Fremont County, CO: the USDA septic-suitability picture

Very limited

Fremont County, CO: USDA's soil survey calls 86.3% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. A standard gravity system routinely fails on ground like this; the same share of the county falls in USDA's worst absorption-field bucket outright. The county spans 1,533.835 square miles, home to 50,093 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Two lots a mile apart in Fremont County can carry different soil, even though they share one countywide rating. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Fremont County: conventional vs. engineered cost

86.3% of Fremont County carrying a "Very limited" reading changes the realistic budget here. Conventional systems run $3,000-$8,000 where they pass; where they don't, engineered alternatives (mound or aerobic treatment, whichever the health department requires) run $10,000-$40,000 - budget toward the higher figure until a perc test says otherwise.

Fremont County's rank among Colorado counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Fremont County, CO ranks 1,586 most-constrained nationally, and 30 of 63 within Colorado.

Before you act on this

How this rating is built, and its real limits · Conventional vs. engineered septic systems