Well permits in El Paso County
46,491 well permits — 7.7% of Colorado’s register. The median well here is 292 feet deep, against 148 feet statewide.
46,491Permits
292 ftMedian depth
6,701Expired
35,592Denver Basin aquifer
How deep people drill in El Paso 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 | 292 ft | 580 ft | 148 ft — deeper here (29,266 permits, 63 %) |
| Yield | 10 gpm | 15 gpm | 10 gpm — the same here (15,918 permits, 34 %) |
| Static water level | 120 ft | 300 ft | 58 ft — higher here (24,972 permits, 54 %) |
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 | 28,862 | 62.1% |
| Monitoring/sampling | 5,469 | 11.8% |
| Household Use Only | 3,204 | 6.9% |
| Commercial | 2,402 | 5.2% |
| Stock | 1,562 | 3.4% |
| Not stated | 1,210 | 2.6% |
| Irrigation | 1,164 | 2.5% |
| Other | 1,162 | 2.5% |
| Municipal | 1,003 | 2.2% |
| Geothermal | 160 | 0.3% |
| Industrial | 91 | 0.2% |
| Augmentation | 82 | 0.2% |
What happened to these permits
26,238 of the 46,491 permits in El Paso County ended with a well the Division was told about — 56.4%. And 6,701 expired without one: 14.4%.
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 | 26,238 | 56.4% |
| Permit Expired | 6,701 | 14.4% |
| Well Abandoned | 3,537 | 7.6% |
| Permit Canceled | 2,262 | 4.9% |
| Permit Issued | 2,068 | 4.4% |
| NA | 1,751 | 3.8% |
| Application Information Requested | 1,294 | 2.8% |
| Well Replaced - Abandonment Required | 773 | 1.7% |
| Application Denied | 393 | 0.8% |
| Application Withdrawn | 308 | 0.7% |
Which aquifers
| Aquifer | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| All Unnamed Aquifers | 23,916 | 51.4% |
| Dawson | 10,202 | 21.9% |
| Denver | 4,407 | 9.5% |
| Arapahoe | 3,515 | 7.6% |
| Laramie Fox Hills | 1,241 | 2.7% |
| Not stated | 889 | 1.9% |
| Alluvial | 643 | 1.4% |
| Quaternary Alluvium | 496 | 1.1% |
| Laramie-fox Hills | 351 | 0.8% |
| Upper Dawson | 193 | 0.4% |
When the permits were issued
| Issued in | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 3,670 | 7.9% |
| 2010s | 4,696 | 10.1% |
| 2000s | 8,326 | 17.9% |
| 1990s | 10,156 | 21.8% |
| 1980s | 5,876 | 12.6% |
| 1970s | 3,583 | 7.7% |
| 1960s | 766 | 1.6% |
| 1950s | 938 | 2.0% |
| 1930s | 2 | 0.0% |
Buying land in El Paso County, or need a well drilled?
46,491 well permits are on the Division’s register in El Paso County, 6,701 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 El Paso County
| Subdivision, or the permit number | Status | Decreed use | Depth (ft) | Yield (gpm) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High View Estates permit 90672-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 355 | 0 | 2026 |
| Kings Deer Highlands permit 90784-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 0 | 0 | 2000 |
| Matika permit 90537-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 0 | 2026 |
| Tiboria Estates permit 341814- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 12 | 2026 |
| Tiboria Estates permit 341815- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 298 | 12 | 2026 |
| Tiboria Estates permit 342047- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 260 | 0 | 1995 |
| Mountain's Edge permit 90556-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 550 | 0 | 2026 |
| Winsome permit 90691-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 320 | 0 | 2026 |
| Prairie Vista Meadows permit 90753-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 620 | 0 | 2026 |
| Forest Heights Estates permit 90713-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 0 | 2026 |
| Winsome permit 90747-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 360 | 0 | 2026 |
| Treasured Acres permit 90765-F | Well Constructed | Commercial | 460 | 8 | 2024 |
| Terra Ridge North permit 90869-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 320 | 0 | 2026 |
| Flying Horse North permit 90844-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 15 | 2026 |
| Eagle Forest Estates (filing: 1) permit 90877-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 0 | 2026 |
| Winsome permit 90908-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 320 | 0 | 2026 |
| Latigo Country Estates permit 343279- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 340 | 7 | 1994 |
| Flying Horse North permit 90912-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 360 | 0 | 2026 |
| Kings Deer permit 90103-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 0 | 2025 |
| Kings Deer Highlands permit 89800-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 360 | 10 | 2016 |
| Settlers Ranch permit 89795-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 12 | 2025 |
| Retreat At Timberridge permit 89748-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 12 | 2025 |
| Kettle Creek Estates permit 89866-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 693 | 10 | 2025 |
| Flying Horse North permit 89887-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 540 | 13 | 2025 |
| Grandwood Ranch permit 89803-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 10 | 2025 |
| Pine View Estates permit 89757-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 8 | 2025 |
| Edwards permit 89746-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 598 | 0 | 2025 |
| Terra Ridge North permit 89936-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 320 | 15 | 2025 |
| Arrowwood Iii permit 337141- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 295 | 12 | 2025 |
| Black Forest Country Club permit 337314- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 0 | 1969 |
| Spring Crest permit 338118- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 300 | 0 | 1976 |
| Crystal Park Christian Community permit 89777-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 160 | 0 | 2023 |
| Peyton Pines permit 141588--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 620 | 10 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 89811-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Rollin Ridge permit 90010-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 460 | 12 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 89812-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 255 | 14 | 2025 |
| Crystal Park (filing: 2) permit 89805-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 300 | 8.33 | 2002 |
| Tiboria Estates permit 337702- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 771 | 10 | 2025 |
| Tiboria Estates permit 337701- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 743 | 4 | 2025 |
| Sun Hills permit 90050-F | Well Constructed | Augmentation | 300 | 0 | 1968 |
| Eagle Forest Estates (filing: 1) permit 89976-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 315 | 11 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 89901-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Crystal Park Christian Community permit 30070-F-R | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 498 | 9.2 | 2025 |
| Prairie Ridge permit 89953-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 315 | 13 | 2025 |
| Pine Ridge Ranch permit 337705- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 445 | 10 | 2026 |
