01The verdict: is Cripple Creek water safe?
Cripple Creek's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (77.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,491 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 2.00 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.4 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓5 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Cripple Creek's drinking water received a grade of B (77.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,491 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.4 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 67 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 9 remain unresolved.
Cripple Creek ranks #91 out of 244 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
02What's in Cripple Creek's water
Every contaminant flagged in Cripple Creek, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 4.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 2.00 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Colorado
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Colorado
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Cripple Creek's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 67 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 9 remain unresolved.
4 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 8.3 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 1.7 ppb (2025) — 11% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
2mg/L(2008)
One sampling round on record — 154% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Cripple Creek's water comes from
Cripple Creek's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
3,491 people
Residents served across Cripple Creek's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,491 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRIPPLE CREEK CITY OF | CO0160100 | 2,817 | Surface Water |
| MOUNTAIN MUTUAL WA | CO0160350 | 674 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Cripple Creek
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Cripple Creek's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Cripple Creek's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Teller County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Teller County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Cripple Creek compares
Scores for nearby Colorado cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Colorado average (45/100)
Cripple Creek scores 77.5/100 — above the Colorado average of 45/100. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities. Full Colorado rankings →
39.6 / 100FAurora, CO
38.1 / 100FColorado Springs, CO
33.5 / 100DFort Collins, CO
46.8 / 100FLakewood, CO
36.9 / 100FThornton, CO
38 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Cripple Creek's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Cripple Creek alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Cripple Creek, CO tap water safe to drink?
Cripple Creek's water quality earned a grade of B (77.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #91 out of 244 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Cripple Creek's water?
Lead was measured at 4.4 ppb (90th percentile). 67 violations are on record.
How is Cripple Creek's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Cripple Creek?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Cripple Creek's water come from?
Cripple Creek's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 3,491 residents.
What health violations has Cripple Creek's water system had?
Cripple Creek has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
How does Cripple Creek's water compare to other cities?
Cripple Creek ranks #91 out of 244 cities in Colorado (better than 63% of state cities) and #8877 out of 15382 cities nationally (42th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.