Well permits in Chaffee County
10,321 well permits — 1.7% of Colorado’s register. The median well here is 104 feet deep, against 148 feet statewide.
10,321Permits
104 ftMedian depth
1,435Expired
0Denver Basin aquifer
How deep people drill in Chaffee County
This is the part a buyer actually wants, and it is not published anywhere else. The figures below are medians over the permits where the Division was told — a mean would be carried away by a handful of industrial wells.
| Measurement | Median | 90th percentile | Colorado median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 104 ft | 320 ft | 148 ft — shallower here (7,598 permits, 74 %) |
| Yield | 12 gpm | 15 gpm | 10 gpm — higher here (4,408 permits, 43 %) |
| Static water level | 50 ft | 170 ft | 58 ft — lower here (6,523 permits, 63 %) |
What the permits allow
A well permit is not a general right to water: it names what the water may be used for, and the narrowest of them — household use only — means inside the house and nothing else.
| Decreed use | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 5,602 | 54.3% |
| Household Use Only | 3,098 | 30.0% |
| Monitoring/sampling | 567 | 5.5% |
| Commercial | 533 | 5.2% |
| Not stated | 121 | 1.2% |
| Irrigation | 97 | 0.9% |
| Stock | 91 | 0.9% |
| Other | 88 | 0.9% |
| Municipal | 76 | 0.7% |
| Industrial | 18 | 0.2% |
| Geothermal | 11 | 0.1% |
| Augmentation | 7 | 0.1% |
What happened to these permits
6,205 of the 10,321 permits in Chaffee County ended with a well the Division was told about — 60.1%. And 1,435 expired without one: 13.9%.
An expired permit is the trap in a rural sale. A seller can produce a permit that lapsed years ago, and a permit is not a water right — the two are separate, and a purchase turns on both. What an expired permit does and does not mean.
| Status | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Well Constructed | 6,205 | 60.1% |
| Permit Expired | 1,435 | 13.9% |
| Permit Canceled | 820 | 7.9% |
| Well Replaced - Abandonment Required | 394 | 3.8% |
| Permit Issued | 374 | 3.6% |
| Well Abandoned | 366 | 3.5% |
| Application Information Requested | 294 | 2.8% |
| Application Denied | 161 | 1.6% |
| Application Received | 66 | 0.6% |
| Permit Expired (Pump Installed) | 47 | 0.5% |
Which aquifers
| Aquifer | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| All Unnamed Aquifers | 9,990 | 96.8% |
| Alluvial | 193 | 1.9% |
| Not stated | 92 | 0.9% |
| Quaternary Alluvium | 27 | 0.3% |
| Fractured Granite | 8 | 0.1% |
| Upper Arapahoe | 3 | 0.0% |
| Ogallala | 2 | 0.0% |
| Purgatoire | 2 | 0.0% |
| Dry Union | 2 | 0.0% |
| Unconfined San Luis Vall | 1 | 0.0% |
When the permits were issued
| Issued in | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,014 | 9.8% |
| 2010s | 1,270 | 12.3% |
| 2000s | 2,139 | 20.7% |
| 1990s | 2,043 | 19.8% |
| 1980s | 989 | 9.6% |
| 1970s | 1,046 | 10.1% |
| 1960s | 119 | 1.2% |
| 1950s | 133 | 1.3% |
| 1900s | 1 | 0.0% |
Buying land in Chaffee County, or need a well drilled?
10,321 well permits are on the Division’s register in Chaffee County, 1,435 of them expired. This site tells you what a permit says; it does not drill, and it is not advice on a water right. Tell us where and we pass the request to drillers and water-rights advisers working in Colorado.
We take no commission and we recommend no driller. We have no arrangement with any firm today — we are collecting these requests in order to go and find them. What we do with this.
