Off-grid basics

Off-Grid Land in Colorado: Power, Water, and Septic Basics

A lot of rural Colorado land is off-grid, meaning the services you take for granted in town, power, water, and sewer, are things you arrange yourself. That is not as daunting as it sounds, but it pays to understand your options before you buy. Here is the plain-English version.

Power

You have two broad choices: connect to the grid, or make your own power.

• Grid connection: if a utility line runs near the parcel, you may be able to connect, but the cost depends heavily on distance. Running a line even a few hundred feet can get expensive fast.
• Solar: for many off-grid parcels, a solar setup with batteries is the practical choice, and Colorado's sunshine makes it a good one. A backup generator is a common companion for cloudy stretches.

Before you assume either, find out how far the nearest power actually is.

Water

No city water means providing your own.

• Drilled well: the most permanent option. Wells require a permit, and depth and yield vary by area, so it is worth researching what nearby wells have found.
• Hauling and cisterns: some owners haul water and store it in a cistern, especially early on or for lighter use.
• Springs or surface water: these come with their own rules and are not something to count on without checking water rights.

Septic and waste

Without a sewer, you handle wastewater on site.

• Conventional septic: a septic tank and leach field is the standard approach for a home, and it requires a permit and a soil evaluation to confirm the ground will handle it.
• Alternative systems: where soils or conditions do not suit a conventional system, engineered alternatives exist, at higher cost.
• Lighter setups: composting toilets and similar options exist for cabin and camping use, but what is allowed varies, so confirm before you rely on one.

Internet and connectivity

Being off-grid no longer means being off the map. Satellite internet has made fast connections possible almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, and cell coverage reaches many rural areas, though it is worth checking the signal on the specific parcel.

What to verify with the county

Off-grid rules are local, and they matter. Before you buy with a particular setup in mind, confirm well permitting, septic requirements, and any rules on alternative systems directly with the county. A parcel that suits one plan may not suit another, and the county is the one that decides.