Rio Grande County, Colorado
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 73/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Rio Grande County earns a high water safety grade — 5 ZIP codes tracked, virtually all compliant.
How Rio Grande County Compares
How Rio Grande County Compares
Rio Grande County scores 13 points above the Colorado state average (60/100) and 5 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Rio Grande County, Colorado
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.3 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 12.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $668, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.403% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk
61.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2026)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Rio Grande County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 6 total (6 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: $668
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
8,335 housing units in Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Rio Grande County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MONTE VISTA CITY OF | 4,600 | 32 |
| 2 | Pacheco Trailer Park | 36 | 32 |
| 3 | South Fork West Municipal Town of | 566 | 8 |
| 4 | Rio Grande Water Company | 265 | 8 |
| 5 | Riviere Estates | 211 | 8 |
8 total water systems serve Rio Grande County.
All ZIP Codes in Rio Grande County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Rio Grande County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81125 | Center | 82 | B | 2 | $138K |
| 2 | 81132 | Del Norte | 80 | B | 4 | $192K |
| 3 | 81154 | South Fork | 79 | B | 8 | $409K |
| 4 | 81144 | Monte Vista | 73 | B | 32 (4 health) | $218K |
| 5 | 81135 | Homelake | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Rio Grande County
Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 61.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rio Grande County, Colorado
Overview
Rio Grande County in Colorado covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (73/100).
4 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 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.