Public Health Agency

Announcements

Understand how to check whether your food is safe after a power outage or emergency on CDC's Food Safety website.

 2026 Updates to Regulation 43 for On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems 

On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), also known as septic systems, are governed in Colorado by Regulation 43.  The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) adopted a new version of Regulation 43 on March 10, 2025 and requires all Colorado counties adopt a version that is as strict or stricter.  There will be a public hearing regarding Gilpin County’s new regulations on January 27th   at 9:30 am at the Gilpin County Board of Commissioners meeting held at the Gilpin County Old Courthouse, 203 Eureka St, Central City. The draft version of Gilpin County’s new version of Regulation 43 is posted below for comments and feedback. Written comments may be submitted via email to awitt@gilpincounty.org, or mailed to Gilpin County Public Health 15193 CO-119, Black Hawk, CO 80422. Comments must be received by January 19, 2026 to be considered.  If these regulations are adopted on January 27th, they will go into effect in Gilpin County on March 13th, 2026.

Gilpin County Draft Updated Regulation 43

*Please note that the Draft Regulation 43 document has not been remediated to meet full accessibility standards. Under the Gilpin County Accessibility Plan (See 8 CCR 1501-11:11.5.D), and pursuant to 8 CCR 1501-11:11.5.C., Gilpin County will provide reasonable modifications or accommodations, when requested, to remove accessibility barriers (unless exempt under 8 CCR 1501-11:11.10) at no cost to the requestor.

If you require a print copy of the draft regulations for accessibility purposes, please email mlarson@gilpincounty.org.*

FREE PFAS Well Testing

Gilpin County Public Health (GCPH), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), is offering free well water testing for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals linked to long-term health risks. 

For those drinking water from a private well, testing is available through the PFAS Testing and Assistance Program (PFAS TAP) at no cost. You must order a free PFAS kit through CDPHE to be shipped to your home, PFAS testing is not conducted at the Gilpin Public Health water lab. Some participants may also qualify for a free water filter that removes PFAS and other common contaminants. Testing helps identify and minimize exposure to PFAS in the area and develop recommendations on PFAS contamination. This program is available while supplies last. 

A public meeting will be held at the Gilpin County Library (15131 Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422) on August 13, 2025, from 6-8 pm to answer questions and share more information about PFAS, the testing program, and other well water quality concerns.

Apply for free PFAS testing.
Register for the public meeting.

Learn more about PFAS and your health.

View the recording of the 8/13/25 PFAS Public Meeting 

Gilpin Public Health has a limited supply of PFAS test kits available for free pick up at our office. Please be advised that you will need to fill out basic paperwork when you stop by for a test kit.

Note: You may drop off completed PFAS test kits at the Gilpin County Public Health Office if you are not able to drop the kit off at a UPS location. We will ship them via UPS for your convenience.

Respiratory Virus Guidance Update

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released updated guidance outlining best practices for handling common respiratory viruses, including for COVID 19, Flu, and RSV.

CDC’s first recommendation for people who get sick with a respiratory virus is simple: Stay home and away from others.

Updated COVID 19 recommendations include: 

• Returning to normal activities when symptoms have been getting better overall for 24 hours, and if a fever was present, it has been gone for 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication.
• Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.

For more information, please visit the CDC website on Respiratory Virus Guidance.