Is It A Wetland?
In most situations that involve potential impacts to wetlands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has legal authority under the federal Clean Water Act. The wetland program at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not have a role or any authority in these activities. Corps personnel determine:
whether the area in question qualifies as a wetland under the Clean Water Act;
whether the proposed impact or activity requires a permit; and
if so, what type of permit is required, the extent of review, and the need for offsetting mitigation.*
There are three Corps districts in Colorado, so where the wetland is located determines which district to contact to resolve wetland issues.
The three main offices are:
Denver Regulatory Office – Omaha District (NE Colorado)
9307 South Wadsworth Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80128-6901
Phone: (303) 979-4120
Southern Colorado Regulatory Office – Albuquerque District (SE and South-Central Colorado)
720 Main Street, Suite 300
Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: (719) 543-9459
Colorado/Gunnison Basin Regulatory Office – Sacramento District (Western Colorado)
400 Rood Ave, Room 142
Grand Junction, CO 81501-2563
Phone: (970) 243-1199
Please go to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website* for more information.
*The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also have legal and regulator authority over the issue of wetland mitigation banking. The web site address above also contains information on wetland mitigation banking activities in Colorado.
