed only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decrees, contracts, and well permits applicable to the use of the source water rights or source water and any return flows therefrom, and no use of graywater shall be allowed that would not be allowed under such decrees, contracts, or permits if the graywater ordinance or resolution did not exist.
(IV) A local city, city and county, or county may only authorize the use of graywater in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements.
(g) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1)(g) is effective January 1, 2026.] (I) To describe requirements, prohibitions, and standards for the use of graywater for nondrinking purposes, to encourage the use of graywater, and to protect public health and water quality.
(II) A city, city and county, or county that has adopted an ordinance or resolution regarding the use of graywater pursuant to section 30-11-107 (1)(kk) or 31-15-601 (1)(m) has exclusive enforcement authority regarding compliance with the ordinance or resolution.
(III) Use of graywater is allowed only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decrees, contracts, and well permits applicable to the use of the source water rights or source water and any return flows from the source water, and graywater use shall not be allowed in a manner that is not allowed under such decrees, contracts, or permits.
(h) In accordance with section 25-8-205.1, to establish requirements, prohibitions, and standards for the discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters.
(2) In the formulation of each control regulation, the commission shall consider the following:
(a) The need for regulations that control discharges of specified pollutants that are the subject of water quality standards for the receiving state waters;
(b) The need for regulations that specify treatment requirements for various types of discharges;
(c) The degree to which any particular type of discharge is subject to treatment, the availability, practicality, and technical and economic feasibility of treatment techniques, and the extent to which the discharge to be controlled is significant;
(d) Control requirements promulgated by agencies of the federal government;
(e) The continuous, intermittent, or seasonal nature of the discharge to be controlled;
(f) Whether a regulation that is to be applicable to discharges into flowing water should be written in such a way that the degree of pollution tolerated or treatment required will be dependent upon the volume of flow of the receiving water or the extent to which the discharge is diluted therein, or the capacity of the receiving water to assimilate the discharge; and
e discharge to be controlled;
(f) Whether a regulation that is to be applicable to discharges into flowing water should be written in such a way that the degree of pollution tolerated or treatment required will be dependent upon the volume of flow of the receiving water or the extent to which the discharge is diluted therein, or the capacity of the receiving water to assimilate the discharge; and
(g) The need for specification of safety precautions that should be taken to protect water quality including, but not limited to, requirements for the keeping of logs and other records, requirements to protect subsurface waters in connection with mining and the drilling and operation of wells, and requirements as to settling ponds, holding tanks, and other treatment facilities for water that will or might enter state waters.
(3) Control regulations may be promulgated for use in connection with any one or more of the classes of state waters authorized pursuant to section 25-8-203 and may be made applicable with respect to any designated portion of state waters or to all state waters.
(4) The commission shall coordinate and cooperate with the state engineer, the Colorado water conservation board, the energy and carbon management commission created in section 34-60-104.3 (1), the state board of health, and other state agencies having regulatory powers in order to avoid adopting control regulations that would be either redundant or unnecessary.
(5) The commission shall not adopt control regulations that require agricultural nonpoint source dischargers to utilize treatment techniques that require additional consumptive or evaporative use which would cause material injury to water rights. With regard to nonpoint source water pollution control related to agricultural practices, the commission and division shall pursue incentive, grant, and cooperative programs in preference to the promulgation of control regulations. When interested water conservation districts, water conservancy districts, and conservation districts recommend nonpoint source control activities related to agricultural practices to the division and commission, the division and commission, after consultation with such districts, shall give substantial weight to the recommendations of such districts into the approved program. Except as provided by section 25-8-205.5, control regulations related to agricultural practices shall be promulgated only if incentive, grant, and cooperative programs are determined by the commission to be inadequate and such regulations are necessary to meet state law or the federal act. This subsection (5) does not allocate wasteloads or relieve any source from participation in wasteload allocations determined necessary under any duly promulgated regulations established by the water quality control commission under this section.
(6) The division may issue a variance from a control regulation of general applicability, based upon a determination that the benefits derived from meeting the control regulation do not bear a reasonable relationship to the economic, environmental, or energy impacts or other factors which are particular to the applicant in complying with the control regulation; except that such variance shall be consistent with the purposes of this article including the protection of existing beneficial uses. No variance shall be issued for longer than five years. Variances shall be granted or renewed according to the procedure established in section 25-8-401 (5).
C.R.S. § 25-8-205.1 State waters protection - applicability - program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material - duties of commission and division - applicability and scope of section - legislative declaration - definitions - rules - repeal
25-8-205.1. State waters protection - applicability - program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material - duties of commission and division - applicability and scope of section - legislative declaration - definitions - rules - repeal. (1) Legislative declaration. (a) The general assembly finds that:
(I) On May 25, 2023, the United States supreme court issued an opinion in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, 598 U.S. 651 (2023), that interpreted the types of water resources that are considered to be "waters of the United States", which are subject to federal permitting requirements under section 404 of the federal "Clean Water Act", Pub.L. 92-500, codified at 33 U.S.C. sec. 1251 et seq., as amended, for the discharge of dredged or fill material. The Sackett ruling became immediately effective in Colorado, and the federal environmental protection agency and the United States Army corps of engineers subsequently published new regulations seeking to conform to the Sackett ruling. As a result, federal permitting requirements for the discharge of dredged or fill material no longer apply to certain state waters, including many wetlands.
(II) As of March 2024, Colorado has not had a state program to authorize the discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters and has instead relied on the United States Army corps of engineers section 404 permit program. The new definition of "waters of the United States" under Sackett, which narrows federal jurisdiction in this area, has created a need for a state dredge and fill program. With fewer federal discharge permits being issued by the United States Army corps of engineers following Sackett, many streams, lakes, and wetlands in Colorado are at risk of irreversible harm.
(III) Some projects involving the discharge of dredged or fill material, such as those for flood control; stream restoration; water development; construction or maintenance of underground utilities, roads, transit, rail, and housing; and similar efforts that are no longer regulated by the federal act as a result of Sackett, face regulatory uncertainty unless Colorado develops its own dredge and fill program; and
(IV) The department of public health and environment led stakeholder efforts during 2023 that focused on regulatory options to address the Sackett decision, and the provisions of this section directly reflect the input received during these efforts concerning exempted activities and excluded types of waters.
(b) The general assembly further finds that:
(I) Water is Colorado's most critical natural resource, and safeguarding water quality is of paramount importance for the protection of public health and Colorado's environment;
(II) Colorado's wetlands and seasonal streams play a crucial role in maintaining water quality for drinking water and wildlife habitats, recharging groundwater, controlling floods, and keeping pollution from entering larger bodies of water;
(III) Given the crucial role that wetlands play in protecting Colorado's water resources, it is in the state's interest to expressly include "wetlands" as a category of "state waters" in the definition of that term used in this article 8. This clarification is consistent with and reiterates the department of public health and environment's longstanding recognition through rules and program implementation that wetlands are state waters deserving of protection under this article 8.
(IV) Developing a state dredge and fill program will benefit the entities that wish to engage in dredge and fill projects within Colorado because, without a discharge authorization framework, those projects will be prohibited to the detriment of Colorado's economy and general welfare;
(V) A state dredge and fill program can provide a mechanism for protecting the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of Colorado's water resources while facilitating a strong and prosperous economy; and
dredge and fill projects within Colorado because, without a discharge authorization framework, those projects will be prohibited to the detriment of Colorado's economy and general welfare;
(V) A state dredge and fill program can provide a mechanism for protecting the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of Colorado's water resources while facilitating a strong and prosperous economy; and
(VI) Notwithstanding the narrower scope of waters protected at the federal level after the Sackett decision, the United States Army corps of engineers' section 404 permit program provides a well-established and protective framework upon which Colorado should model its own dredge and fill program.
(c) Now, therefore, the general assembly declares that:
(I) This section is necessary to establish a comprehensive dredge and fill program to protect state waters, no matter how the federal term "waters of the United States" is defined in the future; and
(II) For the purpose of providing clarification concerning the limitations on the scope of Colorado's dredge and fill program going forward, the program established in this section includes:
(A) Express exemptions for certain types of activities that are not subject to dredge and fill program requirements; and
(B) Express exclusions for certain types of waters that may otherwise fall under the definition of "state waters".
(2) Applicability - limitations. Nothing in this section applies to the activities of federally recognized Indian tribes, Indians, their political subdivisions, or tribally controlled affiliates, which activities are undertaken or to be undertaken on lands within the boundaries of an Indian reservation located within the state. Additionally, nothing in this section applies to the activities of third-party non-Indian owners and operators, which activities are undertaken or to be undertaken with respect to reservation waters on Indian trust lands within the boundaries of an Indian reservation located within the state. With regard to privately owned fee land, as defined in section 25-7-1302 (4), within the boundaries of an Indian reservation located within the state, this section applies only to the discharge of dredged or fill materials of persons who are not Indians.
(3) Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Clean Water Policy 17" means the division's Clean Water Policy 17, "Enforcement of Unpermitted Discharges of Dredged and Fill Material into State Waters".
(b) "Compensatory mitigation" means the restoration, reestablishment, rehabilitation, establishment, creation, enhancement, or preservation of state waters for the purpose of offsetting unavoidable adverse impacts that remain after all appropriate and practicable avoidance and minimization has been achieved.
(c) "Consultation" means to give a federal, state, local, or tribal entity the opportunity to provide special expertise to authorization processes and technical groups, act as a cooperating agency, or engage as mutually agreed by the division and the entity.
se of offsetting unavoidable adverse impacts that remain after all appropriate and practicable avoidance and minimization has been achieved.
(c) "Consultation" means to give a federal, state, local, or tribal entity the opportunity to provide special expertise to authorization processes and technical groups, act as a cooperating agency, or engage as mutually agreed by the division and the entity.
(d) (I) "Discharge of dredged or fill material" means, except as described in subsection (3)(d)(II) of this section, any addition of dredged or fill material into, including redeposit of dredged or fill material other than incidental fallback within, state waters. The term includes:
(A) The addition of dredged or fill material to a specified discharge site located in state waters;
(B) Runoff or overflow from a contained land or water disposal area; and
(C) Any addition, including redeposit other than incidental fallback, of dredged or fill material into state waters that is incidental to any activity, including mechanized land clearing, ditching, channelization, or other excavation.
(II) "Discharge of dredged or fill material" does not include:
(A) Discharges of pollutants into state waters resulting from the onshore processing of dredged material that is extracted for any commercial use other than fill, which discharges are subject to section 402 of the federal act, even though the extraction and deposit of such material may require a section 404 permit or an authorization issued pursuant to this section;
(B) Activities that involve only the cutting or removing of vegetation above the ground, such as mowing, rotary cutting, and chainsawing, so long as the activity neither substantially disturbs the vegetation's root system nor involves mechanized pushing, dragging, or other similar activities that redeposit excavated soil material; or
(C) Incidental fallback.
(e) (I) "Discharge of fill material" means, except as described in subsection (3)(e)(II) of this section, the addition of fill material into state waters. The term includes:
(A) Placement of fill material that is necessary for the construction of any structure or infrastructure in state waters;
(B) The building of any structure, infrastructure, or impoundment requiring rock, sand, dirt, or other material for its construction;
(C) Site development fills for recreational, industrial, commercial, residential, or other uses;
(D) Causeways or road fills;
(E) Dams and dikes;
(F) Artificial islands;
(G) Property protection or reclamation devices such as riprap;
(H) Levees;
(I) Placement of fill material for infrastructure such as sewage treatment facilities, intake and outfall pipes associated with power plants, and subaqueous utility lines;
(J) Placement of fill material for construction or maintenance of any liner, berm, or other infrastructure associated with solid waste landfills; and
(K) Placement of overburden, slurry, tailings, or similar mining-related materials.
(II) "Discharge of fill material" does not include:
(A) Plowing, cultivating, seeding, or harvesting for the production of food, fiber, or forest products; or
es;
(J) Placement of fill material for construction or maintenance of any liner, berm, or other infrastructure associated with solid waste landfills; and
(K) Placement of overburden, slurry, tailings, or similar mining-related materials.
(II) "Discharge of fill material" does not include:
(A) Plowing, cultivating, seeding, or harvesting for the production of food, fiber, or forest products; or
(B) Placement of pilings in state waters, unless the placement has or would have the effect of a discharge of fill material. Placement of pilings for linear projects, such as bridges, elevated walkways, and power line structures, generally does not have the effect of a discharge of fill material. Furthermore, placement of pilings in state waters for a pier, a wharf, or an individual house on stilts generally does not have the effect of a discharge of fill material. Examples of activities that would have the effect of a discharge of fill material include projects where the pilings are so closely spaced that sedimentation rates would be increased, projects in which the pilings themselves effectively would replace the bottom of a body of state waters, projects involving the placement of pilings that would reduce the reach or impair the flow or circulation of state waters, and projects involving the placement of pilings that would result in the adverse alteration or elimination of aquatic functions.
(f) "Drainage ditch" means a ditch that is designed for at least the partial purpose of increasing drainage of a particular land area or infrastructure for purposes including agriculture; transportation, including roadside and railroad transportation; mosquito abatement; and stormwater management.
(g) "Dredge and fill activity" means an activity that includes the discharge of dredged or fill material.
(h) "Dredge and fill program" means the regulatory dredge and fill discharge authorization program described by this section, including the rules promulgated by the commission, as administered by the division pursuant to this section.
(i) "Dredged material" means material that is excavated or dredged from state waters.
(j) "Dredged or fill material" means dredged material or fill material.
(k) "Ecological lift" means an improvement in the biological health, as well as the chemical, geomorphic, or hydrologic health, of an area that has been damaged, degraded, or destroyed.
(l) "Fens or peatlands" means wetlands with organic soil that are classified as a histosol in the guidance document titled "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States" published by the federal natural resources conservation service.
(m) (I) "Fill material" means, except as described in subsection (3)(m)(III) of this section, material placed in state waters where the material has the effect of:
(A) Replacing any portion of state waters with upland; or
(B) Changing the bottom elevation of any portion of any state waters.
(II) "Fill material" includes rock, sand, soil, clay, plastics, construction debris, wood chips, overburden from mining or other excavation activities, and materials used to create any structure or infrastructure in state waters.
(III) "Fill material" does not include solid waste.
(n) "Isolated ordinary high watermark reaches" means reaches of state waters with an ordinary high watermark that are bordered upstream and downstream by uplands.
(o) "Isolated ponds and impoundments" means ponds and impoundments that are not within the one-hundred-year floodplain or within one thousand five hundred feet of an ordinary high watermark of other state waters. In the absence of one-hundred-year floodplain mapping by the federal emergency management agency, the one thousand five hundred feet distance criterion applies.
nd downstream by uplands.
(o) "Isolated ponds and impoundments" means ponds and impoundments that are not within the one-hundred-year floodplain or within one thousand five hundred feet of an ordinary high watermark of other state waters. In the absence of one-hundred-year floodplain mapping by the federal emergency management agency, the one thousand five hundred feet distance criterion applies.
(p) "Isolated wetlands" means wetlands wholly surrounded by uplands. "Isolated wetlands" does not include wetlands where any portion of the wetland is within the one-hundred-year floodplain or within one thousand five hundred feet of the ordinary high watermark of other state waters. In the absence of one-hundred-year floodplain mapping by the federal emergency management agency, the one thousand five hundred feet distance criterion applies.
(q) "Kettle ponds" means lakes, ponds, or wetlands located within a formerly glaciated landscape and formed by ice blocks left by a retreating glacier.
(r) "Ordinary high watermark" means that line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics, such as:
(I) A clear, natural line impressed on the bank;
(II) Shelving;
(III) Changes in the character of soil;
(IV) Destruction of terrestrial vegetation;
(V) The presence of litter and debris; or
(VI) Other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding area.
(s) "Section 404 permit" means a permit issued by the United States Army corps of engineers pursuant to section 404 of the federal act. The term includes an individual permit, activities authorized by a nationwide or regional permit, and a letter of permission issued in accordance with regulations of the United States Army corps of engineers.
(t) "State waters" has the meaning set forth in section 25-8-103 (19).
(u) "Upland" means any land area that, under normal circumstances, is not a wetland and does not lie below the ordinary high watermark.
(v) "Wetlands" means areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and for a duration sufficient to support, under normal circumstances, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
(4) Duties of the commission. (a) (I) Rules for state dredge and fill discharge authorization program - definition. The commission shall promulgate rules by December 31, 2025, as necessary to implement a state dredge and fill discharge authorization program. The rules must focus on avoidance and minimization of adverse impacts and on compensation for unavoidable adverse impacts of dredge and fill activity and must incorporate the guidelines developed pursuant to section 404 (b)(1) of the federal act.
(II) The rules promulgated pursuant to subsection (4)(a)(I) of this section must include:
(A) Procedures for the issuance, modification, and termination of individual and general authorizations, including public notice and participation requirements;
(B) The duration of authorizations; except that the duration of an authorization must not exceed five years;
(C) The establishment of authorization fees that will be utilized to implement the program pursuant to section 25-8-210;
(D) Details concerning the division's consultation with federal, state, local, and tribal entities, especially those entities with special expertise with respect to any environmental-, natural resource-, or agriculture-related issue; and
(E) An exemption for voluntary stream restoration efforts in ephemeral streams that do not require compensatory mitigation and are designed solely to provide ecological lift where the activity is taking place. As used in this subsection (4)(a)(I)(E), "ephemeral stream" means a stream channel or a reach of a stream channel that carries flow during, and for a short duration as the direct result of, precipitation events and that has a channel bottom that is always above the groundwater table.
uire compensatory mitigation and are designed solely to provide ecological lift where the activity is taking place. As used in this subsection (4)(a)(I)(E), "ephemeral stream" means a stream channel or a reach of a stream channel that carries flow during, and for a short duration as the direct result of, precipitation events and that has a channel bottom that is always above the groundwater table.
(III) The rules promulgated pursuant to subsection (4)(a)(I) of this section may include:
(A) Further minor clarification of the terminology used to define the exemptions and exclusions in subsections (8)(b) and (8)(d) of this section without limiting or expanding the scope of the exemptions and exclusions; and
(B) A deadline shorter than two years for the division to act upon a complete application for an individual authorization for projects that involve minimal to moderate costs and have minimal water quality impacts or limited potential water quality impacts.
(IV) (A) In promulgating the rules described in subsection (4)(a)(I) of this section, the commission shall ensure that the rules are as protective as the guidelines set forth in section 404 (b)(1) of the federal act and in effect as of May 29, 2024.
(B) If the commission finds, based on a demonstration at a public rulemaking hearing, that the guidelines set forth in section 404 (b)(1) of the federal act are not protecting state waters, the commission shall amend its rules or adopt new rules to protect state waters. Such a hearing may be initiated by the commission upon its own motion or upon a petition from the division. Any interested person may petition to the commission to initiate a hearing, and the commission may grant or deny such a request.
(C) The commission's findings to support any changes to its rules must be based on sound scientific or technical evidence in the record demonstrating that rules more protective than the guidelines set forth in section 404 (b)(1) of the federal act are necessary to protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of state waters. The findings must be accompanied by a statement of basis and purpose referring to and evaluating the information and studies contained in the record, which form the basis for the commission's conclusion.
(b) Rules for individual authorizations. The commission shall promulgate rules by December 31, 2025, concerning individual authorizations for dredge and fill activities. The rules must include:
(I) Application requirements, including:
(A) Project location information;
(B) A project description, including site plans;
(C) An alternatives analysis;
(D) A purpose and need statement;
(E) A description of avoidance and minimization measures;
(F) A projected impacts analysis; and
(G) A compensatory mitigation plan;
(II) A prohibition against the discharge of dredged or fill material where there is a practicable alternative to the proposed discharge that would have less adverse impact on state waters so long as the alternative does not have other significant adverse environmental consequences. Any purpose and need statement, evaluation of alternatives, and impacts analysis developed through the section 404 permitting process shall be used for the purpose of implementing this prohibition. The rules must also include criteria for the division to use to implement the prohibition.
(III) Direction to the division to include conditions in individual authorizations, which conditions are designed to:
(A) Remove or reduce the impact to state waters of a discharge of dredged or fill material;
(B) Protect downstream uses;
(C) Address the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the activity on the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of state waters; and
(D) Ensure that an authorized activity as a whole will comply with all applicable state water quality requirements, either as proposed or as conditioned in the authorization; and
of a discharge of dredged or fill material;
(B) Protect downstream uses;
(C) Address the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the activity on the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of state waters; and
(D) Ensure that an authorized activity as a whole will comply with all applicable state water quality requirements, either as proposed or as conditioned in the authorization; and
(IV) Other individual authorization terms, such as monitoring, record-keeping, and reporting requirements.
(c) Rules for compensatory mitigation. The commission shall promulgate rules by December 31, 2025, to provide details concerning compensatory mitigation requirements, including methods for assuring impacts to wetlands and streams are fully compensated through functional assessments and ratios that can be applied through individual mitigation projects or by applying acre-based ratios using the watershed approach as described by the United States Army corps of engineers.
(5) Duties of the division. The division has the following duties in administering the state dredge and fill discharge authorization program:
(a) Individual authorizations. (I) Upon the commission's promulgation of rules pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, the division shall issue individual authorizations consistent with the rules promulgated by the commission under subsection (4) of this section.
(II) In addition to any compensatory mitigation requirements the division determines are necessary to comply with the commission's rules and subsection (5)(c) of this section, for projects subject to the requirements of section 37-60-122.2 (1)(b), the division shall take into consideration the official state position regarding mitigation for fish and wildlife resources, which position is established pursuant to section 37-60-122.2 (1), and may adopt all or part of such position into individual authorizations as conditions.
(III) The division shall act upon an application for an individual authorization within two years after receiving a complete application. This period may be extended by a written agreement between the division and the applicant. This period may also be extended by the division if there are significant changes to the project that is the subject of the application or if there is significant new information concerning the environmental impacts of the project, in which case the division shall provide notice to the applicant of the extension in writing along with an explanation of the basis for the extension.
(IV) An individual authorization, including all conditions incorporated into the individual authorization, is subject to administrative reconsideration by the commission under section 25-8-403 and then judicial review under section 25-8-404.
(b) General authorizations - categories - definitions. (I) In addition to the division's authority in subsection (5)(b)(III) of this section to issue a statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters, the division shall issue general authorizations for the discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters for categories of activities that are similar in nature and similar in impact on the quality of state waters, cause only minimal adverse impacts to state waters when performed separately, and have only minimal cumulative adverse impacts on state waters. The categories of general authorizations must correspond with the various nationwide and regional permits issued by the United States Army corps of engineers. The division may tailor the terms of certain nationwide or regional permits or create additional general authorizations to achieve greater efficiency and to address Colorado-specific needs, including but not limited to emergency response to wildfire and voluntary ecological restoration and enhancement projects.
us nationwide and regional permits issued by the United States Army corps of engineers. The division may tailor the terms of certain nationwide or regional permits or create additional general authorizations to achieve greater efficiency and to address Colorado-specific needs, including but not limited to emergency response to wildfire and voluntary ecological restoration and enhancement projects.
(II) Beginning January 1, 2025, until the rules described in subsection (4) of this section are promulgated and the division issues general authorizations under the rules, the nationwide and regional general permits issued by the United States Army corps of engineers, as such permits apply to Colorado and subject to subsections (8)(b) and (8)(d) of this section, constitute valid authorizations to discharge dredged or fill material into state waters that are not subject to federal jurisdiction. The division shall recognize compliance with the applicable terms of the nationwide and regional general permits as constituting compliance with this section. Beginning January 1, 2025, an applicant seeking authorization for discharges of dredged or fill material into state waters that are not subject to federal jurisdiction shall submit to the division any preconstruction notification required under the applicable nationwide or regional general permit. If the applicable nationwide or regional general permit requires compensatory mitigation, the applicant shall obtain a temporary authorization from the division pursuant to subsection (6)(a)(II) of this section before the commencement of the activity.
(III) (A) As expeditiously as is prudent and feasible, the division shall issue a statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters. For purposes of this subsection (5)(b)(III), "isolated state waters" are isolated wetlands, isolated ponds and impoundments, and isolated ordinary highwater mark reaches.
(B) The division's statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters does not include the following state waters, which may be isolated state waters: Fens or peatlands or kettle ponds. Discharges of dredged or fill material to these isolated state waters of significance require an authorization by the division as described in subsection (5)(a), (5)(b)(I), or (5)(b)(II) of this section.
(C) The division's statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters must identify best management practices to protect isolated state waters. The statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters must not require preconstruction notification as described in subsection (5)(d) of this section.
(D) The division's statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated waters must not authorize a project where the entire project's unavoidable adverse impacts exceed one-tenth of an acre of wetlands or three-hundredths of an acre of streambed. A project in excess of one of these thresholds requires a permit by the division as described in subsection (5)(a), (5)(b)(I), or (5)(b)(II) of this section.
(E) If the division issues the statewide authorization for discharges to isolated state waters described in this subsection (5)(b)(III) prior to the commission's rule-making described in subsection (4) of this section, the division shall notice the draft general authorization for public comment for sixty days prior to its issuance. The statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters is subject to administrative review by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-403.
(F) The authorization term of the statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters is five years.
on, the division shall notice the draft general authorization for public comment for sixty days prior to its issuance. The statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters is subject to administrative review by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-403.
(F) The authorization term of the statewide general authorization for discharges to isolated state waters is five years.
(IV) General authorizations issued by the division are subject to administrative reconsideration by the commission under section 25-8-403; except that notices of authorization to conduct an activity under a general authorization are not subject to such administrative reconsideration but are subject to judicial review under section 25-8-404.
(c) Compensatory mitigation requirements. (I) The division shall include compensatory mitigation requirements in all individual authorizations and in general authorizations where the division determines that the proposed discharge of dredged or fill material will result in:
(A) Greater than one-tenth of an acre of unavoidable adverse impacts to wetlands; or
(B) Greater than three-hundredths of an acre of unavoidable impacts to streams.
(II) Compensatory mitigation must compensate for all functions of state waters that will be lost as a result of the authorized activity. Compensatory mitigation may be accomplished through the purchase of mitigation bank credits, an in-lieu fee program, or permittee-responsible mitigation.
(d) Preconstruction notifications. The division shall utilize the existing structure of preconstruction notifications in the nationwide and regional permits issued by the United States Army corps of engineers, including general authorizations for categories of activities that do not require preconstruction notification. Where preconstruction notification is required by a general authorization before the commencement of an activity, the project proponent must provide at least thirty calendar days of preconstruction notice to the division unless a shorter notice is allowed under the terms of the applicable general authorization. After providing such preconstruction notification, the project proponent may commence the activity if:
(I) The division issues to the project proponent a notice of authorization in writing that the project proponent may commence the activity; or
(II) Forty-five calendar days elapse without the division providing the project proponent a notice of written objection to the activity or providing a notice that the division has determined the notification is incomplete, the activity does not meet the criteria for the category of activities covered by the general authorization, or the activity will not comply with all applicable federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements. A notice of written objection provided to a project proponent by the division must state the basis of the division's objections with specificity, is subject to direct judicial review under section 25-8-404, and is not subject to administrative reconsideration under section 25-8-403.
(e) Notices of authorization. The division may issue notices of authorization, where appropriate, to memorialize coverage under a general authorization. The division may include conditions in notices of authorization, on a case-by-case basis, to clarify the terms and conditions of a general authorization or to ensure that the activity will have only minimal individual and cumulative adverse impacts on state waters.
horization. The division may issue notices of authorization, where appropriate, to memorialize coverage under a general authorization. The division may include conditions in notices of authorization, on a case-by-case basis, to clarify the terms and conditions of a general authorization or to ensure that the activity will have only minimal individual and cumulative adverse impacts on state waters.
(f) Administrative guidance. The division may establish guidance to assist in administering the dredge and fill discharge authorization program. Additionally, the division may rely upon relevant guidance from the federal environmental protection agency and the United States Army corps of engineers, including technical guidance and environmental analyses under the federal "National Environmental Policy Act of 1969", 42 U.S.C. sec. 4231 et seq., as amended, in administering the program, to the extent such guidance is consistent with this section and the commission's rules.
