The Division of Water Resources (DWR) has several types of well permit application forms to assist with obtaining a permit to construct a new or replacement well, or to register an existing well. Additionally, for some Groundwater Basins and River Basins, special Use and Measurement Rules apply. These rules are available under Services, Flow Measurement subpages in the top navigation.
Find an Existing Well Permit
Information on all registered well permits can be found through our Well Permit Search Tool and our Map Viewer Tools that are linked on this page. The well permit file will contain the allowable uses of the well, the original permit application, and any available well construction and pump installation records.
Home Buyers and Real Estate Professionals
Important water information for real estate transactions in this video and fact sheet. Also, check out the longer video, Intro to Water Administration, Well Permits, and Water Rights in the links section.
Wells in Denver Basins
If the well is located in the Denver Basin, additional rules may apply. These rules are available at the bottom of this page.
Wells in Designated Basins
If the well is located in a Designated Basin, additional rules may apply. These rules are available at the bottom of this page.
Apply for a New Well Permit
Guides to assist you with applying for a new well permit can be found under Important Links. First, to learn more about different application types and the process, you my review the Beginner's Guide to Well Permits. Next, the Form Submittal, Payment Options and Fee Schedule gives additional guidance on how DWR accepts application forms and payments.
The first step is to complete the appropriate application and pay the associated fee. Visit the Applications eForms Dashboard link (or Application Forms) on this page to access well permitting forms and complete the appropriate application. The Division of Water Resources accepts applications by email, and associated fees can be paid online. Once your emailed application has been received, you will receive an email back with instructions on paying the application fees.
Permit Processing and Requests for Emergency Well Permit Approval
DWR reviews new and replacement well permit applications in the order they are received, and review of complete applications may take up to 49 days. DWR will act upon emergency requests for well permit approval for some replacement well situations, some location changes, and some changes in source/aquifer. See the document, Emergency Well Permit Procedures below for additional information.
Important Links
- Beginner's Guide to Well Permits
- Emergency Well Permit Procedures
- Fact Sheet for Home Buyers and Real Estate Professionals
- Form Submittal, Payment Options and Fee Schedule
- Introduction to DWR and Well Permitting (Video: 2hr; May 6, 2025)
- Water quality testing information - Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
The Division of Water Resources will be amending the Rules and Regulations for Permitting the Development and Appropriation of Geothermal Resources Through the Use of Wells, (Geothermal Rules) 2 CCR 402-10. DWR Staff are developing proposed changes and would like to hear from the drillers, contractors, suppliers, scientists, and engineers in the industry.
- Sign up for the Rulemaking email listserv to receive notifications on proposed changes and the Rulemaking process
- Visit the Notification Lists Webpage
- New Users, click Register for DWR Notifications (opens in new window) to register for an account
- Existing Users, click Login/Manage DWR Notifications (opens in new window) to subscribe to the “Shallow Geothermal Rulemaking” notification list
- Submit comments to DWR Staff using the following Google Form
- 2024-2025 Shallow Geothermal Rulemaking Comment Form (opens in new window)
- When documents associated with this rulemaking begin to be available, please use the subject search box below to filter by document titles
The Rulemaking for Statewide Nontributary Groundwater (2 CCR 402-7) has been terminated, effective 4/15/2021. Please view the documents describing the reason for termination.
Secretary of State Notice regarding Rulemaking Termination & Additional details regarding Termination of Rulemaking
This webpage will be updated when a future Rulemaking has been rescheduled.
Final Rules
Produced Nontributary Petitions