Engage with the Water Quality Control Division
The division regularly updates regulations, guidance, and policies. We want to hear from you about these proposals. Whether you are a public member interested in what the state is doing or a regulated entity impacted by these measures, we want your feedback. The information on this webpage reflects current efforts you should be aware of and possible engagement opportunities.
Engagement calendar
Engagement email notifications
Sign up for email notifications and select which areas of interest you want to receive emails about.
Water quality public notices
Public notices inform the public of an activity that the division is looking for feedback on, such as:
- Permit actions and proposals
- Construction projects impacting water
- Enforcement actions
Water quality information bulletin
The water quality bulletin is a monthly publication that summarizes public notices of recent division activities related to protecting lakes, streams, and groundwater.
Current or Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Below are different efforts and proposals the division is looking for feedback on. We welcome anyone to attend the upcoming meetings associated with each topic, learn about the proposal, and provide feedback.
COG591000 Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants Discharge Permit
The division acknowledges that certain terms and conditions incorporated into newly issued certifications under the COG591000 permit may present compliance challenges. The division is hosting stakeholder meetings to better understand stakeholder concerns and discuss potential solutions for this issue.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit Renewal
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) consist of storm sewers, gutters, storm drain inlets, and similar features owned by cities, counties, and other government entities. These systems collect and discharge stormwater into local water bodies. The division regulates these point source discharges to state waters through permit requirements. MS4 Permits issued to qualifying municipalities require programs that help prevent pollutants in stormwater runoff from contaminating the MS4s.
Permit Performance Improvement and Reporting
The Water Quality Control Division is gathering key stakeholders to evaluate permit process improvements by focusing on three key objectives.
Policy 4: Surface water treatment rule
Safe Drinking Water Policy 4 explains how the Safe Drinking Water Program (the department) evaluates public water systems that treat surface water. It ensures these systems meet regulatory standards for removing or inactivating harmful microorganisms and encourages public water systems to improve their treatment processes to reduce health risks to consumers.
Policy 10-1: Aquatic Life Use
Aquatic life use focuses on protecting surface waters to support the health of aquatic ecosystems. Benthic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) show the health of a stream or river. The Water Quality Control Division monitors and assesses these organisms to determine the status of aquatic life use through Policy 10-1.
In Oct. 2024, the division will begin an engagement process to renew and update the policy. To complete the technical work, the division will partner with a consultant (Tetra Tech). At the end of these meetings, the Water Quality Control Commission will consider the division’s Policy 10-1 proposal through an administrative action hearing scheduled for Aug. 2025.
Policy 98-1: Sediment Guidance
Policy 98-1 explains how to apply the narrative standards for sediment deposits that may harm beneficial uses in Colorado's surface waters. Beneficial uses include public drinking water, agricultural, industrial, and recreational services, and wildlife.
Starting in November 2023, the Water Quality Control Division will launch a stakeholder effort to review past updates and analyze the division’s technical work to establish a new sediment region in Policy 98-1. The division plans to end sessions in June 2024, followed by an administrative action hearing by the Water Quality Control Commission in November 2024.
Quarterly Clean Water Webinars-Permits
The Water Quality Control Division has quarterly webinars for Colorado Discharge Permit System permittees. These webinars provide permittees with up-to-date information on division permitting activities that could affect permittees and their future permits. Sometimes, there are opportunities to provide feedback. The webinars are open to the public; anyone is welcome to attend.
Regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water
On April 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation to reduce PFAS exposure in drinking water. The rule sets levels for six (6) PFAS chemicals in drinking water to protect people's health. The rule applies to community and non-transient, non-community water systems. Beginning in Aug. 2024, the Water Quality Control Division will host virtual meetings to discuss the adoption of EPA’s PFAS Rule under the Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation No. 11. At the end of these meetings, the Water Quality Control Commission will consider the division’s proposal for Regulation No. 11 through a rulemaking hearing scheduled for Aug. 2025.
COG641000 – Water Treatment Plant Wastewater Discharge General Permit
The Water Quality Control Division has started a stakeholder engagement process to renew the COG641000 water treatment plant discharge permit. The division will host meetings during this effort; all current permittees are invited to participate.
After the scheduled meetings, the division will release a draft COG641000 renewal permit. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input on the draft permit through a public comment period. After the public comment period has closed, the renewal permit will be issued, and the division will begin renewing and re-issuing all existing permit certifications.
Regulation 84: Reclaimed Water Reuse
The Water Quality Control Division is holding a stakeholder engagement process to update Regulation 84: Reclaimed Water Control. This regulation establishes requirements for the treatment, distribution, and use of reclaimed water in Colorado. The division will host monthly meetings beginning in July 2025 to solicit feedback from stakeholders.
Reg. 87 - Colorado Dredge and Fill Program Implementation (HB24-1379)
On May 30, 2024, House Bill (HB) 24-1379 was signed into law. The enactment of HB24-1379 resulted from the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA, which drastically limited the scope of protection under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). HB24-1379 directs the Water Quality Control Division to develop a dredge and fill authorization program and the Water Quality Control Commission to establish permitting and mitigation rules by Dec. 31, 2025. The outcome will be Regulation No. 87, a control regulation for avoiding and minimizing the negative impacts of dredge and fill activity.
Starting in Sept. 2024, the division will host stakeholder meetings for the implementation of HB24-1379 and to discuss the topic of regulating dredge and fill activities in Colorado. At the end of these meetings, the Water Quality Control Commission will consider the proposed regulation through a rulemaking hearing.
Suncor Permit Renewal
Suncor has two permits that allow for the discharge of pollutants into Sand Creek, which are up for renewal in 2021, CO0001147 and COS000009. CO0001147 allows Suncor to discharge refinery process wastewater and remediated groundwater into Sand Creek. COS000009 allows Suncor to discharge stormwater off its site into Sand Creek. Before renewing these permits, the division must include requirements and identify pollutant limits that will protect Sand Creek and downstream waters to maintain their beneficial uses (such as recreation, fishing, agriculture, and drinking water). The division seeks community input on the requirements and pollutant limits needed to protect Sand Creek and downstream waters.
Water Quality Fee Setting Rule
The fees that support the division are set in statute, and federal funding has remained flat through the years making it difficult to achieve long-term fiscal sustainability and provide a higher level of customer service. The Water Quality Fee-Setting by Rule proposal removes clean water and drinking water fees from statute and instead directs the Water Quality Control Commission to set fees in regulation.
Water Quality Roadmap
Excess nutrients can degrade the quality of our drinking water, impair recreational boating and fishing experiences, and harm fish and aquatic species. The EPA and the commission have directed Colorado to adopt nutrient criteria to protect our streams and lakes. In October 2017, we established a water quality roadmap that outlines our strategy for developing nutrient criteria and other water quality priorities over ten years from 2017 to 2027.