| Parcel 1 permit 338681- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 618 | 10 | 2025 |
| Parcel 2 permit 338682- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 608 | 10 | 2025 |
| Parcel 3 permit 338683- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 580 | 12 | 2025 |
| Terra Ridge North permit 90002-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Crystal Park Christian Community permit 89876-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 400 | 0 | 2000 |
| Arrowwood I permit 38526--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 495 | 9.9 | 2025 |
| Ponderosa Pines permit 115592--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 495 | 9.6 | 2025 |
| Heritage Ranch Estates permit 338340- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 560 | 8 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 89954-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 12 | 2025 |
| Brookwood permit 154928--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 240 | 0 | 2026 |
| Winsome permit 89974-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Foxx Valley Ranch permit 339272- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 375 | 12 | 2025 |
| C & H Estates permit 90200-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 10 | 2005 |
| Grandwood Ranch permit 90027-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 395 | 12 | 2025 |
| Crystal Park Christian Comm permit 90042-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 300 | 7.1 | 2003 |
| Timber Ridge West permit 90028-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 560 | 7 | 2025 |
| Romens permit 90114-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 0 | 2025 |
| Nashs permit 339233- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 15 | 2025 |
| Latigo Country Estates permit 339367- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 235 | 0 | 2025 |
| Parcel 3 permit 339387- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 405 | 8 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 90059-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Centennial Ridge permit 339388- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 635 | 12 | 2025 |
| Highland Park permit 90071-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 640 | 10 | 2025 |
| Wissler Ranch permit 90102-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 360 | 15 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 90075-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 10 | 2025 |
| Romens permit 90070-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 270 | 0 | 1996 |
| Crystal Park permit 90022-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 12.4 | 2025 |
| Reserve At Corral Bluffs permit 90204-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 501 | 2.5 | 2026 |
| Winsome permit 90091-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Columbine Estates permit 340533- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 350 | 0 | 1977 |
| Grandwood Ranch permit 90122-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 10 | 2025 |
| Grandwood Ranch permit 90109-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 10 | 2025 |
| Falcon Forest permit 340255- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 560 | 7 | 2025 |
| Elk Creek Ranches permit 341298- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 0 | 1995 |
| Prairie Vista Meadows permit 90184-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 620 | 0 | 2025 |
| Tiboria Estates permit 340218- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 800 | 5 | 2025 |
| Horseshoe Rancheros permit 340169- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 1340 | 15 | 2025 |
| Retreat At Timberridge permit 90199-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Reata permit 340231- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 355 | 6 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 90182-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 340 | 0 | 2025 |
| Rock Springs Ranch permit 90197-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 620 | 10 | 2025 |
| Settlers View permit 90239-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 10 | 2025 |
| Parcel A permit 340708- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 600 | 0 | 2025 |
| Kings Deer Highlands permit 90306-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 200 | 15 | 2025 |
| Arrowwood Iii permit 340257- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 315 | 9 | 2025 |
| Kings Deer Highlands permit 90351-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 332 | 0 | 2012 |
| Rau Minor permit 157813--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 700 | 9.9 | 2025 |
| Forest Green permit 340945- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 12 | 2025 |
| Grandwood Ranch permit 90267-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 420 | 0 | 2026 |
| Forest Heights Estates permit 90371-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 10 | 2026 |
| Meadow Lake Estates Sub No 4 permit 341041- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 620 | 0 | 2026 |
| Bridle Bit Ranch permit 340862- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 415 | 16 | 2025 |
| Abert Ranch permit 90395-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 420 | 8 | 2025 |
| Park Ridge permit 90369-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 788 | 0 | 2025 |
| Colorado Estates permit 29109--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 515 | 8 | 2025 |
| Paint Brush Hills permit 341103- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 0 | 9 | 1995 |
| Pleasant View Estates (filing: 1-4) permit 340911- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 395 | 11.1 | 2025 |
| Winsome permit 90346-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 15 | 2025 |
| Powers Ranch permit 90424-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 425 | 0 | 2003 |
| Greaves permit 88760-F-R | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 0 | 2025 |
| Adnet permit 340867- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 335 | 0 | 2026 |
| Pine Glen permit 167739--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 375 | 12 | 2025 |
| Raygor permit 341322- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 295 | 12 | 1982 |
| Parcel 2 permit 341336- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 708 | 10 | 2026 |
| Flying Horse North permit 90426-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 10 | 2026 |
By decreed use in El Paso County
- Commercial in El Paso County — 2,402
- Domestic in El Paso County — 28,862
- Household Use Only in El Paso County — 3,204
- Irrigation in El Paso County — 1,164
- Monitoring/sampling in El Paso County — 5,469
- Municipal in El Paso County — 1,003
- Not stated in El Paso County — 1,210
- Other in El Paso County — 1,162
- Stock in El Paso County — 1,562
Counties with a comparable register
- Weld 43,473
- Jefferson 42,751
- Adams 26,561
- Park 22,930
- Douglas 22,500
- Larimer 20,919
- Boulder 20,791
- La Plata 18,518
- Elbert 17,636
- Arapahoe 17,030
- Denver 13,096
- Pueblo 12,597
- Yuma 12,410
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.