(g) Western slope staff. The division may, to the extent resources allow, establish one or more staff positions in the western slope region of the state to assist with dredge and fill program administration in that geographic area.
(6) Transition - repeal. (a) Until the rules promulgated by the commission pursuant to subsection (4) of this section become effective and the division issues general authorizations under the rules:
(I) Notwithstanding subsection (8)(a) of this section, Clean Water Policy 17 continues in effect until January 1, 2025;
(II) For activities that do not qualify for enforcement discretion under Clean Water Policy 17 because the activities would require compensatory mitigation, and for activities that proceed under a federal nationwide or regional permit pursuant to subsection (5)(b)(II) of this section and that require compensatory mitigation, the division may issue temporary authorizations for the discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters:
(A) Where any required compensatory mitigation is associated only with streams and not wetlands and would result in net increases in the functions and services of state waters; or
(B) Where the applicant shows proof of purchase of mitigation bank credits that meet or exceed the compensatory mitigation requirements that would have been applicable under the federal nationwide or regional permit; and
(III) Temporary authorizations must include conditions necessary to protect the public health and the environment and to meet the intent of this section. The division may issue a temporary authorization for a period not to exceed two years, and a temporary authorization expires as provided in the issuance or denial of the final notice of authorization. The final notice of authorization must include such terms and conditions, including those for compensatory mitigation, as are necessary to address discharges that occurred under the temporary authorization.
(b) This subsection (6) is repealed, effective September 1, 2026.
(7) Relationship to section 25-8-104. The rules promulgated pursuant to this section are subject to, and do not amend or limit, the restrictions described in section 25-8-104.
(8) Applicability and scope of dredge and fill discharge authorization program - prohibitions on discharge without an authorization - definitions. (a) Except when conducting an exempted activity described in subsection (8)(b) of this section or when discharging into an excluded type of water described in subsection (8)(d) of this section, a person shall not discharge dredged or fill material into state waters without first obtaining coverage under a general authorization or an individual authorization for the discharge.
zation - definitions. (a) Except when conducting an exempted activity described in subsection (8)(b) of this section or when discharging into an excluded type of water described in subsection (8)(d) of this section, a person shall not discharge dredged or fill material into state waters without first obtaining coverage under a general authorization or an individual authorization for the discharge.
(b) The following activities are exempt from the requirements of this section and do not require a discharge authorization:
(I) Activities in receipt of an active section 404 permit that was issued prior to May 25, 2023;
(II) Activities in receipt of an approved jurisdictional determination issued by the United States Army corps of engineers prior to May 25, 2023, finding that the state waters into which the proposed discharge of dredged or fill material will occur are not waters of the United States unless there has been a significant hydrological change since the determination was issued;
(III) Activities in receipt of an active section 404 permit that was issued on or after May 25, 2023, except to the extent that the project area of the section 404 permit involves a discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters that have been determined by the United States Army corps of engineers to not be waters of the United States under the section 404 permit and are not otherwise excluded under this section;
(IV) Activities associated with a project for which the project proponent applied for an individual section 404 permit prior to May 25, 2023;
(V) Normal farming, silviculture, and ranching activities, such as plowing; seeding; cultivating; minor drainage; application of on-farm chemicals; harvesting for the production of food, fiber, and forest products; or upland soil and water conservation practices. As used in this subsection (8)(b)(V), "upland soil and water conservation practices" means any discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters incidental to soil and water conservation practices for the purpose of improving, maintaining, or restoring uplands, including rangeland management practices, erosion control practices, and vegetation management practices.
(VI) Maintenance, including emergency reconstruction of recently damaged parts, of currently serviceable structures, such as dikes, dams, levees, lagoons, groins, riprap, breakwaters, causeways, bridge abutments or approaches, and transportation structures. Maintenance also includes minor deviations in a structure's configuration or filled area to accommodate changes in materials, construction techniques, regulatory requirements, or construction codes or safety standards.
(VII) Construction or maintenance of farm ponds, stock ponds, farm lagoons, springs, recharge facilities located in uplands, and irrigation ditches or acequias, or maintenance of a drainage ditch, roadside ditch, or a ditch or canal conveying wastewater or water. Construction of new work or to extend, expand, or relocate an irrigation ditch or acequia for municipal or industrial purposes is not an exempt activity. As used in this subsection (8)(b)(VII):
(A) "Construction" includes new work and work that results in an extension or expansion of an existing structure, and the construction of irrigation ditches or acequias includes activities such as placement of new control structures, ditch relocation, ditch conversion into pipe, and lining, which means placing impervious material such as concrete, clay, or geotextile within the flow perimeter of an open canal, lateral, or ditch with the intent of reducing seepage losses and improving conveyance efficiency. All new lining of ditches, in instances where the ditch has not previously been lined, is considered construction.
ctures, ditch relocation, ditch conversion into pipe, and lining, which means placing impervious material such as concrete, clay, or geotextile within the flow perimeter of an open canal, lateral, or ditch with the intent of reducing seepage losses and improving conveyance efficiency. All new lining of ditches, in instances where the ditch has not previously been lined, is considered construction.
(B) "Irrigation ditch or acequia" includes a human-made feature or a maintained natural feature if use of the maintained natural feature existed on January 1, 2024, and an upland swale that moves or conveys water to an ultimate irrigation use or place of use, or moves or conveys irrigation water, also known as "runoff", away from irrigated lands. "Irrigation ditch or acequia" may include a distribution system or its parts, including human-made canals, laterals, ditches, siphons, pumps, headgates, wing walls, weirs, diversion structures, pipes, pump systems, return structures, and such other facilities appurtenant to and functionally related to irrigation ditches. If a ditch carries water that is used for irrigation, irrigation return flows or return flow obligations, aquifer recharge, aquifer or stream augmentation or replacement, or precipitation or snowmelt that moves from an irrigated field either to or away from an area subject to being irrigated, that ditch is considered an irrigation ditch and not a drainage ditch.
(C) "Maintenance" means maintenance pertaining to a human-made structure, such as a farm pond, stock pond, or maintained spring, or a maintained natural feature conveying water for irrigation or wildlife purpose if use of the maintained natural feature existed as of January 1, 2024; maintenance pertaining to a drainage ditch, a roadside ditch, or a ditch or canal conveying wastewater or water for irrigation or for municipal purposes, domestic purposes, industrial purposes, commercial purposes, augmentation, recharge, wildlife, recreation, compact compliance, or any other purpose; and maintenance pertaining to repairs to an existing structure or feature to keep it in its existing state or proper condition or to preserve it from failure or decline. Such maintenance includes excavation of accumulated sediments back to original contours; reshaping of side-slopes; bank stabilization to prevent erosion where reasonably necessary using best management practices and, for maintenance of drainage ditches, materials that are compatible with existing bank materials; armoring, lining, and piping for the purpose of repairing a previously armored, lined, or piped section of a ditch so long as all work occurs within the footprint of the previous work; and replacement of existing control structures where the original function is not changed and original approximate capacity is not increased.
(VIII) Construction of temporary sedimentation basins on a construction site, which construction does not include placement of fill material into state waters;
(IX) Construction or maintenance of farm roads or forest roads or temporary roads for moving wildfire and post-fire mitigation equipment and related materials or mining equipment where such roads are constructed and maintained, in accordance with best management practices, to assure that flow and circulation patterns and chemical and biological characteristics of the state waters are not impaired, that the reach of the state waters is not reduced, and that any adverse impacts on the state waters will be otherwise minimized;
(X) Activities for the purpose of providing emergency response to, preventative mitigation of, or recovery from damage caused by a fire, a flood, or other natural disaster so long as the activity is conducted in a manner that minimizes the loss of state waters to the extent practicable and in accordance with best management practices that do not interfere with efforts to address the underlying emergency;
ivities for the purpose of providing emergency response to, preventative mitigation of, or recovery from damage caused by a fire, a flood, or other natural disaster so long as the activity is conducted in a manner that minimizes the loss of state waters to the extent practicable and in accordance with best management practices that do not interfere with efforts to address the underlying emergency;
(XI) Maintenance of water reuse facilities, wastewater reclamation facilities, water management facilities, water treatment facilities, or wastewater water treatment facilities. Such maintenance includes reconstruction due to recent damage or maintenance of currently serviceable structures, such as pumps, control systems, weirs, gates, clarifiers, solids handling, filters, sedimentation basins, treatment ponds and lagoons, and related features, which maintenance activities keep the facility in its existing state or proper condition to preserve it from failure or decline.
(XII) Maintenance activities in off-channel reservoirs that do not directly affect a connected natural stream. Such maintenance includes emergency reconstruction due to recent damage; maintenance of currently serviceable structures such as spillways, outlet structures, gates, pumps, and control systems; and reshaping of side slopes, bank stabilization, or dredging, which maintenance activities keep an off-channel reservoir in its existing state or proper condition and to preserve it from failure or decline.
(XIII) Wildlife habitat management activities, including seeding, cultivating, minor drainage, vegetation management, irrigating, water management, and maintenance of ditches, dikes, embankments, impoundments, water control features, and other water conveyance features that are human-made or maintained or that occur naturally to support wildlife habitat. "Wildlife habitat management" means activities that occur on land managed primarily for wetland or riparian habitats to support wetland and riparian species and does not include activities that are incidental to land used for residential, industrial, or commercial purposes.
(c) Recapture provision - rules. Consistent with section 404 (f)(2) of the federal act, any discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters incidental to any activity that brings an area of the state waters into a use to which it was not previously subject, where the flow or circulation of state waters may be impaired or where the reach of such waters may be reduced, is not included within the exempted activities described in subsection (8)(b) of this section. The commission may further clarify the effect of this subsection (8)(c) through rule-making.
(d) Excluded types of waters - definitions. Notwithstanding the definition of "state waters" provided in section 25-8-103 (19), an authorization is not required for the discharge of dredged or fill material into the following types of waters, and such a discharge is not otherwise prohibited or regulated under this section:
(I) All portions of ditches and canals that are excavated on upland and that convey water or wastewater;
(II) Storm water control features that are constructed to convey, treat, or store storm water and that are created in upland;
(III) Artificially irrigated areas that would revert to uplands if irrigation ceased;
(IV) Artificial lakes, lagoons, or ponds that are created entirely by excavating or diking upland to collect and retain water and that are used exclusively for stock watering, irrigation, settling basins, or rice growing;
(V) Wetlands that are adjacent to a ditch or canal and supported by water in the adjacent ditch or canal;
(VI) Recharge facilities, including ponds, included in uplands for the purpose of facilitating recharge of aquifers or streams;
(VII) Artificial reflecting or swimming pools or other small ornamental bodies of water created by excavating or diking upland to retain water for primarily aesthetic reasons;
s that are adjacent to a ditch or canal and supported by water in the adjacent ditch or canal;
(VI) Recharge facilities, including ponds, included in uplands for the purpose of facilitating recharge of aquifers or streams;
(VII) Artificial reflecting or swimming pools or other small ornamental bodies of water created by excavating or diking upland to retain water for primarily aesthetic reasons;
(VIII) Water-filled depressions created in uplands incidental to mining or construction activity and pits excavated in uplands for the purpose of obtaining fill, sand, or gravel unless and until the construction or excavation operation is abandoned and the resulting water feature is state waters;
(IX) Swales and erosional features, such as gullies, small washes, and rills, that do not contain wetlands or an ordinary high watermark;
(X) Groundwater. As used in this subsection (8)(d)(X), "groundwater" means subsurface waters in a zone of saturation that are or can be brought to the surface of the ground or to surface waters through wells, springs, seeps, or other discharge areas. "Groundwater" does not include wetlands.
(XI) Prior converted cropland. As used in this subsection (8)(d)(XI), "prior converted cropland" means any area that, prior to December 23, 1985, was drained or otherwise manipulated for agricultural purposes, which includes land use that makes the production of an agricultural product possible, including grazing and haying. Cropland that is left idle or fallow for conservation or agricultural purposes for any period of time remains in agricultural use and, if the cropland otherwise qualifies under this subsection (8)(d)(XI), is prior converted cropland. The commission and the division shall recognize designations of prior converted cropland made by the United States secretary of agriculture. An area is no longer considered prior converted cropland if the area is abandoned and has reverted to wetlands. Abandonment occurs when prior converted cropland is not used for, or in support of, agricultural purposes at least once in the immediately preceding five years. The division shall determine whether prior converted cropland has been abandoned, subject to appeal to the commission.
(9) For the 2024-25 state fiscal year and for each state fiscal year thereafter, if the total number of authorizations issued pursuant to subsection (5) of this section exceeds or is projected by the department of public health and environment to exceed one hundred ten authorizations, the department of public health and environment shall seek a supplemental appropriation from the general assembly to pay the costs of processing the authorizations and to ensure that authorizations are processed in a timely manner.
C.R.S. § 25-8-205.3 Exemption from control regulations for graywater research - definition - repeal
25-8-205.3. Exemption from control regulations for graywater research - definition - repeal. (1) Subject to the conditions set forth in subsection (2) of this section, a water utility, an institution of higher education in Colorado, or a public or private entity that a water utility or an institution of higher education in Colorado contracts with to conduct graywater research on the utility's or institution's behalf may collect, treat, and use graywater in a manner that departs from the requirements of the commission's control regulations, as promulgated pursuant to section 25-8-205 (1)(g), for the purpose of conducting scientific research on the collection, treatment, and use of graywater.
(2) A person collecting, treating, or using graywater pursuant to this section:
(a) Shall collect and use the graywater in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decrees, contracts, and well permits applicable to the use of the source water rights or source water and any return flows;
(b) Shall utilize a graywater treatment works system that incorporates a secondary water supply, such as a municipal water supply, to provide an alternative source of water if any portion of the system does not function properly; however, this subsection (2)(b) does not apply to scientific research involving the use of graywater exclusively for irrigation purposes;
(c) (I) May collect, treat, and use the graywater in an area that is not within the jurisdiction of any city, city and county, or county that has adopted an ordinance or resolution authorizing graywater use pursuant to section 25-8-205 (1)(g)(II);
(II) This subsection (2)(c) is repealed, effective January 1, 2026.
(d) May use the graywater for a nonpotable beneficial use including irrigation or toilet flushing if such use is tied to the purpose of the person's scientific research;
(e) Must comply with 45 CFR 46 and other applicable statutes and regulations for scientific research involving human exposure to graywater; and
(f) On an annual basis, shall report to the water resources and agriculture review committee, created in section 37-98-102, the results of periodic monitoring of the project conducted to assess:
(I) The functioning of the graywater treatment works system used to collect graywater; and
(II) For scientific research involving human exposure, the project's continued compliance with the requirements of the federal department of health and human services' regulations concerning the protection of human research subjects, codified in 45 CFR 46.
(3) Only an institution of higher education or a person contracting with an institution of higher education may collect, treat, and use graywater for research involving human exposure.
(4) As used in this section, "scientific research involving human exposure" means a research study in which:
(a) Empirical data is collected and analyzed about collection, treatment, or use of graywater; and
(b) Humans participate as subjects in the study.
C.R.S. § 25-8-205.4 Statewide authorization of graywater use - local government notice required to opt out
25-8-205.4. Statewide authorization of graywater use - local government notice required to opt out. [Editor's note: This section is effective January 1, 2026.] (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person may install graywater treatment works and use graywater in accordance with section 25-8-205 (1)(g) and rules adopted pursuant to section 25-8-205 (1)(g).
(2) (a) A board of county commissioners or governing body of a municipality may adopt a resolution or an ordinance pursuant to section 30-11-107 (1)(kk) or 31-15-601 (1)(m):
(I) Prohibiting the installation of graywater treatment works and the use of all graywater in the county or municipality; or
(II) Prohibiting one or more categories of graywater use that the commission establishes in rules adopted pursuant to section 25-8-205 (1)(g).
(b) A board of county commissioners or governing body of a municipality that adopts a resolution or an ordinance pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section shall notify the division that the board of county commissioners or governing body of a municipality prohibits the use of all graywater or prohibits certain categories of graywater use in the county or municipality.
(c) A board of county commissioners or governing body of a municipality that has not prohibited the installation of graywater treatment works pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section, prior to installation of any graywater treatment works, continues to be responsible for adopting building codes that prevent graywater from entering a potable water system and for reporting to the local water utility the planned installation of graywater systems that require backflow prevention cross-connection control devices under the commission's rules for the purpose of surveying and tracking such devices. For each location within a local government's jurisdiction at which graywater treatment works have been installed, the building department of the local government shall provide the address of the location to each water utility serving that location.
(3) A board of county commissioners or governing body of a municipality that sends a notice pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section may subsequently adopt a resolution pursuant to section 30-11-107 (1)(kk) or an ordinance pursuant to section 31-15-601 (1)(m) to authorize the installation of graywater treatment works and the use of graywater or to authorize categories of graywater use previously prohibited. A board or governing body that subsequently authorizes the use of graywater pursuant to this subsection (3) shall promptly notify the division of the subsequent authorization.
(4) Unless a board of county commissioners or governing body of a municipality adopts a resolution or an ordinance to the contrary, a person may install indoor graywater treatment works pursuant to subsection (1) of this section only in new construction projects.
(5) Nothing in this section requires the public disclosure of confidential information related to water rights, water supply, or water facilities.
C.R.S. § 25-8-205.5 Pollution from agricultural chemicals - rules
25-8-205.5. Pollution from agricultural chemicals - rules. (1) Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby declares that the public policy of this state is to protect state waters and the environment from impairment or degradation due to the improper use of agricultural chemicals while allowing for their proper and correct use, in particular, to provide for the management of agricultural chemicals to prevent, minimize, and mitigate their presence in state waters and to provide for the education and training of agricultural chemical applicators and the general public regarding the protection of state waters, agricultural chemical use, and the use of other agricultural methods.
(2) Repealed.
(3) Powers and duties of the commissioner of agriculture. (a) The commissioner of agriculture shall identify agricultural management areas in the state.
(b) The commissioner shall promulgate rules for the following:
(I) Facilities for the storage of pesticides in bulk, except for facilities storing pesticides used for water treatment at public water systems, which are systems used to provide the public with piped water for human consumption, and domestic wastewater treatment works;
(II) Mixing and loading areas where any of the following are handled in any one-year period:
(A) Five hundred gallons or more, in the aggregate, of formulated product or combination of formulated products of liquid pesticides;
(B) Three thousand pounds or more, in the aggregate, of formulated product or combination of formulated products of dry pesticides;
(C) One thousand five hundred pounds or more, in the aggregate, of active ingredients of pesticides;
(III) Storage facilities where any liquid fertilizer is stored in any container or series of interconnected containers having a capacity greater than five thousand gallons;
(IV) Storage facilities where fifty-five thousand pounds or more, in the aggregate, of formulated product or combination of formulated products of bulk dry fertilizer are stored;
(V) Mixing and loading areas at any storage facility subject to the provisions of this section.
(b.1) No rule promulgated pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) shall apply to any field mixing and loading of agricultural chemicals.
(b.2) Every rule promulgated pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) shall include a three-year phase-in period after promulgation of the rule for persons subject to the rule.
(b.3) Pursuant to paragraph (h) of this subsection (3), the commissioner is authorized to enforce rules promulgated pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3).
(c) The commissioner may, in his discretion, develop best management practices for any other activity relating to the use of any agricultural chemical.
(d) If the commissioner determines that the use of best management practices is ineffective or insufficient to prevent or mitigate the pollution of state waters, the commissioner may require, by rule adopted pursuant to article 4 of title 24, the use of agricultural management plans.
(e) The commissioner is authorized to adopt, pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., any other reasonable rules and regulations for the administration and implementation of this section.
(f) The commissioner is authorized to enter into an agreement with the Colorado cooperative extension service to provide training and education as specified in subsection (4) of this section.
(g) The commissioner shall perform the monitoring specified in subsection (5) of this section. The commissioner shall enter into an agreement with the department of public health and environment to assist in the identification of agricultural management areas and to perform analysis, interpretation, and reporting of state waters monitoring data supplied by the commissioner.
n (4) of this section.
(g) The commissioner shall perform the monitoring specified in subsection (5) of this section. The commissioner shall enter into an agreement with the department of public health and environment to assist in the identification of agricultural management areas and to perform analysis, interpretation, and reporting of state waters monitoring data supplied by the commissioner.
(h) With respect to any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) only, the commissioner shall have the following investigation and enforcement powers:
(I) At any reasonable time during regular business hours, the commissioner shall have free and unimpeded access upon consent or upon obtaining an administrative search warrant:
(A) To all areas, buildings, yards, warehouses, and storage facilities in which any agricultural chemicals are kept, stored, handled, processed, or transported; and
(B) To all records, if any, required to be kept and to make copies of such records.
(II) The commissioner shall have full authority to administer oaths and take statements, to issue administrative subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses before him and the production of all books, memoranda, papers, and other documents, articles, or instruments, and to compel the disclosure by such witnesses of all facts known to them relative to the matters under investigation. Upon the failure or refusal of any witness to obey any subpoena, the commissioner may petition the district court, and, upon a proper showing, the court may enter an order compelling the witness to appear and testify or produce documentary evidence. Failure to obey such an order of the court shall be punishable as a contempt of court.
(III) Any complaints of record made to the commissioner and the results of his investigations may, in the discretion of the commissioner, be closed to public inspection, except as provided by court order, during the investigatory period and until dismissed or until notice of hearing and charges are served on any such person subject to a rule or regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3).
(IV) (A) Whenever the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) has occurred and immediate enforcement is deemed necessary, he may issue a cease-and-desist order, which may require any person to cease violating any such rule or regulation. Such cease-and-desist order shall set forth the rule or regulation alleged to have been violated, the facts alleged to have constituted the violation, and the requirement that all actions be ceased forthwith.
(B) At any time after the date of the service of the order to cease and desist, the person may request a hearing on the question of whether or not such violation has occurred. Such hearing shall be concluded in not more than ten days after such request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and any legal holidays, and shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(C) In the event that any person fails to comply with a cease-and-desist order within twenty-four hours, the commissioner may bring a suit for a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief to prevent any further or continued violation of such order.
(D) No stay of a cease-and-desist order shall be issued before a hearing thereon involving both parties.
(E) Matters brought before a court pursuant to this section shall have preference over other matters on the court's calendar.
enty-four hours, the commissioner may bring a suit for a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief to prevent any further or continued violation of such order.
(D) No stay of a cease-and-desist order shall be issued before a hearing thereon involving both parties.
(E) Matters brought before a court pursuant to this section shall have preference over other matters on the court's calendar.
(V) Whenever the commissioner possesses evidence satisfactory to him that any person has engaged in or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), he may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to temporarily or permanently restrain or enjoin the act or practice in question and to enforce compliance with the rule or regulation. In any such action, the commissioner shall not be required to plead or prove irreparable injury or the inadequacy of the remedy at law. Under no circumstances shall the court require the commissioner to post a bond.
(VI) (A) Any person who violates any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) is subject to a civil penalty, as determined by the commissioner. The maximum penalty shall not exceed one thousand dollars per violation. Each day the violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation.
(B) No civil penalty may be imposed unless the person charged is given notice and opportunity for a hearing pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(C) If the commissioner is unable to collect such civil penalty or if any person fails to pay all or a set portion of the civil penalty as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner may recover such amount plus costs and attorney fees by action in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(D) Before imposing any civil penalty, the commissioner may consider the effect of such penalty on the ability of the person charged to stay in business.
(4) Training and education. The Colorado cooperative extension service, acting in cooperation with the commissioner of agriculture and pursuant to any contract authorized in paragraph (f) of subsection (3) of this section, shall disseminate information and provide training regarding agricultural management areas, best management practices, and agricultural management plans.
(5) Monitoring. Pursuant to the commissioner's duties as set forth in any contract authorized in subsection (3)(g) of this section, the commissioner shall identify agricultural management areas and shall conduct monitoring programs to determine:
(a) The presence of any agricultural chemical in state waters at a level that meets or exceeds any water quality standard applicable under this article 8 or that has a reasonable likelihood of meeting or exceeding any such standard; or
(b) The likelihood that an agricultural chemical will enter the state waters, based upon the existence of sufficient, valid scientific data that reasonably predict the behavior of a particular agricultural chemical in the soil.
(6) Reporting of monitoring results - regulation. (a) If the division determines that any agricultural chemical exists at a level which meets or exceeds any water quality standard or which has a reasonable likelihood of meeting or exceeding any such standard, it shall so notify the commissioner of agriculture and shall provide him with any written reports it deems necessary or desirable to define the extent of such occurrence. When the commissioner has been notified of such an occurrence related to an agricultural chemical which is registered as a pesticide, he shall take reasonable steps to notify the registrant of any such pesticide. When the commissioner has been notified of such an occurrence related to any other agricultural chemical, he shall take reasonable steps to notify the distributors of such chemical in the area affected by such occurrence.
ified of such an occurrence related to an agricultural chemical which is registered as a pesticide, he shall take reasonable steps to notify the registrant of any such pesticide. When the commissioner has been notified of such an occurrence related to any other agricultural chemical, he shall take reasonable steps to notify the distributors of such chemical in the area affected by such occurrence.
(b) Unless such occurrence is determined by the commissioner of agriculture and the water quality control commission to require a control regulation as set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection (6), the commissioner of agriculture may promulgate rules and regulations regarding the use of any agricultural chemical giving rise to the occurrence.
(c) If continued monitoring reveals that rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section are not preventing or mitigating the presence of the subject agricultural chemical to the extent necessary, the commissioner of agriculture and the water quality control commission shall confer and determine whether an amendment to such rules and regulations may be sufficient to prevent or mitigate the occurrence to the extent necessary. Only if the commissioner of agriculture and the water quality control commission determine that such rules and regulations have been or will be insufficient to meet the requirements of state law or the federal act shall the occurrence be referred to the water quality control commission for the promulgation of a control regulation. In the event that the commissioner of agriculture and the water quality control commission fail to agree on such a determination, the authority of the water quality control commission shall be final.
(7) Promulgation of control regulations. (a) With respect to the regulation of pollutants from agricultural chemicals, the water quality control commission is authorized to promulgate control regulations only when:
(I) Any occurrence has been referred to the commission pursuant to subsection (6) of this section; or
(II) Incentive, grant, and cooperative programs are determined by the water quality control commission to be inadequate as set forth in section 25-8-205 (5).
(b) Any such control regulations shall be promulgated in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture.
(8) Groundwater protection fund - transfer of moneys to the plant health, pest control, and environmental protection cash fund - fees. The fees as specified and collected pursuant to sections 35-9-118 (3)(a) and 35-12-106 (1), C.R.S., and any civil fines imposed pursuant to subparagraph (VI) of paragraph (h) of subsection (3) of this section shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the plant health, pest control, and environmental protection cash fund created in section 35-1-106.3, C.R.S. Within sixty days after July 1, 2009, the unexpended and unencumbered balance of the groundwater protection fund, as that fund existed prior to July 1, 2009, shall be transferred to the plant health, pest control, and environmental protection cash fund.
(9) Repealed.
C.R.S. § 25-8-205.7 Control regulations for reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater - food crops - definitions - rules
25-8-205.7. Control regulations for reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater - food crops - definitions - rules. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Category 1 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and total suspended solids standards promulgated by the commission for category 1 water.
(b) "Category 2 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with filtration and disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and turbidity standards promulgated by the commission for category 2 water.
(c) "Category 3 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with filtration and disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and turbidity standards promulgated by the commission for category 3 water.
(d) "E. coli" means the Escherichia coli bacteria that are found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals.
(e) (I) "Food crop" means a crop produced for direct human consumption or a tree that produces nuts or fruit intended for direct human consumption.
(II) "Food crop" does not include a crop produced for animal consumption only; except that a crop produced where lactating dairy animals forage is a food crop.
(f) "Point of compliance" means a point, as identified by the person that treats the water, in the reclaimed domestic wastewater treatment process or the reclaimed domestic wastewater transportation process, that occurs after all treatment has been completed but before dilution and blending of the water has occurred.
