Colorado City, CO: 10 Health Violations — 57/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike higher-rated cities in CO, Colorado City carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Colorado City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Colorado City Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 41 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 39% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.61 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Colorado City
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Colorado City, CO — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Colorado City, Colorado (population ~1,418), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,755 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Colorado City: C (57/100)
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
Colorado City water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 22 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 22 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 8 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 6 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81019 | C | 41 | 10 | Colorado City Md |
All ZIP Codes in Colorado City
- 81019 [C] — 41 violations ⚠
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 Colorado City
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Colorado City
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Colorado City's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Colorado City's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1993 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints — a plumbing practice banned that year — while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Colorado City were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Colorado City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The household financial perspective in Colorado City reflects a moderate cost-to-value ratio — an equity share that is not trivially small but remains within the range where most homeowners can address documented water and safety issues by treating the expense as a real line item in property planning rather than a discretionary one.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Colorado City. The estimated $1,900–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 49% below the Colorado average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Colorado City
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Colorado City. 39% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Colorado City
A low NFIP claim count in Colorado City suggests that flood events — when they occur — have been limited in extent. That pattern matters for water quality in a specific way: the mechanisms through which flooding degrades drinking water (treatment plants taking in heavily contaminated floodwater, septic and well systems backing up, distribution pipes experiencing pressure inversions) are all stress-threshold events. They become relevant when floods are frequent enough or severe enough to overwhelm normal infrastructure. At the volume this area shows, that threshold has rarely been approached.
Colorado City has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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>$3,000</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Colorado City
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Colorado City's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 39% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Colorado City, CO