Environmental Health – Garfield County, Colorado

New onsite wastewater treatment system regulations go into effect May 28

Concrete house septic tank or waste water tank from a detached house.

The Garfield County Board of Health has adopted new onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) regulations, which go into effect on May 28, 2026. At that time, all new, repaired, or altered wastewater treatment systems are subject to the new regulation. A summary of changes to the existing regulation and a copy of the new regulation can be obtained on the Garfield County OWTS webpage. The process for shaping the new local regulation began in August 2025, with multiple levels of review, including local stakeholder feedback from the OWTS community. “We are grateful for the involvement of the regulated community,” said

Aerial view of rest area near Colorado River at Rifle, Colorado.

A review of local monitoring data shows that Garfield County is home to clean air with air quality trends heading in the right direction. Data in Garfield County, which has monitored air quality since 2008, shows a decreasing trend in volatile organic compound (VOCs) levels since 2011. Garfield County Environmental Health Specialist Ted White, P.E., told the Board of County Commissioners, which was acting in its role as the Garfield County Board of Health, that local air quality remains good. The county examines air quality at its monitoring stations in Battlement Mesa, Parachute, Rifle, and Carbondale. It monitors VOCs and

Mosquitoes are an annual annoyance and no one loves getting bit. In Colorado, some mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus, a rare but serious illness. The virus circulates in sick birds in late June to early September. It is transmitted to people when Culex tarsalis mosquitos bite an infected bird and then bite a person. Areas around the Colorado River Valley have had higher numbers of Culex mosquitos. Garfield County reports weekly trapping and testing results to assess mosquito risk. Most people show no symptoms, but in rare cases, the virus can cause serious brain infections. There is no vaccine

Wildfire smoke over Glenwood Springs from the Spring Creek Fire near Parachute, Colorado.

Garfield County has released its wildfire smoke preparedness plan outlining the effects wildfire smoke could have on residents and providing information about how exposure can negatively affect health. The Garfield County Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Plan details potential impacts to specific groups of people, history of wildfires in the county, and provides key messaging strategies to effectively disseminate emergency information to the community. Beginning in 2021, Garfield County Public Health worked with regional partners, environmental health representatives from Eagle County and the City of Aspen, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a year-long series of educational workshops featuring wildfire

Garfield County Public Health is soliciting feedback from stakeholders regarding a potential increase in onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) fees. The OWTS program has been operating in a deficit and is considering raising rates to offset costs. Garfield County Environmental Health is holding a public hearing on Feb. 27, 2023, at 8 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners meeting room, Garfield County Administration Building, 108 8th St., Glenwood Springs, to discuss fee changes with the board of health. Those affected by or interested in the proposed amendments are invited to attend. The public may attend in person or via

Garfield County Environmental Health Manager Jannette Whitcomb.

Jannette Whitcomb has been named Garfield County Public Health’s new environmental health manager. Whitcomb is replacing Joshua Williams, who became the department’s director in January. Whitcomb oversees a staff of five environmental health specialists and program managers specializing in wastewater, consumer protection, air, and water quality. Whitcomb comes to Garfield County after serving 24 years with the City of Aspen’s Environmental Health Department, where she focused on providing quality programs that empowered the community to improve their health and well-being. Whitcomb has extensive experience in air quality, COVID-19 response and recovery, consumer protection, solid waste, and water quality. “I am

Clean air over Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Garfield County’s ambient air monitoring program found that most volatile organic compounds are declining in the area and no national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) violations for ozone or particulate matter were reported in 2020. In 2020, Garfield County experienced 335 days of good air quality over a 24-hour period for particulate matter (PM) of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), with 26 moderate days, and just four days considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to a report prepared by Air Resource Specialists. The county also measured 258 days of good air quality for eight-hour ozone, with 103 in the moderate category and

Trash on the ground in Glenwood Springs from a homeless camp.