(2) Reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used as follows:
(a) In compliance with the category 1 standard, for:
(I) Evaporative industrial processes;
(II) Nonevaporative industrial processes;
(III) Nondischarging construction and road maintenance;
(IV) Landscape irrigation at sites with restricted access;
(V) Zoo operations;
(VI) Nonfood crops; and
(VII) Silviculture;
(b) In compliance with the category 2 standard, for:
(I) All of the uses for which reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used in compliance with the category 1 standard;
(II) Washwater applications;
(III) Landscape irrigation at sites without restricted access;
(IV) Commercial laundries;
(V) Automated vehicle washing;
(VI) Manual, nonpublic vehicle washing;
(VII) Nonresidential fire protection; and
(VIII) If used in accordance with subsection (4) of this section, irrigation of food crops for commercial use;
e used in compliance with the category 1 standard;
(II) Washwater applications;
(III) Landscape irrigation at sites without restricted access;
(IV) Commercial laundries;
(V) Automated vehicle washing;
(VI) Manual, nonpublic vehicle washing;
(VII) Nonresidential fire protection; and
(VIII) If used in accordance with subsection (4) of this section, irrigation of food crops for commercial use;
(c) In compliance with the category 3 standard, for:
(I) All of the uses for which reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used in compliance with the category 1 standard and the category 2 standard;
(II) Landscape irrigation at sites that are controlled by residents;
(III) Residential fire protection; and
(IV) If used in accordance with subsection (3) of this section, irrigation of food crops for noncommercial use.
(3) All reclaimed domestic wastewater systems must be compliant with and installed in accordance with article 155 of title 12 and any rules promulgated pursuant to that article.
(4) In addition to complying with the category 2 standard pursuant to subsection (2)(b)(VIII) of this section or the category 3 standard pursuant to subsection (2)(c)(IV) of this section and regardless of whether the use is for food crops produced for commercial use or noncommercial use, reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used for irrigation of food crops only if the use meets the water quality standards for commercial crops set forth in the federal "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act", Pub.L. 111-353, as amended. In promulgating rules for the category 2 and category 3 standards at the point of compliance for use of reclaimed domestic wastewater for irrigation of food crops, the commission shall not promulgate any rule that is more stringent than the relevant standards set forth in the federal "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act", Pub.L. 111-353, as amended.
(5) (a) On or before December 31, 2019, the commission may promulgate rules in accordance with this section.
(b) In promulgating rules in accordance with this section, the commission:
(I) May create new categories of water quality standards beyond the three categories set forth in this section; and
(II) May recategorize any of the uses set forth in subsection (2) of this section to a less stringent category of water quality standard.
(c) The commission, by rule, may authorize additional uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater for any of the categories of water quality standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section or may create a new category of water quality standard for one or more additional uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater.
(d) The commission may promulgate rules more stringent than the standards and categories set forth in subsection (2) of this section only if the commission:
(I) Determines that the standards and categories set forth in subsection (2) of this section are not protective of public health; and
(II) Identifies:
(A) A documented incident of microbial disease that the commission determines has a reasonable potential to affect public health and for which the commission has identified as likely originating from reclaimed domestic wastewater; or
(B) A peer-reviewed published article that identifies a potential public health risk posed by the use of reclaimed domestic wastewater under the standards established in subsection (2) of this section.
(6) Following a public stakeholders process, the water quality control division may develop policy, guidance, or best management practices that are consistent with this section, as the division deems necessary to implement this section.
hat identifies a potential public health risk posed by the use of reclaimed domestic wastewater under the standards established in subsection (2) of this section.
(6) Following a public stakeholders process, the water quality control division may develop policy, guidance, or best management practices that are consistent with this section, as the division deems necessary to implement this section.
(7) In addition to the relief available under section 25-8-205 (6), the division may grant a user of reclaimed domestic wastewater a variance from the water quality standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section or established by rule by the commission pursuant to subsection (5) of this section if the user demonstrates to the division's satisfaction that the proposed usage of reclaimed domestic wastewater will sufficiently protect public health and the environment.
(8) Use of reclaimed domestic wastewater is allowed only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decrees, contracts, and well permits applicable to the use of the source water rights or source water and any return flows therefrom.
C.R.S. § 25-8-205.8 Control regulations for reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater - toilet flushing - definitions - rules
25-8-205.8. Control regulations for reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater - toilet flushing - definitions - rules. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Category 1 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and total suspended solids standards promulgated by the commission for category 1 water.
(b) "Category 2 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with filtration and disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and turbidity standards promulgated by the commission for category 2 water.
(c) "Category 3 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with filtration and disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and turbidity standards promulgated by the commission for category 3 water.
(d) "E. coli" means the Escherichia coli bacteria that are found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals.
(e) (I) "Food crop" means a crop produced for direct human consumption or a tree that produces nuts or fruit intended for direct human consumption.
(II) "Food crop" does not include a crop produced for animal consumption only; except that a crop produced where lactating dairy animals forage is a food crop.
(f) "Point of compliance" means, except as provided in subsection (1.5) of this section, a point, as identified by the person that treats the water, in the reclaimed domestic wastewater treatment process or the reclaimed domestic wastewater transportation process, that occurs after all treatment has been completed but before dilution and blending of the water has occurred.
(1.5) With regard to reclaimed domestic wastewater used for indoor nonpotable uses within a building where the general public can access the plumbing fixtures that are used to deliver the reclaimed domestic wastewater, the commission may promulgate rules to require a point of compliance for disinfection residual, which rules must:
(a) Be based on a determination that the additional point of compliance would protect public health; and
(b) Establish a point of compliance for disinfection residual at a single location between where reclaimed domestic wastewater is delivered to the occupied premises and before the water is distributed for use in the occupied premises.
(2) Reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used as follows:
(a) In compliance with the category 1 standard, for:
(I) Evaporative industrial processes;
(II) Nonevaporative industrial processes;
(III) Nondischarging construction and road maintenance;
(IV) Landscape irrigation at sites with restricted access;
(V) Zoo operations;
(VI) Irrigation of crops that are not food crops; and
(VII) Silviculture;
(b) In compliance with the category 2 standard, for:
(I) All of the uses for which reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used in compliance with the category 1 standard;
(II) Washwater applications;
(III) Landscape irrigation at sites without restricted access;
(IV) Commercial laundries;
(V) Automated vehicle washing;
(VI) Manual, nonpublic vehicle washing; and
(VII) Nonresidential fire protection;
compliance with the category 2 standard, for:
(I) All of the uses for which reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used in compliance with the category 1 standard;
(II) Washwater applications;
(III) Landscape irrigation at sites without restricted access;
(IV) Commercial laundries;
(V) Automated vehicle washing;
(VI) Manual, nonpublic vehicle washing; and
(VII) Nonresidential fire protection;
(c) In compliance with the category 3 standard, for:
(I) All of the uses for which reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used in compliance with the category 1 standard and the category 2 standard;
(II) Landscape irrigation at sites that are controlled by residents;
(III) Residential fire protection; and
(IV) Toilet and urinal flushing in:
(A) Multifamily residential structures, only if the toilet and urinal installations are conducted in accordance with article 155 of title 12 and rules promulgated pursuant to that article. Any toilet or urinal installation must conform to article 155 of title 12 and rules promulgated pursuant to that article.
(B) Nonresidential structures, only if the toilet and urinal installations are conducted in accordance with article 155 of title 12 and rules promulgated pursuant to that article. Any toilet or urinal installation must conform to article 155 of title 12 and rules promulgated pursuant to that article.
(3) (a) (I) On or before December 31, 2019, and except as provided in subsection (3)(a)(II) of this section, the commission may promulgate rules in accordance with this section.
(II) Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a)(I) of this section, the state plumbing board shall promulgate rules governing the installation and inspection of toilet and urinal systems and structures for which reclaimed domestic wastewater is used pursuant to subsection (2)(c)(IV) of this section.
(b) In promulgating rules in accordance with this section, the commission:
(I) May create new categories of water quality standards beyond the three categories set forth in this section; and
(II) May recategorize any of the uses set forth in subsection (2) of this section to a less stringent category of water quality standard.
(c) The commission, by rule, may authorize additional uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater for any of the categories of water quality standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section or may create a new category of water quality standard for one or more additional uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater.
(d) The commission may promulgate rules more stringent than the standards and categories set forth in subsection (2) of this section only if the commission:
(I) Determines that the standards and categories set forth in subsection (2) of this section are not protective of public health; and
(II) Identifies:
(A) A documented incident of microbial disease that the commission determines has a reasonable potential to affect public health and for which the commission has identified as likely originating from reclaimed domestic wastewater; or
(B) A peer-reviewed published article that identifies a potential public health risk posed by the use of reclaimed domestic wastewater under the standards established in subsection (2) of this section.
(4) Following a public stakeholders process, the water quality control division may develop policy, guidance, or best management practices that are consistent with this section, as the division deems necessary to implement this section.
(5) In addition to the relief available under section 25-8-205 (6), the division may grant a user of reclaimed domestic wastewater a variance from the water quality standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section or established by rule by the commission pursuant to subsection (3) of this section if the user demonstrates to the division's satisfaction that the proposed usage of reclaimed domestic wastewater will sufficiently protect public health and the environment.
sion may grant a user of reclaimed domestic wastewater a variance from the water quality standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section or established by rule by the commission pursuant to subsection (3) of this section if the user demonstrates to the division's satisfaction that the proposed usage of reclaimed domestic wastewater will sufficiently protect public health and the environment.
(6) Use of reclaimed domestic wastewater is allowed only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decrees, contracts, and well permits applicable to the use of the source water rights or source water and any return flows therefrom.
C.R.S. § 25-8-205.9 Control regulations for reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater - industrial hemp - definitions - rules
25-8-205.9. Control regulations for reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater - industrial hemp - definitions - rules. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Category 1 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and total suspended solids standards promulgated by the commission for category 1 water.
(b) "Category 2 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with filtration and disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and turbidity standards promulgated by the commission for category 2 water.
(c) "Category 3 standard" means a water quality standard for reclaimed domestic wastewater:
(I) Requiring, at a minimum, that the water has received secondary treatment with filtration and disinfection; and
(II) For which, at the point of compliance, the water meets the E. coli and turbidity standards promulgated by the commission for category 3 water.
(d) "E. coli" means the Escherichia coli bacteria that are found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals.
(e) (I) "Food crop" means a crop produced for direct human consumption or a tree that produces nuts or fruit intended for direct human consumption.
(II) "Food crop" does not include a crop produced for animal consumption only; except that a crop produced where lactating dairy animals forage is a food crop.
(f) "Industrial hemp" has the same meaning as set forth in section 35-61-101 (7).
(g) "Point of compliance" means a point, as identified by the person that treats the water, in the reclaimed domestic wastewater treatment process or the reclaimed domestic wastewater transportation process, that occurs after all treatment has been completed but before dilution and blending of the water has occurred.
(2) Reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used as follows:
(a) In compliance with the category 1 standard, for:
(I) Evaporative industrial processes;
(II) Nonevaporative industrial processes;
(III) Nondischarging construction and road maintenance;
(IV) Landscape irrigation at sites with restricted access;
(V) Zoo operations;
(VI) When not used as a food crop, irrigation of industrial hemp or another crop; and
(VII) Silviculture;
(b) In compliance with the category 2 standard, for:
(I) All of the uses for which reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used in compliance with the category 1 standard;
(II) Washwater applications;
(III) Landscape irrigation at sites without restricted access;
(IV) Commercial laundries;
(V) Automated vehicle washing;
(VI) Manual, nonpublic vehicle washing; and
(VII) Nonresidential fire protection;
(c) In compliance with the category 3 standard, for:
(I) All of the uses for which reclaimed domestic wastewater may be used in compliance with the category 1 standard and the category 2 standard;
(II) Landscape irrigation at sites that are controlled by residents; and
(III) Residential fire protection.
(3) All reclaimed domestic wastewater systems must be compliant with and installed in accordance with article 155 of title 12 and any rules promulgated pursuant to that article.
(4) (a) On or before December 31, 2019, the commission may promulgate rules in accordance with this section.
(b) In promulgating rules in accordance with this section, the commission:
(I) May create new categories of water quality standards beyond the three categories set forth in this section; and
(II) May recategorize any of the uses set forth in subsection (2) of this section to a less stringent category of water quality standard.
the commission may promulgate rules in accordance with this section.
(b) In promulgating rules in accordance with this section, the commission:
(I) May create new categories of water quality standards beyond the three categories set forth in this section; and
(II) May recategorize any of the uses set forth in subsection (2) of this section to a less stringent category of water quality standard.
(c) The commission, by rule, may authorize additional uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater for any of the categories of water quality standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section or may create a new category of water quality standard for one or more additional uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater.
(d) The commission may promulgate rules more stringent than the standards and categories set forth in subsection (2) of this section only if the commission:
(I) Determines that the standards and categories set forth in subsection (2) of this section are not protective of public health; and
(II) Identifies:
(A) A documented incident of microbial disease that the commission determines has a reasonable potential to affect public health and for which the commission has identified as likely originating from reclaimed domestic wastewater; or
(B) A peer-reviewed published article that identifies a potential public health risk posed by the use of reclaimed domestic wastewater under the standards established in subsection (2) of this section.
(5) Following a public stakeholders process, the water quality control division may develop policy, guidance, or best management practices that are consistent with this section, as the division deems necessary to implement this section.
(6) In addition to the relief available under section 25-8-205 (6), the division may grant a user of reclaimed domestic wastewater a variance from the water quality standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section or established by rule by the commission pursuant to subsection (4) of this section if the user demonstrates to the division's satisfaction that the proposed usage of reclaimed domestic wastewater will sufficiently protect public health and the environment.
(7) Use of reclaimed domestic wastewater is allowed only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decrees, contracts, and well permits applicable to the use of the source water rights or source water and any return flows therefrom.
C.R.S. § 25-8-206 Prior acts validated
25-8-206. Prior acts validated. (1) All acts, hearings, orders, rules, regulations, and standards adopted by the water pollution control commission as constituted and empowered by the laws of this state prior to July 6, 1973, which were valid prior to said date, shall be deemed and held to be legal and valid in all respects, as though issued by the commission under the authority of this article, and no provision of this article shall be construed to repeal or in any way invalidate any actions, orders, rules, regulations, or water quality standards adopted by said commission prior to said date.
(2) All acts, hearings, orders, rules, regulations, and standards adopted by the water quality control commission as constituted and empowered by the laws of this state prior to July 1, 1981, which were valid prior to said date, shall be deemed and held to be legal and valid in all respects, as though issued by the commission under the authority of this article, and no provision of this article shall be construed to repeal or in any way invalidate any actions, orders, rules, regulations, or water quality standards adopted by said commission prior to said date.
(3) All acts, orders, and rules adopted by the state board of health under the authority of part 2 of article 1.5 of this title, part 1 of article 10 of this title, and section 30-20-110.5, C.R.S., prior to July 1, 2006, that were valid prior to said date and not otherwise subject to judicial review shall, to the extent that they are not inconsistent with said provisions, be deemed and held to be legal and valid in all respects, as though issued by the commission under the authority of such provisions of law. No provision of this article shall be construed to validate any actions, orders, or rules that were not valid when adopted by the board of health prior to such date.
C.R.S. § 25-8-207 Review of classifications and standards
25-8-207. Review of classifications and standards. (1) The commission, upon petition or upon its own motion, shall review, pursuant to section 24-4-103, C.R.S., any classification, standard, designation, or regulation adopted pursuant to sections 25-8-203, 25-8-204, and 25-8-209 for consistency with this subsection (1) and consistency with the policies set forth in sections 25-8-102 and 25-8-104. Rule-making hearings on petitions filed under this subsection (1) shall be held expeditiously with respect to such classifications, standards, designations, or regulations adopted prior to July 1, 1992. The commission shall make a finding of inconsistency where:
(a) Use classifications and water quality standards for aquatic life are more stringent than is necessary to protect fish life, shellfish life, and wildlife in water body segments which are reasonably capable of sustaining such fish life, shellfish life, and wildlife from the standpoint of physical, streambed, flow, habitat, climatic, and other pertinent characteristics;
(b) Any use classifications or water quality standards were adopted based upon material assumptions that were in error or no longer apply; or
(c) Any designation does not conform with the provisions of section 25-8-209.
(2) Where the commission determines that an inconsistency exists, it shall declare the inconsistent classifications or standards void ab initio and shall simultaneously establish appropriate classifications or standards.
C.R.S. § 25-8-208 Emergency rule-making
25-8-208. Emergency rule-making. In addition to all other powers of the commission, the commission, pursuant to section 24-4-103 (6), C.R.S., shall have the authority to conduct emergency rule-making for the purpose of adopting an interim standard to apply for a specified period of time in place of an existing water quality standard. The commission shall hold emergency rule-making hearings to consider the adoption of such an interim standard whenever it finds, in its discretion, that the petitioner requesting such rule-making has established exigent circumstances which warrant the emergency action.
C.R.S. § 25-8-209 Water quality designations - rules
25-8-209. Water quality designations - rules. (1) The commission may adopt the following water quality designations:
(a) Outstanding waters;
(b) Use-protected waters.
(2) The commission shall promulgate criteria governing the designations provided in subsection (1) of this section. Such criteria shall be consistent with the provisions of this section and sections 25-8-102 and 25-8-104.
(3) Outstanding waters. (a) Outstanding waters shall be maintained and protected at their existing quality. Segments shall not be designated as outstanding waters unless the commission determines that:
(I) The quality of the waters is better than necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water based upon water quality standards for indicator parameters identified by the commission in the criteria promulgated under the provisions of subsection (2) of this section;
(II) The waters constitute an outstanding natural resource; and
(III) Protection of such resource requires protection in addition to that provided by the combination of water quality classifications and standards and the protection afforded reviewable waters under the provisions of subsection (5) of this section.
(b) All waters that were designated as high quality 1 by the commission prior to July 1, 1992, are hereby designated as outstanding waters.
(4) Use-protected waters. (a) Use-protected waters are those waters with existing quality that is not better than necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water.
(b) The commission shall utilize the criteria promulgated by rule pursuant to subsection (2) of this section in designating waters as use-protected.
(c) The quality of waters designated as use-protected may be altered if that quality provided for in applicable water quality classifications and standards is maintained.
(5) Reviewable waters. Waters that are not designated as outstanding waters or use-protected waters shall be referred to as reviewable waters. The existing quality of reviewable waters shall be maintained and protected unless it is determined that allowing lower water quality is necessary to accommodate important economic or social development in the area in which the waters are located, which shall include all areas directly impacted by the proposed activity. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection (5), that quality which is provided for in applicable water quality classifications and standards shall be maintained for reviewable waters.
(6) Water quality designations and reviewable waters provisions shall not be utilized by the commission or by any other state, federal, or local agency in a manner that is contrary to the provisions of section 25-8-104.
C.R.S. § 25-8-210 Fees established administratively - rules - shareholding requirement - phase-in period - clean water cash fund - creation - repeal
25-8-210. Fees established administratively - rules - shareholding requirement - phase-in period - clean water cash fund - creation - repeal. (1) (a) On or before October 31, 2025, the commission shall establish the following fees by rule:
(I) Drinking water fees assessed on public water systems pursuant to section 25-1.5-209 (1), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(II) Commerce and industry sector permitting fees assessed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(b), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(III) Construction sector permitting fees assessed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(c), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(IV) Pesticide sector permitting fees assessed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(d), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(V) Public and private utilities sector permitting fees pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(e), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(VI) Municipal separate storm sewer system sector permitting fees pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(f), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(VII) Review fees assessed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.2) for requests for certification under section 401 of the federal act, as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(VIII) Preliminary effluent limitation determination fees assessed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.3)(b), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(IX) Wastewater site application and design review fees assessed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.3)(c), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026;
(X) On-site wastewater treatment system fees assessed pursuant to section 25-10-107 (3), including rules establishing the percentage of the on-site wastewater treatment system fees collected that a county may retain to cover the county's administrative costs, as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026; and
(XI) Biosolids management program fees assessed pursuant to section 30-20-110.5 (1), as that section existed prior to its repeal on July 1, 2026.
(b) The commission shall set the fees and periodically adjust the fees, and the general assembly may, by bill, annually adjust the fees, in an amount sufficient to cover the division's direct and indirect costs associated with administering and implementing the federal act, the federal "Safe Drinking Water Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 300f et seq., section 25-1-114.1, part 2 of article 1.5 of this title 25, this article 8, and the "On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems Act", article 10 of this title 25.
(c) (I) The fee-setting rules adopted pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section must become effective on or before January 1, 2026. If the commission adopts rules authorizing the division to phase in the fee-setting rules, the division may require permit applicants, permit holders, and public water systems to pay fees as set by the fee-setting rules instead of the fees set forth in statute before July 1, 2026.
(II) If the commission establishes a process for the division's phase in of the fee-setting rules pursuant to subsection (1)(c)(I) of this section, the commission's rules must establish a process for the division's phase in of the fee-setting rules. The process established by rule must include notice to permit applicants, permit holders, and public water systems regarding the process, including requirements to post the process on the division's website and engage in community outreach regarding the process.
(III) This subsection (1)(c) is repealed, effective September 1, 2027.
h a process for the division's phase in of the fee-setting rules. The process established by rule must include notice to permit applicants, permit holders, and public water systems regarding the process, including requirements to post the process on the division's website and engage in community outreach regarding the process.
(III) This subsection (1)(c) is repealed, effective September 1, 2027.
(d) On or before December 31, 2025, the commission shall establish by rule the authorization fees for the dredge and fill program, as defined in section 25-8-205.1 (3). The division shall transmit the fees collected pursuant to the commission's fee-setting rules adopted under this subsection (1)(d) to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fees to the clean water cash fund created in subsection (4) of this section.
(2) (a) Before the commission adopts the fee-setting rules pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section or adopts any subsequent adjustments to the fees, and in accordance with section 25-8-502 (1.5)(c)(I)(B), the department of public health and environment shall conduct outreach to obtain stakeholder input regarding the total funding for the division, including federal money, money from the general fund, and all cash fees.
(b) Through the stakeholder process, the department of public health and environment shall identify the fee revenue needed for evaluation of the feasibility of treatment methods required to meet water quality standards and other regulations adopted or proposed for adoption, including the funding needed:
(I) To support the development of variances;
(II) To improve permit issuance processes to increase efficiency and facilitate the timely issuance of new permits;
(III) For renewal permits, permit modifications, and reducing permit backlog; and
(IV) For the preparation of cost-benefit analyses and regulatory analyses when required pursuant to section 24-4-103 (2.5) or (4.5) of the "State Administrative Procedure Act".
(c) In conducting stakeholder outreach, the department of public health and environment shall discuss with stakeholders the options for setting a cap on the amount of fee increases.
(d) Through the stakeholder process, the department of public health and environment shall seek input from:
(I) Owners and operators of regulated drinking water systems;
(II) Permit holders;
(III) County representatives;
(IV) Representatives of other local governments;
(V) Conservation groups;
(VI) Environmental justice groups; and
(VII) Community members, including members of disproportionately impacted communities as defined in section 24-4-109 (2)(b)(II).
(e) The department of public health and environment shall conduct outreach to and engagement of disproportionately impacted communities pursuant to this subsection (2) in accordance with section 24-4-109 (3).
(3) (a) (I) Upon the effective date of the rules adopted pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section and until June 30, 2026, the division shall transmit:
(A) The fees collected pursuant to the commission's fee-setting rules adopted under subsections (1)(a)(II) to (1)(a)(XI) of this section to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fees as directed by the division, either to the clean water cash fund created in subsection (4) of this section or to the statutory fund into which such fees were transmitted before May 17, 2023; and
(B) The fees collected pursuant to the commission's fee-setting rules adopted under subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fees to the drinking water cash fund created in section 25-1.5-209 (2).
(II) This subsection (3)(a) is repealed, effective September 1, 2026.
on or to the statutory fund into which such fees were transmitted before May 17, 2023; and
(B) The fees collected pursuant to the commission's fee-setting rules adopted under subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fees to the drinking water cash fund created in section 25-1.5-209 (2).
(II) This subsection (3)(a) is repealed, effective September 1, 2026.
(b) On and after July 1, 2026, the division shall transmit:
(I) The fees collected pursuant to the commission's fee-setting rules adopted under subsections (1)(a)(II) to (1)(a)(XI) of this section to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fees to the clean water cash fund created in subsection (4) of this section; and
(II) The fees collected pursuant to the commission's fee-setting rules adopted under subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fees to the drinking water cash fund created in section 25-1.5-209 (2).
(4) (a) The clean water cash fund is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of:
(I) Fees collected pursuant to the commission's fee-setting rules adopted pursuant to subsections (1)(a)(II) to (1)(a)(XI) of this section;
(I.5) Money that the general assembly transfers to the fund pursuant to subsection (4)(d) of this section;
(II) Any other money that the general assembly may appropriate or transfer to the fund; and
(III) Any federal funds credited to the fund.
(b) The state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the deposit and investment of money in the clean water cash fund to the fund.
(c) The general assembly shall annually appropriate money from the sources specified in subsections (1)(a)(I) and (1)(a)(II) of this section in the clean water cash fund to the department for use by the division for the division's administration and implementation of the federal act and this article 8.
(d) For the 2026-27 state fiscal year and for each state fiscal year thereafter, the state treasurer shall transfer two hundred forty-eight thousand three hundred four dollars from the general fund to the clean water cash fund.
C.R.S. § 25-8-301 Administration of water quality control programs
25-8-301. Administration of water quality control programs. (1) The department of public health and environment shall administer and enforce the water quality control programs adopted by the commission.
(2) In furtherance of such responsibility of the department, the executive director shall maintain within the division a separate water quality control agency.
(3) The director of said water quality control agency shall be employed pursuant to section 13 of article XII of the state constitution. He or she shall be a licensed professional engineer or have a graduate degree in engineering or other specialty dealing with the problems of pollution and shall also have appropriate practical and administrative experience related to such problems. Such person shall not be the administrator employed pursuant to section 25-8-202 (4).
(4) The division shall act as staff to the commission in commission proceedings other than adjudicatory or appellate proceedings in which the division is a party.
C.R.S. § 25-8-302 Duties of division
25-8-302. Duties of division. (1) The division shall:
(a) Carry out the enforcement provisions of this article, including the seeking of criminal prosecution of violations and such other judicial relief as may be appropriate;
(b) Administer the permit system as provided in part 5 of this article;
(c) Monitor waste discharges and the state waters as provided in section 25-8-303;
(d) Submit an annual report to the commission as provided in section 25-8-305;
(e) Maintain a mailing list of persons requesting notice of actions by the division or by the commission and notify persons on the list of such actions, for which service the division shall assess a fee to cover the costs thereof;
(f) Review and certify, conditionally certify, or deny requests for certifications under the provisions of section 401 of the federal act and this article, known as "401 certificates". Conditions attached to the division's certification shall only implement rules which the commission has made applicable to 401 certifications. General or nationwide permits under section 404 of the federal act shall be certified for use in Colorado without the imposition of any additional state conditions. Appeals by an affected entity of a final 401 certification decision of the division shall be heard in accordance with section 24-4-105, C.R.S., of the "State Administrative Procedure Act".
(g) Perform such other duties as may lawfully be assigned to it.
C.R.S. § 25-8-303 Monitoring
25-8-303. Monitoring. (1) The division shall take such samplings as may be necessary to enable it to determine the quality of every reasonably accessible segment of state waters, wherever practical. In sampling such waters the division shall give consideration to characteristics such as those listed in section 25-8-204 (2), but if pollution is suspected the sampling shall not be limited or restricted by reason of the fact that no water quality standard has been promulgated for the suspected type of pollution.
(2) As to every segment of state waters so sampled, the division shall endeavor to determine the nature and amount of each pollutant, whether a new or different water quality standard is needed, the source of each pollutant, the place where each such pollutant enters the water, and the names and addresses of each person responsible for or in control of each entry.
(3) As to each separate pollution source identified, the division shall:
(a) Determine what control regulations are applicable, if any;
(b) Determine whether the discharge is covered by a permit and whether or not any condition of the permit is being violated;
(c) Determine what further control measures with respect to such pollution source are practicable.
(4) The division shall inform the commission of any unusual problem which creates difficulties in abating pollution.
