Frequently Asked Questions About Solid Waste

What does the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division regulate?
A:

The Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division regulates the management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes in Colorado. A solid waste is a solid, a liquid, or a contained gaseous material that is no longer used or that no longer serves the purpose for which it was produced. Solid waste does not include domestic sewage or agricultural wastes. A hazardous waste is a solid waste that could pose dangers to human health and the environment if it is treated, stored, transported, or disposed of improperly. There are two types of hazardous waste: "listed" and "characteristic."

The Division also oversees radioactive materials licensing and provides information regarding naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and risk from occupational exposure to radiation, x-ray and mammography machine certification, and provides information on radon in the home.

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Are records for solid waste sites available for public review?

A:

Yes, most records are available for public review in our Records Center under the Colorado Open Records Act. A written request is necessary and most files are not available on a walk-in basis. However, files are usually made available within 1-3 days after receipt of your request. This allows our staff time to locate, process, and make the files available for review. As soon as the records requested are available, your request will be assigned a "file review number" and you will be notified they are available at the Records Center. An appointment convenient to your schedule will be made to review the files. All requestors will be required to provide photo identification prior to receiving a record for review.

An E-mail request is encouraged and preferred. Please send your E-mail to comments.hmwmd@state.co.us. Your request may be faxed to (303) 759-5355 and should be sent to the attention of the Records Center. Written requests may be sent to: CDPHE-HMWMD, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530, Attn: Records Center. The Record Center is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays, and you will need an appointment to review any files. Visitors should check in at the lobby of Building A.

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Can copies be obtained of these records or portions of these records?

A:

Yes. Copies (up to 30) can be provided the day of the review at a cost of $.50 per page. Any copying job over 30 pages will be available within three days for pick-up or mailing at a cost of $.18 per 8 1/2" x 11" page. Payment in the form of cash or check must be made at the time the copies are received in person or prior to mailing. We do not accept credit cards and cannot bill for services.

Certified copies for legal purposes will be done upon request at no charge. There is an additional five days needed to provide this service.

The requestor may take notes, bring tape recording devices, and/or portable computers. Outside photocopiers are not allowed.

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