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Colorado plumbing market report

Public-data snapshot · Updated 2026-06-21 · By J.D. Hartwell, editor

A snapshot of the plumbing market in Colorado: who's licensed, where they work, climate context, and what homeowners typically pay. All data from official US public sources cited below.

Licensed pros
9,930
BLS OES May 2023 - 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters)
Households
2,235k
US Census ACS 2022
Climate zone
Cold
DOE/NOAA climate classification
Typical water heater install/replace
$1,620
National avg adjusted for Colorado cost-of-living

State overview

Colorado has approximately 2,235k households (US Census ACS 2022) and is in a cold climate zone (DOE/NOAA classification). The state employs roughly 9,930 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for code 47-2152, or about 4.4 pros per 1,000 households.

Licensing

Plumbing pros in Colorado are typically regulated by the Colorado Plumbing Board. Before hiring, verify the contractor's license number, that the license is active and in good standing, and that the licensee is bonded and insured to operate in Colorado. License lookup is typically free at the board's public website.

Top 5 cities by listed pros

  1. Denver — 26 listed
  2. Aurora — 6 listed
  3. Lakewood — 6 listed
  4. Boulder — 5 listed
  5. Grand Junction — 4 listed

Seasonal demand pattern

Peak demand Dec-Mar (frozen pipes); shoulder Apr-May for repipes.

Typical cost range in Colorado

Based on national HomeAdvisor and Angi 2024-2026 averages adjusted to Colorado cost-of-living, a typical water heater install/replace in Colorado runs around $1,620. See the full cost calculator suite for service-by-service ranges. Always get a written quote before committing to work.

Find a verified pro in Colorado

Browse our Colorado state hub or jump to a city: Denver, Aurora, Lakewood.

See all Colorado plumbing pros →

Data sources. Employment: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023 (bls.gov/oes), occupation code 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Households: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2022 1-year estimates (census.gov/acs). Climate zone: U.S. Department of Energy Building America Climate Zones (energy.gov) / NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (noaa.gov). Licensing: Colorado Plumbing Board. Cost ranges: HomeAdvisor 2024 True Cost Reports (homeadvisor.com), Angi 2024 cost guides (angi.com). All figures are estimates; verify before relying on for any decision.