C.R.S. § 25-8-304 Monitoring, recording, and reporting
25-8-304. Monitoring, recording, and reporting. (1) The owner or operator of any facility, process, or activity from which a discharge of pollutants is made into state waters or into any municipal domestic wastewater treatment works shall, according to standard procedures and methods prescribed by the division:
(a) Establish and maintain records;
(b) Make reports;
(c) Install, calibrate, use, and maintain monitoring methods and equipment, including biological and indicator pollutant monitoring methods;
(d) Sample discharges;
(e) Provide additional reasonably available information relating to discharges into domestic wastewater treatment works.
C.R.S. § 25-8-305 Annual report - repeal
25-8-305. Annual report - repeal. (1) (a) On or before October 1 of each year, the division through the executive director shall report to the commission on the effectiveness of this article 8 and shall include in such report any recommendations the division may have with respect to any regulatory or legislative changes that may be needed or desired. The report must include the then-current monitoring information that has been obtained pursuant to section 25-8-303.
(b) The executive director shall also submit the report to the house of representatives agriculture, water, and natural resources committee and the senate agriculture and natural resources committee, or their successor committees. Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), this reporting requirement continues indefinitely.
(2) The annual report described in subsection (1) of this section must include information on the division's:
(a) Implementation of the discharge permitting program established in part 5 of this article 8;
(b) Inspections performed;
(c) Enforcement actions under this article 8;
(d) Establishment of any new rules and standards;
(e) Assessment of any emerging trends that the division perceives in issues pertaining to water quality;
(f) Ratio of general fund appropriations to cash fund appropriations that were authorized for the state fiscal year immediately preceding the date of the report; and
(g) Revenue and expenditures, including for the division's general administration needs, the division's administration of the clean water and drinking water programs, and the division's allocation of any increased fees established through section 25-8-210 for services that the division provides. The department shall present this information as part of the department's annual "SMART Act" presentation pursuant to section 2-7-203.
(3) (a) For a report that the division submits on or before October 1, 2025, the report must include the total permit fee revenue received in the previous twelve months, and the division's direct and indirect costs to administer the permits, for the following sector-specific permits, reviews, or determinations:
(I) The commerce and industry sector pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(b);
(II) The construction sector pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(c);
(III) The pesticide sector pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(d);
(IV) The public and private utilities sector pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(e);
(V) The municipal separate storm sewer system sector pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.1)(f);
(VI) The reviews performed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.2) for requests for certification under section 401 of the federal act;
(VII) The preliminary effluent limitation determinations performed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.3)(b); and
(VIII) The wastewater site applications and design reviews performed pursuant to section 25-8-502 (1.3)(c).
(b) This subsection (3) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.
(4) (a) For the report that the division submits in 2025, the report must include:
(I) A description of the fee structure proposed or included in rules that the commission has proposed or adopted pursuant to section 25-8-210 (1)(a);
(II) If the rules proposed or adopted pursuant to section 25-8-210 (1)(a) modify a fee structure set forth in statute, the reasons for the change in the fee structure; and
(III) A summary of options for setting a cap on the amount of fee increases and the department of public health and environment's recommendations on setting a cap based on stakeholder feedback.
uant to section 25-8-210 (1)(a);
(II) If the rules proposed or adopted pursuant to section 25-8-210 (1)(a) modify a fee structure set forth in statute, the reasons for the change in the fee structure; and
(III) A summary of options for setting a cap on the amount of fee increases and the department of public health and environment's recommendations on setting a cap based on stakeholder feedback.
(b) This subsection (4) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.
(5) (a) On or before October 1, 2026, and for each year thereafter, the report described in subsection (1) of this section must provide an overall understanding of the state of implementation of the dredge and fill discharge authorization program described in section 25-8-205.1. For this purpose, the division shall develop a twelve-month reporting period. At a minimum, the report must include:
(I) Program staffing and budget over the twelve-month reporting period;
(II) General authorization program components over the twelve-month reporting period, including:
(A) The total number of preconstruction notifications or coverage verification requests received during the twelve-month reporting period;
(B) The total number of projects authorized to proceed during the twelve-month reporting period;
(C) The total number of projects authorized to proceed during the twelve-month reporting period that included special conditions;
(D) The total number of projects authorized to proceed under section 25-8-205.1 (5)(d) during the twelve-month reporting period;
(E) The total number of projects denied general authorization coverage during the twelve-month reporting period and a summary of the reasons for denials;
(F) The range of time and average time required to process preconstruction notifications and coverage verification requests from receipt to final decision during the twelve-month reporting period; and
(G) The total number of full-time employees tasked with processing preconstruction notifications, coverage verification requests, and technical assistance during the twelve-month reporting period; and
(III) Individual authorization program components, including:
(A) The total number of authorization applications received during the twelve-month reporting period;
(B) The total number of projects authorized to proceed during the twelve-month reporting period;
(C) The total number of projects denied authorization coverage during the twelve-month reporting period and a summary of the reasons for denials;
(D) The total number of applications awaiting action at the end of the twelve-month reporting period;
(E) The range of time and average time required to process individual authorization applications from receipt to final decision during the twelve-month reporting period; and
(F) The total number of full-time employees tasked with processing individual authorizations during the twelve-month reporting period.
(b) On a quarterly basis, the division shall report to the joint budget committee the number of individual dredge and fill authorizations and notices of authorization that the division projects to issue for the fiscal year. The division shall submit these reports so that they coincide with quarterly budget forecasts.
C.R.S. § 25-8-306 Authority to enter and inspect premises and records
25-8-306. Authority to enter and inspect premises and records. (1) The division has the power, upon presentation of proper credentials, to enter and inspect at any reasonable time and in a reasonable manner any property, premise, or place for the purpose of investigating any actual, suspected, or potential source of water pollution, or ascertaining compliance or noncompliance with any control regulation or any order promulgated under this article. Such entry is also authorized for the purpose of inspecting and copying records required to be kept concerning any effluent source.
(2) In the making of such inspections, investigations, and determinations, the division, insofar as practicable, may designate as its authorized representatives any qualified personnel of the department of agriculture. The division may also request assistance from any other state or local agency or institution.
(3) If such entry or inspection is denied or not consented to, the division is empowered to and shall obtain, from the district or county court for the judicial district or county in which such property, premise, or place is located, a warrant to enter and inspect any such property, premise, or place prior to entry and inspection. The district and county courts of the state of Colorado are empowered to issue such warrants upon a proper showing of the need for such entry and inspection.
C.R.S. § 25-8-307 Emergencies
25-8-307. Emergencies. Whenever the division determines, after investigation, that any person is discharging or causing to be discharged or is about to discharge into any state waters, directly or indirectly, any pollutant which in the opinion of the division constitutes a clear, present, and immediate danger to the health or livelihood of members of the public, the division shall issue its written order to said person that he must immediately cease or prevent the discharge of such pollutant into such waters and thereupon such person shall immediately discontinue such discharge. Concurrently with the issuance of such order, the division may seek a restraining order or injunction pursuant to section 25-8-607.
C.R.S. § 25-8-308 Additional authority and duties of division - penalties
25-8-308. Additional authority and duties of division - penalties. (1) In addition to the authority specified elsewhere in this article 8, the division has the power to:
(a) Conduct or cause to be conducted studies, research, and demonstrations with respect to water pollution and the control, abatement, or prevention thereof, as requested by the commission;
(b) Furnish technical advice and services relating to water pollution problems and control techniques;
(c) Designate one or more persons or agencies in any area of the state as a water quality control authority, as agent of the division, to exercise and perform such powers and duties of the division as may be specified in such designation;
(d) Administer, in compliance with regulations and the priority ranking adopted by the commission, loans and grants from the federal government and from other public sources;
(e) Advise, consult, cooperate, and enter into agreements with other agencies of the state, the federal government, other states, and interstate agencies, and with groups, political subdivisions, and industries affected by the provisions of this article and the policies of the commission; but any such agreement involving, authorizing, or requiring compliance in this state with any standard or regulation shall not be effective unless or until the commission has held a hearing with respect to such standard or regulation and has adopted the same in compliance with this article;
(f) Certify, when requested, the existence of any facility, land, building, machinery, equipment, treatment works, or sewage or disposal systems as have been acquired, constructed, or installed in conformity with the purposes of this article;
(g) Take such action in accordance with rules and orders promulgated by the commission as may be necessary to prevent, abate, and control pollution;
(h) Implement a program, in accordance with section 25-8-205.7, 25-8-205.8, or 25-8-205.9 and rules and orders of the commission, for the reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater for purposes other than drinking.
(2) Except as provided in section 25-8-608, all fines and penalties for violations of this article 8 must be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit to the credit of the general fund.
C.R.S. § 25-8-309 Study of classification and standard issues
25-8-309. Study of classification and standard issues. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 25-8-310 Education program - storm water
25-8-310. Education program - storm water. (1) The division may develop education programs for use by state and local governmental entities.
(2) The educational programs developed in accordance with subsection (1) of this section shall be designed to inform the public about storm water quality problems resulting from:
(a) The washing of motor vehicles on nonpermeable surfaces and the advantages of washing motor vehicles at car wash facilities that comply with recognized industry water conservation and water quality control standards;
(b) The disposal of leaves, litter, pet wastes, and debris in street gutters and storm drains;
(c) The disposal of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals in storm sewers or drains; and
(d) Soil erosion on property due to lack of planting of ground cover and stabilization of erosion-prone areas.
(3) The division may obtain gifts, grants, and donations to fund the costs of developing the education programs described in subsection (1) of this section. If the funding necessary to comply with said subsection (1) is not obtained, the division shall not be required to comply with said subsection (1) until such funding is obtained.
C.R.S. § 25-8-311 Water quality green infrastructure - feasibility studies - pilot projects - division collaboration with universities - legislative declaration - definitions - reports - gifts, grants, or donations - repeal
25-8-311. Water quality green infrastructure - feasibility studies - pilot projects - division collaboration with universities - legislative declaration - definitions - reports - gifts, grants, or donations - repeal. (1) (a) The general assembly finds and determines that green infrastructure may provide significant benefits to water and wastewater providers and water users in Colorado by:
(I) Supporting cost-effective, holistic solutions for the attainment of water quality standards;
(II) In furtherance of the Colorado pollutant trading policy, helping owners and operators of water and wastewater treatment facilities meet state and federal water quality standards without having to invest in gray infrastructure upgrades; and
(III) To finance the monitoring, management, conservation, and water quality improvement of both surface and groundwater in the state, connecting operators of water and wastewater treatment facilities with new, climate-focused sources of financing and capital, including carbon credits and wildfire mitigation investments.
(b) The general assembly declares that:
(I) The university of Colorado and Colorado state university should conduct, and the division may advise on, a feasibility study regarding the use of green infrastructure and develop pilot projects to demonstrate green infrastructure in Colorado; and
(II) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or encourage speculation in the development of a water right, as defined in section 37-92-103 (12), or any violation of:
(A) The "Water Right Determination and Administration Act of 1969", article 92 of title 37;
(B) A court decree establishing water rights or conditional water rights pursuant to section 37-92-301;
(C) A well permit for use of underground water, as defined in section 37-92-103 (11), issued pursuant to article 90 of title 37;
(D) A substitute water supply plan approved pursuant to section 37-92-308; or
(E) An interruptible water supply agreement approved pursuant to section 37-92-309.
(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Alternative compliance program" means a program established to comply with state and federal water quality standards through the use of green infrastructure.
(b) "Colorado pollutant trading policy" means the "Colorado Pollutant Trading Policy" published by the division in October 2004.
(c) "Federal water quality trading policy" means the United States environmental protection agency's "Water Quality Trading Policy" published in 2003.
(d) "Gray infrastructure" means traditional, centralized water quality treatment facilities, such as wastewater treatment facilities or drinking water treatment plants.
(e) "Green infrastructure" means a strategically planned, managed, and interconnected network of green spaces, such as conserved natural areas and features, public and private conservation lands, and private working lands with conservation value.
tructure" means traditional, centralized water quality treatment facilities, such as wastewater treatment facilities or drinking water treatment plants.
(e) "Green infrastructure" means a strategically planned, managed, and interconnected network of green spaces, such as conserved natural areas and features, public and private conservation lands, and private working lands with conservation value.
(3) (a) On or before October 1, 2024, the university of Colorado and Colorado state university, in collaboration with the division, shall start to conduct a feasibility study regarding the use of green infrastructure in the state. The feasibility study must include a determination of whether and how:
(I) Green infrastructure, rather than traditional gray infrastructure, may be used in an alternative compliance program using mechanisms described in the Colorado pollutant trading policy and the federal water quality trading policy;
(II) New sources of funding through environment-focused mechanisms, such as green bonds, mitigation banking, climate finance, and carbon credits, may:
(A) Reduce costs associated with complying with state and federal water quality standards; and
(B) Provide funding for green infrastructure projects prior to the issuance of a water quality permit;
(III) An alternative compliance program may be aligned with other state and community interests including wildfire mitigation; and
(IV) The use of alternative compliance programs would reduce costs for the department of public health and environment, municipalities, and other water and wastewater providers in the state in comparison to using gray infrastructure to comply with state and federal water quality standards.
(b) (I) The universities shall complete, and the division may advise on, the feasibility study on or before April 1, 2026. With consideration given to the findings of the feasibility study, the universities, with the approval of the division, shall establish up to three pilot projects in the state to demonstrate the:
(A) Use of green infrastructure in an alternative compliance program; and
(B) Financing of an alternative compliance program with one or more sources of funding listed in subsection (3)(a)(II) of this section.
(II) A pilot project established pursuant to this subsection (3)(b) may be operated for up to five years. The universities may provide technical assistance to the operator of a pilot project that the division approves under this subsection (3)(b), and the universities shall recommend for the division's approval the design, size, and monitoring requirements for each pilot project.
(c) On or before November 1, 2026, the division, in coordination with the entities listed in subsection (3)(a) of this section, shall submit a report and, on or before February 1, 2027, make a presentation summarizing the progress on the feasibility study and any pilot projects to the water resources and agriculture review committee created in section 37-98-102 (1)(a)(I). The committee may request similar reports and presentations be made in any year after 2027 in which the feasibility study or a pilot project is being conducted pursuant to this subsection (3).
February 1, 2027, make a presentation summarizing the progress on the feasibility study and any pilot projects to the water resources and agriculture review committee created in section 37-98-102 (1)(a)(I). The committee may request similar reports and presentations be made in any year after 2027 in which the feasibility study or a pilot project is being conducted pursuant to this subsection (3).
(d) The report must include:
(I) Any conclusions of the division, in coordination with the entities listed in subsection (3)(a) of this section, regarding the potential success of alternative compliance programs or funding sources listed in subsection (3)(a)(II) of this section; and
(II) Any recommendations for legislative or administrative action needed to promote the use of alternative compliance programs or the funding sources listed in subsection (3)(a)(II) of this section.
(4) In developing the feasibility study pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section, any pilot projects pursuant to subsection (3)(b) of this section, and any legislative or administrative recommendations pursuant to subsection (3)(d)(II) of this section, the entities listed in subsection (3)(a) of this section must take into account:
(a) The Colorado pollutant trading policy;
(b) The federal water quality trading policy; and
(c) The prior appropriation system established in sections 5 and 6 of article XVI of the state constitution and the "Water Right Determination and Administration Act of 1969", article 92 of title 37.
(5) (a) The universities listed in subsection (3)(a) of this section may use their existing resources to help finance the feasibility study and the pilot projects.
(b) The department of public health and environment or any entity listed in subsection (3)(a) of this section may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations for the implementation of this section.
(6) This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2032.
C.R.S. § 25-8-401 Authority and procedures for hearings
25-8-401. Authority and procedures for hearings. (1) The commission or the division may hold public hearings, which shall be held pursuant to and in conformity with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., and with this article.
(2) The commission may adopt such rules and regulations governing procedures and hearings before the commission or division as may be necessary to assure that such procedures and hearings will be fair and impartial. Such rules and regulations shall be consistent with the pertinent provisions of article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(3) In all proceedings before the commission or the division with respect to any alleged violation of any control regulation, permit, or order, the burden of proof shall be upon the division.
(4) Except for classification and water quality standard-setting proceedings, the commission or the department of public health and environment may designate a hearing officer or an administrative law judge pursuant to part 10 of article 30 of title 24, C.R.S., subject to appropriations made to the department of public health and environment. When appropriate, the hearing officer may be an employee of the department of public health and environment or a member of or the administrator of the commission.
(5) (a) Any request for a variance with respect to a permit condition shall be made within thirty days after issuance by the division of the final permit. Requests for variances from any other application of a control regulation shall be made within thirty days of legal notice by the division of the regulation or prior to operation of any new or expanded facility which would be affected by the control regulations. A variance may also be sought within thirty days of facts becoming available which had not been reasonably available to the applicant prior to that time or upon application to the commission for good cause shown.
(b) The division shall approve or disapprove any variance request and issue its decision within ninety days after receipt of the variance request. Notice of a variance request shall be sent to anyone who has requested such notice and shall be included on the next commission agenda. In the case of a variance being granted prior to the final permit being issued, the division shall publish for public notice and comment the entire draft permit with the variance incorporated therein. In the case of a variance granted after a final permit has been issued, the division shall publish for public notice and comment the variance as a proposed modification to the permit. Within forty-five days of issuance of a variance decision by the division which does not involve discharge permit conditions required by the federal act, the commission on its own motion or on the motion of the division or any interested person may decide to review the variance decision. In such event, a hearing pursuant to section 24-4-105, C.R.S., shall be held, and the commission may affirm, modify, or deny the decision. Variance decisions of the division which involve discharge permit conditions required by the federal act shall be subject to review by an administrative law judge of the department of personnel pursuant to section 24-4-105, C.R.S., as part of any challenge to the conditions of a final discharge permit issued by the division.
C.R.S. § 25-8-402 Procedures to be followed in classifying state waters and setting standards and control regulations
25-8-402. Procedures to be followed in classifying state waters and setting standards and control regulations. (1) Prior to the classification of state waters and promulgating any water quality standard or any control regulation authorized in this article, the commission shall conduct a public hearing thereon as provided in section 24-4-103, C.R.S. Notice of any such hearing shall conform to the requirements of section 24-4-103, C.R.S., but such notice shall be given at least sixty days prior to the hearing and shall include each proposed standard or regulation.
(2) Any person desiring to propose a standard or regulation differing from the standard or regulation proposed by the commission shall file such other written proposal with the commission not less than twenty days prior to the hearing, and, when on file, such proposal shall be open for public inspection.
(3) Witnesses at the hearing shall be subject to cross-examination by or on behalf of the commission, by or on behalf of persons who have proposed standards or regulations pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, and by or on behalf of persons who have obtained party status to the proceeding.
(4) Standards or regulations promulgated pursuant to this section shall take effect as provided in section 24-4-103 (5), C.R.S.
(5) Any emergency rule-making proceedings by the commission shall be conducted pursuant to section 24-4-103 (6), C.R.S., and not pursuant to this section. Any rule adopted pursuant to such proceedings may be effective for a specified period longer than one hundred twenty days, but not later than one year, if the commission determines that such longer period is necessary to complete rule-making pursuant to section 24-4-103, C.R.S., to reconsider the emergency rule.
C.R.S. § 25-8-403 Administrative reconsideration
25-8-403. Administrative reconsideration. During the time permitted for seeking judicial review of any final order or determination of the commission or division, any party directly affected by such order or determination may apply to the commission or division, as appropriate, for a hearing or rehearing with respect to, or reconsideration of, such order or determination. The determination by the commission or division of whether to grant or deny the application for a hearing, rehearing, or reconsideration shall be made within ten days after receipt by the commission or division of such application. Such determination by the commission may be made by telephone or mail or at a meeting, but in any event shall be confirmed at the next meeting of the commission. If the application for a hearing, rehearing, or reconsideration is granted, the order or determination to which such application pertains shall not be considered final for purposes of judicial review, and the commission or the division may affirm, reverse, or modify, in whole or in part, the pertinent order or determination; thereafter such order or determination shall be final and not subject to stay or reconsideration under this section.
C.R.S. § 25-8-404 Judicial review
25-8-404. Judicial review. (1) Any final rule, order, or determination by the division or the commission, including but not limited to classification of state waters, approval of areawide waste treatment management plans, water quality standards, site approvals, permits, control regulations, enforcement orders, cease-and-desist orders, and clean-up orders, shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of this article and article 4 of title 24, C.R.S. All regulations, orders, and determinations of the commission or division shall be adopted, promulgated, or issued in accordance with the provisions of said article 4 of title 24.
(2) Any proceeding for judicial review of any final order or determination of the commission or division shall be filed in the district court for the district in which the pollution source affected is located.
(3) Any proceeding for judicial review of any final rule, order, or determination of the commission or division shall be filed within thirty days after said rule, order, or determination has become final. Rule-making determinations shall become final in accordance with the "State Administrative Procedure Act". Quasi-judicial determinations shall become final upon issuance of such determinations to those parties to the proceedings. The period for filing the action for judicial review shall be stayed while any application for a hearing, rehearing, or reconsideration is pending pursuant to section 25-8-403, and the period during which any such application is pending shall extend the time for filing a proceeding for judicial review an equal length of time.
(4) (a) Except with respect to emergency orders issued pursuant to section 25-8-307, any person to whom a cease-and-desist order, clean-up order, or other order has been issued by the division or commission, or against whom an adverse determination has been made, may petition the district court for a stay of the effectiveness of such order or determination. Such petition shall be filed in the district court in which the pollution source affected is located.
(b) Such petitions may be filed prior to any such order or determination becoming final or during any period in which such order or determination is under judicial review.
(c) Such stay shall be granted by the court if there is probable cause to believe that refusal to grant a stay will cause serious harm to the affected person or any other person, and:
(I) That the alleged violation or activity to which the order or determination pertains will not continue, or if it does continue, any harmful effects on state waters will be alleviated promptly after the cessation of the violation or activity; or
(II) That the refusal to grant a stay would be without sufficient corresponding public benefit.
(5) Any party may move the court to remand the case to the division or the commission in the interests of justice, for the purpose of adducing additional specified and material evidence, and findings thereon; but such party shall show reasonable grounds for the failure to adduce such evidence previously before the division or the commission.
(6) If the court does not stay the effectiveness of an order of the commission or division, the court shall enforce compliance with that order by issuing a temporary restraining order or injunction at the request of the commission or division.
C.R.S. § 25-8-405 Samples - secret processes
25-8-405. Samples - secret processes. (1) If samples of water or water pollutants are taken for analysis, the person believed to be responsible for any suspected violation or who is or will be subject to any remedial action shall be notified immediately of the collection of the samples and a representative portion of the sample shall be furnished immediately upon request to said person. A representative portion of such sample shall be furnished to any suspected violator whenever any remedial action is taken with respect thereto by the division. A duplicate of every analytical report pertaining to such sample shall also be furnished as soon as practicable to such person. Any request for a sample split shall be made within six months of the notification of the collection of samples.
(2) Any information relating to any secret process, method of manufacture or production, or sales or marketing data which may be acquired, ascertained, or discovered, whether in any sampling investigation, emergency investigation, or otherwise, shall not be publicly disclosed by any member, officer, or employee of the commission or the division, but shall be kept confidential. Any person seeking to invoke the protection of this subsection (2) shall bear the burden of proving its applicability. This section shall never be interpreted as preventing full disclosure of effluent data.
C.R.S. § 25-8-406 Administrative stays - renewal permits
25-8-406. Administrative stays - renewal permits. If a permittee requests a hearing pursuant to section 24-4-105, C.R.S., challenging final action by the division in regard to any terms and conditions of a renewal permit, said permit shall become effective in its entirety unless a stay is granted pursuant to this section. The division may stay any contested terms and conditions of a permit for good cause shown. The division shall act on any stay request within ten days of receipt thereof. Any stay granted under this section shall expire when a final determination is made after the conclusion of the hearing held pursuant to section 24-4-105, C.R.S. During the period of any such stay, the corresponding terms and conditions of the prior permit shall be in effect. Action by the division granting or denying a stay pursuant to this section shall be final agency action subject to de novo determination pursuant to section 25-8-404.
C.R.S. § 25-8-501 Permits required for discharge of pollutants - administration
25-8-501. Permits required for discharge of pollutants - administration. (1) No person shall discharge any pollutant into any state water from a point source without first having obtained a permit from the division for such discharge, and no person shall discharge into a ditch or man-made conveyance for the purpose of evading the requirement to obtain a permit under this article. No person covered by this article shall use or dispose of biosolids, except as authorized by regulations that shall not be more restrictive than the requirements adopted for solid wastes disposal sites and facilities pursuant to part 1 of article 20 of title 30, C.R.S., except as necessary to be consistent with section 405 of the federal act. Existing authorization for the use or disposal of biosolids shall continue until permits are issued in accordance with this part 5. Each application for a permit duly filed under the federal act shall be deemed to be a permit application filed under this article, and each permit issued pursuant to the federal act shall be deemed to be a temporary permit issued under this article which shall expire upon expiration of the federal permit.
(2) The division shall examine applications for and may issue, suspend, revoke, modify, deny, and otherwise administer permits for the discharge of pollutants into state waters and for the use and disposal of biosolids. Such administration shall be in accordance with the provisions of this article and regulations promulgated by the commission. Until modified pursuant to this article, final permits shall be governed by their existing limitations.
(3) The commission shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary and proper for the orderly and effective administration of permits for the discharge of pollutants, which regulations shall include, but not be limited to, procedures for the issuance of a variance pursuant to section 25-8-503 (4), and shall also require that, in appropriate circumstances, the effluent limitations contained in a permit shall be adjusted to account for the pollutants contained in the discharger's intake water. Such regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of this article and with federal requirements and shall be in furtherance of the policy contained in section 25-8-102. Such regulations shall establish a permit process that allows permit conditions to remain in effect as long as circumstances dictate those conditions. In order to comply with federal requirements, but not to lessen compliance with federal standards, such permit process may require periodic renewal of permits even where minimal or no changes in the permit conditions are necessary. Renewal shall be required where more than minimal changes in permit conditions are necessary. The regulations may pertain to and implement, among other matters, permit and permit application contents, procedures, requirements, and restrictions with respect to the following:
(a) Identification and address of the owner and operator of the activity, facility, or process from which the discharge is to be permitted;
(b) Location and quantity and quality characteristics of the permitted discharge;
(c) Effluent limitations and conditions for treatment prior to discharge to a publicly owned treatment works;
(d) Monitoring as well as record-keeping and reporting requirements consistent with standard procedures and methods established by the division;
(e) Schedules of compliance;
(f) Procedures to be followed by division personnel for entering and inspecting premises;
(g) Submission of pertinent plans and specifications for the facility, process, or activity which is the source of a waste discharge;
(h) Restrictions on transfers of the permit;
(i) Procedures to be followed in the event of expansion or modification of the process, facility, or activity from which the discharge occurs or the quality, quantity, or frequency of the discharge;
nspecting premises;
(g) Submission of pertinent plans and specifications for the facility, process, or activity which is the source of a waste discharge;
(h) Restrictions on transfers of the permit;
(i) Procedures to be followed in the event of expansion or modification of the process, facility, or activity from which the discharge occurs or the quality, quantity, or frequency of the discharge;
(j) Duration of the permit and renewal procedures using a risk-based approach that limits the amount of work required to renew permits that have minimal or no changes in the permit conditions to streamline the renewal process;
(k) Authority of the division to require changes in plans and specifications for control facilities as a condition for the issuance of a permit;
(l) Identification of control regulations over which the permit takes precedence and identification of control regulations over which a permit may never take precedence;
(m) Notice requirements of any intent to construct, install, or alter any process, facility, or activity that is likely to result in a new or altered discharge;
(n) Effectiveness under this article of permit applications submitted to and permits issued by the federal government under the federal act.
(4) Nothing in any permit shall ever be construed to prevent or limit the application of any emergency power of the division.
