Burlington, CO Well
Drilling Cost

Burlington sits at the eastern edge of the Ogallala, where the aquifer thins and drilling gets more variable

Burlington is 15 miles from the Kansas border and geologically sits at the eastern margin of the Ogallala Aquifer in Colorado. What that means for well drilling: the Ogallala thickness varies dramatically parcel-to-parcel here — from 100 feet in some western Kit Carson County properties to under 30 feet at the KS border. That variability makes Burlington drilling less predictable than Yuma or Sterling.

Three things make Burlington drilling economics distinct:

1. Some wells strike Cretaceous Pierre Shale sooner than expected. When Ogallala thins to less than 60 feet of saturated thickness, drillers often need to consider the deeper Cheyenne Sandstone Aquifer as an alternative — a completely different drilling profile.
2. Casing costs run higher. Interbedded shale layers between the Ogallala and any deeper zones require careful casing to prevent aquifer cross-contamination.
3. Water quality varies by parcel. Ogallala water in western Kit Carson County is different from Cheyenne Sandstone water where wells go deeper.

Burlington well cost at a glance (2026)

Burlington residential wells average about $12,800 complete — roughly 22% above the Colorado state average, driven by depth variability and casing complexity.

What makes Burlington drilling different

1. Ogallala thickness varies dramatically

Kit Carson County’s Ogallala Aquifer thickness ranges from 30 feet (extreme eastern parts near the KS border) to 200+ feet (western county along I-70 corridor). For a well quote, this means:

• Western Kit Carson County (Flagler, western Burlington area): thicker Ogallala, more traditional drilling, cost per foot $30-$42
• Central Burlington area: transition zone, 100-200 feet of saturated Ogallala, cost per foot $32-$45
• Eastern Kit Carson County (near Bethune, KS border): thin Ogallala, may need to consider Cheyenne Sandstone alternative, cost per foot $40-$58

Ask specifically: what’s the Ogallala thickness at my parcel per DWR groundwater level records? Reputable Burlington drillers check this before quoting.

2. The Cheyenne Sandstone alternative

Below the Ogallala in Kit Carson County lies the Cretaceous Cheyenne Sandstone Aquifer — a deeper (500-900 foot typical), older water source that some Burlington-area wells target when Ogallala is thin or unproductive.

Cheyenne Sandstone characteristics:

• Water is older (10,000-100,000+ years), often mineralized
• Yield is typically 5-25 GPM (lower than productive Ogallala 25-100 GPM)
• Water quality often includes elevated sulfates, iron, and hardness
• Costs 40-80% more than an equivalent Ogallala well

For most Burlington residential properties, the Ogallala remains the target. Cheyenne Sandstone is a backup when Ogallala fails to produce adequately.

3. Casing between Ogallala and shale

Wells that penetrate through Ogallala into shale (or into Cheyenne Sandstone below shale) require careful casing to:

• Prevent Ogallala water from contaminating deeper aquifers
• Prevent shale-derived contaminants from entering Ogallala production zone
• Comply with Colorado DWR construction standards for multi-aquifer wells

Steel casing through the Pierre Shale is standard for any well penetrating shale in Burlington. Adds $1,500-$3,500 to casing cost vs shallow Ogallala-only wells.

Burlington water quality

Depending on which aquifer serves your well:

Ogallala water in Kit Carson County:

• Iron and manganese common — most wells need an iron filter ($1,500-$2,800)
• Moderate hardness (150-300 ppm) — softener recommended
• Nitrate can be elevated near agricultural areas
• Generally palatable and safe with appropriate treatment

Cheyenne Sandstone water:

• Higher iron content
• Higher sulfates (may impart “rotten egg” odor)
• Higher hardness (300-500+ ppm)
• Higher TDS overall
• May require aeration + softener + iron filter combination

Comprehensive water panel test at 30-45 days post-completion: $150-$350 from a state-certified lab.

Real permit costs

Total permitting for a Burlington residential well: $155-$400 for exempt, $400-$800 for non-exempt.

Burlington area contractors

Kit Carson County’s small population supports a limited local drilling market. Contractors serving Burlington include:

• Wildcat Drilling (Cheyenne Wells, about 45 minutes south — recently expanded Burlington-area work)
• Local Kit Carson County drilling specialists
• Sterling and Yuma-area drillers extending east during peak season
• Occasional Kansas-based drillers working border-area properties

When comparing quotes:

• Ogallala thickness assessment — do they check DWR groundwater data before quoting?
• Casing standards — steel through shale, PVC below is typical spec
• Cheyenne Sandstone experience (if applicable) — different drilling technique
• Post-completion development — critical for well yield

Timing considerations

• Best drilling months: April-October
• Get quotes in: January-March for spring drilling
• Peak season: April-August drilling season overlaps with agricultural work; residential timelines can slip to 8-14 weeks
• Total residential timeline: 10-16 weeks from initial quote to functional well

If you’re building or buying land in Kit Carson County, start the well conversation early — the parcel-to-parcel variability means you want geology assessment before committing to a homesite location.