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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I find more information about water data?

    CDSS Online Tools search for water data.

  • I have a well that is permitted for use inside one single family dwelling but I'd like to use it for additional uses. Where do I start?

    The Beginner's Guide to Augmentation Plans For Wells will help you get started.

  • When is the next Board of Examiners Meeting?

    The BOE meeting schedule can be found here.

  • I'm new to the area. Where do I find a driller?

    Lists of currently licensed contractors by city, company, name, or number can be found here

  • Who are the members of the Board of Examiners?

    The current BOE members can be found here.

  • Where can I find contacts for Dam Safety?

    Contact information for Dam Safety Engineers can be found on the contact us page in the Division Offices Contact Information section.

  • What is the Denver Basin and where is it located?

    The Denver Basin is a series of layered bedrock aquifers containing usable groundwater located along the Front Range reaching generally from Greeley on the north to Colorado Springs on the south, and from the Foothills on the west to Limon on the East. You can see a map of the aquifers here. For information on the Denver Basin, click here.

  • Who can withdraw water from the Denver Basin Aquifer?

    The owner of land that overlies the Denver Basin aquifer or a party that has obtained proper consent from the overlying land owner. For more information, click here.

  • Can I use MapViewer on my cell phone?

    Yes, MapViewer is HTML 5 compatible. So, it works on cell phones and tablets. It will even use your device’s GPS to locate you in the software.

  • Can I collect rainwater on residential properties?

    The Rainwater Collection folder contains documents explaining the conditions where this is allowed.

  • How do I search for well permits and obtain a copy of my well permit?

    You can search for well permits and obtain a copy using the Well Permit Search Tool. Search By: Address, Applicant Name, Receipt Number or Permit Number. For additional information on using the Well Permit Search Tool, see the Permit Search Tool User Guide here

  • How do I search for well permits and obtain a copy of my well permit?

    You can search for well permits and obtain a copy using the Well Permit Search Tool. Search By: Address, Applicant Name, Receipt Number or Permit Number. For additional information on using the Well Permit Search Tool, see the Permit Search Tool User Guide here

  • How do I change the name on a well permit as the new owner?

    See the Guide to Change of Owner Name/Contact Information on Well Permits.

  • Where can I find more information about well contractor licensing?

    Information about well contractor licensing can be found in the Licensing & Continuing Education drop-down here.

  • How can I find water rights transactions?

    You can use CDSS Online Tools Water Rights - Transactions search tool.

  • How can I find groundwater level data by street address?

    CDSS Online Tools allows you to search by many options. Go to the Groundwater - Water Levels search page.

  • How can I find groundwater level data by street address?

    CDSS Online Tools allows you to search by many options. Go to the Groundwater - Water Levels search page.

  • Where do I submit a well construction variance request?

    Requests for Well Construction Variances can be made by filling in the AskDWR Variance Request Form. Be sure to attach your detailed variance request and a diagram.

  • Where do I submit a well construction variance request?

    Requests for Well Construction Variances can be made by filling in the AskDWR Variance Request Form. Be sure to attach your detailed variance request and a diagram.

  • How do I submit a geophysical log waiver request?

    Make your request by filling in the AskDWR Geophysical Log Waiver Request Form.

  • How do I submit a geophysical log waiver request?

    Make your request by filling in the AskDWR Geophysical Log Waiver Request Form.

  • How do I file a complaint against a contractor?

    Follow the Complaint Process & Procedure document.

  • How do I Prepare For a Hearing Before the Ground Water Commission?

    See the white paper The Non-Lawyers' Guide to Hearings before the Colorado Ground Water Commission.

  • Where is the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) located?

    Please visit our Contact Pages for the Denver Office location as well as locations throughout the state (Listed by City and River Basin).

  • Where can I get the Section, Township, and Range or legal description for my property?

    Look up your property address with the County Tax Assessor to obtain your full legal description.

  • How far back do your well permit records go?

    Well permit records include all water wells drilled after 5/8/1972. They also include many wells that were late registered that were in use prior to that timeframe. Through the process of property sales and well replacement applications more of these historic wells are becoming registered in our records.

  • How do I contact Water Court?