(5) Every permit issued for a domestic wastewater treatment works shall contain such terms and conditions as the division determines to be necessary or desirable to assure continuing compliance with applicable control regulations. Such terms and conditions may require that whenever deemed necessary by the division to assure such compliance the permittee shall:
(a) Require pretreatment of effluent from industrial, governmental, or commercial facilities, processes, and activities before such effluent is received into the gathering and collection system of the permittee;
(b) Prohibit any connection to any municipal permittee's interceptors and collection system that would result in receipt by such municipal permittee of any effluent other than sewage required by law to be received by such permittee;
(c) Include specified terms and conditions of its permit in all contracts for receipt by the permittee of any effluent not required to be received by a municipal permittee;
(d) Initiate engineering and financial planning for expansion of the domestic wastewater treatment works whenever throughput and treatment reaches eighty percent of design capacity;
(e) Commence construction of such domestic wastewater treatment works expansion whenever throughput and treatment reaches ninety-five percent of design capacity or, in the case of a municipality, either commence such construction or cease issuance of building permits within such municipality until such construction is commenced; except that building permits may continue to be issued for any construction which would not have the effect of increasing the input of domestic wastewater to the sewage treatment works of the municipality involved. The term "commence construction", as used in this paragraph (e), includes execution of, and commencement of work under, contracts for engineering design, plans, and specifications for erection, building, alteration, remodeling, improvement, or extension of treatment works and commitment to the completion of construction of such treatment works prior to exceeding permit effluent limitations based upon facility design and capacity or execution of a contract for the construction thereof.
nd commencement of work under, contracts for engineering design, plans, and specifications for erection, building, alteration, remodeling, improvement, or extension of treatment works and commitment to the completion of construction of such treatment works prior to exceeding permit effluent limitations based upon facility design and capacity or execution of a contract for the construction thereof.
(6) Inclusion of the requirements authorized by paragraph (d) of subsection (5) of this section shall be presumed unnecessary to assure compliance upon a showing that the area served by a domestic wastewater treatment works has a stable or declining population; but this provision shall not be construed as preventing periodic review by the division should it be felt that growth is occurring or will occur in the area.
C.R.S. § 25-8-501.1 Permit required for point source water pollution control - definitions - housed commercial swine feeding operations - legislative declaration
25-8-501.1. Permit required for point source water pollution control - definitions - housed commercial swine feeding operations - legislative declaration. (1) The people of the state of Colorado hereby find, determine, and declare that the advent of large housed commercial swine feeding operations in Colorado has presented new challenges to ensuring that the quality of the state's environment is preserved and protected. As distinguished from more traditional operations that historically have characterized Colorado's livestock industry, large housed swine feeding operations use significant amounts of process water for flushing and disposing of swine waste, commonly store this waste in large impoundments, and dispose of it through land application. The waste storage, handling and disposal by such operations are particularly odorous and offensive. The people further find that it is necessary to ensure that the storage and land application of waste by housed commercial swine feeding operations is done in a responsible manner, so as not to adversely impact Colorado's valuable air, land and water resources.
(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Agronomic rate of application" means the rate of application of nutrients to plants that is necessary to satisfy the plants' nutritional requirements while strictly minimizing the amount of nutrients that run off to surface waters or which pass below the root zone of the plants, as specified by the most current published fertilizer suggestions of the Colorado state university cooperative extension service for the plants, or most closely related plant type, to which the nutrients are applied.
(b) "Housed commercial swine feeding operation" means a housed swine feeding operation that is capable of housing eight hundred thousand pounds or more of live animal weight of swine at any one time or is deemed a commercial operation under local zoning or land use regulations. Two or more housed swine confined feeding operations shall be considered to comprise a single housed commercial swine feeding operation if they are under common or affiliated ownership or management, and are adjacent to or utilize a common area or system for manure disposal, are integrated in any way, are located or discharge within the same watershed or into watersheds that are hydrologically connected, or are located on or discharge onto land overlying the same groundwater aquifer.
(c) "Housed swine feeding operation" means the practice of raising swine in buildings, or other enclosed structures wherein swine of any size are fed for forty-five days or longer in any twelve-month period, and crop or forage growth or production is not sustained in the area of confinement.
(d) "Process wastewater" means any process-generated wastewater used in a housed commercial swine feeding operation, including water used for feeding, flushing, or washing, and any water or precipitation that comes into contact with any manure, urine, or any product used in or resulting from the production of swine.
(3) No person shall operate, construct, or expand a housed commercial swine feeding operation without first having obtained an individual discharge permit from the division.
(4) On or before March 31, 1999, the commission shall promulgate rules necessary to ensure the issuance and effective administration and enforcement of permits under this section by July 1, 1999. Such rules shall incorporate the preceding subsection (3) and shall, at a minimum, require:
mercial swine feeding operation without first having obtained an individual discharge permit from the division.
(4) On or before March 31, 1999, the commission shall promulgate rules necessary to ensure the issuance and effective administration and enforcement of permits under this section by July 1, 1999. Such rules shall incorporate the preceding subsection (3) and shall, at a minimum, require:
(a) That the owner or operator of a housed commercial swine feeding operation must obtain division approval of construction, operations and swine waste management plans that, for any land waste application, includes a detailed agronomic analysis. Said plans shall employ the best available waste management practices, provide for remediation of residual soil and groundwater contamination, and ensure that disposal of solid or liquid waste to the soil not exceed agronomic rates of application.
(b) That appropriate setbacks for maintaining water quality be established for land waste application areas and waste impoundments;
(c) That waste impoundments or manure stock piles shall not be located within a one-hundred-year floodplain unless proper flood proofing measures are designed and constructed;
(d) That the owner or operator of the housed commercial swine feeding operation shall provide financial assurances for the final closure of the housed commercial swine feeding operation, the conduct of any necessary postclosure activities, the undertaking of any corrective action made necessary by migration of contaminants from the housed commercial swine feeding operation into the soil and groundwater, or cleanup of any spill or breach;
(e) That the owner or operator of a housed commercial swine feeding operation shall ensure that no solid or liquid waste generated by it shall be applied to land by any person at a rate that exceeds, in amount or duration, the agronomic rate of application; and
(f) That, because waste storage and disposal by housed commercial swine feeding operations pose particular jeopardy for state trust lands, in light of the mandate in the Colorado constitution, article IX, section 10, that state land board trust lands be held in trust and be protected and enhanced to promote long-term productivity and sound stewardship, the construction, operations and waste management plans approved for housed commercial swine feeding operations on such lands, shall not permit the degradation of the physical attributes or value of any state trust lands.
(5) Any spill or contamination by a housed commercial swine feeding operation shall be reported immediately to the division and the county or district public health agency for the county in which the housed commercial swine feeding operation is conducted, and, within twenty-four hours after the spill or contamination, a written report shall be filed with the division and the county or district public health agency for the county in which the housed commercial swine feeding operation is conducted.
(6) Housed commercial swine feeding operations shall submit to the division and the county or district public health agency quarterly, comprehensive monitoring reports and agronomic analyses that demonstrate that the operation has land-applied solid and liquid waste at no greater than agronomic rates. The division shall require the sampling and monitoring of chemical and appropriate biological parameters to protect the quality and existing and future beneficial uses of groundwater including, at a minimum, nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, and salts. At a minimum, the monitoring program shall include quarterly samples, analysis, and reporting of the groundwater, soils within the root zone, and soils beneath the root zone within each waste application site, and shall also include monitoring to ensure that no excessive seepage occurs from any waste impoundments.
(7) Repealed.
cluding, at a minimum, nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, and salts. At a minimum, the monitoring program shall include quarterly samples, analysis, and reporting of the groundwater, soils within the root zone, and soils beneath the root zone within each waste application site, and shall also include monitoring to ensure that no excessive seepage occurs from any waste impoundments.
(7) Repealed.
(8) The division shall enforce the provisions of this section and shall take immediate enforcement action against any housed commercial swine feeding operation that has exceeded the agronomic rate limit of this section. In addition, any person who may be adversely affected by a housed commercial swine feeding operation may enforce these provisions directly against the operation by filing a civil action in the district court in the county in which the person resides.
(9) These provisions shall not preclude any local government from imposing requirements more restrictive than those contained in this section.
C.R.S. § 25-8-502 Application - definitions - fees - funds created - public participation - repeal
25-8-502. Application - definitions - fees - funds created - public participation - repeal. (1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Animal feeding operation" or "CAFO" means a lot or facility, other than an aquatic animal production facility, where:
(I) Animals, other than aquatic animals, have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of forty-five days or more in any twelve-month period; and
(II) Crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.
(b) "Categorical effluent standards" means those standards established by the federal environmental protection agency pursuant to section 307 (b) of the federal act.
(c) "Discharge" means the discharge of pollutants, and includes land application.
(d) "Gallons per day" is based on design capacity of the facility, not flow.
(e) "Land application" is any discharge being applied to the land for treatment purposes.
(f) "Municipal separate storm sewer system" or "MS4" means a conveyance or system of conveyances, including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains, that is:
(I) Owned or operated by a state, city, town, county, district, association, or other public body created by or pursuant to state law having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, storm water, or other wastes, including special districts under state law such as a sewer district, flood control district, drainage district, or similar entity, or a designated and approved management agency under section 208 of the federal act that discharges to state waters;
(II) Designed or used for collecting or conveying storm water;
(III) Not a combined sewer; and
(IV) Not part of a publicly owned treatment works.
(g) "Significant industrial discharger" means an industrial discharger that meets one or more criteria established by the federal environmental protection agency pursuant to section 307 (b) of the federal act.
(1.1) For each regulated activity listed in this subsection (1.1), the division may assess an annual permit fee and a nonrefundable permit application fee for new permits that must equal fifty percent of the annual permit fee. The full amount of the application fee is credited toward the annual permit fee. All such fees must be in accordance with the following schedules:
(a) The animal agriculture sector includes annual fee schedules for regulated activities associated with animal feeding operations as follows:
(I) General permit: The division shall assess a CAFO an annual permit fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars plus four cents per animal unit, based on the CAFO's permitted capacity; except that, from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2025, the division shall assess a CAFO an annual permit fee not to exceed seven hundred fifty dollars plus nine cents per animal unit, based on the CAFO's permitted capacity.
(II) Individual permit: The division shall assess a CAFO an annual permit fee not to exceed five hundred dollars plus eight cents per animal unit, based on the CAFO's permitted capacity; except that, from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2025, the division shall assess a CAFO an annual permit fee not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars plus nine cents per animal unit, based on the CAFO's permitted capacity.
(III) (A) Effective July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2025, the division shall assess an unpermitted CAFO an annual administrative fee, not to exceed six cents per animal unit, based upon the CAFO's registered capacity, to cover the direct and indirect costs associated with the environmental agriculture program, including inspections, compliance assurance, compliance assistance, and associated regulatory interpretation and review.
(B) This subsection (1.1)(a)(III) is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.
an annual administrative fee, not to exceed six cents per animal unit, based upon the CAFO's registered capacity, to cover the direct and indirect costs associated with the environmental agriculture program, including inspections, compliance assurance, compliance assistance, and associated regulatory interpretation and review.
(B) This subsection (1.1)(a)(III) is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.
(IV) (A) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (1.1)(a)(IV), the division shall assess on each housed commercial swine feeding operation an annual permit fee, not to exceed twenty cents per animal, based on the operation's working capacity, to offset the direct and indirect costs of the program created in section 25-8-501.1.
(B) From July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2025, the division shall assess on each housed commercial swine feeding operation an annual permit fee, not to exceed twenty-six cents per animal, based on the operation's working capacity, to offset the direct and indirect costs of the program created in section 25-8-501.1. This subsection (1.1)(a)(IV)(B) is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.
(C) As used in this subsection (1.1)(a)(IV), "working capacity" means the number of swine the housed commercial swine feeding operation is capable of housing at any one time.
(b) The commerce and industry sector includes annual fee schedules for regulated activities associated with mining, hydrocarbon refining, sugar processing, industrial storm water, utilities not included in the private and public utilities sector, manufacturing activities, commercial activities, and all other industrial activities as follows:
Facility Categories and Subcategories
for Permit Fees within the Commerce and Industry Sector
Annual Fees
(I) Sand and gravel and placer mining:
(A) Pit dewatering only$805
(B) Pit dewatering or wash-water discharge$918
(C) Mercury use with discharge impact$1,030
(D) Storm water discharge only$700
(II) Coal mining:
(A) Sedimentation ponds, surface runoff only$1,578
(B) Mine water, preparation plant discharge$2,125
(III) Hardrock mining:
(A) Mine dewatering from 0 up to 49,999 gallons
per day$1,835
(B) Mine dewatering from 50,000 up to
999,999 gallons per day$3,462
(C) Mine dewatering, 1,000,000 gallons
per day or more$5,281
(D) Mine dewatering and milling with
no discharge$5,281
(E) Mine dewatering and milling
with discharge$15,907
(F) No discharge$1,835
(G) Milling with discharge from 0 up to 49,999 gallons
per day$5,394
(H) Milling with discharge, 50,000 gallons
per day or more$10,755
(IV) Oil shale:
(A) Sedimentation ponds, surface runoff only$3,204
(B) Mine water from 0 up to 49,999
gallons per day$3,462
(C) Mine water from 50,000 up to 999,999
gallons per day$4,299
(D) Mine water from 1,000,000 gallons
per day or more$4,186
(E) Mine water and process water discharge$15,907
(F) No discharge$2,946
(V) General permits:
(A) Sand and gravel with process discharge
and storm water$435
(B) Sand and gravel without process discharge
- storm water only$121
(C) Placer mining$837
(D) Coal mining$1,256
(E) Industrial - single municipal industrial
- storm water only$298
(F) Active mineral mines less than ten acres
- storm water only$201
(G) Active mineral mines - ten acres or more
- storm water only$604
(H) Inactive mineral mines - storm water only$121
(I) Department of transportation - sand and
gravel storm-water permit$7,020
(J) Coal degasification - process water
from 0 up to 49,999 gallons per day$3,462
(K) Coal degasification - process water from
50,000 up to 99,999 gallons per day$5,281
(L) Coal degasification - process water,
100,000 gallons per day or more$15,907
(M) Minimal discharge of industrial or
commercial waste waters - general permit$630
(VI) Power plants:
(A) Cooling water only, no discharge$1,835
(B) Process water from 0 up to 49,999
gallons per day$3,462
(C) Process water from 50,000 up to 999,999
gallons per day$5,281
000 up to 99,999 gallons per day$5,281
(L) Coal degasification - process water,
100,000 gallons per day or more$15,907
(M) Minimal discharge of industrial or
commercial waste waters - general permit$630
(VI) Power plants:
(A) Cooling water only, no discharge$1,835
(B) Process water from 0 up to 49,999
gallons per day$3,462
(C) Process water from 50,000 up to 999,999
gallons per day$5,281
(D) Process water from 1,000,000 up to 4,999,999
gallons per day$15,907
(E) Process water, 5,000,000 gallons per
day or more$15,907
(VII) Sugar processing:
(A) Cooling water only, no discharge$1,948
(B) Process water from 0 up to 49,999
gallons per day$2,383
(C) Process water from 50,000 up to 999,999
gallons per day$5,957
(D) Process water from 1,000,000 up to 4,999,999
gallons per day$15,907
(E) Process water, 5,000,000 gallons
per day or more$15,907
(VIII) Petroleum refining:
(A) Cooling water only, no discharge$1,835
(B) Process water from 0 up to 49,999 gallons
per day$4,122
(C) Process water from 50,000 up to 999,999
gallons per day$5,289
(D) Process water from 1,000,000 up to 4,999,999
gallons per day$15,907
(E) Process water, 5,000,000 gallons per
day or more$15,907
(IX) Fish hatcheries$1,320
(X) Manufacturing and other industry:
(A) Cooling water only$1,835
(B) Process water from 0 up to 49,999
gallons per day$3,462
(C) Process water from 50,000 up to 999,999
gallons per day$5,281
(D) Process water from 1,000,000 up to 4,999,999
gallons per day$15,907
(E) Process water from 5,000,000 up to 19,999,999
gallons per day$19,545
(F) Process water, 20,000,000 gallons
per day or more$31,814
(G) No discharge$2,383
(H) Amusement and recreation services$2,383
(XI) Individual industrial storm-water permits:
(A) Individual industrial - less than ten acres$475
(B) Individual industrial - ten acres or more$604
(C) Individual industrial - storm water only
- international airports$10,014
(c) The construction sector includes annual fee schedules for regulated activities associated with construction activities as follows:
(I) Repealed.
(II) General permits:
(A) to (D) Repealed.
(E) Department of transportation (DOT) -
storm-water construction discharges from
projects where DOT is the permittee -
statewide permit$9,400
(F) Minimal discharge of industrial or
commercial wastewater$630
(G) Low complexity$820
(H) High complexity$2,000
(I) Construction - storm water only; less than
1 acre of disturbed area$165
(J) Construction - storm water only;
from 1 acre to less than 30 acres$350
(K) Construction - storm water only;
30 acres or more of disturbed area$540
(III) The fee for an individual permit for construction activity is four thousand four hundred dollars; and
(IV) The division shall use the construction sector fee revenue collected pursuant to this section or, on and after July 1, 2026, pursuant to commission rules adopted under section 25-8-210 (1)(a)(III), to continue to fund the administration and oversight of the construction sector, including services provided under the alternative compliance assurance model. The division shall not use the revenue to fund additional enforcement staff unless such funding is included in a commission fee-setting rule. An alternative compliance assurance model includes:
(A) Increasing inspections of the construction sector to meet compliance objectives identified by the federal environmental protection agency;
(B) Implementing a compliance strategy that relies on increased assistance and follow-up to obtain an overall increase in compliance instead of increased reliance on enforcement;
ission fee-setting rule. An alternative compliance assurance model includes:
(A) Increasing inspections of the construction sector to meet compliance objectives identified by the federal environmental protection agency;
(B) Implementing a compliance strategy that relies on increased assistance and follow-up to obtain an overall increase in compliance instead of increased reliance on enforcement;
(C) Targeting additional compliance assistance towards permittees to seek increased compliance, including: Streamlined site visits that provide initial assistance consultations and increased assistance resources such as guidance documents, presentations, and online resources; review and response to the inspected entity's written response to the inspection; follow-up inspections and additional inspections for owners and operators with systemic violations; and increased overall inspection frequency;
(D) Maintaining and increasing current service levels of administration and oversight for the division's storm water management system administrator program; and
(E) Targeting enforcement towards operators that show chronic violations, significant violations, or recalcitrant response actions.
(d) The pesticide sector includes annual fee schedules for regulated activities associated with pesticide applications that are regulated under the federal act as follows: For a general permit, decision makers with pesticide application on or over waters of the state that are subject to annual reporting requirements under the pesticide general permit, an annual fee of two hundred eighty-one dollars.
(e) The public and private utilities sector includes annual fee schedules for regulated activities associated with the operation of domestic wastewater treatment works, water treatment facilities, reclaimed water systems, and industrial operations that discharge to a domestic wastewater treatment works as follows:
Facility Categories and Subcategories for
Permit Fees within the Public and
Private Utilities Sector
Annual Fees
(I) Water treatment plants:
(A) Intermittent discharge$695
(B) Routing discharge$1,000
(II) General permits:
(A) Water treatment plants - intermittent
discharge$580
(B) Water treatment plants - routine discharge$872
(C) Discharges associated with treated water
distribution systems for a population of
3,300 or fewer$128
(D) Discharges associated with treated
water distribution systems for
a population from 3,301 up to 9,999$256
(E) Discharges associated with treated
water distribution systems for a
population of 10,000 or more$384
(III) Domestic wastewater - lagoons:
(A) Sewage from 0 up to 49,999 gallons per day$641
(B) Sewage from 50,000 up to 99,999 gallons
per day$1,031
(C) Sewage from 100,000 up to 499,999 gallons
per day$1,501
(D) Sewage from 500,000 up to 999,999 gallons
per day$2,586
(E) Sewage from 1,000,000 up to 1,999,999 gallons
per day$3,867
(F) Sewage, 2,000,000 gallons per day or more$7,881
(IV) Domestic wastewater - mechanical plants:
(A) Sewage from 0 up to 19,999 gallons per day$750
(B) Sewage from 20,000 up to 49,999 gallons
per day$1,196
(C) Sewage from 50,000 up to 99,999 gallons
per day$1,757
(D) Sewage from 100,000 up to 499,999 gallons
per day$2,733
(E) Sewage from 500,000 up to 999,999 gallons
per day$4,538
(F) Sewage from 1,000,000 up to 2,499,999 gallons
per day$7,430
(G) Sewage from 2,500,000 up to 9,999,999 gallons
per day$13,920
(H) Sewage from 10,000,000 up to 49,999,999
gallons per day$24,132
(I) Sewage from 50,000,000 up to 99,999,999
gallons per day$27,840
(J) Sewage, 100,000,000 gallons per day or more$30,622
(V) Domestic facilities discharge to unclassified waters - general permit:
(A) Sewage from 0 up to 49,999 gallons per day$555
(B) Sewage from 50,000 up to 199,999 gallons
per day$976
(C) Sewage from 200,000 up to 599,999 gallons
per day$1,427
(D) Sewage from 600,000 up to 999,999 gallons
per day$2,269
9,999,999
gallons per day$27,840
(J) Sewage, 100,000,000 gallons per day or more$30,622
(V) Domestic facilities discharge to unclassified waters - general permit:
(A) Sewage from 0 up to 49,999 gallons per day$555
(B) Sewage from 50,000 up to 199,999 gallons
per day$976
(C) Sewage from 200,000 up to 599,999 gallons
per day$1,427
(D) Sewage from 600,000 up to 999,999 gallons
per day$2,269
(VI) Industrial dischargers subject to categorical effluent standards discharging to publicly owned treatment works with pretreatment programs, not including categorical industries subject to zero-discharge standards:
(A) Very low flow - less than 100 gallons per day$356
(B) 100 up to 9,999 gallons per day$853
(C) 10,000 up to 50,000 gallons per day$1,277
(D) More than 50,000 gallons per day$1,704
(VII) All other significant industrial dischargers discharging to publicly owned treatment works with pretreatment, including categorical industries subject to zero-discharge standards:
(A) Less than 10,000 gallons per day$214
(B) 10,000 up to 50,000 gallons per day$426
(C) More than 50,000 gallons per day$567
(D) Pit dewatering only$329
(VIII) Industrial dischargers subject to categorical effluent standards discharging to publicly owned treatment works without pretreatment programs, not including categorical industries subject to zero-discharge standards:
(A) Less than 10,000 gallons per day$994
(B) 10,000 up to 50,000 gallons per day$1,562
(C) More than 50,000 gallons per day$2,130
(IX) All other significant industrial dischargers discharging to publicly owned treatment works without pretreatment programs, including categorical industries subject to zero-discharge standards:
(A) Less than 10,000 gallons per day$426
(B) 10,000 up to 50,000 gallons per day$639
(C) More than 50,000 gallons per day$853
(X) Domestic wastewater - lagoons:
(A) Sewage from 0 up to 49,999 gallons per day$92
(B) Sewage from 50,000 up to 99,999 gallons
per day$92
(C) Sewage from 100,000 up to 499,999 gallons
per day$92
(D) Sewage from 500,000 up to 999,999 gallons
per day$92
(E) Sewage from 1,000,000 up to 2,499,999 gallons
per day$99
(F) Sewage, 2,500,000 gallons per day or more$115
(XI) Domestic wastewater - mechanical plants:
(A) Sewage from 0 up to 19,999 gallons per day$92
(B) Sewage from 20,000 up to 49,999 gallons per day$92
(C) Sewage from 50,000 up to 99,999 gallons per day$92
(D) Sewage from 100,000 up to 499,999 gallons
per day$92
(E) Sewage from 500,000 up to 999,999 gallons
per day$92
(F) Sewage from 1,000,000 up to 2,499,999 gallons
per day$99
(G) Sewage from 2,500,000 up to 9,999,999 gallons
per day$115
(H) Sewage from 10,000,000 up to 49,999,999
gallons per day$128
(I) Sewage from 50,000,000 up to 99,999,999
gallons per day$143
(J) Sewage, 100,000,000 gallons per day or more$156
(XII) Wastewater reuse authorizations:
(A) Facility capacity of less than 100,000
gallons per day$549
(B) Facility capacity from 100,000 gallons to
499,999 gallons per day$1,025
(C) Facility capacity from 500,000 gallons to
999,999 gallons per day$1,708
(D) Facility capacity from 1,000,000 gallons to
2,499,999 gallons per day$2,806
(E) Facility capacity from 2,500,000 gallons to
9,999,999 gallons per day$5,246
(F) Facility capacity, 10,000,000 gallons per
day or more$7,686
(XIII) and (XIV) Repealed.
capacity from 100,000 gallons to
499,999 gallons per day$1,025
(C) Facility capacity from 500,000 gallons to
999,999 gallons per day$1,708
(D) Facility capacity from 1,000,000 gallons to
2,499,999 gallons per day$2,806
(E) Facility capacity from 2,500,000 gallons to
9,999,999 gallons per day$5,246
(F) Facility capacity, 10,000,000 gallons per
day or more$7,686
(XIII) and (XIV) Repealed.
(f) The municipal separate storm sewer systems sector includes annual fees for regulated activities associated with the operation of municipal separate storm sewer systems, as follows:
Facility Categories and Subcategories for
Permit Fees within the Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System Sector
Annual Fees
(I) MS4 general permits:
(A) Storm water municipal for a population
of 10,000 or fewer$462
(B) Storm water municipal for a population
from 10,000 up to 49,999$1,053
(C) Storm water municipal for a population
from 50,000 up to 99,999$2,626
(D) Storm water municipal for a population
of 100,000 or more$5,265
(II) MS4 individual permits:
(A) Municipalities with a population from
10,000 up to 49,999$1,619
(B) Municipalities with a population from
50,000 up to 99,999$4,043
(C) Municipalities with a population from
100,000 up to 249,999$8,093
(D) Municipalities with a population of
250,000 or more$13,754
(E) Statewide permit for municipal separate
storm water systems, owned or
operated by the department of
transportation, in municipal areas
where storm water permits are required$5,668
(1.2) (a) For the activities listed in this subsection (1.2) associated with reviewing requests for certifications under section 401 of the federal act and this article 8, known as "401 certificates", the division may assess a fee for the review. There is hereby created in the state treasury the water quality certification sector fund, which consists of fees collected pursuant to this subsection (1.2). The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the water quality certification sector fund. All such fees must be in accordance with the following schedules:
(I) The fee for a tier 1 project is one thousand one hundred twenty-two dollars, which must be submitted with the certification application. Tier 1 projects are projects that incur minimal costs and minimal water quality impacts. Tier 1 includes certifications of channel stabilization projects and single drainage improvement projects. Typical characteristics of tier 1 projects may include all or some of the following:
(A) The potential for minimal impacts to water quality;
(B) A low level of public participation;
(C) No more than standard coordination with federal, state, or local agencies may be required;
(D) Limited technical assistance may be needed.
(II) The fee for a tier 2 project is three thousand eight hundred seventy-six dollars, which must be submitted with the certification application. Tier 2 projects are projects that incur moderate costs and potential water quality impacts. Tier 2 includes certifications of projects that affect multiple drainages. Typical characteristics of tier 2 projects may include all or some of the following:
(A) The potential for minimal impacts to water quality;
(B) A basic to high level of public participation may be required with potential for participation in public meetings or hearings held by outside parties;
(C) More than the standard level of coordination with multiple federal, state, or local agencies may be required, including one or more meetings or pre-application site visits;
(D) A moderate and ongoing level of technical assistance may be needed;
(E) Compensatory mitigation review may be required;
(F) Review of a full evaluation and findings report if needed; or
(G) If the certification is appealed, addressing an appeal of the division's water quality certification to the commission pursuant to sections 25-8-202 (1)(k), 25-8-302 (1)(f), and 25-8-401.
n site visits;
(D) A moderate and ongoing level of technical assistance may be needed;
(E) Compensatory mitigation review may be required;
(F) Review of a full evaluation and findings report if needed; or
(G) If the certification is appealed, addressing an appeal of the division's water quality certification to the commission pursuant to sections 25-8-202 (1)(k), 25-8-302 (1)(f), and 25-8-401.
