To: Board of Health
Through: Jennifer Ludwig, Public Health Director, Arapahoe County Public Health
Prepared By:
prepared
Steven Chevalier, Environmental Health Manager (Early Childhood and Environmental Protection), Public Health
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presenter
Presenters: Steven Chevalier, Environmental Health Manager, Public Health
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Subject:
title
57075 E Maplewood Pl. Strausburg, CO 80136
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this hearing is to inform the Board of Health (BOH) about violations related to the discharge of sewage from a recreational vehicle (RV) located at 57075 E Maplewood Place, Strasburg, CO. The RV has no permitted on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS), and raw sewage continues to be discharged directly onto the ground. Despite multiple Notices of Violation from Arapahoe County Public Health (ACPH) and concurrent enforcement activity by Arapahoe County Zoning, the violation has not been resolved.
We are requesting that the BOH review this case, determine whether civil penalties should be assessed, and ensure that corrective actions are implemented by the property owner to eliminate the sewage discharge and bring the property into compliance. The Board’s guidance is also sought on next steps should noncompliance continue.end
Background and Discussion: The property at 57075 E Maplewood Place is located in unincorporated Arapahoe County and is currently occupied by at least one recreational vehicle. The RV does not have a permitted OWTS, and no permit application has been submitted to date. In April 2025, ACPH received an anonymous complaint that sewage was being discharged directly onto the ground. Staff contacted the property’s real estate agent and then coordinated with Arapahoe County Zoning. Arapahoe County Zoning confirmed there is an open zoning violation on file for the RV, which has reportedly been on the property for approximately six years. On May 13, 2025, two ACPH staff conducted a site visit and observed an active sewage discharge from a gray hose extending from the RV to the ground surface. ACPH staff also documented a fresh water storage tank and a garden hose connected to the RV. As a result, ACPH issued a Notice of Violation under Section 18.1.D of the Arapahoe County OWTS Regulations, which prohibits the use of any dwelling or occupied structure not equipped with adequate sewage disposal facilities. During a follow-up visit on May 29, 2025, staff confirmed that discharges continued and issued a second Notice of Violation. The property owner has not responded to either notice and has not taken any corrective action. Section 4.1 of the OWTS Regulations prohibits construction, alteration, installation, or use of any OWTS without a valid permit issued by ACPH. Continued use of an RV without proper wastewater treatment is unlawful and poses a direct threat to public health and the environment. These discharges increase the risk of exposure to pathogens, groundwater contamination, and nuisance conditions, all of which are prohibited by both local regulation and the Colorado On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems Act. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-10-113, the BOH may assess a civil penalty of up to $50 for each day of violation. In determining the appropriate penalty, the BOH is authorized to consider the seriousness of the public health risk, the length of time the violation has continued, and whether the responsible party has a history of similar violations. ACPH staff have attempted to engage the property owner through both direct notices and coordination with Zoning, but no resolution has occurred, and the discharge remains ongoing.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Board of Health issue a Cease and Desist order, assess civil penalties in accordance with C.R.S. § 25-10-113, and make a finding that the surfacing sewage constitutes a nuisance pursuant to C.R.S. 25-1-518. Staff further recommends that the Board direct the property owner to either immediately remove the RV from the property, ensure all surfacing sewage is cleaned up using a vacuum truck, all solids are removed from the ground surface, and the area treated with lime, or, if the property owner intends to keep the RV on the property, they must first confirm that continued occupancy is permissible under Arapahoe County zoning and obtain a valid OWTS permit from ACPH. If zoning approval is not granted or a permit is not obtained, all use of the RV and discharge of sewage must cease immediately.