Water and Sewer Connection Permit in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2026)
Without a Water and Sewer Connection Permit from Colorado Springs Utilities, you cannot legally open a new restaurant, tap into municipal water mains, or discharge wastewater—your construction plans will stall. This local requirement, also known as a utility service application, involves a 10-field form and government filing fees ranging from $50 to over $889,000 based on your project's specific water demand, sewer type, and meter size. Key facts:
- 10 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 8
- $50–$889,224 government filing fees (Colorado Springs Utilities 2025 fee schedule)
- Timeline varies based on project scope
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Why You Need a Water and Sewer Connection Permit
A Water and Sewer Connection Permit in Colorado Springs is a legal requirement before you can physically connect your new or remodeled restaurant building to the city's public water and wastewater systems. This permit, issued by Colorado Springs Utilities in coordination with the city's Public Works Department, is mandated by local ordinances governing infrastructure, including Chapter 11 of the Colorado Springs Municipal Code (Water and Wastewater Utilities), the city's Sewer Use Regulations, and ordinances covering right-of-way use and sidewalk/roadway restoration. It ensures your planned connections meet engineering standards for capacity, location, and materials, and that your discharge complies with local limits for grease, temperature, and other contaminants.
Operating without this permit or bypassing its conditions triggers significant enforcement actions. Based on the city's enforcement policies, consequences include:
- Service disconnection – Colorado Springs Utilities can physically sever your water and sewer lines, halting all operations immediately.
- Daily fines and required remediation – Violations can incur substantial penalties per day of non-compliance, plus the cost of correcting any unauthorized work.
- Permit revocation and stop-work orders – The city can revoke other construction permits, freezing your entire project.
- Insurance and lease implications – Unpermitted work typically voids builder's risk insurance and can constitute a lease default if the property is damaged.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: As of 2026, Colorado Springs has integrated its water/sewer connection permit review more closely with the city's overall land development process, requiring earlier submission of connection plans during site plan review.
Who Needs a Water and Sewer Connection Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Any permanent facility with plumbing fixtures connected to the municipal water and sewer system requires this permit for new construction or major renovation, per Colorado Springs Utilities' Development Services criteria. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Permanent establishments with restrooms, sinks, or other plumbing require this permit to ensure proper connection and sizing, as per Colorado Springs Utilities code for commercial service installations. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Mobile units typically connect to a commissary's approved water/sewer system; a direct, permanent connection permit is not required for the truck itself under the city's mobile vending regulations. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Requires the permit due to installation of plumbing for espresso machines, sinks, and restrooms, as mandated by Colorado Springs Utilities for all new commercial water service connections. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (10 Fields)
8 of 10 auto-filledProject Location Address
textEnter the full, physical street address of the restaurant property where the water and sewer connection work will occur, exactly as it appears on your lease or property deed.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the owner's mailing address or an incomplete address (e.g., missing suite/unit number) is the #1 cause for rejection, as inspectors need the exact site.
Work Description and Scope
textDescribe the plumbing work in specific terms, such as 'Install new 3/4" water service line and 4" sewer lateral connection for a new commercial kitchen.'
COMMON MISTAKE: Using vague language like 'plumbing work' or 'hook up water' will be rejected; the Colorado Springs Utilities Plumbing Code requires a detailed scope for permit valuation.
Property Owner Name
textEnter the legal name of the property owner or holding entity as recorded with the El Paso County Assessor's Office.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing the tenant/restaurant business name instead of the property owner leads to immediate rejection, as the owner must authorize the work.
Property Owner Contact Information
textProvide a current phone number and email address for the property owner or their authorized agent.
Contractor Company Name
textEnter the exact business name of the licensed plumbing contractor who will perform the work, as registered with the Colorado State Licensing Board.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing a general contractor instead of the specific, licensed plumbing subcontractor will cause rejection; the permit holder must be the plumbing license holder.
Contractor Contact Information
textProvide the phone number and email for the plumbing contractor's project manager or primary contact.
has_contractor_license
checkboxCheck this box to affirm the listed contractor holds a valid Colorado Master Plumber or Journeyman Plumber license.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking this box without uploading the corresponding license document in the next field is a common oversight that triggers a 'deficiency notice' and delays the review.
Contractor License (PDF or image)
textUpload a clear scan or photo of the contractor's current Colorado plumbing license card or state-issued certificate.
COMMON MISTAKE: Uploading an expired license or a business license (not a plumbing trade license) causes automatic rejection per Colorado Revised Statutes § 12-135 101.
has_liability_insurance
checkboxCheck this box to confirm the contractor carries general liability insurance meeting Colorado Springs Utilities minimum requirements (typically $1 million).
Certificate of Liability Insurance
textUpload the current Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming Colorado Springs Utilities as certificate holder, showing general liability coverage limits and effective dates.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting a COI that expired or does not list Colorado Springs Utilities as certificate holder is a top reason for permit hold, adding 5–7 business days to your timeline.
Top 5 Water and Sewer Connection Permit Mistakes
1. Not Having Approved Site & Construction Plans
Submitting the connection permit before the city has issued final approval for your site development and building plans. The Utilities Department requires these approvals first as proof of proper grading and drainage. Skipping this step causes immediate rejection, adding 3–6 weeks while you return to the Planning and Building Departments.
