Forms & Resources
Well Construction Report (GWS-31)
Due 60 daysRequired for every completed well. Due within 60 days.
Access eForms PortalPump Installation Report (GWS-32)
Due 60 daysRequired after pump installation. Due within 60 days.
Access eForms PortalAll Required Forms
- GWS-31
- Well Construction and Yield Estimate Report
- GWS-32
- Pump Installation and Production Equipment Test Report
- GWS-44 / GWS-45 / GWS-46
- Well Permit Application (residential / general purpose / monitoring)
- Advance Notification
- 24-hour notice before drilling (if permit requires)
- Plugging/Abandonment Report
- After well decommissioning
Online Submission
All forms are submitted through the DWR eForms Portal. You can also use the AskDWR portal for notifications and variances.
Licensing Requirements
Colorado requires Board-licensed contractors for all well drilling and pump installation work per CRS Title 37, Article 91.
License Types
| License Type | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Well Contractor | 2 years supervised experience + exam | Board-licensed |
| Pump Installer | 2 years supervised experience + exam | Board-licensed |
| Cistern Installer | Specific training + exam | Board-licensed |
| Ground-Heat Exchanger | Specific training (HB 25-1165) | New licensing requirement |
Continuing Education
- Hours required
- 8 hours per calendar year
- Providers
- Board-approved only (e.g., Colorado Water Well Contractors Association)
- Topics
- Hydrogeology, drilling techniques, pump systems, sanitation, safety
- Deadline
- Certificates must be filed by January 15 annually
- Consequence
- License expires February 1 if CE not certified
License Renewal
Licenses can be renewed for 1-3 year terms. Renewal applications with fees must be submitted by February 1 of the renewal year. Late renewals require a $100 reinstatement fee.
Exam Information
After submitting your license application to the Board of Examiners, you must pass the state exam for each license type. Study materials and exam scheduling information are available through DWR.
Reporting & Documentation
| Document | Deadline | Submit To |
|---|---|---|
| Well Construction Report (GWS-31) | 60 days after completion, or 7 days after permit expiration if sooner | DWR eForms portal |
| Pump Installation Report (GWS-32) | 60 days after installation, or 7 days after permit expiration if sooner | DWR eForms portal |
| Advance Notification | 24 hours before start | DWR notification form |
| Plugging/Abandonment Report | 60 days after completion, or 7 days after permit expiration if sooner | DWR eForms portal |
| CE Certificates | Annually by January 15 | Board of Examiners |
Well Construction Report Requirements (GWS-31)
The well construction report must include:
- As-built well location (UTM coordinates)
- Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Aquifers perforated and water-bearing zones
- Grouting/sealing details (depths, materials, centralizers)
- Static water level measurements
- Yield estimates and pump test data
- Water quality observations
24-Hour Advance Notification
If your permit requires it, you must notify DWR 24 hours before starting drilling or pump work via the State Engineer's notification form. Any schedule changes must also be re-noticed.
Construction Standards (2 CCR 402-2)
Casing Requirements
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surface casing material | Watertight steel casing | From at least 1 ft above ground to at least 19 ft below (Rule 10.4.2) |
| PVC above grade | Prohibited | Steel only for surface casing |
| Used oil-field pipe | Prohibited | All casing must be new or unused |
| Minimum ID (steel) | 4.5 inches | For production casing |
| Minimum ID (PVC) | 4.0 inches | For production casing |
| Centralizers | Every 50 ft in grouted intervals | Required for proper grouting |
Critical Requirements
- Surface casing must be watertight steel, from at least 1 ft above to at least 19 ft below ground
- PVC casing is prohibited above grade
- Used oil-field pipe is prohibited
- All casing must be new or unused (except reused from previous well)
Annular Seal (Grouting)
- Annular space between borehole and casing must be cement-grouted
- Centralizers required every 50 ft in grouted intervals
- Follow Rule 10.5 grouting specifications
- Seal must prevent contamination from surface or inter-aquifer flow
Setback Requirements
| Contamination Source | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Contamination sources (general) | 100 ft horizontal |
| Septic tank, sewer line, waste vessel | 50 ft minimum |
| Fuel tanks, chemical sources | 100+ ft (local may be stricter) |
| Property lines | Per local ordinance |
Note: Local ordinances may be stricter. Always verify local requirements. Board approval is required for any variance from these minimum setbacks.
Disinfection (Rule 15)
All new, reconditioned, or repaired wells for human consumption must be disinfected before leaving the site. Follow AWWA C651 standards (incorporated by reference in Rule 15). Dosing and proving residual chlorine required.
