Environmental Rules in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Colorado Springs, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Colorado Springs City Code Section 7.4.701 and the Stormwater Criteria Manual (SCM) impose comprehensive stormwater management requirements for all development and redevelopment. The city operates under a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from CDPHE. Projects must design permanent water quality and detention facilities per the Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM), and construction sites must implement erosion and sediment controls. Stormwater discharge to Monument Creek, Fountain Creek, and their tributaries is closely regulated.
Colorado Springs Stormwater Management Rules
Heavy RestrictionsErosion Control
Colorado Springs City Code Section 7.4.601 requires grading, erosion, and stormwater quality controls for all land-disturbing activities. A Grading and Erosion Control (GEC) permit is required before any grading or land disturbance begins. The Stormwater Criteria Manual contains all criteria related to sediment control, erosion control during construction, and GEC permitting. Best Management Practices including silt fences, inlet protection, and construction entrance stabilization must be installed and maintained throughout construction.
Colorado Springs Erosion Control Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsCoastal Development
Colorado Springs is a landlocked city in the interior of Colorado at an elevation of approximately 6,035 feet, so coastal development regulations do not apply. The city has no ocean coastline, tidal zones, or coastal resources. Waterway-adjacent development along Fountain Creek and Monument Creek is instead regulated through the Streamside Overlay (SS-O) zone district under City Code Section 7.2.603, which establishes buffer zones and vegetation requirements along stream corridors.
Colorado Springs Waterway & Shoreline Development
Few RestrictionsFlood Zones
Colorado Springs participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and regulates development in all FEMA-designated floodplains and floodways. Fountain Creek and Monument Creek corridors present the highest flood risk, along with tributaries including Sand Creek and Cheyenne Creek. A Floodplain Development Permit is required for any construction in the 100-year floodplain. The Drainage Criteria Manual requires developers to determine floodplain elevations and perform downstream hydrologic analysis. The 2013 flooding events caused significant damage and prompted stricter floodplain management.
Colorado Springs Flood Zone Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsColorado Springs Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM) Vol. I–II
Stormwater Criteria. The City of Colorado Springs stormwater criteria is written to fulfill the City's regulatory requirements, including the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit (COS000004), the stormwater Consent Decree (ECF #181, Case 1:16-cv-02745-JLK USA et al v. City of Colorado Springs), and the 2016 Intergovernmental Agreement with Pueblo County. T...
Grading & Drainage
Colorado Springs City Code Section 7.4.601 and the Drainage Criteria Manual govern all grading and drainage activities. A Grading and Erosion Control permit is required before any land disturbance. The Drainage Criteria Manual specifies design standards for open channels, underground conveyance, permanent control measures for water quality treatment and detention. All development must ensure downstream stormwater infrastructure can safely pass 2-year, 25-year, and 100-year storm events, with analysis extending at minimum to the next two downstream structures.
Colorado Springs Grading & Drainage Rules
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for El Paso County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Colorado Springs city rules.
Environmental Rules in El Paso County →