(III) The fee for a tier 3 project is calculated on an hourly rate based on the actual costs of division staff and contractor time. Tier 3 projects are projects that involve a large watershed area, a high degree of complexity, or high potential for water quality impacts. Tier 3 includes certifications of federal energy regulatory commission relicensing projects or projects involving more long-term water quality impacts. Typical characteristics of tier 3 projects may include all or some of the following:
(A) The potential for greater, permanent water quality impacts if one or more of the following occurs: The water body is identified as not attaining water quality standards; or multiple stream or lake segments as established by section 25-8-203 are affected;
(B) A high level of public participation, including extensive public comments and the potential for one or more public meetings or hearings conducted by the division or outside parties;
(C) Substantially more than standard coordination with multiple federal, state, or local agencies may be required, including one or more meetings;
(D) A high level of iterative technical assistance may be required or substantive project revisions may be received;
(E) The potential for complex compensatory mitigation review;
(F) A site visit may be needed to understand impacts and advise on potential alternatives;
(G) The review of a full evaluation and findings report if needed; or
(H) If the certification is appealed, addressing an appeal of the division's water quality certification to the commission pursuant to sections 25-8-202 (1)(k), 25-8-302 (1)(f), and 25-8-401.
(IV) The fee for a tier 4 project is calculated on an hourly rate based on the actual costs of division staff and contractor time. Tier 4 projects are projects that involve multiple or large watershed areas, a very high degree of complexity, a very high potential for water quality impacts, or a high level of public participation. Tier 4 includes transmountain water supply projects. Typical characteristics of tier 4 projects may include all or some of the following:
(A) The potential for greater water quality impacts if one or more of the following occurs: The water body is identified as not attaining water quality standards; or multiple stream or lake segments as established by section 25-8-203 are affected;
(B) A high level of public participation, including extensive public comments and the potential for one or more public meetings or hearings conducted by the division or outside parties;
(C) Substantially more coordination than is standard with multiple federal, state, or local agencies may be required, including one or more meetings;
(D) A high level of iterative technical assistance may be required or substantive project revisions may be received;
(E) The potential for complex compensatory mitigation review;
(F) A site visit may be needed to understand impacts and advise on potential alternatives;
(G) Coordination with the governor's office in conjunction with other state agencies, tribal nations, and the federal government may be required;
(H) To the extent pertinent, review of additional documents, such as federal "National Environmental Policy Act" resource reports, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements;
understand impacts and advise on potential alternatives;
(G) Coordination with the governor's office in conjunction with other state agencies, tribal nations, and the federal government may be required;
(H) To the extent pertinent, review of additional documents, such as federal "National Environmental Policy Act" resource reports, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements;
(I) If needed, to the extent not addressed in the documents addressed in sub-subparagraph (H) of this subparagraph (IV) and consistent with the requirements of this article and of the rules promulgated pursuant to this article, review and use of a full evaluation and findings report; or
(J) If the certification is appealed, addressing an appeal of the division's water quality certification to the commission pursuant to sections 25-8-202 (1)(k), 25-8-302 (1)(f), and 25-8-401.
(b) For tier 3 and tier 4 projects, the division may assess fees for services provided by the division prior to the applicant submitting a formal water quality certification application, which fees must reflect the actual cost of division staff and contractor time.
(c) For tier 3 and tier 4 projects, the division may assess fees for services provided by the division to monitor the projects certified with conditions, which fees must reflect the actual cost of division staff and contractor time.
(1.3) For each service listed below, the division may assess a fee for the service, and all such fees must be in accordance with the following schedules:
(a) Amendments to permits associated with the commerce and industry sector, construction sector, pesticides application, public and private utility sector under subsection (1.1) of this section, and amendments to permits issued through June 30, 2018, associated with regulated activities in subparagraph (IV) of the animal agriculture sector in paragraph (a) of subsection (1.1) of this section:
(I) Minor amendment: An amount equal to twenty-five percent of the annual fee for the permit being amended, not to exceed two thousand eight hundred ten dollars;
(II) Major amendment: An amount equal to fifty-five percent of the annual fee for the permit being amended, not to exceed five thousand nine hundred fifty dollars;
(b) Preliminary effluent limitations:
(I) In accordance with section 25-8-702, the division may assess a fee, as set forth in the schedules in this paragraph (b), for the determination of preliminary effluent limitations upon a domestic wastewater treatment works pursuant to the site location approval process. All such fees shall be paid in advance of any work done.
(II) At the request of an entity that is not a domestic wastewater treatment works, and upon payment of the appropriate fee as set forth in the schedules in this paragraph (b), the division may determine preliminary effluent limits for a proposed discharge as described by the requester.
(III) Fees set forth in the schedules established in this paragraph (b) are increased by an amount equal to seventy-five percent of the applicable fee for each set of preliminary effluent limitations requested by domestic wastewater treatment works for discharges to second or additional receiving water bodies.
(IV) The division may, where an entity requests modification of existing division-approved preliminary effluent limitations, complete the modification for a fee equal to twenty-five percent of the applicable fee as set forth in the schedules in this paragraph (b).
Facility Categories and
Subcategories for Preliminary
Effluent Limitations
Fees
(V) Preliminary effluent limitations for individual permits:
(A) Less than 100,000 gallons per day$2,562
(B) 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day$5,124
(C) 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day$7,686
(D) 10,000,000 or more gallons per day$10,248
(VI) Preliminary effluent limitations for
general permits from 0 up to 1,000,000
gallons per day$1,281
for Preliminary
Effluent Limitations
Fees
(V) Preliminary effluent limitations for individual permits:
(A) Less than 100,000 gallons per day$2,562
(B) 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day$5,124
(C) 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day$7,686
(D) 10,000,000 or more gallons per day$10,248
(VI) Preliminary effluent limitations for
general permits from 0 up to 1,000,000
gallons per day$1,281
(VII) Preliminary effluent limitations for discharges to groundwater:
(A) Minor facilities, less than 1,000,000 gallons
per day$641
(B) Major facilities, 1,000,000 gallons
per day or more$1,025
(VIII) Review of preliminary effluent limitations for individual permits professionally prepared by others:
(A) Minor facilities, less than 1,000,000 gallons
per day$1,922
(B) Major facilities, 1,000,000 gallons
per day or more$3,843
(c) Wastewater site applications and design reviews:
Facility Categories and Subcategories
for Wastewater Site Applications
and Design Reviews
Fees
(I) Wastewater site applications:
(A) Wastewater treatment plants, less than 100,000 gallons per day:
New$9,440
Expansion$7,553
(B) Wastewater treatment plants from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day:
New$18,882
Expansion$15,105
(C) Wastewater treatment plants from 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day:
New$28,322
Expansion$22,658
(D) Wastewater treatment plants, 10,000,000 gallons per day or more:
New$37,763
Expansion$30,211
(E) Lift stations, less than 100,000 gallons per day:
New$2,361
Expansion$1,889
(F) Lift stations from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day:
New$4,720
Expansion$3,776
(G) Lift stations from 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day:
New$7,081
Expansion$5,664
(H) Lift stations, 10,000,000 gallons per day or more:
New$9,440
Expansion$7,553
(I) Amendments to site applications concerning
a change from gas chlorination to liquid
chlorination or from any form of
chlorination to ultraviolet light
disinfection, less than 100,000
gallons per day$550
(J) Amendments to site applications concerning
a change from gas chlorination to liquid chlorination
or from any form of chlorination to ultraviolet light
disinfection from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day$1,102
(K) Amendments to site applications concerning a change
from gas chlorination to liquid chlorination or from any
form of chlorination to ultraviolet light disinfection
from 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day$1,652
(L) Amendments to site applications concerning a change
from gas chlorination to liquid chlorination or from any
form of chlorination to ultraviolet light disinfection,
10,000,000 gallons per day or more$2,203
(M) Other amendments to site application, less than
100,000 gallons per day$787
(N) Other amendments to site applications from
100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day$1,574
(O) Other amendments to site applications
from 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day$2,361
(P) Other amendments to site applications,
10,000,000 gallons per day or more$3,146
(Q) On-site wastewater treatment systems$5,490
(R) Extension$793
(S) Interceptor site applications$1,586
(T) Interceptor certifications$366
(U) Outfall sewers$1,586
(II) Wastewater design review:
(A) Wastewater treatment plants, less than 100,000 gallons per day:
New$5,978
Expansion$4,758
(B) Wastewater treatment plants from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day:
New$12,078
Expansion$9,638
(C) Wastewater treatment plants from 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day:
New$18,056
Expansion$14,396
(D) Wastewater treatment plants, 10,000,000 gallons per day or more:
New$24,034
Expansion$19,276
(E) Lift stations, less than 100,000 gallons per day:
New$1,464
Expansion$1,220
(F) Lift stations from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day:
New$3,050
Expansion$2,440
(G) Lift stations from 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day:
New$4,514
Expansion$3,660
(H) Lift stations, 10,000,000 gallons per day or more:
New$5,978
Expansion$4,758
allons per day or more:
New$24,034
Expansion$19,276
(E) Lift stations, less than 100,000 gallons per day:
New$1,464
Expansion$1,220
(F) Lift stations from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day:
New$3,050
Expansion$2,440
(G) Lift stations from 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day:
New$4,514
Expansion$3,660
(H) Lift stations, 10,000,000 gallons per day or more:
New$5,978
Expansion$4,758
(I) Amendments to site applications concerning a change
from gas chlorination to liquid chlorination or from any
form of chlorination to ultraviolet light disinfection,
less than 100,000 gallons per day$610
(J) Amendments to site applications concerning a change
from gas chlorination to liquid chlorination or from any
form of chlorination to ultraviolet light disinfection
from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day$1,220
(K) Amendments to site applications concerning a change
from gas chlorination to liquid chlorination or from
any form of chlorination to ultraviolet light
disinfection from 1,000,000 to
9,999,999 gallons per day$1,830
(L) Amendments to site applications concerning a change
from gas chlorination to liquid chlorination or from any
form of chlorination to ultraviolet light disinfection,
10,000,000 gallons per day or more$2,440
(M) Other amendments to site application,
less than 100,000 gallons per day$854
(N) Other amendments to site applications,
from 100,000 to 999,999 gallons per day$1,708
(O) Other amendments to site applications, from
1,000,000 to 9,999,999 gallons per day$2,562
(P) Other amendments to site applications,
10,000,000 gallons per day or more$3,416
(Q) On-site wastewater treatment systems$3,660
(R) Interceptor site applications$1,708
(S) Outfall sewers$1,708
(1.4) The division may establish an interim fee that must be consistent and equitable with the fees contained in subsection (1.1) of this section in any case where a facility other than those listed must be permitted. This interim fee applies until the date of adjournment sine die of the next regular session of the general assembly following imposition of the interim fee.
(1.5) (a) (I) There is hereby created in the state treasury the commerce and industry sector fund, which consists of all annual fees for regulated activities associated with the commerce and industry sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.1) of this section; all fees for services performed by the division associated with the commerce and industry sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.3) of this section; and all interim fees associated with the commerce and industry sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.4) of this section. The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the commerce and industry sector fund.
(II) There is hereby created in the state treasury the construction sector fund, which consists of all annual fees collected for regulated activities associated with the construction sector pursuant to subsection (1.1) of this section; all fees for services performed by the division associated with the construction sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.3) of this section; and all interim fees associated with the construction sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.4) of this section. The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the construction sector fund.
(III) There is hereby created in the state treasury the pesticides sector fund, which consists of all annual fees collected for regulated activities associated with the pesticides sector pursuant to subsection (1.1) of this section; all fees for services performed by the division associated with the pesticides sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.3) of this section; and all interim fees associated with the pesticides sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.4) of this section. The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the pesticides sector fund.
ection (1.1) of this section; all fees for services performed by the division associated with the pesticides sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.3) of this section; and all interim fees associated with the pesticides sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.4) of this section. The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the pesticides sector fund.
(IV) There is hereby created in the state treasury the municipal separate storm sewer system sector fund, which consists of all annual fees collected for regulated activities associated with the municipal separate storm sewer system sector pursuant to subsection (1.1) of this section; all fees for services performed by the division associated with the municipal separate storm sewer system sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.3) of this section; and all interim fees associated with the municipal separate storm sewer system sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.4) of this section. The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the municipal separate storm sewer system sector fund.
(V) There is hereby created in the state treasury the public and private utilities sector fund, which consists of all annual fees collected for regulated activities associated with the public and private utilities sector pursuant to subsection (1.1) of this section; all fees for services performed by the division associated with the public and private utilities sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.3) of this section; and all interim fees associated with the public and private utilities sector collected pursuant to subsection (1.4) of this section. The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the public and private utilities sector fund.
(b) (I) The general assembly shall annually appropriate the money in the funds created in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1.5) and in subsection (1.2) of this section to the department of public health and environment for its direct and indirect costs in administering the appropriate sector. The department shall review expenditures of the money to ensure that it is used only to fund the expenses of the discharge permit system and other activities included in subsections (1.1), (1.2), (1.3), and (1.4) of this section and that, except as specified in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (b):
(A) Money derived from a particular sector is used only for that sector; and
(B) Money derived from subsection (1.2) of this section is used only to provide water quality certifications.
(II) Repealed.
(III) All interest earned on the investment or deposit of money in each fund and all unencumbered or unappropriated balances in each fund remain in each individual fund, shall be appropriated only for the expenses of the discharge permit system, and shall not be transferred or revert to the general fund or any other fund at the end of any fiscal year or any other time.
ifications.
(II) Repealed.
(III) All interest earned on the investment or deposit of money in each fund and all unencumbered or unappropriated balances in each fund remain in each individual fund, shall be appropriated only for the expenses of the discharge permit system, and shall not be transferred or revert to the general fund or any other fund at the end of any fiscal year or any other time.
(c) (I) It is the intent of the general assembly that:
(A) A portion of the expenses of the discharge permit system be funded from the general fund, reflecting the benefit derived by the general public; except that the general assembly may determine, in any given fiscal year, that general fund revenues are inadequate to meet general fund demands and that, as a consequence, it is necessary to forego, subject to future reconsideration, all or some portion of such general fund contribution to the discharge permit program pursuant to this part 5; and
(B) The fees established in this section should not be adjusted until at least 2023 and, before the general assembly adjusts the fees, the department of public health and environment shall engage stakeholders in a process to review the total funding for the discharge permit system, including federal money, money from the general fund, and all sector fees.
(II) In furtherance of this policy, in future fee and funding changes, the ratios described in this subsection (1.5)(c)(II) should be maintained except as may be revised by the general assembly by bill:
(A) Commerce and industry sector: Fifty percent general fund and fifty percent cash funds;
(B) Construction sector: Twenty percent general fund and eighty percent cash funds;
(C) Municipal separate storm sewer: Fifty percent general fund and fifty percent cash funds;
(D) Pesticides sector: Ninety-four percent general fund and six percent cash funds;
(E) Public and private utilities sector: Fifty percent general fund and fifty percent cash funds; and
(F) Water quality certifications sector: Five percent general fund and ninety-five percent cash funds.
(d) Notwithstanding the amount specified for any fee in subsection (1.1) or (1.3) of this section, the commission by rule or as otherwise provided by law may reduce the amount of one or more of the fees if necessary pursuant to section 24-75-402 (3), C.R.S., to reduce the uncommitted reserves of the fund to which all or any portion of one or more of the fees is credited. After the uncommitted reserves of the fund are sufficiently reduced, the commission by rule or as otherwise provided by law may increase the amount of one or more of the fees as provided in section 24-75-402 (4), C.R.S.
(e) Repealed.
(1.6) There is hereby created the animal feeding operations fund, which consists of all fees collected for regulated activities associated with the animal agriculture sector in paragraph (a) of subsection (1.1) of this section, as well as all fees collected for services provided by the division associated with the animal agriculture sector in subsection (1.3) of this section. The division shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer, who shall credit them to the animal feeding operations fund. Any unexpended and unencumbered moneys remaining in the animal feeding operations fund at the end of any fiscal year remain in the animal feeding operations fund and shall not be transferred or revert to the general fund or any other fund. The general assembly shall annually appropriate the moneys in the animal feeding operations fund to the department of public health and environment for the direct and indirect costs associated with the permitting and oversight of animal feeding operations under this article.
(1.7) (a) The department of public health and environment shall report annually to:
(I) The senate agriculture and natural resources committee and the house of representatives agriculture, water, and natural resources committee, or their successor committees, on:
onment for the direct and indirect costs associated with the permitting and oversight of animal feeding operations under this article.
(1.7) (a) The department of public health and environment shall report annually to:
(I) The senate agriculture and natural resources committee and the house of representatives agriculture, water, and natural resources committee, or their successor committees, on:
(A) The environmental agriculture program. The report must include the number of permits processed, the number of inspections conducted, the number of enforcement actions taken, and the costs associated with all program activities during the preceding year. The department shall submit the report on or before March 31 of each year.
(B) Repealed.
(II) The joint budget committee by November 1 of each year regarding the fee revenue received from each sector specified in subsection (1.1)(a) of this section, including expenditures by fund source and revenues by fund and sector based on the November 1 request.
(b) The reporting required by this section is exempt from section 24-1-136, C.R.S.
(1.8) (a) On June 30, 2026, the state treasurer shall transfer any unexpended and unencumbered money remaining in the following cash funds to the clean water cash fund created in section 25-8-210 (4)(a):
(I) The commerce and industry sector fund created in subsection (1.5)(a)(I) of this section;
(II) The construction sector fund created in subsection (1.5)(a)(II) of this section;
(III) The pesticides sector fund created in subsection (1.5)(a)(III) of this section;
(IV) The municipal separate storm sewer system sector fund created in subsection (1.5)(a)(IV) of this section; and
(V) The public and private utilities sector fund created in subsection (1.5)(a)(V) of this section.
(b) Subsections (1.1)(b), (1.1)(c), (1.1)(d), (1.1)(e), (1.1)(f), (1.2), (1.3), and (1.5) of this section and this subsection (1.8) are repealed, effective July 1, 2026.
(2) (a) A complete and accurate application for all discharges shall be filed with the division not less than one hundred eighty days prior to the date proposed for commencing the discharge.
(b) The application shall contain such relevant plans, specifications, water quality data, and other information related to the proposed discharge as the division may reasonably require. Prior to submitting an application for a permit, the applicant may request and, if so requested, the division shall grant a planning meeting with the applicant. At such meeting, the division shall advise the applicant of the applicable permit requirements, including the information, plans, specifications, and data required to be furnished with the permit application.
(c) The division shall begin the review of an application within forty-five days after the receipt of the application and shall notify the applicant within ninety days after receipt of the application whether the application is complete. If the division determines that an application is incomplete, the division may request that the applicant submit additional information. If additional information is requested by the division and submitted by the applicant, the division shall have fifteen days after the date the additional information is submitted to determine whether the additional information satisfies the request and to advise the applicant if, and in what respects, the additional information does not satisfy the request. A final decision that an application is not complete shall be considered final agency action upon issuance of such decision to the applicant and shall be subject to judicial review. A petition for review of such decision shall be given priority scheduling by the court.
(3) (a) The division shall evaluate complete permit applications to determine whether the proposed discharge will comply with all applicable federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements.
ered final agency action upon issuance of such decision to the applicant and shall be subject to judicial review. A petition for review of such decision shall be given priority scheduling by the court.
(3) (a) The division shall evaluate complete permit applications to determine whether the proposed discharge will comply with all applicable federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements.
(b) The division shall give public notice of a complete permit application and the division's preliminary analysis of the application as provided in subsection (4) of this section. The notice shall advise of the opportunity for interested persons to submit written comments on the permit application and the division's preliminary analysis or to request, for good cause shown, a public meeting on the application and analysis. A request for a public meeting shall be made within thirty days after the initial public notice of the permit application and the division's preliminary analysis. If a public meeting is requested and the division, in its discretion and for good cause shown, grants the request, the division shall hold the public meeting not more than seventy-five days after the initial public notice. The division shall provide notice as provided in subsection (4) of this section of the public meeting not less than thirty days prior to the date of the meeting.
(c) The period for public comment shall close thirty days from the date of notice of the permit application and the division's preliminary analysis thereof; except that, if a public meeting is held on the application and analysis, the period for public comment shall close sixty days from the date of notice of the application.
(4) Public notice of every complete permit application and the division's preliminary analysis thereof shall be circulated in a manner designed to inform interested and potentially interested persons of the application and analysis. Procedures for the circulation of such public notice or a notice regarding a public meeting concerning an application and analysis shall be established by the commission and shall include at least the following:
(a) Notice shall be given by at least one publication in a newspaper of general circulation which is distributed within the geographical areas of the proposed discharge.
(b) Notice shall be mailed to any person or group upon request.
(c) The division shall add the name of any person or group upon request to a mailing list to receive copies of notices for all discharge permit applications within the state or within a certain geographical area.
(d) The division shall also, during the period from the date of the initial public notice of the application and analysis to the close of the public comment period, maintain in the office of the county clerk and recorder of the county in which the proposed discharge, or a part thereof, is to occur a copy of its preliminary analysis and a copy of the permit application with all accompanying data for public inspection.
ll also, during the period from the date of the initial public notice of the application and analysis to the close of the public comment period, maintain in the office of the county clerk and recorder of the county in which the proposed discharge, or a part thereof, is to occur a copy of its preliminary analysis and a copy of the permit application with all accompanying data for public inspection.
(5) (a) (I) Except as provided in this subsection (5), if the division has not finally issued or denied a permit within one hundred eighty days after receipt of the permit application, unless this time limit is waived or extended by the applicant or if the division determines at any time after receiving an application that it cannot issue a permit prior to the expiration of an existing permit, the division shall issue a temporary permit or the existing permit shall be extended pursuant to the operation of section 24-4-104, C.R.S.
(II) The deadlines established pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) for a determination on a permit application shall be extended by:
(A) The number of days which an applicant takes to submit information requested by the division pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of this section plus the fifteen days provided for the division to evaluate such additional information; and
(B) Forty-five days, if a public meeting is held pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.
(b) All temporary permits shall contain such conditions as are necessary to protect public health and shall not be less restrictive than required by state and federal effluent guidelines unless a schedule of compliance or a variance is set forth therein. A temporary permit shall be issued for a period not to exceed two years and shall expire as provided in the issuance or denial of the final permit. Issuance of a temporary permit shall be final agency action for the purposes of section 24-4-106, C.R.S.
(6) Repealed.
C.R.S. § 25-8-503 Permits - when required and when prohibited - variances
25-8-503. Permits - when required and when prohibited - variances. (1) (a) The division shall issue a permit in accordance with regulations promulgated under this article when the division has determined that the provisions of this article and the federal act and regulations thereunder have been met with respect to both the application and proposed permit.
(b) When necessary for compliance with the federal act for the achievement of technology-based effluent limitations, the division may exercise best professional judgment in establishing effluent limitations on a case-by-case basis for permits as granted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (1). Technology-based effluent limitations based on best professional judgment shall be made only for good cause and in the absence of federally promulgated effluent guidelines or effluent limitation regulations promulgated by the commission and shall be subject to review as provided for in paragraph (c) of this subsection (1). Any effluent limitations established according to this paragraph (b) shall be made after considering the availability of appropriate technology, its economic reasonableness, the age of equipment and facilities involved, the process employed, and any increase in water or energy consumption.
(c) Review by a hearing officer or an administrative law judge of the department of personnel of technology-based effluent limitations based on best professional judgment shall be on request of the permit applicant or permittee or any aggrieved person and shall take place in an adjudicatory hearing to be held pursuant to section 24-4-105, C.R.S. The necessity of effluent limitations based on best professional judgment, as well as the reasonableness of the effluent limitation, considering all factors enumerated in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), must be supported by substantial evidence. If such hearing is requested, it shall be held as part of a hearing requested to challenge the conditions of the permit.
(d) Repealed.
(2) No permit shall be issued which is inconsistent with any duly promulgated and controlling state, regional, or local land use plan or any portion of an approved regional wastewater management plan which has been adopted as a regulation pursuant to this article, unless all other requirements and conditions of this act have been met or will be met pursuant to a schedule of compliance or a variance specifying treatment requirements as determined by the division.
(3) No permit shall be issued which allows a violation of a control regulation unless the waste discharge permit contains effluent limitations and a schedule of compliance or a variance specifying treatment requirements as determined by the division.
(4) No permit shall be issued which allows a discharge that by itself or in combination with other pollution will result in pollution of the receiving waters in excess of the pollution permitted by an applicable water quality standard unless the permit contains effluent limitations and a schedule of compliance specifying treatment requirements. Effluent limitations designed to meet water quality standards shall be based on application of appropriate physical, chemical, and biological factors reasonably necessary to achieve the levels of protection required by the standards.
(5) Activities such as diversion, carriage, and exchange of water from or into streams, lakes, reservoirs, or conveyance structures, or storage of water in or the release of water from lakes, reservoirs, or conveyance structures, in the exercise of water rights shall not be considered to be point source discharges of pollution under this article. Water quality standards may apply to discharges from such activities only if the commission has adopted appropriate control regulations pursuant to section 25-8-205. Nothing in this article shall supersede the provisions of articles 80 to 93 of title 37, C.R.S.
veyance structures, in the exercise of water rights shall not be considered to be point source discharges of pollution under this article. Water quality standards may apply to discharges from such activities only if the commission has adopted appropriate control regulations pursuant to section 25-8-205. Nothing in this article shall supersede the provisions of articles 80 to 93 of title 37, C.R.S.
(6) Nothing in subsection (5) of this section shall exempt any point source discharger which generates wastewater effluent from the requirement of obtaining a permit pursuant to this article. All permits for such discharges shall apply at the point where wastewater effluent is released from the control of the discharger. All permits for discharges into ditches or other man-made conveyance structures shall contain such provisions as are necessary for the protection of agricultural, domestic, industrial, and municipal beneficial uses made of the waters of the ditch or other man-made conveyance structures, which use or uses were decreed and in existence prior to the inception of the discharge.
(7) Repealed.
(8) Where a permit requires treatment to levels necessary to protect water quality standards and beyond levels required by technology-based effluent limitation requirements, the division must determine whether or not any or all of the water-quality-standard-based effluent limitations are reasonably related to the economic, environmental, public health, and energy impact to the public and affected persons, and are in furtherance of the policies set forth in sections 25-8-102 and 25-8-104. The division's determination shall be based upon information available to it including information provided during the public comment period on the draft permit or in response to specific requests for information. Such determinations shall be included as a part of the written record of the issuance of the final permit, whether or not a variance is available under subsection (9) of this section to alter the water quality standard based effluent limitations.
(9) The division may grant a variance from otherwise applicable requirements only to the extent authorized in the federal act or implementing regulations. Variances may be granted for no longer than the duration of the permit. Variances shall be granted or renewed according to the procedure established in section 25-8-401 (5). Any variances granted prior to June 4, 1985, which were validly granted under the provisions then in effect shall be valid according to their original terms.
C.R.S. § 25-8-503.5 General permits - process for changing permit requirements
25-8-503.5. General permits - process for changing permit requirements. (1) With respect to a general permit listed in section 25-8-502 (1)(b)(I)(G), when proposing new or amended permit requirements for dischargers to meet, to obtain, or to maintain authorization for discharges under the permit, the division shall:
(a) Prepare a statement of basis and purpose explaining the need for the proposed requirements;
(b) Present evidence supporting the need for the proposed requirements, including information regarding pollutant potential and available controls, incidents of environmental damage, and permit violations;
(c) Before implementing the proposed requirements, provide public notice of, and consider comments received from affected parties about, the proposed requirements; and
(d) Upon request by an affected party, consider and give due weight to a cost-benefit analysis:
(I) Received by the division during the comment phase set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection (1);
(II) Concerning one or more proposed requirements that are not already required by federal or state statute or rule;
(III) Prepared by a third party chosen from an approved list of analysts, as developed by the division in consultation with representatives of the industries that are subject to general permitting; and
(IV) Paid for by the affected party.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section confers rule-making authority on the division.
(3) A party may appeal a general permit issued under section 25-8-502 (1)(b)(I)(G) pursuant to the appeals process set forth in section 24-4-105, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 25-8-504 Agricultural wastes
25-8-504. Agricultural wastes. (1) Neither the commission nor the division shall require any permit for any flow or return flow of irrigation water into state waters except as may be required by the federal act or regulations. The provisions of any permit that are so required shall not be any more stringent than, and shall not contain any condition for monitoring or reporting in excess of, the minimum required by the federal act or regulations.
