April 14, 2026 – The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners approved updates to the Department of Public Works’ Stormwater Program Criteria and Stormwater Ordinance.
The updates reflect evolving state and federal requirements under the Clean Water Act and ensure the County’s stormwater program remains aligned with current water quality standards while protecting the community for the long term.
“While these updates are driven by state requirements, we’ve been intentional about how they are applied—keeping them clear, practical, and informed by input from engineers, builders, and our state partners, said Carrie Geitner, Chair, El Paso County Board of County Commissioners. “Good policy both protects our waterways and allows for productive land use to meet the needs of our community.”
Stormwater runoff — rain and snowmelt that flows over roads, rooftops, and developed land — can carry pollutants into local creeks and downstream waterways if not properly managed. Since 2003, El Paso County has operated under a state-issued Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, which establishes standards for stormwater management to protect water quality, reduce flooding risks, and safeguard public infrastructure.
A central component of the update is the revision of technical standards for stormwater quality and erosion control, which apply to both private development and public projects. The revisions clarify requirements, strengthen inspection and documentation standards, improve alignment with state regulations, define long-term maintenance expectations, and add a new permit option for builders. The County worked closely with engineers, builders, and state partners to enhance clarity, consistency, and usability in the updated criteria.
The Board also approved updates to the County’s Stormwater Ordinance to align with state requirements and provide clear, consistent procedures for administering construction and post-construction stormwater standards. The amendments clarify enforcement and abatement processes and establish an inspection fee that applies only when follow-up inspections are necessary due to unresolved compliance issues. The fee is not applied to compliant projects and is intended to recover the cost of additional inspections — not to generate revenue.
“These updates help protect our local creeks and downstream waterways while ensuring development happens responsibly,” said Joshua Palmer, El Paso County Engineer. “By setting clear expectations and applying them consistently, we reduce long-term maintenance costs, protect public infrastructure, and support sustainable growth in our community.”
As statewide stormwater requirements continue to evolve, these actions ensure the County remains aligned with permit obligations while protecting natural resources that contribute to residents’ quality of life.
For more information about El Paso County’s Stormwater Program, visit the Department of Public Works website.