Swimming Pools and Spas

Semi-public pools are pools that are associated with hotels, motels, country clubs, health clubs, and mobile home parks. Private (residential) pools are not inspected. Condominiums and apartments are not inspected.

View PDPHE Inspections Reports here.

For more in-depth definitions of which facilities require inspection by PDPHE, see pages two and three of the Colorado “Swimming Pools and Mineral Baths” regulations.

Rules and Regulations

• All public and semi-public swimming areas are required to meet the minimum requirements of disinfectant and bacteriological standards, as set forth in the 2022 Pueblo County Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC).
• The Swimming Pools & Mineral Baths regulations give PDPHE the authority to adopt the MAHC in whole or in part. Definitions and enforcement measures stated in this regulation are used by PDPHE.
• Rules and regulations are enforced through plan review approvals and inspections.
• Year-round swimming facilities are inspected two times a year, as well as on a complaint basis.
• Seasonal facilities are inspected at least once during the months of operation, as well as on a complaint basis.

The Journey to Adopt the 2022 Pueblo County Model Aquatic Health Code

• The Colorado Board of Health unanimously voted to authorize the use of the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) by Colorado counties with a pool program, effective December 15, 2020.
• PDPHE adopted the 2022 Pueblo County Model Aquatic Health Code on January 1, 2022.
• The MAHC is a guidance document created by the CDC with input from operators, scientists, and the aquatics industry. The guidelines focus on aquatic facility design and construction, operation, maintenance, policies, and management. The goal of the code is to prevent drownings, injuries, waterborne illness outbreaks, aquatic facility closings, and reduce pool water contamination that can harm the public.
• PDPHE hosted several stakeholder meetings between February 2020 and February 2023 to provide recreational water facility operators the opportunity to learn more about state/local level progress in MAHC adoption. For copies of stakeholder presentation slides, reach out to [email protected].

Plan Reviews

Plan review services are provided to proposed new facilities to ensure they are built according to current regulations and are constructed to facilitate proper operation and maintenance.

• Plan review fees begin at $125 for the application with $50 per hour for review.
• An Aquatic Facility Plan Review must be submitted no less than 30 days prior to facility construction, extension, enlarging, remodeling, or modification of public swimming areas or related facilities.

Bacteriological Standards

Bacteriological water samples are collected at the water’s surface where swimmers are more likely to ingest water and bacteria (if present) from this area.

PDPHE takes bacteriological water samples during routine inspections at interactive play features, such as splash pads and fountains. Samples can be taken by PDPHE at other venues upon request or samples can be taken by a facility operator.

A $21 laboratory fee is charged for each sample. For more information about bacteriological water samples tested at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment Laboratory, click here.

Fees

Recently PDPHE’s Environmental Health management and Financial Officer analyzed our Recreational Water program fees. The analysis is conducted to ensure that the revenues cover the expenses of the program. The analysis showed that the time it takes to inspect additional water bodies was a lot greater than previously estimated when determining the current fees. Therefore, the fees charged for additional water bodies needed to be increased accordingly. The findings from the analysis were presented to the Board of Health who approved the recommended changes to our current fee structure. Based on the results of that study and the need to meet increasing programmatic costs, PDPHE will be adjusting these fees on January 1, 2026. The following table details the fee changes:

PDPHE is continually evaluating our fee schedules to ensure that we are able to meet our program costs while keeping our permit fees as low as possible. By regularly evaluating our fees we are working to ensure that any increases are minimized. If you have questions or concerns regarding the changes, please call Scott Cowan at (719) 583-4370.

Education

A Certified Pool Operator (CPO) is required in Colorado for all public and semi-public pools. To obtain a CPO certification, an individual can look at the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) website to find classes offered throughout Colorado.

This course equips the CPO with knowledge about the operation of pools, spas, and other water features including, but not limited to:

• The state requirements for pool and spa management
• Pool chemistry level parameters and corrections
• Waterborne illness risk reduction
• Current or changing pool technologies, etc.

This certification is valid for five years after the certification test is passed. Verification of a current CPO certification will be requested by an inspector during each routine pool inspection.

The NSPF can be contacted at 719-540-9119 or courses can be found at the NSPF Find a Class Page.
 

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Contact us for questions and additional resources!

Call 719-583-4307 or email [email protected]

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