Broce Drilling
Verified license
License 1204 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
- Well Drilling
Colorado county well guide
Well Water in Otero County, CO: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 501 households in Otero County, 7% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.
of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
2licensed contractors serve the county
40+ mito a certified lab; mail-in kits recommended
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
About 501 homes in Otero 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 Otero County
Every well in Otero 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 Otero County
Otero 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.
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Licensed well contractors serving Otero County
Licensed help in Otero County includes Broce Drilling and Broce’s Well Service. Every listing was matched to the Colorado license list; the “verify” link on each profile opens the state lookup.
2 licensed contractors
Broce’s Well Service
Verified license
License 1548 Active
- Pump Installation
- Pump Repair
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Otero 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: Crowley County, Bent County, Pueblo County, Prowers County.
What well work costs in Otero 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 Otero County well owners ask
How many homes in Otero County are on a well?
About 501, 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 Otero 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 Otero County?
Yes. A permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before any drilling.
What does a well test cost near Otero 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.