Colorado county well guide

Well Water in La Plata County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 2,119 households in La Plata County, 10% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
10%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
La Plata County10%
Colorado average11%
3licensed contractors serve the county
4 mito the nearest certified lab, La Plata County Water Quality Laboratory
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

About 2,119 homes in La Plata County are on a private well. That is 10% of households, enough that every township has well owners and few of them have had the water tested recently.

Local rules for wells in La Plata County

Every well in La Plata County needs a permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources before drilling, and only licensed contractors may drill or set the pump. Water quality is not regulated for private wells, so testing is entirely the owner’s call.

At a glance

Water test for a new wellNot required statewide

A DWR well permit is required before drilling and contractors must notify DWR before construction, but no water quality test is required by the state.

Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide

No statewide requirement. Lenders often require a test; some counties recommend one at transfer.

What the state recommends

CDPHE recommends yearly testing for coliform bacteria and nitrate, and a broader panel (metals, uranium, radon, fluoride, hardness) every few years. Colorado groundwater commonly has naturally occurring uranium, radon and fluoride.

Free or low-cost testingAvailable

Colorado offers a free PFAS testing program for private wells. Several county health departments (Weld, El Paso, La Plata, Mesa, Pueblo, Routt, Gilpin, Northeast Colorado) run certified labs that accept homeowner samples.

Getting your water tested near La Plata County

La Plata County has no certified lab within 40 miles, so most owners here test by mail. Order bottles from a certified lab, sample from the cold tap before any treatment, and ship the same day with an ice pack.

2 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving La Plata County

Licensed help in La Plata County includes Brooks Well Service Inc and Cundiff Water Systems and 1 other. Every listing was matched to the Colorado license list; the “verify” link on each profile opens the state lookup.

Well depth and water chemistry

Well depth and water chemistry in La Plata County follow the rock underneath it. Depth varies across the county; the state well record search shows logs for nearby wells.

Typical well depth

Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.

Contaminants to test for
  • Uranium
  • Radon
  • Fluoride
  • Nitrate
  • Hardness
  • Coliform bacteria
  • Arsenic (some basins)

Neighboring counties: San Juan County, Archuleta County, Montezuma County, San Miguel County.

What well work costs in La Plata County

Bacteria test (coliform and E. coli)$30published Colorado lab fees
Nitrate test$30published Colorado lab fees
Broad panel (metals and minerals)$85 to $450state and university lab packages
Well inspection$250 to $550$350 to $900 with water testing
Submersible pump replacement$1,000 to $2,500installed; deep wells cost more
Pressure tank replacement$800 to $1,500installed
One treatment unit$700 to $3,500softener, iron filter or UV, installed
Multi-stage whole-house treatment$2,500 to $10,000+several units or whole-house RO, installed
New well, complete$6,000 to $16,000typical 200 ft well with pump; drilling alone about $20 to $30 per foot; deeper wells cost more
Shock chlorination$80 to $200by a contractor; under $30 to do yourself

County public health labs (Mesa County Regional Lab, La Plata County water lab). Installed costs are national 2026 ranges; local quotes vary with depth, access and materials. Sources, checked September 2026: Mesa County Regional Lab, La Plata County water lab, HomeGuide cost guides, Angi: cost to shock a well.

Questions La Plata County well owners ask

How many homes in La Plata County are on a well?

About 2,119, or 10% of households, based on Census housing data and state well surveys. The share is highest outside the towns with public water.

Where is the closest certified lab to La Plata County?

There is no certified lab within 40 miles. Use a mail-in kit from a Colorado certified lab, or the county health department if it collects samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in La Plata County?

Yes. A permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before any drilling.

What does a well test cost near La Plata County?

A bacteria and nitrate test runs $25 to $75 at most certified labs; a full panel with metals is $150 to $400. County health department labs charge less than commercial labs, and PFAS testing is free through the state.