Programs

IDDE - Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

Be careful, many discharges are DANGEROUS!

CDOT seeks to detect and eliminate all illegal discharges. An illegal discharge, often called an illicit discharge, is a discharge to CDOT's storm drain system that could cause pollution. Common pollutants include oil and grease, fertilizers and pesticides, grass clippings and leaves, and any substances that have a "funny" smell or color. CDOT has also developed wallet and visor cards for CDOT employees. The Illicit Discharges Program brochure provides more information.

What to Report

Oil, gas, etc. entering
a storm drain inlet
Soap suds or anything with a “funny” color or odor exiting a storm drain pipe Chemicals spilled
on a highway
Sediment from an unknown source entering a waterway

Oil gas enter storm drain outlet

Soap suds exiting a storm drain

Chemicals spilled on highway

Sidiment for unknown source

Tips for reporting illegal discharges

  • Estimate the amount of discharge.
  • Note the characteristics of the discharge (color, odor, etc.) - Never get too close to a strange discharge because it can be dangerous!
  • If applicable and possible, take information on the vehicle dumping the waste.

REMEMBER: Storm drain systems are separate from wastewater systems; they drain to our rivers, streams, creeks, and gulches without any treatment. The storm drain system is different from the sanitary sewer system.

Storm drain system

Updated 2014-01-16

Contact Us
  • Rick Willard
    Water Quality Unit Work Leader
    303-757-9343
    Email Rick.

  • Bob McDade
    Water Quality Specialist
    303-757-9127
    Email Bob.

  • Tripp Minges
    Water Quality Specialist
    303-757-9788
    Email Tripp.

  • Amber Williams
    Water Quality Specialist
    303-757-9814
    Email Amber.

  • Jeremiah Unger
    Water Quality Specialist
    303-757-9497
    Email Jeremiah.

  • Jean Cordova
    CDPHE Liaison
    303-692-3570
    Email Jean.

     
Report an Illegal Discharge
  • Hotline: 303-512-4H2O

  • Illegal discharges (aka, illicit discharges) emit into CDOT's storm drain system pollutants (e.g., oil, grease, fertilizers, pesticides, grass clippings, leaves, or odd smelling/colored substances).

    Learn more.
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