Colorado NPDES: What you need to know

Colorado Water Quality Control Act, Colorado Revised Statutes 25-8-501 to 25-8-509

Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) Regulations: 5 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 1002-61 Sections 1 to 17

Application process: 5 CCR 1002-61 Section 4

Fees: 5 CCR 1002-61 Section 15

Effluent limitations: 5 CCR 1002-61 Section 8

Pretreatment regulations: 5 CCR 1002-63

Storm sewers: 5 CCR 1002-65 Sections 1 to 14

Biosolids: 5 CCR 1002-64

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Office of Environment Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) Industrial Permits Unit

CDPHE Office of Environment WQCD Domestic Permits Unit

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. Colorado is authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program for permits authorizing discharges to waters of the state. EPA Region 8 is charged with approving all new pretreatment programs and any changes to existing programs. See the state section PRETREATMENT STANDARDS for additional guidance.

The permitting structure, process, permit modification requirements, and effluent limitations in Colorado are the same as those under federal law. However, applicants should follow the state permit regulations known as the Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) Regulations. See the national section NPDES for information on the federal requirements.

Additionally, CDPS permits are required for certain groundwater discharges. Facilities should examine relevant CDPS permits carefully to determine whether or not their ...