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Dolores County commissioners authorize sending draft septic rules (Regulation 43) to state for review
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Summary
Dolores County commissioners voted March 2 to send the county’s draft of Regulation 43 (on‑site wastewater/septic systems) to the state for review and to schedule a public hearing if the state approves; staff said the draft generally mirrors the state’s proposed changes.
Dolores County commissioners voted March 2 to authorize county staff to submit the county’s draft of Regulation 43 — the state’s on‑site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) rules for septic systems — to state reviewers, a step staff said is required before scheduling a public hearing for formal adoption.
A county staff member told the board that "Every 4 years approximately, the state, revised its regulation 43," and that the county’s draft largely reflects the state proposal. The staff member said the changes "really didn't impact us, much at all," and asked the board to permit staff to send the draft up for state review so the state can confirm the county’s proposed adoption would be acceptable.
The request followed a staff presentation that described Regulation 43 as the lengthy, statewide rule set that governs where septic systems may be placed, size limits and other technical requirements. The staff member said the county typically adopts the state regulation in full and then selects local options via administrative checkboxes — for example, whether to allow vault privies — rather than rewriting the rule text. If the state signs off, the county will set a public hearing for formal adoption.
Commissioners handled several routine motions earlier in the meeting, including approvals of the day’s agenda changes, submitted expenditures and minutes for multiple February meetings. Those motions were moved, seconded and approved without extended debate.
Votes at a glance - Motion to approve submitted agenda additions/deletions (moved by Chair; seconded by Commissioner): approved (board recorded "yes" votes). - Motion to approve submitted expenditures (moved by Commissioner; seconded): approved (board recorded "yes" votes). - Motion to approve minutes for 02/02/2026, 02/09/2026, 02/17/2026 and 02/23/2026 (moved by Commissioner; seconded): approved (board recorded "yes" votes). - Motion to authorize staff to submit draft Regulation 43 to the state for review (moved by Chair; seconded): approved (board recorded "yes" votes).
The board recessed briefly while awaiting the arrival of a member before resuming regular business.
What happens next: county staff will submit the draft Regulation 43 to the state for review; if the state approves, the county will schedule a public hearing for formal adoption and return to the board for a final decision.
