Bent County, Colorado
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 46/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Of 3 ZIP codes in Bent County, a meaningful portion have recorded health-based violations in recent monitoring periods — placing the county in the lower tier for water safety.
How Bent County Compares
How Bent County Compares
Bent County scores 14 points below the Colorado state average (60/100) and 22 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.8 (asthma 10.8%, diabetes 14.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $843, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.52% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
74% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↓ Improving trendEPA violation counts by year across Bent County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 15 total (15 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $843
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,817 housing units in Bent County
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 Bent County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Bent County, representing a small fraction of property value.
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 Bent County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 3 systems in Bent County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hasty Wc | 244 | 16 |
| 2 | LAS ANIMAS CITY OF | 2,139 | 1 |
| 3 | Fort Lyon | 300 | 1 |
All ZIP Codes in Bent County
3 ZIP codes tracked in Bent County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81054 | Las Animas | 61 | C | 1 (1 health) | $124K |
| 2 | 81038 | Fort Lyon | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 3 | 81044 | Hasty | 37 | F | 16 (11 health) | $96K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Bent County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 74% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Bent County in Colorado covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (46/100).
2 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Colorado water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Bent County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
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.
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
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.
Check for lead in your home
74% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.