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The spring thaw is a perfect time to consider getting in shape for healthy drinking water sources through effective stormwater management. Stormwater runoff, generated from rain and snowmelt that flows over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, does not soak into the ground. Runoff picks up and deposits harmful pollutants like trash, chemicals, and dirt/sediment into streams, lakes, and groundwater, that can pollute our drinking water sources if not properly managed. From construction and management professionals to municipalities to local communities to youth leadership, Colorado spring training has something for you.
Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF)
The Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) is a Colorado state grant program funded by civil penalties collected for water quality violations. It is part of the Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 55 - State Funded Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Programs. The WQIF supports the Colorado Water Control Division’s (WQCD) culture of health by providing grant funds for water quality improvement projects and stormwater management training and best management practices (BMP). Projects offering stormwater management training and best management practices fall under Category 1. Over the years, grantees have offered educational opportunities for a variety of projects, including stormwater management training and experience for youth leadership for the South Platte by Lincoln Hill Cares. Both the Associated General Contractors of Colorado (AGC) and the Stormwater Center of Colorado State University (CSU) have been constants in providing training and certifications. Under the most recent 2022-2023 Request for Applications for Category 1, WQIF funding is supporting programs by AGC, CSU, and newcomer, the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver (HBA).
Stormwater Training Resources
American General Contractors, Colorado
The Colorado Stormwater Excellence Program is a CDPHE partnership with AGC for compliance assistance and recognition of demonstrated excellence. It offers an agency recognized, industry self-policing stormwater compliance management system.
An integral part of the program, AGC’s Basic Stormwater Training and Advanced Stormwater Training courses are specifically designed for sediment and erosion control in Colorado and to meet CDPHE General Construction Management to prevent pollution of surface waters. AGC partners with Stormwater Risk Management to conduct the training classes each month.
The Basic Stormwater Course covers conventional topics while preparing trainees with a foundation of stormwater knowledge needed for the Advanced Stormwater managers course. The Advanced course teaches the Uniform Stormwater Management System (USMS) 6-Step Preplanning and Budgeting method, USMS Design and Jobsite Binder Set-up, and the USMS 4-Step Field Compliance method. The Advanced course also provides trainees with all of the standardized, step-by-step processes and forms that support these management systems, including Municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) permit requirements.
The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver (HBA)
Proper training and education of stormwater compliance along with BMP during the homebuilding construction process assists in reducing the pollution of state waters.
HBA’s Home Building Stormwater Excellence Program (HSEP) offers the first residential homebuilding stormwater course ever implemented in Colorado. The training offered through the program focuses on stormwater compliance and Best Management Practices (BMPs) unique to each stage of the homebuilding construction process, from land development through vertical construction. Through examples and phasing of BMPs the program fosters relationship building between permit holders and regulators.
Topics include land sub phases 1-3, vertical sub phases, history of the Clean Water Act, state & local MS4s, land and vertical construction, and ponds and sediment basins.
Colorado State University - Colorado Stormwater Center
The Colorado Stormwater Center is housed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU) under the One Water Solutions Institute. Education and training events are conducted by a variety of experienced professionals that work with non-profit organizations, private industry/consulting firms, and government agencies to bridge the gap between academia and practice.
The most recent WQIF grant projects focus on the Colorado MS4 permits - Construction Stormwater Discharge Permit and the Statewide Standard MS4 General Permit. Permits are issued to reduce and eliminate the stormwater discharge of pollutants that occur from construction activities. Due to the acute risk for pollutant discharge that construction activities pose to receiving water bodies, the CDPHE MS4 permit requires local agencies to have a level of oversite for construction activities, especially as relating to municipal capital improvement projects.
The Center is developing and implementing a professional training course, Colorado Construction Stormwater permits Training and Certification Course. It will be offered online and translated and offered in Spanish, and in person at the 2024 Symposium.
The 2024 Symposium, a stormwater professionals meeting, focuses on water quality control in stormwater and MS4 systems. It will be hosted at the CSU spur campus and available via videoconferencing, and recorded in English and Spanish. All 2024 Colorado Stormwater Symposium presentations will be recorded and those recordings and presentation materials will be available on the Center website which is hosted and maintained by the CSU One Water Solutions Institute (OWSI).
Two other certification programs targeting industry professionals are offered through the Center - Stormwater Control Measure Inspection and Maintenance Certification; and Stormwater Control Measure Design/Design Review Certification. The Stormwater Education Series has included community outreach and residential-scale stormwater control measures (English and Spanish) virtually and in person.
Additional Resources
- WQCD Water quality grants
- WQCD Water Quality construction compliance assistance and guidance
- WQCD Water quality municipal MS4 permits
- Colorado Stormwater Council
- Youth engagement and leadership with Lincoln Hills Cares
- South Platte Advisory Youth Council, Spray
- EPA Stormwater Smart Outreach Tools
➽ Margaret Bauer, Project Manager CDPHE WQCD Local Assistance Unit