Permits on record in Chaffee County
| Subdivision, or the permit number | Status | Decreed use | Depth (ft) | Yield (gpm) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weldon Creek permit 90526-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 0 | 2026 |
| Weldon Creek permit 90611-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 600 | 11 | 2026 |
| Divided Sky Estates permit 90599-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 0 | 1990 |
| Eagle View At Mount Princeton permit 90541-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 12 | 2026 |
| Dedominic/powers/ervin Boundary Line Adjustment permit 342033- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 60 | 0 | 1932 |
| Peak View permit 90717-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 180 | 0 | 2026 |
| Hidden Hills permit 123149--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 0 | 2026 |
| Pinon Hills permit 53963-F-R | Well Constructed | Domestic | 250 | 0 | 2026 |
| Dos Madres permit 90788-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 8 | 2022 |
| Danneberg Bla permit 90812-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 14 | 2020 |
| Pinon Hills permit 90842-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 165 | 15 | 1977 |
| Pinon Grove Minor permit 58568-F-R | Well Constructed | Domestic | 480 | 0 | 2026 |
| Cielo Vista permit 90988-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 12 | 2009 |
| Dominick Dominick Mazza Bla permit 343914- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 43 | 0 | 1956 |
| Jacquat Heritage Water Subdivision Exemption permit 89765-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 180 | 12 | 2025 |
| Hillside Addition permit 337147- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 100 | 0 | 2025 |
| Eagle Moon permit 89730-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 520 | 10 | 2022 |
| Mount Harvard Valley permit 89733-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 160 | 10 | 2025 |
| Rgp Industrial Park Major permit 89837-F | Well Constructed | Commercial | 140 | 0 | 2025 |
| Lockett Tracts permit 89782-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 428 | 5 | 2001 |
| Cactus Ranch permit 89787-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 12 | 2025 |
| Windmill Ranch Estates permit 89784-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 140 | 14 | 2025 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 89788-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 240 | 14 | 2025 |
| Pinon Hills permit 89786-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 145 | 15 | 1996 |
| Nellie Blythe Mining Survey #19032 permit 337621- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 202 | 2 | 1986 |
| Alpine Townsite permit 101278--A | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 220 | 13 | 2025 |
| Big Sandy Estates permit 338508- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 440 | 0 | 2025 |
| Nola Minor permit 89987-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 12 | 2020 |
| Rainbow Ridge (filing: 1) permit 89990-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 15 | 2002 |
| Weldon Creek permit 89991-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 560 | 10 | 2025 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 89993-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 220 | 9 | 2025 |
| Pinon Hills permit 89994-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 165 | 14 | 2025 |
| Estates At Mt Princeton Pud (filing: 1) permit 89986-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 320 | 7 | 2025 |
| River Meadow Estates permit 338455- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 100 | 0 | 2025 |
| River Rim Estates permit 90065-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 83 | 15 | 1996 |
| Weldon Creek permit 90024-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 440 | 13 | 2025 |
| Lakeside Estates Preserve permit 90040-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 14 | 2020 |
| Chavara Ranch permit 90064-F | Well Constructed | Commercial | 160 | 13 | 2025 |
| Nighthawk Heritage Water permit 90360-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 14 | 2025 |
| Pinon Hills permit 90224-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 279 | 6 | 2003 |
| Maysville Meadows permit 90096-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 260 | 15 | 2006 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 90097-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 340 | 13 | 2025 |
| Monarch River Estates permit 90098-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 14 | 2025 |
| Mount Princeton View Estates permit 340131- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 120 | 12 | 2025 |
| Broadview permit 90056-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 620 | 5 | 2025 |
| Weldon Creek permit 90100-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 11 | 2023 |
| Shikoba Acres permit 90104-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 165 | 13 | 2016 |
| Kortz permit 340624- | Well Constructed | Commercial | 120 | 0 | 2026 |
| Alpine Townsite permit 59330--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 360 | 12 | 2025 |
| Trout Creek Meadows (filing: 1) permit 90159-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 340 | 0 | 2025 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 90249-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 340 | 14 | 2025 |
| Reserve At Cottonwood Creek permit 90250-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 0 | 2025 |
| Mesa View permit 90210-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 105 | 0 | 1974 |
| Lindsay Bla permit 90228-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 0 | 2025 |
| Rundell Tracts permit 90253-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 115 | 15 | 1970 |
| Alpine Townsite permit 70386--A | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 180 | 12 | 2025 |
| Vista Meadows permit 340748- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 260 | 0 | 2025 |
