Well Water in Lincoln County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 283 households in Lincoln County, 13% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.
About 283 homes in Lincoln County are on a private well. That is 13% of households, enough that every township has well owners and few of them have had the water tested recently.
Local rules for wells in Lincoln County
Every well in Lincoln 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
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.
No statewide requirement. Lenders often require a test; some counties recommend one at transfer.
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.
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 Lincoln County
Lincoln 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.
No listings yet for this area. Try widening your search.
Licensed well contractors serving Lincoln County
No licensed contractor lists Lincoln County as a home base or service area yet. The finder below searches the whole state; most drillers travel several counties for a job.
No listings yet for this area. Try widening your search.
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Lincoln County follow the rock underneath it. Depth varies across the county; the state well record search shows logs for nearby wells.
Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.
- Uranium
- Radon
- Fluoride
- Nitrate
- Hardness
- Coliform bacteria
- Arsenic (some basins)
Neighboring counties: Elbert County, Kit Carson County, El Paso County, Cheyenne County.
What well work costs in Lincoln County
National ranges from published 2025 to 2026 contractor pricing. Local quotes vary with depth, access and materials.
Questions Lincoln County well owners ask
How many homes in Lincoln County are on a well?
About 283, or 13% 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County?
Yes. A permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before any drilling.
What does a well test cost near Lincoln 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.