Well permits in Mesa County
6,494 well permits — 1.1% of Colorado’s register. The median well here is 67 feet deep, against 148 feet statewide.
6,494Permits
67 ftMedian depth
1,599Expired
0Denver Basin aquifer
How deep people drill in Mesa 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 | 67 ft | 485 ft | 148 ft — shallower here (3,876 permits, 60 %) |
| Yield | 8 gpm | 15 gpm | 10 gpm — lower here (1,103 permits, 17 %) |
| Static water level | 45 ft | 331 ft | 58 ft — lower here (2,312 permits, 36 %) |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring/sampling | 2,522 | 38.8% |
| Domestic | 2,287 | 35.2% |
| Household Use Only | 604 | 9.3% |
| Other | 375 | 5.8% |
| Geothermal | 208 | 3.2% |
| Not stated | 145 | 2.2% |
| Commercial | 101 | 1.6% |
| Irrigation | 94 | 1.4% |
| Industrial | 58 | 0.9% |
| Stock | 51 | 0.8% |
| Municipal | 33 | 0.5% |
| Dewatering | 11 | 0.2% |
What happened to these permits
3,076 of the 6,494 permits in Mesa County ended with a well the Division was told about — 47.4%. And 1,599 expired without one: 24.6%.
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 | 3,076 | 47.4% |
| Permit Expired | 1,599 | 24.6% |
| Well Abandoned | 817 | 12.6% |
| Permit Issued | 213 | 3.3% |
| NA | 193 | 3.0% |
| Application Information Requested | 162 | 2.5% |
| Permit Canceled | 146 | 2.2% |
| Well Replaced - Abandonment Required | 83 | 1.3% |
| Application Withdrawn | 63 | 1.0% |
| Application Denied | 50 | 0.8% |
Which aquifers
| Aquifer | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| All Unnamed Aquifers | 6,053 | 93.2% |
| Not stated | 236 | 3.6% |
| Alluvial | 138 | 2.1% |
| Entrada | 16 | 0.2% |
| Dakota | 11 | 0.2% |
| Mesa Verde Group | 8 | 0.1% |
| Mancos | 6 | 0.1% |
| Wasatch-fort Union | 5 | 0.1% |
| Wasatch | 3 | 0.0% |
| Quaternary Alluvium | 3 | 0.0% |
When the permits were issued
| Issued in | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 858 | 13.2% |
| 2010s | 1,134 | 17.5% |
| 2000s | 1,530 | 23.6% |
| 1990s | 1,295 | 19.9% |
| 1980s | 501 | 7.7% |
| 1970s | 264 | 4.1% |
| 1960s | 72 | 1.1% |
| 1950s | 54 | 0.8% |
Buying land in Mesa County, or need a well drilled?
6,494 well permits are on the Division’s register in Mesa County, 1,599 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 Mesa County
| Subdivision, or the permit number | Status | Decreed use | Depth (ft) | Yield (gpm) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Park Ranches (filing: 3) permit 343193- | Well Constructed | Commercial | 395 | 2 | 2004 |
| Vega Vista permit 338702- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 435 | 0 | 2025 |
| King View Estates permit 88821-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 540 | 3 | 2024 |
| Hoefner Exemption permit 335155- | Well Constructed | Commercial | 370 | 4 | 2005 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 326402--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 792 | 3 | 2024 |
| Vega Vista permit 334849- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 325 | 0 | 2024 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 334451- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 760 | 3 | 2024 |
| A Survey Sections 8, 16 & 17, Twp 11s Rng 96w 6th permit 170966--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 150 | 15 | 2025 |
| Double Tree Ranch permit 89630-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 280 | 7 | 2010 |
| Little Park Ranch permit 329591- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 410 | 0 | 2023 |
| Miller Canyon Ranch permit 330467- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 670 | 0 | 2024 |
| Horizon Estates (filing: 2) permit 329786- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 198 | 5 | 2024 |
| Vega Vista permit 330759- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 320 | 0 | 2023 |
| Bull Basin permit 331346- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 330 | 0 | 2024 |
| Vega Vista permit 330915- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 320 | 5 | 2023 |
| Tiara Rado permit 332294- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 290 | 0 | 2023 |
| Vega Vista permit 325161- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 320 | 6 | 2023 |
| Tranquility Ranches permit 326336- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 140 | 13 | 2022 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 325726- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 880 | 5 | 2022 |
| Smallwood Parcels permit 326238- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 80 | 0 | 2022 |
| Adjustment of Peterson Parcel of Unaweep Canyon permit 326998- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 110 | 12 | 2022 |
| Hawkins Simple Land Division permit 326849- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 123 | 13 | 2022 |
