COUNTY REPORT CO

Baca County, Colorado

6 ZIP codes · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03

Public water compliance in Baca County is below average — 6 ZIP codes, elevated violation rates.

How Baca County Compares

Baca County54/100
Colorado avg60/100
National avg68/100

How Baca County Compares

D
County Grade
54/100
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
6
Water Systems

Baca County scores 6 points below the Colorado state average (60/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

D
County Grade
54
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 81029 (66/100)
Lowest ZIP: 81090 (34/100)
$71K
Median Home Value
$1,550
Avg Remediation (217% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Baca County, Colorado

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 14.7 (asthma 11.9%, diabetes 13.4%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $948, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.487% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk

76.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

EPA violation counts by year across Baca County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
4 (4 health)
2022
5 (5 health)
2023
4 (4 health)
2024
5 (5 health)
2025
12 (12 health)

Peak year: 2025 with 12 violations. Past 5 years: 30 total (30 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.9% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.4% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 29.9% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1962
Median Build Year
76.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
49%
Pipe Failure Probability
100%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $948

Energy Code Gap $540/yr
Water / Lead $208/yr
Wildfire $200/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

1,998 housing units in Baca County

Pre-1940 13%
1940–1959 25%
1960–1979 33%
1980–1999 16%
2000+ 13%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Baca County

$71K
Median Home Value
$1,550
Est. Remediation Cost
2.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value moderate burden

Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Baca County residents

Asthma 11.9% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.4% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 29.9% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Baca County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Two Buttes Town of 64 28
2 Walsh Town of 650 14
3 Pritchett Town of 125 8
4 Vilas Town of 137 8
5 Springfield Town of 1,378 3

6 total water systems serve Baca County.

All ZIP Codes in Baca County

6 ZIP codes tracked in Baca County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 81029 Campo 66 C 0
2 81073 Springfield 65 C 3 (1 health) $138K
3 81087 Vilas 62 C 8 $71K
4 81064 Pritchett 49 D 8 (8 health) $59K
5 81084 Two Buttes 47 D 28 (6 health) $60K
6 81090 Walsh 34 F 14 (11 health) $151K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Baca County

Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.

Overview

Baca County in Colorado covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).

5 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 26 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Colorado water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Baca County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

Test your tap water

Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.

2

Consider a certified water filter

NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher

3

Contact your water utility

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.

4

Check for lead in your home

76.3% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Baca County?
Baca County receives a grade of D. 4 of 6 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Baca County?
Baca County is served by 6 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 6 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Baca County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Baca County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $948 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Baca County?
The median home build year in Baca County is 1962. 76.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Baca County compare to Colorado?
Baca County has an average water safety score of 54/100, which is below the Colorado state average of 60/100.

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