Pueblo County and Pueblo West agree to pursue joint MS4 drainage study, step up enforcement and outreach

PUEBLO, Colo. — Pueblo County commissioners and the Pueblo West Metro Board of Directors on July 18 discussed the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit that governs stormwater discharges in Pueblo West and agreed to pursue a joint drainage and stormwater study and coordinated public education and enforcement effort.

The meeting opened with a summary of the permit and the background to the current negotiations. “The number 1 topic on today’s agenda is the MS 4 permit. MS 4 is municipal separate stormwater system permit as it relates to the Pueblo West Metro District,” Christian Jay Hind, district manager for Pueblo West, said. He outlined that Pueblo West has held a CDPHE standard MS4 permit since the early 2000s and that the county and district have discussed whether the permit should remain with Pueblo West as a standard permit or transition to another arrangement as road maintenance shifts to the county.

The discussion matters because much of the stormwater conveyance in Pueblo West is on the roadway system, and drainage and roads are functionally linked. “We have some work to do…before we can get to an agreement,” said Commissioner Paul McPeters, urging a study so both bodies understand the…