Flowing/Artesian Wells
Flowing or artesian wells must be controlled or plugged at construction completion. Control equipment must be maintained and operational (2 CCR 402-2-10.9).
Permits
State Well Permits
All new wells require a state permit from the Division of Water Resources per CRS 37-90-137. The only limited exception is domestic use up to 15 gpm and 2 acre-feet/year for two single-family residences, but even exempt uses often need registration.
- Application
- Complete appropriate form on DWR eForms portal
- Review time
- Up to 49 days for complete applications
- Fee
- Several hundred dollars (varies by well type)
- Posting
- Permit must be posted at well site during drilling
Special Permits
Geothermal (Ground-Source Heat)
Shallow geothermal wells (<2,500 ft, Denver Basin) require a separate Operations Permit from DWR. Follow 2 CCR 402-10 regulations. Ground-Heat-Exchanger contractor licensing now required (HB 25-1165).
Monitoring/Observation Wells
Temporary monitoring holes (<18 months, no pump) can be drilled with 72-hour notice. Any monitoring well with pump or longer-term use must be permitted like a production well.
Denver Basin Wells
Wells drilled in the Denver Basin or other designated groundwater basins are subject to additional spacing and measurement rules. Check DWR Well Permitting for Denver Basin requirements.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Rocky Mountains (Front Range & Western Slope)
- Fractured crystalline basement and sedimentary aquifers
- Typical depths: 100-500 ft (alpine/foothills)
- Slow drilling in hard granite or gneiss
- Alluvial fans: higher yields in sand/gravel
- Aquifers: Lyons, Arapahoe, Laramie formations
Eastern Plains
- High Plains aquifer (Ogallala Formation)
- Unconfined, shallow (tens to few hundred feet)
- Easy drilling in sand/gravel
- Require sand-control screens
- Issues: collapsing sands, high sediment
Denver Basin
- Thick sequences (up to 1,500+ ft)
- Confined aquifers, often artesian
- Layers: Denver, Arapahoe, Laramie-Fox Hills
- Harder drilling through interbedded shale/sandstone
- Pressure control required for flowing wells
Arkansas River Basin (SE Colorado)
- Alluvial and shallow sedimentary aquifers
- Aquifers: Ogallala, Arikaree, Niobrara
- High water tables near rivers
- Coarse, high-quality water common
- Spring flooding can impact drill sites
Seasonal Factors
Winter: Frost (up to a few feet) may impede drilling start-ups. Plan for plugging during freezing.
Spring: Snowmelt can raise water tables and flood low-lying well sites. Consider drawing down aquifers after wet seasons.
Spring: Snowmelt can raise water tables and flood low-lying well sites. Consider drawing down aquifers after wet seasons.
Resources & Contacts
Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR)
Licensing, permits, well inspections
Nolan Tanguma, PG (DWR Geologist)
Drilling technical questions
Andrew Flor, P.E. (DWR Engineer)
Technical support and variances
Chris Jones (Well Inspection Program)
Inspection scheduling and questions
Regulatory References
- 2 CCR 402-2Well Construction, Pump Installation Standards
- 2 CCR 402-2-10Minimum Construction Standards for Water Wells
- 2 CCR 402-14Board of Examiners Licensing Rules
- CRS Title 37, Article 91Well Drillers Licensing Law
Professional Associations
- Colorado Water Well Contractors Association (CWWCA): Industry training and resources
- National Ground Water Association (NGWA): National industry guidance
- American Water Works Association (AWWA): Colorado Section resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my Colorado driller license?
Licenses can be renewed for 1-3 year terms. You must submit 8 hours of continuing education certificates annually by January 15 (license expires Feb. 1 if CE not certified). Renewal applications with fees are due by February 1 of the renewal year. Contact the DWR Board of Examiners for current fees and procedures.
What are the CE requirements for Colorado drillers?
8 hours every calendar year from Board-approved providers (e.g., Colorado Water Well Contractors Association). Topics include hydrogeology, drilling techniques, pump systems, sanitation, and safety. Certificates must be filed with the Board annually by January 15.
How soon must I file the well log?
Within 60 days after completion, or within 7 days after the permit expires if that is sooner (2 CCR 402-2 Rule 17.3). Submit the Well Construction and Yield Estimate Report (GWS-31) through the DWR eForms portal. You must also notify DWR 24 hours before starting drilling if the permit requires it.
What are the setback requirements in Colorado?
100 ft horizontal from contamination sources. 50 ft minimum from septic tanks, sewer lines, or waste vessels. Local ordinances may be stricter and must be followed (2 CCR 402-2-10.2). Board approval required for any variance.
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our Colorado well guide for homeowners covering costs, permits, and water quality.
Colorado Homeowner Well Guide