Why Test Your Water in Colorado?
Colorado's water comes from snowmelt, rivers, and groundwater aquifers — and while municipal suppliers test it heavily, what enters the treatment plant isn't the same as what flows from your faucet. Old pipes, home plumbing, and your neighborhood's infrastructure all play a role.
Colorado also has specific concerns most other states don't: arsenic from natural geology, PFAS contamination near military bases and airports, high mineral hardness along the Front Range, and nitrates from agricultural runoff in rural areas. Testing once gives you a real picture of what's actually in your water — not just what enters your street.
Step 1 — Read Your Annual Water Quality Report
Every municipal water supplier is required by federal law to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). It shows exactly what was detected in your water and whether it meets EPA limits. This is your free baseline — start here before spending anything.
- Denver Water: denverwater.org — Water Quality Reports
- Aurora Water: auroragov.org — Water Quality Report
- Colorado Springs Utilities: csu.org — Water Quality Report
- Find any Colorado water utility: EPA CCR Search Tool
Step 2 — Get Free Testing From Your Water District
Several Colorado water providers offer free or low-cost testing for specific contaminants. Take advantage of these before spending money on a lab kit.
Denver Water — Free Lead Test
If you're in Denver Water's service area, you can request a free lead test kit. They'll mail it to you, you collect samples, mail them back, and get results.
Request Kit →CDPHE — Free PFAS Testing
Colorado's PFAS Testing and Assistance Program offers free PFAS testing for private well owners across the state. Eligible homeowners can also receive free certified filters.
Apply for Kit →CDPHE State Laboratory
Colorado's state health lab offers certified water testing for a wide range of contaminants. More affordable than commercial labs, and results are legally defensible.
View Services →Culligan Denver — Free In-Home Test
Culligan offers a free in-home water analysis in the Denver metro. They'll test hardness, pH, iron, chlorine, and more on the spot. No purchase required — but expect a sales conversation.
Schedule Test →Step 3 — Know What You're Testing For
Not all contaminants behave the same way, and not all are relevant to every Colorado home. Here's what to prioritize based on your situation:
| Contaminant | Who Should Test | Risk Level | Colorado Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Homes built before 1986 | High | Comes from old pipes and solder, not source water. No safe level for children. |
| PFAS ("forever chemicals") | Well owners near military bases, airports, industrial sites | High | Detected near Peterson SFB, Buckley SFB, and Denver International Airport areas. |
| Arsenic | Well owners, rural Colorado | High | Naturally occurring in Colorado geology. More common in private wells than city water. |
| Nitrates | Rural areas, private wells near farms | High | Agricultural runoff concern on the Eastern Plains. Dangerous for infants under 6 months. |
| Hard Water / Minerals | All Front Range homeowners | Moderate | Denver Water is moderately hard (75–130 mg/L). Hard water damages appliances and pipes over time. |
| Chlorine / Disinfection Byproducts | City water users | Moderate | Added for safety but can affect taste and long-term health at elevated levels. |
| Coliform Bacteria / E. coli | Private well owners | High | Wells should be tested annually, especially after flooding or nearby construction. |
| Radon | Homes with well water in high-radon areas | Moderate | Colorado has elevated radon geology. Can be released into air when showering. |
| pH / Acidity | All homeowners | Low | Affects taste and can accelerate pipe corrosion if outside normal range (6.5–8.5). |
Step 4 — DIY Test Kits vs. Lab Testing
There are two ways to test beyond the free options: quick DIY strips you can buy online, or certified mail-in lab kits. They serve different purposes.
DIY Test Strips — Quick, Cheap, Directional
Best for checking hardness, pH, chlorine, and basic parameters at home. Not accurate enough for lead or PFAS — but useful for quick spot-checks or seeing if hardness is worth treating.
Certified Mail-In Lab Tests — Accurate & Defensible
Required when you need actual numbers — especially for lead, PFAS, arsenic, or bacteria. Only certified lab results are accepted for real estate transactions, legal purposes, or filter verification.
When to Test — Colorado Timing
- Spring (April–May): Best time for annual testing — snowmelt increases runoff, and bacteria levels in wells can spike after ground saturation.
- After construction nearby: Drilling, excavation, and new development can disturb pipes and soil. Test within 60 days.
- After a flood or backflow event: Test immediately. Don't drink untested water after flooding.
- Before buying a home: Always request testing as part of a home inspection, especially for well water.
- If you notice a change in taste, odor, or color: Test immediately — these are warning signs.
📹 How to Test Your Home's Water Quality
Step-by-step walkthrough of testing methods — from strips to lab kits
More Water Resources for Colorado Homeowners
- Denver Water — Water Quality Overview
- CDPHE — Colorado Water Quality
- EPA — Local Drinking Water Information
- EWG Tap Water Database — Search Your Utility
- CDPHE — Guide for Private Well Owners
More in Know Your Water
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