Fort Collins, CO: 90 Violations — 61/100 (2026)
9 ZIP codes · 15 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Fort Collins, CO reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Fort Collins Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins.
Fort Collins Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 90 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0028 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,122 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.89.
Water Systems Serving Fort Collins
3 independent water providers serve Fort Collins, CO — 15 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 9 ZIP codes in Fort Collins, Colorado (population ~201,525), covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 627,119 people region-wide.
9 of 9 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fort Collins: C (61/100)
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
Fort Collins water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0028 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): 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 40 | 9 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 9 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 9 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 9 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 10 | 9 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80521 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80522 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80523 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80524 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80525 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80526 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80527 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80528 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
| 80553 | C | 10 | 0 | City of Ft Collins |
All ZIP Codes in Fort Collins
- 80521 [C] — 10 violations
- 80522 [C] — 10 violations
- 80523 [C] — 10 violations
- 80524 [C] — 10 violations
- 80525 [C] — 10 violations
- 80526 [C] — 10 violations
- 80527 [C] — 10 violations
- 80528 [C] — 10 violations
- 80553 [C] — 10 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 Fort Collins
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 Fort Collins
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Fort Collins: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Fort Collins, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Fort Collins are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,411–$2,867 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 20% above the Colorado average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fort Collins
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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Fort Collins falls in moderate-exposure territory — 108 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 67% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Fort Collins has a moderate flood history with 108 FEMA claims averaging $8,648 per payout. 67% 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>$2,122</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 Fort Collins
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Fort Collins'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 Fort Collins, CO