Labs certified for coliform bacteria64
64 named for coliform bacteria itself on the list.
Marked as taking public samples26
Per the state list or a state web page. Call to confirm.
Out-of-state labs6
Located outside Colorado but on its list.
People on private wells (2015)286,474
USGS estimate for Colorado.
How many labs test for coliform bacteria in Colorado
64 labs on Colorado's official drinking-water lab list are certified to test for coliform bacteria. All 64 are named for coliform bacteria on the list. 26 of them are marked as taking samples from the public. They are listed first. 6 are located outside Colorado.
The list is published by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) - Laboratory Services Division, Drinking water lab certification. List version on file: Live report, no edit date shown; data read by the report at 2026-11-02 20:39 UTC (Looker Studio dataTimestamp). Fetched 2026-11-02 (UTC).
Colorado labs certified for coliform bacteria
Marked as taking public samples (26)
| Lab | Location | Bacteria certification | Public samples | Cert. expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Analytical Laboratory - Commerce City | Commerce City, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Colorado Analytical Laboratory - Lakewood | Lakewood, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Colorado Department of Health & Environment | Denver, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Continental Water Laboratory | Sacramento, CA | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Culligan Analytical Laboratory | Rosemont, IL | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Eagle River W / S District | Avon, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| EAnalytics Laboratory | Loveland, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| El Paso County Health Department | Colorado Springs, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Energy Laboratories - WY | Casper, WY | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Environmental Science Corp.dba PACE TN | Mt. Juliet, TN | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Eurofins Pomona - CA | Pomona, CA | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Eurofins Reservoirs Environmental, Inc. | Arvada, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Fort Morgan, City of | Ft. Morgan, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Gilpin County Public Health Agency | Black Hawk, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| IEH-Warren Analytical Laboratory | Greeley, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| La Plata County Water Quality Laboratory | Durango, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| M.M.S Environmental Laboratories | Fort Collins, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Mesa County Public Health Regional Laboratory | Grand Junction, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Murray-Brown Laboratories, LLC. | Northglenn, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| National Testing Laboratories | Ypsilanti, MI | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Northeast Colorado Health Dept. | Sterling, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment | Pueblo, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Routt County Env. Health Dept. | Steamboat Springs, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Sangre De Cristo Laboratory | Alamosa, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
| Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment | Greeley, CO | Named on the official list | Public samples: yes (per state) | Not on the list |
Other labs on the list (38)
| Lab | Location | Bacteria certification | Public samples | Cert. expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Consolidated San. Dist. | Aspen, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Clifton Water District - Lab | Clifton, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Consolidated Mutual Water Co. | Lakewood, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Denver Water - National Western Complex | Denver, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Highlands Ranch Water and Sanitation District | Littleton, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| North Table Mtn. W / S District | Golden, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Parker Water & Sanitation District | Parker, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | Estes Park, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Snowmass W / S District | Snowmass Village, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| South Adams County WSD | Commerce City, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| T & H Services LLC - Lab AKA: KIRA - CSC | Fort Carson, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Three Lakes W/S District | Grand Lake, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Ute Water Conservancy District | Palisade, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Widefield Water and Sanitation District Laboratory | Colorado Springs, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples | Not on the list |
| Arvada, City of | Arvada, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Aurora, City of | Aurora, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Boulder, City of Drinking Water Lab | Boulder, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Broomfield, City & County - WTP | Broomfield, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Cherokee Metropolitan District Water Quality Laboratory | Colorado Springs, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Colorado Springs Utilities | Colorado Springs, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Craig, City of | Craig, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Estes Park, Town of | Estes Park, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Fort Collins, City of | Fort Collins, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Golden, City of | Golden, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Grand Junction, City of - WQL | Grand Junction, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Grand Junction, City of - WWTP AKA Persigo | Grand Junction, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Gunnison, City of | Gunnison, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| High Country Utility Services | Basalt, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Lafayette, City of | Lafayette, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Longmont, City of | Longmont, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Loveland, City of - WQL | Loveland, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Mid Valley Metropolitan District | Carbondale, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Northglenn, City of | Northglenn, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Plum Creek Water Reclamation Authority | Castle Rock, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Project 7 Water Authority | Montrose, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Pueblo Board of Water Works | Pueblo, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Thornton, City of | Thornton, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
| Westminster, City of | Westminster, CO | Named on the official list | Not marked as taking public samples Looks like a utility or municipal lab, judging by the name (our label, not the state list) | Not on the list |
How the Colorado list marks public samples (whole list). Per lab, from CDPHE's column "Accepts Outside Samples": Yes means the lab takes samples from outside its own organisation, so call first to ask about a household sample, its bottles and its fees; No (utility and municipal labs that test only their own system's water) is shown as not accepting homeowners' samples. CDPHE's 'Water testing services' page sends well owners to this list: "Refer to the list of other accredited laboratories that may be able to accept your samples."
