Commissioner Berman urges study after state lawmaker files OWTS bill; county seeks white paper before legislative action

Commissioner Berman told the board that Representative Smith filed a bill described in the draft as addressing septic systems but that the draft omits existing on‑site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) provisions. Berman said county officials plan to work with the representative to amend the bill and urged a foundational study to inform future legislation.

“We were actually discussing more of doing a study and getting a white paper put together so we’d have more foundational knowledge,” Berman said, adding that the county would propose a commission to study the issue and prepare recommendations.

Berman said some provisions that relate to OWTS already exist in state law and were not incorporated into the draft bill. As a result, she said county staff and state partners will discuss corrections or amendments. She told commissioners that public education will be needed because many residents and the new lawmaker “don’t even understand the world of on‑site wastewater treatment systems.”

Why it matters: changes to state law on septic/OWTS policy could affect permitting, funding responsibilities and local regulation. Berman said the county would prefer to produce a white paper this year to build a stronger bill in a subsequent session.

Commissioners said they will coordinate with environmental engineers and Jefferson County staff who have been involved in related technical work. Berman said the issue is on the Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) watch list and that the county will monitor committee action.

Ending: Berman said the county’s immediate next steps are to prepare background materials and engage stakeholders rather than push a contested bill during the current legislative session.