Residents tell commissioners failing septic systems are a county problem; officials note public‑health enforcement limits

Two members of the public used the meeting’s public‑comment period to raise concerns about aging septic systems and inspections in Gilpin County.

Mickey Kouching said his family found their septic system had been mischaracterized as serviceable when they bought a house and said he had stopped using the system while a replacement design was prepared. “My feeling is this is a county matter because I'm quite sure I'm not the only person that is in this situation,” Kouching said, adding that his property’s tanks are disconnected from the leach field and that he has ceased using the system while an engineer designs a replacement.

Jenny Welch said she was visiting a relative and alleged the septic contractor who inspected that property had provided false information. She asked what the county is doing about contractors who submit inaccurate inspection reports and how the county identifies failing systems when many systems are old.

Commissioner Hollingsworth thanked both speakers for their comments. County staff subsequently indicated these are handled as a public‑health enforcement matter and that the county has limited remedies where contractors or property‑owner records predate registration requirements.

Why it matters: septic failures can affect groundwater, public health and housing habitability; public concerns prompted a request for county follow‑up on inspection and enforcement procedures.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to follow up with the speakers and review how the county and public‑health partner handle inspection complaints and aging systems.