Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for all of unincorporated Boulder County.

2026 OWTS Regulation Changes
field of sunflowers in front of a row of houses in Longmont

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Proposed Regulation Revisions for 2026

Boulder County Public Health Environmental Health Division is in the process of revising its onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) regulations. Documents pertaining to the revision process, such as drafts, stakeholder comments, and meeting notes, will be posted here.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) revised Regulation 43, which governs local public health agency OWTS permitting programs. Local regulations must be as stringent as Regulation 43.

OWTS Regulation Adoption Timeline

TaskRequirementTarget Date
Complete Draft of RegulationN/AJanuary 10, 2026
Attorney reviewN/AJanuary 10, 2026
Comms reviewN/AJanuary 10, 2026
Post for public commentPost on websiteFebruary 2, 2026
Submit to CDPHE for preliminary reviewMust submit to CDPHE for preliminary review at least 30 days before public hearingMarch 1, 2026
Post Public Hearing NoticeMinimum 20 days before public hearingMarch 23, 2026
BOH public hearingIf board makes changes no further public hearing is requiredApril 13, 2026
Send adopted regs to CDPHEMust be submitted 5 days after adoption
on; CDPHE has 45 days to review adopted regsApril 18, 2026
Effective date for new regulationsAdopted and reviewed/approved by CDPHE regulations must be effective 45 days after adoption – CDPHE can request changes and this would provide more time than 45 daysJune 15, 2026

Meetings

Throughout this process, your input as stakeholders is important. At this time, BCPH is not planning to hold meetings prior to the hearing with the Board of Health. The schedule for future meetings and materials for those meetings, such as presentations or agendas, will be provided when available.

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SepticSmart Program

Main: 303-441-1564
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Location

3450 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

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