    Contact information for each Divisional water court is accessed by selecting a Water Division from the By Division options in the Colorado State Judicial Branch's Water Courts section.

  • Where can I find information on Hemp, Cannabis and Marijuana, related to water usage in Colorado?

    Information on Hemp, Cannabis and Marijuana can be found here.

  • How can I obtain Water Rights Ownership Information?

    The Division of Water Resources does not require that ownership or transfers of ownership of water rights or shares in ditches be submitted to our office and we are not aware of any general requirement that this information be recorded as a public record. As a result, the Division of Water Resources does not have official records of water right or ditch share ownership transfers.

  • Where can I find the Division Engineer's 2020 Abandonment List?

    The Division Engineer's 2020 Abandonment Lists can be accessed on here. There are pdfs by division and a sortable spreadsheet for all of Colorado.

  • Where can I find more information about streamflow, reservoir and diversion stations?

    Streamflow, reservoir and diversion station information can be found using the Stations tool.

  • Where can I find real-time water data that is mobile-friendly?

    Use the Stationslite tool to access real-time water data in a mobile-friendly format.

  • What are the options for water supply in a new subdivision?

    The options for water supply in a new subdivision depend on the location and if a municipal water supply is available in the area. The Guide to Well Permits has a section about wells in subdivisions.

  • Can an SWSP be approved for permanent operation?

    No, SWSPs are all approved for a limited duration. They must be renewed.

  • What is a call for water?

    See the Beginners Guide to Colorado Water Administration.

  • Questions about Map Viewer or GIS Data?

    See the Map Viewer and GIS FAQs document here.

  • What is well metering?

    Well Metering is typically for large capacity irrigation or commercial wells, not single-family residential wells. Well use & measurement rules in certain basins require some wells to have a well meter (Flow measurement device or a power conversion coefficient value) installed and verified by a certified well tester. To learn more about whether a well requires a meter, please see the specific well permit.

  • What is well metering?

    Well Metering is typically for large capacity irrigation or commercial wells, not single-family residential wells. Well use & measurement rules in certain basins require some wells to have a well meter (Flow measurement device or a power conversion coefficient value) installed and verified by a certified well tester. To learn more about whether a well requires a meter, please see the specific well permit.

  • How do I submit an application for an SWSP and what is the fee?

    Information on the SWSP submittal process and fees can be found here.

  • How do I submit an application for a well permit and what is the fee?

    You can learn how to submit an application and the fee amount here. Use the eForms Dashboard to download fillable PDFs of the permit application forms.

  • What type of well permit can I get on my property?

    Review the Beginner's Guide to Well Permits or complete and submit a Permitting Information Request.

  • What is the status of my well permit application?

    Please allow 4-6 weeks for the processing of an application submitted with all of the required information. You can check application status through DWR’s Well Permit Search Tool using the following search options: Address, Applicant Name, or Receipt Number.

    On the results list, click on “view” for a copy of the well permit if the Permit Status column shows “Permit Issued”. Well permits that are still being processed will show a status of “Application Received”, “Additional Fee Required”, “Application Information Requested”, “Application Information Submitted”, “Hydrogeology Review Requested”, or “Hydrogeology Review Completed”.

  • Where do I submit my well construction or pump installation advance notification?

    Follow the instructions under the "Notifications to Well Inspection Team" drop-down here.

  • Where can I find the Water Well Construction Rules?

    The Rules are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Rules & Regulations". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Water Well Construction Rules?

    The Rules are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Rules & Regulations". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Water Well Construction Rules?

    The Rules are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Rules & Regulations". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Water Well Construction Rules?

    The Rules are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Rules & Regulations". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Board of Examiners Administration (Licensing) Rules?

    The Rules are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Rules & Regulations". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Board of Examiners Administration (Licensing) Rules?

    The Rules are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Rules & Regulations". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Board of Examiners Policies and other Guidance documents?

    The BOE policies and Guidance documents are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Guidance Documents - Formal Directives". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Board of Examiners Policies and other Guidance documents?

    The BOE policies and Guidance documents are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Guidance Documents - Formal Directives". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Board of Examiners Policies and other Guidance documents?