(2) (a) Neither the commission nor the division shall require any permit for animal or agricultural waste on farms, ranches, and horticultural or floricultural operations, except as may be required by the federal act or regulations. The provisions of any permit that are so required shall not be any more stringent than, and shall not contain any condition for monitoring or reporting in excess of, the minimum required by the federal act or regulations.
(b) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), as amended by House Bill 05-1180, as enacted at the first regular session of the sixty-fifth general assembly, shall be construed as changing the property tax classification of property owned by a horticultural or floricultural operation.
(3) No permit or fee shall ever be required pursuant to this part 5 for the diversion of water from natural surface streams.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the requirement of permits for housed commercial swine feeding operations pursuant to section 25-8-501.1.
C.R.S. § 25-8-505 Permit conditions concerning publicly owned wastewater treatment works
25-8-505. Permit conditions concerning publicly owned wastewater treatment works. The division is authorized to impose, as conditions in permits for the discharge of pollutants from publicly owned wastewater treatment works, appropriate measures to establish and insure compliance by industrial users with any system of user charges or industrial cost recovery.
C.R.S. § 25-8-506 Nuclear and radioactive wastes
25-8-506. Nuclear and radioactive wastes. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 25-8-507 Program repeal
25-8-507. Program repeal. If final federal agency action is taken revoking or withdrawing prior federal approval of all or any part of the state permit program, sections 25-8-203, 25-8-204, 25-8-501, 25-8-502, 25-8-503, and 25-8-505 and regulations adopted to implement such provisions are repealed as of the date of that final federal action.
C.R.S. § 25-8-508 Industrial pretreatment program - creation - fees
25-8-508. Industrial pretreatment program - creation - fees. (1) The division shall establish an industrial pretreatment program for the state which is designed to eliminate problems that occur when pollutants from industrial wastewaters are discharged into publicly owned treatment works, including health hazards caused to the public and to workers in sewers and treatment plants, pollution of state waters, interference with the operation of treatment plants or increased expense to dispose of sludges, damage to the pipes and equipment that may occur from pollutants, and the potential for explosion caused by highly volatile wastes. The program shall be adopted by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-205 and shall be adequate to comply with requirements set forth in section 307 (a), (b), and (c) of the federal act.
(2) The division is authorized to require compliance with applicable pretreatment requirements and standards by any domestic wastewater treatment works or by any industrial user of such treatment works. The division may grant a variance from applicable requirements only to the extent authorized in the federal act or implementing regulations.
C.R.S. § 25-8-509 Permit conditions concerning use and disposal of biosolids
25-8-509. Permit conditions concerning use and disposal of biosolids. The division is authorized to impose, as conditions to the issuance of permits, requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations on the use and disposal of biosolids in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to section 25-8-205 (1)(e). The requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations imposed by the division shall not be more restrictive than the requirements adopted for the solid wastes disposal sites and facilities pursuant to part 1 of article 20 of title 30, C.R.S., except as necessary to be consistent with section 405 of the federal act.
C.R.S. § 25-8-601 Division to be notified of suspected violations and accidental discharges - penalty
25-8-601. Division to be notified of suspected violations and accidental discharges - penalty. (1) Any person or any agency of the state or federal government may apply to the division to investigate and take action upon any suspected or alleged violation of any provision of this article or of any order, permit, or regulation issued or promulgated under authority of this article.
(2) Any person engaged in any operation or activity which results in a spill or discharge of oil or other substance which may cause pollution of the waters of the state contrary to the provisions of this article 8, as soon as the person has knowledge thereof, shall notify the division of such discharge. Any person who fails to notify the division as soon as practicable commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars. Notification received pursuant to this subsection (2) or information obtained by the exploitation of such notification shall not be used against any such person in a criminal case except prosecution for perjury, for false swearing, or for failure to comply with a clean-up order issued pursuant to section 25-8-606.
(3) Any penalty collected under this section shall be credited to the general fund.
C.R.S. § 25-8-602 Notice of alleged violations
25-8-602. Notice of alleged violations. (1) Whenever the division has reason to believe that a violation of an order, permit, or control regulation issued or promulgated under authority of this article has occurred, the division shall cause written notice to be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon the alleged violator or his agent for service of process. The notice shall state the provision alleged to be violated and the facts alleged to constitute a violation, and it may include the nature of any corrective action proposed to be required.
(2) Each cease-and-desist and clean-up order issued pursuant to sections 25-8-605 and 25-8-606 shall be accompanied by or have incorporated in it the notice provided for in subsection (1) of this section unless such notice has been given prior to issuance of such cease-and-desist or clean-up order.
C.R.S. § 25-8-603 Hearing procedures for alleged violations
25-8-603. Hearing procedures for alleged violations. (1) In any notice given under section 25-8-602, the division shall require the alleged violator to answer each alleged violation and may require the alleged violator to appear before it for a public hearing to provide such answer. Such hearing shall be held no sooner than fifteen days after service of the notice; except that the division may set an earlier date for hearing if it is requested by the alleged violator.
(2) If the division does not require an alleged violator to appear for a public hearing, the alleged violator may request the division to conduct such a hearing. Such request shall be in writing and shall be filed with the division no later than thirty days after issuance of a notice under section 25-8-602. If such a request is filed, a hearing shall be held within a reasonable time.
(3) If a hearing is held pursuant to the provisions of this section, it shall be public and, if the division deems it practicable, shall be held in any county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred. The division shall permit all parties to respond to the notice served under section 25-8-602, to present evidence and argument on all issues, and to conduct cross-examination required for full disclosure of the facts.
(4) Hearings held pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with section 24-4-105, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 25-8-604 Suspension, modification, and revocation of permit
25-8-604. Suspension, modification, and revocation of permit. Upon a finding and determination, after hearing, that a violation of a permit provision has occurred, the division may suspend, modify, or revoke the pertinent permit or take such other action with respect to the violation as may be authorized pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commission.
C.R.S. § 25-8-605 Cease-and-desist orders
25-8-605. Cease-and-desist orders. If the division determines, with or without hearing, that a violation of any provision of this article or of any order, permit, or control regulation issued or promulgated under authority of this article exists, the division may issue a cease-and-desist order. Such order shall set forth the provision alleged to be violated, the facts alleged to constitute the violation, and the time by which the acts or practices complained of must be terminated.
C.R.S. § 25-8-606 Clean-up orders
25-8-606. Clean-up orders. The division may issue orders to any person to clean up any material which he, his employee, or his agent has accidentally or purposely dumped, spilled, or otherwise deposited in or near state waters which may pollute them. The division may also request the district attorney to proceed and take appropriate action under section 16-13-305 and sections 16-13-307 to 16-13-315, C.R.S., or section 18-4-511, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 25-8-607 Restraining orders and injunctions
25-8-607. Restraining orders and injunctions. (1) The division may request the district attorney for the judicial district with jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (2) of this section or the attorney general to bring, and if so requested it shall be the duty of such district attorney or the attorney general to bring, a suit for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction to prevent any threatened violation of this article or any order, permit, or control regulation issued or promulgated pursuant to this article which violation poses imminent and substantial endangerment to the beneficial uses of state waters and which cannot be timely prevented by a permit modification or permit enforcement action, or any continued violation of this article, or any order, permit, or control regulation issued or promulgated pursuant to this article. In any suit for a violation of an order, the final findings of the division, after opportunity for a hearing, based upon evidence in the record, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts found in such record.
(2) Suits under this section shall be brought in the district or county court for the district or county in which the violation or threatened violation occurs. Emergencies shall be given precedence over all other matters pending in such court. The institution of such injunction proceeding by the division shall confer upon such court exclusive jurisdiction to determine finally the subject matter of the proceeding; except that the exclusive jurisdiction of the court shall apply only to such injunctive proceeding and shall not preclude assessment of civil penalties or any other enforcement action or sanction authorized by this article.
C.R.S. § 25-8-608 Civil penalties - rules - fund created - temporary moratorium on penalties for minor violations - definitions - repeal
25-8-608. Civil penalties - rules - fund created - temporary moratorium on penalties for minor violations - definitions - repeal. (1) A person who violates this article 8, a permit issued under this article 8, a control regulation promulgated pursuant to this article 8, or a final cease-and-desist order or clean-up order is subject to a civil penalty of not more than fifty-four thousand eight hundred thirty-three dollars per day per violation; except that, on or before December 31, 2021, the commission shall, by rule, annually adjust the amount of the maximum civil penalty based on the percentage change in the United States department of labor's bureau of labor statistics consumer price index for Denver-Aurora-Lakewood for all items and all urban consumers, or its successor index. In determining the amount of a penalty under this part 6, the following factors shall be considered:
(a) The potential damage from the violation;
(b) The violator's compliance history;
(c) Whether the violation was intentional, reckless, or negligent;
(d) The impact upon or threat to the public health or environment as a result of the violation;
(e) The duration of the violation; and
(f) The economic benefit realized by the violator as a result of the violation.
(1.5) All penalties collected pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the water quality improvement fund, which is hereby created. The moneys in such fund shall be subject to annual appropriation. Any interest earned on moneys in the fund shall remain in the fund to be used for purposes of this section.
(1.7) (a) The department shall expend moneys in the water quality improvement fund for the following purposes:
(I) Improving the water quality in the community or water body impacted by the violation;
(II) Providing grants for storm water projects or to assist with planning, design, construction, or repair of domestic wastewater treatment works;
(III) Providing the nonfederal match funding for nonpoint source projects under 33 U.S.C. sec. 1329; or
(IV) Providing grants for storm water management training and best practices training to prevent or reduce the pollution of state waters.
(b) The division may retain five percent of the moneys in the water quality improvement fund to cover the cost of administering the projects or grants under paragraph (a) of this subsection (1.7).
(c) The commission shall promulgate rules as may be necessary to administer this subsection (1.7), including, but not limited to, rules defining who is eligible for grants, and what criteria shall be used in awarding grants. Any rules shall be promulgated in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(d) (I) If there is money still available after fully funding all purposes specified in subsection (1.7)(a) of this section, the department shall expend the following amounts:
(A) Up to three hundred thousand dollars for fiscal year 2017-18, three hundred thousand dollars for fiscal year 2018-19, and three hundred thousand dollars for fiscal year 2019-20 for grants for lead testing as authorized by the public school lead testing grant program established in section 25-1.5-203 (1)(f); and
(B) One hundred forty thousand dollars for fiscal year 2017-18, one hundred thousand dollars for fiscal year 2018-19, and one hundred thousand dollars for fiscal year 2019-20 to implement the public school lead testing grant program established in section 25-1.5-203 (1)(f), including technical support for schools, grant administration, and reporting.
(II) This subsection (1.7)(d) is repealed, effective September 1, 2025.
(1.8) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (1.5) or (1.7) of this section to the contrary, on April 20, 2009, the state treasurer shall deduct seven hundred thousand dollars from the water quality improvement fund and transfer such sum to the general fund.
ical support for schools, grant administration, and reporting.
(II) This subsection (1.7)(d) is repealed, effective September 1, 2025.
(1.8) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (1.5) or (1.7) of this section to the contrary, on April 20, 2009, the state treasurer shall deduct seven hundred thousand dollars from the water quality improvement fund and transfer such sum to the general fund.
(1.9) The division shall include in a separate section of the annual report required pursuant to section 25-8-305 a full accounting of all projects funded pursuant to this section for the preceding year.
(2) The division may institute a civil action or administrative action to impose and collect penalties under this section. Upon application of the division, penalties shall be determined by the executive director or his or her designee. The final decision of the executive director or his or her designee may be appealed to the commission. The final decision of the commission is subject to judicial review in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S. Any penalty may be collected by the division by action instituted in a court of competent jurisdiction for collection of such penalty. A stay of any order of the division pending judicial review shall not relieve any person from any liability under subsection (1) of this section, but the reason for the request for judicial review shall be considered in the determination of the amount of the penalty. In the event that such an action is instituted for the collection of such penalty, the court may consider the appropriateness of the amount of the penalty, if such issue is raised by the party against whom the penalty was assessed.
(3) to (5) Repealed.
C.R.S. § 25-8-608.5 Nutrients grant fund - rules - repeal
25-8-608.5. Nutrients grant fund - rules - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 25-8-608.7 Natural disaster grant fund - creation - rules
25-8-608.7. Natural disaster grant fund - creation - rules. (1) The natural disaster grant fund is hereby created in the state treasury. Moneys in the fund, including interest earned on the investment of moneys in the fund, are continuously appropriated to the department of public health and environment for the purpose specified in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) (a) The division shall expend moneys in the fund to award grants to local governments, including local governments accepting grants on behalf of and in coordination with not-for-profit public water systems, for the planning, design, construction, improvement, renovation, or reconstruction of domestic wastewater treatment works or public drinking water systems that have been impacted, damaged, or destroyed in connection with a natural disaster, as defined in section 24-33.5-703 (3), C.R.S. The division may also award grants to local governments to assist with the repair and restoration of on-site wastewater treatment systems, as defined in section 25-10-103 (12), that have been impacted, damaged, or destroyed in connection with a natural disaster. The division may only award grants to be used in counties for which the governor has declared a disaster emergency by executive order or proclamation under section 24-33.5-704, C.R.S.
(b) Grant recipients may use the grant moneys to provide a portion of any matching funds required to secure federal or state funding for the planning, design, construction, improvement, renovation, or reconstruction of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
(c) For the 2014-15 fiscal year and, as needed, the 2015-16 fiscal year, the division shall award grants to local governments that are eligible under paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) and have domestic wastewater treatment works, public drinking water systems, or on-site wastewater treatment systems that have been impacted, damaged, or destroyed in connection with the flood of September 2013 to restore the facilities' compliance with this article or the Colorado primary drinking water regulations.
(d) The division may retain up to one hundred thousand dollars per fiscal year of the moneys in the fund to cover the cost of administering projects or grants under this section.
(e) Repealed.
(3) The commission shall promulgate rules in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., as necessary to administer this section, including rules defining who is eligible to apply for grants and the criteria to be used in awarding grants. The criteria must give priority to applicants that have the lowest financial ability to pay for the necessary construction, improvements, renovation, or reconstruction.
C.R.S. § 25-8-609 Criminal pollution - penalties
25-8-609. Criminal pollution - penalties. (1) Any person who recklessly, knowingly, intentionally, or with criminal negligence discharges any pollutant into any state waters or into any domestic wastewater treatment works commits criminal pollution if such discharge is made:
(a) In violation of any permit issued under this article; or
(b) In violation of any cease-and-desist order or clean-up order issued by the division which is final and not stayed by court order; or
(c) Without a permit, if a permit is required by the provisions of this article for such discharge; or
(d) Repealed.
(e) In violation of any pretreatment regulations promulgated by the commission.
(2) Prosecution under this section shall be commenced upon request by the division or a peace officer, who must present evidence based on reasonable suspicion to either the attorney general or a district attorney for the district in which an alleged violation occurs. No criminal violation will be charged without probable cause.
(3) Any person who commits criminal pollution of state waters shall be penalized as follows:
(a) For a violation committed with criminal negligence or recklessly, as both terms are defined in section 18-1-501, the violator commits a class 2 misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of twenty-five thousand dollars per day for each day the violation occurs.
(b) For a violation committed knowingly or intentionally, as both terms are defined in section 18-1-501, the violator is guilty of a class 5 felony and, notwithstanding section 18-1.3-401, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a maximum fine of fifty thousand dollars per day for each day the violation occurs, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
(c) If two separate offenses under this article occur in two separate occurrences during a period of two years, the maximum fine for the second offense shall be double the amounts specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection (3), whichever is applicable.
(d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (SB 09-119), ch. 223, p. 1009, § 1, effective August 5, 2009.)
(4) Any criminal penalty collected under this section shall be credited to the general fund.
(5) No provision of this article shall be interpreted to supersede, limit, abrogate, or impair the ability to enforce:
(a) Civil or criminal penalties pursuant to article 22 of title 29, C.R.S., if the pollutant discharged into state waters or domestic wastewater treatment works is a "hazardous substance" as defined in section 29-22-101, C.R.S.; or
(b) Civil penalties pursuant to section 25-15-309 or criminal penalties pursuant to section 25-15-310 if the pollutant discharged into state waters or domestic wastewater treatment works is a "hazardous waste" as defined in section 25-15-101.
C.R.S. § 25-8-610 Falsification and tampering - penalties
25-8-610. Falsification and tampering - penalties. (1) Any person who knowingly makes any material false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this article 8 or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this article 8 commits a class 2 misdemeanor.
(2) Prosecution under this section shall be commenced upon request by the division or a peace officer, who must present evidence based on reasonable suspicion to either the attorney general or a district attorney for the district in which an alleged violation occurs. No criminal violation will be charged without probable cause.
(3) If two separate offenses under this section occur in two separate occurrences during a period of two years, notwithstanding section 18-1.3-501, the maximum fine and period of imprisonment for the second offense are double the amounts specified in section 18-1.3-501.
(4) Any penalty collected under this section shall be credited to the general fund.
C.R.S. § 25-8-611 Proceedings by other parties
25-8-611. Proceedings by other parties. (1) The factual or legal basis for proceedings or other actions that result from a violation of any control regulation inure solely to, and shall be for the benefit of the people of, the state generally, and it is not intended by this article, in any way, to create new private rights or to enlarge existing private rights. A determination that water pollution exists or that any standard has been disregarded or violated, whether or not a proceeding or action may be brought by the state, shall not create any presumption of law or finding of fact which shall inure to or be for the benefit of any person other than the state.
(2) A permit issued pursuant to this article may be introduced in any court of law as evidence that the permittee's activity is not a public or private nuisance. Introduction into evidence of such permit and evidence of compliance with the permit conditions shall constitute a prima facie case that the activity to which the permit pertains is not a public or private nuisance.
C.R.S. § 25-8-612 Remedies cumulative
25-8-612. Remedies cumulative. (1) It is the purpose of this article to provide additional and cumulative remedies to prevent, control, and abate water pollution and protect water quality.
(2) No action pursuant to section 25-8-609 shall bar enforcement of any provision of this article or of any rule or order issued pursuant to this article by any authorized means.
(3) Nothing in this article shall abridge or alter rights of action or remedies existing on or after July 1, 1981, nor shall any provision of this article or anything done by virtue of this article be construed as estopping individuals, cities, towns, counties, cities and counties, or duly constituted political subdivisions of the state from the exercise of their respective rights to suppress nuisances.
C.R.S. § 25-8-613 Limitation on actions
25-8-613. Limitation on actions. An action or other proceeding brought by the division pursuant to this part 6 alleging a violation of this article 8 or of any rule of the commission or order of the division must be commenced within five years after the date when the alleged violation is discovered or should have been discovered by the exercise of reasonable diligence.
C.R.S. § 25-8-701 Definitions
25-8-701. Definitions. As used in this part 7, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Construction" means entering into a contract for the erection or physical placement of materials, equipment, piping, earthwork, or buildings which are to be part of a domestic wastewater treatment works.
(2) "Eligible project" means a project for the planning, design, or construction of domestic wastewater treatment works or of facilities for the discharge of wastewater or backwash water from public water treatment plants that is, in the judgment of the division, necessary for the accomplishment of the state water quality control program and that conforms with applicable rules of the commission.
(3) Repealed.
C.R.S. § 25-8-702 Approval for commencement of construction
25-8-702. Approval for commencement of construction. (1) No person shall commence the construction of any domestic wastewater treatment works or the enlargement of the capacity of an existing domestic wastewater treatment works, unless the site location and the design for the construction or expansion have been approved by the division.
(2) In evaluating the suitability of a proposed site location for a domestic wastewater treatment works, the division shall:
(a) Consider the local long-range comprehensive plan for the area as it affects water quality and any approved regional wastewater management plan for the area;
(b) Determine that the plant on the proposed site will be managed to minimize the potential adverse impacts on water quality; and
(c) Encourage the consolidation of wastewater treatment facilities whenever feasible.
(3) Ninety days prior to commencement of construction of an interceptor line, the entity responsible for that line shall notify the planning agency and the division of such construction. This notification shall be accompanied with a certification by the agency receiving the wastewater for treatment that it has or will have the capacity to treat the projected wastewater from that interceptor line in accordance with the treatment agency's site approval and discharge permit. Within thirty days of receipt of notification, the planning agency, or the division, if a planning agency does not exist, shall certify that the proposed interceptor line has the capacity to carry the projected flow. In the event the entity responsible for an interceptor line does not have the said certification from the treatment agency and the planning agency, the entity shall be required to apply for a site location approval prior to commencement of construction.
(4) The decision of the division concerning approval of the site location or design may be appealed to the commission. The commission shall hold a hearing on the site location or design in accordance with the provisions of section 24-4-105, C.R.S., and the decision of the commission shall be final administrative action for the purposes of section 24-4-106, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 25-8-703 State contracts for construction of domestic wastewater treatment works
25-8-703. State contracts for construction of domestic wastewater treatment works. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 25-8-801 Definitions
25-8-801. Definitions. As used in this part 8, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Administrator" or "storm water management system administrator" means a nonprofit entity designated by the division to conduct the activities required under this part 8.
(2) "Advisory board" means an oversight group, established as a required element within each storm water management system administrator's program, that is made up of volunteers representing industry sector stakeholders active in the program, including nonprofit administrator representatives, participants, participating MS4s, and third-party auditors. While acting in the capacity of a board of directors, the advisory board has the authority to establish all program policies and procedures, collect and maintain program records, compile annual participant performance summary reports, and take all necessary actions to maintain the department's designation of the administrator.
(3) "CDPS" means the Colorado discharge permit system.
(4) "CDPS MS4 permit" means a CDPS permit for storm water discharges associated with an MS4.
(5) "CDPS storm water construction permit" means a CDPS permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activities.
(6) "MS4" means a municipal separate storm sewer system.
(7) "MS4 permittee" means a governmental entity with a CDPS permit for storm water discharges associated with an MS4.
(8) "Participant" means a person that is required to obtain a CDPS storm water construction permit from the division and that volunteers to participate in a storm water management system program administered by a storm water management system administrator.
(9) "SWMP" means a storm water management plan as defined in the CDPS permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activities.
(10) "Third-party auditor" means a person who meets the professional qualifications defined in the administrator's written program and who operates independently from, and is not an employee of, any participant or MS4 in the administrator's program.
C.R.S. § 25-8-802 Storm water management system administrator
25-8-802. Storm water management system administrator. (1) A nonprofit entity may apply to be a storm water management system administrator by completing an application in such form as the division may require. The division may designate one or more storm water management system administrators. To be designated as an administrator, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the division that:
(a) The applicant has in place a standardized compliance assistance and assurance program that contains processes, procedures, and associated training for participants that, when fully implemented by the program participants, would result in full compliance with the requirements of the applicable CDPS storm water construction permit. The compliance assistance and assurance program shall assure, at a minimum, that each participant:
(I) Maintains a qualified permit compliance manager in accordance with the CDPS storm water construction permit and the administrator's written policies;
(II) Maintains complete and updated permit documentation available for inspection at the permitted facility;
(III) Completes established minimum requirements for training to maintain permit compliance manager status; and
(IV) Complies with all applicable terms and conditions required by any MS4 permittee with jurisdiction over the participant's construction activities.
(b) The applicant ensures that a third-party audit of each participant facility operating under a CDPS storm water construction permit is completed on a monthly basis using standardized inspection reporting forms and procedures approved by the division. Third-party audit reports must include standardized compliance performance measurement and scoring clearly demonstrating the following:
(I) The adequacy of implementation of each aspect of the administrator's storm water management systems;
(II) The adequacy of the SWMP in meeting all applicable permit requirements defined in this part 8; and
(III) The adequacy of each storm water management practice used to implement the SWMP.
(c) The applicant maintains records of its compliance assistance and assurance program, including a list of participants and each participant facility, and monthly required third-party audits, in a form approved by the division;
(d) The applicant has fully implemented the compliance assistance and assurance program with a sufficient number of participants to demonstrate the adequacy of the program for one year prior to submittal of an application for designation as an administrator;
(e) The applicant maintains an advisory board that meets regularly, but not less than quarterly, and such meetings are open to the public; and
(f) The applicant has a written storm water management program that includes:
(I) An organizational chart defining relationships among stakeholders, including the roles and responsibilities of each;
(II) Advisory board make-up and associated policies and procedures;
(III) Participant policies and procedures, including performance standards and measurement methodology;
(IV) Third-party auditor policies and procedures; and
(V) Other policies and procedures the division may require to demonstrate a complete and functional program.
(2) Upon the division's approval of the application, the division shall designate the applicant as a storm water management system administrator. The applicant shall maintain a compliance assistance and assurance program, including requiring third-party audits and record keeping, consistent with the requirements of this part 8.
ivision may require to demonstrate a complete and functional program.
(2) Upon the division's approval of the application, the division shall designate the applicant as a storm water management system administrator. The applicant shall maintain a compliance assistance and assurance program, including requiring third-party audits and record keeping, consistent with the requirements of this part 8.
(3) A storm water management system administrator shall provide to the division on at least a yearly basis a summary report that describes in detail significant program accomplishments and changes and that adequately demonstrates the overall performance of the administrator's program in improving participant compliance with the participants' storm water permits. The division shall make the yearly administrator summary report available to the public.
(4) To the extent permitted by federal law, the division may reduce compliance oversight activities for facilities authorized to discharge under a CDPS storm water construction permit participating in a storm water management system administrator program based on a determination by the division that the participants or the participant facilities have a demonstrated record of reduced potential for occurrences of noncompliance and reduced risk of negative impacts on receiving waters. This part 8 does not prohibit or restrict any compliance oversight, including inspections, by the division.
(5) The division may revoke the designation of an administrator for evidence of repeated failure to meet the requirements of this part 8.
(6) The disclosure of any information related to a participant's third-party audit to an administrator is not a disclosure under section 25-1-114.5.
(7) Participation in a storm water management system administrator program by a holder of a CDPS storm water construction permit is strictly voluntary, and a participant may end its participation at any time upon written notice to the administrator.
(8) The administrator may work with the division to establish reporting requirements acceptable to the division that would allow participants in the administrator's program to participate in environmental performance recognition programs, including the department's environmental leadership program.
C.R.S. § 25-8-803 Storm water management system administrator audits to support MS4 permittees' programs
25-8-803. Storm water management system administrator audits to support MS4 permittees' programs. (1) MS4 permittees may choose to work with any administrator to assist the MS4 permittee in complying with the terms and conditions of the MS4 permittee's CDPS MS4 permit. An MS4 permittee may utilize all, or portions of, the storm water management system administrator's program as part of the MS4 permittee's program for oversight of construction sites to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the MS4 permittee's CDPS permit for storm water discharges associated with an MS4.
(2) The division may consider third-party audits conducted pursuant to a storm water management system administrator's program to be part of the MS4 permittee's compliance oversight program required by its CDPS MS4 permit if the MS4 permittee formally utilizes the storm water management system administrator's program that conducted the audit, and the MS4 permittee implements procedures to demonstrate and report to the division, upon division request, that the administrator's program is meeting the requirements for third-party audits in section 25-8-802 (1) and (3) for participant construction activities located within the jurisdiction of the MS4 permittee.
(3) An MS4 permittee may reduce compliance oversight activities for facilities authorized to discharge under a CDPS storm water construction permit that are operated by participants in a storm water management system administrator's program based on a determination by the MS4 permittee that the participants or participant facilities have a demonstrated record of reduced potential for occurrences of noncompliance and reduced risk of negative impacts on receiving waters. This part 8 does not prohibit or restrict any compliance oversight, including inspections, by an MS4 permittee.
(4) Modification of the MS4 permittee's program is subject to division approval in accordance with the requirements of the applicable CDPS MS4 permit.
(5) An MS4 permittee's use of a storm water management system administrator's program is strictly voluntary, and an MS4 permittee may end its use of the program at any time upon written notice to the administrator.
(6) Nothing in this part 8 grants regulatory authority to a storm water management system administrator or the authority to impose any fine.
(7) Nothing in this part 8 preempts or supersedes any authority of an MS4 permittee or any other local agency.
(8) Nothing in this part 8 removes, reduces, or transfers the responsibility for compliance with an MS4 permit from the MS4 permittee.
