Water Quality - Permits

Welcome to the Permits Section web page. We issue permits for discharges of pollution to waters of the state, including groundwater.

Our job is to ensure that the permits we write and issue are protective of the uses of those waters, like drinking water, aquatic life, agriculture, and recreation.

Here is a quick overview of how permits work in Colorado.  

Clean water permitting sectors

Commerce and industry, construction, municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4), domestic sewage systems, biosolids, pesticides, reclaimed water, pretreatment, and contacts.

List of all active clean water permits

Links to Permitting Resources and References

• More permitting resources and references can be found along the left-hand navigation bar (or at the bottom of the page on the mobile version).

• Water and COVID-19 - Frequently Asked Questions - Answers to frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 and water supplies.

• Documents electronic library - Public access to permit documents.

• Permit Extract of all information

• Most requested forms - Includes annual reports, change of contacts, transfers , modifications, operator in responsible charge report,supplements,termination application and withdrawal forms.

• CEOS - Colorado Environmental Online Services - This portal is used to obtain coverage under the COR400000 construction stormwater general permit and the general permits for dewatering and well development.

• Information about your clean water bill and permit fees

• NetDMR, electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) information

• ARC GIS map

  • Enter longitude first (include -), then space, then latitude (e.g., -104.123456 39.123456).
  • If response is "no information available," refresh map.
  • Water Body ID explanation of stream segment eight character description shown in ARC GIS.
  • Map of outstanding waters for Colorado (2016).

Permit Records Search: Map  

Stakeholder participation

• Reclaimed water (reuse) stakeholders - (Regulation 84).
  Stakeholder page for information on the edible crops and hemp discussions.
• Water quality control division quarterly clean water webinars.
  Stakeholder page for quarterly webinars for its CDPS permittees.
• Non-extractive industrial stormwater general permit.
  Stakeholder page for renewal information.
• Suncor Water Quality Permits.
  Stakeholder page with information about current Suncor refinery water quality permits and upcoming renewal process.

Basin Schedule for Individual Permits

Individual process water permits to surface water are renewed under a basin schedule, meaning the Permits Section starts renewing these permits the year after the Water Quality Control Commission basin hearing.
 

The division does not currently have the resources to renew all permits every time it works in a basin. The division uses this criteria to prioritize individual permit renewals. 

When the division is working in a basin, it regularly shares its progress during the quarterly Clean Water webinars.