    The BOE policies and Guidance documents are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Guidance Documents - Formal Directives". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find the Board of Examiners Policies and other Guidance documents?

    The BOE policies and Guidance documents are found on DWR's website under "Public Information" click on "Boards and Commissions", under the heading of "Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)" click on "Guidance Documents - Formal Directives". Here is a direct link.

  • Where can I find additional FAQ's about ponds specific to basins?

    There are additional FAQ's specific to Ponds in Arkansas Basin and Ponds in Designated Basins.

  • How do I apply for a residential water well permit?

    To apply for a residential well permit, use form GWS-44. Use the eForms Dashboard to download a fillable PDF of form GWS-44. Use the eForms Dashboard to also access all other well permit application forms. For additional information on well permits, see the Beginner's Guide to Well Permits. Information on submitting applications and filing fees is available here.

  • I can no longer find the GWS-11 form on your website. Where did it go?

    The GWS-11 form was replaced in August 2022 with new Change of Owner Name/Contact Information web based eForms.

  • I work for a title company, do you have a special change of owner name form for me?

    Yes! We actually have two title company specific forms for the change of owner name/contact information.

    - Title Companies - Change of Owner Name/Contact Information eForms

  • I work for a title company, do you have a special change of owner name form for me?

    Yes! We actually have two title company specific forms for the change of owner name/contact information.

    - Title Companies - Change of Owner Name/Contact Information eForms

  • I’m using the new change of owner eForm, but as a title company, we need a paper form for new owners to fill out. Can we still use the GWS-11 form?

    The GWS-11 form is no longer accepted, but we’ve developed a new Change in Owner Name/Contact Information for well permits for use in connection with a real estate transaction document just for title companies. You will receive a copy when you successfully register as a title company in our eForms system and the form can also be accessed within the title company specific eForms in case you lose your copy. This form is for use only by title companies and is not for use if the well owner is filing the online eForm.

  • I’m using the new change of owner eForm, but as a title company, we need a paper form for new owners to fill out. Can we still use the GWS-11 form?

    The GWS-11 form is no longer accepted, but we’ve developed a new Change in Owner Name/Contact Information for well permits for use in connection with a real estate transaction document just for title companies. You will receive a copy when you successfully register as a title company in our eForms system and the form can also be accessed within the title company specific eForms in case you lose your copy. This form is for use only by title companies and is not for use if the well owner is filing the online eForm.

  • I am an attorney or agent looking to submit a change of owner name / contact information for my client. Do I need to register as a title company in your new system to submit the appropriate eForm?

    You do not need to register as a title company if you are an authorized agent or attorney and you are submitting the eForm Change of Owner Name/Contact Information (for use by the well owner or the well owner’s attorney/authorized agent) on behalf of the well owner. Simply complete the eForm and add yourself as an Authorized Agent/Attorney when prompted. Upload any required documentation (a letter of authorization) if you are an agent, or enter your bar number if you are an attorney.

  • I am an attorney or agent looking to submit a change of owner name / contact information for my client. Do I need to register as a title company in your new system to submit the appropriate eForm?

    You do not need to register as a title company if you are an authorized agent or attorney and you are submitting the eForm Change of Owner Name/Contact Information (for use by the well owner or the well owner’s attorney/authorized agent) on behalf of the well owner. Simply complete the eForm and add yourself as an Authorized Agent/Attorney when prompted. Upload any required documentation (a letter of authorization) if you are an agent, or enter your bar number if you are an attorney.

  • How do I file a Well Abandonment Report?

    The eForm for Well Abandonment is available online for completion beginning August 28, 2024. Please use this eForm to report abandonment of a well. For additional guidance on filing the eForm, please refer to the Guide to Filing the Well Abandonment Report eForm. Please note that older PDF and/or Paper Versions of the form will continue to be accepted through October 31, 2024 by email or mail. 

  • Can I submit the Well Abandonment Report eForm in bulk for multiple wells?

    Currently you cannot submit the eForm in bulk to report abandonment for multiple wells. Please complete the eForm for each well you are abandoning. Please note that the previous bulk submittal process, via email, can be used through October 31, 2024.