Colorado county well guide

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

About 596 households in Routt County, 6% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
6%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Routt County6%
Colorado average11%
4licensed contractors serve the county
4 mito the nearest certified lab, ACZ Laboratories, Inc.
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

Roughly 6% of Routt County households, about 596, get their water from a private well rather than a utility. They are concentrated in the rural parts of the county, and they are on their own for testing.

Local rules for wells in Routt County

Colorado permits the well but not the water. In Routt County that means a DWR permit and a licensed driller, and no required water test at any point. The state’s recommendations and the free PFAS program are below.

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 Routt County

2 certified labs within 40 miles serve Routt County, starting with ACZ Laboratories, Inc. in Steamboat Springs (in the county). Each card below shows whether the lab takes homeowner samples and which tests it is certified for.

2 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving Routt County

4 licensed contractors serve Routt County, including Arrow Drilling and Ed’s Excavating of Stmbt Spgs. Each profile carries the state license number and the date we checked it, and the filters below sort them by drilling, pump work or treatment.

Well depth and water chemistry

What comes up with the water depends on the aquifer. A first full panel tells you which of them apply to your well.

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: Jackson County, Moffat County, Grand County, Eagle County.

What well work costs in Routt 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 Routt County well owners ask

How many homes in Routt County are on a well?

About 596, or 6% 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 Routt County?

ACZ Laboratories, Inc. in Steamboat Springs, inside the county. It accepts homeowner samples.

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

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

What does a well test cost near Routt 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.