RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of Health adopted updated regulations governing on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) during its May 19 meeting before county commissioners convened as the Board of County Commissioners later that afternoon.
County Attorney Rose Pugliese presented the proposed regulations, explaining that the county last adopted the rules in 2018 and that the changes primarily update county code to align with revisions to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Regulation 43.
“It’s not very different from what you have right now,” Pugliese said, noting Rio Blanco County’s current practices are already largely aligned with state requirements.
Pugliese said the regulations are currently housed within the county land use manual but are more appropriately managed as Board of Health policy.
“This isn’t really a land use function,” she said. “It should live with your Board of Health policies.”
County staff said the building department will continue administering the program. The next step will be removing the regulations from the land use code and placing them under Board of Health policies.
Board member Callie Scritchfield asked staff what changes local property owners would notice.
Building Official Matt Franks said updates include revised definitions, engineering and design criteria, and changes based on newer studies related to soil treatment, surface water protection and setback requirements.
“I don’t think our landowners are going to see anything different,” Franks said.
Franks said septic systems are designed by civil engineers, who are also required to inspect the systems they design.
“Moffat County does the same,” he said. “The system we have now works well.”
The Board of Health approved the resolution.
Commissioners later convened as the Board of County Commissioners at 1 p.m. in Rangely and approved several items, including ratification of a letter for the Meeker High School Agricultural Issues team regarding a previous presentation to the board and a letter to Colorado Parks and Wildlife regarding the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission chair vote.
Commissioners also ratified a verbal poll approving a Rio Blanco County Fairfield Assessment contract with Rosenfeld Design in the amount of $98,150 and a verbal poll amending an agreement for services between Rio Blanco County and GMCO LLC.
Additional approved items included a request from the Meeker Classic for use of the Meeker Streaker for shuttle services during the sheepdog trials; Emergency Watershed Protection cost-share agreements for two properties on County Road 33, with funding to include 75% from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 12.5% from the state and 12.5% from property owners; and award of the 2026 pavement marking project to Stripe-A-Lot Inc. of Montrose for $122,543.
Commissioners also approved the purchase by Road & Bridge of three 16-foot and two 8-foot cattle guards for installation and repair on various county roads, not to exceed $25,000; a Motorola Solutions service agreement for Sheriff’s Office dispatch radio consoles totaling $23,257; award of the Meeker Coulter Field Fuel Farm Fuel Tank Project to Eaton Sales & Service for $739,850; and Garver Work Order No. 5 for the 2026 Rangely Airport Master Plan.
Commissioners tabled a letter of support for the Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District’s Lake Avery Expansion Feasibility Study until June 9 to allow time for a memorandum of understanding to be approved.
In other business, County Administrator Vicky Edwards said she plans to meet with the Town of Avon to discuss the process of updating Wildland Urban Interface maps.
Commissioner Jennifer O’Hearon noted that fire districts in Park County developed their own maps. Natural Resources Manager Reece Melton said counties can submit updated maps to the state for review and approval by the Wildland Urban Interface Board.
County officials said Rio Blanco County has not yet adopted the updated codes, similar to several other counties. Commissioners asked Edwards to organize a work session involving multiple departments and organizations to develop a path forward.
