Well permits in Montrose County
3,965 well permits — 0.7% of Colorado’s register. The median well here is 61 feet deep, against 148 feet statewide.
3,965Permits
61 ftMedian depth
730Expired
0Denver Basin aquifer
How deep people drill in Montrose 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 | 61 ft | 342 ft | 148 ft — shallower here (2,485 permits, 63 %) |
| Yield | 10 gpm | 15 gpm | 10 gpm — the same here (423 permits, 11 %) |
| Static water level | 30 ft | 200 ft | 58 ft — lower here (1,518 permits, 38 %) |
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 | 1,672 | 42.2% |
| Monitoring/sampling | 1,173 | 29.6% |
| Household Use Only | 270 | 6.8% |
| Geothermal | 244 | 6.2% |
| Other | 135 | 3.4% |
| Stock | 133 | 3.4% |
| Not stated | 110 | 2.8% |
| Irrigation | 109 | 2.7% |
| Commercial | 59 | 1.5% |
| Municipal | 31 | 0.8% |
| Industrial | 25 | 0.6% |
| Dewatering | 2 | 0.1% |
What happened to these permits
2,032 of the 3,965 permits in Montrose County ended with a well the Division was told about — 51.2%. And 730 expired without one: 18.4%.
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 | 2,032 | 51.2% |
| Permit Expired | 730 | 18.4% |
| Well Abandoned | 472 | 11.9% |
| NA | 203 | 5.1% |
| Permit Issued | 189 | 4.8% |
| Application Denied | 85 | 2.1% |
| Permit Canceled | 61 | 1.5% |
| Well Replaced - Abandonment Required | 57 | 1.4% |
| Application Information Requested | 45 | 1.1% |
| Application Received | 37 | 0.9% |
Which aquifers
| Aquifer | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| All Unnamed Aquifers | 3,732 | 94.1% |
| Dakota | 83 | 2.1% |
| Not stated | 63 | 1.6% |
| Dakota Sandstone | 26 | 0.7% |
| Alluvial | 21 | 0.5% |
| Unconfined San Luis Valley Aquifer | 15 | 0.4% |
| Mancos | 9 | 0.2% |
| Morrison | 7 | 0.2% |
| Salt Wash | 2 | 0.1% |
| Dakota-burro Canyon | 1 | 0.0% |
When the permits were issued
| Issued in | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 403 | 10.2% |
| 2010s | 495 | 12.5% |
| 2000s | 821 | 20.7% |
| 1990s | 693 | 17.5% |
| 1980s | 274 | 6.9% |
| 1970s | 275 | 6.9% |
| 1960s | 38 | 1.0% |
| 1950s | 84 | 2.1% |
Buying land in Montrose County, or need a well drilled?
3,965 well permits are on the Division’s register in Montrose County, 730 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 Montrose County
| Subdivision, or the permit number | Status | Decreed use | Depth (ft) | Yield (gpm) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrock Town of permit 334362--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 140 | 7 | 2025 |
| San Juan Ranch permit 336179- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 358 | 0 | 1994 |
| Bedrock Town of permit 331594- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 78 | 0 | 2024 |
| Deer View Estates permit 129518--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 630 | 8 | 2024 |
| Government Lots permit 63587-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 20 | 0 | 2022 |
| Elk Ridge Estates permit 326317- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 140 | 0 | 2022 |
| Butterfield Place permit 328124- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 50 | 0 | 1895 |
| Redvale permit 321172- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 60 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321173- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 82 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321174- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 80 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321175- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 90 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321176- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 80 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321177- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 63 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321178- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 80 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321179- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 120 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321180- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 50 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321183- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 60 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321185- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 60 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321186- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 90 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 321187- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 70 | 0 | 2021 |
| Redvale permit 241794--A | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 70 | 0 | 2021 |
| Richard Cook permit 324320- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 5 | 2021 |
| Redvale Corner permit 276593--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 240 | 0 | 2020 |
| Government Lots permit 317780- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 72 | 10 | 2020 |
| Elk Springs permit 318205- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 65 | 0 | 2022 |
| Beaver Hills (filing: 2) permit 159120--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 282 | 15 | 2020 |
| Beaver Hill Heights permit 319408- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 302 | 0 | 2020 |
| Redvale permit 312418- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 151 | 0 | 2019 |
| Elk Ridge Estates permit 314095- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 139 | 0 | 2019 |
| Bramletts Black Canyon permit 309926- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 529 | 0 | 2018 |
| Redvale permit 310291- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 70 | 0 | 2018 |
| Bramletts Black Canyon permit 310297- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 210 | 0 | 2018 |
| Elk Springs Development permit 310445- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 78 | 0 | 2018 |
| Elk Springs permit 311090- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 370 | 7 | 2018 |
| Pinon Hills permit 271664--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 15 | 2017 |
| Montrose Town of permit 53168-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 14 | 0 | 2015 |
| Ms# 20449 permit 79497-F | Well Constructed | Industrial | 100 | 250 | 1969 |
| Annexed Railroad Addition permit 52244-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 15 | 0 | 2014 |
| Wal-mart permit 52808-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 40 | 0 | 2014 |
| Tishbein Woerner Exemption permit 294250- | Well Constructed | Irrigation | 0 | 0 | 2014 |
| Mountview Park permit 51367-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 50 | 0 | 2013 |
| School District permit 51368-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 45 | 0 | 2013 |
| Wal-mart permit 51757-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 40 | 0 | 2013 |