2. Inaccurate Water Demand & Fixture Calculations
Entering incorrect fixture counts or estimated daily water use (in gallons per day). This data must match your plumbing plans and directly determines connection size and fees. Errors here lead to permit re-submission and potential fees for an undersized line, delaying inspections by 2–4 weeks. Use the fixture unit table from the Uniform Plumbing Code, which Colorado Springs adopts.
3. Wrong Property Legal Description
Using a simple street address or parcel ID instead of the full legal description (e.g., Lot, Block, Subdivision). The Utilities Department cross-references this with County Assessor records for the service address. An incomplete description halts processing, requiring a title report or deed pull, adding 1–2 weeks. The correct format is: 'Lot 12, Block 3, Broadmoor Valley Addition, City of Colorado Springs'.
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Water and Sewer Connection Permit by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Contact authority for current fees - refer to Fee Schedule 1, 2, or 3 available on aurora.gov Development Center | 2-4 weeks for permit issuance pending inspection scheduling and approval (timelines vary based on application completeness) |
| Colorado Springs | Water Development Charge (WDC) ranges from $5,297 to $889,224 depending on property type, lot size, and meter size. Water Resource Fee (WRF) ranges from $3,847 to $645,790. Wastewater Permit Fees (2025): Single-family residential new construction $160, multi-family per service line $200, non-residential without interceptor $200, non-residential with interceptor $350. Additional Install/Repair/Alteration: Single-family $200, multi-family $240, non-residential without interceptor $240, non-residential with interceptor $390. Wastewater Development Charges range from $1,868 to $460,049 depending on property type and meter size. Return trip fees (2025): Single-family $100, multi-family $140, non-residential without interceptor $140, non-residential with interceptor $290. Outside-city limit charges are 50% higher than inside city. | |
| Denver | Contact authority for current fees. Denver Water charges connection fees; sewer permit fees vary by local authority | 4-8 weeks from application to final approval, depending on site complexity and inspection availability. May extend if modifications required. |
Government Filing Fees
- Water Development Charge (WDC) ranges from $5,297 to $889,224 depending on property type, lot size, and meter size.
- Water Resource Fee (WRF) ranges from $3,847 to $645,790.
- Wastewater Permit Fees (2025): Single-family residential new construction $160, multi-family per service line $200, non-residential without interceptor $200, non-residential with interceptor $350.
- Additional Install/Repair/Alteration: Single-family $200, multi-family $240, non-residential without interceptor $240, non-residential with interceptor $390.
- Wastewater Development Charges range from $1,868 to $460,049 depending on property type and meter size.
- Return trip fees (2025): Single-family $100, multi-family $140, non-residential without interceptor $140, non-residential with interceptor $290.
- Outside-city limit charges are 50% higher than inside city.
Timeline: Varies
Determine property location (inside or outside city limits)
Pull your property’s legal description from your lease or deed and verify its service jurisdiction on the Colorado Springs Utilities Service Area Map online. Applications sent to the wrong jurisdiction add 2–4 weeks of processing delays as they get rerouted. You’ll need your parcel number, which is on your property tax statement.
Identify connection type and meter size requirements
Review your approved plumbing plans to confirm the required water meter size (e.g., 5/8”, 1”, 1.5”) and connection type (direct tap, corporation stop). Meter size determines your water development charges—entering an incorrect size is a common rejection reason that requires resubmission. Your plumbing contractor can provide this spec.
Calculate applicable water development charges and water resource fees
Use the Colorado Springs Utilities Water Development Charge calculator (available on their website) or contact their Development Services team for an official fee estimate based on your meter size and service address. These fees are due before permit issuance—miscalculation can stall your application. Typical charges range from $3,000 to $15,000+.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local department of public works (dpw) in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing time varies significantly based on project complexity and department workload. For a simple residential tap, plan review can take 2-4 weeks. For commercial projects requiring detailed utility coordination or a Building Permit, the review may take several months. Contact Colorado Springs Utilities for a current timeline specific to your project scope.
Government filing fees are based on the size of the connection and project complexity, ranging from $50 for a basic residential meter to over $800,000 for major commercial or industrial developments, per the Colorado Springs Utilities fee schedule. An exact quote requires submitting a preliminary application. It's important to budget for this early, as these fees are separate from any associated Certificate of Occupancy or development charges.
No, these permits are not transferable. A water and sewer connection permit is issued for a specific service address and project scope. If you change locations, you must submit a new application and pay new government filing fees for the new property, as the infrastructure and engineering review are site-specific. The permit is void upon sale of the property or completion of the approved work.
You do not renew a connection permit. The permit is valid only for the duration of the approved construction project. Once the connection is inspected, approved, and the meter is set, the permit is closed. You will, however, have ongoing obligations, including maintaining your Backflow Prevention Device Certification annually and complying with all utility billing requirements.
A Colorado Springs Utilities inspector verifies that the installed piping, valves, meter setting, and backflow prevention devices match the approved plans and meet city code. For sewer lines, they check for proper slope, bedding, and connection to the main. All work must be exposed and accessible. Failing inspection typically requires re-work and a re-inspection fee, delaying your project timeline and potentially your Certificate of Occupancy.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 10 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
- Aurora — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Colorado Springs — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Denver — Department of Public Works (DPW)
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