Water hardness, which reflects the concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium in water, can exhibit significant variability across the diverse state of Colorado. Located in the western part of the U.S., Colorado is characterized by a vast array of water hardness levels, a testament to its intricate geological makeup.
In Colorado, water hardness can vary from very soft in certain regions to extremely hard in others, mirroring the state’s multifaceted geology and water source origins. For instance, areas with mountainous terrain and runoff from snowmelt tend to have softer water because the water has less contact with mineral-rich soils and rock formations. Conversely, regions with sedimentary rock formations, such as areas of the Eastern Plains, might have harder water due to the dissolution of minerals like calcium and magnesium into the local water supply.
The disparity in water hardness across Colorado influences not only the taste of the water but also impacts the efficacy of soaps and detergents. Moreover, it has consequences for the upkeep of plumbing systems and household appliances. Owing to Colorado’s size and geological complexity, the levels of water hardness are far from uniform and may shift, highlighting the necessity for community-specific water treatment strategies and ongoing monitoring.
The data provided demonstrates a range of water hardness levels across various cities in Colorado, measured in Parts Per Million (ppm) and Grains Per Gallon (gpg). Cities like Westminster and Northglenn exhibit relatively high water hardness levels, hitting up to 123.0 ppm, 7.19 gpg. Whereas, locales such as Fort Collins, Longmont, and Severance report notably soft water, with measurements as low as 20.0 ppm, 1.17 gpg. Meanwhile, there is a significant gap in water hardness data for numerous cities, including Pueblo, Centennial, Boulder, and many more, since no up-to-date figures are currently available for these areas.
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Denver | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Not in CCR but IS on Denver water webpage (linked). Took median of range. |
Colorado Springs | 37.5 | 2.2 | Link | 2016 Report. |
Aurora | 122.0 | 7.1 | Link | |
Fort Collins | 20.9 | 1.2 | Link | |
Lakewood | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Sources primarily, although not entirely from Denver. |
Thornton | 20.9 | 1.2 | Link | Uses Ft. Collins Water. |
Arvada | 54.0 | 3.2 | Link | Took median of both sources. |
Westminster | 123.0 | 7.0 | Link | |
Pueblo | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Greeley | 23.5 | 1.4 | Link | Uses combination of Ft. Collins and Loveland Water so took median of those values. |
Centennial | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Boulder | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Longmont | 20.0 | 1.2 | Link | |
Loveland | 26.0 | 1.5 | Link | |
Castle Rock | 103.0 | 6.0 | Link | |
Broomfield | 78.0 | 4.6 | Link | |
Grand Junction | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Commerce City | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Purchases from South Adams County which purchases from Denver (https://www.southadamswaterco.gov/water___wastewater/water_quality.php) |
Parker | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Littleton | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Gets water from Denver. |
Brighton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Northglenn | 120.0 | 7.0 | Link | |
Windsor | 20.9 | 1.2 | Link | 70% sourced from Ft. Collins, used that number. |
Englewood | n/a | n/a | Link | Report mentions they adjust hardness but don’t provide specific ppm number. |
Wheat Ridge | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Gets water from Denver. |
Erie | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lafayette | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fountain | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Evans | 20.9 | 1.2 | Link | Purchases water from Greeley. |
Louisville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Montrose | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Golden | 114.0 | 6.7 | Link | |
Durango | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Johnstown | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Cañon City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Firestone | 29.7 | 1.7 | Link | |
Frederick | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Greenwood Village | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Sources water from Denver. |
Lone Tree | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Sources from Denver Southgate Facility (https://cityoflonetree.com/city-partners/utility-information/). |
Federal Heights | 123.0 | 7.2 | Link | |
Sterling | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fruita | 76.0 | 4.4 | Link | Covered by Ute County Water (https://www.fruita.org/publicworks/page/other-utility-providers). |
Steamboat Springs | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Superior | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Castle Pines | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Wellington | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Berthoud | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fort Morgan | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Monument | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Rifle | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Glenwood Springs | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Alamosa | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Severance | 20.9 | 1.2 | Link | Purchases water from Ft. Collins. |
Delta | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Craig | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Cortez | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Milliken | 29.7 | 1.7 | Link | |
Gypsum | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Trinidad | n/a | n/a | Link | Water CCR on town website appears to be incomplete document. |
Fort Lupton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lochbuie | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Woodland Park | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Timnath | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lamar | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Eagle | n/a | n/a | Link | |
La Junta | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Aspen | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Gunnison | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Carbondale | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Dacono | 29.7 | 1.7 | Link | |
Cherry Hills Village | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Serviced by Denver. |
Avon | n/a | n/a | Link | Sources water from Eagle River. |
Sheridan | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Serviced by Denver per linked document. |
Estes Park | 16.0 | 0.9 | Link | |
Eaton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Salida | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mead | n/a | n/a | Link | Provided by Little Thompson Water District (https://www.townofmead.org/utilitybilling/page/water-service) and Long’s Peak (https://www.townofmead.org/utilitybilling/page/water-service) neither of which reports hardness. |
Brush | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Breckenridge | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | |
Edgewater | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Purchases water from Denver. |
New Castle | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Manitou Springs | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Vail | n/a | n/a | Link | Sources water from Eagle River water district. |
Silverthorne | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Glendale | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | Sources water from Denver. |
Monte Vista | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Basalt | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Florence | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Rocky Ford | n/a | n/a | Link | No online resource for their water, just an email for the Utilities director. |
Silt | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Yuma | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bennett | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Orchard City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Burlington | 38.0 | 2.2 | Link | As Calcium. |
Snowmass Village | 80.0 | 4.7 | Link | |
Walsenburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Buena Vista | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Platteville | 29.7 | 1.7 | Link | |
Frisco | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bayfield | n/a | n/a | Link |
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon
Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.
These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.