Identifying the environmental regulations that impact your small business can be challenging. Determining where to seek guidance and whom to consult adds to this complexity. For many small businesses, limited resources make hiring an environmental specialist to answer their compliance questions and concerns difficult.
The Small Business Liaison (SBL) helps small businesses navigate this process to assess which environmental regulations may apply to a business’s operations. The SBL offers free and voluntary support to help small businesses with environmental compliance questions before they reach enforcement action.
The SBL connects small businesses to available resources and subject-matter experts so they can get the help they need. We work with a variety of partners that provide small business support, such as CDPHE’s environmental divisions, the Small Business Development Centers, and the Colorado Green Business Network, to deliver comprehensive assistance for small businesses.
Gabe Catenacci received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado. His studies specialized in environmental policy, management, and law. He has worked as a Project Coordinator for environmental non-profits in the Denver metro area and currently serves as CDHPE’s Small Business Liaison (SBL). As the SBL, Gabe helps small businesses navigate environmental regulations and connects them to subject-matter experts and resources to ensure businesses achieve and maintain compliance.
Contact:
gabe.catenacci@state.co.us
720.908.5481
Environmental Compliance Assistance
The SBL works closely with the Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) to help answer compliance questions for small businesses. The SBAP provides free and confidential technical assistance with a specialization in air regulation assistance. SBAP can also provide general guidance on hazardous waste, water, energy, and land use regulations. The SBAP is an excellent resource if you don’t know where to start with environmental regulations or if you would like to ask questions in a confidential space.
The SBAP can help with:
- Emissions calculations
- Permitting/regulation review
- Connection to guidance documents, tools, and workshops/training
- Site visits
If you have questions about your environmental requirements, contact the Small Business Assistance Program:
- cdphe_apcd_sbap@state.co.us
- 303-691-4951
Environmental Compliance Resource Library
To learn more about environmental regulations for your business, browse our library of resources. Guidance is sorted alphabetically by business sector.
How Do I Know Which Regulations Apply to My Business?
Air
When a business emits above certain thresholds for air emissions, it must follow specific reporting requirements. Asphalt/concrete plants, crematories, dry cleaners, mining operations, and surface coating are examples of small business sectors associated with air regulations.
The type of equipment your business uses can also trigger air requirements. Equipment, such as engines and boilers, can emit air pollutants above reporting thresholds.
Visit the Air Pollution Emission Notice and Air Permit webpage to learn more.
Waste
Waste regulations can apply to your business if you store, use, or dispose of solid/hazardous waste.
The type of regulations you must follow are often associated with how much waste your business generates.
If you know that you just want specialized assistance related to hazardous waste management, you can contact the Generator Assistance Program (GAP). The GAP is staffed by hazardous waste compliance specialists who can help your organization get and stay in compliance with Colorado's hazardous waste requirements.
Water
Your business can be subject to water regulations if it discharges wastewater/stormwater or is a drinking water system.
Many businesses create wastewater through their operations. Stormwater is also a concern if you store material outside that can contaminate runoff from rainwater.
It is important to identify if wastewater or stormwater is being discharged and to secure any necessary permits.
You can learn more about Colorado water regulations on CDPHE’s Water Quality webpage.
Growing Environmental Compliance into Sustainability
Our goal is to provide compliance assistance to build a foundation for sustainability and environmental leadership. We view environmental compliance as the first step in this process. In addition to compliance support, we offer free sustainability assistance to continue developing your business on your environmental journey.
The Small Business Liaison works closely with the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN) to create a proactive approach to environmental management by building a path toward operational sustainability. The Colorado Green Business Program is a voluntary program that encourages, supports, and rewards organizations that make the move toward the goal of true, operational sustainability by:
- Providing free, off-site coaching and on-site assistance to any organization that requests it
- Recognizing and awarding organizations for exemplary practices that lead to resource reduction.
To learn more about sustainability coaching and the opportunity to participate in a statewide recognition program, visit the CGBN webpage or contact CDPHE.greenbusiness@state.co.us.