| Wal-mart permit 52109-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 41 | 0 | 2013 |
| Lindavista permit 52110-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 40 | 0 | 2013 |
| Shavano Estates permit 290353- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 248 | 0 | 2013 |
| Yocum permit 51024-MH | Well Constructed | Monitoring/sampling | 25 | 0 | 2012 |
| Johnson Christopherson Exemption permit 287708- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 300 | 0 | 2012 |
| Mesa View Acres (filing: 2) permit 288356- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 0 | 0 | 1965 |
| Bedrock permit 284956- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 80 | 10 | 2009 |
| Campo Verde permit 74702-F | Well Constructed | Other | 0 | 0 | 1989 |
| Beaver Hill Minor permit 282328- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 0 | 0 | 2010 |
| Beaver Hill permit 197473--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 683 | 0 | 2010 |
| Cimarron Springs permit 68807-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 40 | 15 | 1992 |
| Bosco Minor Amended permit 68740-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 25 | 10 | 2009 |
| Cathedral Peak Ranch permit 281487- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 15 | 0 | 2011 |
| Application Parcel Name Missing permit 281813- | Well Constructed | Irrigation | 13 | 0 | 2009 |
| Deer Mesa Ranch Tracts permit 277473- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 362 | 0 | 2008 |
| Us Govt permit 65422-F | Well Constructed | Other | 0 | 0 | 2007 |
| Us Govt permit 65423-F | Well Constructed | Other | 0 | 0 | 2007 |
| Us Govt permit 65424-F | Well Constructed | Other | 0 | 0 | 2007 |
| Us Govt permit 65425-F | Well Constructed | Other | 0 | 0 | 2007 |
| Us Govt permit 65426-F | Well Constructed | Other | 0 | 0 | 2007 |
| Campbell Minor permit 191654--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 215 | 12 | 2007 |
| Werner Exemption For Boundary Line Adjustment permit 275787- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 272 | 0 | 2007 |
| Cimarron Springs permit 64148-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 70 | 3 | 2007 |
| Acres of Ireland (filing: 2) permit 64757-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 0 | 0 | 1996 |
| Pinon Ridge permit 267219- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 322 | 0 | 2006 |
| Cedar Mesa permit 129626--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 262 | 5 | 2006 |
| San Juan Ranch permit 269232- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 1035 | 0 | 2006 |
| Elk Springs permit 269373- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 147 | 15 | 2006 |
| Bedrock permit 263358- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 150 | 0 | 2005 |
| Redlands Orchard permit 77409--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 70 | 0 | 2006 |
| Polsley Exemption permit 262453- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 188 | 0 | 2005 |
| E & L Polsley Exemption permit 262454- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 70 | 0 | 2005 |
| Deerview Estates permit 267122- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 222 | 15 | 2005 |
| Cimarron Springs permit 62003-F | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 12 | 15 | 2004 |
| Pinon Hills Estates permit 254882- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 322 | 2 | 2004 |
| Pinon Hills permit 255009- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 242 | 10 | 2004 |
| Pinon Hills permit 256032- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 322 | 6 | 2004 |
| Folsum permit 256964- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 0 | 0 | 2004 |
| Melody Rose permit 482-G | Well Constructed | Geothermal | 255 | 0 | 2004 |
| Bedrock permit 258169- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 150 | 0 | 2005 |
| Pinon Hills permit 258193- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 153 | 2.8 | 2004 |
| Cimarron Springs permit 131424--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 130 | 3 | 2004 |
| Beaver Hill Division of Land permit 258966- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 140 | 0 | 2006 |
| Bramletts Black Canyon permit 259136- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 305 | 0 | 2004 |
| Bramlets Black Canyon permit 259204- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 328 | 1 | 2004 |
| Bramlets Black Canyon permit 259205- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 380 | 0 | 2004 |
| Bedrock permit 259489- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 150 | 0 | 2004 |
| Oliver Large Tract Exemption permit 249897- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 342 | 1 | 2003 |
| Redvale permit 246597- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 52 | 11 | 2004 |
| Pinon Ridge permit 247746- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 342 | 1 | 2003 |
| Application Parcel Name Missing permit 247886- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 110 | 16 | 2003 |
| Pinon Ridge permit 247916- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 322 | 2 | 2004 |
| Pinon Ridge permit 247917- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 322 | 4 | 2005 |
| Pinon Ridge permit 247920- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 342 | 0.5 | 2003 |
| Pinon Ridge permit 247923- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 323 | 2 | 2003 |
| Cimarron Springs permit 59846-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 30 | 5 | 1992 |
| Pinon Ridge permit 251830- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 582 | 5 | 2003 |
| Cathedral Peak Ranch permit 253595- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 830 | 3 | 2003 |
| Beaver Hills Tracts permit 253947- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 500 | 0 | 2003 |
| Beaver Hills Heights permit 237686- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 340 | 7 | 2002 |
| Lasal Creek Estates permit 56407-F | Well Constructed | Domestic | 240 | 30 | 2002 |
| Kris Estates (filing: 4) permit 119561--A | Well Constructed | Domestic | 322 | 15 | 2002 |
| Deerview Estates permit 240887- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 402 | 0 | 2003 |
| Beaver Hills Tracts permit 241152- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 138 | 0 | 2023 |
| Coventry permit 241755- | Well Constructed | Household Use Only | 300 | 0 | 2002 |
| Blue Mountain Land permit 242852- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 300 | 7 | 2002 |
| Beaver Hill Heights permit 243656- | Well Constructed | Domestic | 720 | 8 | 2003 |
By decreed use in Montrose County
Counties with a comparable register
- Pitkin 4,805
- Eagle 4,742
- Gilpin 4,606
- Moffat 4,379
- Costilla 4,256
- Huerfano 4,190
- Lincoln 4,107
- Delta 3,935
- Prowers 3,895
- Archuleta 3,805
- Rio Blanco 3,486
- San Miguel 3,416
- Otero 3,393
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.