| Pinon Hills permit 175847--A | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 585 | 6 | 2025 |
| Journeys End permit 90364-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 345 | 0 | 2021 |
| Pinon Hills permit 90438-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 220 | 0 | 1993 |
| Hacienda Village permit 90439-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 0 | 2016 |
| Vista Del Rio permit 90440-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 160 | 15 | 2013 |
| Mount Harvard Valley Development permit 90441-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 110 | 0 | 1975 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90459-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 15 | 2023 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90460-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 99 | 15 | 2024 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90461-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 99 | 15 | 2024 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90462-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 98 | 15 | 2024 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90463-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 99 | 15 | 2024 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90464-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 99 | 15 | 2024 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90465-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 99 | 15 | 2024 |
| Timber Creek Ranch permit 90466-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 98 | 15 | 2024 |
| Pinon Acres permit 341464- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 260 | 0 | 2026 |
| Vista Sawatch permit 90488-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 320 | 0 | 2026 |
| Windance permit 90490-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 85 | 15 | 2007 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 90491-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 0 | 2022 |
| Tabeguache Hills permit 308472--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 7 | 2026 |
| River Meadow Estates permit 89358-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 80 | 12 | 2023 |
| Broadview Rural Open Space Incentive permit 88810-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 650 | 8 | 2024 |
| Lost Creek Ranch (filing: 1) permit 89028-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 320 | 12 | 2024 |
| Kalivoda permit 88809-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 160 | 10 | 2023 |
| Monarch River Estates permit 88908-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 220 | 14 | 2024 |
| Rio Frio Minor permit 88900-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 14 | 2025 |
| Rio Frio Minor permit 88901-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 14 | 2025 |
| Cactus Ranch permit 88911-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 225 | 14 | 2024 |
| Willows permit 89087-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 160 | 13 | 2025 |
| Reserve At Cottonwood Creek permit 89007-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 14 | 2024 |
| Country Meadow Ridge permit 89058-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 103 | 15 | 2000 |
| Reserve At Cottonwood Creek permit 89059-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 113 | 12 | 2024 |
| Longhorn Ranch permit 89098-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 13 | 2020 |
| Longhorn Ranch permit 89050-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 13 | 2024 |
| Longhorn Ranch permit 89088-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 14 | 2024 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 89077-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 13 | 2024 |
| Dao Minor permit 89089-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 140 | 0 | 2025 |
| Cooper Property Minor permit 89051-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 14 | 2024 |
| Kalivoda permit 88993-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 260 | 13 | 2026 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 89129-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 13 | 2024 |
| Centerville Ranch permit 89045-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 12 | 2022 |
| Three Elk Creek permit 333878- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 400 | 9 | 2024 |
| Maysville Meadows permit 333988- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 100 | 14 | 2025 |
| Garfield Townsite permit 334161- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 155 | 0 | 2025 |
| Box Minor permit 89282-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 260 | 13 | 2024 |
| Costello Addition Town of Kortz permit 154400--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 13 | 2024 |
| Little Cochetopa Acres permit 89150-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 385 | 0 | 2024 |
| Peak View permit 89215-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 120 | 12 | 2024 |
| Fairview Agricultural permit 89359-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 160 | 15 | 2025 |
| Maysville Meadows permit 89242-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 14 | 2013 |
| Wood Minor permit 89202-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 125 | 14 | 2020 |
| Tremarctos Minor permit 89166-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 160 | 6 | 2024 |
| Weldon Creek permit 89216-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 540 | 11 | 2024 |
| Boothill permit 89203-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 243 | 9 | 2024 |
By decreed use in Chaffee County
- Domestic in Chaffee County — 5,602
- Household Use Only in Chaffee County — 3,098
Counties with a comparable register
- Denver 13,096
- Pueblo 12,597
- Yuma 12,410
- Garfield 12,165
- Grand 11,297
- Teller 10,843
- Fremont 10,353
- Alamosa 10,088
- Rio Grande 9,833
- Morgan 9,779
- Logan 9,308
- Gunnison 8,894
- Saguache 8,803
Neighbours by the size of their register, not a ranking: the list slides with the county you are on, so each of the 63 county pages is reachable from the others. All of them.