Crested Butte, CO: 10 Violations — 58/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Crested Butte produce average compliance results for CO overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes checking the specific system serving a given address the most useful step for residents here.
How Crested Butte Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Crested Butte Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 46% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.44.
Crested Butte's Water Providers
Crested Butte, CO draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 5 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Crested Butte, Colorado, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 4,268 people.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Crested Butte: C (58/100)
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
Crested Butte water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81224 | C | 5 | 0 | Crested Butte Town of |
| 81225 | C | 5 | 0 | Crested Butte Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Crested Butte
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.
Crested Butte Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Crested Butte's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Crested Butte Infrastructure Age
With 46% 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
Two regulatory milestones define plumbing-era risk in residential housing: 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines, and 1986, when lead solder was banned from new copper plumbing. A median build year of 1991 places Crested Butte in the middle zone between those thresholds — with a meaningful share of housing predating both cutoffs. The distribution shown above breaks out those eras explicitly, clarifying where concentrated risk sits across the residential inventory.
Most homes in Crested Butte 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Crested Butte
Placing remediation in the context of Crested Butte's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Crested Butte are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 90% above the Colorado average.
Crested Butte: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Crested Butte — 46% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Crested Butte: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Crested Butte accumulating 9 claims and carrying 50% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Crested Butte has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $1,566 per payout. 50% 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>$1,800</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.
What You Can Do in Crested Butte
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Crested Butte's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 46% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Crested Butte, CO