October 21, 2025 – El Paso County hosted a public work session to present the findings of the Water Reliability Evaluation, a comprehensive review of groundwater conditions and water sustainability within the county. The evaluation was conducted independently by Moore Engineering, a recognized expert in water resources.

“As a resident of unincorporated El Paso County, it is important for me to be able to look my neighbors and those I serve in the eye and let them know that we are doing our best to ensure water security,” said Board Chair, Commissioner Carrie Geitner. “By proactively undertaking this evaluation, we now have clear, data-driven information about our groundwater conditions to guide future decision-making.”

The Water Reliability Evaluation, conducted by Moore Engineering, assessed groundwater availability in the Denver Basin Aquifer. The findings support the county’s longstanding 300-year rule, which requires new developments in unincorporated areas to demonstrate a reliable water supply for 300 years — three times longer than the state of Colorado’s 100-year requirement.

Key findings shared at the work session include:

  • The Denver Basin Aquifer is a reliable long-term source of water for both residential and municipal uses.
  • No policy or code changes are recommended regarding how El Paso County administers Denver Basin Aquifer water use.
  • The water level data shows that the 300-Year Rule has been effective in protecting the longevity of the aquifers. Across much of the County, it appears that there may be more water in the aquifers than the amounts allocated on paper under a 100- or 300-year calculation.

The evaluation reaffirms the county’s proactive approach and strengthens its role as a responsible steward of water resources. The findings provide a data-driven foundation for land-use decisions. El Paso County will continue to monitor groundwater conditions and make informed decisions to support reliable water supplies into the future.

For more information on the Water Reliability Evaluation, please visit: https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/. The presentation and report will be under Trending Now topics.