| Horizon Estates (filing: 1) permit 327504- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 368 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ladder Canyon Ranch permit 327273- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 540 | 0 | 2022 |
| Vega Vista permit 328240- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 250 | 10 | 2023 |
| Tranquility Ranches permit 328218- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 130 | 0 | 2022 |
| Little Park Ranch permit 328217- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 410 | 0 | 2022 |
| Ben E Nichols Family Trust Division of Land permit 328567- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 118 | 12 | 2022 |
| New Rosevale permit 328424- | Well Constructed | Irrigation | 29 | 0 | 2024 |
| Bull Basin Ranches permit 239402--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 419 | 11 | 2022 |
| Vega Vista permit 328464- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 326 | 8 | 2023 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 329312- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 450 | 8 | 2023 |
| A Survey Sections 8, 16 & 17, Twp 11s Rng 96w 6th permit 320222- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 150 | 0 | 2022 |
| Preserve (filing: 2) permit 85114-F | Well Constructed | Irrigation | 500 | 12 | 2021 |
| Kim Physical and Legal Separation Exemption Plat permit 320358- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 276 | 3 | 2022 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 320753- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 450 | 6 | 2021 |
| Arnold Physical & Legal Seperation (no. 5148-15) permit 85713-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 510 | 15 | 2021 |
| Plateau City permit 541-RN-R | Well Constructed | Domestic | 82 | 15 | 2021 |
| Bull Basin permit 321682- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 110 | 0 | 2023 |
| Little Park Ranches (filing: 1) permit 321457- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 470 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ladder Canyon Ranch permit 322095- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 580 | 3 | 2021 |
| Trail Canyon Ranch permit 322096- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 490 | 12 | 2021 |
| Ranches At Elk Reserve permit 322806- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 353 | 2 | 2021 |
| Trail Canyon Ranch permit 322252- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 490 | 12 | 2021 |
| Worthington Simple Land Division permit 23942--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 13 | 2022 |
| Horizon Estates (filing: 1) permit 322288- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 200 | 0 | 2022 |
| Horizon Estates (filing: 1) permit 322289- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 210 | 0 | 2022 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 322605- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 737 | 4 | 2022 |
| Ladder Canyon Ranch permit 324137- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 430 | 3 | 2021 |
| Laudadio Simple Land Division permit 324012- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 200 | 0 | 2023 |
| Sullivant Simple Land Division permit 324391- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 50 | 15 | 2004 |
| Sullivant Simple Land Division permit 324392- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 90 | 0 | 2022 |
| Mirador Estates permit 324385- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 310 | 12 | 2022 |
| Little Park Ranch permit 324513- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 430 | 2 | 2021 |
| Monument Valley (filing: 1, 2) permit 324554- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 292 | 15 | 2022 |
| Bull Basin Ranches permit 259416--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 412 | 0 | 2023 |
| Little Park Rnach (filing: 3) permit 316861- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 398 | 2 | 2020 |
| Miller Canyon Ranch permit 317823- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 559 | 3 | 2020 |
| B.v.c. Estates permit 317267- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 718 | 1 | 2020 |
| Kendrick permit 128191--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 153 | 0 | 2020 |
| Foraker Property Line Adjustment permit 318014- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 260 | 15 | 1998 |
| Mesa Creek Ranch permit 318283- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 157 | 15 | 2021 |
| Miller Canyon Ranch permit 318024- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 650 | 2 | 2020 |
| Bull Basin Ranches permit 318433- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 90 | 15 | 2020 |
| Little Park Ranch permit 318465- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 510 | 5 | 2020 |
| Little Park Ranches (filing: 1) permit 318483- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 495 | 1 | 2020 |
| Plateau City permit 318955- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 100 | 0 | 1940 |