Before you send a sample, call the lab to confirm it is currently certified for the exact test and method, that it accepts samples from homeowners, and how to collect and ship them. Status can change between list updates.
Why test for coliform bacteria in Colorado
About a third of the 397 domestic wells tested for bacteria in a national USGS study had total coliform. Read our coliform bacteria explainer.
EPA advises private-well owners to test every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH. [1]
Colorado guidance that mentions coliform bacteria:
- Colorado's health department (CDPHE) recommends testing every year for total coliform bacteria, total dissolved solids, nitrate/nitrite and pH, and every 3 to 5 years for arsenic, copper, fluoride, hardness, iron, lead, manganese and uranium. For a new well or a well with no known testing, it lists a broader panel that includes PFAS and a volatile organic compound (VOC) screen. It says more frequent testing may be needed if pregnant or breastfeeding people, small children or elderly adults drink the water. [2]
- Colorado State University Extension says wells used for drinking water should be tested for coliform bacteria every one to two years, along with other water quality parameters, and more often if the well is in poor condition, has been flooded, the septic system has failed, abandoned wells or feed yards are nearby, or visitors have had stomach or intestinal trouble. Its well-care checklist also says to have the well tested once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrate and other contaminants of concern. [3]
- As of November 2026, the Colorado State Public Health Laboratory has temporarily suspended water chemistry testing to address quality control issues and has no timeline for reopening; it encourages using an accredited lab instead. Bacterial testing is not affected: the lab still tests for total coliform and E. coli. Well owners and real estate agents can order sample bottles, which the lab ships by FedEx at no cost. Samples must reach the lab within 24 hours of collection, payment is due when you submit the sample, and most results are ready within 72 hours. The lab says it cannot point you to a specific outside lab, because it certifies the labs on its list. [4]
About 286,474 people in Colorado used private wells in 2015, by the USGS estimate of people on domestic self-supplied water. [5] Federal limits are written for public water systems, not private wells, so testing is up to the owner.
For tests that depend on your home (farms nearby, old plumbing, a new baby), use the which-tests checklist. When results arrive, check your numbers against EPA's limits. State guidance, county data and every lab: Colorado.
Other tests in Colorado
Nitrate testing38 labsArsenic testing34 labsLead testing35 labsPFAS testing22 labsUranium testing23 labsVOC testing20 labs
Sources
- U.S. EPA, Protect your home's water
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking), Private well water and your health
- Colorado State University Extension, Bacteria in Water Wells (published Dec 2005, reviewed Aug 2025)
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, State Public Health Laboratory, Water testing services
- USGS, Estimated use of water in the United States, county-level data for 2015 (Dieter et al., ver. 2.0, 2018)
- CDPHE Drinking Water Lab Certifications (Looker Studio report on cdphe.colorado.gov/dwlabs) (official list)
Certified as ofLive report, no edit date shown; data read by the report at 2026-11-02 20:39 UTC (Looker Studio dataTimestamp)
CDPHE Drinking Water Lab Certifications (Looker Studio report on cdphe.colorado.gov/dwlabs).
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