Montrose County, Colorado
10 ZIP codes · Avg score 55/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Montrose: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Monitoring figures for Montrose County indicate average water quality overall - some ZIP codes among the 10 tracked have recorded health-based violations, while others operate cleanly, making individual ZIP-level data the most actionable reference point.
How Montrose County Compares
How Montrose County Compares
Montrose County scores 5 points below the Colorado state average (60/100) and 13 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-07-19
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Montrose County, Colorado
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13 (asthma 11.1%, diabetes 11.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $912, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.383% avg pipe failure probability, 40% of ZIPs at high risk
56.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2023)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Montrose County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 26 violations. Past 5 years: 37 total (37 health-based).
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: $912
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
19,206 housing units in Montrose 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 Montrose County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Montrose 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 Montrose County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water systems serving Montrose County
8 community water systems serving Montrose County.
- C
- C
- C
- C
- C
- C
Show all 8 water systems
- D
- C
14 total water systems serve Montrose County.
Systems with the most violations in Montrose County
4 water systems with recorded EPA violations.
- D
- C
- C
- C
All ZIP Codes in Montrose County
10 ZIP codes tracked in Montrose County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81422 | Naturita | 66 | C | 17 (4 health) | $169K |
| 2 | 81401 | Montrose | 60 | C | 1 | $343K |
| 3 | 81403 | Montrose | 60 | C | 1 | $482K |
| 4 | 81424 | Nucla | 60 | C | 27 (5 health) | $173K |
| 5 | 81425 | Olathe | 60 | C | 2 | $294K |
| 6 | 81431 | Redvale | 60 | C | 12 | $271K |
| 7 | 81402 | Montrose | 53 | D | 1 | — |
| 8 | 81429 | Paradox | 49 | D | 43 (14 health) | — |
| 9 | 81411 | Bedrock | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 81420 | Lazear | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Montrose 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.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 56.1% 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
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Montrose County, Colorado
Overview
Montrose County in Colorado covers 10 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (55/100).
8 of 10 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 23 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.