| Monument Valley (filing: 1, 2) permit 319099- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 12 | 2021 |
| Ranches At Elk Reserve permit 318871- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 938 | 0 | 2020 |
| Coon Creek Tracts permit 227116--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 96 | 12 | 2020 |
| Tranquility Ranches permit 319089- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 520 | 0 | 2021 |
| West Creek Canyon Estates permit 317558- | Well Constructed | Commercial | 50 | 0 | 1956 |
| Foraker Property Line Adjustment permit 318681- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 150 | 10 | 2021 |
| Ladder Canyon Ranch permit 316689- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 390 | 3.75 | 2020 |
| Mirador Estates permit 316586- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 325 | 12 | 2020 |
| B.v.c. Estates permit 312465- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 4.9 | 2020 |
| Miller Canyon Ranch permit 315115- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 685 | 4.5 | 2019 |
| Springer Exemption permit 314010- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 65 | 15 | 1988 |
| Springer Exemption permit 314009- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 4 | 0 | 2003 |
| Tranquility Ranches permit 312958- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 0 | 2019 |
| Little Park Ranch permit 313579- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 395 | 1700 | 2019 |
| Horizon Estates (filing: 1) permit 308800- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 310 | 0 | 2019 |
| Coon Creek Estates permit 309463- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 330 | 6 | 2018 |
| Government permit 310838- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 520 | 5 | 2018 |
| Ladder Creek Ranches permit 311571- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 480 | 1 | 2019 |
| Dunn Estates permit 312017- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 432 | 0 | 1996 |
| Ladder Canyon Ranch permit 308164- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 1 | 2018 |
| Little Park Ranch permit 309432- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 400 | 7 | 2018 |
| Little Park Ranch permit 309507- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 480 | 0 | 2018 |
| Trail Canyon Ranch permit 311797- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 480 | 0 | 2020 |
| Aspen Park permit 305166- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 110 | 20 | 2017 |
| Mother's Buttress of Unaweep Canyon permit 305357- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 104 | 0 | 2018 |
| Application Parcel Name Missing permit 305721- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 170 | 9 | 2017 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 306345- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 440 | 8 | 2017 |
| Trail Canyon Ranch permit 306344- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 510 | 7 | 2017 |
| Turnage Physical & Legal Separation permit 81052-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 638 | 20 | 2017 |
| Adams Simple Land Division permit 305923- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 540 | 7 | 2017 |
| Coon Creek Estates permit 307379- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 240 | 15 | 2018 |
| Little Muddy Acres permit 301833- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 103 | 0 | 2016 |
| Trail Canyon Ranch permit 302010- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 440 | 7 | 2016 |
| Ladder Canyon Ranches permit 301986- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 545 | 3 | 2016 |
| Red Creek Ranch permit 302243- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 840 | 0 | 2016 |
| Harris Simple Land Division (exemption) permit 300734- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 220 | 8 | 2016 |
| Harris Simple Land Division (exemption) permit 300735- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 194 | 0 | 2019 |
| Branson Boundary Line Adjustment permit 301789- | Well Constructed | Commercial | 70 | 0 | 2018 |
| Vega Park permit 301084- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 487 | 5 | 2016 |
| Grand Junction City of permit 78890-F | Well Constructed | Other | 50 | 5 | 2004 |
| Grand Junction City of permit 78893-F | Well Constructed | Other | 50 | 5 | 2004 |
| Grand Junction City of permit 78894-F | Well Constructed | Other | 50 | 5 | 2004 |
| Grand Junction City of permit 78895-F | Well Constructed | Other | 50 | 5 | 2004 |
By decreed use in Mesa County
- Domestic in Mesa County — 2,287
- Monitoring/sampling in Mesa County — 2,522
Counties with a comparable register
- Gunnison 8,894
- Saguache 8,803
- Summit 8,609
- Las Animas 8,050
- Routt 7,264
- Custer 6,916
- Kit Carson 6,777
- Conejos 5,774
- Washington 5,722
- Clear Creek 5,556
- Baca 5,424
- Pitkin 4,805
- Eagle 4,742
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.