2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Colorado — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

658 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 80540 (Lyons, CO) - 68/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 658 ZIP codes with data in Colorado, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Colorado Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 658
Highest value 68/100
Median value 36/100
State Colorado

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 80540 Lyons CO 68/100 35/100
2 81050 La Junta CO 67/100 35/100
3 81030 Cheraw CO 65/100 33/100
4 80303 Boulder CO 63/100 53/100
5 80476 Silver Plume CO 63/100 67/100
6 80302 Boulder CO 61/100 53/100
7 81023 Beulah CO 61/100 45/100
8 80860 Victor CO 60/100 56/100
9 81058 Manzanola CO 60/100 33/100
10 80455 Jamestown CO 59/100 59/100
11 80517 Estes Park CO 59/100 54/100
12 80829 Manitou Springs CO 59/100 58/100
13 81067 Rocky Ford CO 59/100 45/100
14 80747 Peetz CO 58/100 51/100
15 81044 Hasty CO 58/100 37/100
16 81064 Pritchett CO 58/100 49/100
17 81090 Walsh CO 58/100 34/100
18 80304 Boulder CO 57/100 53/100
19 81039 Fowler CO 57/100 62/100
20 81424 Nucla CO 57/100 60/100
21 80135 Sedalia CO 56/100 64/100
22 80737 Julesburg CO 56/100 61/100
23 80861 Vona CO 56/100 61/100
24 81047 Holly CO 56/100 33/100
25 81055 La Veta CO 56/100 53/100
26 81071 Sheridan Lake CO 56/100 62/100
27 80621 Fort Lupton CO 55/100 61/100
28 80727 Eckley CO 55/100 61/100
29 80728 Fleming CO 55/100 65/100
30 80744 Ovid CO 55/100 61/100
31 80818 Genoa CO 55/100 46/100
32 81041 Granada CO 55/100 50/100
33 81045 Haswell CO 55/100 61/100
34 81069 Rye CO 55/100 40/100
35 80025 Eldorado Springs CO 54/100 53/100
36 80532 Glen Haven CO 54/100 45/100
37 81092 Wiley CO 54/100 45/100
38 81324 Dove Creek CO 54/100 47/100
39 81419 Hotchkiss CO 54/100 57/100
40 81089 Walsenburg CO 53/100 44/100
41 81129 Conejos CO 53/100 82/100
42 81422 Naturita CO 52/100 66/100
43 80301 Boulder CO 51/100 58/100
44 80310 Boulder CO 51/100 64/100
45 80439 Evergreen CO 51/100 42/100
46 80545 Red Feather Lakes CO 51/100 61/100
47 80758 Wray CO 51/100 58/100
48 81027 Branson CO 51/100 60/100
49 80113 Englewood CO 50/100 64/100
50 80305 Boulder CO 50/100 58/100
51 80510 Allenspark CO 50/100 51/100
52 80929 Colorado Springs CO 50/100 65/100
53 81054 Las Animas CO 50/100 61/100
54 81137 Ignacio CO 50/100 62/100
55 81413 Cedaredge CO 50/100 59/100
56 81428 Paonia CO 50/100 58/100
57 81429 Paradox CO 50/100 49/100
58 81434 Somerset CO 50/100 67/100
59 80110 Englewood CO 49/100 69/100
60 80459 Kremmling CO 49/100 65/100
61 80720 Akron CO 49/100 65/100
62 80743 Otis CO 49/100 65/100
63 80816 Florissant CO 49/100 66/100
64 80836 Stratton CO 49/100 65/100
65 81020 Aguilar CO 49/100 61/100
66 81043 Hartman CO 49/100 40/100
67 80483 Yampa CO 48/100 79/100
68 80537 Loveland CO 48/100 49/100
69 80726 Crook CO 48/100 69/100
70 80821 Hugo CO 48/100 65/100
71 81019 Colorado City CO 48/100 57/100
72 81025 Boone CO 48/100 65/100
73 81073 Springfield CO 48/100 65/100
74 81076 Sugar City CO 48/100 68/100
75 80133 Palmer Lake CO 47/100 66/100
76 81082 Trinidad CO 47/100 69/100
77 81087 Vilas CO 47/100 62/100
78 81144 Monte Vista CO 47/100 73/100
79 81321 Cortez CO 47/100 66/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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