Denver, CO: 207 Violations — 66/100 (2026)
69 ZIP codes · 20 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in CO, Denver carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Denver Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Denver, CO
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Denver.
Denver Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 207 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0039 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,910 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.04.
Water Systems Serving Denver
Residential water service in Denver, CO is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 20 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 69 ZIP codes in Denver, Colorado (population ~1,108,441), covering 20 community water systems serving approximately 2,635,053 people region-wide.
69 of 69 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Denver: C (66/100)
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
Denver water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0039 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): 69 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 140 | 69 |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 70 | 69 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80201 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80202 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80203 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80204 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80205 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80206 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80207 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80208 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80209 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
| 80210 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Board |
All ZIP Codes in Denver
- 80201 [C] — 3 violations
- 80202 [C] — 3 violations
- 80203 [C] — 3 violations
- 80204 [C] — 3 violations
- 80205 [C] — 3 violations
- 80206 [C] — 3 violations
- 80207 [C] — 3 violations
- 80208 [C] — 3 violations
- 80209 [C] — 3 violations
- 80210 [C] — 3 violations
- 80211 [C] — 3 violations
- 80212 [C] — 3 violations
- 80214 [C] — 3 violations
- 80215 [C] — 3 violations
- 80216 [C] — 3 violations
- 80217 [C] — 3 violations
- 80218 [C] — 3 violations
- 80219 [C] — 3 violations
- 80220 [C] — 3 violations
- 80221 [C] — 3 violations
- 80222 [C] — 3 violations
- 80223 [C] — 3 violations
- 80224 [C] — 3 violations
- 80225 [C] — 3 violations
- 80226 [C] — 3 violations
- 80227 [C] — 3 violations
- 80228 [C] — 3 violations
- 80229 [C] — 3 violations
- 80230 [C] — 3 violations
- 80231 [C] — 3 violations
- 80232 [C] — 3 violations
- 80233 [C] — 3 violations
- 80234 [C] — 3 violations
- 80235 [C] — 3 violations
- 80236 [C] — 3 violations
- 80237 [C] — 3 violations
- 80238 [C] — 3 violations
- 80239 [C] — 3 violations
- 80243 [C] — 3 violations
- 80244 [C] — 3 violations
- 80246 [C] — 3 violations
- 80247 [C] — 3 violations
- 80248 [C] — 3 violations
- 80249 [C] — 3 violations
- 80250 [C] — 3 violations
- 80251 [C] — 3 violations
- 80252 [C] — 3 violations
- 80256 [C] — 3 violations
- 80257 [C] — 3 violations
- 80259 [C] — 3 violations
- 80260 [C] — 3 violations
- 80261 [C] — 3 violations
- 80262 [C] — 3 violations
- 80263 [C] — 3 violations
- 80264 [C] — 3 violations
- 80265 [C] — 3 violations
- 80266 [C] — 3 violations
- 80271 [C] — 3 violations
- 80273 [C] — 3 violations
- 80274 [C] — 3 violations
- 80279 [C] — 3 violations
- 80280 [C] — 3 violations
- 80281 [C] — 3 violations
- 80290 [C] — 3 violations
- 80291 [C] — 3 violations
- 80293 [C] — 3 violations
- 80294 [C] — 3 violations
- 80295 [C] — 3 violations
- 80299 [C] — 3 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 Denver
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 Denver
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Denver: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Denver market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Denver are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,272–$2,555 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% above the Colorado average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Denver
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 Denver 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 Denver
Measured against the full NFIP dataset, Denver's flood record stands out: 502 claims accumulated over decades and 54% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated boundaries add up to a high-exposure profile where water infrastructure has faced recurrent stress.
Denver has a significant flood history with 502 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $2,881 per claim. With 54% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,910</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 Denver
- 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 Fecal Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Denver's water.
- 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 Denver, CO