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The Garfield County Environmental Health Department recently oversaw the cleanup of a Glenwood Springs property on the mountainside on the east side of Glenwood Springs that has long been the location of a homeless camp. Nearly 60,000 pounds of trash, as deep as eight feet in places, was removed, along with numerous shelters from the property. The county took bids on the project, which was awarded to ECOS Environmental & Disaster Restoration, Inc. The contract, which was for no more than $87,250.40, gave ECOS 30 days to complete the cleanup. Garfield County Environmental Health Manager Josh

Ionization system installed in Garfield County facilities kills bacteria, inactivates viruses Garfield County has taken another step to ensure the health and safety of its employees and residents visiting county facilities by installing an ionization air-cleaning system designed to eliminate pathogens and particulates The system utilizes Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) technology to clean the air inside of county buildings, effectively killing bacteria and mold spores, filtering smoke, and inactivating viruses, such as COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2), helping to limit the chance of spread. Installation began in January and the system is now operating in all county buildings. The ionization is especially useful

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Laws governing animals that assist people can be confusing. Fielding an increased number of questions from businesses and the public, the Garfield County Consumer Protection Division is working to provide education on the federal regulations that differentiate service and emotional support animals.“Service animals and emotional support animals are not the same,” said Nettie Mojarro, environmental health specialist with Garfield County Public Health. “It is required to give service animals entry into a business with their owners. For all other animals, including emotional support animals, it is not. In places where food is served, the only animals

Smoke alert in Garfield County related to Lake Christine fire

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued an air quality health advisory due to wildfire smoke from the Lake Christine Fire. Wildfire smoke may reach unhealthy levels. If visibility is less than 5 miles in your neighborhood, avoid outdoor activity and keep indoor air clean or consider relocating temporarily. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Precautions to keep indoor air clean during smoke events: Close the fresh-air intake for central air systems and avoid use of swamp coolers. Buy a portable air cleaner with high efficiency

Garfield County particulate levels moderate

UPDATE: September 6: Garfield County continues to be under a Wildfire Smoke Health Advisory. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment had forecasted today’s particle pollution levels for Garfield County to be in the ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ category, however, current levels remain at ‘Moderate.’ Tomorrow’s forecast is similar and will be updated as needed. The ‘Moderate’ category on the Air Quality Index (AQI) means that people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. UPDATE: September 5: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment included Garfield and surrounding counties in

Garfield County builds successful food safety consumer protection program

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County has launched a new consumer protection program within its Public Health department, which is responsible for working with the 341 retail food establishments within the county. Initial response to professional education programs for restaurateurs has been strong locally, with the first class attracting 75 participants from 20 different restaurants. “We work with any establishment that sells food to consumers, such as restaurants, grocery stores, school kitchens and even food trucks,” said Natalie Tsevdos, environmental health specialist with Garfield County Public Health. Before Garfield County set up its program, restaurant inspections here were directed by

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners received an air emissions study report and presentation from Colorado State University (CSU) June 14. The three-year study is named Characterizing Air Emissions from Natural Gas Drilling and Well Completion Operations in Garfield County, Colorado. Jeffrey Collett, professor and head of CSU’s Department of Atmospheric Science is the principal investigator for the study, which collected scientific data during 21 experiments. The presentation is available online at the Garfield County website, and CSU is releasing the full report later today. The report summary to the Board of Commissioners was streamed

Garfield County tests its employee workspaces for radon

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – In conjunction with National Radon Action Month, and to assure health and safety of employees, Garfield County is conducting testing of its employee workplaces for radon. The county Public Health and Public Works & Facilities departments are implementing a plan to conduct radon tests between January and March of 2016. These tests are to protect the health and safety of building occupants, and to educate county employees and the public on the risks of radon and steps they can take to reduce their risks at home. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers,

Wastewater discharge near No Name Trail

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County is investigating a small wastewater discharge near No Name Trail #2068, commonly known as the Jess Weaver Trail. The discharge is occurring along County Road 129 (No Name Lane) near the trailhead. Tests the county sent to the City of Glenwood Springs Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility have confirmed the presence of E. coli in the small discharge area. The county has posted signs marking the area of the potential health hazard until the source can be identified, and the situation corrected. The signs say water tests are in progress and that citizens may call

Following the presentation of a CSU proposed nearly $1.76 million air quality study August 20, Garfield County Commissioners directed county staff to prepare the terms of an intergovernmental agreement for consideration at a meeting in October 2012. Gas industry operators have preliminarily agreed to provide approximately $800,000 in matching funds for the study. The county’s contribution, of which terms will now be determined for consideration by the Garfield County Commissioners, would come from the oil and gas mitigation fund. Proposal for data gathering on air emissions in Garfield County to be presented to commissioners PRESS RELEASE August 17, 2012 The

A man adds wood into his woodstove inside his home.

