Colorado county well guide

Well Water in Douglas County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 8,815 households in Douglas County, 7% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
7%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Douglas County7%
Colorado average11%
8licensed contractors serve the county
16 mito the nearest certified lab, Colorado Department of Health & Environment
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

About 8,815 homes in Douglas County are on a private well. That is 7% of households, enough that every township has well owners and few of them have had the water tested recently.

Local rules for wells in Douglas County

Every well in Douglas 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 Douglas County

The nearest certified lab is Colorado Department of Health & Environment in Denver, about 17 miles from the county center, and it accepts samples from homeowners. There are 8 more within 40 miles, listed below with what each tests for.

10 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving Douglas County

Licensed help in Douglas County includes Consolidated Pumps and Service Inc. and George H. Wood and 5 others. 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 Douglas 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: Arapahoe County, Denver County, Elbert County, Jefferson County.

What well work costs in Douglas County

Basic bacteria and nitrate test$25 to $75lab fee, homeowner sample
Full panel lab test$150 to $400metals, VOCs, radiologicals
Well inspection$250 to $550flow, pressure, visual, water test
Submersible pump replacement$1,200 to $4,500parts and labor
Pressure tank replacement$400 to $1,200installed
Whole-house treatment system$800 to $6,000softener, iron filter, UV, RO
New well drilled$5,500 to $25,000about $25 to $65 per foot
Shock chlorination$80 to $300or about $20 as a DIY job

National ranges from published 2025 to 2026 contractor pricing. Local quotes vary with depth, access and materials.

Questions Douglas County well owners ask

How many homes in Douglas County are on a well?

About 8,815, or 7% 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 Douglas County?

Colorado Department of Health & Environment in Denver, about 17 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Douglas County?

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

What does a well test cost near Douglas 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.