Collbran, CO: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Collbran tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within CO.
How Collbran Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Collbran Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.1 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Collbran
Federal records list 1 water system serving Collbran, CO. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Collbran, Colorado, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,487 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Collbran — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Collbran: B (70/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Collbran water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81624 | B | Collbran Town of | 678 |
All ZIP Codes in Collbran
- 81624 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Collbran
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Collbran's Housing Stock?
With 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The character of Collbran's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1988 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Collbran were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Collbran: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Collbran lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Collbran are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 3% above the Colorado average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Collbran
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Collbran have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 59% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Collbran
5 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Collbran, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Collbran has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $2,283 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Collbran, CO