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Residents tell commissioners failing septic systems and inspection concerns need county attention
Summary
Two residents used public comment to describe a failing septic system they say was misrepresented at sale and concerns that a local septic inspector may have provided inaccurate certifications to other residents.
Two members of the public urged Gilpin County commissioners to take a closer look at septic-system inspections and enforcement during the meeting’s public-comment period.
Mickey Kouching, who said his family recently purchased a home at 563 Morningstar Circle, told commissioners the septic system was certified as in good condition at the time of sale but was later found to be failing. He described current remediation steps: a pilot hole has been dug and an engineer is designing a replacement system, which he expects to be completed soon. “We are currently not using the septic system at all,” Kouching said; he described interim measures including porta‑toilets and gray-water filtering to avoid discharging into the existing leach field.
Kouching said he requested time on the agenda because he regards the problem as a broader county matter, adding he is “quite sure I’m not the only person that is in this situation.” He told the board the county public-health office has taken steps but that the underlying issue — many septic systems in the area are old — may affect other homeowners.
Jenny Welch commented later in the public‑comment period. Visiting from Florida, she described a separate case in which she said a septic company provided incorrect information to a property owner in an older neighborhood. She asked what the county is doing to prevent fraudulent or inaccurate inspections and how the county identifies failing systems when inspectors continue to operate and certify systems.
Commissioner Hollingsworth thanked the speakers for their comments. County staff later noted that on-site wastewater enforcement is an ongoing part of community-development and public-health responsibilities and indicated follow-up would be pursued outside of the public meeting.
Neither speaker asked for immediate action during the meeting; commissioners directed staff to follow up with the individuals to clarify what remedies or enforcement steps are available under county code and state on-site wastewater regulations.