Changing out one old wood stove with a newer, cleaner wood burning stove reduces emissions by an average of 70 percent. That is equivalent to removing seven old diesel buses off the road. That is just one of the reasons that Garfield County Public Health is piloting a woodstove exchange program for Garfield County residents. Public Health is exchanging old inefficient woodstoves and replacing them with new EPA certified efficient stoves, at no cost, to qualified participants. Public Health has already begun to swap out several stoves in Garfield County, but they are looking for more participants. “The process was

Air quality awareness: Open burning

In recognition of National Air Quality Awareness week, Garfield, Eagle, Mesa, and Pitkin counties, along with the City of Aspen and the US Environmental Protection Agency, have partnered together to raise awareness about indoor and outdoor air quality issues, encouraging our communities to ‘share the air.’ Smoke is harmful to human health, whether it’s from cigarettes or an outdoor fire. The smoke from burning agricultural fields, brush piles, or other natural material has been linked to health problems, ranging from coughing to nervous system disorders. “In Western Colorado particularly in the spring, we get complaints regarding fires and smoke,” said

Share the air through motor vehicle pollution reduction

During the month of May, Garfield County Public Health, in partnership with the City of Aspen, Eagle County, Mesa County, Pitkin County, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are trying to give the public simple practical tips to improve the air in Western Colorado. The campaign is called “share the air.” “The fact is there are so many small things that each of us can do. When we add these things up, it can really make a big difference,” said Jeanette Whitcomb, Environmental Health Program Coordinator with the City of Aspen. “As a partnership, we decided to focus on

Carbon monoxide detection provides local family with security

In recognition of National Air Quality Awareness week, Garfield, Eagle, Mesa, and Pitkin counties, along with the City of Aspen and the US EPA, have partnered together to raise awareness about indoor and outdoor air quality issues, encouraging our communities to ‘share the air.’ On her Facebook page that day, Lixy Alcorta posted, “everyone should get a carbon monoxide detector. I feel like it saved our lives today.” She and her two young children were just returning from church when she heard an alarm going off inside her home. The alarm said ‘Danger, carbon monoxide.’ “We were about to put

Asthma awareness helps people identify issues in their homes

In recognition of National Air Quality Awareness week, Garfield, Eagle, Mesa, and Pitkin Counties, along with the City of Aspen and the US Environmental Protection Agency, have partnered together to raise awareness about indoor and outdoor air quality issues, encouraging our communities to ‘share the air.’ Even her own laundry detergent may trigger an attack. Sometimes it helps to go outside and get fresh air, but sometimes she just can’t catch her breath. Aspen resident Cari Anne Holcomb has had issues with asthma for the last ten years, and her condition seems to be getting worse. People often associate air

Carbon Monoxide detection provides local family with security

In recognition of National Air Quality Awareness week, Garfield, Eagle, Mesa, and Pitkin Counties, along with the City of Aspen and the US EPA, have partnered together to raise awareness about indoor and outdoor air quality issues, encouraging our communities to ‘share the air.’ On her Facebook page that day, Lixy Alcorta posted, “everyone should get a carbon monoxide detector. I feel like it saved our lives today.” She and her two young children were just returning from church when she heard an alarm going off inside her home. The alarm said ‘Danger, Carbon Monoxide.’ “We were about to put

New onsite wastewater treatment system regulations go into effect May 28

Data shows good air quality in Garfield County

GCPH: Mosquitoes can do more than just bite

Garfield County unveils wildfire smoke preparedness plan

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) stakeholder feedback sought

Whitcomb named new Garfield County environmental health manager

Monitoring shows good air quality in Garfield County

Trash, shelters removed from Glenwood Springs homeless camp

Garfield County utilizing technology to clean air, limit COVID spread

Don’t get bitten for not knowing the law