Colorado Grease Trap
Rules & Regulations

MWR is the regional wastewater treatment authority for most of the Denver metro area. Their Industrial Pretreatment / FOG Program sets the rules that local cities enforce. Restaurants in member cities must use a properly sized grease interceptor or trap, maintain cleaning records on site for at least 3 years, and clean before FOG and solids combined exceed 25% of total liquid depth (the "25% rule").

Denver enforces FOG compliance under the Denver Revised Municipal Code (DRMC) Wastewater Quality regulations administered by the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI). Inspections are coordinated with Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) restaurant inspections. Discharging FOG, solids, or "passing" cleaning chemicals to the sewer is prohibited.

Aurora Water runs its own Industrial Pretreatment / FOG program. The Havana Street, Iliff Avenue, and Fitzsimons/Anschutz medical campus corridors get particular attention due to high restaurant density. Restaurants must maintain a grease interceptor and on-site service records.

The City of Boulder operates its own wastewater treatment plant and Industrial Pretreatment Program. Boulder enforces a FOG ordinance requiring properly sized interceptors, cleaning records, and BMPs. Violations can result in surcharges, fines, and required engineering reviews.

Fort Collins Utilities enforces what is commonly called the "33% rule" — grease traps must be cleaned before the combined FOG and solids depth exceeds 33% of the operating depth (stricter than many other jurisdictions on the high end). Fort Collins also requires a written FOG management plan for many operators.

Colorado Springs Utilities operates the Industrial Pretreatment Program for the City of Colorado Springs. FOG control is a core element. Restaurants must install and maintain grease interceptors sized per the Uniform Plumbing Code, and keep service records available for inspection.

Pueblo enforces an Industrial Pretreatment Program with a notable administrative quirk: certain compliance reports require a "wet" (handwritten) signature submitted by physical mail — Pueblo will not accept electronic-only submissions for certain forms. Plan service scheduling around this when documentation is due.

Greeley operates its own wastewater treatment and Industrial Pretreatment Program, including a FOG ordinance. Greeley has been increasing enforcement in recent years as restaurant density grows along the US-34 / 10th Street corridors.

Loveland's wastewater utility administers a FOG / Pretreatment Program. Standard Colorado-style requirements apply: properly sized interceptor, regular cleaning, retained records, and licensed disposal.

Longmont Water Reclamation administers the city's FOG program. Restaurants are required to install grease interceptors, maintain them on a documented schedule, and use licensed haulers for waste removal.

Several Front Range cities are served by independent special districts rather than a city utility. Each runs its own Industrial Pretreatment / FOG Program. Rules are broadly similar — properly sized interceptors, cleaning records, licensed disposal — but specific sizing tables, reporting forms, and inspection cycles vary by district. Always confirm with your specific district before installation or major remodel.

In addition to the wastewater / pretreatment authorities above, county public health departments inspect Food Service Establishments (FSEs) under the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules (5 CCR 1010-2). Health inspectors will ask to see grease trap cleaning records during routine restaurant inspections — missing records is one of the most common citations.