Colorado Springs, CO: 165 Violations - 61/100 (2026)
55 ZIP codes · 14 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Colorado Springs: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Across Colorado Springs, EPA compliance data for CO sits at a moderate level - not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Colorado Springs Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 165 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0057 mg/L.
Water Quality in Colorado Springs
We track water quality and home safety data for 55 ZIP codes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, covering 14 community water systems serving approximately 613,448 people.
55 of 55 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 165 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 110 | 55 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 55 | 55 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0057 mg/L
- 41% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 6% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1990
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 44/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 12%
- 12 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 41% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Colorado Springs residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
247,150 total housing units across 55 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 11,338 | 5% |
| 1940–1949 | 3,586 | 1% |
| 1950–1959 | 17,665 | 7% |
| 1960–1969 | 22,697 | 9% |
| 1970–1979 | 41,445 | 17% |
| 1980–1989 | 43,736 | 18% |
| 1990–1999 | 37,303 | 15% |
| 2000–2009 | 38,706 | 16% |
| 2010–2019 | 28,693 | 12% |
| 2020+ | 1,981 | 1% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Colorado Springs:
- 634 flood insurance claims on record
- $2,556,647 total paid out
- $4,033 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 4 of 55 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 55 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80901 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80903 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80908 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80916 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80922 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80923 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80924 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80925 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80926 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
| 80927 | 65/100 | C | 3 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80919 | 55/100 | C | 3 |
| 80906 | 55/100 | C | 3 |
| 80904 | 55/100 | C | 3 |
| 80921 | 60/100 | C | 3 |
| 80920 | 60/100 | C | 3 |
| 80918 | 60/100 | C | 3 |
| 80917 | 60/100 | C | 3 |
| 80915 | 60/100 | C | 3 |
| 80911 | 60/100 | C | 3 |
| 80910 | 60/100 | C | 3 |
What Colorado Springs Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Colorado Springs has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Colorado Springs is in a high-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Colorado Springs
- 80901 [C] - 3 violations
- 80902 [C] - 3 violations
- 80903 [C] - 3 violations
- 80904 [C] - 3 violations
- 80905 [C] - 3 violations
- 80906 [C] - 3 violations
- 80907 [C] - 3 violations
- 80908 [C] - 3 violations
- 80909 [C] - 3 violations
- 80910 [C] - 3 violations
- 80911 [C] - 3 violations
- 80912 [C] - 3 violations
- 80913 [C] - 3 violations
- 80914 [C] - 3 violations
- 80915 [C] - 3 violations
- 80916 [C] - 3 violations
- 80917 [C] - 3 violations
- 80918 [C] - 3 violations
- 80919 [C] - 3 violations
- 80920 [C] - 3 violations
- 80921 [C] - 3 violations
- 80922 [C] - 3 violations
- 80923 [C] - 3 violations
- 80924 [C] - 3 violations
- 80925 [C] - 3 violations
- 80926 [C] - 3 violations
- 80927 [C] - 3 violations
- 80928 [C] - 3 violations
- 80929 [C] - 3 violations
- 80930 [C] - 3 violations
- 80931 [C] - 3 violations
- 80932 [C] - 3 violations
- 80933 [C] - 3 violations
- 80934 [C] - 3 violations
- 80935 [C] - 3 violations
- 80936 [C] - 3 violations
- 80937 [C] - 3 violations
- 80938 [C] - 3 violations
- 80939 [C] - 3 violations
- 80941 [C] - 3 violations
- 80942 [C] - 3 violations
- 80943 [C] - 3 violations
- 80944 [C] - 3 violations
- 80945 [C] - 3 violations
- 80946 [C] - 3 violations
- 80947 [C] - 3 violations
- 80949 [C] - 3 violations
- 80950 [C] - 3 violations
- 80951 [C] - 3 violations
- 80960 [C] - 3 violations
- 80962 [C] - 3 violations
- 80970 [C] - 3 violations
- 80977 [C] - 3 violations
- 80995 [C] - 3 violations
- 80997 [C] - 3 violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Colorado Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs has an average Home Safety Score of 61/100 (grade C) across 55 ZIP codes. There are 165 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Colorado Springs have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Colorado Springs is 0.0057 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 41% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Colorado Springs at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 634 flood insurance claims in Colorado Springs ZIP codes, with an average payout of $4,033. 4 of 55 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Colorado Springs homes?
41% of Colorado Springs housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 6% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 12%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Colorado Springs water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Total Coliform. Across 55 ZIP codes, 55 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
How Old Is Colorado Springs'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
Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s - a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Colorado Springs's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 1990, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure - an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.
Most homes in Colorado Springs 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Colorado Springs
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.
Lead risk in Colorado Springs appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Colorado Springs
634 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Colorado Springs, and 0% 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.
Colorado Springs has a moderate flood history with 634 FEMA claims. 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.
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.
What You Can Do in Colorado Springs
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Colorado Springs, CO