C.R.S. § 25-8-901 Definitions
25-8-901. Definitions. As used in this part 9, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Child care center" has the meaning set forth in section 26-6-903 (5); except that "child care center" does not include:
(a) A summer camp; or
(b) A children's resident camp, as defined in section 26.5-5-303 (5).
(2) "Department" means the state department of public health and environment.
(3) "Drinking water source" means any potable water outlet or fixture that is used or that may be used by an individual to acquire water for drinking or cooking.
(4) "Eligible school" means a school that serves any of grades preschool through eighth grade.
(5) "Family child care home" has the meaning set forth in section 26.5-5-303 (7).
(6) "Filtered bottle-filling station" means an apparatus that:
(a) Is connected to building plumbing;
(b) Filters water;
(c) Is certified to meet NSF/ANSI standard 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI standard 42 for particulate removal;
(d) Has a light or other device to indicate filter status;
(e) Is designed to fill drinking bottles or other containers used for personal water consumption; and
(f) Includes a feature that allows a user to drink directly from a stream of flowing water without the use of an accessory.
(7) "Filtered faucet" means a faucet that, at the point of use, includes a filter that is certified to meet NSF/ANSI standard 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI standard 42 for particulate removal.
(8) "Filtration system" means a filtered bottle-filling station or filtered faucet.
(9) "Fund" means the school and child care clean drinking water fund created in section 25-8-902.
(10) (a) "Lead service line" means:
(I) A water service line made of lead; or
(II) A lead pigtail, lead gooseneck, or other lead fitting that is connected to a water service line.
(b) "Lead service line" includes any galvanized service line that is or ever was downstream of any lead service line or any service line of unknown material.
(c) A lead service line may be owned by a water system, a property owner, or both.
(11) "NSF/ANSI standard 42" means the NSF International/American National Standards Institute standard 42-2020 for "drinking water treatment units, aesthetic effects", as amended.
(12) "NSF/ANSI standard 53" means the NSF International/American National Standards Institute standard 53-2020 for "drinking water treatment units, health effects", as amended.
(13) "Relevant languages" has the meaning set forth in section 25-7-141 (2)(o).
(14) "School" means:
(a) A school of a school district;
(b) A district charter school, as defined in section 22-11-103 (12);
(c) An institute charter school, as defined in section 22-30.5-502 (6);
(d) An approved facility school, as defined in section 22-2-402 (1); or
(e) A board of cooperative services, as defined in section 22-5-103 (2).
(15) "State-certified laboratory" means a laboratory that is certified by the department pursuant to section 25-1.5-203 (1)(d) for the purpose of ensuring competent testing of drinking water.
(16) "Water quality control commission" or "commission" means the water quality control commission created in section 25-8-201.
C.R.S. § 25-8-902 School and child care clean drinking water fund - creation
25-8-902. School and child care clean drinking water fund - creation. (1) The school and child care clean drinking water fund is created in the department.
(2) The fund includes any money that is transferred to the fund and any money that the general assembly may appropriate to the fund.
(3) Money in the fund at the end of each state fiscal year remains in the fund and does not revert to the general fund; except that any money remaining in the fund on June 29, 2026, reverts to the general fund.
(4) The department is the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes.
(5) The department shall expend money from the fund only:
(a) To help schools, child care centers, and family child care homes comply with this part 9; and
(b) To reimburse eligible schools, child care centers, and family child care homes as needed for costs associated with complying with this part 9, in the following order of priority:
(I) Child care centers and family child care homes;
(II) Eligible schools for which testing results show relatively high levels of lead;
(III) Eligible schools that are receiving money pursuant to Title I of the federal "Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965", 20 U.S.C. sec. 6301 et seq., as amended; and
(IV) On and after June 1, 2023, subject to available appropriations, eligible schools that serve students in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade.
(6) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the department shall not expend money from the fund:
(a) To replace or repair any lead service line; or
(b) To reimburse a child care center, family child care home, or eligible school for costs associated with complying with this part 9 if the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school has already received money from the fund to reimburse the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school for a test of each drinking water source, as described in section 25-8-903 (1), and:
(I) None of the results of such testing showed the presence of lead in an amount of at least five parts per billion; or
(II) If the results of such testing showed the presence of lead in an amount of at least five parts per billion, the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school has also received reimbursement for:
(A) Any remediation efforts performed in response to such testing; and
(B) A confirmation test of each drinking water source at the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school, as described in section 25-8-903 (2)(c).
C.R.S. § 25-8-903 Testing for the presence of lead in drinking water in child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools - remediation - maintenance of records - training - inspections - enforcement - reimbursement - technical assistance - exemptions - opt out by family child care home - reports
25-8-903. Testing for the presence of lead in drinking water in child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools - remediation - maintenance of records - training - inspections - enforcement - reimbursement - technical assistance - exemptions - opt out by family child care home - reports. (1) Testing. (a) (I) Except as described in subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section, on or before May 31, 2023, each child care center, family child care home, and eligible school shall test its drinking water sources by having a state-certified laboratory measure the lead content of water drawn from each drinking water source. The testing must be done in accordance with the latest federal guidance on proper sampling for testing for the presence of lead in drinking water, including the "Lead and Copper Rule" of the federal environmental protection agency, 40 CFR 141 et seq., as amended.
(II) Subject to available appropriations, as described in section 25-8-904 (2), an eligible school that serves students in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade shall satisfy the requirement described in subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section on or before November 30, 2024.
(b) Except as described in subsection (2)(a)(V) of this section, within thirty days after receiving the results of a test of a drinking water source, a child care center, family child care home, or eligible school shall:
(I) Make the results, as well as any associated lead remediation plans, publicly available on the child care center's, family child care home's, or eligible school's website, if applicable; and
(II) Report the results to the water quality control commission using a standard form that the commission establishes. The commission shall post the results on its public website within thirty days after receiving them.
(c) Each child care center, family child care home, and eligible school shall establish a testing schedule for its drinking water sources, provide the schedule to its employees and to parents and guardians of children that attend the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school, and make the schedule publicly available. All communications to employees, parents, and guardians must be provided in relevant languages.
(d) The department shall develop and make available a template for child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools to use to provide notifications and post information online as described in this section.
(2) Remediation. (a) If the results of a test of a drinking water source show that water from the drinking water source contains lead in an amount of five parts per billion or more, a child care center, family child care home, or eligible school shall:
(I) Shut off the drinking water source as soon as practicably possible;
(II) Affix a visible label on the drinking water source, which label indicates that the drinking water source is undergoing remediation for the presence of lead and that water from the drinking water source should not be consumed;
(III) Determine remediation steps within thirty days after receiving the test results, which remediation steps must be demonstrated to reduce lead to below five parts per billion and may include installation or replacement of a filtration system;
(IV) Complete all necessary remediation steps as soon as possible but no later than ninety days after receiving the test results; and
not be consumed;
(III) Determine remediation steps within thirty days after receiving the test results, which remediation steps must be demonstrated to reduce lead to below five parts per billion and may include installation or replacement of a filtration system;
(IV) Complete all necessary remediation steps as soon as possible but no later than ninety days after receiving the test results; and
(V) Provide notice of the test results to all employees, parents, and guardians within two business days after receiving the results, which notice must be provided in relevant languages and include a summary of the test results and information concerning the availability of the complete test results, a description of any remediation steps that will be taken, general information concerning the health effects and risks posed by lead in drinking water and other sources, and information regarding the availability of additional resources concerning lead in drinking water, including how and where individuals may seek blood-level testing if they are concerned.
(b) While a child care center, family child care home, or eligible school is in the process of remediating a drinking water source, the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school shall ensure that:
(I) No one uses the drinking water source to acquire water for drinking or cooking; and
(II) Adequate drinking water remains available to children, employees, and other individuals who are present in the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school.
(c) Within ninety days after a child care center, family child care home, or eligible school successfully remediates a drinking water source, the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school shall perform a confirmation test of the drinking water source for the presence of lead.
(d) The department may conduct further remediation as necessary to address a drinking water source at a child care center, family child care home, or eligible school.
(3) Maintenance of records. Each child care center, family child care home, and eligible school shall create and maintain, for at least five years, records of its filter replacement activities, including when a filter is removed and when a new filter is installed, and any remediation efforts, including faucet replacements. Each child care center, family child care home, and eligible school shall provide copies of such records to the department and any member of the public upon request.
(4) Training. Not later than one hundred eighty days after August 10, 2022, the department shall provide training to each child care center, family child care home, and eligible school regarding water filter maintenance, flushing protocols, testing for lead, reporting processes for sampling reports, and other activities relevant to compliance with this part 9. Training may take place in person or virtually and must include the individuals who will take water samples at the child care center, family child care home, or eligible school for the purposes of this part 9. The department shall provide the training in relevant languages.
(5) Inspections. The department is not required to perform inspections pursuant to this part 9.
(6) Enforcement. The water quality control commission may enforce this part 9 by issuing administrative orders and assessing penalties but is not required to do so.
(7) Reimbursement. (a) The department shall develop and implement procedures:
(I) Whereby child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools can satisfactorily demonstrate costs incurred for the purpose of complying with this section and apply to the department for reimbursement of such costs; and
(II) Whereby the department, except as described in section 25-8-902 (6), reimburses child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools for costs incurred for the purpose of complying with this section.
s, and eligible schools can satisfactorily demonstrate costs incurred for the purpose of complying with this section and apply to the department for reimbursement of such costs; and
(II) Whereby the department, except as described in section 25-8-902 (6), reimburses child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools for costs incurred for the purpose of complying with this section.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (7)(a) of this section, the department shall not reimburse an eligible school that serves students in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade until June 1, 2023, for costs incurred for the purpose of complying with this section.
(8) Technical assistance. The department shall provide technical assistance as needed to child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools in rural areas to help such facilities comply with the requirements of this section.
(9) Exemptions. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary:
(a) A family child care home established before March 31, 2023, may opt out of the duty to comply with this section so long as the authorized representative of the family child care home provides written notice of such decision to the department on or before March 31, 2023. A family child care home established on or after March 31, 2023, may opt out of the duty to comply with this section so long as the authorized representative of the family child care home provides written notice of such decision to the department within six months after the date upon which the family child care home is established.
(b) A child care center or eligible school is not required to satisfy the requirements of this section if the child care center or eligible school is classified as a public water system under the "Lead and Copper Rule" of the federal environmental protection agency, 40 CFR 141 et seq., as amended, and the child care center or eligible school is in compliance with the requirements of the federal rule. However, a child care center or eligible school that utilizes the exemption described in this subsection (9)(b) shall, in lieu of satisfying the reporting requirement described in subsection (1)(b)(II) of this section, report annually to the water quality control commission the results of the child care center's or eligible school's testing of its drinking water sources pursuant to the federal rule.
(10) Reports. (a) On or before December 1, 2023, and on or before each December 1 thereafter, the water quality control commission shall submit a report to the public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives and the health and human services committee of the senate, or to any successor committees, which report:
(I) Summarizes the results of the tests performed by child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools pursuant to this section; and
(II) Identifies any noncompliant child care centers, family child care homes, and eligible schools.
(b) The water quality control commission shall present testimony concerning the report described in subsection (10)(a) of this section to the public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives, or any successor committee, at the committee's request.
(c) Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report described in subsection (10)(a) of this section continues indefinitely.
C.R.S. § 25-8-904 Report and recommendation regarding expansion required - legislative declaration
25-8-904. Report and recommendation regarding expansion required - legislative declaration. (1) It is the general assembly's intent that, subject to the availability of future appropriations, the requirements described in this part 9 concerning the testing and remediation of drinking water sources in eligible schools should be expanded to apply to schools other than those schools that are eligible schools, and such schools should also be made eligible to receive reimbursement for costs incurred in complying with such requirements. To this end, the department is required to advise the general assembly in the form of the report described in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) On or before February 28, 2024, the department shall report to the public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives and the health and human services committee of the senate, or to any successor committees, concerning the department's activities under this part 9. Specifically, the department shall include in the report the amount of money, if any, that remains in the fund on the date of the report. If the department determines that sufficient money remains in the fund, then eligible schools that serve any of grades six through eight shall comply with the testing requirement described in section 25-8-903 (1)(a)(I) on or before November 30, 2024. The department shall post notice of its determination on its public website as soon as practicable.
C.R.S. § 25-8-905 Repeal of part
25-8-905. Repeal of part. This part 9 is repealed, effective June 30, 2026.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1001 Definitions
25-8-1001. Definitions. As used in this part 10, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Action plan" means the statewide action plan created by the division in accordance with section 25-8-1004.
(2) "Colorado EnviroScreen" means the environmental justice mapping tool developed and administered by the department and Colorado state university, or any successor tool.
(3) "Department" means the state department of public health and environment.
(4) "Division" means the water quality control division in the department.
(5) "Division of housing" means the division of housing in the department of local affairs.
(6) (a) "Finished water" means water that is supplied to a distribution system of a mobile home park and intended for distribution and human consumption.
(b) "Finished water" includes drinking water present anywhere in the distribution system.
(7) "Fund" means the mobile home park water quality fund created in section 25-8-1006.
(8) "Grant program" means the mobile home water quality grant program created in section 25-8-1005.
(9) "Local government" means:
(a) A statutory or home rule county, municipality, or city and county; or
(b) Any special district that owns or operates facilities that supply water to or take wastewater from a mobile home park.
(10) "Mobile home park" or "park" has the meaning set forth in section 38-12-201.5 (6).
(11) "Park owner" means each person that owns a mobile home park, acting individually or jointly, and the agent of the park owner with respect to matters concerning the park.
(12) "Ombudsperson" means the environmental justice ombudsperson appointed under section 25-1-134 or the ombudsperson's designee.
(13) "Remediation" means the resolution of all water quality issues of a finished water source so that the finished water is safe and healthy to drink. "Remediate" has a corresponding meaning.
(14) "Testing program" means the program to test mobile home park water quality created in accordance with section 25-8-1002 (1)(a).
(15) "Water quality issue" means, with regard to finished water or water supply, that:
(a) The finished water fails to comply with the primary drinking water quality standards established by rule under sections 25-8-202 and 25-8-204 or with any maximum contaminant level established by the United States environmental protection agency; or
(b) The division has made a written determination that the finished water or water supply is of sufficiently low quality to present a risk to the welfare, health, or safety of individuals who consume the water.
(16) "Water supply" means the supply of a source of finished water to a park's residents. "Water supply" includes primary source water, wells, rivers, water systems, and water purchased from another water system.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1002 Division duties - testing water quality at mobile home parks - parameters of testing - notice of results
25-8-1002. Division duties - testing water quality at mobile home parks - parameters of testing - notice of results. (1) Testing program. (a) By July 1, 2024, the division shall develop and begin conducting a program to test the quality of finished water at mobile home parks. The testing program is in addition to any other testing performed pursuant to this article 8. The division may contract with third-party entities to perform the testing.
(b) The division shall ensure that materials, information, and communications shared with members of the public related to the testing program are available in English, Spanish, and any other language requested by a resident or that the division determines is necessary to provide reasonable notice.
(c) The division shall test, in accordance with this section, finished water at:
(I) Twenty-five percent of the total number of parks by July 1, 2025;
(II) Fifty percent of the total number of parks by July 1, 2026;
(III) Seventy-five percent of the total number of parks by July 1, 2027; and
(IV) One hundred percent of the total number of parks by July 1, 2028.
(d) (I) The division shall begin testing by sampling the finished water and the water supply at parks that represent geographically diverse locations across Colorado, both in urban and rural locations, based on the following prioritization criteria, not listed in order of importance:
(A) Parks located in a census block group where at least forty percent of residents identify as a racial or ethnic minority;
(B) Parks in a geographic area that is known to produce contaminants in finished water because of the geology of the geographic area;
(C) Parks at a higher risk of experiencing cumulative effects on water quality because they are located in the most recent version of its census block group with a Colorado EnviroScreen score above the eightieth percentile;
(D) Parks where residents have requested testing;
(E) Parks where residents have submitted complaints, including consideration of the largest number of complaints, about the quality of the finished water to the department, to the division of housing, or to the ombudsperson;
(F) Parks that are supplied with finished water from an unregulated water supply; and
(G) Parks the division determines should be prioritized.
(II) The division shall create a waiting list if requests for finished water testing at parks exceed the division's capacity for conducting the testing within thirty days after the request.
(2) Testing parameters. (a) In developing the testing program, the division shall interview residents of parks to understand resident experiences, including damage to appliances, health effects, and economic effects, and shall assess possible causes of concern about the quality of finished water, including concerns about finished water that has an abnormal color, odor, or taste. The division shall conduct the interviews in English, Spanish, or any other language requested by a resident or that the division determines is necessary to conduct the interview.
(b) In developing the testing program, the division shall determine and approve a specific sampling and testing plan for each park requiring any water quality testing that the division determines is necessary to assess the finished water's safety and quality and to assess park resident concerns identified in the interviews described in subsection (2)(a) of this section. The testing may include:
(I) Testing to determine if the water complies with the primary and secondary drinking water standards established by rule under sections 25-8-202 and 25-8-204 and with the maximum contaminant levels or secondary maximum contaminant levels established by the United States environmental protection agency;
(II) Testing to evaluate hardness, iron, calcium, and total dissolved solids; and
(III) Testing for chemicals with health advisory levels if the division believes the chemicals may be present in the finished water.
under sections 25-8-202 and 25-8-204 and with the maximum contaminant levels or secondary maximum contaminant levels established by the United States environmental protection agency;
(II) Testing to evaluate hardness, iron, calcium, and total dissolved solids; and
(III) Testing for chemicals with health advisory levels if the division believes the chemicals may be present in the finished water.
(c) Each approved sampling and testing plan is subject to review and revision by the department.
(d) The division is authorized to not test finished water at a park for a specific contaminant if information exists showing the contaminant is not near or in excess of the standard in the finished water or if testing of the contaminant is already required by a park's registration as a public water system.
(e) The division shall require that any sampling and analysis performed in the field for the testing program be conducted by a qualified professional, as determined by the division.
(f) In implementing the testing program, the division shall:
(I) Use the sample hold times for valid sampling in accordance with the rules promulgated under sections 25-8-202 and 25-8-204; and
(II) Avoid testing within a mobile home without the owner's or renter's consent and evaluate possible alternate testing locations, including pedestals and service lines.
(3) Notice of test results. (a) Test results obtained in accordance with this section are public records. The division shall make the test results accessible as soon as possible on a public website on which the test results may be viewed in English, Spanish, and any other language requested by a resident or that the division determines is necessary to provide reasonable notice.
(b) (I) Within ten days after receiving the test results, the division shall notify the following persons of the test results obtained in accordance with this section for each park:
(A) The park owner;
(B) The county department of health where the park is located;
(C) The municipality, if any, where the park is located;
(D) The division of housing in the department of local affairs;
(E) The water supplier; and
(F) The ombudsperson.
(II) If test results show that a park's finished water has a water quality issue, the division's notification described in subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section must include:
(A) A summary of the test results and information concerning the availability of the complete test results;
(B) Information about any violation of water quality standards for finished water;
(C) Guidance about any actions residents should take in light of any violations of water quality standards for finished water;
(D) Guidance about the remediation process, as described in section 25-8-1003; and
(E) Information about the grant program.
tion concerning the availability of the complete test results;
(B) Information about any violation of water quality standards for finished water;
(C) Guidance about any actions residents should take in light of any violations of water quality standards for finished water;
(D) Guidance about the remediation process, as described in section 25-8-1003; and
(E) Information about the grant program.
(c) (I) Upon receiving notice of test results in accordance with subsection (3)(b)(I)(A) of this section, the park owner shall notify the park residents of the test results within five days in English, Spanish, and any other language requested by a resident or that the division determines is necessary to provide reasonable notice and include in the notice the information and guidance received from the division in accordance with subsection (3)(b)(II) of this section. The park owner shall use a professional translator to provide the notice in any language other than English. After giving the notice, the park owner shall certify to the division that the park owner has notified the residents.
(II) In addition to directly notifying residents, a park owner shall also post the notice of test results in English, Spanish, and any other language requested by a resident or that the division determines is necessary to provide reasonable notice in a clearly visible location in park common areas, including any community hall or recreation hall. The notice must:
(A) Remain clearly visible in the common area for at least one hundred twenty days after the date it is posted; and
(B) Use a translation provided by a professional translator.
(III) If a park owner fails to provide and post the notice required by subsections (3)(c)(I) and (3)(c)(II) of this section to residents within five business days after receipt of the notice from the division, the park owner is subject to section 38-12-1104 and part 2 of article 12 of title 38.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1003 Remediation
25-8-1003. Remediation. (1) If testing conducted in accordance with the testing program identifies a water quality issue in finished water, the division shall:
(a) Perform or require additional testing, if necessary, of the finished water or water supply at the park, and this testing may include continued testing, testing of multiple points in the water supply outside the mobile home, and testing of flow rates and of water pressure;
(b) Notify the division of housing and the persons listed in section 25-8-1002 (3)(b)(I);
(c) Timely review the remediation plan described in subsection (2)(c) of this section and either:
(I) Approve the plan; or
(II) Deny the plan with a written explanation of the reason the plan was denied and make recommendations for addressing the reason the plan was denied; and
(d) When the water quality issue has been remediated, notify the division of housing.
(2) Upon receiving the notice made under subsection (1)(b) of this section, the park owner shall:
(a) Comply with any orders of the division related to the water quality issue;
(b) Not impose the cost of compliance with this subsection (2) on park residents;
(c) Within one hundred twenty days after receiving the notice, prepare and submit to the division a remediation plan, which must be designed to address the water quality issue described in the notice and must include deadlines, with status update requirements, to address the water quality issue;
(d) Complete the remediation plan based on a schedule approved by the division; and
(e) Consult with the division and provide a reasonable and sufficient amount of accessible drinking water or department-approved filters, if either one or both are necessary, to address acute health risks.
(3) To address a water quality issue, the department may issue an order requiring the park owner to:
(a) Perform additional water testing;
(b) Perform temporary measures necessary to address acute health risks;
(c) Make additional reports to the division concerning the water quality issue; or
(d) Create a remediation plan, implement a remediation plan, or respond to the division in connection with a remediation plan.
(4) An order issued under subsection (3)(d) of this section becomes effective upon issuance to the park owner. A park owner may file a request for a hearing, pursuant to section 24-4-105, on any issue raised by the order if filed within twenty days after the order is mailed.
(5) This section does not require a park owner to remediate a water quality issue within a mobile home.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1004 Action plan
25-8-1004. Action plan. (1) By March 1, 2026, the division shall develop an action plan to address and improve water quality in mobile home parks. The action plan must comply with subsection (3) of this section.
(2) In developing the action plan, the division shall:
(a) Conduct outreach to park residents to:
(I) Gather information to develop the action plan; and
(II) Receive input about water quality concerns, including concerns related to water safety, color, odor, and taste;
(b) Coordinate with residents of parks to identify opportunities to improve the quality of finished water in and the water supply for parks;
(c) Ensure that communications with members of the public concerning the action plan are available in English, Spanish, and any other language requested by a resident or that the division determines is necessary for public outreach;
(d) Consult with or coordinate with some or all of the following entities: The park owner, park residents, nonprofit organizations, public institutions of higher education, the water provider, county health departments, and the ombudsperson;
(e) Consider the results of the testing program and any other water quality testing conducted to date;
(f) Assess water supply infrastructure for a sampling of parks based on prioritization criteria in section 25-8-1002 (1)(d), and this assessment must assess for the presence of lead pipes or decaying or aging pipes, the sizing of pipes, and water pressure levels to determine if infrastructure is impairing water quality; and
(g) Collect relevant data about finished water at parks.
(3) The action plan must:
(a) Include a status report of the testing program conducted to date, and the status report must specify the number of parks tested, the testing locations, and a summary of findings to date;
(b) Develop a strategy to test water quality at any parks not yet tested;
(c) Identify opportunities to improve the quality of finished water in and the water supply for parks, including opportunities to address color, taste, and odor concerns;
(d) In cooperating and consulting with the division of housing, identify opportunities for potential funding to improve the quality of finished water and the water supply and to enforce this part 10;
(e) Include timelines for implementation of the action plan; and
(f) Include a written description of how park resident feedback was and was not incorporated.
(4) The division shall coordinate with the division of housing to identify potential money, including grant money from the grant program, to support remediation of a water quality issue at a park.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1005 Mobile home water quality grant program - created - grant application and award process - reporting - funding
25-8-1005. Mobile home water quality grant program - created - grant application and award process - reporting - funding. (1) (a) The mobile home water quality grant program is created to provide grants to park owners, nonprofit entities, and local governments to address water quality issues and wastewater problems in mobile home parks.
(b) Grant recipients may use the money received through the grant program to remediate water quality issues in a park or, subject to division approval, improve water quality in a park.
(2) (a) The division shall administer the grant program and, subject to available appropriations, shall award grants as provided in this section.
(b) The division shall, in collaboration with the division of housing, develop policies to implement the grant program in accordance with this section. At a minimum, the policies must specify:
(I) The deadlines for applying for, awarding, and disbursing grants;
(II) The procedures for applying for a grant;
(III) The criteria used to evaluate a grant application; and
(IV) The criteria for determining the amount of a grant.
(3) To receive a grant, a park owner, nonprofit entity, or local government must submit an application to the division in accordance with the policies developed pursuant to subsection (2) of this section. At a minimum, the application must include the following information:
(a) The name of the park owner, nonprofit entity, local government, or agency of a local government applying for the grant;
(b) The park that would benefit from the grant;
(c) A reference to the notice received in accordance with section 25-8-1003 (1)(b) on the mobile home park's water quality issue; and
(d) The planned remediation or improvement to be accomplished with the grant.
(4) (a) The division shall review the applications received under this section and shall prioritize funding for applications based on:
(I) The severity of the water quality issue;
(II) The number of people affected by the water quality issue; and
(III) The costs to remediate the water quality issue or improve water quality.
(b) Subject to available appropriations, on or before July 1, 2025, and on or before July 1 of each year thereafter, the division shall award grants as provided in this section and the policies adopted in accordance with this section.
(5) The general assembly shall annually appropriate money from the fund to the department for allocation to the division to implement the grant program. The division may use up to ten percent of the money annually appropriated for the grant program to pay the direct and indirect costs that the division incurs to administer the grant program.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1006 Mobile home park water quality fund
25-8-1006. Mobile home park water quality fund. (1) The mobile home park water quality fund is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of money credited to the fund in accordance with section 25-8-1007 (3) and any other money that the general assembly may appropriate or transfer to the fund.
(2) The state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the deposit and investment of money in the fund to the fund.
(3) Subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly, the division shall, as necessary to address a park's water quality issues or improve a park's water quality, expend money from the fund to implement this part 10, including the grant program.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1007 Enforcement
25-8-1007. Enforcement. (1) The division has authority to test and require remediation of park finished water, regardless of the type of water source.
(2) The division shall, as necessary to address a park's water quality issues, issue a cease-and-desist order for a violation of this part 10 in accordance with section 25-8-605.
(3) (a) If a park owner fails to comply with cease-and-desist order, create a remediation plan, implement a remediation plan, or respond to the division in connection with a remediation plan, the division may impose a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars plus an additional five thousand dollars for each full calendar month after the first calendar month for which the violation continues. The division must impose a civil penalty in accordance with article 4 of title 24.
(b) The division shall transfer a civil penalty collected pursuant to this subsection (3) to the state treasurer, who shall credit the civil penalty to the fund.
(c) If a park owner threatens to evict a park resident for filing a water quality complaint or for requesting remediation to address a water quality issue, the park owner has violated section 38-12-203 (3) and is subject to the penalties set forth in section 38-12-203 (3).
(4) This section does not provide an exclusive remedy and does not limit the right of park residents to take legal action against the park owner. Exhaustion of the administrative remedy provided in this section is not required before a resident may bring a legal action.
C.R.S. § 25-8-1008 This part 10 does not affect other statutory protections
25-8-1008. This part 10 does not affect other statutory protections. This part 10 does not affect or supersede the protections granted to park residents pursuant to other statutes, including article 12 of title 38. If a court determines that a provision of this part 10 conflicts with a provision of article 12 of title 38, the court shall apply the statute that grants the stronger protection to the park resident.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-25.docxFetched: 10/6/2026